Human private part washing apparatus

Abstract

A human private part washing apparatus includes a base, a toilet seat supported by the base to pivot, a washing portion provided at the base and capable of washing at least one private part of a person seated on the toilet seat, a microcomputer-based controller provided at the base and incorporating a storage media, in which at least one program can be stored, and a write connector, which includes at least one terminal and a ground terminal and is capable of writing the at least one program at the storage media, and a connector cover configured to detachably cover the write connector; the connector cover being provided with at least one terminating resistance capable of connecting the at least one opened terminal to the ground terminal.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 with respect to Japanese Patent Application 2004-279360, filed on Sep. 27, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a human private part washing apparatus for washing human private parts such as anus and female pubic portion.

BACKGROUND

A flush toilet, which has been widely utilized, has a problem of a high humidity. In the light of the forgoing, a conventional controller of a human private part washing apparatus is filled in with a moisture-proof material such as an urethane and is actually mounted on a toilet seat, wherein it is possible to prevent the controller from being directly adhered with moisture or from directly getting wet. In this case, however, at an event that a program, which has been stored in a storage media of the controller, is required to be updated, it is substantially difficult to replace components of the controller with new components. Therefore, the controller of the human private part washing apparatus has to be newly manufactured, which may waste a manufacturing expense.

In the light of the foregoing, JP2002-332675A discloses a human private part washing apparatus according to which, by transmitting a program to a microcomputer controller from an outside radio communicating means, various functions such as a cleansing function can be freely set in response to an intension of a user. In this human private part washing apparatus, however, a radio communicating means requires wireless type transmitter and receiver, thereby causing constraint to instruments.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a human private part washing apparatus in which a program can be rewritten by use of a wiring and is capable of curbing a noise influence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a human private part washing apparatus includes: a base; a toilet seat supported by the base to pivot up and down; a washing portion provided at the base and capable of washing at least one private part of a person who is seated on the toilet seat; a microcomputer controller provided at the base and incorporating, therein, a storage media, in which at least one program can be stored, and a write connector, which includes at least one terminal and a ground terminal and is capable of writing the at least one program at the storage media; and a connector cover configured to be detachable and to cover the write connector; the connector cover being provided with at least one terminating resistance capable of electrically connecting the at least one opened terminal to the ground terminal.

It is preferable that a moisture-proof material coats the write connector and a vicinity of the write connector, and the moisture-proof material does not coat the connector cover covering the write connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a human private part washing apparatus mounted on a toilet bowl according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an internal structure of the human private part washing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a connection diagram of a write connector illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a connection diagram of a connector cover illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the connector cover;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a bottom of the connector cover;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 illustrates the write connector which is coated with a moisture-proof material and is covered with the connector cover;

FIG. 9 is a block view of a microcomputer controller; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a human private part washing apparatus mounted on a toilet bowl according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelow in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, a human private part washing apparatus A is mounted at a rear portion of a toilet bowl 100, and includes a case 1 as a base having an operation panel 14 in which a bidet washing switch 10 and an anus washing switch 11 are embedded, a toilet seat 20 provided at the case 1 to pivot, a toilet seat lid 21 provided at the case 1 to pivot, and a washing unit 3 provided at the case 1. The case 1 is established with a base 12 as a bottom wall and a case main body 13 which is a box shaped structure and detachably and hermetically covers the base 12.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the washing unit 3 contains a bidet-washing nozzle 31 and an anus-washing nozzle 32. The bidet-washing nozzle 31 and the anus-washing nozzle 32 becomes invisible, for example are covered up, when they are not used by a toilet user. On the other hand, when a toilet user uses them, the bidet-washing nozzle 31 and the anus-washing nozzle 32 are respectively advanced towards human private parts of a toilet user being seated on the toilet seat 20. When the toilet user finishes using them, they are retracted and become invisible, for example are covered up.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the case 1 incorporates, therein, the bidet-washing nozzle 31, the anus-washing nozzle 32, a water storage tank 30 for storing a cleansing water emitted from the nozzles 31 and 32, a deodorizing unit 40 adjusted to supply an air to a deodorizing material such as an activated carbon for deodorization (air-refreshment), a drying unit 45 adjusted to generate a warm air for dying human private parts, and a control circuit board 5. The control circuit board 5 incorporates, therein, various types of electronic components such as a capacitor 51, a light emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as LED) 52 and a connector 53. At an end portion 5e of the control circuit board 5, a write connector 6, which is employed to write at least one program, is fixed upwards, wherein wire-connection between the write connector 6 and a connector 300 as a writer can be facilitated.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the write connector 6 is covered, from above, by a connector cover 7 which is detachable from the write connector 6. The control circuit board 5 is coated with a moisture-proof material 57, which is made of a resin such as a urethane. The above-described various electronic components are coated with the moisture-proof material 57 and are isolated from moisture or from getting wet. A lower portion, and a vicinity, of the write connector 6 is coated with the moisture-proof material 57. However, the write connector 6 is not entirely coated with the moisture-proof material 57. That is, an upper portion of the write connector 6 is not coated with the moisture-proof material 57. Therefore, it is possible to attach the connector cover 7 to the write connector 6, and is further possible to detach the connector cover 7 from the write connector 6. It is further possible not to damage the moisture-proof material 57 by the connector cover 7. Because the control circuit board 5 is provided inside the case 1, as far as the case main body 13 is separated from the base 12, the control circuit board 5 having the write connector 6 is exposed.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the write connector 6 is provided with a ground terminal (GND) as a first pin, a transmitted data output terminal (TxD) as a second pin, a received data input terminal (RxD) as a third pin, a reset terminal (Reset) as a fourth pin, a voltage source terminal (Vdd) as a fifth in, a program write control terminal (Vpp) as a sixth pin, and an HS terminal (HS) as a seventh pin. The HS terminal is employed so as to allow communication at an appropriate timing for communication, thereby enabling to achieve a high speed communication.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the voltage source terminal (Vdd) is connected to a voltage source 80, and the reset terminal (Reset) is connected to the voltage source 80 via a pull-up resistor 81, wherein the voltage source terminal (Vdd) and the reset terminal (Reset) are both identified as High-level terminals. Meanwhile, the ground terminal (GND) is connected to a ground side 82, and the program write control terminal (Vpp) is connected to a ground via a pull-down resistor 83, wherein the ground terminal (GND) and the program write control terminal (Vpp) are both identified as Low-level terminals. When the write connector 6 is not covered by the connector cover 7, terminals such as the transmitted data output terminal (TxD), the received data input terminal (RxD) and the HS terminal (HS) are exposed outwardly and are electrically opened.

Generally, a human private part washing apparatus is incorporated with electric components. Further, various types of electric components have been installed in a toilet room recently. In such circumstances, a microcomputer controller may on occasions be positioned away from a write connector, wherein, on occasions due to electromagnetic waves sent from the electric components, there is a higher possibility of the microcomputer controller of being influenced by a noise.

In the light of the foregoing, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, the connector cover 7 is provided with a first terminating resistor 86 which electrically connects the transmitted data output terminal (TxD), which is electrically opened, to the ground terminal (GND); a second terminating resistor 87 which electrically connects the received data input terminal (RxD) to the ground terminal (GND); and a third terminating resistance 88 which electrically connects the HS terminal (HS) to the ground terminal (GND).

Therefore, when the write connector 6 is covered by the connector cover 7, the transmitted data output terminal (TxD), the received data input terminal (RxD), and the HS terminal (HS), which are contained in the write connector 6 of the control circuit board 5, are electrically connected to the ground terminal (GND) respectively via the first terminating resistor 86, the second terminating resistor 87 and the third terminating resistor 88.

As described above, as far as the write connector 6 is covered by the connector cover 7, even at an event that a noise occurs at a wiring connected to the transmitted data output terminal (TxD), the noise is consumed by the first terminating resistor 86, and is attenuated or cancelled effectively. Likewise, as far as the write connector 6 is covered by the connector cover 7, even at an event that a noise occurs at a wiring connected to the received data input terminal (RxD), the noise is consumed by the second terminating resistor 87 and is attenuated or cancelled effectively. Further likewise, as far as the write connector 6 is covered by the connector cover 7, even at an event that a noise occurs at a wiring connected to the HS terminal (HS), the noise is consumed by the third terminating resistor 88, and is attenuated or cancelled effectively.

In the write connector 6, because the voltage source terminal (Vdd) and the reset terminal (Reset) are both connected to the voltage source 80, each terminal possess a high and stable electric potential. Any terminating resistances as described above are not provided for both the voltage source terminal (Vdd) and the reset terminal (Reset). Meanwhile, in the write connector 6, because the ground terminal (GND) and the program write control terminal (Vpp) are both connected to ground, each terminal possess a low and stable electric potential. Any terminating resistances 86, 87, 88 as described above are not provided for both the ground terminal (GND) and the program write control terminal (Vpp).

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the connector cover 7 is formed, therein, with a first pin hole 71 into which the ground terminal (GND) as a first pin is fitted, a second pin hole 72 into which the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) as a second pin is fitted, a third pin hole 73 into which the received data input terminal (RxD) as a third pin is fitted, a fourth pin hole 74 into which the reset terminal (Rest) as a fourth pin is fitted, a fifth pin hole 75 into which the voltage source terminal (Vdd) as a fifth pin is fitted, a sixth pin hole 76 into which the program write control terminal (Vpp) as a sixth pin is fitted, and a seventh pin hole 77 into which the HS terminal (HS) as a seventh pin is fitted. The respective pin holes 71 to 77 are preferably arranged substantially in a line.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the connector cover 7 is mainly consist of a resin-made housing 700 with an inserting wall 701 and a resin-made cover 710 integrated with the housing 700 at an opposite side to the inserting wall 701. The inserting wall 701 is formed with a bottom end 701u at an opposite side to the cover 710. The cover 710 possesses a housing chamber 720 in which the first terminating resistor 86, the second terminating resistor 87 and the third terminating resistor 88 are housed. The housing 700 is provided with an engagement claw 760 which is engageable with the write connector 6. The housing 700 is made of a resin of which hardness is higher than the one of the resin for the cover 710.

According to the above-described structure of the human private part washing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the engagement claw 760 of the connector cover 7 is engaged with the write connector 6, the opened terminal pins of the write connector 6 are sealed or covered by the connector cover 7. Therefore, especially, for an inside of the human private part washing apparatus in a toilet room, of which moisture level is easily raised, it is possible to assure a moisture-proof performance of the opened terminal pins of the write connector 6 to an appropriate extent. As is obvious from FIG. 3, as the opened terminal pins of the write connector 6, there are the ground terminal (GND) as the first pin, the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) as the second pin, the received data input terminal (RxD) as the third pin, the reset terminal (Reset) as the fourth pin, the voltage source terminal (Vdd) as the fifth pin, the program write control terminal (Vpp) as the sixth pin, and the HS terminal (HS) as the seventh pin.

Moreover, as far as the engagement claw 760 of the connector cover 7 is engaged with the write connector 6, the connector cover 7 is not easily disengaged from the write connector 6, and further the opened terminal pins of the write connector 6 can be maintained at a preferably highly sealed condition. When a program is needed to be stored, by operating the engagement claw 760 of the connector cover 7 and disengaging the engagement claw 760 from the write connector 6, the connector cover 7 can be detached from the write connector 6 of the control circuit board 5. In such circumstances, the terminal pins of the write connector 6 are opened and exposed upwards.

A microcomputer controller 9 illustrated in FIG. 9 incorporates, therein, an input processing circuit 910, a microcomputer 920, an output processing circuit 930 which outputs a signal on the basis of a signal from the microcomputer 920, and the write connector 6. The microcomputer 920 incorporates, therein, a calculating module 921, a storage media 922 such as a random-access-memory (RAM) and a read-only-memory (ROM), a transmit buffer 925 connected to the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) of the write connector 6, and a receive buffer 926 connected to the received data input terminal (RxD) of the write connector 6. When a program is stored in the storage media 922, the transmitted data output terminal (TxD), and the received data input terminal (RxD), of the write connector 6 are detachably connected to the connector 300 of the writer.

When the human private part washing apparatus A is used, a toilet user operates the bidet-washing switch 10 and the anus-washing switch 11. Operation signals from the bidet-washing switch 10 and the anus-washing switch 11 are inputted into the microcomputer 920 via the input processing circuit 910. The output processing circuit 930 controls, via each driving circuits 951a, 953a, 954a and 955a, a motor 951, a deodorization motor 953, a heating medium 954 and an warm air motor 955, respectively. The deodorization motor 953 is driven for the purpose of operating a fan which is capable of sending an air to a deodorizing material such as an activated carbon, wherein a toilet air is refreshed. The heating medium 954 is driven fur the purpose of generating a warm air which dries human private parts. The warm air motor 955 is driven for the purpose of operating a fan which supplies the warm air. Therefore, when the motor 951 is rotated at a predetermined rotational amount in one direction (the other direction), cleansing water is supplied to the bidet-washing nozzle 31 (anus-washing nozzle 32) via a not-illustrated switching valve. This cleansing water is sprayed towards a bidet (anus) after the bidet-washing nozzle 31 (anus-washing nozzle 32) has moved ahead. When those components such as the valve, the deodorizing unit, the drying unit and so on are operated, there is on occasions a possibility of a noise occurrence. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, because the connector cover 7 with the terminating resistances covers the write connector 6, a noise can be attenuated or cancelled effectively.

However, in response to intension or preference of a washlet user or in response to conditions of the district or area in which a washlet is used, there may be on occasions a case that a washlet using conditions should be changed, conditions which are for example a temperature of a cleansing water, an amount of cleansing water to be spayed per unit of time, a temperature of a warm air from the drying unit 45, an amount of the warm air per unit of time, and a deodorization degree. In such a case, the case main body 13 is detached from the base 12 so that the write connector 6 covered by the connector cover 7 is exposed outside. The connector cover 7 is then detached from the write connector 6, wherein the write connector 6 itself is exposed outside. In this case, pins such as the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) and the received data input terminal (RxD) of the write connector 6 are exposed upwards.

Under the above-described condition, the write connector 6 is connected, by use of a wiring, electrically and directly to the connector 300 as the writer, and programs, by which various conditions are set in response to a preference of a washlet user, are written by the connector 300 as the writer. Here, a received signal from the microcomputer controller 9 is inputted to the received data input terminal (RxD) of the write connector 6 via the receive buffer 926, and a program data is outputted to the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) of the write connector 6 from the writer. This program data is sent to and stored at a predetermined memory area of the storage media 922 in which the program data can be rememorized or updated. The storage media 922 can be represented, for example by a nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) and a nonvolatile memory as a non-limiting example.

When program writing (updating) is completed by the connector 300, the connector 300 is detached from the write connector 6. The write connector 6 is then covered by the connector cover 7 from the above so that a moisture-proof performance of the write connector 6 can be enhanced. The case main body 13 is then put on the base 12 so as to cover the base 12. As described above, the human private part washing apparatus A according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be operated on the basis of washlet using conditions determined in response to a preference of a user.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, although the human private part washing apparatus A is provided with the write connector 6, this write connector 6 has been covered by the connector cover 7 which is provided with the first, second and third terminating resistors 86, 86 and 88 at a time that program writing (program updating) is not required. Therefore, even at an event that a noise occur at a wiring connected to the write connector 6, the noise can be consumed by the first, second and third terminating resistors 86, 87 and 88 and is attenuated or cancelled effectively. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the human private part washing apparatus A from being influenced due to such noise.

As described above, any programs can be stored at a predetermined memory area of the storage media 922 via the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) and the received data input terminal (RxD) of the write connector 6. Therefore, after completing the program writing (updating), it is possible to use the human private part washing apparatus A in response to the using conditions which satisfy preferences of a user.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit board 5, on which the write connector 6 is mounted, is coated with the moisture-proof material 57 which is made of a resin such as a urethane. Therefore, the above described electric components are also coated with the moisture-proof material 57 in such a manner that the electric components can be isolated from moisture and getting wet. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a vicinity of the write connector 6, which is soldered to the control circuit board 5, is coated with the moisture-proof material 57 which is made of a resin. An upper surface 57u of the moisture-proof material 57 is positioned vertically lower than an upper surface 6u of the write connector 6. Therefore, the moisture-proof material 57 does not coat an entire of the write connector 6 and does not coat the connector cover 7. That is, the moisture-proof material 57 does not coat the engagement claw 760 of the connector cover 7. Therefore, it is possible to detach the connector cover 7 from the write connector 6. Hence, when a program is written (updated), it is possible to detach the connector cover 7 easily from the write connector 6. When program writing (updating) is completed, as far as the connector cover 7 covers the write connector 6, it is possible to isolate the write connector 6 from getting wet or moisture.

A human private part washing apparatus A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is configured with the same structure as the first embodiment (apart from the case main body 13), and yields the same effects. Therefore, explanation of the same structure is omitted hereinafter and a different portion is described in detail. According to the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the case main body 13 is formed with an opening and closing door 13M which hermetically seals an inside of the case body 13 when the opening and closing door 13M is closed. According to this structure, when a program is written or updated, the opening and closing door 13M is opened without detaching the case main body 13. In such circumstances, the connector cover 7 has still covered the write connector 6 inside the case main body 13. Therefore, in the same as the first embodiment, the connector cover 7 is here detached from the write connector 6 inside the case main body 13, and the exposed write connector 6 is connected to the connector 300 as the writer. Further, a program is rewritten at the storage media 922 on the basis of the transmitted data output terminal (TxD) and the received data input terminal (RxD) of the write connector 6. When program writing is completed, the connector cover 7 is attached to the write connector 6, and the opening and closing door 13M is closed, wherein a sealing performance inside the case main body 13 can be assured. According to the second embodiment, when a program is written, as far as the opening and closing door 13M is opened, there is no need to detach the entire case main body 13.

According to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, both the bidet-washing nozzle 31 and the anus-washing nozzle 32 are employed. Alternatively, either one of them can be employed.

The principles, the preferred embodiments and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention, which is intended to be protected, is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiment disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.

Claims

1. A human private part washing apparatus comprising:

a base;

a toilet seat supported by the base to pivot up and down;

a washing portion provided at the base for washing at least a private part of a person who is seated on the toilet seat;

a microcomputer-based controller provided at the base and incorporating, therein, a storage media, in which at least one program can be stored, and a write connector, which includes at least one terminal and a ground terminal and is capable of writing the at least one program at the storage media; and

a connector cover configured to be detachable and to cover the write connector; the connector cover being provided with at least one terminating resistance capable of electrically connecting the at least one opened terminal to the ground terminal.

2. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base includes at least one of:

a valve capable of adjusting an amount of a cleansing water emitted from the washing portion;

a water storage tank storing the cleansing water emitted from the washing portion;

a deodorizing unit capable of eliminating odor; and

a drying unit for drying the at least one human private part.

3. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opened terminal is at least one of the ground terminal, a transmitted data output terminal and a received data input terminal.

4. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a moisture-proof material coats the write connector and a vicinity of the write connector, and the moisture-proof material does not coat the connector cover covering the write connector.

5. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the base can be divided into at least upper and lower portions, and the write connector is exposed when the base is divided in to the at least upper and lower portions.

6. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector cover detachably covers the write connector from the above.

7. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base includes at least one of: a valve capable of adjusting an amount of a cleansing water emitted from the washing portion; a water storage tank storing the cleansing water emitted from the washing portion; a deodorizing unit capable of eliminating odor; and a drying unit for drying at least one human private part, and the at least one opened terminal is at least one of the ground terminal, a transmitted data output terminal and a received data input terminal.

8. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a moisture-proof material coats the write connector and a vicinity of the write connector, and the moisture-proof material does not coat the connector cover covering the write connector.

9. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the base can be divided into at least upper and lower portions, and the write connector is exposed when the base is divided in to the at least upper and lower portions.

10. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the connector cover detachably covers the write connector in a downward direction.

11. A human private part washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector cover includes an opening and closing door for connecting, by use of a wiring, the write connector to a writer.