Self washing underwear type toilet and its control method using humidity sensor and rotary valve with electric current control

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nagaya, Kosuke^{a; *} | Kojima, Takako^a | Hosoya, Syunsuke^a | Eda, Keiichi^a | Ando, Yoshinori^a | Ge, De-Liang^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Professor Kosuke Nagaya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan. Tel.: +81 277 30 1563; Fax: +81 277 30 1567; E-mail: nagaya@me.gunma-u.ac.jp

Abstract: A self-washing toilet system suitable for patient care is presented. The system consists of rubber pants that are worn by the patient and sealed by inflation with air. Excrement is flushed from the toilet with water via an outlet tube, and the system is flushed with air to dryness. Control systems are developed for the detection of humidity and urine, and for maintenance of appropriate inflation pressures. The inflation system effectively seals around the thighs and waist without discomfort, and reliably differentiates between natural moisture and urine. The underwear type toilet and control system are constructed and demonstrated experimentally to be applicable, in principle, for practical use.

Keywords: Care, toilet, pants, control, self-washing

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2008-931

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 27, no. 1-2, pp. 75-91, 2008