SANITARY WASHING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH DRYING MECHANISM

Abstract

 A sanitary washing device including a warm air drying unit for blowing warm air to a private portion after washing the private portion or the like and an air ejecting unit for ejecting air to the private portion to remove water droplets, further comprises a blowing air temperature corrector (63) for correcting a blowing air temperature of warm air and a operator unit (61). The warm air drying unit is controlled such that the blowing air temperature corrector unit (63) corrects the blowing air temperature into an adjusted start-up value set as a temperature value higher than a warming temperature value at a start-up stage, and the operator unit (61) changes the blowing air temperature from the warming temperature value to the adjusted start-up value at the start-up stage and changes the blowing air temperature into the warming temperature value at a warming stage following the start-up stage. This makes it possible to dry a surface to be washed in a short time and efficiently without providing excessive coldness and excessive hotness to the user in the sanitary washing device including the drying mechanism for drying the private portion or the like after washing the private portion.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary washing device for washing a private portion or the like of a human body using washing water such as warm water. Particularly, the present invention relates to a sanitary washing device including a drying mechanism for drying a surface of a wet private portion or the like after washing, by ejecting air and blowing warm air to the surface.

Background Art

[0002] In a technical field of a sanitary washing device for washing a private portion or the like of a human body, it is proposed that various functions are provided to implement washing according to a user's preference. The sanitary washing device having such functions enables the user to wash a private portion comfortably. After washing the private portion, the user removes water droplets adhering to the private portion using sanitary paper such as toilet paper. Under the circumstances, in recent years, it has been proposed that a drying function is provided to the sanitary washing device to remove the water droplets adhering to the private portion without using the sanitary paper.

[0003] For example, patent literature 1 discloses a sanitary washing device including an air ejecting means for scattering or diffusing water droplets (remaining adhering water droplets) adhering to a user's portion (private portion or the like) to be washed in addition to the drying mechanism for blowing warm air. Fig. 29 is a top plan view of a sanitary washing device disclosed in patent literature 1. Fig. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sanitary washing device.

[0004] As shown in Figs. 29 and 30, the sanitary washing device disclosed in patent literature 1 includes a toilet seat 502 provided on a toilet bowl 501, a toilet lid 503, a main body case 504 of a sanitary washing device, and a water washing tank (toilet tank) 509. The main body case 504 accommodates a warm air blowing unit 505, a washing water ejecting nozzle 508, a washing water pressure feeding pump 511, a warm water tank 512, an air compressor 513, a high-pressure air reservoir 514, and an electromagnetic valve 515. The warm air blowing unit 505 includes an air passage 506 and a warm air blowing port 507 and is configured to blow out warm air to a private portion. The washing water ejecting nozzle 508 ejects warm water to the private portion. The washing water feeding pump 511 and the warm water tank 512 supply the warm water to the washing water ejecting nozzle 508. The air compressor 513 compresses air. The high-pressure air reservoir 514 reserves compressed high-pressure air. The electromagnetic valve 515 is coupled to the high-pressure air reservoir 514 and to a high-pressure hose 517.

[0005] The toilet seat 502 has a hollow space 516 inside thereof. At an inner edge portion of the toilet seat 502, a plurality of air ejecting nozzles 518 are provided to communicate with the hollow space 516. The hollow space 516 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 515 via the high-pressure hose 517. Upon the electromagnetic valve 515 being opened, the high-pressure air is fed out from the high-pressure air reservoir 514 to the hollow space 516 via the high-pressure hose 517 and the air ejecting nozzle 518 communicating with the hollow space 516 ejects the high-pressure air. In brief, in the sanitary washing device configured as described above, air ejecting means is constituted by the air compressor 513, the high-pressure air reservoir 514, the electromagnetic valve 515, the high-pressure hose 517, the hollow space 516 inside the toilet seat 502 and the air ejecting nozzles 518.

[0006] A human body 510 is seated on the toilet seat 502 and finishes expelling stool. After that, when the user performs an operation for starting washing, the washing water feeding pump 511 is actuated, and the washing water ejecting nozzle 508 ejects the warm water from the warm water tank 512 to the surface to be washed, to wash the private portion. After the washing, when the user performs an operation for starting drying, the air compressor 513 operates, the high-pressure air is ejected to a portion near the private portion from the high-pressure air reservoir 514, and via the electromagnetic valve 515, the high-pressure hose 517, the hollow space 516 and the air ejecting nozzle 518 to blow out, scatter or diffuse the water droplets adhering to the private portion. Then, the warm air blowing unit 505 operates to blow out the warm air to the portion near the private portion from the warm air blowing port 507 via the air passage 506, thereby drying the portion near the private portion.

[0007] In a case where the sanitary washing device includes only the drying mechanism, several minutes are required to dry the private portion by blowing out the warm air. If the temperature of the warm air is set higher and the amount of the warm air is increased to shorten a drying time, the user feels too hot, which is not suitable in practical use. The sanitary washing device disclosed in Patent literature 1 is intended to significantly shorten the drying time by providing the above air ejecting means.

[0008] As a specific configuration of the air ejecting means, there is proposed a configuration (nozzle type) in which an air ejecting nozzle is provided at a main body of a sanitary washing device or a washing toilet seat, as well as the configuration (nozzle-equipped toilet seat type) in which the toilet seat is provided with a nozzle as disclosed in patent literature 1. To be specific, for example, patent literature 2 discloses that in a washing toilet seat provided, inside a main body, with a washing water supplying means including a washing nozzle for ejecting washing water toward a portion to be washed and an air ejecting means including a drying nozzle for ejecting pressured air (or compressed air) intermittently, the pressurized air is ejected from the drying nozzle, after the washing nozzle stops ejecting the washing water, or preferably after a certain time lapses after the washing nozzle stops ejecting the washing water. Patent literature 3 discloses that the washing nozzle and the air ejecting nozzle are integral with each other to form a nozzle means in a sanitary washing device, and the nozzle means is operated by a nozzle drive means.

[0009] Patent literature 2 discloses as an operation of the air ejecting means of the nozzle-equipped toilet seat type, it is supposed that remaining water droplets are scattered after most part of washing water has dropped from the washed private portion or the like. However, if a timing at which the air is ejected is earlier, the ejected air collides against the washing water dropping along a shape of a hip part or falling water droplets. As a result, the washing water or the falling water droplets scatter and adhere to a wide range of the hip part other than the private portion. Especially, if the water droplets adhere to a location which the ejected air does not reach, a time taken to dry the water droplets increases, because there is no other way of drying the water droplets than drying them using the drying mechanism.

[0010] On the other hand, patent literature 2 discloses that the drying nozzle which is the nozzle type air ejecting means is provided and a control sequence is used, in which receiving a washing stop signal by the washing toilet seat, the drying nozzle is operated at preset time. Patent literature 2 is intended to achieve adequate drying and reduction of drying time by falling the water droplets into the toilet bowl without scattering the water droplets around the private portion.

[0011] As disclosed in patent literature 3, since the washing nozzle and the air ejecting nozzle are integral with each other in the configuration including the nozzle-type air ejecting means, drying operation can start immediately after finishing the washing and a nozzle drive means can change an ejecting position of the air. Patent literature 3 is intended to increase a range from which the water droplets can be removed, remove the remaining water droplets more properly, and thereby achieve significant reduction of the drying time.

Citation Lists

Patent literature

[0012] 

Patent literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. Sho. 58-218531

Patent literature 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-322714

Patent literature 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-294835

Summary of the Invention

Technical Problem

[0013] However, the conventional sanitary washing device including the air ejecting means has a drawback that the user feels cold by the ejected pressurized air, which has a room for improvement.

[0014] For example, in the sanitary washing device disclosed in patent literature 1, since the air from the air compressor 513 is reserved once in the high-pressure air reservoir 514, heated air by the pressurization is cooled by heat radiation from the high-pressure air reservoir 514. For this reason, when the high-pressure air is released from the air ejecting nozzle 518, heat is deprived due to expansion of the air and the user feels extremely cold, in some cases. Further, since the water droplets adhering to the private portion of the human body are evaporated, heat in amount corresponding evaporation heat (latent heat) of water is deprived from the human body, the user further feels cold. The problem that the user feels cold occurs in the same manner in the washing toilet seat disclosed in patent literature 2 and the sanitary washing device disclosed in Patent literature 3.

[0015] As a method of eliminating the coldness to the user, there is a method in which warm air is blown to the surface to be washed at the same time that the air is ejected to the surface to be washed. For example, patent literature 3 discloses that after a lapse of a predetermined time after the warm air supplying means starts the operation, a water droplet removing means is operated to eject the air intermittently toward the private portion of the human body from the air ejecting nozzle. Patent literature 3 is intended to, with this configuration, lessen the coldness of the private portion resulting from ejecting of the air, by increasing a temperature of the human body surface cooled by the adhering water droplets to a predetermined temperature and by starting removing of the water droplets thereafter.

[0016] However, if the warm air supplying means and the water droplet removing means are operated merely at the same time as described above, a new problem that the user feels hot and the coldness to the user is not sufficiently lessened, arises. In view of this, the conventional sanitary washing device has a room for improvement.

[0017] To be specific, for example, in a case where a temperature of the warm air supplied from the warm air supplying means is constant, the user feels that the warm air is hot depending on the temperature. If a blowing air temperature of the warm air is increased considering an air temperature to prevent the user from feeling cold, the user feels a suitable temperature in a location which the ejected air contacts but feels the warm air hot in a location which the ejected air does not contact. In other words, there is a variation in temperature senses on the surface to be washed which the warm air contacts if the temperature of the warm air is simply increased. Furthermore, if the warm air continues to be supplied with a raised temperature and thereby the water droplets adhering to the private portion of the human body are evaporated until the private portion gets dried, heat in amount corresponding to evaporation heat (latent heat) of water is not deprived from a surface skin any more, and the temperature of the surface skin rapidly rises, causing the user to feel hot abruptly.

[0018] Patent literature 3 discloses that a voltage Vb higher than a voltage Va in a steady state is fed to a heater of the warm air supplying means to warm up the surface of the human body by high-temperature air in a shorter time, in a predetermined time T1 at an initial stage of start of operation. This configuration is intended to warm up the surface of the human body which has been cooled by the adhering water droplets. Therefore, this configuration works effectively for this purpose, but does not work satisfactorily for the coldness caused by ejecting of the air.

[0019] For example, in a case where the air is ejected from the air ejecting nozzle at a higher speed than the warm air blown from the warm air supplying means, the coldness to the user is not sufficiently lessened. For this reason, if the air with a lower temperature pushes aside the warm air and is blown against the surface to be dried, the user feels cold. Or, in some cases, the blowing air temperature of the warm air decreases due to cold air ejected, and as a result, the coldness is not sufficiently lessened.

[0020] In summer season, the user sometimes does not feel cold by the air ejected to the wet private portion of the human body. But, especially in winter season, the user may feel unbearably cold by the air ejected to the wet private portion of the human body. Even when the warm air is merely supplied at the same time for the purpose of lessening the coldness, the coldness is not sufficiently lessened or otherwise the user feels hot.

[0021] The present invention has been made to solve the problems associated with the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary washing device which is capable of drying a surface to be washed in a short time and efficiently, without providing excess coldness and hotness to the user in a sanitary washing device including a drying mechanism for drying the private portion or the like after washing the private portion.

Solution to Problems

[0022] To solve the problems associated with the prior art, a sanitary washing device of the present invention, comprises a toilet seat unit; a washing water ejecting unit for ejecting washing water to a private portion of a user seated on the toilet seat unit; an air ejecting unit for ejecting air to the private portion of the user and its surrounding portion after the washing water ejecting unit ejects the washing water; a warm air drying unit for generating warm air and blowing the warm air toward the private portion of the user; a blowing air temperature corrector for correcting a blowing air temperature of the warm air; and a controller for controlling the warm air drying unit to cause the warm air drying unit to generate the warm air such that the warm air has a temperature closer to a warming temperature value which is a preset target temperature of the blowing air temperature, cause the warm air drying unit to start blowing of the warm air toward the private portion of the user at the same time that the air ejecting unit starts ejecting of the air or before the air ejecting unit starts ejecting of the air, and then cause the warm air drying unit to change the blowing air temperature to a standard value set as a temperature value lower than the warming temperature value; wherein when a start-up stage is defined as a period from start of blowing of the warm air until a first predetermined time lapses, the blowing air temperature corrector corrects a target temperature of the blowing air temperature at the start-up stage into an adjusted start-up value set as a temperature value higher than the warming temperature value; and wherein when a warming stage is defined as a period from when the start-up stage ends until a second predetermined time lapses, the controller controls the warm air drying unit under a state in which the target temperature of the blowing air temperature is changed from the warming temperature value to the adjusted start-up value at the start-up stage, and the target temperature of the blowing air temperature is the warming temperature value at the warming stage.

[0023] In accordance with this configuration, the warm air generated in the warm air drying unit is blown to the private portion before the air is ejected from the air ejecting unit to the user's private portion and its surrounding portion, or at the same time that the air is ejected, and the warm air has been subjected to a target temperature correcting process by the blowing air temperature corrector such that its temperature reaches a temperature value which is not lower than a temperature value with which the user does not feel cold even in a state where the private portion is wet. Therefore, the private portion can be dried more efficiently after the washing, and the user does not substantially feel cold by the ejected air. Thus, the user can use the sanitary washing device comfortably.

[0024] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the controller controls the warm air drying unit such that the blowing air temperature decreases from the warming temperature value to the standard value through an intermediate value which is set as a temperature value lower than the warming temperature value and higher than the standard value after the warming stage ends.

[0025] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that when a transient stage is defined as a period from when the warming stage ends until a third predetermined time lapses, the controller controls the warm air drying unit such that the blowing air temperature is decreased stepwisely while maintaining the blowing air temperature at the intermediate value, at the transient stage.

[0026] It is preferable that the sanitary washing device further comprises a memory; the memory contains a plurality of correction coefficients used to correct the warming temperature value; and the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to correct the warming temperature value using the correction coefficient obtained from the memory.

[0027] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the memory contains as the correction coefficients, a start-up correction coefficient used to correct the warming temperature value at the start-up stage and a warming correction coefficient used to correct the warming temperature value at the warming stage; the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to correct the warming temperature value into the adjusted start-up value using the start-up correction coefficient, to obtain the target temperature of the warming air temperature at the start-up stage, and to correct the warming temperature value into an adjusted warming temperature value which is a temperature value higher than the warming temperature value and lower than the adjusted start-up value using the warming correction coefficient, to obtain the target temperature of the warming air temperature at the warming stage; and the controller is configured to control the warm air drying unit under a state in which the target temperature of the blowing air temperature at the warming stage is changed into the adjusted warming temperature value.

[0028] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the warm air drying unit includes an air blower and a warm air heater for heating air flow from the air blower to generate the warm air; and the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to adjust a heating output of the warm air heater to indirectly correct the blowing air temperature of the warm air.

[0029] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the controller is configured to operate the warm air heater before the air blower operates, at start of an operation of the warm air drying unit.

[0030] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the controller controls the warm air drying unit to cause the air blower to increase an air blowing amount after the start-up stage starts.

[0031] It is preferable that the sanitary washing device further comprises a residual heat determiner configured to determine whether or not residual heat is left in the warm air heater in a state where a hearing operation of the warm air heater is in a stopped state; the memory further contains a residual heat correction coefficient used to correct the warming temperature value when the residual heat determiner determines that the residual heat is left in the warm air heater at a time point when the warming temperature value is corrected; and the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to correct the warning temperature value using the residual heat correction coefficient when the residual heat retaining state determiner determines that the residual heat is left in the warm air heater.

[0032] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the residual heat determiner is configured to determine that the residual heat is left in the warm air heater if a time that lapses after the heating operation of the warm air heater stops is within a preset upper limit time or if a temperature of the warm air heater is not lower than a preset lower limit value in a state where the heating operation of the warm air heater is in a stopped state.

[0033] It is preferable that the sanitary washing device further comprises an ambient temperature detector for detecting a temperature in a space surrounding the sanitary washing device as an ambient temperature; the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to calculate a heat amount value for implementing the warming temperature value of the warm air from a deviation between a detected value of the ambient temperature and the warming temperature value and multiply the heat amount value by the correction coefficient, to indirectly correct the warming temperature value.

[0034] It is preferable that the sanitary washing device further comprises a calendar information generator for generating calendar information; the memory contains a plurality of assumed values of the temperature of the space surrounding the sanitary washing device which are set to correspond to the calendar information; and the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to select one of the plurality of assumed values based on the calendar information obtained from the calendar information generator, calculate a heat amount value for implementing the warming temperature value of the warm air from a deviation between the selected assumed value and the warming temperature value, and multiply the heat amount value by the correction coefficient to indirectly correct the warming temperature value.

[0035] It is preferable that the sanitary washing device preferably further comprises at least one of: a blowing air temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the warm air blown from the warm air drying unit; and a temperature detector of a surface to be dried for detecting a surface temperature of the private portion of the user and its surrounding portion; and the controller is configured to adjust at least one of a heating output of the warm air heater and an air blowing amount of the air blower in the warm air drying unit, based on at least one of detected values of the temperature detected by the blowing air temperature detector and the temperature detected by the temperature detector of the surface to be dried.

[0036] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the warming temperature value is set within a range which is not lower than 40 degrees C and not higher than 75 degrees C.

[0037] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the controller is configured to set the first predetermined time and each of the second predetermined time such that the start-up stage and the warming stage is within 10 seconds and the start-up stage is shorter than the warming stage.

[0038] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the controller is configured to set the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, and the third predetermined time such that a time from when blowing of the air starts until the transient stage ends is within 40 seconds and a total time of the start-up stage and the warming stage is within 20 seconds.

[0039] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the air ejecting unit includes a drying nozzle for ejecting the air from an air ejecting port formed at a tip end portion thereof; and a drying nozzle movement mechanism for moving the tip end portion of the drying nozzle; when a surface to be dried is defined as the private portion and its surrounding portion of the user seated on the toilet seat unit, the drying nozzle movement mechanism is configured to move the tip end portion of the drying nozzle to correspond to an area of the surface to be dried; and the warm air drying unit is configured to, when a tip end portion movement plane which is an imaginary plane is assumed in a range in which the tip end portion of the drying nozzle is movable, blow the warm air toward a space formed between the surface to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane.

[0040] A range of the "surface to be washed" of the present invention is preferably a range which may get contaminated by expelling stool by the user, in the private portion of the human body and its surrounding portion. The range of the "surface to be washed" may be found preliminarily by either an experiment or simulation, in view of a distribution of a body construction of the user, size of the toilet bowl, shape of the toilet bowl, ejecting amount range of the washing water, ejecting pressure range of the washing water, etc. and preset. An optimal range of the "surface to be washed" may be found by sensing a range every time the user uses the sanitary washing device using a sensor or the like (infrared sensor or the like for detecting water in stool) which is capable of detecting a range which may get contaminated by expelling stool.

[0041] A range of the "surface to be dried" of the present invention is preferably a range which may get wet by the washing water when washing is performed using the washing water, in the private portion of the human body and its surrounding portion. More preferably, setting is made such that the range (area) of the "surface to be dried" is not less than the range (area) of the "surface to be washed" and a whole range of the surface to be washed is included in the "surface to be dried." The "range which may get wet by the washing water" typically includes the above range of the "surface to be washed", i.e., the "range which may get contaminated by expelling stool by the user, in the private portion of the human body and its surrounding portion." In a case where the range of the "surface to be washed" is not included in the "range which may get wet by the washing water", the range of the "surface to be dried" preferably includes the "range which may get wet by the washing water", and the range of the "surface to be washed".

[0042] The range of the "surface to be dried" may be found preliminarily by either an experiment or simulation, in view of a distribution of a body construction of the user, size of the toilet bowl, shape of the toilet bowl, ejecting amount range of the pressurized air, ejecting pressure range of the pressurized air, etc. and preset. An optimal range of the "surface to be dried" may also be found by sensing a range every time the user uses the sanitary washing device using a sensor or the like (infrared sensor or the like for detecting water) which is capable of detecting a range which may get wet with the washing water.

[0043] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the warm air drying unit includes a blowing air diffusing plate at a warm air blowing port to diffuse the warm air blown from the warm air blowing port; and the blowing air diffusing plate is configured to diffuse the warm air to an entire of a space formed between the surface to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane.

[0044] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the warm air drying unit includes an air blowing direction restricting plate for restricting an air blowing direction of the warm air; and the air blowing direction restricting plate restricts the air blowing direction such that the warm air is blown toward the space during a period when the drying nozzle is ejecting the air, and the warm air is blown toward the surface to be dried during a period when ejecting of the air from the drying nozzle is stopped.

[0045] In the sanitary washing device, it is preferable that the washing water ejecting unit includes a washing nozzle for ejecting the washing water from a washing water ejecting port formed at a tip end portion thereof and a washing nozzle movement mechanism for moving the tip end portion of the washing nozzle; and the drying nozzle and the washing nozzle are integral to form a single nozzle and a single nozzle movement mechanism serves as the drying nozzle movement mechanism and the washing nozzle movement mechanism.

[0046] The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0047] A sanitary washing device of the present invention is capable of drying a surface to be washed in a short time and efficiently without providing excess coldness and hotness to a user, in a configuration including a drying mechanism for drying a private portion or the like after washing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0048] 

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a toilet system including the sanitary washing device.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system for a main body section and a remote control unit, in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 3] Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) are front views showing a specific configuration of the remote control unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing water ejecting unit and a schematic control system in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a warm air drying unit, a schematic configuration of an air ejecting unit, and the schematic control system in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of a common nozzle unit 20 in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a control unit, and a configuration for controlling major constituents of the warm air drying unit and of the air ejecting unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing exemplary control for a washing operation and a drying operation in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig 9] Figs. 9(a) ~ 9(c) are schematic cross-sectional views showing an exemplary washing operation (Fig. 9(a)) and an exemplary air ejecting operation (Figs. 9(b) and Fig. 9(c)) which are performed by the common nozzle unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig 10] Figs. 10(a) ~ 10(c) are partial side views showing an exemplary washing operation (Fig. 10(a)) and an exemplary air ejecting operation (Figs. 10(b) and Fig. 10(c)) which are performed by the common nozzle unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a movement path of an air ejecting port in a state where the common nozzle unit shown in Figs. 9(b) and 9(c) and Figs. 10(b) and 10(c) is performing an air ejecting operation.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a movement path of the air ejecting port in a state where the common nozzle unit shown in Figs. 9(b) and 9(c) and Figs. 10(b) and 10(c) is performing the air ejecting operation.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a graph showing a set value, a corrected value and an actual measurement value of a blowing air temperature of warm air blown out from the warm air drying unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a timing chart showing a change in a heating output from a warm air heater included in the warm air drying unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an exemplary control of the operation of the warm air drying unit and the operation of the air ejecting unit by a control unit in the sanitary washing device of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16(a) is a graph showing a relationship between a lapse time of a drying operation and a blowing air temperature of warm air for each of warmness/coldness indices, and Fig. 16(b) is a graph showing a relationship between warmness/coldness indices and a blowing air temperature of warm air in 10 seconds after the drying operation starts.

[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is graphs showing a relationship with warmness/coldness indices and the blowing air temperature after the warm air starts blowing.

[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a control unit, and a configuration for controlling major constituents of a warm air drying unit and of an air ejecting unit in a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a block diagram of major constituents showing a configuration including a stop lapse time determiner as a residual heat determiner in the control unit shown in Fig. 18.

[Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a block diagram of major constituents showing a configuration including a heater residual heat temperature determiner as the residual heat determiner in the control unit of Fig. 18.

[Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing a first exemplary configuration of a warm air drying unit and an air ejecting unit and a schematic control system in a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing a second exemplary configuration of a warm air drying unit and an air ejecting unit and a schematic control system in a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view showing a configuration of a common nozzle unit in a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[Fig. 24] Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing a first exemplary configuration of a warm air drying unit and an air ejecting unit and a schematic control system in a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[Fig. 25] Fig. 25 is a schematic view showing a state where warm air is blown to a surface to be dried at the same that an air ejecting unit is ejecting pressurized air to the surface to be dried, in a warm air drying unit in a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

[Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an exemplary air blowing direction restricting plate provided at an air blowing duct in the warm air drying unit of Fig. 25.

[Fig. 27] Fig. 27 is a schematic view showing an exemplary blowing air diffusing plate provided at the air blowing duct in the warm air drying unit of Fig. 25.

[Fig. 28] Fig. 28 is a timing chart showing exemplary control for a washing operation and a drying operation in the sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 6.

[Fig. 29] Fig. 29 is a top plan view showing a conventional sanitary washing device.

[Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the conventional sanitary washing device.

Reference Signs List

[0049] 

20

common nozzle unit (drying nozzle, washing nozzle)

20a

nozzle body

20b

nozzle body

21

air ejecting port (air ejecting port)

22

washing water ejecting port

30

washing water ejecting unit

40

warm air drying unit

41

air fan (air blower)

42

warm air blowing port

43

air blowing duct

43a

air blowing port shutter (air blowing port closing lid, air blowing direction restricting plate)

43b

lower air direction guide (air blowing direction restricting plate)

43f

blowing air guide vane (blowing air diffusing plate)

44

warm air heater (warm air heater)

50

air ejecting unit

52

nozzle movement mechanism (drying nozzle movement mechanism, washing nozzle movement mechanism)

60A

control unit (controller)

60B

control unit (controller)

61

operator unit (controller)

62

memory

63

blowing air temperature corrector unit (blowing air temperature corrector)

64

residual heat determiner unit (residual heat determiner)

64a

stop lapse time determiner unit (residual heat determiner)

64b

heater residual heat temperature determiner unit (residual heat determiner)

72

room temperature detector unit (ambient temperature detector)

75

surface temperature detector unit (dried surface temperature detector)

76

blowing air temperature detector unit (blowing air temperature detector)

77

calendar information generator unit (calendar information generator)

101

sanitary washing device

130

toilet seat unit

Description of Embodiments

[0050] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding constituents are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described repetitively in some cases.

(Embodiment 1)

[Entire Configuration of Sanitary Washing Device and Toilet System]

[0051] Firstly, a configuration of a sanitary washing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of a sanitary washing device 101 according to embodiments of the present invention and a toilet system 100 including the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system for a main body section 110 and a remote control unit 120, in the sanitary washing device 101 of Fig. 1.

[0052] The toilet system 100 is installed in a toilet room. As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, the toilet system 100 includes the sanitary washing device 101, an entering motion sensor 102, and a toilet bowl 103. The toilet bowl 103 is secured in the toilet room and is coupled to a pipe of a sewage line which is not shown. The sanitary washing device 101 is attached to the toilet bowl 103. The entering motion sensor 102 is secured to a wall surface or the like of an entrance which is not shown, within the toilet room. The entering motion sensor 102 is able to communicate with the sanitary washing device 101 via radio waves. The entering motion sensor 102 detects that a user has entered the toilet room and sends detected information to the sanitary washing device 101. The sanitary washing device 101 is configured to perform predetermined control based on the detection of the entering motion. A specific configuration of the entering motion sensor 102 is not particularly limited, but a known configuration is suitably used. In this embodiment, for example, a reflective infrared sensor is used. The entering motion sensor 102 detects that the user has entered the toilet room when detecting a reflected infrared ray from a human body, and sends it to the main body section 110.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, the sanitary washing device 101 includes the main body section 110, the remote control unit 120, a toilet seat unit 130 and a toilet lid unit 140. As shown in Fig. 2, the main body section 110 includes a washing water ejecting unit 30, a warm air drying unit 40, an air ejecting unit 50, a control unit 60A and a detecting sensor unit 70. The washing water ejecting unit 30 ejects washing water to a private portion of the user seated on the toilet seat unit 130 in a down position and washes the private portion according to an operation of the remote control unit 120. The warm air drying unit 40 blows warm air toward the private portion and its surrounding portion after the washing water ejecting unit 30 has washed the private portion. The air ejecting unit 50 ejects pressurized air (or compressed air, hereinafter simply referred to as "air") to remove water droplets adhering to the private portion and its surrounding portion at the same time that the warm air drying unit 40 starts blowing the warm air or just after the warm air drying unit 40 has started blowing the warm air, after the washing water ejecting unit 30 has washed the private portion.

[0054] In this embodiment, a range to which the washing water ejecting unit 30 ejects the washing water, in the user's private portion and its surrounding portion, is referred to as "surface to be washed" and a range to which the air ejecting unit 50 ejects the air, in the user's private portion and its surrounding portion, is referred to as "surface to be dried".

[0055] The surface to be washed and the surface to be dried are each a body surface mainly including the user's private portion. In particular, in this embodiment, a range of the "surface to be washed" is preferably a range which may get contaminated by expelling stool by the user, in the private portion of the human body and its surrounding portion. The range of the "surface to be washed" may be found preliminarily by either an experiment or simulation, in view of a distribution of a body construction of the user, size of the toilet bowl, shape of the toilet bowl, ejecting amount range of the washing water, ejecting pressure range of the washing water, etc. and preset. An optimal range of the "surface to be washed" may be found by sensing a range every time the user uses the sanitary washing device, using a sensor or the like (infrared sensor or the like for detecting water in stool) which is capable of detecting a range which may get contaminated by expelling stool.

[0056] A range of the "surface to be dried" in this embodiment is preferably a range which may get wet by the washing water when washing is performed using the washing water, in the private portion of the human body and its surrounding portion. More preferably, setting is made such that the range (area) of the "surface to be dried" is not less than the range (area) of the "surface to be washed" and a whole range of the surface to be washed is included in the "surface to be dried." The "range which may get wet by the washing water" typically includes the above range of the "surface to be washed", i.e., the "range which may get contaminated by expelling stool by the user, in the private portion of the human body and its surrounding portion." In a case where the range of the "surface to be washed" is not included in the "range which may get wet by the washing water", the range of the "surface to be dried" preferably includes the "range which may get wet by the washing water", and the range of the "surface to be washed".

[0057] The range of the "surface to be dried" may also be found preliminarily by either an experiment or simulation, in view of a distribution of a body construction of the user, size of the toilet bowl, shape of the toilet bowl, ejecting amount range of the pressurized air, ejecting pressure range of the pressurized air, etc. and preset, as in the case of finding the range of the "surface to be washed." An optimal range of the "surface to be dried" may also be found by sensing a range every time the user uses the sanitary washing device using a sensor or the like (infrared sensor or the like for detecting water) which is capable of detecting a range which may get wet with the washing water, as in the case of a configuration for finding the range of the "surface to be washed."

[0058] Although not depicted in detail in Fig. 2, the main body section 110 is able to communicate with the entering motion sensor 102 and the remote control unit 120 via radio waves. Therefore, the main body section 110 receives signals from the entering motion sensor 102 or the remote control unit 120, and thereby various operation information and entering motion detected information are input to the control unit 60A. In addition, various detected information used for control are input from the detecting sensor unit 70 to the control unit 60A. The control unit 60A controls the operation of the washing water ejecting unit 30, the operation of the warm air drying unit 40, the operation of the air ejecting unit 50 and the operation of the detecting sensor unit 70, based on the above mentioned operation information and detected information.

[0059] In this embodiment, the main body section 110 is constructed in such a manner that the washing water ejecting unit 30, the warm air drying unit 40, the air ejecting unit 50, the control unit 60A and the detecting sensor unit 70 are accommodated inside a casing 81 formed of resin or the like. In addition, an electric power supply circuit or the like which is not shown is accommodated in the main body section 110. One end of a feeding line 82 is connected to the electric power supply circuit, while a power supply plug 83 is connected to an opposite end of the feeding line 82. As shown in Fig. 1, the power supply plug 83 is inserted into an outlet, thereby allowing an electric power to be supplied to the main body section 110.

[0060] The main body section 110, the toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet lid unit 140 are assembled integrally and installed over the upper surface of the toilet bowl 103. The toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet lid 140 are rotatably attached to the main body section 110. In a state where the toilet seat unit 130 is in a down position and the toilet lid unit 140 is in an up position, the user is seated on the toilet seat unit 130. Rotation of the toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet lid unit 140 from the down position to the up position is referred to as "open", while rotation of the toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet lid unit 140 from the up position to the down position is referred to as "closed".

[0061] In this embodiment, the toilet seat unit 130 is configured to include a toilet seat heater which is not shown, inside thereof. This makes it possible to warm up a hip part of the user seated on the toilet seat unit 130. The sanitary washing device 101 in this embodiment includes a function of warming a toilet seat in addition to a function of washing the private portion and a function of drying the private portion. A specific configuration of the toilet seat unit 130 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a metal-made toilet seat in this embodiment. With this configuration, upon the user entering the toilet room, the toilet seat heater is actuated to warm up the toilet seat unit 130 quickly. This reduces a stand-by electric power.

[0062] Since the toilet seat unit 130 is a warming toilet seat in this embodiment, the control unit 60A is configured to control a warming operation of the toilet seat unit 130, although not shown in Fig. 2. Especially when the toilet seat unit 130 is a metal-made toilet seat, the control unit 60A starts warming of the toilet seat unit 130 based on detection made by the entering motion sensor 102 that the user has entered, as a trigger. A warming temperature of the toilet seat unit 130 can be changed by the operation of the remote control unit 120.

[0063] A specific configuration of the toilet bowl 103 and a specific configuration of the toilet lid unit 140 are not particularly limited, but the toilet bowl 103 and the toilet lid unit 140 of known shapes, known materials, etc, in a field of a toilet system and a sanitary washing device, are used.

[Basic Configuration of Sanitary Washing Device]

[0064] Next, a basic configuration of the sanitary washing device 101 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) are front views showing a specific configuration of the remote control unit 120 in the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the washing water ejecting unit 30 and a schematic control system in the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the warm air drying unit 40, a schematic configuration of the air ejecting unit 50, and the schematic control system in the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of a common nozzle unit 20 in the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the control unit 60A, and a configuration for controlling major constituents of the warm air drying unit 40 and of the air ejecting unit 50 in the sanitary washing device 101.

[Remote Control Unit]

[0065] As shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), the remote control unit 120 has a rectangular plate shape and is secured to the wall surface in such a manner that a long side direction conforms to a horizontal direction and a short side direction conforms to a vertical direction. As described later, various switches to be operated, display indicators, etc are provided on a front surface of the remote control unit 120. A back surface which is not shown is opposite to the wall surface in the toilet room.

[0066] As shown Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), the remote control unit 120 is composed of at least a controller main body portion 121 and a controller lid portion 122. The front surface of the remote control unit 120 is divided into two parts which are upper and lower portions along its long side direction. In its upper portion, a front surface of the controller main body portion 121 is exposed, while in its lower portion, the controller lid portion 122 covers the controller main body portion 121. The controller lid portion 122 is openably and closably provided with respect to the controller main body portion 121 by a hinge which is not shown (indicated by an arrow in Fig. 3(a)).

[0067] As shown in Fig. 3(a), dry mode select switches 220a, 220b, and 220c, intensity adjustment switches 222 and 223, and position adjustment switches 225 and 226 are provided on the upper portion of the controller main body portion 121 which is the upper portion of the front surface of the remote control unit 120. At the left side of respective of the dry mode select switches 220a, 220b, and 220c in Fig. 3, LED indicators 221a, 221b and 221c indicating which of the dry modes is selected, are provided. At upper side of the intensity adjustment switches 222 and 223, a washing intensity indicator 224 is provided to indicate levels of washing intensity. At the upper side of the position adjustment switches 225 and 226, a washing position indicator 227 indicating a washing position is provided. On the outer surface of the controller lid portion 122 which is the lower portion of the front surface of the remote control unit 120 in a state where the controller lid portion 112 is closed, a stop switch 211, a dry switch 214, a hip part switch 212, and a bidet switch 213 are provided.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 3(b), on the exposed lower portion of the controller main body portion 121 in a state where the controller lid portion 122 is open, a toilet lid unit automatic open/close switch 231a, a toilet seat unit automatic open/close switch 231b, a warm air temperature adjustment switch 240, a water temperature adjustment switch 232, a toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 233, a power saving switch 234, a sterilization switch 235 and a toilet bowl washing switch 236 are provided, in addition to the stop switch 211, the dry switch 214, the hip part switch 212, and the bidet switch 213. At the left side of the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240, a temperature level indicator 239 is provided to indicate high/low levels of a warm air temperature. At the left side of the water temperature adjustment switch 232, a temperature level indicator 237 is provided to indicate high/low levels of a water temperature. At the left side of the toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 233, a temperature level indicator 238 is provided to indicate low/high levels of a toilet seat temperature.

[0069] The above switches are configured as button switches except for the toilet lid unit automatic open/close switch 231 a, the toilet seat unit automatic open/close switch 231b, and the toilet seat washing switch 236. The toilet lid unit automatic open/close switch 231 a, the toilet seat unit automatic open/close switch 231b, and the toilet seat washing switch 236 are configured as knob switches. The user presses the front part of each of the button switches to operate the switch, or moves each of the knob switches to "OFF" position or "ON" position to operate the switch.

[0070] When the user operates each of the above switches, a predetermined signal according to an operation content of the switch is transmitted from the remote control unit 120 to the main body section 110 as shown in Fig. 2. In the main body section 110, the control unit 60A controls the operation of the main body section 110 based on the received signal. Although not shown in Fig. 2, if the toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet lid unit 140 are configured to be opened and closed by an automatic open/close mechanism, the main body section 110 may receive the signal from the remote control unit 120 or the entering motion sensor 102, and thereby the toilet lid unit 140, or the toilet lid unit 140 and the toilet seat unit 130 may be automatically opened and closed under control of the control unit 60A.

[0071] The above respective switches and the associated operation of the sanitary washing device 101 will be described. For example, when the user operates the hip part switch 212 or the bidet switch 213, the common nozzle unit 20 as described later ejects washing water to the user's surface to be washed. When the user operates the stop switch 211, the common nozzle unit 20 stops ejecting the washing water to the user's surface to be washed.

[0072] When the user operates the dry switch 214, the air ejecting unit 50 as described later ejects air to the user's surface to be dried, and at the same time, the warm air drying unit 40 blows out warm air to the user's surface to be dried. When the user selectively operates the dry mode switch 220a, 220b, or 220c, an ejecting condition of the air ejected to the user's surface to be dried and a blowing condition of the warm air ejected to the user's surface to be dried are changed. Therefore, the dry mode can be selected as desired according to a use status of the sanitary washing device 101 or the user's preference. For example, in this embodiment, by operating the dry mode switch 220a, "quick drying operation" for finishing drying in a short time can be selected. By operating the dry mode switch 220b, "adequate drying operation" for surely drying the private portion for dry finish can be selected. By operating the dry mode switch 220c, "warm air drying operation" for blowing out only the warm air in a case where air should not be applied can be selected.

[0073] When the user operates the intensity adjustment switch 222 or 223, the flow rate, pressure and the like of the washing water ejected to the user's private portion can be adjusted. When the user operates the position adjustment switch 225 or 226, the position of the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 can be adjusted. This makes it possible to adjust the ejecting position of the washing water with respect to the user's private portion. When these switches are operated, the remote control device 120 transmits predetermined signals corresponding to the respective switches to the main body section 110 via radio waves. Based on this, the control unit 60A of the main body section 110 controls the operation of the main body section 110 based on the received signals.

[0074] The user operates the knob of the toilet lid unit automatic open/close switch 231a to set an opening/closing operation of the toilet lid unit 140. In a state where the knob of the toilet lid unit automatic open/close switch 231a is in "ON" position, the toilet lid unit 140 is automatically opened and closed upon the user entering the toilet room. The same occurs in the toilet seat unit automatic open/close switch 231b. When the user operates the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240, the blowing air temperature of the warm air blown out from the warm air drying unit 40 to the user's private portion can be adjusted. Every time the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240 is pressed, "HIGH", "MEDIUM", "LOW" or "OFF" is selected. When the operation is performed in "OFF" setting, a warm air heater of the warm air drying unit 40 is turned OFF and only blowing occurs. When the user operates the water temperature adjustment switch 232, the temperature of the washing water ejected from the common nozzle unit 20 to the user's private portion can be adjusted. When the user operates the toilet seat temperature adjustment switch 233, the warming temperature value of the toilet seat of the toilet seat unit 130 can be adjusted.

[0075] Alternatively, a warm air temperature automatic mode for automatically adjusting the blowing air temperature based on a detection value of a room temperature detector unit (as described later) provided in the main body section 120 may be provided, and a switch for executing this may be provided separately. This makes it possible to automatically provide comfortable blowing air temperature regardless of season, a room temperature, etc, without a need for the user to operate the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240.

[0076] Next, the washing water ejecting unit 30, the warm air drying unit 40, the air ejecting unit 50, the detecting sensor unit 70 and the control unit A in the main body section 110 will be specifically described.

[Washing Water Ejecting Unit]

[0077] As shown in Fig. 4, the washing water ejecting unit 30 includes a warm water heater 31, a switching valve 32, a common nozzle unit 20 as a washing nozzle unit, an on-off valve 34 and a nozzle movement mechanism 52. The washing water ejecting unit 30 is coupled to a tap water pipe which is not shown via a washing water pipe 26. The washing water pipe 26 is coupled to the on-off valve 34 which opens and closes to permit and inhibit supply of tap water to the common nozzle unit 20 as the washing water. In Fig. 4, the supply of the tap water is indicated by arrow W0. The tap water flows in the arrow W0 direction as the washing water.

[0078] The warm water heater 31 is coupled to a downstream side of the on-off valve 34 in a flow direction of the washing water via the washing water pipe 26. The warm water heater 31 is a heater for heating the washing water (tap water) flowing through the washing water pipe 26. For example, inside a casing, a sinuous heating water passage through which the washing water flows and a ceramic-made heater of a flat-plate shape disposed to contact the whole heating water passage, are accommodated. In this configuration, there is no need for a warm water tank for keeping the washing water at a predetermined temperature, and it is possible to warm up the washing water to a predetermined temperature instantly when washing is necessary. As a matter of course, the warm water heater 31 may be provided with a warm water tank.

[0079] As shown by a broken line in Fig. 1, the switching valve 32 is coupled to a downstream side of the warm water heater 31 in the flow direction of the washing water. As shown by a broken line in Fig. 1, the common nozzle unit 20 is coupled to the switching valve 32 via the washing water pipe 26 and communicates with an interior of the toilet bowl 103 which is not shown via a water discharge pipe 27. By switching the switching valve 32, the washing water (warm water) warmed-up to a predetermined temperature is supplied from the warm water heater 31 to the common nozzle unit 20 or discharged to inside the toilet bowl 103 (indicated by arrow W2 in Fig. 4).

[0080] The common nozzle unit 20 is a washing nozzle unit for washing the private portion (surface to be washed) of the user seated on the toilet seat unit 130 and is accommodated in the main body section 110 during unuse. During use, the nozzle movement mechanism 52 causes the common nozzle unit 20 to protrude from the main body section 110. As indicated by arrow W1 in Fig. 5, the warm water is ejected from a washing water ejecting port 22 at a tip end toward the surface to be washed. As described later, the common nozzle unit 20 is integral with an air nozzle (not shown) in the air ejecting unit 50. The nozzle movement mechanism 52 includes a first drive motor 53 and a second drive motor 54 (indicated by M1 and M2, respectively, in Fig. 4) which move the common nozzle unit 20 to shift the position of the washing water ejecting port 22 at the tip end of the common nozzle unit 20 with respect to the user's private portion. The common nozzle unit 20 and the nozzle movement mechanism 52 will be described in detail after the air injecting unit 50 has been described.

[0081] The control unit 60A controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 34, heating of the washing water by the warm water heater 31, switching of the switching valve 32 and the operation of the nozzle movement mechanism 52 for moving the common nozzle unit 20. Although not shown in Fig. 4, the warm water heater 31 and the nozzle movement mechanism 52 include drive units for operating these. The control unit 60A outputs control signals to the drive units to control the operation of the warm water heater 31 and the operation of the nozzle movement mechanism 52. Also, the on-off valve 34 and the switching valve 32 are provided with drive units, and the control unit 60A outputs control signals to these drive units to control the opening and closing of the on-off valve 34 and the switching of the switching valve 32.

[Warm Air Drying Unit]

[0082] As shown in Fig. 5, the warm air drying unit 40 includes an air fan 41, an air blowing duct 43 and a warm air heater 44. As shown in Fig.5, the air fan 41, the warm air heater 44 and the air blowing duct 43 are coupled to each other by double lines in this order. As shown by broken lines line in Fig. 1, the air fan 41 and the air blowing duct 43 are the compositions integrated by the air blowing duct 43 being coupled integrally with a part of the air fan 41, and the warm air heater 44 is provided between the air fan 41 and the air blowing duct 43 although not shown in Fig. 1.

[0083] The air fan 41 is constituted by, for example, multiple-vane fan. The air fan 41 rotates itself to take in outside air and forms air flow as schematically shown by arrow A0 in Fig. 5. The warm air heater 44 is provided in the vicinity of, for example, a blowing exit of the air fan 41, and heats the air flow up to a predetermined temperature. This forms the warm air which is guided to inside of the toilet bowl 103 which is not shown, through the air blowing duct 43. As indicated by broken line in Fig. 1, a warm air blowing port 42 is provided at the tip end of the air blowing duct 43 and positioned to face the user's private portion in the state where the user is seated on the toilet seat unit 130. The warm air blowing port 42 is formed as an opening having a rectangular shape. When the warm air is blown out from the warm air blowing port 42 having such a structure as indicated by arrow A2 in Fig. 5, the warm air is diffused and reach the whole private portion of the user. The velocity of the warm air blown out from the warm air blowing port 42 is slower than the velocity of the air ejected from the air ejecting unit 50 as described later, and is for example, 10m or less per second in this embodiment.

[Air Ejecting Unit]

[0084] As shown in Fig. 5, the air ejecting unit 50 includes an air pump 51, the nozzle movement mechanism 52 and the common nozzle unit 20. As indicated by a broken line in Fig. 1, the air pump 51 and the common nozzle unit 20 are coupled to each other by an air pipe 25. As schematically indicated by arrow A0 in Fig. 5, the air pump 51 takes in and pressurizes outside air to generate air and feeds the air to the common nozzle unit 20 via the air pipe 25. The common nozzle unit 20 is an air nozzle unit for ejecting the air. An air ejecting port 21 is provided at the tip end side of the common nozzle unit 20 separately from the washing water ejecting port 22. From the air ejecting port 21, the air is ejected as indicated by arrow A1 in Fig. 5. As described above, the nozzle movement mechanism 52 moves the common nozzle unit 20 to shift the position of the air ejecting port 21 at the tip end side of the common nozzle unit 20 with respect to the user's private portion.

[0085] The velocity of the air ejected from the air ejecting port 21 of the common nozzle unit 20 is set within a range from, for example, 20 ~ 30m per second at the time point when the air reaches the private portion, and is higher than the above mentioned velocity of the warm air blown from the warm air drying unit 40. The warm air blown from the warm air drying unit 40 is air flow for drying the private portion and its surrounding portion, while the air ejected from the air ejecting unit 50 is air flow for removing water droplets adhering onto the private portion and its surrounding portion (surface to be dried). Therefore, the air ejected from the air ejecting port 21 needs to be focused to a spot rather than diffusing to the whole private portion like the warm air. For example, in this embodiment, conditions are set so that the air ejected from the air ejecting port 21 is about 1cm in diameter at the time point when the air reaches the surface to be dried.

[0086] The control unit 60A controls the operation of the air fan 41, the operation of the air pump 51, the operation of the warm air heater 44 and the operation of the nozzle movement mechanism 52 for moving the common nozzle unit 20. Although not shown in Fig. 5, the air fan 41, the air pump 51, and the warm air heater 44 include drive units for operating these. The control unit 60A outputs control signals to these drive units to control the operation of the air fan 41, the operation of the air pump 51, the operation of the warm air heater 44 and the operation of the nozzle movement mechanism 52.

[0087] Although the velocity (flow speed) of the air is set within a range of, for example, 20 ~ 30m per second in this embodiment, the velocity is typically preferably 10m or more per second, to effectively blow out the water droplets. The size of the air jet which contacts the surface to be dried depends on the size and the number of the air ejecting port 21. The size and the number of the air ejecting port 21 are not particularly limited, but may be set considering the capability of the air pump 51 and the velocity of the air.

[Detecting Sensor Unit]

[0088] The detecting sensor unit 70 includes a seating sensor 71 shown in Fig. 1 and a room temperature detector unit 72 shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the seating sensor 71 is provided on the upper portion of the front surface of the main body section 110 and detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat unit 130. A specific configuration of the seating sensor 71 is not particularly limited, but, for example, a reflective infrared sensor is used, in this embodiment. When the seating sensor 71 is an infrared sensor, the infrared sensor detects an infrared ray reflected from a human body and thereby detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat unit 130.

[0089] The room temperature detector unit 72 detects a room temperature of the toilet room in which the sanitary washing device 101 is installed. In this embodiment, as described later, the detected room temperature is used for blowing air temperature correction control by the control unit 60A. A specific configuration of the room temperature detector unit 72 is not particularly limited, but is a thermistor built into the main body section 110, in this embodiment.

[0090] In this embodiment, the detecting sensor unit 70 includes a nozzle position sensor provided in the nozzle movement mechanism 52 as described later to detect a position of the common nozzle unit 20 in a rightward and leftward direction, a flow sensor which is not shown in Fig. 4 and provided in the warm water heater 31, an output warm water temperature sensor which is not shown and provided in the warm water heater 31, etc, in addition to the seating sensor 71 and the room temperature detector unit 72. The detecting sensor unit 70 is not limited to these, but other known sensor or detector may be used. Although in this embodiment, the room temperature detector unit 72 is provided because the room temperature (ambient air temperature in drying) is used as control information of the blowing air temperature correction control by the control unit 60A, the detecting sensor unit 70 may be omitted depending on the kind of the control executed by the control unit 60A.

[Common Nozzle Unit]

[0091] As shown in Fig. 6, the common nozzle unit 20 has a nozzle body 20a of a cylindrical shape and is provided with the air ejecting port 21 and the washing water ejecting port 22 on an outer peripheral surface of the tip end side thereof. In this embodiment, the air ejecting port 21 is located closer to the tip end of the nozzle body 20a than the washing water ejecting port 22. Inside the nozzle body 20a, there are formed an air hollow space 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle body 20a and a washing water hollow space 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle body 20a. One end portion of the air hollow space 23 communicates with the air ejecting port 21 at the tip end side of the nozzle body 20a, while an opposite end portion thereof is exposed on a bottom surface of the rear end side of the nozzle body 20a, and in this location, the air hollow space 23 communicates with the air pipe 25. One end portion of the washing water hollow space 24 communicates with the washing water ejecting port 22 at the tip end side, while an opposite end portion thereof is exposed on a bottom surface of the rear end side of the nozzle body 20a, and in this location, the washing water hollow space 24 communicates with the washing water pipe 26.

[0092] The warm water which has been warmed-up by the warm water heater 31 in the washing water ejecting unit 30 is supplied from the rear end side of the nozzle body 20a to the washing water hollow space 24 via the washing water pipe 26 and ejected from the washing water ejecting port 22 at the tip end side. The air pressurized by the air pump 51 in the air ejecting unit 50 is supplied from the rear end side of the nozzle body 20a to the air hollow space 23 via the air pipe 25 and is ejected from the air ejecting port 21 at the tip end side.

[0093] Specific shape, dimension, material, etc of the nozzle body 20a are not particularly limited but known configuration in a field of the sanitary washing device and the toilet system may be suitably used. Although the air ejecting port 21 is located closer to the tip end of the nozzle body 20a than the washing water ejecting port 22 in Fig. 6 in this embodiment, a positional relationship between the air ejecting port 21 and the washing water ejecting port 22 in the nozzle body 20a is not particularly limited in the present invention. For example, in the present invention, the washing water ejecting port 22 may be located closer to the tip end of the nozzle body 20a than the air ejecting port 21. In addition, for example, the washing water ejecting port 22 and the air ejecting port 21 may be arranged at the same positions in a center axis direction of the nozzle body 20a, in a direction perpendicular to the center axis direction, at the tip end side of the nozzle body 20a.

[0094] The air pipe 25 and the washing water pipe 26 may be formed of a material which can withstand an air pressure and a water pressure of the washing water. At least a portion near a portion of the air pipe 25 which is coupled to the nozzle body 20a and a portion near a portion of the washing water pipe 26 which is coupled to the nozzle body 20a are preferably formed of a material having flexibility, such as rubber. This is because the nozzle body 20a is moved to an advanced position and a retracted position or is pivoted by the nozzle movement mechanism 52, and therefore the air pipe 25 and the washing water pipe 26 coupled to the rear end side of the nozzle body 20 are applied with an external force for causing the air pipe 25 and the washing water pipe 26 to be twisted or bent.

[0095] Although one air ejecting port 21 and one washing water ejecting port 22 are provided in the common nozzle unit 20 as shown in Fig. 6, the present invention is not limited to this, but a plurality of air ejecting ports 21 and a plurality of washing water ejecting ports 22 may be provided there. For example, a washing water ejecting port for "washing hip part" and a washing water ejecting port for "bidet washing" may be individually provided at the nozzle body 20a. In a case where air is ejected only from a single air ejecting port 21, velocity of the air can be increased regardless of a low flow rate of the air. Therefore, even if the air pump 51 included in the air ejecting unit 50 has a small volume, sufficient air can be ejected. In other words, because a high air jet which contacts the water droplets adhering onto the surface to be dried, has a high energy for removing the water droplets from a skin surface. Therefore, the water droplets can be blown out efficiently.

[0096] Although in this embodiment, the common nozzle unit 20 has a structure in which the washing nozzle unit in the washing water ejecting unit 30 and the air nozzle unit in the air ejecting unit 50 are integral with each other as described above, the present invention is not limited to this, but the washing nozzle unit in the washing water ejecting unit 30 and the air nozzle unit in the air ejecting unit 50 may be independently provided in the main body section 110. Alternatively, as the washing nozzle unit, "hip part washing" nozzle and "bidet washing" nozzle may be provided instead of a single nozzle. Since in this embodiment, the common nozzle unit 20 has an integral structure to provide a smaller nozzle installation area, and the nozzle movement mechanism 52 is shared, a size of the main body section 110 does not increase and the number of components can be reduced. Thus, small-size and low cost of the main body section 110 can be achieved. Alternatively, a plurality of nozzles may be provided as the air nozzle unit. In such a configuration, since a plurality of air jets can be formed, the water droplets on the surface to be dried can be collected to a center part of the surface to be dried, and a drying time can be made short.

[Nozzle Movement Mechanism]

[0097] As shown in Fig. 6, the nozzle movement mechanism 52 includes the first drive motor 53, the second drive motor 54, a nozzle support 55 and a nozzle movement unit 57, in this embodiment.

[0098] The nozzle support 55 is formed of a plate-like outer shape of a substantially right triangle and has a thickness which is not less than a diameter of the nozzle body 20a. A surface corresponding to a bottom side of the right triangle is a bottom surface of the nozzle support 55, while a surface corresponding to hypotenuse of the equilateral triangle is a placement surface 56c on which the nozzle body 20a is movably placed. The placement surface 56c is tilted such that its rear side is higher and its front side is lower. Along the longitudinal direction of the placement surface 56c, a pair of rails 56a are provided. A nozzle guide 56b is provided at a front side of the placement surface 56c to protrude upward. The nozzle guide 56b has a through-hole 56d having an inner diameter for allowing the nozzle body 20a to pass therethrough. The nozzle guide 56b supports the nozzle body 20a to prevent the nozzle body 20a from disengaging from the placement surface 56c when it is moving forward and backward on the placement surface 56c.

[0099] The rails 56a and the nozzle guide 56b may be formed of a known resin material. The nozzle body 20a moves forward and backward within the through-hole 56d of the nozzle guide 56b. In addition, when the common nozzle unit 20 is pivoted, the nozzle body 20a rotates within the through-hole 56d. In view of this, at least a portion of the nozzle guide 56b which is an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 56d is preferably formed of a material allowing easy sliding so that the nozzle body 20a easily moves forward and backward or rotates within the through-hole 56d. The diameter of the through-hole preferably has a dimension with which a proper gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 20a and the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 56d in a state where the nozzle body 20a is inserted into the through-hole.

[0100] The length of the placement surface 56c of the nozzle support 55 is equal to or longer than the length of the nozzle body 20a so that the whole nozzle body 20a is placed on and supported by the placement surface 56c of the nozzle support 55 in a state where the common nozzle unit 20 is entirely accommodated into the main body section 110. The pair of rails 56a formed on the placement surface 56c are preferably formed of a material providing a good sliding state. This configuration is, as described later, to allow a nozzle support slider 58 fastened to a rear end side of the nozzle body 20a to slide along the longitudinal direction on the placement surface 56 in a state where it is sandwiched between the rails 56a. Although in this embodiment, the rails 56a and the nozzle guide 56b are provided integrally with the body of the nozzle support 55 as shown in Fig. 6, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0101] The nozzle movement unit 57 includes the nozzle support slider 58, a pivot gear unit 57a and a slider guide 57b. As described above, the nozzle support slider 58 is configured to slide on the placement surface 56c in a state where the nozzle support slider 58 is sandwiched between the rails 56a by the placement surface 56c of the nozzle support 55.

[0102] The nozzle support slider 58 includes a nozzle fastening portion 58a fastened to the rear end side of the nozzle body 20a, a gear support portion 58b for supporting the second drive motor 54 and the pivot gear unit 57d, and a guide penetrating portion 58c which the slider guide 57b penetrates. The nozzle fastening portion 58a has a rectangular parallelepiped shape covering the outer periphery of the nozzle body 20a at the rear end side of the nozzle body 20a. The nozzle body 20a is caused to penetrate the nozzle fastening portion 58a to be fastened to the nozzle body 20a. A lower portion of the nozzle fastening portion 58a is a rail fitting portion slidably sandwiched between the rails 56a (not shown in Fig. 6). The nozzle body 20a is rotatable at a front side of the nozzle fastening portion 58a.

[0103] The gear support portion 58b is a plate-shaped portion extending outward relative to the placement surface 56c from the nozzle fastening portion 58a on the placement surface 56c. The pivot gear unit 57a is mounted to a front surface of the gear support portion 58b and the second drive motor 54 is mounted to a rear surface of the gear support portion 58b. A rotational shaft of the second drive motor 54 penetrates the gear support portion 58b to the front surface, although not shown in Fig. 6. A first gear included in the pivot gear unit 57a is mounted to a tip end of the rotational shaft. The guide penetrating portion 58c is a plate-shaped portion extending downward from an end portion of the gear support portion 58b. The slider guide 57b penetrates the guide penetrating portion 58c and extends laterally along the placement surface 56c.

[0104] The slider guide 57b is a steel rope extending in one direction. The slider guide 57b is provided to be tilted along the placement surface 56c on one side surface (side surface at near side in Fig. 6) of the nozzle support 55. The both ends of the slider guide 57b are fixed by guide support plates 56e and 56f provided to extend vertically from the side surface of the nozzle support 55. The guide support plate 56e fixes the slider guide 57b at the rear side of the nozzle support 55 and the first drive motor 53 is mounted to a rear surface of the guide support plate 56e. The rotational shaft of the first drive motor 53, which is not shown, penetrates the guide support plate 56e to the front surface, and the slider guide 57b of a rod shape is coupled to the rotational shaft at the front surface. The slider guide 57b is configured to rotate according to the rotation of the first drive motor 53. The guide support plate 56f supports an end portion of the slider guide 57b at the front side of the nozzle support 55 such that the slider guide 57b is rotatable.

[0105] A spiral thread is formed on the outer periphery of the slider guide 57b. The through-hole through which the slider guide 57b penetrates the guide penetrating portion 58c is a threaded hole corresponding to this thread. Assuming that the slider guide 57b is a "bolt" driven to rotate by the first drive motor 53, the guide penetrating portion 58c of the nozzle support slider 58 is a "nut" corresponding to the bolt.

[0106] The pivot gear unit 57a is mounted to the front surface of the gear support portion 58b and consists of a first gear, a second gear and a third gear in the structure shown in Fig. 6. The first gear is secured to rotational shaft of the second drive motor 54 as described above. The second gear is combined with the first gear, and the third gear is combined with the second gear. Since the third gear is secured to the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the nozzle body 20a, the nozzle body 20a is rotatable according to the rotation of the third gear. Therefore, the nozzle body 20a is rotatably supported on the nozzle support slider 58.

[0107] The movement of the common nozzle unit 20 by the nozzle movement mechanism 52 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 2, 4, and 5 in addition to Fig. 6. By the operation of the remote control unit 120, an operation command for washing and drying the private portion using the common nozzle unit 20 is transmitted to the control unit 60A. Firstly, the control unit 60A rotates the first drive motor 53 in a positive direction. Since the rotational shaft of the first drive motor 53 is coupled to the slider guide 57b, the slider guide 57b rotates in the positive direction as well.

[0108] The slider guide 57b penetrates the guide penetrating portion 58c of the nozzle support slider 58 such that a fitting state between the "bolt" and the "nut" is formed. According to the rotation of the slider guide 57b, a force for moving the slider guide 57b forward with respect to the guide penetrating portion 58c is exerted along the slider guide 57b. Since the guide penetrating portion 58c is a part of the nozzle support slider 58, a force for forward movement on the placement surface 56c is transmitted to the nozzle support slider 58, causing the nozzle support slider 58 to slide in a forward direction on the placement surface 56c.

[0109] The nozzle support slider 58 is fastened to the rear end of the common nozzle unit 20 (nozzle body 20a) via the nozzle fastening portion 58a, and therefore, the common nozzle unit 20 is applied with an external force for forward movement from the rear end side by the nozzle support slider 58. For this reason, the common nozzle unit 20 moves forward on the placement surface 56c of the nozzle support 55, and its tip end portion is exposed outside the main body section 110. Since the rear end side of the common nozzle unit 20 is guided by the nozzle support slider 58 so as not to disengage from the rails 56a and its tip end side is guided by the nozzle guide 56b, the common nozzle unit 20 moves forward without deviation on the placement surface 56c (direction indicated by arrow D1 in Fig. 6).

[0110] The air ejecting port 21 and the washing water ejecting port 22 are provided at the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 which is exposed outside the main body section 110. Through the air ejecting port 21, the air is ejected to the surface to be dried, while through the washing water ejecting port 22, the washing water is ejected to the surface to be washed. The surface to be dried, which is a region to which the air is ejected, has a wider area than the surface to be washed as described above. Therefore, the control unit 60A causes the second drive motor 54 to rotate in positive and reverse directions in a predetermined pattern. Since the first gear constituting the pivot gear unit 57a is secured to the rotational shaft of the second drive motor 54, a rotational driving force of the second drive motor 54 is transmitted to the third gear mounted on the rear end side of the common nozzle unit 20 via the first gear and the second gear. Thereby, the cylindrical common nozzle unit 20 rotates (rotates itself) in positive and reverse directions around its axis, thereby allowing the air ejecting port 21 at the tip end portion to be pivoted to the right or to the left (arrow D3 direction in Fig. 6).

[0111] When an operation command for finishing the washing and drying operations is transmitted from the remote control unit 120 to the control unit 60A thereafter, the control unit 60A rotates the first drive motor 53 in a reverse direction. Thereby, the slider guide 57b rotates in the reverse direction, to cause the nozzle support slider 58 to recede on the placement surface 56c. Therefore, the common nozzle unit 20 recedes along on the placement surface 56c of the nozzle support 55 (arrow D2 direction in Fig. 6). As a result, the common nozzle unit 20 is drawn into the main body section 110 from the rear end side and accommodated into the main body section 110.

[0112] That is, the first drive motor 53 is a drive source for moving the common nozzle unit 20 in the forward and backward direction. The slider guide 57b and the guide penetrating portion 58c of the nozzle support slider 58, in the nozzle movement unit 57, serves as a nozzle forward and backward movement unit for moving the common nozzle unit 20 forward and backward. The second drive motor 54 is a drive source for moving the common nozzle unit 20 in the rightward and leftward direction. The pivot gear unit 57a in the nozzle movement unit 57 serves as a nozzle pivoting unit for causing the common nozzle unit 20 to rotate itself and to be pivoted to the right or to the left.

[0113] Since the nozzle movement mechanism 52 in this embodiment includes the nozzle forward and backward movement unit, the common nozzle unit 20 is protrusible from and accommodated into the main body section 110, and the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 can be moved forward and backward. Furthermore, since the nozzle movement mechanism 52 in this embodiment includes the nozzle pivoting unit, the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 can be pivoted to the right or to the left. For this reason, the air ejected from the air ejecting port 21 is oriented in the rightward and leftward direction in addition to the forward and backward direction, so that the air can be ejected to entire of the private portion and its surrounding portion (entire surface to be dried) of the user.

[0114] Since the common nozzle unit 20 includes a single nozzle in this embodiment, one nozzle movement mechanism 52 is provided. If a plurality of nozzles are provided, a plurality of nozzle movement mechanisms 52 may be provided to respectively correspond to them.

[0115] Although in this embodiment, the common nozzle unit 20 is entirely moved by the nozzle movement mechanism 52, the present invention is not limited to this. The region which the air contacts may be shifted by moving only the air ejecting port 21 or only members surrounding the air ejecting port 21, or by changing their angles. Alternatively, an air direction changing unit for changing air ejecting direction may be provided forward relative to the nozzle unit (not shown), for example.

[Control System of Sanitary Washing Device]

[0116] As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4, and Fig. 5, the control unit 60A controls the operation of the washing water ejecting unit 30, the operation of the warm air drying unit 40, the operation of the air ejecting unit 50, etc in the sanitary washing device 101 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig, 7, in this embodiment, the control unit 60A includes a operator unit 61, a memory 62 and a blowing air temperature corrector unit 63.

[0117] The operator unit 61 performs calculation for controlling washing operation, drying operation and other operation in the sanitary washing device 101, using programs stored in the memory 62. In addition to the programs, the memory 62 contains various data used for calculation in the operator unit 61. The operator unit 61 and the memory 62 are each constituted by, for example, a CPU in microcomputer unit and an internal memory, respectively. The memory 62 may be configured as an independent memory, or need not be a single memory but may be a plurality of memories (e.g., internal memory and externally mounted hard disc drive).

[0118] The blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 corrects the temperature (blowing air temperature) of the warm air generated in the warm air drying unit 40. To be specific, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 corrects the blowing air temperature during a period (start-up stage) from a time point when the warm air drying unit 40 starts blowing the warm air until a first predetermined time has lapsed, from a value (warming temperature value) initially set to a higher value (adjusted start-up value). The operator unit 61 obtains the corrected value of the blowing air temperature from the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 and controls the operation of the warm air drying unit 40 based on the corrected value. The blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 may be constituted by a known temperature correcting circuit, or a configuration implemented by operation of the operator unit 61 according to the program stored in the memory 62, i.e., functional configuration of the control unit 60A.

[0119] The operator unit 61 and the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 are configured to receive as inputs various operation commands from the remote control unit 120. In addition, the operator unit 61 and the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 are configured to receive as an input a detected value of a room temperature of the toilet room from the room temperature detector unit 72.

[0120] Fig. 7 shows that the control system for the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 (see Fig. 5). To be specific, the operator unit 61 controls an air fan drive unit 45, a warm air heater drive unit 46, an air pump drive unit 55 and a common nozzle drive unit 56. The air fan drive unit 45, the warm air heater drive unit 46, the air pump drive unit 55 and the common nozzle drive unit 56 operate the air fan 41, the warm air heater 44, the air pump 51 and the nozzle movement mechanism 52 under control of the operator unit 61. Needless to say, the control unit 60A having the above configuration is configured to control the washing water ejecting unit 30, although not shown in Fig. 7 (see Fig. 4).

[Washing Operation and Drying Operation in Sanitary Washing Device]

[0121] Next, control for the washing operation and the drying operation in the sanitary washing device 101 will be described specifically with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 12.
Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing exemplary control for the washing operation and the drying operation in the sanitary washing device 101. Figs. 9(a) ~ 9(c) are schematic cross-sectional views showing an exemplary washing operation (Fig. 9(a)) and an exemplary air ejecting operation (Figs. 9(b) and Fig. 9(c)) which are performed by the common nozzle unit 20 in the sanitary washing device 101. Figs. 10(a) ~ 10(c) are partial side views showing an exemplary washing operation (Fig. 10(a)) and an exemplary air ejecting operation (Figs. 10(b) and Fig. 10(c)) which are performed by the common nozzle unit 20 in the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are schematic views showing a movement path of the air ejecting port 21 in a state where the common nozzle unit 20 is performing the air ejecting operation.

[0122] As the drying operation in this embodiment, a case where the dry mode switch 220a among the switches in the remote control unit 120 is operated to select an operation mode of "quick drying operation" and the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240 among the switches is operated to set "medium" level temperature will be described. The "quick drying operation" is an operation mode in which the air is ejected from the air ejecting unit 50 to the surface to be dried while the air is attracting the warm air blown from the warm air drying unit 40.

[0123] Initially, in a state where the remote control unit 120 is not operated yet (lapse time (T0), the common nozzle unit 20 is accommodated into the main body section 110 as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8. Also, as indicated by "V RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the common nozzle unit 20 is located at the center. "V. RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" is detected by a rightward and leftward nozzle position sensor which is provided in the nozzle movement mechanism 52 and is not shown. In the state where the common nozzle unit 20 is located at the center, a surface formed by the air ejecting port 21 (and washing water ejecting port 22) of the common nozzle unit 20 is set to have an angle corresponding to a reference position detected by the rightward and leftward nozzle position sensor. This set angle is a center angle which is a reference in the rightward and leftward direction. Ejecting angles of the air ejecting port 21 and the washing water ejecting port 22 are set such their ejecting directions are upward.

[0124] Next, when the user operates the hip part switch 212 of the remote control unit 120, the control unit 60A opens the on-off valve 34 in the washing water ejecting unit 30 and tap water flows into the warm water heater 31 as indicated by (LAPSE TIME T1) and "II. ON-OFF VALVE" in Fig. 8. Upon a built-in flow sensor, which is not shown, detecting a water flow, the control unit 60A starts feeding an electric power to the warm water heater 31, so that the heated warm water starts to be supplied, as indicated by "I. WARM WATER HEATER" in Fig. 8 At this time, the switching valve 32 in the washing water ejecting unit 30 is set to a water discharge pipe 27 side communicating with the interior of the toilet bowl 103, and therefore, the warm water which has not been heated sufficiently is discharged into the toilet bowl 130.

[0125] Then, when the temperature (output warm water temperature) of the warm water supplied from the warm water heater 31 reaches a preset temperature value (e.g., 36 degrees C) (LAPSE TIME T2), the control unit 60A operates the first drive motor 53 to move the common nozzle unit 20 forward so that its tip end portion reaches "center position" (e..g., 100mm forward), as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8.

[0126] Then, as indicated by "III. SWITCHING VALVE" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A switches the switching valve 32 to select the washing water pipe 26 at the common nozzle unit 20 side (LAPSE TIME T3) to eject the warm water to the user's surface to be washed ("hip part washing" operation). An electric power is supplied to the warm water heater 31 by a known control method (PID control, FF control) so that the temperature detected by an output warm water temperature sensor for detecting an output water temperature which is not shown reaches a set value (e.g., 40 degrees C). The flow rate of the warm water is controlled to a flow rate desired by the user by adjusting a valve opening degree of the switching valve 32.

[0127] In the "hip part washing" operation, as shown in Fig. 9(a) and 10(a), the warm water is ejected from the washing water ejecting port 22 of the common nozzle unit 20 toward to the user 400's surface to be washed. With reference to a wet state of the surface to be washed, water droplets flow to surrounding portion of the private portion being the center part which the washing water directly contacts as well as the private portion. Therefore, the private portion and its surrounding portion (surface f to be washed in Fig. 9) are entirely wet. Fig. 9(a) shows only outer shapes of the cross-sections of the toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet bowl 103. For example, if the toilet seat unit 130 includes a heater or the like inside thereof, this is not shown.

[0128] Then, when the "hip part washing" operation finishes and the user operates the stop switch 211 in the remote control unit 120 (LAPSE TIME 4), the control unit 60A performs switching of the switching valve 32 from the washing water pipe 26 at the common nozzle unit 20 side to the discharge pipe 27 at the toilet bowl 103 side, stops ejecting of the warm water from the washing water ejecting port 22 in the common nozzle unit 20, stops feeding an electric power to the warm water heater 31, and rotates the first drive motor 53 in a reverse direction to cause the common nozzle unit 20 to recede to an accommodated position, as indicated by "III. SWITCHING VALVE" and "I. WARM WATER HEATER" in Fig. 8.

[0129] Then, as indicated by "II. ON-OFF VALVE" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A closes the on-off valve 34 to stop water flow to the washing water ejecting unit 30, thus finishing the washing operation (LAPSE TIME T5). At this time, as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the common nozzle unit 20 returns to the accommodated position (0mm).

[0130] Although the "hip part washing" operation has been descried in this embodiment, a similar basic sequence occurs when the bidet switch 213 in the remote control unit 120 is operated to perform "bidet washing" operation. In the case of the "bidet washing" operation, setting of the position of the common nozzle unit 20 and the flow rate of the washing water, corresponding to bidet, are changed.

[0131] Then, when the user operates the dry switch 214 in the remote control unit 120 (LAPSE TIME T6), the control unit 60A feeds an electric power to the warm air heater 44 and the temperature of the warm air heater 44 starts rising as indicated by "VIII. HEATER" in Fig. 8. Since the operation of the warm air heater 44 is started prior to starting of the operation of the air fan 41 in this way, to heat the warm air heater 44 with heat radiation amount lessened, the temperature of the warm air heater 44 can be increased at a high speed.

[0132] At this time (LAPSE TIME T6), as indicated by "VI. AIR PUMP" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A operates the air pump 51 for a short time (e.g., one second) at the same time that the operation of the warm air heater 44 starts, to eject the air momentarily from the air ejecting port 21 of the common nozzle unit 20. With this operation, the water droplets adhering onto the surface of the common nozzle unit 20 are blown away in the state where the common nozzle unit 20 is accommodated in the main body section 110. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water droplets from re-adhering onto the user.

[0133] Then, as indicated by "VII. AIR FAN" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A starts the operation of the air fan 41 (LAPSE TIME T7) to blow out the warm air from the warm air blowing port 42. The blowing air temperature of the warm air reaches a predetermined temperature from initial stage of blowing since the warm air passes through the warm air heater 44 heated at a high speed. In this case, since the warm air heater 44 is controlled by the control unit 60A after the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 has corrected the blowing air temperature as descried later, high-temperature (e.g., 60 degrees C) warm air is blown. This warm air is blown from the warm air blowing port 42 to substantially entire of the user's surface to be dried.

[0134] Then, as indicated by "IV FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A operates the first drive motor 53 to move the common nozzle unit 20 to a most advanced position (e.g., 150mm forward), while as indicated by "V RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A operates the second drive motor 54 to change a right/left angle of the common nozzle unit 20 to a right end angle (e.g., + 50 degrees).

[0135] Then, as indicated by "VI. AIR PUMP" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A operates the air pump 51 (lapse time T8) to start ejecting of the air from the air ejecting port 21 to the surface to be dried. Then, as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" and "V. RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A controls the rotational direction and rotational speed of each of the second drive motor 54 and the first drive motor 53 in the nozzle movement mechanism 52 to move the common nozzle unit 20 back and forth in the forward and backward direction at a high speed within a predetermined range (e.g., 50mm to 150mm forward) and slowly move the common nozzle unit 20 to change a rightward and leftward angular range toward a center angle from the right end angle to a rightward predetermined angle (e.g., from + 50 degrees to + 20 degrees). This step is referred to as a first air ejecting step.

[0136] In the first air ejecting step, the air jet from the common nozzle unit 20 is approaching the center part gradually while moving back and forth in the forward and backward direction from a rightward predetermined position of the user's surface to be dried. This air jet is drawn as a trajectory shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a view of the toilet seat unit 130 and the toilet bowl 103 as viewed from above. Inside the toilet bowl 103 which is seen through the opening of the toilet seat unit 130, an imaginary region which is the user 400's hip part (and base of leg) is indicated by a broken line and the surface F to be dried which is a square imaginary region indicated by two-dotted line in Fig. 11 is depicted within the imaginary region which is the user 400. As indicated by arrow P1 in Fig. 11, range (air contact range) E in which the air jet contacts the surface F to be dried shifts back and forth in the forward and backward direction at a high speed at a right end of the surface F to be dried (in Fig. 1 arrow D2 and D1 directions, see Fig. 6), which repeats periodically, and shifts gradually toward a center part G of the surface F to be dried. Therefore, the air contact range E shifts to draw a movement trajectory of a zigzag shape from right to left within the surface F to be dried.

[0137] In the first air ejecting step, as shown in Fig. 9(b), the water droplets adhering to the right side of the user's 400 surface F to be dried are blown away such that they are collected toward the center part (in Fig. 11 arrow D 3-1 direction, see Fig. 6) by the air jet ejected from the air ejecting port 21 of the common nozzle unit 20.

[0138] Then, as indicated by "VI. AIR PUMP" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A stops the operation of the air pump 51 (LAPSE TIME T9). As indicated by "V. RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 to change a rightward and leftward angular range to a left end angle (e.g., - 50 degrees), and operates the air pump 51 again (LAPSE TIME T10) to start ejecting of air.

[0139] Thereafter, as in the first air ejecting step, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 back and forth in the forward and backward direction at a high speed within a predetermined range (e.g., 50mm to 150mm forward) and slowly moves the common nozzle unit 20 to change a rightward and leftward angular range toward a center angle from the left end angle to a leftward predetermined angle (e.g., -50 degrees to - 20 degrees). This step is referred to as a second air ejecting step.

[0140] In the second air ejecting step, the air jet from the common nozzle unit 20 is approaching the center part G gradually while moving back and forth in the forward and backward direction from a leftward predetermined position of the user's surface F to be dried. That is, in the second air ejecting step, as indicated by arrow P2 in Fig. 11, the air contact range E shifts back and forth in the forward and backward direction at a high speed at a left end of the surface F to be dried, which repeats periodically, and shifts gradually toward the center part G of the surface F to be dried. In other words, the air contact range E shifts to draw a movement trajectory of a zigzag shape from left to right which is symmetric with the trajectory of zigzag shape indicated by arrow P1 with respect to the center part G.

[0141] In the second air ejecting step, as shown in Fig. 9(c), the water droplets adhering to the left side of the user's 400 surface F to be dried are blown away such that they are collected toward the center (in Fig. 11, arrow D 3-2 direction, see Fig. 6) by the air j et ejected from the air ejecting port 21 of the common nozzle unit 20.

[0142] After the first air ejecting step and the second air ejecting step are performed, there are only water droplets adhering onto front and back regions around the center part G, on the surface F to be dried.

[0143] The hip part of the human body has convex parts at right and left sides with respect to the center part to be washed, which is anus and aedoeo. Therefore, in a state where the user is seated on the toilet seat unit 130, the right and left sides are lower than the center part to be washed (see center part G of the surface F to be dried). Therefore, wetness of washing water tends to spread to the right and to the left. If the air is applied to the center part G initially at the start of the drying operation, the adhering water droplets spread to the right and to the left to a large extent, and wet area of a portion of the surface F to be dried increases. To solve this, the control unit 60A causes the air ejecting unit 50 to perform the first air ejecting step and the second air ejecting step so that the water droplets are blown away while preventing the water droplets on the surface F to be dried from spreading to the right and to the left. Thus, efficient drying is implemented.

[0144] When the air is ejected toward the right and left convex parts of the hip part initially in this way, the user tends to feel that the entire hip part is cold. In this embodiment, however, as described later, the warm air is blown by the warm air drying unit 40 at the same time that the air is ejected after the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 has corrected the blowing air temperature of the warm air. The coldness to the user is adequately lessened and convenience of the user can be improved.

[0145] When the second air ejecting step terminates, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 to the most advanced position (LAPSE TIME T11), as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8. Then, the control unit 60A causes the common nozzle unit 20 to recede slowly from the most advanced position toward the center part and moves the common nozzle unit 20 back and forth at a high speed to change a rightward and leftward angle from a right end angle to a left end angle. This step is referred to as a third air ejecting step.

[0146] In the third air ejecting step, the air jet ejected from the common nozzle unit 20 is approaching the center part G at the rear side gradually while moving back and forth in the rightward and leftward direction from a forward predetermined position of the user's surface F to be dried. That is, in the third air ejecting step, as indicated by an arrow P3 in Fig. 12, the air contact range E shifts back and forth in the rightward and leftward direction at a high speed at an upper end of the surface F to be dried, which repeats periodically, and shifts gradually toward the center part G of the surface F to be dried. Therefore, the air contact range E shifts to draw a movement trajectory of a zigzag shape from forward to backward within the surface F to be dried, and the water droplets left in a location forward relative to the center part G on the surface F to be dried are blown away such that they are collected toward the center part G as shown in Fig. 10(b).

[0147] Then, as indicated by "VI. AIR PUMP" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A stops the operation of the air pump 51 (LAPSE TIME T12). As indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A shifts a forward and backward position of the common nozzle unit 20 to a backward predetermined position (e.g., 50mm forward) and re-operates the air pump 51 (LAPSE TIME T13) to start ejecting of the air.

[0148] Then, similarly to the third air ejecting step, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 forward slowly from a most retracted position toward the center part G and moves the common nozzle unit 20 back and forth at a high speed to change a rightward and leftward angle from a right end angle to a left end angle. This step is referred to as a fourth air ejecting step.

[0149] In the fourth air ejecting step, the air jet ejected from the common nozzle unit 20 is approaching the center part G at the front side gradually while moving back and forth in the rightward and leftward direction from a backward predetermined position of the user's 400 surface F to be dried. That is, in the fourth air ejecting step, as indicated by arrow P4 in Fig. 12, the air contact range E shifts back and forth in the forward and backward direction at a high speed at a lower end of the surface F to be dried, which repeats periodically, and shifts gradually toward the center part G of the surface F to be dried. In other words, the air contact range E shifts to draw a movement trajectory of a zigzag shape from backward to forward, which is symmetric with respect to the zigzag-shaped trajectory as indicated by arrow P3, with respect to the center part G. Therefore, in the fourth air ejecting step, the water droplets left in a location backward relative to the center part G on the surface F to be dried can be blown away such that they are collected toward the center part G as shown in Fig. 10(c).

[0150] After the third air ejecting step and the fourth air ejecting step are performed, there are only water droplets left in the vicinity of the center part G, on the surface F to be dried.

[0151] The control unit 60A controls the nozzle movement mechanism 52 so that the air contact range E with respect to the surface F to be dried shifts in a direction (crossing direction) crossing a direction toward the center part G at a much higher speed than the air contact area E shifts toward the center part G, in the first air ejecting step to the fourth air ejecting step. For this reason, in the air colliding against the surface F to be dried and spreading, a component (vertical flow) flowing in a direction perpendicular to the crossing direction becomes more. Therefore, the water droplets adhering between the air contact range E shifting in the crossing direction and the center part G are pushed by the vertical flow and thereby move in the direction toward the center part G. Therefore, by bringing the air contact range E closer to the center part G gradually, the water droplets are always collected toward the center part G. Therefore, by performing the first air ejecting step to the fourth air ejecting step, the water droplets adhering onto the surface F to be dried can be collected at the center part G quickly and properly.

[0152] Then, as indicated by "VI. AIR PUMP" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A stops the operation of the air pump 51 (LAPSE TIME T14). As indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 to a forward predetermined position in the forward and backward direction (e.g., 130mm forward), and operates the air pump 51 again (LAPSE TIME T15) to start ejecting of the air.

[0153] Then, as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A causes the common nozzle unit 20 to start receding from a forward predetermined position, pass through the center part G, and slowly move to a predetermined position (e.g., 50mm forward) backward relative to the center part G. As indicated by "V. RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 back and forth at a high speed to change a rightward and leftward angle from a right end angle to a left end angle (see Fig 10(b) and Fig. 10(c)) in addition to the receding movement. This step is referred to as a fifth air ejecting step.

[0154] In the fifth air ejecting step, the air jet ejected from the common nozzle unit 20 moves in the rightward and leftward direction at a high speed with respect to the surface F to be dried, which repeats periodically, moves gradually from a forward predetermined position toward a backward predetermined position, pass through the center part G and moves gradually to a backward predetermined position. Since the air contact area E shifts from forward to backward through the center part G with respect to the surface F to be dried, the water droplets left in the vicinity of the center part G on the surface F to be dried can be blown away substantially perfectly.

[0155] In other words, the first air ejecting step to the fourth air ejecting step may be regarded as a step (water droplets collecting step) for blowing away most part of the water droplets and collecting the remaining water droplets toward the center part G, while the fifth air ejecting step may be regarded as a step (water droplets removing step) for finally blowing away the water droplets left in the vicinity of the center part G substantially perfectly. Although the first air ejecting step to the fifth air ejecting step are carried out in the above described order in this embodiment, the order is not limited to this. The order of the steps may be changed, a part of the steps may be repeated, or a part of the steps may be omitted.

[0156] In the first air ejecting step to the fifth air ejecting step, the air is ejected at the same time that the warm air drying unit 40 blows the warm air. Therefore, the warm air ejected from the warm air drying unit 40 is attracted by the air, and the air is ejected in a warm state. This more effectively lessens coldness.

[0157] Then, as indicated by "VI. AIR PUMP" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A stops the air pump 51 (LAPSE TIME T16). As indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" and "V. RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A causes the common nozzle unit 20 to move into the accommodated position in the forward and backward direction and return to center angle in the rightward and leftward direction.

[0158] In the manner as described above, the air ejecting unit 50 completes removing the water droplets and the drying operation virtually terminates. The user 400 operates the stop switch 211 in the remote control unit 120. Receiving the stop command, the control unit 60A stops the operation of the warm air heater 44 (LAPSE TIME T17) as indicated by "VIII. HEATER" in Fig. 8. Finally, as indicated by "VII. AIR FAN" in Fig. 8, the control unit 60A stops the air fan 41 (LAPSE TIME T18) to reduce residual heat in the warm air heater 44. Thus, a series of control processes for the washing operation and the drying operation terminate.

[Target Temperature Collecting Process by Blowing Air Temperature Collector Unit]

[0159] Next, specific control for the sanitary washing device 101 having the control system will be described with reference to Fig. 13 to Fig. 15. Fig. 13 is a graph showing a set value, a corrected value and an actual measurement value of a blowing air temperature of the warm air blown out from the warm air drying unit 40 in the sanitary washing device 101. Fig. 14 is a timing chart showing a change in a heating output of the warm air heater 44 included in the warm air drying unit 40. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing exemplary control of the operation of the warm air drying unit 40 and the operation of the air ejecting unit 50 by the control unit 60A of the sanitary washing device 101.

[0160] The sanitary washing device 101 of this embodiment is configured in such a manner that the warm air drying unit 40 starts blowing the warm air before or at the same time that the air ejecting unit 50 ejects the air, and feed-forward control for presetting the blowing air temperature of the warm air is executed for generation of the air in the warm air drying unit 40. This feed-forward control is such that the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 corrects a set value (target temperature) of the blowing air temperature. Thereby, the user does not substantially feel cold with respect to the air ejected to the wet private portion of human body, and quick and proper drying process is implemented.

[0161] In general heater control, a temperature within a predetermined range is preset, and PID control is performed so that a target value with respect to the set range matches a measurement value. In the PID control, a deviation between the target value and the measurement value is found, and three kinds of operations, i.e., proportional operation (P operation) for proportionating the output of the heater with respect to the deviation, integral operation (I operation) for proportionating the output of the heater with respect to time integral of the deviation, and differential operation (D operation) for proportionating the output of the heater with respect to a time change rate of the deviation are combined to execute feed-back control. However, from the present inventors' study, it was revealed that if the PID control is applied to the control for the warm air drying unit 40 in the sanitary washing device 101, the user feels cold with respect to the air ejected from the air ejecting unit 50.

[0162] The warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 included in the sanitary washing device 101 are "drying mechanisms" for drying the user's private portion and its surrounding portion (surface to be dried) after washing. However, the warm air drying unit 40 is a means for applying the warm air to the surface to be dried, while the air ejecting unit 50 is a means for applying the air to the surface F to be dried. From the perspective of the user, air flow (warm air) providing warmness and air flow (air) which is likely to provide coldness are applied to the private portion simultaneously. Under this condition, even if the general PID control utilizing the feed-back control is performed, coldness to the user cannot be lessened.

[0163] From the perspective of the user, as an alternative method of the "drying mechanism" of the sanitary washing device 101, the cleaning off is performed for the surface to be dried using toilet paper. This method is traditionally performed by the user. If the "drying mechanism" is not easily used, the user will select cleaning off. Since the PID control uses the feed-back control, a certain time is required to implement a temperature range in which the user does not feel cold. Such a long drying time makes the user feel that the "drying mechanism" can not be easily used. In view of this, the PID control should not be used.

[0164] Typically, the blowing air temperature of the warm air is set to a temperature value Ty providing warmness, which will not case low-temperature burn even if the warm air is applied to the human body's surface (skin) for a long time. Assuming that this temperature Ty is "standard value", various control conditions are initialized for a specified time after start of blowing of the warm air so that the blowing air temperature reaches "warming temperature value" which is a temperature value higher than the standard value (e.g., patent literature 3 discloses that a voltage with a value higher than a steady voltage value is applied at initial stage of the start of operation). In this embodiment, furthermore, the set temperature is corrected based on the various conditions so that a temperature value which is not lower than a temperature value (coldness limit value) Tc with which the user does not feel cold when the warm air is applied to the wet surface to be dried, is implemented as the warming air temperature, for the specified time after the start of blowing of the warm air.

[0165] In this embodiment, to be specific, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the feed-forward control in the conventional blowing air temperature control (temperature control in which high-temperature is provided in initial stage of blowing the warm air and that temperature is reduced to the standard value thereafter) such that the set value (target value in control) of the blowing air temperature in initial stage of blowing of the warm air is preliminarily corrected into a suitable value based on various conditions. This makes it possible to rise the blowing air temperature to a suitable temperature range quickly and easily. Therefore, the coldness is effectively lessened with simple control and excess heating of the surface to be dried is avoided. In addition, quick and efficient drying process is implemented.

[0166] The correcting process (hereinafter referred to as a target temperature correcting process) of the set value (target temperature) of the blowing air temperature by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 will be described more specifically with reference to Fig. 13. In Fig. 13, a vertical axis indicates a blowing air temperature (unit: degrees C), a horizontal axis indicates a lapse time (unit: second) of blowing air (drying operation) of the warm air by the warm air drying unit 40, and a temperature value Tw is the warming temperature value.

[0167] In Fig. 13, a temperature value Th is "set value" selected from a temperature range between "lower limit value" and "upper limit value" below. The "lower limit value" is defined as "a boundary value between a temperature range in which the user feels cold and a temperature range in which the user does not feel cold in a case where the temperature increases from the temperature range in which the user feels cold to the temperature range in which the user feels warm (or the temperature decreases from the temperature range in which the user feels warm to the temperature range in which the user feels cold" in temperature felt by the user, while the "upper limit value" is defined as "a boundary value between the temperature range in which the user feels warm and a temperature range in which the user feels hot in a case where the temperature increases from the temperature range in which the user feels warm to the temperature range in which the user feels hot (or the temperature decreases from the temperature range in which the user feels hot to the temperature range in which the user feels warm" in temperature felt by the user, and the temperature value Th may be set within a temperature range which is not lower than the "lower limit value" and not higher than the "upper limit value". The "lower limit value" and the "upper limit value" may be determined by experiment and simulation to be adaptive to environment or the like in which the sanitary washing device of the present invention is used. Since the set value Th is a temperature value set in "transient stage" as described later, this is hereinafter referred to as "transient set value" Th to be distinguished from the set value Ts which is a target temperature before correction as described later, hereinafter.

[0168] In Fig. 13, temperature value Ta is an ambient temperature (ambient temperature value) in a region in the vicinity of the private portion (in the vicinity of the surface to be dried) of the user before use, and the temperature value Ty is the standard value as described above. The warming temperature value Tw is set to a value which is not lower than the coldness limit value Tc, and the ambient temperature value is typically a room temperature.

[0169] Referring to Fig. 13, if the warm air drying unit 40 starts blowing of the warm air (drying operation) at time t0, an ideal blowing air temperature is a target temperature indicated by a broken line in Fig. 13. To be specific, just after the drying operation starts at t0, the blowing air temperature rises quickly from the room temperature Ta up to the warming temperature value Tw, then, the warming temperature value Tw is maintained until time t2 when the air ejecting unit 50 removes the water droplets from the surface to be dried, then the blowing air temperature is reduced to the transient set value Th until time t3, then the blowing air temperature is reduced to the standard value Ty, and drying continues. At time t4, the drying operation stops.

[0170] If an attempt is made to implement the target temperature in general PID control, overshooting occurs as depicted as PID actual measurement value as indicated by two-dotted line in Fig. 13. That is, even if the warm air heater 44 included in the warm air drying unit 40 operates quickly, the air flow from the air fan 41 cannot be warmed up quickly up to the warming temperature value Tw, and there is a time lag. Therefore, after time 2 when the blowing air temperature should decrease to the transient set value Th in setting, it reaches the warming temperature value Tw. In this case, since the surface to be dried is heated excessively, the user does not feel cold by receiving the warm air but feels hot.

[0171] To solve this, in this embodiment, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the target temperature correcting process during a period from time t0 to time t1 and a period from time t1 to time t2 so that the target temperature reaches the corrected target temperature as indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 13. Based on the corrected target temperature, the operator unit 61 controls the warm air drying unit 40.

[0172] During the period from time t0 to time t1, the surface to be dried is most wet. If the blowing air temperature of the warm air during this period is below the warming temperature value Tw, the user feels cold. Accordingly, during this period, a high electric power is fed to the warm air heater 44 to enable the warming air temperature to quickly reach the warming temperature value Tw which is not lower than the coldness limit value Tc. When this period is referred to as "start-up stage" for starting up the warm air heater 44, the target temperature correcting process by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 is always needed at this start-up stage.

[0173] During the period from time t1 to time t2, the warming air is blown and the air is ejected from the air ejecting unit 50 with respect to the surface to be dried which is not sufficiently dried yet. For this reason, during this period, it is necessary to warm up the surface to be dried sufficiently with priority. When this period is referred to as "warming stage" for warming up the surface to be dried, it is preferable that the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 executes the target temperature correcting process so that the blowing air temperature is maintained at the warming temperature value Tw, at this warming stage.

[0174] For example, in summer season, a room temperature is relatively high.
Therefore, if the blowing air temperature reaches quickly the warming temperature value Tw at the start-up stage, the warming temperature value Tw can be adequately maintained at the following warming stage. So, at this stage, the correction shown in Fig. 13 need not be performed. Therefore, the target temperature correcting process by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 is performed at least at the start-up stage and suitably at a warming stage as desired. Whether or not to perform the target temperature correcting process at the warming stage is suitably selected according to conditions used in the feed-forward control.

[0175] After the start-up stage and the warming stage, the temperature may be set properly and the target temperature correcting process may be performed properly, according to use environment, use condition, etc of the sanitary washing device 101.

[0176] For example, in Fig. 13, during the period from time t2 to time t3, the water droplets are removed from the surface to be dried, and drying of the surface progresses gradually. As drying progresses, latent heat of evaporation is not deprived any more, so that the temperature of the surface to be dried tends to increase. Since drying progresses with priority to an extent that the surface to be dried does not become hot during this period, it is necessary to shift the blowing air temperature from the warming temperature value Tw to the standard value Ty properly. When this period is referred to as "transient period" when the blowing air temperature transitions to the standard value Ty, at least one temperature value (intermediate value for the sake of convenience of explanation) which is lower than the warming temperature value Tw (in this embodiment coldness limit value Tc) and higher than the standard value Ty may be set as the target temperature, at this transient stage. The transient set value Th is set as the intermediate value, as shown in Fig. 13.

[0177] As described above, in this embodiment, the target temperature set at the transient stage is one intermediate value (transient set value Th). Alternatively, a plurality of intermediate values may be set as the target temperature and the transient set value Th may be included in these values. For example, as the intermediate value, a temperature value higher than the transient set value Th, or a temperature value lower than the transient set value Th, and both of these may be set. In this case, since the transient stage is divided into a plurality of sub-stages, a gradual temperature change from the warming temperature value Tw to the standard value Ty is implemented. This eliminates discomfort felt by the user which would be caused by a rapid change in the blowing air temperature. Or, if the room temperature is higher or lower, correction of the adjusted start-up value and the warming temperature value Tw at the start-up stage are different. According to this, the intermediate value set at the transient stage may be changed to a temperature value other than the transient set value Th, the intermediate value may be increased to plural values or otherwise may be omitted.

[0178] During a period from time t3 to time t4, the surface to be dried has been dried sufficiently, and therefore, how long drying continues is selected according to the user's preference. In this period, ejecting of the air to the surface to be dried is fundamentally complete, and therefore, only the warm air with the standard value Ty is blown to the surface to be dried as finishing of drying. Therefore, this period may be regarded as "drying continuation stage" at which the blowing air temperature is maintained at the standard value Ty which is a temperature with which the user does not feel hot regardless of long-time warm air blowing. Then, when the user operates the stop switch 211 in the remote control unit 120, the drying operation terminates (time t4).

[0179] Since the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the target temperature correcting process and the operator unit 61 controls the warm air drying unit 40 in this way, the blowing air temperature changes favorably according to the target temperature (set value) like FF actual measurement value as indicated by a solid line in Fig. 13. As a result, the user neither feels cold nor hot by the warm air and the water droplets are removed from the surface to be dried by the air ejecting unit 50. Thus, quick drying is implemented.

[0180] The blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the target temperature correcting process in such a manner that the warming temperature value Tw is corrected based on a preset correction reference. To be specific, in this embodiment, the warming temperature value Tw set as the target temperature is corrected according to the following formula (1). In the formula (1), Tx indicates a corrected temperature value, R indicates a correction coefficient which is not more than 1, Ts is a set value of the blowing air temperature, and Ta is a detected value of the room temperature which is detected by the room temperature detector unit 72. The set value Ts in the period from time t0 to time t2 is the warming temperature value Tw (Ts = Tw) in this embodiment.

[0181] 

In this embodiment, the periods when the target temperature correcting process are carried out according to the formula (1) are the start-up stage (time t0 ∼t1) and the warming stage (time t1∼ t2), as shown in Fig. 13. The target temperature correcting process may be carried out only at least at the start-up stage, but may also be carried out at the transient stage or the drying continuation stage.

[0182] Although the warming temperature value Tw is corrected into the temperature value Tx according to the formula (1), the temperature value Tx is not an actual blowing air temperature but a target temperature set by the control. For example, when the warming temperature value Tw is set to 60 degrees C, the detected value Ta of the room temperature is set to 20 degrees C, and the correction coefficient R is 0.5, the temperature value Tx1 is 80 degrees C at the start-up stage. The warm air with such a high temperature is not actually blown from the warm air drying unit 40. The temperature value Tx1 is a corrected target temperature corrected in view of a time lag generated until the actual blowing air temperature reaches Tw = 60 degrees C. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the corrected temperature value Tx1 at the start-up stage in Fig. 13 is referred to as "adjusted start-up value", corrected temperature value Tx2 at the warming stage is referred to as "adjusted warming temperature value" which is a temperature value higher than the warming temperature value Tw and lower than the adjusted start-up value Tx1.

[0183] The blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 may perform the target temperature correcting process by any method. In this embodiment, since the warm air heater 44 in the warm air drying unit 40 heats the air flow formed by the air fan 41 to generate the warm air, a method for adjusting the heating output of the warm air heater 44 is used. This method is an indirect method in which the heating output of the warm air heater 44 is adjusted and as a result, the target temperature of the blowing air temperature of the warm air generated is corrected, instead of directly correcting the target temperature by the control. By using the configuration in which the warm air drying unit 40 includes the air fan 41 and the warm air heater 44, the heating output of the warm air heater 44 is implemented by simple control.

[0184] A heating amount for the air flow is found out as clear numeric value from the output value of the warm air heater 44. Therefore, a temperature change is easily calculated from the heating amount and a volume of the air flow. Therefore, not to mention, the adjustment of the heating output corresponds to indirect correction of the target temperature (set value Ts). In this embodiment, a specific method of the target temperature correcting method is not limited to adjustment of the output value (heating amount) of the warm air heater 44, but, not to mention, may be control for adjusting a blowing air amount of the air fan 41, control for adjusting a voltage applied to the warm air heater 44, or control for adjusting two or more of the output value, the blowing air amount and the voltage.

[0185] The target air temperature correcting process performed by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 in association with adjustment of the heating output of the warm air heater 44 will be described specifically. As shown in Fig. 14, by setting the heating output of the warm air heater 44 for each stage at which drying operation is performed, the initial target temperature (set value Ts) is corrected into the corrected target temperature (temperature value Tx). In Fig. 14, a vertical axis indicates the heating output (unit: W) of the warm air heater 44 and a horizontal axis indicates a lapse time (unit: second) of the drying operation of the warm air drying unit 40.

[0186] When the start-up stage (time t0 ∼ t1) is the first stage, the surface to be dried is most wet at first stage as described above. Accordingly, to feed a high electric power to the warm air heater 44, a set value (target output) of the heating output is corrected into a largest output value Q1 (unit: W). When the warming stage (time t1 ∼ t2) is the second stage, the surface to be dried is not sufficiently dried, and the air is ejected from the air ejecting unit 50 to the surface to be dried, at the second stage. Accordingly, output value Q2 for implementing the warming temperature value Tw or the adjusted warming temperature value Tx2 (see Fig. 13) is set.

[0187] When the transient stage (time t2 ∼ t3) is a third stage, the water droplets have been removed from the surface to be dried and drying has progressed at the third stage, an output value Q3 for implementing the transient set value Th is set as described above. The output value Q3 may be initialized or implemented by correction by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63. When the drying continuation stage (time t3 ∼ T4) is a fourth stage, whether or not to continue drying is selected by the user, and therefore, an output value Q4 for implementing the standard value Ty is set, at the forth stage. Thereafter, when the user operates the stop switch 211 in the remote control unit 120, the drying operation terminates.

[0188] Although in this embodiment, the heating outputs of the warm air heater 44 (set values of the blowing air temperature of warm air) are set to four-stage values as described above, the number of stages is not limited to this number but the transient stage may be changed into plural sub-stages to provide five or more stages, or otherwise the transient stage may be omitted to provide three stages. Furthermore, at the transient stage, the heating output may be changed continuously instead of in a stepwise manner.

[0189] In this embodiment, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the target temperature correcting process using the room temperature detected by the room temperature detector unit 72 included in the detecting sensor unit 70 and a transient coefficient which is a correction coefficient on the basis of the lapse time of the drying operation. As described above, a most significant disturbance factor in the correction of the blowing air temperature is a temperature of the air suctioned by the air fan 41. Therefore, the detected value Ta of the room temperature is regarded as "temperature of the air suctioned by the air fan 41" and utilized in the feed-forward control to predict a correction amount for correcting the set value Ts into the corrected temperature value Tx.

[0190] As described above, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the target temperature correcting process at least at the start-up stage (first stage), and preferably both at the start-up stage and the warming stage (first stage and second stage) as shown in Fig. 13. In this embodiment, as a more preferred example, the target temperatures (set values Ts) are corrected for all of the first to fourth stages.

[0191] To be specific, the output values Q4 ∼ Q4 of the warm air heater 44 shown in Fig. 14 are calculated according to the following formula (2-1) illustrated below. In the formula (2 - 1), Q* is any one of the output values Q1 ∼ Q4, K is a coefficient, Ts is set value of the blowing air temperature set at each of the first to fourth stages, and Ta is a detected value of the room temperature.

[0192] 

The predetermined times t1 ∼ t4 for defining the respective stages of the first to fourth stages are preset. For example, the first predetermined time t1 for defining the first stage is five seconds, and the second predetermined time t2 for defining the second stage is 20 seconds. Therefore, the length of the second stage is 15 seconds. Since the third predetermined time t3 for defining the third stage is 40 seconds, the length of the third stage is 20 seconds. By setting the upper limit time of the drying operation at the fourth stage, it is possible to avoid the warm air drying unit 40 from operating unnecessarily. The upper limit time, i.e., the fourth predetermined time t4 is 340 seconds, and the drying operation is continued for 5 minutes 40 seconds at the longest.

[0193] The coefficient K is calculated according to the formula (2-2). In the formula (2 - 2), C is specific heat of air, p is a density of air, V is an air amount of the air fan 41 and D is a transient coefficient.

[0194] 

The transient coefficient D is a condition used in addition to the ambient temperature(room temperature Ta) in the target temperature correcting process performed by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 and is a correction coefficient on the basis of the lapse time of the drying operation. To be specific, the transient coefficient D is set as a coefficient which is not less than 1 for making the blowing air temperature closer to the target temperature in a short time. The transient coefficient D is found preliminarily in experiment for each of the first to fourth stages and set. For example, specifically, there may be a first combination in which a transient coefficient D1 at the first stage is 2, a transient coefficient D2 at the second stage is 1.4, a transient coefficient D3 at the third stage is 1.2, and a transient coefficient D4 at the fourth stage is 1, or a second combination in which the transient coefficient D1 at the first stage is 1.5, the transient coefficient D2 at the second stage is 1.1, the transient coefficient D3 at the third stage is 1, and the transient coefficient D4 at the fourth stage is 1. Note that numeric values (D - 1) after the decimal point, of these transient coefficients D, correspond to the correction coefficients R in the formula (1).

[0195] The set value Ts (specific numeric value of the target temperature) of the blowing air temperature may be preset for each of the first to fourth stages. For example, a set value Ts1 (warming temperature value Tw) at the first stage is 60 degrees C, a set value (warming temperature value Tw) Ts2 at the second stage is 60 degrees C, a set value (transient set value Th) Ts3 at the third stage is 50 degrees C, and a set value (standard value Ty) Ts at the fourth stage is 40 degrees C. In this embodiment, these set values Ts can be changed by switching setting of "HIGH", "MEDIUM", or "LOW" of the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240 in the remote control unit 120. For example, by setting "HIGH" on the basis of "MEDIUM" setting, the temperature is made higher by + 3 degrees C, and by setting "LOW" on the basis of "MEDIUM" setting, the temperature is made lower by - 3degrees C.

[0196] The detected value Ta of the room temperature is a temperature value detected by the room temperature detector unit 72 at time t0 when the drying operation is started. This temperature value is used to calculate each of the output values Q1 to Q4 corresponding to the first to fourth stages, and therefore the ambient temperature of the drying operation is assumed to be constant from when the drying operation starts until it terminates. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where an output value of the warm air heater 44 fluctuates and becomes unstable due to influence of the warm air.

[0197] In this embodiment, a table containing the first to fourth predetermined times t1 ∼ t4, the set values Ts1 ∼ Ts4 of the blowing air temperature, and the coefficients K is stored in the memory 62. The control unit 60A obtains the detected value Ta of the room temperature which is detected by the room temperature detector unit 72, selects the coefficients K and the set values Ts from the table and calculate the heating outputs Q1 ∼ Q4 of the warm air heater 44. Thereby, the blowing air temperature is corrected from the set values Ts. The control unit 60A changes a power feeding ratio of the warm air heater 44 to control the heating output of the warm air heater 44 such that it changes from the output value Q1 to the output value Q4 from the first to the fourth stage.

[0198] At least the output value Q4 corresponding to the fourth stage may be stored in the memory 62 as an initialized value. This is because, in the above example, the transient coefficient D4 at the fourth stage is 1 and a varying numeric value in this case is only the detected value Ta of the room temperature, which lessens a necessity of calculating the output value Q4 in every drying operation. Likewise, regarding the third stage, since a necessity of calculating the output value Q3 in every drying operation is lessened as the transient coefficient D3 at the third stage is closer to 1, and therefore, the output value Q3 may be stored in the memory 62 as an initialized value. A stage for which correction is most necessary, among the first to fourth stages, is the first stage where the surface to be dried is most wet. Therefore, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 may be configured to perform the above correction at least at the first stage. For this reason, at least the start-up correction coefficient (in the above example, transient coefficient D1) used to correct the blowing air temperature at the start-up stage may be stored in the memory 62. More preferably, a warming correction coefficient (in the above example, transient coefficient D2) used to correct the blowing air temperature at the warming stage is stored in the memory 62.

[0199] Although in this embodiment, the transient coefficient on the basis of the lapse time of the drying operation is used as the correction coefficient, the present invention is not limited to this, but other correction coefficients may be used. Various correction coefficients may be found experimentally according to conditions in which the sanitary washing device 101 is installed, and may be stored in the memory 62.

[0200] An example of the control for the drying operation by the control unit 60A, including the target temperature correcting process, will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Initially, the control unit 60A determines whether or not the dry switch 214 in the remote control unit 120 has been operated (step 5101). If it is determined that the dry switch 214 has not been operated (NO in step S101), the control unit 60A repeats the determination, whereas if it is determined that the dry switch 214 has been operated (YES in step S101), the room temperature detector unit 72 detects the room temperature. This room temperature is regarded as an ambient temperature in the vicinity of the private portion (in the vicinity of the surface to be dried) of the user (step S102). Then, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 corrects the target temperature (set value Ts) using the detected value (ambient temperature) of the room temperature, the formula (2-1) and the data stored in the memory 62. In the above example, the target temperature (set value Ts) is indirectly corrected by adjusting the heating output of the warm air heater 44 (step S103).

[0201] Thereafter, the control unit 60A operates the warm air drying unit 40 based on the numeric value corrected by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63. Firstly, the warm air heater 44 is operated before the air fan 41 is operated (step S 104), and thereafter, the air fan 41 is operated (step S105). In this embodiment, since the warm air heater 44 is operated before the air fan 41 is operated in this way, a high electric power is fed to the warm air heater 44 at once in a state where a heat radiation amount is less and thereby a temperature increasing rate of the warm air heater 44 increases.
This reduces a start-up time of the warm air heater 44 and a time required to increase the temperature value up to the warming temperature value Tw.

[0202] Next, the control unit 60A operates the air ejecting unit 50 to eject air to the surface to be dried (step S106). The ejecting of air is carried out specifically as the first air ejecting step to the fifth air ejecting step as described above (see Fig. 8, Figs. 9(b) and 9(c), Fig. 10(b) and 10(c) and Figs. 13 and 14).

[0203] Then, the control unit 60A determines whether or not the stop switch 211 in the remote control unit 120 has been operated (step S107). If it is determined that the stop switch 211 has not been operated (NO in step S107), the control unit 60A repeats this determination, whereas if it is determined that the stop switch 211 has been operated (YES in step S107), the control unit 60A stops the operation of the warm air drying unit 40 (warm air heater 44 and the air fan 41) and the operation of the air ejecting unit 50. Thus, the control unit 60A terminates the control.

[0204] In the above control, gradual starting may be performed in such a manner that the air fan 41 and the warm air heater 44 may be started-up simultaneously and the air fan 41 gradually increases the blowing air amount. In other words, the control unit 60A starts the air fan 41 and the warm air heater 44 simultaneously, but causes the air fan 41 to increase the blowing air amount after the start-up stage of the warm air heater 44 has started. This also reduces the start-up time of the warm air heater 44 and the time required to increase the temperature value up to the warming temperature value Tw.

[0205] As the drying operation in this embodiment, an operation mode (second drying operation mode) in which only the air ejecting unit 50 is operated to eject only the air to the surface to be dried, or an operation mode (third drying operation mode) in which only the warm air drying unit 40 is operated to blow only the warm air to the surface to be dried) may be selected, instead of the operation mode (first drying operation mode) in which the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 are operated simultaneously as shown in Fig. 15. The operation mode is selected by operating the dry mode switch 220a, 220b, or 220c, and the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240 in the remote control unit 120.

[0206] To be specific, when the dry mode switch 220a in the remote control unit 120 shown in Fig. 3(a) is operated, "quick drying operation" is selected. Therefore, the first drying operation mode shown in Fig. 15 is executed and drying of the surface to be dried can be finished in a short time. When the dry mode switch 220b is operated, "adequate drying operation" is selected. This "adequate drying operation" is fundamentally similar to the first drying operation, but is an operation mode in which the water droplets are surely removed from the surface to be dried by setting the operation time longer.

[0207] When the dry mode switch 220c is operated, the "warm air drying operation" is selected, and therefore, the third drying operation mode in which the air ejecting unit 50 is not operated but only the warm air drying unit 40 is operated is executed. It should be noted that in the third drying operation mode, only the warm air is applied to the surface to be dried, and therefore set data (set times, set values Ts of the blowing air temperature, the transient coefficients D at the first to fourth stages) are preferably changed from the set data in the first drying operation mode, in the target temperature correcting process executed by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63. To be specific, in the first drying operation mode, since the air from the air ejecting unit 50 is applied to the surface to be dried, the target temperature (set value Ts) is corrected so that the blowing air temperature becomes higher, while in the third drying operation mode in which the air ejecting unit 50 is not operated, the target temperature (set value Ts) may be set lower in view of fact that a cooling action of the air with respect to the surface to the dried does not occur.

[0208] When the warm air temperature adjustment switch 240 in the remote control unit 120 shown in Fig.3(b) is OFF and the dry mode switch 220a in the remote control unit 120 shown in Fig.3(b) is operated, the second drying operation mode is selected and only the air is ejected to the surface to be dried. This operation mode is selected especially when air temperature is high, for example, in summer season.

[Evaluation of Various Conditions Relating to Target Temperature Correcting Process]

[0209] In this embodiment, seven-stage warmness/coldness indices were created to determine warmness and coldness to the user, and temperature conditions and lapse time conditions relating to the target temperature correcting process by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 were evaluated based on the warmness/coldness indices. This will be described along with a specific test method and its result. Fig. 16(a) is a graph showing a relationship between a lapse time of a drying operation and a blowing air temperature of warm air for each of warmness/coldness indices, and Fig. 16(b) is a graph showing a relationship between warmness/coldness indices and a blowing air temperature of warm air in 10 seconds after the drying operation starts. Fig. 17 is graphs showing relationships with warmness/coldness indices and a blowing air temperature of war air after warm air starts blowing, in which the upper graph depicts a relationship between warmness/coldness indices and the a lapse time and the lower side depicts a relationship between a blowing air temperature and a lapse time.

[0210] The warm/coldness to the human being are sensitive and are different depending on very slight condition difference and personal difference. Accordingly, the inventors divided the warmness/coldness into seven stages and suitable values of the blowing air temperature were set based on the warmness/coldness indices. To be specific, the seven-stage indices were evaluated in such a manner that "very hot" was "+3," "hot" was "+2", "warm" was "+1," "medium" was "0", "cool" was "-1", "cold" was "-2" and "very cold" was "-3".

[0211] In the sanitary washing device 101 according to this embodiment, items to be monitored, eight items, i.e., room temperature which was the ambient temperature, the blowing air temperature (exit temperature) at the warm air blowing port 42, the blowing air temperature (toilet seat edge portion temperature) at the edge of the toilet seat unit 130 which is closer to the main body section 110, the blowing air temperature in the vicinity of the anus, the surface temperature of the hip part, the surface temperature in the vicinity of the anus, electric power consumption of the warm air heater 44, and voltage applied to the warm air heater 44 were selected.

[0212] Then, according to the two kinds of procedures described below, a test for evaluating the relationship between the blowing air temperature and the warmness/coldness indices was conducted several times under the conditions varied for the same person to be evaluated while measuring the items to be monitored.

[0213] The first procedure was a test procedure for evaluating the relationship between the blowing air temperature of the warm air and the warmness/coldness indices. Initially, the operation of the warm air drying unit 40 was started and the exit temperature was stabilized. Then, the common nozzle unit 20 was protruded to an anus position. Then, the air pump 51 was operated and the common nozzle unit 20 was placed in a stand-by state in which the common nozzle unit 20 did not eject the air yet. At this time point, the person to be evaluated was not seated on the toilet seat unit 130. Then, water droplets were sprayed to the surface to be dried of the person to be evaluated (water of about 1.5g was sprayed twice), the person to be evaluated was seated on the toilet seat unit 130, ejecting of the air and blowing of the warm air were started, and warmness/coldness indices were evaluated in respective of predetermined times.

[0214] The second procedure is a test procedure for evaluating a relationship between a rising time of the blowing air temperature and the warmness/coldness indices from start of the drying operation. Initially, the person to be evaluated was seated on the toilet seat 130 and an initial value of a skin temperature was adjusted to be adapted to the ambient temperature. Then, "hip part washing" was carried out to cause the water droplets to adhere to the surface to be dried by actual washing operation (washing at washing water temperature of 38 degrees C, with washing water with flow rate of 0.5 liter/minute, for 30 seconds). After that, the common nozzle unit 20 was protruded to an anus position. Then, the air pump 51 was operated and the common nozzle unit 20 was placed in a stand-by state in which the common nozzle unit 20 did not eject the air yet. Then, the operation of the warm air drying unit 40 was started and the warmness/coldness indices were evaluated until 60 seconds elapsed or the person to be evaluated felt hot.

[0215] Conditions changed in the above procedure are as follows. The exit temperature was changed and set to 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 50 degrees C, 60 degrees C, 70 degrees C and 80 degrees C. The test was conducted in such a manner that an electric power of the warm air heater 44 was set to 0W, 50W, 100W, 200W and 400W. As the drying operation mode, a case where only the warm air was blown (third drying operation mode), a case where the warm air was blown and the air was ejected (first drying operation mode), and a case where only the air was ejected (second drying operation mode) were set, and a test was conducted for them. In comparison, experiment was conducted in such a manner that the water droplets were not sprayed to the hip part but the hip part was dried. In one evaluation test, the warmness/coldness indices were evaluated at respective timings, just after the start, after 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds and 60 seconds.

[0216] In the above evaluation tests, the air ejecting conditions were as follows. The room temperature was in a range of 18 ∼ 22 degrees C, a blowing amount of the warm air was 0.3m³/minute, a flow rate of the air was 15 liter/minute, a diameter of the air ejecting port 21 was 1mm, a distance from the air ejecting port 21 to the anus was 30 mm, a pivot angle in the rightward and leftward direction was ± 60 degrees C, and the number of times of back and forth movement in the forward and backward direction was 2 per second.

[0217] Fig. 16(a) shows in graphical representation a relationship between the blowing air temperature of the warm air and warmness/coldness indices which was evaluated according to the first procedure, for each warmness/coldness index. In this graph, solid line indicates warmness/coldness index 2, two-dotted line indicates warmness/coldness index 1.5, one-dotted line indicates warmness/coldness index 1, long broken line indicates warmness/coldness index-1, short broken line indicates warmness/coldness index -1.5, and dotted line indicates warmness/coldness index-2.

[0218] From this result, at a time point after 20 seconds, the person to be evaluated started to feel hot (warmness/coldness index 2) even though the blowing air temperature was 70 degrees C when the air was ejected to the wet surface to be dried. It was also found out that in most cases, the person to be evaluated felt cool (warmness/coldness index -1) when the blowing air temperature was within a range of 35 degrees C ∼ 55 degrees C which was a general temperature range of the warm air, and the person to be evaluated felt cold (cold, warmness/coldness index -2) if the blowing air temperature was lowered a little. As a lapse time was longer, the above warmness/coldness indices decreased as a whole. For example, in a case where a specific blowing air temperature was 50 degrees C, the person to be evaluated felt cool (warmness/coldness index - 1) when a lapse time was 10 seconds, while the person to be evaluated felt warm (warmness/coldness index 1) when a lapse time was 40 seconds. Thus, it was found out that the warmness/coldness indices of the person to be evaluated (user) were changed rapidly in a short time even at an equal temperature.

[0219] Fig. 16(b) shows in graphical representation a relationship between warmness/coldness indices and the blowing air temperature of the warm air in 10 seconds after the drying operation starts in the present case. In this graph, triangular symbols indicate results of tests conducted in such a manner that the air was not ejected but only the warm air was blown in a state where the surface to be dried was dried, square symbols indicate results of tests conducted in such a manner that the air was ejected and the warm air was blown in a state where the surface to be dried was dried, and lozenge symbols indicate results of tests conducted in such a manner that the air was not ejected but only the warm air was blown in a state where the surface to be dried was wet, and circular symbols indicate results of tests conducted in such a manner that the air was ejected and the warm air was blown in a state where the surface to be dried was wet. From these results, it was evident that in the state where the surface to be dried was not wet, the warmness/coldness indices shifted two points.

[0220] According to "electric substrate related evaluation method" (created on November 1995, revised on December, 2004, by Tokyo gas Co. Ltd, Osaka gas Co., Ltd, Toho gas Co., Ltd, "Thinking about High-temperature Output Warm Water", it is reported that regarding burning by the warm water, a temperature which is regarded as safe when the warm water is applied for a specified time is, 55.5 degrees C when the specified time is 10 seconds, 52.5 degrees C when the specified time is 30 seconds, and 50 degrees C when the specified time is 2 minutes. However, if the air is ejected to the wet surface to be dried, the person does not feel warm in a temperature range of 50 degrees C to 55 degrees C, as can be clearly seen from the graph of Fig. 16(b). However, as can be seen from the graph of Fig. 16(a), as a lapse time increases, the blowing air temperature with which the person feels warm or hot is lower.

[0221] The inventors studied these results, and found out that the temperature conditions with which the user neither feels cold nor hot in the drying operation of the sanitary washing device are such that the blowing air temperature was not higher than 70 degrees C and not lower than 35 degrees C when the specified time was 20 seconds, the blowing air temperature was not higher than 63 degrees C and not lower than 33 degrees C when the specified time was 30 seconds, and the blowing air temperature was not higher than 60 degrees C and not lower than 30 degrees C when the specified time was 40 seconds, which were sufficient. More desirably, the blowing air temperature was not higher than 68 degrees C and not lower than 40 degrees C when the specified time was 20 seconds, the blowing air temperature was not higher than 60 degrees C and not lower than 37 degrees C when the specified time was 30 seconds, the blowing air temperature was not higher than 55 degrees C and not lower than 35 degrees C when the specified time was 40 seconds. Most desirably, the blowing air temperature was not higher than 62 degrees C and not lower than 44 degrees C when the specified time was 20 seconds, the blowing air temperature was not higher than 55 degrees C and not lower than 41 degrees C when the specified time was 30 seconds, and the blowing air temperature was not higher than 51 degrees C and not lower than 38 degrees C when the specified time was 40 seconds.

[0222] Fig. 17 shows in graphical representation a relationship between warmness/coldness indices and rising time of the blowing air temperature after start of the drying operation, which was evaluated according to the second procedure. In the upper and lower graphs of Fig. 17, two-dotted lines indicate results in a case where electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 400W, one-dotted lines indicate results in a case where electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 200W, long broken lines indicate results in a case where electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 100W, and short broken lines indicate results in a case where electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 50W. In the upper graph of Fig. 17, lozenge symbols indicate results in the case of 400W, circular symbols indicate results in the case where the electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 200W, regular-triangular symbols indicate results in the case where the electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 100W, square symbols indicate results in the case where the electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 50W, and inverted-triangle symbols indicate results in the case where the electric power set in the warm air heater 44 was 100W, i.e., the warm air heater 44 was not operating.

[0223] A condition with which the user does not feel at least cold is the warmness/coldness index of -1 or more. Therefore, from the results shown in Fig. 17, the condition in which the blowing air temperature is not lower than 40 degrees C when the specified time is 5 seconds (thin broken line in Fig. 17) and the blowing air temperature is not lower than 50 degrees C when the specified time is 10 seconds.

[0224] It is assumed that most of general users do not feel cold when the warmness/coldness index is not less than 0. Therefore, a more preferable condition is such that the blowing air temperature is not lower than 50 degrees C when the specified time is 5 seconds, the blowing air temperature is not lower than 60 degrees C when the specified time is 10 seconds, and the blowing air temperature is not higher than 75 degrees C when the specified time is within 10 seconds.

[0225] As should be understood from above, in this embodiment, it is particularly preferable that the warming temperature value Tw at a target temperature is set at least within a range of 40 degrees C or higher and 75 degrees C or lower. Also, it is particularly preferable that each of the start-up stage and the warming stage is within 10 seconds and the start-up stage is set to a time (within 5 seconds) shorter than the time of the warming stage. Also, it is particularly preferable that a time from when the warm air blowing starts until the transient stage ends is set to less than 40 seconds and a sum of time of the start-up stage and time of the warming stage is set to less than 20 seconds.

[0226] Of course, the condition of the blowing air temperature and the condition of the lapse time are not limited to the above ranges, but may be suitably set with reference to the results of Fig. 16, Fig. 17, and others according to a specific configuration of the sanitary washing device 10, and various conditions such as environment or the like of the toilet room installed.

[0227] Thus, in this embodiment, when the air is ejected from the common nozzle unit 20 to the surface to be dried, the warm air generated in the warm air drying unit 40 is blown to the surface to be dried. Besides, this warm air has been subjected to the target temperature correcting process so that the temperature of the warm air is not lower than the temperature value (coldness limit value Tc) with which the user does not feel cold even in the state where the surface to be dried is wet. Therefore, more efficient drying is implemented, and the user does not substantially feel cold and can use the device comfortably.

[0228] Although in the sanitary washing device 101 of this embodiment, the air ejecting unit 50 includes the air pump 51 and the warm air drying unit 40 includes the air fan 41, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a sanitary washing device which does not include the air pump 51 but is configured to perform drying only using the air fan 41, similar advantages are achieved with a configuration similar to that of this embodiment so long as the warm air heater 44 is provided.

[0229] Although in this embodiment, the room temperature detector unit 72 detects the room temperature of the toilet room and this temperature is used as the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the surface to be dried, the present invention is not limited to this. A temperature detector unit for detecting the temperature in the interior of the toilet bowl 103 may be provided in addition to the room temperature detector unit 70 and a temperature value detected by this temperature detector unit may be used as the ambient temperature. This makes it possible to more accurately detect the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the surface to be dried. Therefore, control for the target temperature correcting process performed by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 and control for the warm air drying unit 40 performed by the control unit 60A may be comfortable to the user.

(Embodiment 2)

[0230] A sanitary washing device according to this embodiment has a configuration fundamentally similar to that of the sanitary washing device 101 described in this embodiment, but is different from the same in that it is determined whether or not residual heat is left in the warm air heater 44, and determination result is used in the target temperature correcting process performed by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63. This configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 18 to Fig. 20.

[0231] Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a control unit 60B, and a configuration for controlling major constituents of the warm air drying unit 40 and of the air ejecting unit 50 in the sanitary washing device of this embodiment.
Fig. 19 is a block diagram of major constituents showing a configuration including a stop lapse time determiner unit 64a as a residual heat determiner unit 64 in the control unit 60B of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a block diagram of major constituents, showing a configuration including a heater residual heat temperature determiner unit 64b as the residual heat determiner unit 64 in the control unit 60B of Fig. 18.

[0232] As shown in Fig. 18, the sanitary washing device according to this embodiment includes the control unit 60B. The control unit 60B is identical to the control unit 60A in Embodiment 1 in that the control unit 60B includes the operator unit 61, the memory 62 and the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63, but is different from the same in that the control unit 60B further includes the residual heat determiner unit 64. The blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 in the control unit 60B performs the target temperature correcting process similarly to Embodiment 1. The operator unit 61 controls the air fan drive unit 45, the warm air heater drive unit 46, the air pump drive unit 55 and the common nozzle drive unit 56, based on the operation command of the remote control unit 120, the temperature value detected by the room temperature detector unit 72, the temperature corrected by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63, etc. The air fan drive unit 45, the warm air heater drive unit 46, the air pump drive unit 55 and the common nozzle drive unit 56 operate the air fan 41, the warm air heater 44, the air pump 51 and the nozzle movement mechanism 52, respectively, under control of the operator unit 61. Needless to say, the control unit 60A having the above configuration is configured to control the washing water ejecting unit 30, although not shown in Fig. 18.

[0233] A specific configuration of the residual heat determiner unit 64 in the control unit 60B is not particularly limited so long as the residual heat determiner unit 64 determines whether or not residual heat is left in the warm air heater 44 in a state where heating operation of the warm air heater 44 is stopped. In this embodiment, the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a in Fig. 19 or the heater residual heat temperature determiner unit 64b in Fig. 20 is exemplarily provided.

[0234] The stop lapse time determiner unit 64a is configured to determine that residual heat is left in the warm air heater 44 if a time that elapses after the heating operation of the warm air heater 44 has stopped is within a preset upper limit time. In the example shown in Fig. 19, the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a obtains time information from a timer 73 controlled by the operator unit 61 and determines whether or not the time that elapses after the heating operation of the warm air heater 44 has stopped reaches an upper limit time under control of the operator unit 61. If the time has not reached the upper limit time yet, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 is caused to perform the target temperature correcting process using a residual heat correction coefficient which is not a normal correction coefficient.

[0235] The heater residual heat temperature determiner 64b is configured to determine that some residual heat is left in the warm air heater 44, if the temperature of the warm air heater 44 is not lower than a preset lower limit value, based on measurement result from a heater temperature meter unit 74 for measuring the temperature of the warm air heater 44. If it is determined that residual heat is left in the warm air heater 44, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 is caused to perform the target temperature correcting process using the residual heat correction coefficient which is not the normal correction coefficient.

[0236] The residual heat correction coefficients are used as the correction coefficients R in the formula (1) in Embodiment 1, and are coefficients considering a case where residual heat is left in the warm air heater 44. To be specific, for example, in Embodiment 1, the target temperature correcting process is carried out by adjusting the heating output of the warm air heater 44 using the formula (2-1) and the formula (2-2).
The transient coefficients D in these formulae correspond to the correction coefficients R.

[0237] In Embodiment 1, D1 = 1.5, D2 = 1.1, D3 = 1, and D4 = 1 are set and stored in the memory 62 as the second combination of the transient coefficients for the respective of the first stage to the fourth stage. Assuming that these transient coefficients correspond to the standard correction coefficients, a third combination of the transient coefficients, which are D1 = 1.3, D2 = 1, D3 = 1, and D4= 1 are set and stored in the memory 62 as the transient coefficients corresponding to the residual heat correction coefficients, in this embodiment.

[0238] For example, in a case where the residual heat determiner unit 64 is the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a and the upper limit of the lapse time is 5 minutes, the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 performs the target temperature correcting process using the third combination without using the second combination of the transient coefficients if the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a determines that the stop time of the warm air heater 33 is within 5 minutes. This makes it possible to carry out the target temperature correcting process in view of the rising of temperature of the warm air heater 44 due to influence of residual heat. As a result, more proper temperature correction is achieved.

[0239] A specific configuration of the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a or the heater residual heat temperature determiner unit 64b is not particularly limited, but a know determiner circuit may be used. Alternatively, the configuration of the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a or the heater residual heat temperature determiner unit 64b may be implemented by the operation of the operator unit 61 according to the program stored in the memory 62, i.e., a functional configuration of the control unit 60B. A specific configuration of the heater temperature meter unit 74 is not limited to this, but a thermistor provided in the vicinity of the warm air heater 44 is used in this embodiment. Furthermore, the heater temperature meter unit 74 may be configured not to directly measure the temperature of the warm air heater 44, but may be configured to measure the temperature of the warm air heater 44 based on an electric resistance value of the warm air heater 44.

[0240] The upper limit value of the lapse time is not limited to 5 minutes. Likewise, the lower limit value of the temperature of the warm air heater 44 is not particularly limited. The upper limit value and the lower limit value are suitably set according to the kind, shape, and heating ability of the warm air heater 44, a specific configuration or the like of the warm air drying unit 40 including the warm air heater 44, etc.

[0241] While in this embodiment, the residual heat correction coefficient is set and stored in the memory 62 separately from the standard correction coefficient, the standard correction coefficient may be re-set as the residual heat correction coefficient based on the determination result of the stop lapse time determiner unit 64a or the heater residual heat temperature determiner unit 64b, without setting the residual heat correction coefficient. In this case, if the stop time is longer or the temperature of the warm air heater 44 is lower, the correction coefficient may be set larger, while if the stop time is shorter or the temperature of the warm air heater 44 is higher, the correction coefficients may be set smaller.

(Embodiment 3)

[0242] A sanitary washing device according to this embodiment has a configuration fundamentally similar to that of the sanitary washing device 101 described in Embodiment 1, but is different from the same in that the temperature of the surface to be dried or the blowing air temperature is detected and a detection result is feed-back controlled. This configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 21 and 22.

[0243] Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing a first exemplary configuration of the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 and a schematic control system in the sanitary washing device according to this embodiment. Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing a second exemplary configuration of the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 and a schematic control system in the sanitary washing device according to this embodiment.

[0244] The control system shown in Fig. 21 is fundamentally identical to the control system (see Fig. 5) for the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 in the sanitary washing device 101 according to Embodiment 1. The control system shown in Fig. 21 is different from the control system of Embodiment 1 in that it further includes a surface temperature detector unit 75 for detecting the user's surface to be dried and outputs the detected value to the control unit 60A.

[0245] The control system shown in Fig. 22 is fundamentally identical to the control system shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 21. In addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, the control system further includes a blowing air temperature detector unit 75 which detects the blowing air temperature of the warm air blown from the warm air blowing port 42 and outputs the detected value to the control unit 60A.

[0246] As the surface temperature detector unit 75, a known infrared sensor is used. The surface temperature detector unit 75 is provided in a location opposite to the surface to be dried of the user seated on the toilet seat unit 130, at the bottom portion of the main body section 110.

[0247] A known thermistor is used as the blowing air temperature detector unit 76. The blowing air temperature detector unit 76 may be provided to face the warm air blowing port 42 of the warm air drying unit 40 in the main body section 110, but may be provided in close proximity to the surface to be dried, on a rear surface of the toilet seat unit 130 which is slightly apart from the main body section 110. This is because it is experimentally evident that the blowing air temperature of the warm air blown from the warm air blowing port 42 is less likely to be lowered in most part of a space below the toilet seat unit 130 to the surface to be dried, or otherwise may be lowered but its correlation is high.

[0248] The temperature value detected by the surface temperature detector unit 75 or the blowing air temperature detector unit 76 is output to the control unit 60A. The control unit 60A executes feed-back control by combining with the target temperature correcting process by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 described in Embodiment 1, thereby correcting the blowing air temperature to a more proper temperature value.

[0249] To be specific, for example, an example in which the surface temperature detector unit 75 is provided, and its detected value is used in the feed-back control will be described. As a method of detecting the surface temperature of the surface to be dried and using the surface temperature in the feed-back-control, there are, for example, a method of correcting the set value Ts of the blowing air temperature, a method of correcting an output value of the warm air heater 44 which has been corrected by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63, and a method of correcting the preset output value of the warm air heater 44.

[0250] In the method of correcting the set value Ts of the blowing air temperature, initially, the control unit 60A calculates the corrected output values Q1 ∼ Q4 of warm air heater 44 based on the target temperature correcting process by the blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 descried in Embodiment 1 and controls the warm air heater 44 (feed-forward control). When the value detected by the surface temperature detector unit 75 is a surface temperature value Tb, the surface temperature value Tb is information used for determining an extent to which the surface to be dried has been warned-up. Therefore, the control unit 60A executes feed-back-control such that the set value Ts is decreased if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than a predetermined temperature range (e.g., within range of 25 degrees C to 35 degrees C), and is increased if the surface temperature value Tb is lower than the predetermined temperature range. Thus, if the user feels hot, the set value Ts of the blowing air temperature is decreased, while if the user feels cold, the set value Ts of the blowing air temperature is increased. This results in a suitable temperature range of the blowing air temperature.

[0251] The set value Ts is corrected in such a manner that a corrected set value Tsc = Ts - 10 degrees C, if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 45 degrees C, Tsc = Ts - 5 degrees C, if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 35 degrees C and not higher than 45 degrees C, Tsc = Ts if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 25 degrees C and not higher than 35 degrees C, Tsc = Ts + 5 degrees C, if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 15 degrees C and not higher than 25 degrees C, and Tsc = Ts + 10 degrees C, if the surface temperature is not higher than 15 degrees C, for example.

[0252] Alternatively, the set value Ts is corrected into other numeric values in such a manner that Ts is set to 65 degrees C ifTb is lower than 30 degrees C, Ts is set to 60 degrees C if Tb is within a range of 30 degrees C ∼35 degrees C, Ts is set to 53 degrees C if Tb is within a range of 35 degrees C ∼ 38 degrees C, Ts is set to 45 degrees C if Tb is within a range of 38 degrees C ∼ 40 degrees C, and Ts is set to 40 degrees C if Tb is not lower than 40 degrees C, for example.

[0253] The method of correcting the corrected output value of the warm air heater 44 is similar to the above method until the feed-forward control and its preceding process are performed. But, the control unit 60A executes the feed-back control in such a manner that if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than a predetermined temperature range, the control unit 60A gradually decreases Q1 ∼ Q4 set as the output values, while if the surface temperature value Tb is lower than the predetermined temperature range, the control unit 60A gradually increases Q1 ∼ Q4. Thereby, also, the output value of the warm air heater 44 is gradually decreased if the user feels hot, while the output value of the warm air heater 44 is gradually increased if the user feels cold. This results in a suitable temperature range of the blowing air temperature.

[0254] To be specific, the output value Q is corrected in such a manner that the corrected value is the output value Q - 10W/s if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 45 degrees C, the output value Q - 5W/s if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 35 degrees C and not higher than 45 degrees C, the output value Q is maintained invariably if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 25 degrees C and not higher than 35 degrees C, the output value Q + 5W/s if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 15 degrees C and not higher than 25 degrees C, and the output value Q + 10W/s if the surface temperature Ts is not higher than 15 degrees C, for example.

[0255] The method of correcting the preset output value of the warm air heater 44 is such that in the feed-forward control, the set value Ts is not stored but the output value of the warm air heater 44 is calculated and stored in the memory 62 assuming that the detected value Ta of the room temperature is, for example, 20 degrees C. The control unit 60A calls the set value of the output value of the warm air heater 44 from the memory 62 and executes the feed-forward control. In addition, the control unit 60A executes the feed-back control in such a manner that if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than a predetermined temperature range, the output value is gradually decreased, while if the surface temperature value Tb is lower than the predetermined temperature range, the output value is gradually increased. Thereby, the output value of the warm air heater 44 is gradually decreased if the user feels hot, while the output value of the warm air heater 44 is gradually increased if the user feels cold. This results in a suitable temperature range of the blowing air temperature.

[0256] To be specific, the output value Q is corrected into the output value Q - 10W/s if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 45 degrees C, the output value Q is corrected into the output value Q - 5W/s if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 35 degrees C and not higher than 45 degrees C, the output value Q is maintained invariably if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 25 degrees C and not higher than 35 degrees C, the output value Q is corrected into the output value Q + 5W/s if the surface temperature value Tb is higher than 15 degrees C and not higher than 25 degrees C, and the output value Q is corrected into the output value Q + 10W/s if the surface temperature Ts is not higher than 15 degrees C, for example.

[0257] For example, as an example in which the value detected by the blowing air temperature detector unit 67 is used in the feed-back control, there is a control method in which the feed-forward control and the feed-back control are combined.

[0258] In this method, the feed-forward control is executed similarly to the control described in Embodiment 1, but concurrently with the feed-forward control, feed-back control is executed in such a manner that the output value of the warm air heater 44 is corrected based on a deviation ΔT between an actually detected blowing air temperature Td and the set value Ts. Then, the warm air heater 44 is controlled based on an output value Qff obtained in the feed-forward control and an output value Qfb obtained by the feed-back control.

[0259] To be specific, in the feed-back control, the output value Qfb is corrected into the output value Qfb + 10W/s if the deviation ΔT is not lower than 10 degrees C, the output value Qfb is corrected into the output value Qfb + 5W/s if the deviation ΔT is higher than 5 degrees C and not higher than 10 degrees C, the output value Qfb is maintained invariably if the deviation ΔT is higher than - 5 degrees C and not higher than 5 degrees C, the output value Qfb is corrected into the output value Qfb - 5W/s if the deviation ΔPT is higher than -10 degrees C and not higher than -5 degrees C, and the output value Qfb is corrected into the output value Qfb - 10W/s if the deviation ΔT is not higher than - 10 degrees C.

[0260] Thus, in this embodiment, the feed-back control associated with detection of the temperature of the surface to be dried or the blowing air temperature is combined with the feed-forward control in Embodiment 1. In accordance with this configuration, the feed-forward control enables the warm air to be blown without providing coldness to the user and without providing hotness to the user. In addition, the feed-back control enables various conditions associated with drying such as the blowing air temperature and the like to be finely adjusted into conditions suitable for the user. As a result, the drying process after washing the private portion does not provide discomfort to the user but makes the user feel more comfortable.

[0261] Although in this embodiment, the control is executed using the two detected values from the room temperature detector unit 72 and the surface temperature detector unit 75 or the blowing air temperature detector unit 76, the feed-back control may be executed using only the detected value from the surface temperature detector unit 75 or the blowing air temperature detector unit 76. In this case, the detecting means is lessened. In further alternative, three detected values from the room temperature detector unit 72, the surface temperature detector unit 75 and the blowing air temperature detector unit 76, may be used to achieve more precise control.

[0262] Although in this embodiment, exemplary control for adjusting the output value of the warm air heater 44 has been descried in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The control for adjusting the blowing air amount of the air fan 41 may be used or otherwise the control for adjusting the output value of the warm air heater 44 and the blowing air amount may be used.

(Embodiment 4)

[0263] A sanitary washing device according to this embodiment has a configuration fundamentally similar to that of the sanitary washing device 101 described in Embodiment 1, but is different from the same in a configuration of a nozzle pivot unit in the common nozzle unit 20. The configuration of the nozzle pivot unit will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a partial perspective view showing a configuration of a common nozzle unit in a sanitary washing device according to this embodiment.

[0264] As shown in Fig. 23, a pivot nozzle unit 80 is configured to be pivoted around a rear end of a cylindrical nozzle fixed such that its tip end side is swingable, although the nozzle moving unit 57 included in the nozzle movement mechanism 52 of Embodiment 1 is configured to rotate the cylindrical nozzle around its axis (rotate the nozzle itself).

[0265] To be specific, the nozzle pivot unit 80 includes as a main body a pivot unit support slider 83, a cylindrical rotational shaft 81 for fastening and supporting the rear end of the nozzle body 20b, and the second drive motor 54 such that the rotational shaft 81 and the second drive motor 54 are placed and fastened on an upper surface of the pivot unit support slider 83. Like the nozzle fastening portion 58a of the nozzle support slider 58 of Embodiment 1, a rail fitting portion 83a is provided at the lower portion of the pivot unit support slider 83 to allow the pivot unit support slider 83 to be sandwiched between the rails 56a and slide along the longitudinal direction on the placement surface 56c (see Fig. 6). The rail fitting portion is provided at a lower side of the pivot unit support slider 83 corresponding to a portion of the upper surface of the pivot unit support slider 83, on which the rotational shaft 81 is placed, and a portion of the upper surface, on which the second drive monitor 54 is placed, is deviated from the upper side of the placement surface 56c. The pivot unit support slider 83 is provided at a lower side thereof with a guide penetrating portion 83b which the slider guide 57b penetrates, like the nozzle support slider 58.

[0266] The rotational shaft 81 is cylindrical and is disposed such that its axial direction conforms to a normal line direction of the upper surface of the pivot unit support slider 83. A rear end of the nozzle body 20b is secured to a portion of an outer peripheral portion of the rotational shaft 81 as described above. An outer gear portion 82a is formed on a peripheral surface of a lower portion of the rotational shaft 81 to mesh with a drive gear 82 mounted on the rotational shaft of the second drive motor 54. The rotational shaft 81 has a hollow space in an axial center portion. A center axis 83a is inserted into the hollow space to extend vertically from the upper surface of the pivot unit support slider 83. An internal structure of the nozzle body 20b is similar to the internal structure of the nozzle body 20a of Embodiment 1, and will not be described repetitively.

[0267] The nozzle pivot unit 80 and the nozzle body 20b fastened to the nozzle pivot unit 80, which replace the nozzle support slider 58, the pivot gear unit 57a and the nozzle body 20a, in Embodiment 1, are provided at the nozzle support 55. The nozzle pivot unit 80 is different from the nozzle movement unit 57 in Embodiment 1 in that the nozzle body 20b is integrally coupled to the rotational shaft 82 and is pivoted back and forth around the rotational shaft 81 such that it is swingable as indicated by arrow D4. Therefore, a tip end of the nozzle body 20b draws a trajectory of a sector shape.

[0268] The nozzle pivot unit 80 is similar to the nozzle movement mechanism 52 in Embodiment 1 in that the nozzle body 20b moves to an advanced position and a retracted position. A rotational driving force of the second drive motor 54 for pivoting the nozzle body 20b is transmitted to the rotational shaft 82 via the drive gear 82 and the outer gear portion 81a. Therefore, instead of causing the nozzle body 20a to rotate itself in Embodiment 1 to pivot the tip end portion, the nozzle body 20b is pivoted such that it is swung to a predetermined angle.

[0269] In accordance with the above configuration, the air jet can be ejected from the air ejecting port 21 to the surface to be dried in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface to be dried. This can improve an action for removing the water droplets adhering onto the surface to be dried from the surface to be dried. In addition, this can further suppress an action for moving the water droplets to outside the surface to be dried, which occurs when the air contacts the surface to be dried. Therefore, the step of collecting the water droplets in the first air ejecting step to the fourth air ejecting step in Embodiment 1 can be carried out more efficiently.

[0270] Furthermore, since the nozzle body 20b is moved such that it is swung without rotating the nozzle body 20a itself like Embodiment 1, a distance over which the air jet is ejected to the surface to be dried is not large even when the tip end portion of the nozzle body 20b is pivoted to move the air jet to the right or to the left. Therefore, the air jet with a high flow velocity can be applied to the surface to be dried, thereby further improving an ability for removing the water droplets.

(Embodiment 5)

[0271] A sanitary washing device according to this embodiment has a configuration fundamentally similar to that of the sanitary washing device 101 described in Embodiment 1, but is different from the same in that the sanitary washing device of this embodiment includes a calendar information generator unit 77 shown in Fig. 24 instead of the room temperature detector unit 72. This configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 24. Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing a first exemplary configuration of the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 and a schematic control system in the sanitary washing device according to this embodiment.

[0272] As shown in Fig. 24, the control system is fundamentally identical to the control system (see Fig. 5) for the warm air drying unit 40 and the air ejecting unit 50 in the sanitary washing device 101 according to Embodiment 1, but is different from the same in that it includes the calendar information generator unit 77 which generates calendar information and outputs the calendar information to the control unit 60A. As the calendar information generator unit 77, for example, a known calendar timer is used. A plurality of assumed values of ambient temperature in the toilet room which are set to correspond to the calendar information, are stored in the memory 62 (see Fig. 7) which is not shown in Fig. 24. The blowing air temperature corrector unit 63 is configured to select any one of the plurality of assumed values from the calendar information obtained from the calendar information generator unit 77 and perform the target temperature correcting process based on a deviation between the assumed value and the warming temperature value.

[0273] In accordance with the configuration, for example, a change in the temperature in the toilet room may be assumed for each season and stored in the memory 62 as a table. This makes it possible to obtain the assumed value of a suitable temperature based on the calendar information and carry out the target temperature correcting process without a need to detect the temperature. With the configuration further including the room temperature detector unit 72, the control unit 60A causes the memory 62 to store a temperature history in the toilet room for one year, and the target temperature correcting process can be carried by obtaining the temperature history from the memory 62 based on the calendar information.

(Embodiment 6)

[0274] A sanitary washing device according to this embodiment has a configuration fundamentally similar to that of the sanitary washing device 101 described in Embodiment 1, but is different from the same in that the air blowing duct 43 in the warm air drying unit 40 is configured to blow the warm air toward a space between a spot to which the air ejecting unit 50 ejects the air and the surface to be dried. A different configuration of the warm air drying unit 40 and its operation or the like will be described with reference to Figs. 25 to 28.

[0275] Fig. 25 is a schematic view showing a state where the warm air drying unit 40 included in the sanitary washing device of this embodiment is blowing the warm air at the same time that the air ejecting unit 50 is ejecting the air to the surface to be dried.
Fig. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an exemplary air blowing direction restricting plate provided at the air blowing duct 43 in the warm air drying unit 40 shown in Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is a schematic view showing an exemplary blowing air diffusing plate provided at the air blowing duct 43 in the warm air drying unit 40 shown in Fig. 25.
Fig. 28 is a timing chart showing exemplary control for a washing operation and a drying operation in the sanitary washing device according to this embodiment.

[0276] As shown in Fig. 25, the warm air drying unit 40 included in the sanitary washing device of this embodiment has a configuration fundamentally similar to that of the warm air drying unit 40 described in Embodiment 1, but the air blowing duct 43 of the warm air drying unit 40 is configured to blow the warm air to a space between a surface formed by the air ejecting port 21 of the air ejecting unit 50 and the surface to be dried.

[0277] To be specific, as shown in Fig. 25, the nozzle movement mechanism 52 (not shown) causes the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 to move to correspond to an area of the surface F to be dried of the user's private portion and its surrounding portion. Therefore, the air ejecting port 21 formed at the tip end portion moves to correspond to the surface F to be dried as indicated by solid line and dotted line in Fig. 25 to eject the air over the entire of the surface F to be dried as indicated by dotted arrows A1 in Fig. 26 (see Fig. 5 and others). A range over which the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 is movable is referred to as a tip end portion movement plane Mn which is an imaginary plane.

[0278] As shown in Fig. 25, the tip end portion (i.e., warm air blowing port 42) of the air blowing duct 43 is disposed to blow the warm air toward a space Sa formed between the surface F to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane Mn as indicated by arrow A2-0.

[0279] By blowing the warm air in this way, the surrounding air is attracted when the air ejecting port 21 is ejecting the air. Most of the attracted air becomes the warm air blown from the warm air blowing port 42. For this reason, the air and the attracted warm air are mixed to generate a warm air jet which is blown to the surface to be dried. This can avoid a situation where the user feels cold by the elected air and make the user feel the ejected air warm depending on temperature setting.

[0280] In this embodiment, an air blowing direction restricting plate is preferably provided at the warm air blowing port 42 of the air blowing duct 43 to restrict an air blowing direction of the warm air. As shown in Fig. 26, the air blowing direction restricting plate includes an air blowing port shutter 43a provided at an upper side of the warm air blowing port 42 and a lower air direction guide 43b provided at a lower side of the warm air blowing port 42.

[0281] The air blowing port shutter 43a is rotatably attached to the air blowing duct 43 via a shutter hinge 43c positioned at an upper edge of the warm air blowing port 42. In a state where the warm air is not blown, the air blowing port shutter 43a is in a closed position by its own weight to close the warm air blowing port 42. In a state where the warm air is blown, the air blowing port shutter 43a is opened upward by an air pressure of the warm air. In a state where the air blowing port shutter 43a is in the closed position, the warm air blowing port 42 is closed to prevent water from entering the interior of the air blowing duct 43.

[0282] The lower air direction guide 43b is rotatably attached to the air blowing duct 43 via a guide hinge 43d positioned at a lower edge of the warm air blowing port 42. The lower air direction guide 43b has an elongate plate shape extending outside the warm air blowing port 42 over the entire width of the warm air blowing port 42 such that the lower air direction guide 43b is in contact with a bottom portion of the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20a. A longitudinal edge of the lower air direction guide 43b is attached to a lower edge of the warm air blowing port 42. The lower air direction guide 43b is rotatable via the guide hinge 43d in a state where the lower air direction guide 43b is biased upward by a guide biasing spring 43e. One end of the guide biasing spring 43e is fastened to an edge (front edge) of the lower air direction guide 43b in a location outside the air blowing duct 43, and its opposite end portion is fastened to a side wall surface in the interior of the air blowing duct 43.

[0283] As shown in Fig. 26, when a position in which the common nozzle unit 20 is accommodated in the main body section 110 is expressed as a position Pa, the lower air direction guide 43b is retained in a position indicated by a dotted-line in Fig. 26, i.e., in an upright position on the lower surface of the air blowing duct 43, by a biasing force applied by the guide biasing spring 43e. As the common nozzle unit 20 is moving gradually forward to eject the air and its tip end surface reaches the position Pb, the end portion of the lower air direction guide 43b is brought into contact with the bottom portion of the tip end of the common nozzle unit 20, and thereby the lower air direction guide 43b is tilted in a direction from inside to outside (forward) of the air blowing duct 43 (dotted line in Fig. 26).

[0284] Thereafter, when the common nozzle unit 20 moves forward sufficiently to a position Pc in which the air is ejected, the lower air direction guide 43b is retained in a down position along the lower surface of the air blowing duct 43. Therefore, in this state, the air blowing direction of the warm air is substantially horizontal as indicated by solid line arrow A2 - 1 in Fig. 26. This air blowing direction corresponds to a direction toward the space Sa between the surface F to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane Mn shown in Fig. 25. In this state, the air blowing port shutter 43a serves to restrict upward movement of the warm air with a blowing air temperature higher than the room temperature. As a result, directionality of the warm air moving toward the space Sa is further improved.

[0285] Thereafter, when the common nozzle unit 20 finishes ejecting of the air, it recedes. If blowing of the warm air continues, the common nozzle unit 20 stops in the position Pb which is slightly forward relative to the accommodated position, as shown in Fig. 26. In this state, as described above, the lower air direction guide 43b is retained such that it is slightly tilted in a direction from inside toward outside of the air blowing. Therefore, the blowing direction of the warm air is obliquely upward as indicated by solid-line arrow A2-2 in Fig. 26. The blowing direction of the warm air is a direction directly toward the surface F to be dried. In this state, also, the air blowing port shutter 43a serves to restrict upward movement of the warm air in the same manner as described above. As a result, directionality of the warm air moving toward the the surface F is further improved.

[0286] Thereafter, when the blowing of the warm air finishes, the common nozzle unit 20 returns to the position Pa, and the lower air direction guide 43b is retained in the upright position. In this state, since the blowing of the warm air is stopped, the air blowing port shutter 43a is in the closed position although not shown in Fig. 26.

[0287] Thus, in this embodiment, the warm air drying unit 40 is provided with the air blowing direction restricting plate to restrict the air blowing direction of the warm air. During a period when the air is ejected from the common nozzle unit 20, the air blowing direction restricting plate restricts the blowing direction of the warm air such that the warm air is blown toward the space Sa, while during a period when ejecting of the air from the common nozzle unit 20 is stopped, the air blowing direction restricting plate restricts the blowing direction of the warm air such that the warm air is blown toward the surface F to be dried. Since this makes it possible to surely blow the warm air to a proper position, drying is performed more effectively and coldness is lessened more effectively.

[0288] In particular, since the lower air direction guide 43b is pushed open by the common nozzle unit 20 and its angle is restricted, the air ejecting operation and the restricting of the blowing direction of the warm air are suitably performed in association with each other. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for tilting and moving the lower air direction guide 43b, which results in a simplified construction.

[0289] By slightly changing the position Pb, a blowing angle of the warm air also changes. Therefore, by changing the position Pb by fine-adjusting the advanced position of the common nozzle unit 20 by the operation of the remote control unit 120, the blowing angle of the warm air can be changed as desired. If the forward movement of the common nozzle unit 20 is changed periodically so that the position Pb changes periodically under control of the control unit 60A, the blowing angle of the warm air can be changed periodically. In such a configuration, the warm air is blown according to the user's preference or drying is performed more effectively.

[0290] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the warm air blowing port 42 of the air blowing duct 43 is preferably provided with a blowing air diffusing plate for diffusing the warm air. The blowing air diffusing plate includes a plurality of blowing air guide vanes 43f provided within the air blowing duct 43, as shown in Fig. 27.

[0291] As shown in Fig. 27, the warm air drying unit 40 is positioned at a side portion (left side in Fig. 27) of the common nozzle unit 20 in the advanced position. The air blowing duct 43 is tilted slightly toward the common nozzle unit 20 when it is seen from the air fan 41 (not shown in Fig. 27) which is a main body of the warm air drying unit 40. This is because the warm air blowing port 42 is preferably made closer to the surface F to be dried to blow the warm air toward the surface F to be dried, since the common nozzle unit 20 ejects the washing water and ejects the air within the surface F to be dried.

[0292] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 27, the plurality of blowing air guide vanes 43f (three in Fig. 27) are provided within the air blowing duct 43. The blowing air guide vanes 43f are disposed such that their front ends are in the vicinity of the warm air blowing port 42 and the blowing air guide vanes 43f extend vertically and in a longitudinal direction of the air blowing duct 43. The blowing air guide vanes 43f are disposed to be tiled to direct the warm air toward the surface F to be dried. The blowing air guide vanes 43f are tilted at different angles with respect to the direction in which the air blowing duct 43 extends. As shown in Fig. 27, the blowing air guide vane 43f closest to the common nozzle unit 20 is tilted at a largest angle, while the blowing air guide vane 43f which is more distant from the common nozzle unit 20 is tiled at a smaller angle.

[0293] In accordance with the above configuration, as shown in Fig. 27, the tilting angles of the blowing air guide vanes 43f are set to diffuse the warm air to entire of the surface F to be dried. Therefore, the warm air from the warm air drying unit 40 can be blown while being diffused in the entire space Sa formed between the surface F to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane Mn, as indicated by arrows A2-3 in Fig. 27. Therefore, the coldness to the user can be lessened more effectively.

[0294] Alternatively, the blowing air guide vanes 43f may be provided to change their tilting angles inside the air blowing duct 43. Although in this embodiment, the direction of the warm air is changed using the plurality of blowing air guide vanes 43f, it may be changed using a single blowing air guide vane 43f.

[0295] Next, specific control of a washing operation and a drying operation of the sanitary washing device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in Fig. 28. The sanitary washing device of this embodiment is fundamentally identical in configuration to the sanitary washing device of Embodiment 1, and therefore the control for the washing operation and the drying operation is fundamentally identical to the control in Embodiment 1.

[0296] At lapse time T7 shown in Fig. 28, as indicated by "IV. FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 28, the control unit 60A operates the first drive motor 53 to move the common nozzle unit 20 to a most advanced position. At this time, since the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 reaches the position Pc shown in Fig. 26, the lower air direction guide 43b is pushed down from a substantially upright position and is restricted to a substantially horizontal and down position. Therefore, the warm air is blown out from the warm air blowing port 42 toward the space Sa formed between the surface F to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane Mn.

[0297] At lapse time T16, as indicated by "IV FORWARD AND BACKWARD NOZZLE POSITION" and "V RIGHTWARD AND LEFTWARD NOZZLE POSITION" in Fig. 28, the control unit 60A moves the common nozzle unit 20 to the accommodated position in the forward and backward direction and returns the common nozzle unit 20 to a center angle in the rightward and leftward direction. In this case, since the tip end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 recedes to the position Pb shown in Fig. 26, the lower air direction guide 43b rises a little from the substantially horizontal and down position and is restricted to a slightly tilted position in a direction from inside to outside of the air blowing duct 43. Therefore, the warm air is blown from the warm air blowing port directly toward the surface F to be dried.

[0298] Then, at lapse time T17, the user operates the stop switch 211 in the remote control unit 120. Receiving a stop command, the control unit 60A stops the operation of the warm air heater 44 as indicated by "VIII. HEATER" in Fig. 28 and stops the air fan 41 at lapse time T18 as indicated by "VII. AIR FAN" in Fig. 28. In this case, since the end portion of the common nozzle unit 20 further recedes to the position Pc shown in Fig. 26 and the common nozzle unit 20 is entirely accommodated into the main body section 110, the lower air direction guide 43b returns from the tilted position outside the air blowing duct 43 to the substantially upright position. Since the blowing of the warm air stops, the air blowing port shutter 43a is closed by its own weight and closes the warm air blowing port 42.

[0299] As should be appreciated from the above, in this embodiment, to suppress a cooling action of the ejected air with respect to the surface to be dried and to prevent the surface to be dried from being excessively heated, the warm air can be blown toward a space formed between the spot to which the air is ejected and the surface to be dried. To blow the warm air suitably, the air blowing direction restricting plate and the blowing air diffusing plate are provided. Since the region ranging from the air ejecting port from which the air is ejected to the surface to be dried is filled with the warm air, the air attracts the surrounding warm air and a mixture of the air and the warm air is ejected. At a time point when the air reaches the surface to be dried, a temperature of the jet can be increased adequately. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user feels the ejected air cold, and make the user feel the ejected air warm depending on a set temperature.

[0300] Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and/or function may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0301] A sanitary washing device of the present invention is very useful in a field of a sanitary washing device including a drying mechanism for ejecting air to a private portion or the like to remove water droplets and blowing warm air to dry the private portion or the like, after washing the private portion or the like.

Claims

1. A sanitary washing device comprising:

a toilet seat unit;

a washing water ejecting unit for ejecting washing water to a private portion of a user seated on the toilet seat unit;

an air ejecting unit for ejecting air to the private portion of the user and its surrounding portion, after the washing water ejecting unit ejects the washing water;

a warm air drying unit for generating warm air and blowing the warm air toward the private portion of the user;

a blowing air temperature corrector for correcting a blowing air temperature of the warm air; and

a controller for controlling the warm air drying unit to cause the warm air drying unit to generate the warm air such that the warm air has a temperature closer to a warming temperature value which is a preset target temperature of the blowing air temperature, cause the warm air drying unit to start blowing of the warm air toward the private portion of the user at the same time that the air ejecting unit starts ejecting of the air or before the air ejecting unit starts ejecting of the air, and then cause the warm air drying unit to change the blowing air temperature to a standard value set as a temperature value lower than the warming temperature value;

wherein when a start-up stage is defined as a period from start of blowing of the warm air until a first predetermined time lapses, the blowing air temperature corrector corrects a target temperature of the blowing air temperature at the start-up stage into an adjusted start-up value set as a temperature value higher than the warming temperature value; and

wherein when a warming stage is defined as a period from when the start-up stage ends until a second predetermined time lapses, the controller controls the warm air drying unit under a state in which the target temperature of the blowing air temperature is changed from the warming temperature value to the adjusted start-up value at the start-up stage, and the target temperature of the blowing air temperature is the warming temperature value at the warming stage.

2. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 1,
wherein the controller controls the warm air drying unit such that the blowing air temperature decreases from the warming temperature value to the standard value through an intermediate value which is set as a temperature value lower than the warming temperature value and higher than the standard value after the warming stage ends.

3. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 2, wherein
wherein when a transient stage is defined as a period from when the warming stage ends until a third predetermined time lapses, the controller controls the warm air drying unit such that the blowing air temperature is decreased stepwisely while maintaining the blowing air temperature at the intermediate value, at the transient stage.

4. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a memory;

wherein the memory contains a plurality of correction coefficients used to correct the warming temperature value; and

wherein the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to correct the warming temperature value using the correction coefficient obtained from the memory.

5. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 4,
wherein the memory contains, as the correction coefficients, a start-up correction coefficient used to correct the warming temperature value at the start-up stage and a warming correction coefficient used to correct the warming temperature value at the warming stage;
wherein the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to correct the warming temperature value into the adjusted start-up value using the start-up correction coefficient, to obtain the target temperature of the warming air temperature at the start-up stage, and to correct the warming temperature value into an adjusted warming temperature value which is a temperature value higher than the warming temperature value and lower than the adjusted start-up value using the warming correction coefficient, to obtain the target temperature of the warming air temperature at the warming stage; and
wherein the controller is configured to control the warm air drying unit under a state in which the target temperature of the blowing air temperature at the warming stage is changed into the adjusted warming temperature value.

6. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5,
wherein the warm air drying unit includes an air blower and a warm air heater for heating air flow from the air blower to generate the warm air; and
wherein the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to adjust a heating output of the warm air heater to indirectly correct the blowing air temperature of the warm air.

7. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 6,
wherein the controller is configured to operate the warm air heater before the air blower operates, at start of an operation of the warm air drying unit.

8. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 6 or 7,
wherein the controller controls the warm air drying unit to cause the air blower to increase an air blowing amount after the start-up stage starts.

9. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, further comprising:

a residual heat determiner configured to determine whether or not residual heat is left in the warm air heater in a state where a hearing operation of the warm air heater is in a stopped state;

wherein the memory further contains a residual heat correction coefficient used to correct the warming temperature value when the residual heat determiner determines that the residual heat is left in the warm air heater at a time point when the warming temperature value is corrected; and

wherein the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to correct the warming temperature value using the residual heat correction coefficient when the residual heat retaining state determiner determines that the residual heat is left in the warm air heater.

10. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 9,
wherein the residual heat determiner is configured to determine that the residual heat is left in the warm air heater if a time that lapses after the heating operation of the warm air heater stops is within a preset upper limit time or if a temperature of the warm air heater is not lower than a preset lower limit value in a state where the heating operation of the warm air heater is in a stopped state.

11. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, further comprising:

an ambient temperature detector for detecting a temperature in a space surrounding the sanitary washing device as an ambient temperature;

wherein the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to calculate a heat amount value for implementing the warming temperature value of the warm air from a deviation between a detected value of the ambient temperature and the warming temperature value and multiply the heat amount value by the correction coefficient to indirectly correct the warming temperature value.

12. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, further comprising:

a calendar information generator for generating calendar information;

wherein the memory contains a plurality of assumed values of the temperature of the space surrounding the sanitary washing device which are set to correspond to the calendar information; and

wherein the blowing air temperature corrector is configured to select one of the plurality of assumed values based on the calendar information obtained from the calendar information generator, calculate a heat amount value for implementing the warming temperature value of the warm air from a deviation between the selected assumed value and the warming temperature value, and multiply the heat amount value by the correction coefficient to indirectly correct the warming temperature value.

13. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 6 to 12, further comprising at least one of:

a blowing air temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the warm air blown from the warm air drying unit; and a temperature detector of a surface to be dried for detecting a surface temperature of the private portion of the user and its surrounding portion;

wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of a heating output of the warm air heater and an air blowing amount of the air blower in the warm air drying unit, based on at least one of detected values of the temperature detected by the blowing air temperature detector and the temperature detected by the temperature detector of the surface to be dried.

14. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 13,
wherein the warming temperature value is set within a range which is not lower than 40 degrees C and not higher than 75 degrees C.

15. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14,
wherein the controller is configured to set the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time such that each of the start-up stage and the warming stage is within 10 seconds and the start-up stage is shorter than the warming stage.

16. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 3 to 15,
wherein the controller is configured to set the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, and the third predetermined time such that a time from when blowing of the air starts until the transient stage ends is within 40 seconds and a total time of the start-up stage and the warming stage is within 20 seconds.

17. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16,
wherein the air ejecting unit includes a drying nozzle for ejecting the air from an air ejecting port provided at a tip end portion thereof; and a drying nozzle movement mechanism for moving the tip end portion of the drying nozzle;
wherein when a surface to be dried is defined as the private portion and its surrounding portion of the user seated on the toilet seat unit, the drying nozzle movement mechanism is configured to move the tip end portion of the drying nozzle to correspond to an area of the surface to be dried; and
wherein the warm air drying unit is configured to, when a tip end portion movement plane which is an imaginary plane is assumed in a range in which the tip end portion of the drying nozzle is movable, blow the warm air toward a space formed between the surface to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane.

18. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 17,
wherein the warm air drying unit includes a blowing air diffusing plate at a warm air blowing port to diffuse the warm air blown from the warm air blowing port; and
wherein the blowing air diffusing plate is configured to diffuse the warm air to an entire of a space formed between the surface to be dried and the tip end portion movement plane.

19. The sanitary washing device according to Claim 17 or 18,
wherein the warm air drying unit includes an air blowing direction restricting plate for restricting an air blowing direction of the warm air; and
the air blowing direction restricting plate restricts the air blowing direction such that the warm air is blown toward the space during a period when the drying nozzle is ejecting the air, and the warm air is blown toward the surface to be dried during a period when ejecting of the air from the drying nozzle is stopped.

20. The sanitary washing device according to any one of Claims 17 to 19,
wherein the washing water ejecting unit includes a washing nozzle for ejecting the washing water from a washing water ejecting port formed at a tip end portion thereof and a washing nozzle movement mechanism for moving the tip end portion of the washing nozzle; and
the drying nozzle and the washing nozzle are integral to form a single nozzle and a single nozzle movement mechanism serves as the drying nozzle movement mechanism and the washing nozzle movement mechanism.

Drawing