JP2006284201A

JP2006284201A - Human body detector

Info

Publication number: JP2006284201A
Application number: JP2005100810A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazumi Kasahara; 和美笠原; Michihito Enomoto; 路人榎本
Original assignee: Toto Ltd
Current assignee: Toto Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-31
Filing date: 2005-03-31
Publication date: 2006-10-19

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a human body detector for sanitation having a long detection distance and less liable to erroneous detection by making the detector resist being affected by objects surrounding an electrode. SOLUTION: This human body detector is equipped with a detection part and a control part. The detection part is equipped with a tabular first detection electrode with its front side exposed, a tabular second detection electrode with its exposed portion on the front side surrounding the first detection electrode while the area of the exposed portion being different from the area of the first detection electrode, and a tabular shield electrode disposed on the back side of the first and second detection electrodes for surrounding the first and second detection electrodes. The control part is equipped with a shield voltage impression circuit for providing the shield electrode with the same potential as the first and second detection electrodes have, first and second capacitance detection circuits for severally detecting/amplifying earth capacitances formed by the first and second detection electrodes to generate voltage outputs, and a detection circuit for generating output voltage signals based on differences between the respective voltage outputs. This detector is placed at the backside of a nonmetallic member of sanitation with the front side of the detection part directed toward the front of the nonmetallic member. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、物体の近接、特に人体の近接を静電容量の変化により検出する静電容量式人体検出センサに関り、例えばトイレ内の衛生洗浄装置や便器洗浄装置などの衛生設備に人体が近接したことを検出して衛生設備の作動を制御するのに好適な静電容量式人体検出装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a capacitance type human body detection sensor that detects proximity of an object, in particular proximity of a human body, by a change in capacitance. For example, a human body is placed in a sanitary facility such as a sanitary washing device or a toilet bowl washing device in a toilet. The present invention relates to a capacitance type human body detection apparatus suitable for detecting the proximity and controlling the operation of a sanitary facility.

従来の衛生設備、例えば人体を洗浄する衛生洗浄装置において、衛生洗浄装置に人体が近接したことや便座に着座したことを検出するセンサとして、赤外線を用いた光電式測距センサや静電容量変化型センサなどが用いられている。 In conventional sanitary equipment, for example, a sanitary washing device that cleans the human body, as a sensor for detecting that the human body is close to the sanitary washing device or seated on the toilet seat, a photoelectric distance measuring sensor using infrared rays or a capacitance change A type sensor or the like is used.

前者の場合、衛生洗浄装置のケーシングに検知距離が異なる２つの光電式測距センサを取付け、長い検知距離の測距センサによって衛生洗浄装置に人体が近接したことを検出し、短い検知距離の測距センサによって便座に人が着座したことを検出している。（例えば特許文献１参照。） In the former case, two photoelectric distance measuring sensors with different detection distances are attached to the casing of the sanitary washing device, and the proximity of the human body to the sanitary washing device is detected by the distance detection sensor with a long sensing distance, and the short sensing distance is measured. The distance sensor detects that a person is seated on the toilet seat. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

しかしながら、この測距センサにおいては赤外線を用いる関係上、赤外線が透過できるようにケーシングに窓を開設しなければならず、窓が目立ちデザイン性が損なわれるばかりでなく、トイレといった個室空間に設置されるので、センサがいたずらされて破壊されることが有る。 However, because this infrared sensor uses infrared rays, it is necessary to open windows in the casing so that infrared rays can be transmitted. Not only the windows stand out but the design is impaired, and they are installed in a private room space such as a toilet. Therefore, the sensor may be tampered with and destroyed.

又、後者の静電容量変化型センサは樹脂製便座の中に静電容量変化型センサの電極等を組み込むことによって電極が露出せず、便座に着座したことによって電極の静電容量が変化し、この変化をケーシング内に設けたコントローラで処理し、着座の有無を判定している。（例えば特許文献２参照）。 The latter capacitance change type sensor incorporates the electrode of the capacitance change type sensor in a resin toilet seat so that the electrode is not exposed, and the capacitance of the electrode changes by sitting on the toilet seat. The change is processed by a controller provided in the casing, and the presence or absence of seating is determined. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

しかしながら、静電容量変化型センサは周囲に存在する物体の影響を受け易く、且つ人体が近接したことによる電極の静電容量の変化は人体と電極との距離に大きく左右されるので、人体が電極に接触するか電極に極端に近づかないと検出できないものである。また、電極の静電容量の変化をケーシング内に設けたコントローラで処理する関係上、ケーシングに回動自在に取付けた便座のヒンジを通じて電極とコントローラを接続して微妙な静電容量の変化をコントローラに伝えなければならず、電極とコントローラとのコード間にノイズがのり易く、これも誤検知の原因となってしまう。
特開２００１−３４２６６２号公報特開２０００−０８０７０３号公報 However, the capacitance change type sensor is easily affected by surrounding objects, and the change in the capacitance of the electrode due to the proximity of the human body is greatly influenced by the distance between the human body and the electrode. It cannot be detected unless it is in contact with the electrode or extremely close to the electrode. In addition, because the change in the capacitance of the electrode is processed by the controller provided in the casing, the controller is connected to the electrode and the controller through the hinge of the toilet seat that is pivotally attached to the casing. And noise is likely to be applied between the electrode and the cord of the controller, which also causes false detection.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-342661 JP 2000-080703 A

本発明は、上記問題を解決するためになされたもので、本発明の課題は、静電容量変化型センサの電極を非金属製部材内に隠蔽して設置できる特性を生かし、且つ電極周囲の物体の影響を受け難くして、従来の静電容量変化型センサに比べ検出距離が長く誤検出しにくい衛生設備用人体検出装置を提供することに有る。 The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. The object of the present invention is to take advantage of the characteristic that the electrode of the capacitance change type sensor can be concealed and installed in a non-metallic member, and around the electrode. An object of the present invention is to provide a human body detection device for sanitary equipment that is less susceptible to an object and has a longer detection distance than a conventional capacitance change sensor and is less likely to be erroneously detected.

上記目的を達成するために請求項１記載の発明の人体検出装置は、正面側が露出した平板状の第１検出電極と、正面側の露出部分が前記第１検出電極を囲むと共に該露出部分の面積が前記第１検出電極の面積と異なる平板状の第２検出電極と、前記第１及び第２の検出電極の背面側に設置され前記第１及び第２の電極を囲む平板状の遮蔽電極とを備えた検出部、前記遮蔽電極に第１及び第２の検出電極と同じ電位を与える遮蔽電圧印加回路と、前記第１検出電極が形成する対接地容量と第２検出電極が形成する対接地容量を夫々検出し増幅して電圧出力を発生する第１及び第２の容量検出回路と、各電圧出力の差分に基いて出力電圧信号を発生する検出回路とを備えた制御部、とを具備してなり、衛生設備の非金属製部材の内部に前記検出部の正面側を非金属製部材の内面に向けて設置したことを特徴としている。 In order to achieve the above object, a human body detection device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a flat plate-like first detection electrode whose front side is exposed, an exposed portion on the front side surrounding the first detection electrode, and the exposed portion. A plate-like second detection electrode having an area different from the area of the first detection electrode, and a plate-like shielding electrode which is provided on the back side of the first and second detection electrodes and surrounds the first and second electrodes A shielding voltage applying circuit that applies the same potential to the shielding electrode as the first and second detection electrodes, a grounding capacitance formed by the first detection electrode, and a pair formed by the second detection electrode A control unit including first and second capacitance detection circuits that detect and amplify a grounded capacitance to generate a voltage output, and a detection circuit that generates an output voltage signal based on a difference between the respective voltage outputs; The detection unit is provided inside a non-metallic member of a sanitary facility. The front side is characterized in that installed toward the inner surface of the non-metallic member.

このようにすることで、第１及び第２の検出電極が形成された正面側を、空間的に開放された検出領域範囲とすることが出来ると共に、背面側に遮蔽電極を備えることで非検出領域範囲に存在する物体や環境の影響を確実に排除でき、感知距離を長くした静電式の人体検出装置を提供することが出来る。 By doing in this way, while the front side in which the 1st and 2nd detection electrode was formed can be made into the detection area range opened spatially, it is not detected by providing a shielding electrode on the back side. It is possible to provide an electrostatic human body detection apparatus that can reliably eliminate the influence of an object or environment existing in a region range and has a long sensing distance.

また、前記制御部を実装した基板上に、前記検出部を設けることが好ましく、このようにすることで一つの基板上で人体の検出から信号処理まで行え、検出部と制御部間の距離が短く、その分ノイズがのりにくくなるをもって人体検出が確実になると共に、ノイズがのらない分、検出距離をより長くすことが出来る。 In addition, it is preferable to provide the detection unit on a substrate on which the control unit is mounted. By doing so, detection of a human body to signal processing can be performed on one substrate, and the distance between the detection unit and the control unit is increased. The human body can be reliably detected because the noise is shorter and the noise is less likely to travel, and the detection distance can be increased as much as the noise does not occur.

又、制御部をＩＣチップ化して基板に設置するのが好ましく、このようにすることで、微少信号を制御する回路へのノイズのの影響を低減できその分検出距離をより一層長く出来ると共に基板自体がコンパクトになって人体検出装置の設置の自由度を高めることが出来る。 In addition, it is preferable that the control unit is formed as an IC chip on the substrate. By doing so, the influence of noise on the circuit for controlling the minute signal can be reduced, and the detection distance can be further increased and the substrate can be increased accordingly. The device itself becomes compact, and the degree of freedom of installation of the human body detection device can be increased.

更に、基板をフレキシブル基板にすることが好ましく、このようにすることで静電センサを設置する非金属製部材の内面が湾曲していてもこの湾曲に倣って人体検出装置を設置でき人体検出装置の設置自由度を一層高めることが出来る。 Furthermore, it is preferable that the substrate is a flexible substrate, so that even if the inner surface of the non-metallic member on which the electrostatic sensor is installed is curved, the human body detection device can be installed following the curve. The degree of freedom of installation can be further increased.

この検出部を、衛生洗浄装置の樹脂製ケーシングの前面側内面に設置すれば、人が便座に着座したことを確実に検出できるうえ、人が少し腰を動かしたりしても人体検出が切れず、人が便座から離座すると人体検出が切れるをもって、衛生洗浄装置の誤作動を防止できる。しかも、検出部をケーシング内に隠蔽できデザイン的にも優れた衛生洗浄装置にすることが出来る。 If this detector is installed on the front inner surface of the plastic casing of the sanitary washing device, it can reliably detect that a person has been seated on the toilet seat, and human body detection will not be interrupted even if the person moves a little. When the person is separated from the toilet seat, the detection of the human body is cut off, and the malfunction of the sanitary washing device can be prevented. In addition, the detection unit can be concealed in the casing, and a sanitary washing apparatus having an excellent design can be obtained.

この検出部を、自動洗浄機能を備えた便器の袴部前方内周面に向けて設置すれば、便器へ接離する人の脚を確実に検出出来るうえ、センサを陶器内に隠蔽できセンサが汚れず、便器が汚れても簡単に清掃できる。 If this detector is installed facing the front inner peripheral surface of the urinal of the toilet equipped with an automatic cleaning function, the leg of the person touching or leaving the toilet can be detected reliably, and the sensor can be hidden in the pottery. Even if the toilet is dirty, it can be easily cleaned.

本発明によれば、検出部を衛生洗浄装置のケーシング内などに隠蔽して設置でき、且つ電極周囲の物体や環境変化の影響を受けず、静電容量式の人体検出装置の検出距離を長くすることが可能になるという効果がある。 According to the present invention, the detection unit can be installed concealed in the casing of the sanitary washing device, and the detection distance of the capacitive human body detection device can be increased without being affected by objects around the electrode and environmental changes. There is an effect that it becomes possible to do.

以下本発明について説明すると、図１は本発明の人体検出装置をケーシング内に組み込んだ衛生洗浄装置の外観斜視図、図２は衛生洗浄装置のケーシングの模式的な断面図、図３は人体検出装置の平面図、図４は同、断面図、図５は同、回路ブロック図、図６は人体検出装置の検出距離と出力電圧の特性図、図７はＩＣチップの要部の回路図、図８、図９は本発明の人体検出装置の検出領域を示す模式図、図１０は本発明の人体検出装置を便器の袴部内に組み込んだ便器自動洗浄装置の外観斜視図、図１１は便器袴部の横断面図、図１２は人体検出装置の断面図、図１３は検出部の別実施例の平面図、図１４は同、断面図図１５、図１６は更に検出部の別実施例の断面図である。 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a sanitary washing device in which the human body detection device of the present invention is incorporated in a casing, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the casing of the sanitary washing device, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram, FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the detection distance and output voltage of the human body detection device, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the main part of the IC chip, 8 and 9 are schematic views showing the detection region of the human body detection device of the present invention, FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the toilet automatic cleaning device in which the human body detection device of the present invention is incorporated in the toilet bowl, and FIG. 11 is a toilet bowl. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the human body detection device, FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the detection unit, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 is another embodiment of the detection unit. FIG.

図１において、１は便器２上面に設置され人体Ｈを洗浄するノズル３を備えた衛生洗浄装置であって、樹脂製のケーシング４に便座５や便蓋６が回動自在に取付けられると共に、図２に示すようにケーシング４内部前方に、便器２前方に向けて人体検出装置７が設けられている。 In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a sanitary washing apparatus provided on the upper surface of the toilet bowl 2 and provided with a nozzle 3 for washing the human body H. A toilet seat 5 and a toilet lid 6 are rotatably attached to a resin casing 4. As shown in FIG. 2, a human body detection device 7 is provided in front of the casing 4 so as to face the toilet 2 forward.

人体検出装置７は、図３、図４に示すようにプリント基板８の背面側に大きな長方形状を呈した平板状の遮蔽電極９を、また、この遮蔽電極９に対向して遮蔽電極９内に位置するようにプリント基板８の正面側に長方形状で平板状の第１の検出電極１０、及び第１の検出電極１０を所定の間隔を開けて囲む帯状を呈した第２の検出電極１１を備えた検出部１２と、遮蔽電極９の側方に人体の近接検出処理用のＩＣチップからなる制御部１３を設けている。そして各電極９、１０、１１とＩＣチップ１３間を接続後、これらの表面をレジスト膜１４で被覆している。尚、１５は検出信号を取出すコネクタである。 3 and 4, the human body detection device 7 includes a flat shield electrode 9 having a large rectangular shape on the back side of the printed circuit board 8, and the inside of the shield electrode 9 facing the shield electrode 9. A rectangular plate-like first detection electrode 10 on the front side of the printed circuit board 8 and a second detection electrode 11 having a strip shape surrounding the first detection electrode 10 with a predetermined interval therebetween. And a control unit 13 including an IC chip for human body proximity detection processing is provided on the side of the shielding electrode 9. Then, after the electrodes 9, 10, 11 and the IC chip 13 are connected, the surfaces thereof are covered with a resist film 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a connector for taking out a detection signal.

これら各電極９、１０、１１は銅を基板８表面にプリントして形成しており、第１の検出電極１０の面積Ｓ１は第２の検出電極１１の面積Ｓ２より広く形成されている。そのため、第１及び第２の電極１０、１１に同じ電位（周期３０ＫＨｚ以上）を印加することによって、図５に示すように人体Ｈに対し形成される第１の検出電極１０の静電容量Ｃａは第２の検出電極１１の静電容量Ｃｂより大きくなっている。 Each of these electrodes 9, 10, 11 is formed by printing copper on the surface of the substrate 8, and the area S 1 of the first detection electrode 10 is wider than the area S 2 of the second detection electrode 11. Therefore, by applying the same potential (period of 30 kHz or more) to the first and second electrodes 10 and 11, the capacitance Ca of the first detection electrode 10 formed on the human body H as shown in FIG. Is larger than the capacitance Cb of the second detection electrode 11.

遮蔽電極９は、２つの検出電極１０、１１を囲んで検出方向Ｘ（基板８の表面側）とは逆の方向（基板８の裏面側）を静電遮蔽する。各電極９、１０、１１は制御部１３に接続される。制御部１３は、第１および第２の２つの容量検出回路１６、１７と、容量差検出回路１８、遮蔽電圧印加回路１９、タイミング制御回路２０を備え、これらをＩＣ回路で構成している。 The shielding electrode 9 surrounds the two detection electrodes 10 and 11 and electrostatically shields the direction opposite to the detection direction X (the front surface side of the substrate 8) (the back surface side of the substrate 8). Each electrode 9, 10, 11 is connected to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 includes first and second capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17, a capacitance difference detection circuit 18, a shielding voltage application circuit 19, and a timing control circuit 20, which are configured by an IC circuit.

第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１が人体Ｈに対して形成する静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂは、第１および第２の容量検出回路１６、１７により個別に検出・測定され、各測定出力は容量差検出回路１８に入力される。容量差検出回路１８は、２つの測定出力Ｃａ、Ｃｂの差（Ｃａ−Ｃｂ）を出力する。この差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧には、人体Ｈの近接を判定するための情報が含まれており、差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧で人体Ｈ近接の有無を弁別する。 Capacitances Ca and Cb formed by the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11 with respect to the human body H are individually detected and measured by the first and second capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17, and each measurement output is measured. Is input to the capacitance difference detection circuit 18. The capacitance difference detection circuit 18 outputs a difference (Ca−Cb) between the two measurement outputs Ca and Cb. The output voltage of the difference output Vo includes information for determining the proximity of the human body H, and the presence or absence of the proximity of the human body H is discriminated based on the output voltage of the difference output Vo.

遮蔽電極９は、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１のいずれからも独立した電極であり、遮蔽電極９には、遮蔽電圧印加回路１９により、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１と同じ電位となるような遮蔽電圧が印加されるようになっている。このため、容量検出回路１６、１７は、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１にそれぞれ同じ電位を与えながら対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂを測定するように構成され、これにより、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１と遮蔽電極９の間は電荷の充放電が行われず、その間の静電容量は等価的にキャンセルされる。 The shield electrode 9 is an electrode independent of both the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11, and the shield electrode 9 is connected to the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11 by the shield voltage application circuit 19. A shielding voltage that is the same potential as is applied. Therefore, the capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17 are configured to measure the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb while applying the same potential to the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11, respectively. In addition, charge is not charged or discharged between the second detection electrodes 10 and 11 and the shield electrode 9, and the capacitance between them is equivalently canceled.

上記遮蔽電圧は必ずしも常時印加する必要は無く、少なくとも第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１の対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂを測定する間だけ印加すればよい。具体的には、容量検出回路１６、１７が容量測定を開始するよりも若干先行するタイミングで遮蔽電圧の印加を開始し、容量検出回路１６、１７による測定動作が休止する間は、それに応じて遮蔽電圧の印加も休止させるようにしてよい。このため、図５に示す実施例ではタイミング制御回路２０により、容量検出回路１６、１７と遮蔽電圧印加回路１９間をタイミング同期させている。 The shielding voltage does not necessarily need to be applied all the time, and may be applied at least during the measurement of the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb of the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11. Specifically, the application of the shielding voltage is started at a timing slightly before the capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17 start the capacitance measurement, and the measurement operation by the capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17 is paused accordingly. You may make it also stop application of a shielding voltage. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the timing control circuit 20 synchronizes the timing between the capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17 and the shield voltage application circuit 19.

上記遮蔽電極９により、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１は非検出方向から電気的に遮蔽され、検出方向Ｘに対してのみ静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂを形成する。図１、図２に示すように、樹脂製のケーシング４内の前方背面に基板８の表面側、即ち第１及び第２の検出電極１０、１１が露出する正面側を便器２前方に向けて検出部１２を取付けることにより、検出方向Ｘを便器２の前方向きにすることができる。そして、その静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂは検出方向Ｘから近接する人体Ｈによって変化させられる。検出方向Ｘと反対側の非検出方向に存在する衛生洗浄装置１の熱交換器などの内部機器や便器洗浄タンク２１などは遮蔽電極９との間で静電容量Ｃｓを形成するが、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１の静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂへの影響は排除される。 The first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11 are electrically shielded from the non-detection direction by the shielding electrode 9 and form capacitances Ca and Cb only in the detection direction X. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front side of the substrate 8, that is, the front side where the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11 are exposed on the front rear surface in the resin casing 4 faces the front of the toilet 2. By attaching the detection unit 12, the detection direction X can be directed forward of the toilet 2. The electrostatic capacitances Ca and Cb are changed by the human body H that is close to the detection direction X. An internal device such as a heat exchanger of the sanitary washing device 1 existing in the non-detection direction opposite to the detection direction X, the toilet bowl washing tank 21 and the like form a capacitance Cs between the shielding electrode 9 and the first. And the influence on the electrostatic capacitances Ca and Cb of the second detection electrodes 10 and 11 is eliminated.

ここで、検出方向Ｘにある人体Ｈから検出部１２までの距離Ｌが離れている場合、検出電極１０、１１間に面積差（Ｓ１−Ｓ２）があるものの、人体Ｈが検出電極１０、１１にほんの少ししか影響を与えず、人体Ｈに対して第１の検出電極１０が形成する静電容量Ｃａと第２の検出電極１１が形成する静電容量Ｃｂとの間には、大きな差が生じない。この状態は差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧レベルが低く、人体Ｈが衛生洗浄装置１より遠く離れていると判定することができる。 Here, when the distance L from the human body H in the detection direction X to the detection unit 12 is large, the human body H is the detection electrodes 10 and 11 although there is an area difference (S1−S2) between the detection electrodes 10 and 11. The electrostatic capacitance Ca formed by the first detection electrode 10 and the electrostatic capacitance Cb formed by the second detection electrode 11 with respect to the human body H has a large difference. Does not occur. In this state, the output voltage level of the differential output Vo is low, and it can be determined that the human body H is far away from the sanitary washing device 1.

一方、人体Ｈが検出部１２に近づくにつれ、人体が検出電極１０、１１に与える影響が徐々に大きくなって第１の検出電極１０が形成する静電容量Ｃａと第２の検出電極１１が形成する静電容量Ｃｂとの間に徐々に大きな差が生じるようになり、これに応じて差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧レベルが徐々に高くなる。 On the other hand, as the human body H approaches the detection unit 12, the influence of the human body on the detection electrodes 10 and 11 gradually increases, and the capacitance Ca formed by the first detection electrode 10 and the second detection electrode 11 are formed. A large difference gradually occurs between the capacitance Cb and the output voltage level of the difference output Vo gradually increases accordingly.

即ち、２つの導体間の静電容量は距離に反比例して増大するが、その増大カーブは対数的であって距離がある程度以下になったところから急上昇するをもって、人体Ｈによって検出電極１０、１１に形成される静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂも、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１からの距離Ｌがある程度離れているところでは、２つの検出電極１０、１１にそれぞれに形成される静電容量そのものが小さくて、両者間の静電容量の差は極めて小さく（Ｃａ−Ｃｂ≒０）、また距離Ｌによる変化も緩慢であるが、距離Ｌがある程度以下になると、その距離から検出電極１０、１１に形成される静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂが急に増大し、２つの静電容量（対接地容量）Ｃａ、Ｃｂ間の差が急激に拡大（Ｃａ−Ｃｂ＞＞０）する。従って、２つの検出電極１０、１１が形成する静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂを夫々測定してそれを取り出せば、その差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧は、図６に示すように人体がある距離まで検出部１２に近接したところで大きく変化（急増大）する。 That is, the capacitance between the two conductors increases in inverse proportion to the distance, but the increase curve is logarithmic and rapidly rises from a point where the distance is below a certain level. The electrostatic capacitances Ca and Cb formed on the two detection electrodes 10 and 11 are also respectively formed at a distance L from the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11 to some extent. The capacitance itself is small, the difference in capacitance between the two is very small (Ca−Cb≈0), and the change due to the distance L is slow. , 11 suddenly increases, and the difference between the two capacitances (grounding capacitances) Ca and Cb increases rapidly (Ca-Cb >> 0). Therefore, if the electrostatic capacitances Ca and Cb formed by the two detection electrodes 10 and 11 are measured and taken out, the output voltage of the difference output Vo is detected up to a certain distance as shown in FIG. A large change (rapid increase) occurs in the vicinity of 12.

このように、上記差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧がある程度の距離、例えば衛生洗浄装置１のケーシング４前方約２０ｃｍに人体が近づいてきたときに生じる電圧を閾値Ｖｘとすることで、差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧が閾値Ｖｘを越えた時人体が近接したと判断することが出来る。これにより、人体Ｈの検出領域Ａを空間的に開放された衛生洗浄装置１の前方の便座上方空間領域に形成することができるとともに、検出領域Ａ外の周辺物体Ｓによる影響を回避して、誤動作の少ない近接検出が可能となっている。 In this way, by setting the output voltage of the difference output Vo to a certain distance, for example, the voltage generated when the human body approaches the front of the casing 4 of the sanitary washing device 1 to the threshold Vx, the output of the difference output Vo is output. When the voltage exceeds the threshold value Vx, it can be determined that the human body has approached. Thereby, the detection area A of the human body H can be formed in the space area above the toilet seat in front of the sanitary washing device 1 that is spatially opened, and the influence of the peripheral object S outside the detection area A is avoided, Proximity detection with few malfunctions is possible.

尚、この閾値Ｖｘを変えることで検出距離Ｌを任意に設定でき、この閾値Ｖｘの調整部（図示せず）は制御部１２、又は衛生洗浄装置１のコントローラの何れかに設ける。 The detection distance L can be arbitrarily set by changing the threshold value Vx, and an adjustment unit (not shown) for the threshold value Vx is provided in either the control unit 12 or the controller of the sanitary washing device 1.

２つの検出電極１０、１１に生じる対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂは、検出領域Ａに位置する樹脂ケーシング４により影響を受けるが、その影響は夫々２つの検出電極１０、１１に同じように現れその影響も小さく、検出作動にほとんど影響を与えない。又、検出領域Ａに位置する埃や人体洗浄水などの空中浮遊物によっても変化するが、これらの空中浮遊物は分散状態であるため、それによる静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂの変化は２つの検出電極１０、１１にそれぞれ同じように現れる。したがって、それによって上述した近接検出動作が攪乱される度合は非常に小さく、実質的に無視することができる。つまり、空中浮遊物による検出誤作動も確実に回避することができる。 The grounding capacitances Ca and Cb generated in the two detection electrodes 10 and 11 are affected by the resin casing 4 located in the detection region A, but the influence appears in the two detection electrodes 10 and 11 in the same manner. The effect is also small and hardly affects the detection operation. Moreover, although it changes also by air floating substances, such as dust and human body washing water located in the detection area A, since these air floating substances are a dispersion | distribution state, the change of electrostatic capacitance Ca and Cb by it is detected by two. It appears in the same way on the electrodes 10 and 11, respectively. Therefore, the degree to which the proximity detection operation described above is disturbed is very small and can be substantially ignored. That is, it is possible to reliably avoid erroneous detection due to airborne substances.

図７は、ＩＣチップ１３に設けた制御部の要部の回路例を示し、この回路例では、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢ、ＤＡと、容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂと、抵抗Ｒ１ａ、Ｒ１ｂ、Ｒ２ａ、Ｒ２ｂと、能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂ、Ｓｓｓ、Ｓｆａ、Ｓｆｂなどによって構成されている。 FIG. 7 shows a circuit example of a main part of the control unit provided in the IC chip 13. In this circuit example, operational amplifiers CVA, CVB, DA, capacitive elements Cfa, Cfb, resistors R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b And active switches Ssa, Ssb, Sss, Sfa, Sfb, and the like.

演算アンプＣＶＡ、容量素子Ｃｆａ、能動スイッチＳｓａおよびＳｆａは、第１の容量検出回路１６を構成する。演算アンプＣＶＢ、容量素子Ｃｆｂ、能動スイッチＳｓｂおよびＳｆｂは、第２の容量検出回路１７を構成する。また、演算アンプＤＡと抵抗Ｒ１ａ、Ｒ１ｂ、Ｒ２ａ、Ｒ２ｂは、容量差検出回路１８を構成する。 The operational amplifier CVA, the capacitive element Cfa, and the active switches Ssa and Sfa constitute a first capacitance detection circuit 16. The operational amplifier CVB, the capacitive element Cfb, and the active switches Ssb and Sfb constitute a second capacitance detection circuit 17. The operational amplifier DA and the resistors R1a, R1b, R2a, and R2b constitute a capacitance difference detection circuit 18.

第１および第２の容量検出回路１６、１７はそれぞれスイッチドキャパシタ動作により、第１および第２の検出電極１０、１１の対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂを個別に検出測定する。スイッチドキャパシタ動作は、所定のタイミングで周期的に切替動作する第１の能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂと、所定のタイミングで周期的にオン／オフ動作する能動スイッチＳｆａ、Ｓｆｂとによって行われる。 The first and second capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17 individually detect and measure the ground capacitances Ca and Cb of the first and second detection electrodes 10 and 11 by a switched capacitor operation, respectively. The switched capacitor operation is performed by the first active switches Ssa and Ssb that are periodically switched at a predetermined timing and the active switches Sfa and Sfb that are periodically turned on and off at a predetermined timing.

検出電極１０、１１の対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂは、第１の能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂにより、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢの反転入力（−）側、高インピーダンスの開放位置（Ｏｐｅｎ）、接地電位ＧＮＤの間を周期的に切替接続される。演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢは、その非反転入力（＋）側が所定の基準電位Ｖｒに接続されるとともに、その反転入力（−）側とアンプ出力の間に容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂが接続されて、一種の負帰還増幅回路を形成し、容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂはその負帰還路を形成する。この容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂには第２の能動スイッチＳｆａ、Ｓｆｂが並列接続されている。 The grounding capacitances Ca and Cb of the detection electrodes 10 and 11 are determined by the first active switches Ssa and Ssb, the inverting input (−) side of the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB, the high impedance open position (Open), and the ground potential. The connection is periodically switched between GNDs. The operational amplifiers CVA and CVB have a non-inverting input (+) side connected to a predetermined reference potential Vr, and capacitive elements Cfa and Cfb connected between the inverting input (−) side and the amplifier output. Negative feedback amplifier circuit, and capacitive elements Cfa and Cfb form the negative feedback path. Second active switches Sfa and Sfb are connected in parallel to the capacitive elements Cfa and Cfb.

検出電極の対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂが第１の能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂを介して演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢの反転入力（−）側に接続され、かつ第２の能動スイッチＳｆａ、Ｓｆｂがオフのタイミングのとき、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢの出力には、反転入力（−）側と非反転入力（＋）側間を仮装短絡させる負帰還動作により、対接地静電容量Ｃａ、容量素子Ｃｆａと、対接地静電容量Ｃｂ、容量素子Ｃｆｂとの容量比（インピーダンス比）に応じた電圧Ｖａ、Ｖｂが現れる。 The ground capacitances Ca and Cb of the detection electrodes are connected to the inverting input (−) side of the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB via the first active switches Ssa and Ssb, and the second active switches Sfa and Sfb are off. At the timing, the outputs of the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB are connected to the grounded capacitance Ca and the capacitive element Cfa by a negative feedback operation of temporarily shorting between the inverting input (−) side and the non-inverting input (+) side. The voltages Va and Vb appear according to the capacitance ratio (impedance ratio) between the grounded electrostatic capacitance Cb and the capacitive element Cfb.

この出力電圧Ｖａ、Ｖｂは、対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂが反転入力（−）側から切り離された後も、第２の能動スイッチＳｆａ、Ｓｆｂがオンに転じるまで保持される。第２の能動スイッチＳｆａ、Ｓｆｂがオフからオンに転じると、容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂが短絡放電されて出力電圧Ｖａ、Ｖｂがいったんリセットされる。このとき、第１の能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂの切替位置が接地電位ＧＮＤに切り替わって、対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂも放電リセットされる。 The output voltages Va and Vb are held until the second active switches Sfa and Sfb are turned on even after the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb are disconnected from the inverting input (−) side. When the second active switches Sfa and Sfb turn from off to on, the capacitive elements Cfa and Cfb are short-circuited and the output voltages Va and Vb are once reset. At this time, the switching position of the first active switches Ssa and Ssb is switched to the ground potential GND, and the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb are also discharged and reset.

このリセット動作の所定期間後、第２の能動スイッチＳｆａ、Ｓｆｂが再度オフに転じて容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂを負帰還路に介在させる。この状態で、第１の能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂが対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂを演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢの反転入力（−）側に再度接続する。すると、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢの出力には、その対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂと容量素子Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂの容量比（インピーダンス比）に応じた電圧Ｖａ、Ｖｂが再度現れる。 After a predetermined period of the reset operation, the second active switches Sfa and Sfb are turned off again, and the capacitive elements Cfa and Cfb are interposed in the negative feedback path. In this state, the first active switches Ssa and Ssb reconnect the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb to the inverting input (−) side of the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB. Then, voltages Va and Vb corresponding to the capacitance ratio (impedance ratio) between the grounded electrostatic capacitances Ca and Cb and the capacitive elements Cfa and Cfb appear again in the outputs of the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB.

このような動作が繰返されて、対接地容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂが周期的に測定され、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢからはその測定出力電圧Ｖａ、Ｖｂが周期的に更新されて出力される。 By repeating such an operation, the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb are periodically measured, and the measured output voltages Va and Vb are periodically updated and output from the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB.

遮蔽電極９には、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢの非反転入力（＋）側に与えられているのと同一の基準電位Ｖｒが、第３の能動スイッチＳｓｓを介して印加される。第３の能動スイッチＳｓｓは、少なくとも第１の能動スイッチＳｓａ、Ｓｓｂの接続位置が演算アンプの反転入力（−）側にある期間、つまり対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂの測定動作が行われる期間は、基準電位Ｖｒを遮蔽電極９に印加するように動作させられる。検出電極１０、１１もその測定動作期間では、演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢによる仮想短絡動作により、基準電位Ｖｒが印加される。これにより、検出電極１０、１１と遮蔽電極９間の容量が等価的にキャンセルされる。 The same reference potential Vr that is applied to the non-inverting input (+) side of the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB is applied to the shielding electrode 9 via the third active switch Sss. The third active switch Sss is a period in which at least the connection positions of the first active switches Ssa and Ssb are on the inverting input (−) side of the operational amplifier, that is, a period in which the measurement operation of the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb is performed. Is operated so as to apply the reference potential Vr to the shielding electrode 9. During the measurement operation period, the detection electrodes 10 and 11 are also applied with the reference potential Vr by a virtual short circuit operation by the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB. As a result, the capacitance between the detection electrodes 10 and 11 and the shielding electrode 9 is equivalently canceled.

容量差検出回路１８は演算アンプＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢからそれぞれ出力される測定電圧Ｖａ、Ｖｂの差を出力する。この実施例では、第１の検出電極１０の対接地容量Ｃａが第２の検出電極１１の対接地容量Ｃｂよりも大きくなった状態、すなわち人体が接近し、測定出力電圧Ｖａ、ＶｂがＶａ＞Ｖｂの状態のときに差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧を発生する。 The capacitance difference detection circuit 18 outputs the difference between the measurement voltages Va and Vb output from the operational amplifiers CVA and CVB, respectively. In this embodiment, the ground capacitance Ca of the first detection electrode 10 is larger than the ground capacitance Cb of the second detection electrode 11, that is, the human body approaches, and the measured output voltages Va and Vb are Va> An output voltage of the difference output Vo is generated in the state of Vb.

この差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧は、衛生洗浄装置１に人が近づいたことを示す制御情報として与えられる。即ち、この差出力Ｖｏを、コネクタ１５を通じて衛生洗浄装置１のコントローラ（図示せず）に伝え、差出力Ｖｏが閾値Ｖｘを越えた時、所定距離以内に人体が近づいたと判定し、例えばスイッチ動作による洗浄ノズル３からの人体洗浄を可能にする。 The output voltage of the difference output Vo is given as control information indicating that a person has approached the sanitary washing device 1. That is, this difference output Vo is transmitted to the controller (not shown) of the sanitary washing device 1 through the connector 15, and when the difference output Vo exceeds the threshold value Vx, it is determined that the human body has approached within a predetermined distance. It is possible to clean the human body from the cleaning nozzle 3.

尚、遮蔽電圧印加回路１９、第１及び第２の容量検出回路１６、１７、容量差検出回路１８等をＩＣチップ１３に集積し、各電極９、１０、１１を設けた基板８上に実装して人体検出装置７を構成し、且つ、電圧出力に変換して衛生洗浄装置１のコントローラに送信しているので、各電極９、１０、１１間とＩＣ１２間、人体検出装置７とコントローラ間にノイズがのりにくなるうえをもって、検出が確実になると共にノイズがのらない分、検出距離をより長くすことが可能になる。 The shield voltage application circuit 19, the first and second capacitance detection circuits 16, 17 and the capacitance difference detection circuit 18 are integrated on the IC chip 13 and mounted on the substrate 8 provided with the electrodes 9, 10, 11. Since the human body detection device 7 is configured and converted into a voltage output and transmitted to the controller of the sanitary washing device 1, between the electrodes 9, 10, 11 and between the ICs 12, between the human body detection device 7 and the controller In addition to the increase in noise, the detection becomes reliable and the detection distance can be further increased by the amount of noise.

尚、本発明の人体検出装置７において、面積Ｓ１が広い第１の検出電極１０の周囲を面積Ｓ２が狭い第２の検出電極１１で囲い、且つ、第１の容量検出回路１６の出力を容量差検出回路１８の演算アンプＤＡの非反転入力（＋）側に、第２の容量検出回路１７の出力を演算アンプＤＡの反転入力（−）側に接続している。 In the human body detection device 7 of the present invention, the first detection electrode 10 having a large area S1 is surrounded by the second detection electrode 11 having a small area S2, and the output of the first capacitance detection circuit 16 is a capacitance. The output of the second capacitance detection circuit 17 is connected to the inverting input (−) side of the operational amplifier DA and the non-inverting input (+) side of the operational amplifier DA of the difference detection circuit 18.

このようにすることで、第１の検出電極１０と第２の検出電極１１によって検出領域Ａが決定され、図８に示すように、第２の検出電極１１で囲われた第１の検出電極１０の前方領域が検出領域Ａとなる。 In this way, the detection region A is determined by the first detection electrode 10 and the second detection electrode 11, and the first detection electrode surrounded by the second detection electrode 11 as shown in FIG. The front area of 10 is the detection area A.

即ち、人体Ｈが人体検出装置７の正面側から人体検出装置７の検出部１２に近づいた場合、人体Ｈの接近で、面積が広い第１の検出電極１０の対接地静電容量Ｃａ方が、面積が狭い第２の検出電極１１の対接地静電容量Ｃｂ方より静電容量の増加が大きくなる。そして、対接地静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂに応じた電圧出力Ｖａ、Ｖｂに変換され、電圧出力の差（Ｖａ−Ｖｂ）がプラスなので、演算アンプＤＡから差出力Ｖｏの出力電圧が発生する。 That is, when the human body H approaches the detection unit 12 of the human body detection device 7 from the front side of the human body detection device 7, the grounding capacitance Ca of the first detection electrode 10 having a large area due to the approach of the human body H is larger. The increase in capacitance is larger than that of the second detection electrode 11 having a smaller area than the capacitance Cb to ground. Then, the voltage outputs Va and Vb corresponding to the grounding capacitances Ca and Cb are converted, and the voltage output difference (Va−Vb) is positive, so that an output voltage of the difference output Vo is generated from the operational amplifier DA.

人体Ｈが検出部１２の正面より上下左右側方から検出部１２に近づいた場合、第２の検出電極１１の対接地静電容量Ｃｂ方が、第１の検出電極１０の対接地静電容量Ｃａより先に増加するをもって、対接地静電容量Ｃｂが対接地静電容量Ｃａより大きい間、即ち電圧に変換された電圧出力の差（Ｖａ−Ｖｂ）がマイナス状態の間は、演算アンプＤＡからは出力電圧が発生しないのである。 When the human body H approaches the detection unit 12 from the top, bottom, left, and right sides from the front of the detection unit 12, the ground capacitance Cb of the second detection electrode 11 is the ground capacitance of the first detection electrode 10. As long as it increases prior to Ca and the grounding capacitance Cb is larger than the grounding capacitance Ca, that is, while the voltage output difference (Va−Vb) converted into a voltage is in a negative state, the operational amplifier DA No output voltage is generated.

従って、上述の実施例のように、第１の検出電極１０の面積Ｓ１と、第１の電極を囲む第２の電極１１の面積Ｓ２において、Ｓ１＞Ｓ２で、且つ、第１の容量検出回路１６の出力を容量差検出回路１８の演算アンプＤＡの非反転入力（＋）側に、第２の容量検出回路１７の出力を演算アンプＤＡの反転入力（−）側に接続すると、検出部１２の検出領域Ａは図８に示すようになり、衛生洗浄装置１の樹脂製ケーシング４前面に図２のように設置すると、検出領域Ａは便座５後方上部になり、便座５に着座しようとしている人体Ｈを検出でき、好適である。 Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, in the area S1 of the first detection electrode 10 and the area S2 of the second electrode 11 surrounding the first electrode, S1> S2 and the first capacitance detection circuit When the output of 16 is connected to the non-inverting input (+) side of the operational amplifier DA of the capacitance difference detection circuit 18 and the output of the second capacitance detection circuit 17 is connected to the inverting input (−) side of the operational amplifier DA, the detection unit 12. The detection area A is as shown in FIG. 8. When the detection area A is installed on the front surface of the resin casing 4 of the sanitary washing device 1 as shown in FIG. 2, the detection area A becomes the rear upper part of the toilet seat 5 and is about to sit on the toilet seat 5. The human body H can be detected, which is preferable.

尚、第１の検出電極１０の面積Ｓ１と、第１の電極を囲む第２の電極１１の面積Ｓ２において、Ｓ１＞Ｓ２で、且つ、第１の容量検出回路１６の出力を容量差検出回路１８の演算アンプＤＡの反転入力（−）側に、第２の容量検出回路１７の出力を演算アンプＤＡの非反転入力（＋）側に接続した場合は、上述とは逆の関係になり、人体Ｈが検出部１２の正面側から近づいた場合は演算アンプＤＡからは出力電圧が発生せず、人体Ｈが検出部１２の正面より上下左右側方から人体検出装置７に近づいた場合は演算アンプＤＡからは出力電圧が発生するので、検出部１２検出領域Ａは図９に示すようになりる。このような検出領域の検出部１２は、例えば便器２の側方の壁面内に設置し、トイレ内に人が入室したことを検出する場合などにおいて利用できる。 In the area S1 of the first detection electrode 10 and the area S2 of the second electrode 11 surrounding the first electrode, S1> S2 and the output of the first capacitance detection circuit 16 is the capacitance difference detection circuit. When the output of the second capacitance detection circuit 17 is connected to the inverting input (−) side of the 18 operational amplifier DA and the non-inverting input (+) side of the operational amplifier DA, the relationship is opposite to the above. When the human body H approaches from the front side of the detection unit 12, no output voltage is generated from the operational amplifier DA, and when the human body H approaches the human body detection device 7 from the top, bottom, left, or right side from the front of the detection unit 12, the calculation is performed. Since an output voltage is generated from the amplifier DA, the detection area 12 of the detection unit 12 is as shown in FIG. Such a detection region detection unit 12 is installed, for example, on the side wall of the toilet 2 and can be used when detecting that a person has entered the toilet.

このように、第１の検出電極１０と、第１の電極を囲む第２の電極１１と、夫々の容量検出回路１６、１７出力端の容量差検出回路１８の演算アンプＤＡへの非反転入力（＋）、反転入力（−）の何れかへの接続によって、検出部１２の検出領域Ａを任意の領域に設定することが可能である。 Thus, the non-inverting input to the operational amplifier DA of the first detection electrode 10, the second electrode 11 surrounding the first electrode, and the capacitance difference detection circuit 18 at the output terminals of the capacitance detection circuits 16 and 17, respectively. The detection area A of the detection unit 12 can be set to an arbitrary area by connection to either (+) or the inverting input (−).

又、第１の検出電極１０の形状や、第１の電極を囲む第２の電極１１の幅や形状によっても検出部１２の検出領域Ａを任意の領域に設定することが可能である。 Further, the detection region A of the detection unit 12 can be set to an arbitrary region depending on the shape of the first detection electrode 10 and the width and shape of the second electrode 11 surrounding the first electrode.

次に、図１０、図１１に示す衛生設備として便器２の自動洗浄装置２２に本発明の人体検出装置７を用いた例について説明すると、静電センサが陶磁器を透過して人体Ｈなどを検出できる特性を生かし、陶器製便器２の袴部２３の内周面に正面を向けて人体検出装置７を設置している。 Next, an example in which the human body detection device 7 of the present invention is used for the automatic cleaning device 22 of the toilet 2 as the sanitary equipment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described. The electrostatic sensor passes through the ceramic and detects the human body H and the like. Taking advantage of the characteristics that can be made, the human body detection device 7 is installed with the front facing the inner peripheral surface of the collar 23 of the ceramic toilet 2.

この実施例では、人体検出装置７は、図１２に示すように、基板８として細長い長方形状のフレキシブル基板を用い、基板８表面に長方形状の遮蔽電極９を印刷し、その上に両面に接着剤を塗布したＰＥＴ樹脂フィルムなどの絶縁フィルム２４を介して、夫々アルミ箔製で遮蔽電極９より小さな長方形状の第２の電極１１と、第２の電極１１より小さな長方形状の第１の電極１０を順に積層し、基板８裏面にはＩＣチップ１３、コネクタ１５を実装している。 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the human body detection device 7 uses an elongated rectangular flexible substrate as the substrate 8, prints a rectangular shielding electrode 9 on the surface of the substrate 8, and adheres to both sides thereof. A rectangular second electrode 11 made of aluminum foil and smaller than the shielding electrode 9 and a rectangular first electrode smaller than the second electrode 11 through an insulating film 24 such as a PET resin film coated with an agent. 10 are sequentially stacked, and an IC chip 13 and a connector 15 are mounted on the back surface of the substrate 8.

この場合、第２の電極１１において、第１の電極１０で覆われた以外の露出部分の面積をＳ２、第１の電極１０の面積Ｓ１より小さくしておく。このようにすることで、第２の電極１１において、第１の電極１０で覆われた部分は第１の電極１０で静電遮蔽されるをもって、実質上、図３、図４に示す人体検出装置７と何ら変らない検出特性を得られる。 In this case, in the second electrode 11, the area of the exposed portion other than that covered by the first electrode 10 is made smaller than S 2 and the area S 1 of the first electrode 10. In this way, the portion of the second electrode 11 covered with the first electrode 10 is electrostatically shielded by the first electrode 10, and the human body detection shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is substantially performed. Detection characteristics that are not different from those of the device 7 can be obtained.

而して、図１１に示すように、フレキシブルな基板８の特性を生かし、湾曲した袴部２３前側内面に、検出方向Ｘが便器２前方になるようにフレキシブル基板８の長辺側を湾曲した形状に倣って人体検出装置７を接着する。このようにすることで、検出エリアＡは平面略扇形の薄い空間領域となる。そして、上述の第１実施例と同様に、便器２前方空間に位置する人体Ｈの脚部を確実に検出し、人体Ｈを検出した時間が所定時間継続した後人体検出が無くなると、便器洗浄バルブ機構（図示せず）が自動的に作動して便器２を洗浄する。 Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, taking advantage of the characteristics of the flexible substrate 8, the long side of the flexible substrate 8 is curved on the curved inner surface of the front side of the flange 23 so that the detection direction X is in front of the toilet 2. The human body detection device 7 is adhered following the shape. By doing in this way, the detection area A becomes a thin space area of a substantially plane shape. And like the above-mentioned 1st Example, when the leg part of the human body H located in the toilet 2 front space is detected reliably and the human body detection is stopped after the time when the human body H is detected for a predetermined time, A valve mechanism (not shown) is automatically activated to wash the toilet bowl 2.

本発明は上述の実施例に限定されること無く、種々の変形が可能であり、例えば図３、図４に示す人体検出装置７の検出部１２を変形例として、図１３、図１４に示すように遮蔽電極９を基板８の裏面側だけではなく、基板８の表面側に第２の検出電極１１を囲むように第2の電極１１の周囲に設けても良い。この場合、基板８の裏面側及び表面側に設けた遮蔽電極９同志を同電位にするように導通させる。このようにすることで、基板８表面と同一平面上、言い換えれば第１及び第２の検出電極と同一平面状に存在する物体の存在による影響を排除でき、第１及び第２の検出電極前方に近接する人体をより一層安定して検出できる。 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the detection unit 12 of the human body detection device 7 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is illustrated as a modification in FIGS. 13 and 14. As described above, the shielding electrode 9 may be provided not only on the back surface side of the substrate 8 but also on the front surface side of the substrate 8 around the second electrode 11 so as to surround the second detection electrode 11. In this case, the shield electrodes 9 provided on the back surface side and the front surface side of the substrate 8 are made conductive so as to have the same potential. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the influence due to the presence of an object that is on the same plane as the surface of the substrate 8, in other words, on the same plane as the first and second detection electrodes, and the front of the first and second detection electrodes. It is possible to detect a human body close to the head more stably.

又、検出部１２を図１５に示すような多層基板で構成することも可能である。即ちこの実施例では、基板８の一方には基板８の両面に第１の電極１０及び第２の電極１１を設け、基板８の他方に遮蔽電極９を設けて両方の基板８、８を絶縁性接着剤（図示せず）で一体化している。勿論、基板８の一方に第１の電極１０を、他方の基板８の両面に第２の電極１１及び遮蔽電極９を設けて両方の基板８、８を組合せても良い。 It is also possible to configure the detection unit 12 with a multilayer substrate as shown in FIG. That is, in this embodiment, the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 11 are provided on one side of the substrate 8 on one side of the substrate 8 and the shielding electrode 9 is provided on the other side of the substrate 8 to insulate both the substrates 8 and 8. It is integrated with an adhesive (not shown). Of course, both the substrates 8 and 8 may be combined by providing the first electrode 10 on one side of the substrate 8 and the second electrode 11 and the shielding electrode 9 on both sides of the other substrate 8.

又、検出部１２を基板に設けず、例えば図１６に示すように３枚の金属箔や金属板で各電極９、１０、１１を構成し、これらの電極９、１０、１１間に絶縁フィルム２４を介在させて、検出部１２を形成しても良い。そして検出部１２と分離した制御部１３に、検出部１２を接続して、人体検出装置７を構成しても良い。 In addition, the detection unit 12 is not provided on the substrate, and for example, as shown in FIG. The detection unit 12 may be formed with 24 interposed. The human body detection device 7 may be configured by connecting the detection unit 12 to the control unit 13 separated from the detection unit 12.

尚、検出部と制御部を基板に設ける場合、ＩＣチップやコネクタの基板への実装面は表面側、裏面側何れでも良く、また実装位置も任意で、人体検出装置を設置する部位に応じて適宜決めれば良い。 When the detection unit and the control unit are provided on the board, the mounting surface of the IC chip or the connector on the board may be either the front side or the back side, and the mounting position is arbitrary, depending on the part where the human body detection device is installed. What is necessary is just to decide suitably.

更に制御部をＩＣチップ化する必要はなく、通常の基板に回路部品を実装しても良い。 Further, the control unit does not need to be an IC chip, and circuit components may be mounted on a normal substrate.

各電極の形状も長方形状にする必要はなく、正方形、円形、楕円形、台形など任意の形状にすることが出来、各電極の形状を異ならせても良い。 The shape of each electrode does not need to be rectangular, but can be any shape such as square, circle, ellipse, trapezoid, and the shape of each electrode may be different.

更に衛生設備は、便器、洗面器、手洗い器などが有り、検出部をこれらの機器の中に組み込んだり、これらの機器が設置された壁面内、例えば樹脂パネルやタイルなどの非金属製カバー背面に設置しても良く、これらを利用する人の検出に本発明の静電センサを用いることができる。又、衛生洗浄装置においては、便座内部に検出部を組み込んでも良い。尚、非金属製部材として陶磁器、樹脂、木などが挙げられる。 Furthermore, sanitary facilities include toilets, washbasins, hand-washers, etc., and the detector is built into these devices, or inside the walls where these devices are installed, such as the back of non-metallic covers such as resin panels and tiles. The electrostatic sensor of the present invention can be used for detection of a person using these. In the sanitary washing device, a detection unit may be incorporated inside the toilet seat. Examples of the non-metallic member include ceramics, resin, and wood.

本発明で開示された人体検出装置は、衛生設備機器以外の分野においても、人体や動物の検出にも適用できる。例えば、車両用シートに人が着座したことを検出する装置にも応用出来る。又、閾値電圧を高くするなどして検出距離を短くし、非接触式パネルスイッチとして用いることも可能である。 The human body detection device disclosed in the present invention can be applied to the detection of human bodies and animals in fields other than sanitary equipment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a device that detects that a person is seated on a vehicle seat. It is also possible to shorten the detection distance by increasing the threshold voltage, etc., and use it as a non-contact type panel switch.

本発明の人体検出装置を組込んだ衛生洗浄装置の外観斜視図である。It is an external appearance perspective view of the sanitary washing apparatus incorporating the human body detection apparatus of this invention. 同、衛生洗浄装置のケーシングの模式的な断面図である。It is a typical sectional view of the casing of a sanitary washing device same as the above. 同、人体検出装置の平面図である。FIG. 2 is a plan view of the human body detection device. 同、人体検出装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of a human body detection apparatus same as the above. 同、静電センサの回路ブロック図である。It is a circuit block diagram of an electrostatic sensor. 同、静電センサの検出距離と出力電圧の特性図である。FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the detection distance and output voltage of the electrostatic sensor. ＩＣチップの要部の回路図である。It is a circuit diagram of the principal part of an IC chip. 検出部の検出領域を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows the detection area | region of a detection part. 検出部の検出領域を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows the detection area | region of a detection part. 本発明の人体検出装置を便器の袴部内に組込んだ便器自動洗浄装置の外観斜視図である。It is an external appearance perspective view of the toilet bowl automatic washing apparatus which incorporated the human body detection apparatus of this invention in the buttocks of the toilet bowl. 同、便器袴部の横断面図である。It is a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl part. 同、人体検出装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of a human body detection apparatus same as the above. 検出部の別実施例の平面図である。It is a top view of another example of a detection part. 同、検出部の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of a detection part same as the above. 更に、検出部の別実施例の断面図である。Furthermore, it is sectional drawing of another Example of a detection part. 更に、検出部の別実施例の断面図である。Furthermore, it is sectional drawing of another Example of a detection part.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１…衛生洗浄装置
２…便器
３…洗浄ノズル
４…ケーシング
５…便座
６…便蓋
７…人体検出装置
８…基板
９…遮蔽電極
１０…第１の検出電極
１１…第２の検出電極
１２…検出部
１３…制御部（ＩＣ）
１４…レジスト膜
１５…コネクタ
１６…第１の容量検出回路
１７…第２の容量検出回路
１８…容量差検出回路
１９…遮蔽電圧印加回路
２０…タイミング制御回路
２１…便器洗浄タンク
２２…便器自動洗浄装置
２３…袴部
２４…絶縁フィルム
Ａ…検出領域
Ｈ…人体
Ｌ…距離
Ｘ…検出方向
Ｃａ、Ｃｂ、Ｃｓ…静電容量
Ｃｆａ、Ｃｆｂ…容量素子
ＣＶＡ、ＣＶＢ、ＤＡ…演算アンプ
Ｒ１ａ、Ｒ１ｂ、Ｒ２ａ、Ｒ２ｂ…抵抗
Ｓｓａ、Ｓｓｂ、Ｓｓｓ、Ｓｆａ、Ｓｆｂ…能動スイッチ
Ｓ１、Ｓ２…面積

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sanitary washing apparatus 2 ... Toilet bowl 3 ... Cleaning nozzle 4 ... Casing 5 ... Toilet seat 6 ... Toilet lid 7 ... Human body detection apparatus 8 ... Board | substrate 9 ... Shielding electrode 10 ... 1st detection electrode 11 ... 2nd detection electrode 12 ... Detection unit 13 ... Control unit (IC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Resist film 15 ... Connector 16 ... 1st capacity | capacitance detection circuit 17 ... 2nd capacity | capacitance detection circuit 18 ... Capacitance difference detection circuit 19 ... Shielding voltage application circuit 20 ... Timing control circuit 21 ... Toilet bowl washing tank 22 ... Toilet bowl automatic washing Device 23 ... Butt 24 ... Insulating film A ... Detection area H ... Human body L ... Distance X ... Detection direction Ca, Cb, Cs ... Capacitance Cfa, Cfb ... Capacitance elements CVA, CVB, DA ... Operational amplifiers R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b ... Resistance Ssa, Ssb, Sss, Sfa, Sfb ... Active switches S1, S2 ... Area

Claims

正面側が露出した平板状の第１検出電極と、正面側の露出部分が前記第１の検出電極を囲むと共に該露出部分の面積が前記第１の検出電極の面積と異なる平板状の第２検出電極と、前記第１及び第２の検出電極の背面側に設置され前記第１及び第２の検出電極を囲む平板状の遮蔽電極とを備えた検出部と、
前記遮蔽電極に第１及び第２の検出電極と同じ電位を与える遮蔽電圧印加回路と、前記第１検出電極が形成する対接地容量と第２検出電極が形成する対接地容量を夫々検出し増幅して電圧出力を発生する第１及び第２の容量検出回路と、各電圧出力の差分に基いて出力電圧信号を発生する検出回路とを備えた制御部と、
を具備してなり、
衛生設備の非金属製部材の内部に前記検出部の正面側を非金属製部材の内面に向けて設置したことを特徴とする人体検出装置。 A flat plate-like first detection electrode whose front side is exposed, and a flat plate-like second detection whose exposed portion on the front side surrounds the first detection electrode and whose area is different from the area of the first detection electrode. A detection unit comprising: an electrode; and a flat shield electrode disposed on the back side of the first and second detection electrodes and surrounding the first and second detection electrodes;
A shield voltage application circuit that applies the same potential to the shield electrode as the first and second detection electrodes, and a ground capacitance formed by the first detection electrode and a ground capacitance formed by the second detection electrode are detected and amplified, respectively. A control unit including first and second capacitance detection circuits that generate a voltage output and a detection circuit that generates an output voltage signal based on a difference between the voltage outputs;
Comprising
A human body detection device, wherein a front side of the detection unit is installed in a non-metallic member of a sanitary facility with an inner surface of the non-metallic member.

前記制御部を実装した基板上に、前記検出部を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１記載の人体検出装置。 The human body detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided on a substrate on which the control unit is mounted.

前記制御部をＩＣチップ化したことを特徴とする請求項２記載の人体検出装置。 The human body detection device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is formed as an IC chip.

前記基板がフレキシブル基板であることを特徴とする請求項２又は３に記載の人体検出装置。 The human body detection device according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate.

請求項１〜４のいずれか１つの人体検出装置を備えた衛生洗浄装置であって、前記非金属製部材が、内部に人体洗浄機能を備えると共に前方に便座を回動自在に軸支する樹脂製のケーシングであり、前記検出部の正面側を前記ケーシングの前面側内面に向けて設置し、前記便座に着座する人体を検出することを特徴とする衛生洗浄装置。 It is a sanitary washing apparatus provided with the human body detection apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising: The said non-metallic member is equipped with the human body washing | cleaning function inside, and supports the toilet seat pivotably forwardly A sanitary washing apparatus, wherein the sanitary washing apparatus is a casing made of a metal, detects a human body seated on the toilet seat, with the front side of the detection unit facing the front side inner surface of the casing.

請求項１〜４のいずれか１つの人体検出装置を備えた、自動洗浄機能を備えた陶器製便器であって、前記非金属製部材が便器の袴部であって、前記検出部の正面側を前記袴部前方内周面に向けて設置して、便器へ接離する人体を検出することを特徴とする便器。

A ceramic toilet having an automatic cleaning function, comprising the human body detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-metallic member is a urinal of the toilet, and the front side of the detection unit The toilet is installed toward the front inner peripheral surface of the buttock to detect a human body that contacts and separates from the toilet.