JP2021193668A - Automatic door system for toilet - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toilet door open/close switch and automatic door system for toilet with excellent operability and convenience by further enhancing an operation assist function for visually impaired people who have been delayed in responding among toilet users.SOLUTION: In an automatic door system for a toilet with a toilet door open/close switch, the toilet door open/close switch includes a status display and two pushbuttons for opening and closing, and tactile symbols with different shapes for opening and closing are formed convexly from the peripheral surface on each of pressing portions of the two pushbuttons.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic door system for toilets, specifically, an automatic door system installed in a facility where many people gather, such as an airport or a station yard, and constructed in a toilet called a "multifunctional toilet" or the like.

In the conventional automatic door system for toilets, a door is constructed at the entrance and exit of the toilet, and a door open / close switch 1 for the outside of the toilet and a door open / close switch 2 for the inside of the toilet are arranged on the outside and inside of the toilet, for example, as shown in FIG. There is. The door open / close switch 1 for the outside of the toilet and the door open / close switch 2 for the inside of the toilet have substantially the same appearance. A large opening push button portion 3 and a closing push button portion 4 that are easy to use even by a free person are arranged. Further, a light emitting unit 6 is arranged in each push button unit, and by continuously or intermittently emitting light only to the push button unit that can be operated according to the situation, the toilet user is urged to operate an appropriate switch. It improves convenience.
In addition, some automatic door systems for toilets are equipped with a voice guidance device, for example, a guidance message such as "press the open button to open the door" prompts the operator to operate the appropriate switch. Further improving convenience. In facilities used by multinational people, voice guidance devices that provide voice guidance in multiple languages are also installed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-60799 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-84616

The conventional toilet door open / close switches 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 11 are provided with Braille portions 7 for visually impaired persons to identify the opening push button portion 3 and the closing push button portion 4. However, the percentage of visually impaired people who are literate in Braille is not always high, and since Braille differs from language to language, Braille in a specific language, such as Japanese, was placed in facilities used by multinational people. It is hard to say that it is enough.
Voice guidance is also one of the effective means to improve convenience for the visually impaired, but the conventional guidance message such as "press the open button opens the door" cannot visually recognize the open button. The effect of improving the convenience of the person was limited.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, the present invention provides an automatic door system for toilets, which has enhanced the operation assist function for visually impaired persons who have been delayed in responding to the toilet users, and is further excellent in operability and convenience. The purpose is to do.

The automatic door system for toilets of the present invention has the following configurations in order to solve the above problems.
Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
When the user operates the opening push button portion when the toilet is vacant and the door is opened under the control of the driving controller, the voice guidance device notifies the position of the door and enters the toilet. It is characterized by uttering a guidance message prompting the user.

Further, the automatic door system for a toilet of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.
Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
When the room is used in the toilet, the voice guidance device repeatedly utters a guidance message informing that the toilet is in use at predetermined time intervals.

Further, the automatic door system for a toilet of the present invention has at least the following configurations in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.
Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
It is further equipped with a proximity sensor that detects an approacher to the outdoor door open / close switch for the toilet.
When the proximity sensor detects the approaching person when the room is in the toilet, the voice guidance device emits a guidance message notifying that the toilet is in use.

Further, the automatic door system for a toilet of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.
Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
When the toilet is vacant, the voice guidance device notifies the user of the position of the opening push button portion of the outdoor door opening / closing switch and emits a guidance message urging the operation. ..

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic door system for toilets that enhances convenience for the visually impaired and realizes a further universal design. Specifically, the door open / close switch for toilet of the present invention can be easily understood by a visually impaired person by tactile sense, and the position of each push button portion can be easily understood, and the door open / close switch for toilet of the present invention is provided. The automatic door system is further provided with voice operation guidance suitable for the visually impaired.

It is a schematic plan view of the toilet provided with the automatic door system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the automatic door system for a toilet which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view and sectional drawing which shows the main part of the toilet door open / close switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view and the sectional view around the tactile symbol of the toilet door open / close switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the display state of each state display part of the door open / close switch for outdoor use and outdoor use which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In the automatic door system for toilets according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a flowchart illustrating the operation assist and the utterance mode of the guidance message until the user opens the door when entering the toilet. In the automatic door system for toilets according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a flowchart illustrating the operation assist and the utterance mode of the guidance message until the user opens the door of the toilet to enter the room and closes the door in the toilet. In the automatic door system for toilets according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a flowchart illustrating the operation assist and the utterance mode of the guidance message until the user opens the door in the toilet, leaves the room, and closes the door. It is a front view and the sectional view which shows the main part of the toilet door open / close switch which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view and the side view which show the main part of the toilet door open / close switch which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view and the side view of the conventional toilet door open / close switch.

An outline of the embodiment of the automatic door system for a toilet of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
(Example 1)
In the toilet 21, a sliding door type door 22 is arranged to be openable and closable at the frontage 21a, and a motor, a door position detection unit such as an encoder, a power transmission mechanism such as a timing belt, etc. 23, and a drive controller 24 for driving the drive operation of the drive device 23 by an appropriate output signal are arranged. An electric lock 25 is connected to the drive controller 24 via the electric lock controller 26 so as to lock or unlock in a timely manner in response to the opening / closing operation of the door 22.
In addition, a toilet bowl 21b and a wash basin 21c are installed in the toilet 21, and an emergency call switch 34 is provided in the vicinity of the toilet bowl 21b. In addition, although not shown, an interior light, a ventilation fan, etc. are appropriately equipped. Is.

Further, a toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 is arranged on the outdoor side of the toilet 21, and a toilet indoor door open / close switch 2 is arranged on the indoor side. The toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2 have substantially the same appearance and are collectively referred to as a toilet door open / close switch. The display unit 5 is provided.

The toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2 are connected to the drive controller 24 via an operation guide controller 27 that controls their operation, and are linked to the door open / close operation. .. That is, when the door 22 transmits an open signal or a close signal by the pressing operation of the door open / close switch 1 for the outside of the toilet, the push button portion 3 for opening the door open / close switch 2 for the inside of the toilet, and the close push button portion 4. The drive controller 24 controls the drive device 23 so that the door 22 opens and closes.

Further, the opening push button portion 3 and the closing push button portion 4 may be general push buttons, but light emitting portions are formed in each of them, and the light emitting portions are continuously or intermittently controlled by the operation guide controller 27. It has an operation assist function that suggests to the user the push button part to be operated next.
The toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2 may have their pushbuttons arranged horizontally as shown in FIG. 1, but it is preferable to arrange them vertically as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the voice guidance device 28 appropriately selects a predetermined message from the speaker 29, a storage unit (ROM) 30 that records a desired guidance message in advance and registers it as a file, and the storage unit 30. It is composed of a voice controller 31 that outputs the sound to the speaker 29. The voice controller 31 is connected to an operation guide controller 27 that controls light emission of the opening push button unit 3 and the closing push button unit 4, and each push button of the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2. A guidance message is uttered from the speaker 29 to the user in cooperation with the operation of the unit.

Further, outside the toilet 21, an outdoor proximity sensor 32 that detects a user in a non-contact manner is arranged inside or around the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1, and the proximity sensor 32 is used as an operation guide controller 27. It connects to the voice controller 31 via. As a result, when the user who approaches the door open / close switch 1 for outdoor use of the toilet is detected by the proximity sensor 32, the voice controller 31 utters a predetermined voice message from the speaker 29.
The proximity sensor 32 may be a capacitance type sensor or the like, but an optical sensor for activation, which is used for an ordinary automatic door and can subdivide the detection area and detect the position of a passerby, may be used. As a result, it is possible to distinguish between when a passerby approaches the door 22 and when the passerby approaches the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1, so that a more optimal voice message can be uttered.
Further, in the room of the toilet 21, an indoor proximity sensor 33 that detects the user in a non-contact manner may be arranged inside or around the door open / close switch 2 for the toilet room. As a result, the user in the toilet can also utter a voice message at a more optimal timing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the speaker may be provided with one speaker 29a and one 29b inside or near the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2, but the upper part of the frontage 21a of the toilet 21. One speaker 29 may be attached to the inside of the toilet so that the guidance message can be heard inside and outside the toilet bowl 1.
Further, in the storage unit 30, guidance messages according to the open / closed state of the door 22, the operation status of the push button units of the toilet door open / close switches 1 and 2, the guidance purpose, etc. are pre-recorded in multiple languages for each type voice and registered as a file. It is a thing.

The guidance message is registered in the storage unit 30 in a plurality of languages according to the situation, and the voice controller 31 cooperates with the operation guidance controller 27 to display the open / closed state of the door 22, the push button units of the toilet door open / close switches 1 and 2, and the emergency call switch 33. A guidance message corresponding to the operation status, the detection status of the proximity sensors 32 and 33, etc. is selected from the storage unit 30, and the selected guidance message is uttered from the speaker 29.

Next, the structure of the push button portion of the toilet door open / close switch 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 by taking the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 as an example. The toilet door open / close switch 2 has the same structure, and when both are collectively referred to, they are referred to as a toilet door open / close switch.
In FIG. 3A, an opening push button section 3 and a closing push button section 4 are arranged with the status display section 5 in between. Further, the thin frame portion 11 is arranged so as to surround the entire circumference of the door open / close switch for the toilet room, and the double push button portions 3 and 4 that move up and down along the frame portion 11 are arranged so as to protrude from the frame portion 11. Therefore, the double push button portions 3 and 4 are pressing portions that can be operated on almost the entire surface, and have a structure that can be easily operated even by a physically handicapped person.

An opening tactile symbol 8 is located near the center of the pressing portion of the opening push button portion 3, and a closing tactile symbol 9 is located near the center of the pressing portion of the closing push button portion 4. It is formed so as to protrude from the peripheral surface of the. The tactile symbol makes it possible for a visually impaired person who cannot read Braille to identify whether the touched push button portion is for opening or closing by touching it with a fingertip. In FIG. 3A, two isosceles triangles that imitate the shape of the arrowhead at the end of the arrow are combined and opposed in different directions to form different tactile symbols for opening and closing. There is. This tactile symbol has a small number of strokes and a simple shape, so it is easy to identify, and even a person who touches it for the first time can easily understand it intuitively. However, the shape of the tactile symbol for distinguishing between opening and closing is not limited to this, and for example, two entire arrows with a shaft may be combined, or two used for opening and closing an elevator door. A tactile symbol that combines an isosceles triangle or the like may be used, but the shape is more complicated than in the above example, and it is difficult to recognize it unless you are accustomed to it.

In addition to the two tactile symbols 8 and 9, the braille portion 7 is formed so as to project from the peripheral surface in the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4. In order to avoid confusion for the visually impaired, the Braille portion 7 should be located away from both tactile symbols 8 and 9. At least the Braille portion should be placed outside the rectangle circumscribing the tactile symbol, and even better, at a position 10 mm or more away from the rectangle circumscribing the tactile symbol. This makes it possible to prevent confusion including misrecognition of the visually impaired.
In the present invention, both the tactile symbols 8 and 9 and the braille portion 7 are arranged in the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, so that the user can touch the tactile symbols or the braille portion and press the push button. When the unit recognizes the push button unit to be operated, the tactile symbol or the Braille portion can be pressed as it is, which is easy for the visually impaired. Conventionally, there has been no example in which both the tactile symbol and the Braille portion are arranged on the pressing portion. For example, when the Braille portion is arranged outside the pressing portion of the push button portion, the user uses the Braille portion. After recognizing that the push button part is the push button part to be operated, it is necessary to search for the push button part again, which is not convenient for the visually impaired.

The base surfaces 3B and 4B of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 may be flat or curved. The base surfaces 3B and 4B of the pressing portion are surfaces on which the Braille portion 7 and the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are projected. FIG. 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA when the base surface 3B of the pressing portion of the opening push button portion 3 is a flat surface, and FIG. 3 (c) shows a gently convex base surface 3B of the pressing portion. It is an AA cross-sectional view which shows the example of the case where the operability and the design are improved as a curved surface. In both cases, the tactile symbol 8 is formed so as to project from the base surface 3B of the pressing portion, which is the peripheral surface. Further, the display surface of the status display unit 5 is flat so as to match the base surface of the push button portions 3 and 4 in the example of FIG. 3 (b), and the double push button portion 3 in the example of FIG. 3 (c). A curved surface having a convex shape may be formed according to the base surface of the pressing portion of 4. This improves the design. Further, the base surface of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the status display unit 5 may form substantially one surface as a whole. This further improves the design.

Further, a relatively large guide portion 10 protruding from the peripheral surface in a circumferential shape is formed in the pressing portion of the opening push button portion 3 and the closing push button portion 4. The guide portion 10 has a diameter of at least half of the smaller vertical and horizontal widths of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, and the double tactile symbols 8 and 9 surround the both tactile symbols 8 and 9. It is formed around.
When the base surface of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the status display unit 5 form the surface of 1 as a whole, the design is improved when viewed by a healthy person. Since there is no step between the pressing part of the double push button parts 3 and 4 and the display surface of the status display unit 5, it is possible for the visually impaired to know where the double push button parts 3 and 4 are located in the toilet door switch. It was not easy to judge by touch. On the other hand, by disposing the convex guide portion 10 on the pressing portion, the guide portion 10 on the pressing portion of the double push button portions 3 and 4 protrudes higher with respect to the display surface of the status display portion 5. Therefore, even a visually impaired person can recognize the guide portion 10 as a protruding portion by tactile sensation, and further, if the protruding guide portion 10 or the portion surrounded by the guide portion 10 has the double push button portions 3 and 4. It will be relatively easy to recognize. Since the guide portion 10 is located on the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, it goes without saying that the push button portions 3 and 4 can be operated by pressing the guide portion 10 and the inside thereof.

Further, by providing the guide portion 10, there is an effect that the visually impaired person is reminded of the existence of the tactile symbols 8 and 9, and the position of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 is recognized. That is, when the guide portion 10 protruding on the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 is tactilely recognized, there is a high possibility that the tactile symbols 8 and 9 formed protruding inside the guide portion 10 are also touched. Because.
In FIG. 3, the guide portion 10 is projected in a circumferential shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressing portion of the push button portion on which the guide portion 10 is formed, such as an ellipse, an oval shape, and a quadrangle with rounded corners, is formed. It may be selected according to the shape of the tactile symbol and the shape of the tactile symbol surrounded by the guide portion 10. However, it is desirable that the guide portion 10 has a continuous shape without a bent portion so that the guide portion 10 itself is not recognized as a tactile symbol.
In addition, a point texture in which convex points lower than the protrusions of the tactile symbol are repeatedly arranged up, down, left, and right on the inner part of the guide portion 10 where the tactile symbols 8 and 9 do not have protrusions, or more than the protrusions of the tactile symbol. A texture 12 such as a line texture in which low convex lines are repeatedly arranged in parallel may be arranged. The size, height, spacing, and line thickness and height of the points constituting the texture 12 may be set so that the fingertip touches the bottom surface when the texture 12 portion is touched by the fingertip. This may make it easier to recognize the presence or shape of the tactile symbol.

Further, when the LED or the like (not shown) arranged on the back surface side of the pressing portion emits light in the opening push button portion 3 and the closing push button portion 4, the light emitted from the LED or the like is transmitted and emitted. A unit 6 is provided. The light emitting unit 6 is arranged so that two isosceles triangles are combined and opposed to each other in different directions so that the opening and closing can be easily visually distinguished when light is emitted. In FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c), a circuit board on which an LED is mounted, a switch that is turned on and off by operating the push button portion, a return spring of the push button portion, and the like are arranged on the back surface of the push button portion 3. However, all are omitted in the figure. Further, FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the configuration of a light emitting unit 6 that transmits light and a non-light emitting unit that does not transmit light, and the configuration is not limited as long as these functions can be realized. For example, the whole may be composed of a translucent resin and only the non-light emitting part may be painted or printed so that light does not pass through. Resin may be attached.

In this way, if the opening push button section 3 and the closing push button section 4 are provided with light emitting sections 6 having different shapes, and only the light emitting section 6 of the push button section that can be operated according to the situation is made to emit light, it is intuitive visually. Since the shape of the light emitting unit 6 that can easily distinguish between opening and closing is displayed with high contrast, even a person with low vision (socially weak-sighted person) can operate it relatively easily.
Further, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 on the double push button portions 3 and 4 are formed so as to project on the light emitting portion 6 so as to be included in the light emitting unit 6, and the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are also formed from the LED or the like. It is a part of the light emitting unit 6 that transmits light and emits light. It is not necessary to emit light as a function of the tactile symbol, but both the tactile symbols 8 and 9 and the light emitting unit 6 are arranged in the central portion of the push button portions 3 and 4, and each of them is arranged according to the difference in shape. Since the button portions are for distinguishing whether they are for opening or closing and need to be at least to a certain extent or more, they may be arranged so as to overlap depending on the situation. The tactile symbols 8 and 9 and the light emitting unit 6 may have the same shape and size, but the shape of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 that are easy to identify by tactile and the two light emitting units 6 that are easy to visually identify. The shapes do not always match, and it is often preferable that the light emitting portion 6 has a larger area. Therefore, it is preferable that all of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are formed so as to be included in the light emitting unit 6, or at least a part of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 is formed so as to be included in the light emitting unit 6.

Next, the size and shape of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 will be described by taking the opening tactile symbol 8 as an example with reference to FIG. 4, but the closing tactile symbol 9 may be considered in the same manner. When the size of the tactile symbol is represented by a circumscribed rectangle as shown in FIG. 4A, the length D of the long side of the rectangle is preferably 10 mm or more and 60 mm or less. Further, it is more preferably 15 mm or more and 60 mm or less. Further, the length C of the short side is preferably 10 mm or more, and further preferably 15 mm or more. If the length D of the long side exceeds 60 mm, it becomes difficult to recognize the entire tactile symbol. There are many. Further, the length of the straight line constituting the tactile symbol is preferably 5 mm or more, and if it is shorter than this, it becomes difficult to recognize it as a line. Further, the guide portion 10 is formed so as to surround the tactile symbol 8, but at a portion closest to the tactile symbol 8, the distance between the upper surface of the guide portion 10 and the upper surface of the tactile symbol 8 is at least 1 mm or more. It is preferable to leave a gap of 2 mm or more.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, wherein the height Ha from the peripheral surface of the tactile symbol 8 is 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. It is good to say. Further, the width Wa of the tactile portion above the tactile symbol 8 is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like, but the cross-sectional shape is not limited to this, and the height from the peripheral surface and the width of the upper part may be within the above ranges. Further, even when the peripheral surface is not a flat surface but a curved surface, the height from the curved surface may be within the above range.
Similarly, the height Hb from the peripheral surface of the guide portion 10 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. Further, the width Wb of the tactile portion on the upper part of the guide portion 10 is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like, but the cross-sectional shape is not limited to this, and the height from the peripheral surface and the width of the upper part may be within the above ranges. Further, even when the peripheral surface is not a flat surface but a curved surface, the height from the curved surface may be within the above range.

Next, the state display unit 5 of the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are views for explaining the display of the door open / close switch 1 for the outside of the toilet room. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the toilet is in use, and a character in use emits light on the state display unit 5, indicating that the toilet is in use. At this time, push button parts for opening and closing are used. Since 3 and 4 cannot be operated, both the light emitting parts 6 on the double push button parts 3 and 4 are in a non-light emitting state. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the toilet can be used in a vacant room, and the character of the vacant room emits light on the status display unit 5 to indicate that the toilet is vacant. At this time, the opening push button unit 3 Since the door can be opened by operating, the light emitting unit 6 on the opening push button unit 3 emits light, while the light emitting unit 6 on the closing push button unit 4 cannot be operated because the closing push button unit 4 cannot be operated. It is in a non-luminous state. As described above, in the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 of the present invention, not only the characters in use of the status display unit 5 are not emitted but also the characters in the vacant room are emitted to display when the toilet is available. Therefore, the user can operate the opening push button portion 3 that emits light with peace of mind to open the door and use the toilet.
On the other hand, with the conventional toilet outdoor door open / close switch, when the same toilet as in FIG. 5 (b) is available, the characters in the status display unit 5 can be turned off by simply making the characters in use non-luminous. Could not be made to emit light. Therefore, the characters in use are either faintly visible or barely visible when they are not lit. A person who is accustomed to using it knows that the toilet is vacant when the light emitting part 6 of the opening push button part 3 is emitting light, but otherwise it may be difficult to judge whether the toilet is vacant, but as in the present invention. By displaying the status display unit 5 clearly as vacant even when it is vacant, instead of displaying it as being used only when it is in use, even a person who uses it for the first time can use it with confidence.

5 (c) and 5 (d) are views for explaining the display of the door open / close switch 2 for the toilet room. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the electric lock 25 of the door 2 is locked, and a character being locked emits light on the status display unit 5, indicating that the door 2 is locked. Since the button unit 3 can be operated to unlock the electric lock 25 and open the door 2, the light emitting unit 6 on the opening push button unit 3 emits light, while the closing push button unit 4 cannot be operated. The light emitting unit 6 on the closing push button unit 4 is in a non-light emitting state. FIG. 5D shows that the toilet is unlocked, and the unlocked characters are lit on the status display unit 5 to indicate that the toilet is unlocked. At this time, since the opening push button unit 3 can be operated to open the door, the light emitting unit 6 on the opening push button unit 3 emits light. On the other hand, the closing push button unit 4 may be operated to lock the door depending on the conditions, and at that time, the light emitting unit 6 on the closing push button unit 4 also emits light. As described above, in the door open / close switch 2 for the toilet room of the present invention, not only the locked characters are not emitted but also the unlocked characters are emitted and displayed on the status display unit 5 when the state display unit 5 is unlocked. The user does not forget to lock the door, and can operate the light-emitting push button unit 4 for closing to lock the door and use the toilet.
On the other hand, in the conventional toilet room door open / close switch 2, in FIG. 5D, only the locked characters of the status display unit 5 are in the non-light emitting state, and the unlocked characters cannot be made to emit light. rice field. Therefore, the characters being locked are either faintly visible in a non-luminous state or almost invisible. A person who is accustomed to using it will know that the toilet is unlocked when the light emitting part 6 of the closing push button part 4 is emitting light, but until then it was difficult to determine whether it was unlocked, but as in the present invention. By clearly displaying that the lock is unlocked even when it is unlocked, instead of displaying it on the status display unit only when it is locked, even first-time users can use it with confidence without forgetting to lock it. ..

Next, the operation of the automatic door system for the toilet and the voice guidance method will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8.
In FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not the toilet 21 is in use (STEP 1), and when the toilet 21 is in use, the user approaches the vicinity of the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the outdoor proximity sensor 32 is turned on. If it is determined whether or not it has been done (STEP2) and the proximity sensor is turned on, for example, voice (1) "The toilet is in use" is used as a guidance message to inform the user that the toilet is in use. Speak (STEP3). In the conventional automatic door system for toilets, for example, when the user operates the push button unit 3 for opening, a guidance message is uttered to inform the user that the toilet is in use, but for example, visual observation. If the person with a disability knows that the toilet is in use before searching for and operating the opening push button portion 3, the burden can be significantly reduced.
In the above example, when the outdoor proximity sensor 32 detects the approach of the user when the toilet is in use, a voice message is uttered, but the toilet is used regardless of the outdoor proximity sensor 32. A voice message indicating that the toilet is in use when it is inside may be repeatedly uttered at predetermined time intervals.
Further, in a place where a passerby other than the toilet user passes near the toilet outdoor door open / close switch, the toilet will open when the detection continues for a predetermined time after the outdoor proximity sensor 23 detects the user. You may also utter a voice message informing you that it is in use. As a result, only those who really want to use the toilet can be notified that the toilet is in use, so that unnecessary vocalization can be suppressed.

Further, it is determined whether or not the toilet 21 is in use (STEP 1), and if the toilet 21 is vacant, whether or not the user approaches the vicinity of the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 and the outdoor proximity sensor 32 is turned on. (STEP 4), and when the proximity sensor 32 is turned on, for example, voice (2) "Press the upper button to open the door." Is uttered as a guidance message prompting the operation of the opening push button unit 3. (STEP 5). In the conventional automatic door system for toilets, a guidance message such as "press the open button to open the door" has been used, but for the visually impaired, for example, the push button portion 3 for opening cannot be visually recognized. Was not always a highly effective guidance message. On the other hand, in the example of the voice (2), since the position and direction of the button to be operated can be notified, the burden on the visually impaired can be reduced.
Further, as a guidance message, for example, a voice with a larger amount of information (2) "The door opens when the upper glowing button is pressed" may be uttered. In this example, in addition to the position and direction of the button to be operated, it is possible to inform the user that the button to be operated is shining, so that the burden on the low vision person who is not easy to recognize characters can be reduced. ..
When the voice (2) which is a guidance message prompting the operation of the opening push button unit 3 is uttered (STEP 5) and the opening push button unit is operated and turned ON (STEP 6), for example, a voice (STEP 6) is used as a guidance message for calling attention. 3) After saying "The door will open. Please be careful." (STEP 7), the door 22 will open (STEP 8).

In FIG. 7, after the door is opened (STEP 8), as a guidance message prompting to move into the toilet, for example, voice (4) "The door has opened. Please enter through the door on the right front." Is uttered (STEP 9). In the conventional automatic door system for toilets, for example, a guidance message such as "The door has opened. Please enter." Has been used. For example, the door 22 is either the left or right side of the door open / close switch 1 for the outside of the toilet. It was not always a highly effective guidance message for visually impaired people who could not visually recognize the door. On the other hand, in the example of the voice (4), since the position and direction of the opened door 22 can be notified, the burden on the visually impaired can be reduced. After that, the user moves into the toilet, reaches the vicinity of the door open / close switch 2 for the toilet room, determines whether or not the indoor proximity sensor 33 is turned on (STEP 10), and if the proximity sensor 33 is turned on, As a guidance message prompting the operation of the push button unit 4 for closing, for example, voice (5) "Press the lower button to close the door." Or "Press the lower glowing button to close the door." Speak (STEP 11). According to these guidance messages, it is possible to reduce the burden on visually impaired persons and people with low vision, as in the case of voice (2).
When a voice (5), which is a guidance message prompting the operation of the closing push button unit 4, is uttered (STEP 11), and when the closing push button unit 4 is operated and turned ON (STEP 12), for example, a voice is used as a guidance message for calling attention. (6) After saying "The door will close. Please be careful." (STEP13), the door 22 will close (STEP14). When the closing operation of the door 22 is completed, the electric lock 25 is locked, and as a guidance message notifying that the door 22 is locked, for example, a voice (7) "The door is locked" is uttered (STEP 15), and the toilet. Is in use (STEP 16).
The indoor proximity sensor 33 may be omitted. In that case, for example, when the user reaches the vicinity of the door open / close switch 2 for the toilet room after a predetermined time has passed after uttering the voice (4) "The door has opened. Please enter." For example, you may say voice (5) "Press the lower button to close the door." Or "Press the lower glowing button to close the door."

In FIG. 8, while the toilet is in use (STEP 16), it is determined whether or not the user has approached the vicinity of the door open / close switch 2 for indoor use of the toilet and the indoor proximity sensor 33 has been turned on (STEP 17). ), When the proximity sensor 33 is turned on, for example, say voice (2) "Press the upper button to open the door" or "Press the upper glowing button to open the door" (STEP18). .. When the push button 3 for opening the door open / close switch 2 for the toilet room is operated and turned on (STEP 19), for example, a voice (3) "Door opens. Please be careful." Is uttered as a warning message. After that (STEP 20), the door 22 opens (STEP 21).

After the door 22 is opened (STEP 21), as a guidance message to encourage you to move out of the toilet, for example, voice (8) "The door has opened. Please go out from the door on your right and close the door. Is uttered (STEP22). In the conventional automatic door system for toilets, a guidance message such as "The door has opened. Please close the door after going outside." Has been used. For example, the door 22 opens and closes the door for the outside of the toilet. It was not always a highly effective guidance message for visually impaired people who could not visually recognize whether it was on the left or right side of the switch 1. On the other hand, in the example of the voice (8), since the position and direction of the opened door 22 can be notified, the burden on the visually impaired can be reduced.

Voice (8) After saying "The door has opened. Please go out from the door on your right and close the door." (STEP22), wait for a predetermined time (STEP23) and the user is outside the toilet. For example, voice (5) "Press the lower button to close the door." Or "Press the lower glowing button to close the door." A guidance message is uttered to urge the person to operate the closing push button portion 4 of the door open / close switch 1 for outdoor use of the toilet. This guidance message may be uttered when the outdoor proximity sensor 32 detects a user who has gone out, but the user who has gone out forgets to close the door and switches to the door open / close switch 1 for the outside of the toilet. Since it may not be possible to approach, it is preferable to utter the voice (5) after waiting for a predetermined time after the voice (8) is uttered. Instead of voice (5), a guidance message such as "Please press the lower button to close the door" or "Press the lower glowing button to close the door" is sent to prompt the operation more strongly. It may be generated.
After uttering the voice (5) guidance message, when the closing push button 4 of the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 is operated to turn it on (STEP 25), for example, the voice (6) "door is After saying "Please note." (STEP26), the door 22 closes (STEP27) and the toilet 21 becomes vacant (STEP28).

In the above description, the voice guidance device has been described as generating a guidance message in one language, but the present invention is not limited to this, and guidance messages in a plurality of languages of two or more languages may be sequentially uttered. In addition, the number of languages to be spoken may be changed depending on the type of guidance message. Further, depending on the type of the guidance message, the number of repetitions of the guidance message and the time interval at the time of repetition may be changed.

(Example 2)
Since the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configurations of the toilet door open / close switches 1 and 2, particularly the configuration of the guide unit 10 and the portion related thereto, only the different configurations will be described, and other embodiments 1 will be described. The detailed description of the part having the same configuration as the above will be omitted.

The structure of the push button portion of the toilet door open / close switch 1 and 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 by taking the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 as an example.
In FIG. 9A, an opening push button portion 3 and a closing push button portion 4 are arranged with the status display portion 5 in between, and the surroundings are located near the center of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4. A relatively large guide portion 10 is formed so as to project in a columnar shape from the base surface of the pressing portion, which is a surface. Although different from the first embodiment in that the guide portion 10 is formed in a columnar shape instead of a circumferential shape, the base surface of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 and the display surface of the status display portion 5 as a whole are formed. Even if one surface is formed, the columnar guide portion 10 on the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 protrudes higher than the display surface of the status display portion 5, so that even a visually impaired person can use it. The point that the portion of the guide portion 10 protruding by the sense of touch can be relatively easily recognized as the double push button portions 3 and 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Tactile symbols 8 and 9 having different shapes for opening and closing are further formed near the center of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 so as to project from the upper surface of the guide portion 10 which is the peripheral surface. .. That is, the peripheral surface of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 is the upper surface of the guide portion 10 protruding from the base surface of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, and is different from the first embodiment in that it is formed so as to protrude from the guide portion 10. However, when a visually impaired person recognizes the guide portion 10 by tactile sensation, there is a high possibility that the tactile symbols 8 and 9 formed so as to project from the upper surface of the guide portion 10 are naturally touched. The effect of recognizing the existence and position of 9 and 9 can be expected as in the first embodiment.
Further, the light emitting portion 6 is also concentrated on the upper surface of the columnar guide portion 10 protruding from the base surface of the pressing portion, and has a structure that is easy to manufacture.

The guide portion 10 has a diameter of at least half of the smaller vertical and horizontal widths of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, and is formed in a size including both tactile symbols 8 and 9. The shape of the guide portion 10 is not limited to a cylinder, and the shape of the bottom surface may be a cylinder such as an ellipse, an oval, or a quadrangle with rounded corners.

(Example 3)
Since the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configurations of the toilet door open / close switches 1 and 2, only the different parts thereof will be described, and the detailed description of the parts having the same configuration as the other first embodiments will be omitted. do.

The structure of the push button portion of the toilet door open / close switch 1 and 2 of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 by taking the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 as an example. FIG. 10 is a front view and a left side view of the toilet outdoor door open / close switch 1 of the third embodiment, but the toilet indoor door open / close switch 2 of the third embodiment also has characters other than the characters displayed on the status display unit 5. It is the same as FIG.
In FIG. 10, an opening push button section 3 and a closing push button section 4 are arranged with the status display section 5 in between. The double push button portions 3 and 4 of the third embodiment are different from the first and second embodiments in that the pressing portion does not have a guide portion 10 projecting in a circumferential shape or a columnar shape, but as shown in the left side view, as shown in the left side view. Since the entire pressing portion of the double push button portions 3 and 4 is formed so as to protrude from the display surface of the status display portion 5, the point that the visually impaired person can easily recognize the double push button portions 3 and 4 by tactile sensation does not change. ..

Near the center of the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, there is provided a light emitting portion 6 which is arranged on the back surface side of the pressing portion and transmits the light when the LED or the like (not shown) emits light. There is. The light emitting unit 6 of the opening push button unit 3 is composed of two outward arrows, the light emitting unit 6 of the closing push button unit 4 is composed of two inward arrows, and the light emitting unit 6 has a contrast at the time of light emission. Because of the high price, not only healthy people but also people with low vision can easily visually distinguish between opening and closing. Further, it is easier to identify by leaving a small gap between the two arrows as shown in FIG. 10, and it is preferable to leave a gap of at least 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more. In addition, the thickness of the line of the arrow that emits light should be thicker than a certain level so that it is easier for people with low vision to see, and specifically, it is preferable that the thickness is 5 mm or more. The shape of the light emitting unit 6 is not limited to the two arrows, but the combination of the two arrows is easy to understand and does not require a large area, so that other characters, Braille parts, and tactile sensations are required. There is a high degree of freedom in the size and arrangement of symbols, etc., and it is easy to optimize each.
Further, although it has been described here that the two arrows emit light, conversely, the two arrows may be opaque, for example, black, and the periphery of the arrows may be the light emitting portion 6. Further, of the light emitting units 6 of the double push button units 3 and 4, one may use two arrows as the light emitting unit 6, and the other may use the periphery of the two arrows as the light emitting unit 6.

A tactile symbol 8 is formed on the pressing portion of the opening push button portion 3, and a tactile symbol 9 is formed on the pressing portion of the closing push button portion 4 so as to project from the peripheral surface of each tactile symbol. The shapes of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, but the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are not included inside the light emitting unit 6, but are located on the lower side slightly away from the light emitting unit 6. It differs from Example 1 and Example 2 in that it is arranged. However, since the tactile symbols 8 and 9 need only be able to recognize the shape by being touched by a visually impaired person with a fingertip, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 need not be included in the light emitting unit 6. Healthy people and low vision people can distinguish between open and close push button parts 3 and 4 by the shape of the light emitting part 6 with high contrast, and visually impaired people can open by touching the tactile symbols 8 and 9 with their fingers. Since the push button portions 3 and 4 for closing can be identified, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 do not need to be visually identifiable, and conversely, it is easier to understand if they are inconspicuous. It may be composed of the same color. Further, even if the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are not included in the light emitting portion 6, since the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged in the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged. It is not necessary to search for the push button part again after identifying whether the push button part is for opening or closing, and the push button part can be operated simply by pressing the tactile symbol or its surroundings as it is. And the same as in Example 2. The sizes and shapes of the tactile symbols 8 and 9 may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

In addition to the tactile symbols 8 and 9, braille portions 7 are formed in the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4 so as to project from the peripheral surface. In order to prevent confusion for the visually impaired, the Braille portion 7 may be arranged at a position 10 mm or more away from the rectangle circumscribing each of the tactile symbols 8 and 9. Further, it is desirable that the Braille portion 7 and the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged vertically rather than left and right. In FIG. 10, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged on the lower side of the light emitting unit 6 and the Braille portion 7 is arranged on the upper side of the light emitting unit 6, but conversely, the tactile symbols 8 and 9 are arranged on the upper side of the light emitting unit 6 and in Braille. The unit 7 may be arranged below the light emitting unit 6. Further, also in the third embodiment, since the braille portion 7 is arranged in the pressing portions of the double push button portions 3 and 4, the pressing portion is searched again after the braille portion 7 identifies whether the push button portion is for opening or closing. It is not necessary, and the push button portion can be operated by simply pressing the Braille portion and its surroundings as it is, which is the same as that of the first and second embodiments.

In the third embodiment, the pressing portion does not have a guide portion 10 protruding in a circumferential shape or a columnar shape, and there is a degree of freedom in the overall arrangement of the light emitting portion 6, the tactile symbols 8, 9, the Braille portion 7, the characters, and the like. In addition, since the two arrows of the light emitting unit 6 do not require a large area, the characters such as "open" and "OPEN" are made larger than those of the first and second embodiments so that they can be easily seen by people with low vision. There is. In order to make the characters easier to see, the characters may be made to emit light as a part of the light emitting unit 6. On the contrary, the characters may be opaque, for example, black, and the periphery of the characters may be a light emitting unit 6. Further, the emission colors of the light emitting units 6 of the double push button units 3 and 4 may be different from each other to make it easier to identify.

1: Toilet outdoor door open / close switch 2: Toilet indoor door open / close switch 3: Opening push button part 3B: Opening push button part pressing part Base surface 4: Closing push button part 4B: Closing push button part Pushing part base surface 5: Status display part 6: Light emitting part 7: Braille part 8: Opening tactile symbol 9: Closing tactile symbol 10: Guide part 11: Frame part 12: Texture 21: Toilet 22: Door 23: Drive device 24: Drive controller 25: Electric lock 26: Electric lock controller 27: Operation guidance controller 28: Voice guidance device 29, 29a, 29b: Speaker 30: Storage unit 31: Voice controller 32: Outdoor proximity sensor 33: Indoor Proximity sensor 34: Emergency call switch 35: Safety ray

Claims (5)

Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
When the user operates the opening push button portion when the toilet is vacant and the door is opened under the control of the driving controller, the voice guidance device notifies the position of the door and enters the toilet. An automatic door system for toilets that features a guidance message that prompts you to do so. Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
An automatic door system for a toilet, characterized in that, when the room is used in the toilet, the voice guidance device repeatedly utters a guidance message informing that the toilet is in use at predetermined time intervals. Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
It is further equipped with a proximity sensor that detects an approacher to the outdoor door open / close switch for the toilet.
An automatic door system for a toilet, characterized in that when the proximity sensor detects an approaching person when the room is in the toilet, the voice guidance device emits a guidance message notifying that the toilet is in use. .. The third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, when the proximity sensor detects the approaching person and the detection continues for a predetermined time, the voice guidance device emits a guidance message notifying that the toilet is in use. Described automatic door system for toilets. Doors arranged at the entrance and exit of the toilet, two toilet door open / close switches arranged outside and inside the toilet to operate the opening and closing of the door, and open signals and closing from the two toilet door open / close switches. It is equipped with a drive controller that controls the drive device based on a signal to open and close the door.
The toilet door open / close switch is provided with a status display unit and two push button portions for opening and closing, and the two push button portions are provided with a light emitting unit.
An operation guidance controller that causes only the light emitting portion of the push button portion that can be operated by the user to emit light according to the state of the toilet to prompt the operation, and a voice guidance device connected to the operation guidance controller are further provided.
The voice guidance device utters a guidance message to the user according to the state of the toilet.
When the toilet is vacant, the voice guidance device is characterized in that it notifies the user of the position of the opening push button portion of the outdoor door opening / closing switch and emits a guidance message urging the operation. Automatic door system for toilets.

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