JP6538490B2 - Flush toilet - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flush toilet bowl, and more particularly to a flush toilet bowl capable of supplying foam into a toilet bowl.

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, flush toilets configured to supply wash water mixed with foam to a toilet bowl are known. By foaming the water surface of the toilet bowl, for example, it is possible to suppress the scattering of the liquid in the case of a male piss, and to wash the toilet bowl.

  As a method of supplying washing water mixed with foam to the toilet bowl, a method has been proposed in which a device called an ejector with a narrowed path diameter is provided in the washing water flow path where washing water flows (for example, patent Literature 1). Air and detergent are supplied to the ejector from the outside. When flush water for flushing the inside of the toilet bowl flows into the ejector, an ejector effect is generated in which the pressure in the ejector is negative. Air is drawn into the ejector by this ejector effect, and the wash water, air and detergent are mixed to generate bubbles, which flow into the toilet as foam-containing wash water.

JP, 2008-138422, A

  However, in the conventional foam supply method as described above, there is a problem that only one foam having a predetermined foam quality can be generated.

  This invention is made in view of such a subject, The objective is to provide the flush toilet bowl which can supply the foam suitable for a use to a toilet bowl part.

  In order to solve the above problems, the flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention generates foam in a toilet bowl, a foam path for guiding foam toward the toilet bowl, and a foam path. And a foam generating device. The foam generator has a first mode of operation generating a foam of a first foam quality and a second mode of operation generating a foam of a second foam quality different from the first foam quality.

  According to this aspect, since two different types of foam foam can be generated by the foam generator, foam suitable for the application can be supplied to the toilet bowl.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the flush toilet bowl which can supply the foam suitable for a use to a toilet part can be provided.

It is a front perspective view of a flush toilet bowl according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view inside the back end of the flush toilet bowl concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the flush type toilet bowl which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of a water discharge pipe. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the bubble generation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the remote control used with the flush toilet bowl which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c) are diagrams for explaining a control method of the foam valve and the detergent pump in the first and second operation modes. FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (d) are diagrams for explaining another control method of the foam valve and the detergent pump in the first and second operation modes.

  Hereinafter, a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicating descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the embodiments do not limit the invention and are merely examples, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a flush toilet 100. As shown in FIG. The flush-type toilet bowl 100 shown in FIG. 1 incorporates a flush water tank and a flush water pump. The flush water pump discharges flush water stored in the flush water tank from the first spout 102 and the second spout 104 to the toilet bowl section 106. The washing water discharged from the second water discharge port 104 flows on a water guiding shelf 108 (rail) formed on the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl section 106, and merges with the washing water discharged from the first water discharge port 102, The inside of the toilet bowl 106 is swirled and the water is drained. In the rear end portion of the flush toilet bowl 100, a functional unit (not shown) for providing a local cleansing function, a warm air function and the like may be mounted.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the inside of the rear end of the flush toilet 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the flush-type toilet bowl 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the water discharge pipe.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flush toilet 100 includes a valve unit 113. The valve unit 113 is connected to a water supply pipe 152 (see FIG. 3) connected to the water supply. The valve unit 113 includes a flush water valve 115 and a bubble valve 117 (the valve unit 113 will be described later). When the flush water valve is opened, flush water enters the water receiver 114 via the refill pipe 112 (see FIG. 2) (path C1). The flush water of the water receiving unit 114 flows into the flush water tank 116 located therebelow and is stored in the flush water tank 116 (path C2).

  When the user operates the flush switch (not shown), the flush water pump 156 (see FIG. 3) in the lower part of the flush toilet bowl 100 is operated, and flush water of the flush water tank 116 is sent to the water discharge pipe 118 ( Path C3). The water discharge pipe 118 branches from the main pipe 124 into two pipes of a first water discharge pipe 120 and a second water discharge pipe 122. The flush water having flowed from the main pipe 124 to the first water discharge pipe 120 is discharged from the first water discharge port 102 via the first flush water conduit 105 (pathway C3-1). On the other hand, the flush water flowing from the main pipe 124 to the second water discharge pipe 122 is discharged from the second water discharge port 104 via the second flush water conduit 107 (pathway C3-2). The flush water valve 115, the water receiving unit 114, the flush water tank 116, and the flush water pump 156 constitute a flush water supply mechanism that supplies flush water to the toilet bowl section 106.

  The water receiving portion 114 communicates not only with the flush water tank 116 but also with an overflow pipe 132 (see FIG. 4) communicating with an overflow path (not shown). The cleaning water of the water receiving unit 114 is supplied to the cleaning water tank 116. However, if the storage amount of the cleaning water tank 116 becomes too large due to a failure of the valve unit 113 or the like, the cleaning water overflows from the water receiving unit 114. Therefore, the water receiving section 114 prevents the overflow by flowing excess cleaning water to the overflow pipe 132. The overflow pipe 132 discharges excess water from the discharge port 134, but the discharge port 134 in the present embodiment is connected to the second water discharge pipe 122 (see FIG. 4). For this reason, the excess water of the water receiving portion 114 is discharged into the toilet bowl portion 106 through the second flush water conduit 107 and the second water outlet 104.

  The routes C 1, C 2, C 3, C 3-1 and C 3-2 described above constitute a flush water channel for guiding flush water toward the toilet bowl section 106. That is, the first water discharge port 102 or the second water discharge port 104 (up to the front of the bowl portion 106) is the flush water channel. In the flush-type toilet bowl 100 according to the present embodiment, a foam path (path C4) for guiding foam toward the toilet bowl portion 106 is provided separately from the flush water conduit. The foam passage is provided with a foam generator 50 for generating foam. Hereinafter, the foam generator 50 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the configuration of the foam generating device 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the foam generating device 50 includes an ejector 52, a foam valve 117 (see FIG. 2), a control unit 60, a water supply pipe 51, a detergent tank 53, a detergent pump 54, and a first hose. 56a and a second hose 56b.

  The ejector 52 is a tubular body having a flow passage 52 h inside. The flow passage diameter of the middle portion of the flow passage 52h of the ejector 52 is smaller than the flow passage diameter on the upstream side and the downstream side. The portion where the flow path diameter is narrowed is called "small diameter portion 52a", the upstream side from the small diameter portion 52a is called "upstream portion 52b", and the downstream side from the ejector 52 is called "downstream portion 52c".

  A water supply portion 52g for supplying water into the flow path is provided upstream of the upstream portion 52b of the ejector 52, and a water supply pipe 51 is connected to the water supply portion 52g. The water supply pipe 51 is connected to the bubble valve 117. The bubble valve 117 and the water supply pipe 51 constitute a water supply device for supplying water (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “water for bubble generation” as appropriate) to the flow path 52 h of the ejector 52. When the bubble valve is opened according to the instruction of the control unit 60, the water for bubble generation flows into the flow path 52h through the water supply pipe 51 and the water supply unit 52g.

  An air supply unit 52d for introducing air into the ejector 52 is provided on the upper surface of the upstream unit 52b of the ejector 52, and an air supply pipe 55 is connected to the air supply unit 52d.

  A detergent supply unit 52 e for introducing a detergent into the ejector 52 is provided on the lower surface of the small diameter portion 52 a of the ejector 52. The detergent supply part 52e is formed in a step shape lower than the flow path around it. The level | step difference of the detergent supply part 52e is formed in the level | step difference of a water accumulation. A duckbill valve 58 is disposed below the detergent supply unit 52e. Connected to the inlet opening 58 a of the duckbill valve 58 is a second hose 56 b extending from the detergent pump 54. The outlet opening portion 58b of the duckbill valve 58, which is a detergent supply port for discharging the detergent, is disposed on the bottom of the step-shaped detergent supply portion 52e. The duckbill valve 58 is a non-return valve that allows fluid flow from the inlet opening 58a toward the outlet opening 58b but not fluid from the outlet opening 58b toward the inlet opening 58a.

  The detergent tank 53 stores the detergent. The detergent pump 54 is connected to the detergent pump 54 via a first hose 56a, and is connected to the detergent supply 52e of the ejector 52 via a second hose 56b and a duckbill valve 58. The detergent pump 54 operates in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 60. The detergent tank 53, the detergent pump 54, the first hose 56a, the second hose 56b, and the duckbill valve 58 constitute a detergent supply device for supplying the detergent to the flow path 52h via the detergent supply unit 52e.

  On the downstream side of the downstream portion 52c of the ejector 52, there is provided a foam portion 52f for discharging the foam generated by mixing the foam generating water, air and the detergent in the ejector 52, and the foam portion 52f is provided. A bubble tube 57 for flowing bubbles toward the toilet bowl 106 is connected.

  In the foam generating apparatus 50 configured as described above, when the user operates the switch, the control unit 60 controls the foam valve 117 to be in the open state, whereby the foam generating water is supplied into the water supply pipe 51. The foam generating water flows into the flow path 52 h of the ejector 52. Further, the control unit 60 operates the detergent pump 54 at the same timing as when the foam valve 117 is in the open state. As a result, the detergent stored in the detergent tank 53 is sucked into the detergent pump 54 through the first hose 56a and discharged from the detergent pump 54 into the second hose 56b. The detergent having passed through the second hose 56b flows into the detergent supply unit 52e through the duckbill valve 58, and is supplied from the detergent supply unit 52e into the flow path 52h. When the water for bubble generation flows into the flow path 52h of the ejector 52, an ejector effect is generated such that the pressure in the ejector is negative. Air is drawn into the flow path 52h of the ejector 42 from the air supply unit 52d by the ejector effect, and the wash water, the air, and the detergent are mixed in the flow path 52h to generate bubbles. The foam generated in the flow path 52h flows into the foam tube 57 from the foam portion 52f. The tip portion (foam outlet 130) of the foam tube 57 is connected to the flush water path (second outlet tube 122), and is discharged from the second outlet 104 together with the flush water (see FIG. 2).

  FIG. 6 shows a remote control 600 used in the flush toilet 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the remote control 600 includes a plurality of switches such as a toilet seat open / close switch 601, a wash switch 602, and a shower toilet switch 603, but here a manual foam switch 604 and automatic associated with the foam generator 50. The foam switch 605 will be described. The manual foam switch 604 and the automatic foam switch 605 are connected to the control unit 60 (see FIG. 5) via wired or wireless communication means.

  The manual bubble switch 604 is used when the user cleans the inside of the bowl portion 106. When the user presses the manual foam switch 604, the control unit 60 controls the foam valve 117 to open and operates the detergent pump 54. Thereby, bubbles are generated in the ejector 52 and the bubbles are discharged from the second water discharge port 104 into the toilet bowl portion 106. The user can clean the inside of the toilet bowl 106 using a brush or the like by using the foam on the water surface in the toilet bowl 106.

  The automatic bubble switch 605 is used when the user makes a piss. When the automatic foam switch 605 is in the on state, when the toilet seat (not shown) is raised, an open / close detection sensor (not shown) provided on the toilet seat detects the open state of the toilet seat, and the foam is automatically generated. Is discharged into the bowl portion 106. That is, when the toilet seat is raised, a switch (not shown) provided on the toilet seat is turned on, the foam valve 117 is opened by the control unit 60, and the detergent pump 54 is operated. Thereby, bubbles are generated in the ejector 52 and the bubbles are discharged from the second water discharge port 104 into the toilet bowl portion 106. Since bubbles are formed on the water surface in the toilet bowl 106, it is possible to suppress the scattering of the liquid in the case of standing urine.

  The manual foam switch 604 and the automatic foam switch 605 of the remote control 600 and the switch provided on the toilet seat constitute an operation unit for selecting the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

  In the flush toilet 100 according to the present embodiment, the foam generating device 50 is configured to generate the first operation mode generating the first foam and the second foam different from the first foam. And a second operating mode to occur. The first operation mode is an operation mode for cleaning the inside of the toilet bowl 106, and is activated when the user presses the manual bubble switch 604 of the remote control 600. The second operation mode is an operation mode when the user gives a piss, and is activated when the remote control 600 automatic foam switch 605 is in the on state and the toilet seat is raised.

  FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining the control method of the foam valve 117 and the detergent pump 54 in the first and second operation modes. In this control method, the foam quality in the first operation mode (first foam quality) and the foam quality in the second operation mode (second foam quality) are different. Specifically, the first foam foam has a higher detergent concentration than the second foam foam. By using the foam of the first foam having a high detergent concentration, the inside of the toilet bowl 106 can be cleaned effectively. On the other hand, since the high detergent concentration is not required to prevent the spread of standing urine, the consumption of detergent can be suppressed by reducing the detergent concentration.

  In the first operation mode, the foam valve 117 is controlled as shown in FIG. 7A, and the detergent pump 54 is controlled as shown in FIG. 7B. That is, the bubble valve 117 is turned on (open) at the start of control, and turned off (closed) after a predetermined time T1 (eg, 6 seconds) has elapsed. On the other hand, for the detergent pump 54, the motor of the detergent pump 54 is turned on / off with a duty ratio of 50% from the start of control to a predetermined time T1. Thus, the detergent is supplied into the ejector 52 at a predetermined first supply rate V1.

  In the second operation mode, the foam valve 117 is controlled as shown in FIG. 7A, and the detergent pump 54 is controlled as shown in FIG. 7C. That is, the bubble valve 117 is turned on (open) at the start of control, and turned off (closed) after a predetermined time T1 (eg, 6 seconds) has elapsed. On the other hand, for the detergent pump 54, the motor of the detergent pump 54 is turned on / off with a duty ratio of 25% from the start of control to a predetermined time T1. As a result, the detergent is supplied into the ejector 52 at a predetermined second supply rate V2 which is lower than the first supply rate V1.

  Comparing the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, the time during which the foam valve 117 is on and the detergent pump 54 is operating is the same, but the rate of detergent delivery is different. The first mode of operation, in which the detergent delivery rate is fast, produces a detergent-rich foam due to the increased detergent delivery. On the other hand, in the second operation mode in which the supply rate of the detergent is low, the amount of the supply of the detergent is reduced, so that a foam with a low concentration of detergent is generated.

  FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams for explaining another control method of the foam valve 117 and the detergent pump 54 in the first and second operation modes. In this control method, the foam amount (first foam amount) in the first operation mode is different from the foam amount (second foam amount) in the second operation mode. Specifically, the first foam amount is greater than the second foam amount. By using the first foam amount, cleaning of the inside of the toilet bowl 106 can be effectively performed. On the other hand, since a large amount of foam is not required to prevent the scattering of standing urine, the consumption of the detergent can be suppressed by using the second foam.

  In the first operation mode, the foam valve 117 is controlled as shown in FIG. 8 (a), and the detergent pump 54 is controlled as shown in FIG. 8 (b). That is, the bubble valve 117 is turned on (opened) at the start of control, and turned off (closed) after a predetermined first time T1 (eg, 6 seconds) has elapsed. Thus, water is supplied into the ejector 52 for a predetermined time T1. On the other hand, for the detergent pump 54, the motor of the detergent pump 54 is turned on / off with a duty ratio of 50% from the start of control to a predetermined first time T1. Thereby, the detergent is supplied into the ejector 52 for a predetermined time T1.

  In the second operation mode, the foam valve 117 is controlled as shown in FIG. 8 (c), and the detergent pump 54 is controlled as shown in FIG. 8 (d). That is, the bubble valve 117 is turned on (opened) at the start of control, and turned off (closed) when a predetermined time T2 (for example, 3 seconds) shorter than the first time T1 elapses. Thus, water is supplied into the ejector 52 for a predetermined time T2. On the other hand, for the detergent pump 54, the motor of the detergent pump 54 is turned on / off with a duty ratio of 50% from the start of control to a predetermined time T2. Thereby, the detergent is supplied into the ejector 52 for a predetermined time T2.

  Comparing the first and second modes of operation, the duty ratio of the detergent pump 54 is the same but the water and detergent delivery times are different. In the first mode of operation, where the water and detergent delivery times are long, the amount of foam generated is high. On the other hand, in the second operation mode in which the water and detergent supply times are short, the amount of foam generated is small.

  As described above, according to the flush-type toilet bowl 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to supply the toilet bowl 106 with foam suitable for use (cleaning of the toilet bowl 106 or prevention of vertical stool scattering). It is economical because the use of detergent more than necessary is suppressed.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are exemplifications and that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the foam channel was provided separately from the flush water channel, the flush channel and the foam channel may be the same. That is, a bubble generator may be provided in the flush water conduit.

  When the invention embodied by the above embodiments is generalized, the following technical ideas are derived.

  In the embodiment described in the above-mentioned means for solving the problems, the first foam may have a detergent concentration higher than the second foam. Cleaning can be effectively performed by using the first foam having a high detergent concentration when cleaning the inside of the toilet bowl. On the other hand, the consumption of detergent can be suppressed by using a second foam having a low detergent concentration to prevent the rise of stools that do not require a very high detergent concentration.

  The foam generator may comprise an ejector, a water supply for supplying water into the ejector, and a detergent supply for supplying detergent into the ejector. The detergent supply device supplies detergent into the ejector at a predetermined first supply rate when operating in the first operation mode, and is lower than the first supply rate when operating in the second operation mode. The detergent may be delivered into the ejector at a second delivery rate. In this case, the detergent concentration of the first foam can preferably be higher than the second foam.

  Another aspect of the present invention is also a foam generator. The foam generator includes a toilet bowl, a foam path for introducing foam toward the toilet bowl, and a foam generator provided in the foam path for generating foam. The foam generator has a first operating mode for generating a first foam volume and a second operating mode for generating a second foam volume different from the first foam volume.

  According to this aspect, since two different foam amounts of foam can be generated by the foam generator, foam suitable for the application can be supplied to the toilet bowl. For example, the first foam amount is made larger than the second foam amount. By using the first foam amount when cleaning the inside of the toilet bowl, cleaning can be performed effectively. On the other hand, the consumption amount of the detergent can be suppressed by using the second foam amount for preventing the scattering of vertical urine which does not require a large amount of foam.

  The foam generator may comprise an ejector, a water supply for supplying water into the ejector, and a detergent supply for supplying detergent into the ejector. The water supply device and the detergent supply device supply water and detergent into the ejector for a predetermined first time when operating in the first operation mode, and are shorter than the first time when operating in the second operation mode. Water and detergent may be provided in the ejector for a second time period of In this case, preferably, the first foam amount can be larger than the second foam amount.

  It may further include an operation unit for selecting the first operation mode or the second operation mode. In this case, the first and second operation modes can be freely selected according to the application.

  50 foam generator, 51 water supply pipe, 52 ejector, 52a small diameter part, 52b upstream part, 52c downstream part, 52d air supply part, 52e detergent supply part, 52f foam part, 52g water supply part, 52h flow path, 53 detergent tank 54 detergent pump 57 bubble tube 58 duckbill valve 60 control unit 100 flush toilet 102 first outlet 104 second outlet 106 toilet bowl 110 intake port 113 valve unit 115 flush water Valve, 117 foam valve, 118 water discharge pipe, 120 first water discharge pipe, 122 second water discharge pipe, 600 remote control, 604 manual foam switch, 605 automatic foam switch.

Claims (4)

The toilet bowl,
A foam path for directing foam towards the toilet bowl;
A foam generating device provided in the foam path for generating foam;
Equipped with
The foam generating device has a first operation mode for generating a first foam and a second operation mode for generating a second foam different from the first foam. And
The first foam has a detergent concentration higher than the second foam,
The first operation mode is activated by manual operation of the operation switch,
The second mode of operation is activated by raising the seat . The foam generator is
With the ejector,
A water supply device for supplying water into the ejector;
A detergent supply device for supplying a detergent into the ejector;
Equipped with
The detergent supply device supplies detergent into the ejector at a predetermined first supply rate when operating in the first operation mode, and operates in the second operation mode. flushing toilet of claim 1, characterized in that to supply detergent into the ejector at a slower second predetermined feed rate than. The toilet bowl,
A foam path for directing foam towards the toilet bowl;
A foam generating device provided in the foam path for generating foam;
Equipped with
The foam generator has a first operation mode for generating a first foam volume and a second operation mode for generating a second foam volume different from the first foam volume. And
The first amount of foam is greater than the second amount of foam,
The first operation mode is activated by manual operation of the operation switch,
The second mode of operation is activated by raising the seat . The foam generator is
With the ejector,
A water supply device for supplying water into the ejector;
A detergent supply device for supplying a detergent into the ejector;
Equipped with
When the water supply device and the detergent supply device operate in the first operation mode, they supply water and detergent into the ejector for a predetermined first time, and when operating in the second operation mode, the water supply device and the detergent supply device The flush toilet according to claim 3 , wherein water and detergent are supplied into the ejector for a predetermined second time which is shorter than one hour.

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