JP2003010072A - Toilet seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet seat device for accurately measuring at least one of the breathing state and heartbeat state of a user or a characteristic value calculated from the breathing state or the heartbeat state without providing a different medium between a toilet and a toilet seat. SOLUTION: A toilet seat is provided with a seat body 3 having a hollow shape formed of an elastic material, a pressure chamber constituting body 7 formed of the elastic material and abutted to the internal surface of the seat body 3, a pressure detection means 6 communicating to the pressure chamber constituting body 7 and a controller for processing the output signals of the pressure detection means 6. The controller detects that a user sits on the seat body 3 as the output signal of the pressure detection means 6 and calculates at least one of the breathing state and heartbeat state of the user or the characteristic value calculated from the breathing state or the heartbeat state. Thus, the breathing state and the heartbeat state are highly accurately measured without the need of a special medium other than the toilet and the toilet seat.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toilet seat device capable of detecting the presence of a user from the deformation of a toilet seat and measuring the weight of the user. Particularly, the structure is simple and highly reliable. The present invention relates to a technique for incorporating a sensing device into a toilet seat, which is suitable for configuring a measuring unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the one seen in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 40371/1992 is formed on the bottom surface of a toilet seat, and a pressure detecting means is arranged in the vicinity of a cushion portion which abuts on a rim surface of a toilet bowl. It is intended to measure the weight value when sitting on a surface. In addition, as another mode in which the weight is detected by the toilet seat device, there is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
There is also an invention, such as the one seen in No. 206622, in which a pressure chamber structure for pressure detection is arranged inside the toilet seat.

[0003]

In the conventional toilet seat device,
The user can measure the weight just by sitting on the toilet seat,
You can measure your weight in the toilet, which is likely to be used once a day, and you do not need to pay attention to the storage space because the weight scale itself is integrated with the toilet seat device. However, the toilet seat is generally made of a resin molded product having high dimensional accuracy, whereas the toilet bowl is low in dimensional accuracy because it is a pottery (made of pottery). Therefore, it is necessary to attach 4 to the toilet seat to provide a grounding point for the toilet bowl.
The cushion part and the rim part on the upper surface of the toilet cannot be evenly loaded, and when trying to measure the weight accurately, the rigidity is high between the toilet seat cushion part and the toilet rim surface, and Since it is necessary to sandwich another medium with high flatness, the device itself becomes expensive and heavy, and in addition, it is not suitable for toilet applications where dirt easily enters between the toilet rim surface and the other medium. It may cause a situation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to accurately measure the breathing state or heartbeat state of a user without forming another medium between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat device that measures a characteristic value calculated from at least either one of them or a respiratory condition or a heartbeat condition.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to form a hollow seat body formed of an elastic material and an elastic material that abuts the inner surface of the seat body. In the toilet seat for a toilet, which has a pressure chamber constituent body, a pressure detecting means communicating with the pressure chamber constituent body, and a control device for processing an output signal of the pressure detecting means, While being detected as an output signal of the pressure detection means seated in, at least one of the breathing state or the heartbeat state of the user, or a characteristic value calculated from the breathing state or heartbeat state, characterized in that, It is possible to measure the respiratory condition and heartbeat condition with high accuracy without the need for a special medium other than the toilet bowl and the toilet seat.

In order to achieve the above object, the second aspect is characterized in that the respiratory condition is detected by adding a low-pass filter having a predetermined value to the output signal of the pressure detecting means. Can be isolated from vibration.

In order to achieve the above object, the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined value of the low-pass filter is a frequency of 1 Hz or less. Therefore, generally, a respiratory waveform of about 12 times / minute is accurately separated from vibration. it can.

In order to achieve the above object, the heartbeat state is detected by adding a bandpass filter having a predetermined value to the output signal of the pressure detecting means. Waveforms can be separated from vibration.

In order to achieve the above object, the fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the predetermined value of the bandpass filter is a frequency of 1 Hz to 20 Hz. Therefore, in general, a heartbeat waveform of about 60 beats / minute is accurately vibrated. Can be separated from.

In order to achieve the above object, the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the output signal of the pressure detecting means is transmitted wirelessly, so that the toilet seat device itself does not show an overview of a biological information measuring device. The user can carry out continuous measurement without causing the psychological burden of the existence of the ecological information measuring device.

[0011]

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toilet of the present invention is attached. The toilet seat device 2 is fixed to the rim surface 1-a that constitutes the upper surface of the toilet bowl 1 by a fixing mechanism (not shown). The toilet seat device 2 may be a cleaning device incorporating a cleaning / drying function for the anus or the like after toilet, or a function of warming the toilet seat part in addition to the user sitting. A power cord 4 for supplying power to a toilet seat heater 3-c, which will be described later, is fixed to the toilet seat 3. In addition, the toilet bowl 1 may be equipped with a biological information measuring device 5 that performs quantitative analysis of, for example, the urine sugar value contained in human excrement.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the inside of the toilet seat 3 of the present invention. The toilet seat body 3-a and the toilet seat bottom plate 3-b are fixed to each other by a method called ultrasonic welding or vibration welding, and have a structure having a hollow shape inside. The toilet seat heater 3-c is fixed to the toilet seat body 3-a so that the temperature of the upper surface of the toilet seat body is substantially the same as the body temperature of the user so that the toilet seat heater does not feel cold. Although not described in this example, the heater and the toilet seat body 3-b may be fixed to each other via a thin metal foil in order to make the temperature uniform. The toilet seat 3 has a hollow structure, and a pressure chamber forming body 7 having a size that abuts on the inner circumference of the toilet seat 3 is arranged inside. When the user sits on the toilet seat 3, the toilet seat body 3-a is elastically deformed, and the amount of deformation is transmitted to the abutting pressure chamber constructing body 7. The toilet seat 3 is generally formed of a resin, such as polypropylene, that is elastically deformed with respect to the weight load of the user, and the toilet seat body 3-a is deformed by the weight of the user, and the seat seat 3 receives the deformation. Toilet seat body 3-a
The pressure chamber constructing body 7 in contact with the inside of the chamber deforms, and the pressure detecting means 6 described later detects a pressure change in the pressure chamber constructing body 7 and outputs a signal.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the toilet seat of the present invention is incorporated. The pressure detecting means 6 is provided with a pressure chamber constructing body 7 which is hollow and arranged in a certain occupancy range in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. When the user sits on the toilet seat 3, the deformation of the toilet seat body 3-a due to the weight of the user is
It is transmitted to the pressure detection means 6 via the deformation of the pressure chamber structure 7. Since the toilet bowl 1 is made of pottery and the toilet seat 3 is made of resin, the cushion portion of the toilet seat 3 not shown is the toilet bowl 1
It is difficult to make uniform contact with, but since the deformation of the entire toilet seat 3 can be detected by the long pressure chamber constructing body 7, the deformation caused by the user is hardly affected by the manufacturing variation. Alternatively, the vibration can be measured by the pressure detecting means 6. More specifically, the deformation of the toilet seat body 3-a due to the weight of the user indicates the weight, and the frequency at which the user vibrates due to respiration
The pulsatile deformation of the heart indicates each state of the heartbeat.
If the signal generated by the pressure detection means 6 is separated at a predetermined frequency by a low-pass filter or a band-pass filter relating to the frequency stored in the control mechanism 8, both the respiratory and heartbeat states can be measured. For the vibration detected by the pressure detection means 6, a frequency of 1 Hz
When the following low pass filter is applied, generally 12 times /
Minute respiratory waveform can be accurately separated and frequency 1H
When a bandpass filter of z to 20 Hz is applied, generally, a heartbeat waveform of about 60 times / minute can be accurately separated. The measurement value obtained through each filter in this way may be disclosed to the user by the toilet seat device itself, but it is attached to the toilet bowl 1 separately, for example, to the biological information measuring device 5 that performs component analysis of excrement. You may send it. In this example, each filter is added to the sensor signal and then transmitted, but the signal processing may be performed after reception. If the biological information measuring device 5 is a urine sugar level measuring device, considering that the urine sugar level is an index for improving lifestyle habits, by considering the states of the urine sugar level and the body weight level, it is possible to obtain more detailed information. It can be expected to disclose such life guidance to users. Since the toilet seat 3 and the biological information measuring device 5 are separate devices in appearance, if the state of the toilet seat 3 can be wirelessly transmitted to the biological information measuring device 5, a psychological burden of having multiple measuring devices is given to the user. It will be difficult to give. The signal transmission method does not need to be specified, and radio waves or infrared rays may be used.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the pressure detecting mechanism of the present invention. A pressure chamber structure 7 having a hollow interior and capable of detecting deformation of the toilet seat body 2-a over a long length is fixed to the pressure detection means 6. The deformation or vibration of the pressure chamber forming body 7 made of an elastic member is detected by the pressure detecting means 6. The detection mechanism of the pressure detection means 6 is not particularly specified, and various pressure detection mechanisms to which a semiconductor pressure detection means or a microphone is applied may be used. A small hole 7-a is provided in a part of the pressure chamber structure 7. When the pressure chamber constructing body 7 is hermetically sealed, all the pressure transmitted by the elastic deformation of the toilet seat itself is applied to the pressure detecting means, so the pressure detecting means needs to have a high breaking pressure resistance, and as a result, This has been a cause of increasing the cost of the pressure detecting means and reducing the accuracy of weight measurement. However, in the present embodiment, since the pressure chamber constructing body 7 has the small holes 7-a, when a large pressure is applied to the pressure chamber constructing body 7 to reach a predetermined air pressure, the air escapes from the small holes and the pressure rises. Is designed to prevent Therefore, the pressure value in the pressure chamber constructing body 7 does not rise above a certain value, and the pressure detecting means 6 having small rigidity and high reliability can be adopted, and as a result, deformation or vibration can be accurately measured. Become. Of course, when the user leaves the toilet seat 3, the pressure chamber forming body 7 returns to its original shape, and the air that has escaped at that time is replenished.

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram showing the operating mechanism of the present invention. The power supplied to the toilet seat is the toilet seat body 3
It is branched into a heat retention mechanism of -a and a deformation or vibration sensing mechanism. It is shown that the deformation or vibration of the toilet seat itself is wirelessly transmitted to the control / display mechanism of the main body via the transmitting means. The signal received at the body will be displayed via the control mechanism. As the display contents,
In addition to the weight, respiration rate, and heart rate measured as a result of the deformation or vibration of the toilet seat, a stress value calculated in consideration of the above measurement values may be used.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between respiration and heartbeat measured by the present invention. By detecting the body motion and separating it by frequency, it can be seen that the situations of both are accurately detected. In this example, 5 to 6 heartbeats are represented for one breath. 10 waveforms are respiratory states, 1
The waveform of 1 represents the heartbeat state.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the weight measurement states measured by the present invention. The measurement value of the pressure detection means 6 rises as the user sits down. Since the inside of the pressure chamber structure 7 is opened to the atmosphere through the small hole 7-a provided in a part of the pressure chamber structure 7, the internal pressure does not continue to rise. The pressure value changes depending on the weight of the user, but as a measuring method, a method using an output rise differential coefficient 12 of the pressure detecting means or an output peak value 13 of the pressure detecting means can be considered. Each has a characteristic that the time required for measuring the weight can be shortened or the reproducibility of the weight measurement can be made high. In this chart, vibration caused by respiration and heartbeat whose amplitude is smaller than deformation due to weight and whose frequency is high does not appear in the diagram.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toilet seat device of the present invention is attached to a toilet.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the toilet seat device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the inside of the toilet seat device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure detection mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram showing an operating mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between respiration and heartbeat measured in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a weight measurement state measured by the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 toilet bowl 1-a Rim surface 2 toilet seat device 3 toilet seat 3-a Toilet seat body 3-b Toilet seat bottom plate 3-c toilet seat heater 4 power cord 5 Biological information measuring device 6 Pressure detection means 7 Pressure chamber structure 7-a small hole 8 control mechanism 9 Transmission mechanism 10 breathing state 11 Heart rate 12 Rising derivative 13 Output peak value

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hollow seat made of an elastic material, a pressure chamber component made of an elastic material that abuts an inner surface of the seat, and a pressure detection communicating with the pressure chamber component. Means and a toilet seat having a control device for processing the output signal of the pressure detecting means, the control device comprising:
It is possible to detect that the user is seated on the seat as an output signal of the pressure detection means, and to calculate at least one of the breathing state and the heartbeat state of the user, or a characteristic value calculated from the breathing state or the heartbeat state. Characteristic toilet seat device. 2. By adding a low-pass filter of a predetermined value to the output signal of the pressure detecting means,
The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein a breathing state is detected. 3. The predetermined value of the low-pass filter is 1H
The toilet seat device according to claim 2, wherein the frequency is z or less. 4. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the heartbeat state is detected by adding a bandpass filter having a predetermined value to the output signal of the pressure detecting means. 5. The predetermined value of the bandpass filter is 1
The toilet seat device according to claim 4, which has a frequency of Hz to 20 Hz. 6. The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein the output signal of the pressure detecting means is transmitted wirelessly.