EP0040719A2 - Sanitary drying device - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A drying device having a fan, by means of which preferably heated air may be conveyed into the interior of a bowl of a toilet or bidet, in order to dry the lower body area, at least two apertures (52, 54, 74, 76) being provided, through which the air flows into the interior (68), characterized in that the apertures (52, 54, 74, 76) are formed and arranged such that the emerging airstreams (56, 58) meet one another and whirl below the lower body area (26) without blowing directly against the latter.

Description

The invention relates to a drying device with a blower, by means of which preferably heated air can be conveyed into the interior of a bowl of a water closet or a bidet in order to dry the lower part of the body.

German patent application P 29 12 084.1-25 describes a water closet or bidet which has a device for washing the lower part of the body and a drying device. The device for washing can be used to supply preheated water to the lower part of the body to be cleaned. After the cleaning process is completed, a fan of the drying device is activated in order to blow the air heated by a heat source through an air duct into the interior of the bowl of the water closet or bidet. If the heated air flow is blown directly onto the lower part of the body this is easily felt as uncomfortable. If, on the other hand, the air flow is not directed towards the area of the body mentioned, but is directed past it, only incomplete drying can be achieved or the drying process takes too long. In addition, in the latter case there is a risk that the water standing in the bowl will be caught by the air stream and sprayed up onto the lower part of the body to be dried.

GB-OS 2 008 168 describes a drying device in which the heated air is fed to an annular chamber below the upper edge of a toilet bowl. This chamber is open down to the interior of the bowl so that the heated air can escape downwards. On the ground the heated air is then redirected upwards in order to dry the lower part of the body. There is a risk that water will be taken from the floor of the interior when the air is deflected and sprayed onto the lower part of the body. Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that bacteria or other contaminants will be carried along by the walls of the interior and reach the lower part of the body.

The invention has for its object to improve a drying device of the type mentioned with little effort so that a quick and reliable drying is achieved. On the one hand, direct blowing on the lower part of the body with heated air is to be avoided, and on the other hand water or impurities not in the bowl should also be able to reach the lower part of the body. The drying device according to the invention is also said to be highly reliable and able to cope with the operational circumstances.

This object is achieved in that at least two openings are provided through which the air flows into the interior, and that the openings are arranged such that the air flows meet and swirl below the lower body area.

The drying device according to the invention is characterized by a simple structure and it can be produced without any special effort. Due to the air streams hitting each other in the interior of the bowl, a swirling of the air stream is advantageously achieved, so that a quick and reliable drying of the lower body area is ensured without it being blown directly by a warm air stream. In the interior of the bowl there is a largely uniform and pleasant heat distribution, because due to the Ver Whirling the air streams a good heat distribution is achieved in the interior of the bowl. In addition, in the drying device according to the invention, the air can be heated to a higher temperature than in a drying device which blows directly onto the lower body area, although excessive heating of the lower body area is avoided due to the turbulence of the air streams. As a result, the fan only needs to deliver a smaller amount of air, so that a fan with a correspondingly low delivery rate can advantageously be used. This is of particular advantage with regard to the manufacturing costs of the drying device according to the invention. The openings mentioned can be arranged in an air duct extending from the fan. However, at least two air ducts extending from the blower are preferably provided, each of said air ducts having at least one opening. These air ducts have a comparatively small cross section since, as already mentioned above, the air can be heated to a higher temperature or a small amount of air has to be conveyed. An air duct is expediently arranged on the left or right side of the bowl or on the seat glasses which can be placed thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, each air duct has at least two openings, the openings mentioned being arranged at a predetermined distance from one another. Here, the openings are arranged in such a way or the air streams are aligned such that the four air streams meet virtually at the same point in the interior of the bowl. In this way, a very good swirling of the air streams is achieved, so that a particularly uniform heat distribution in the interior is achieved.

The air flows emerge from the openings of the air ducts essentially horizontally or, at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal, downward in order in this way to reliably avoid direct blowing on the lower part of the body.

The air streams preferably meet at an angle which is less than 180 °, so that there is good swirling and a largely uniform heat distribution in the interior of the bowl.

The openings of the air channels are preferably designed as nozzles in order to achieve a complete swirling of the air streams which meet.

So that the air streams can be aligned in a simple manner or their alignment can be corrected according to the requirements, the openings mentioned are preferably arranged in pivotable components. Such a component is expediently substantially spherical and contains a bore which tapers conically towards the opening, so that both the nozzle indicated are created and the pivotability is ensured in a simple manner.

The pivotable component with the opening is preferably arranged in an insert part which can be integrated into the seat glasses without difficulty. The production of such an insert and its assembly or connection with the seat glasses is connected with little effort.

If the drying device is used in a water closet, a seat on the upper edge in a known manner glasses can be put on, the air channels are preferably arranged on the left or right side of the said seat glasses. Here, the air channels are preferably arranged on the right or left underside of the seat glasses and expediently designed as hoses made of plastic. The drying device according to the invention can therefore be used in conjunction with commercially available bowls by attaching the drying device according to the invention to commercially available seat glasses. In a preferred exemplary Guide e ^g sForm the air passages in the interior of a toilet seat are arranged, and thus integrated into the same.

If the seat glasses are hinged to a fastening frame connected to the key, the air channels between the fastening frame and the seat glasses have a flexible intermediate part, so that the seat glasses can be placed on the bowl in the usual way or pivoted away from it.

In a preferred embodiment, the air duct or ducts are guided through the fastening frame through the joints provided for articulating the seat glasses. This embodiment is particularly suitable if the air ducts are also arranged in the interior of the seat glasses, so that overall a functionally reliable and easily producible design of the air ducts is created. The said joints expediently contain hollow cylindrical tubes which protrude into the air ducts of the fastening frame and the seat glasses. In this area, the air duct of the seat glasses, which is essentially cylindrical in this area, preferably surrounds the outer wall of the said tube with little play, so that the seat glasses are slightly opposite the fastening frame can be pivoted.

If no seat goggles are provided, such as for example in the case of a bidet, the air channels are expediently arranged in a corresponding manner in the bowl below the upper edge of the seat.

Further features and advantages of the drying device according to the invention which are essential to the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Wasserklosetts mit einer Trockeneinrichtung im Querschnitt,
• Fig. 2 eine Prinzipdarstellung einer Aufsicht der Trockeneinrichtung mit zwei Luftströmen,
• Fig. 3 eine Prinzipdarstellung einer Aufsicht der Trockeneinrichtung mit vier Luftströmen,
• Fig. 4 einen vergrößerten Schnitt durch eine Sitzbrille parallel zur Zeichenebene gemäß Fig. 2 oder 3, wobei die öffnung verschwenkbar ist,
• Fig. 5 eine Ansicht in Blickrichtung A gemäß Fig. 4,
• Fig. 6 einen Schnitt durch eine Ausführungsform der Trockeneinrichtung, bei welcher die Luftkanäle durch die Gelenke zwischen Sitzbrille und Befestigungsrahmen geführt sind und
• Fig. 7 eine Ansicht in Blickrichtung B gemäß Fig. 6.

Show it:

• 1 is a schematic representation of a water closet with a drying device in cross section,
• 2 shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the drying device with two air flows,
• 3 shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the drying device with four air flows,
• 4 shows an enlarged section through seat glasses parallel to the plane of the drawing according to FIG. 2 or 3, the opening being pivotable,
• 5 is a view in viewing direction A according to FIG. 4,
• Fig. 6 shows a section through an embodiment of the drying device, in which the air channels are guided through the joints between the seat glasses and mounting frame and
• 7 is a view in viewing direction B according to FIG. 6.

1 shows a water closet with a bowl 2 and a liquid closure 4 in which water 6 is located. Seat glasses 10 are placed on the upper edge of the bowl 8 and are hinged to a fastening frame 12 by means of a hinge (not shown). The frame 12 is attached to the bowl 2 in a known manner. A cover 16 is also connected to the frame 12 via a hinge 14. Behind the opened lid 16 shown on the frame 12 is a box 18 with a control block 20 and a flow heater 22. The flow heater 22 is part of a washing device not shown here in detail, which also includes a pivotable spray nozzle 24. The lower body region 26 of a person 28 seated on the seat glasses 10 can be cleaned by means of the washing device or by the water emerging from the spray nozzle 24. A water box 30 is arranged on the box 18 and is closed at the top by means of a cover cap 32. The rinsing process for rinsing the water closet is started in a known manner by means of a rinsing button 34. On the water box 30, three knobs 36, 38 and 40 are arranged on the outside, by means of which the cycle times during the washing or drying process can be adjusted. The washing or drying process is controlled electrically by means of the control block 20 and a switch 42 is therefore provided for switching the system on and off. The switch 42 is arranged on the seat glasses 10, between the same and the upper rim 8 of the bowl, so that it is switched on by the weight of the person 28 seated on the seat glasses.

The drying device contains on the mounting frame 12 a blower 44 with a heat source 46. The heat source 46 is designed, for example, as a heating spiral through which an electric current can flow. Two air ducts are connected to the electric blower 44, only one air duct 48 with its opening 52 being shown in FIG. 1. The air channels mentioned consist of flexible plastic tubes and are attached to the underside of the seat glasses 10. The drying device can therefore be used in conjunction with standard seat glasses or bowls.

An alternative embodiment is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Here, the air channel or channels 60, 62 are arranged within the frame 12 or within the seat glasses 10. In other words, the air channels are integrated in the frame or in the seat glasses in this embodiment.

2, the two air ducts 48, 50 can be seen, the air duct 48 being arranged on the right side 64 and the air duct 50 on the left side 66 below the seat glasses 10 and the frame 12, respectively. The openings 52 and 54 lie opposite each other and are aligned or designed in their exit areas such that the emerging air streams 56 and 58 meet in the interior 68 of the bowl 2 at an angle 0 ', which is less than 180 °. So that the seat glasses 10 can be pivoted upwards, the air channels 48 and 50 have flexible intermediate parts 70 or 50 in the area between the frame 12 and the seat glasses 10. 72 on. The openings 52 and 54 are directed obliquely downwards in such a way that the air flows 56 and 58 meet below the lower body region 26 of a person 28 sitting on the seat glasses 10. The colliding air flows 56 or 58 therefore swirl, so that a uniform heat distribution occurs in the interior 68 and a quick and reliable drying of the lower body region 26 can take place.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, each of the air channels 48 and 50 has a further opening 74 and 76, respectively. All openings 52, 54, 74, 76 are arranged in such a way and aligned in their outlet areas that the air flows emerging from them meet in the interior 68. Because of the additional openings 74, 76, a particularly good swirling of the air streams is brought about.

It should be emphasized that in all embodiments the openings of the air channels 48, 50 are expediently designed as nozzles in order to achieve the desired orientation of the air streams for the purpose of swirling. Furthermore, further openings or nozzle sets can also be assigned to each of the air channels 48, 50. In all cases, however, it is important that the exiting air currents meet so that the specified turbulence can occur.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the fan 44 emanates from a single air duct, which is guided onto the seat glasses 10 via a single intermediate part 70 and there is divided into the two air ducts 48 and 50. This preferred embodiment thus requires only a single intermediate part 70, which is advantageous in terms of simple manufacture.

4 shows a section through the seat glasses 10, in which the air duct 48 and an insert part 78 are integrated. The insert part 78 surrounds a spherical component 80, which is conical towards the opening 52 has tapered bore 82. It can be seen that the air stream emerging from the opening 52 can also be pivoted by pivoting the spherical component 80. In a corresponding manner, the other openings are also arranged so that they can pivot, so that the air streams that meet one another are optimally aligned. If necessary, the orientation of the air streams can be changed without difficulty by rotating the spherical component or the opening.

5 that the insert part 78 has a slot 84, 86 at the top and bottom. These slots extend to approximately the middle of the insert part 78, which is expediently made of an elastic plastic. The spherical component 80 can thus be easily inserted into the insert part 78. The insert part 78 is inserted into a corresponding recess in the seat glasses 10 and connected to the latter, for example by gluing. There is therefore no danger that the spherical component 80 will fall out of the insert part 78.

6 shows a section through the joints between the seat glasses and the fastening frame 12 of a preferred exemplary embodiment, in which the air channels 48, 50 are integrated into the seat glasses. Similar to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the fan emits a single air duct 88, which, however, is already divided into the two air ducts 48 and 50 in the fastening frame 12. The joints 90, 92 between the mounting frame 12 and seat glasses 10 contain hollow cylindrical tubes which are secured against displacement by means of screws 98 according to FIG. 7. The air channels are thus passed through said joints 90, 92, so that damage to the air channels is avoided in a simple manner. It should be noted that the Ge deflect 90, 92 as cylindrical bores in the seat glasses 10 formed air channels 48, 50 with little play the outer wall of the tubes so that the seat glasses can be pivoted easily in the usual way. The joints 90, 92 and the fastening of the seat glasses 10 to the fastening frame 12 are produced in such a way that the tubes which are initially inserted into the fastening frame are inserted into the air channels 48, 50 of the seat glasses, for example by means of a screwdriver inserted through the slots 94 . Then, by tightening a screw 98 in the thread 96, the aforementioned pipes are prevented from moving.

In the exemplary embodiments explained above, the air ducts are arranged on the underside or inside seat glasses. However, if there are no seat glasses, as is the case for example with a bidet, the air channels and the openings are correspondingly arranged in the upper edge of the bowl itself. Even in such embodiments, it is of crucial importance that the air streams emerging from the openings of the air ducts meet and swirl in the manner specified.

Reference symbol list

• 2 bowl
• 4 liquid lock
• 6 water
• 8 bowl rim
• 10 seat glasses
• 12 mounting frames
• 14 hinge
• 16 lids
• 18 boxes
• 20 control block
• 22 instantaneous water heaters
• 24 spray nozzle
• 26 lower body
• 28 person
• 30 water tank
• 32 cover cap
• 34 flush button
• 36,38,40 knobs
• 42 switches
• 44 blowers
• 46 heat source
• 48.50 air ducts
• 52.54 openings
• 56.58 air flows
• 60.62 air channels
• 64 right side
• 66 left side
• 68 interior
• 70.72 intermediate parts
• 74.76 openings
• 78 insert
• 80 component
• 82 hole
• 84.86 slots
• 88 air duct
• 90.92 joints
• 94 slot
• 96 threads
• 98 screw

Claims (17)

1. Drying device with a blower, by means of which preferably heated air can be conveyed into the interior of a bowl of a water closet or a bidet in order to dry the lower body area, characterized in that at least two openings (52, 54, 74, 76) are provided , through which the air flows into the interior (68) and that the openings (52, ₅₄ , 74, 76) are arranged in such a way that the emerging air currents (56, 58) meet and swirl below the lower body region (26). 2. Drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the air from a fan through two air channels (48, 50), each having at least one opening (52, 54) (Fig. 1 and 2), is conveyed into the interior. 3. Drying device according to claim 2, characterized in that each air channel (48, 50) has at least two openings (52, 54, 74, 76) (Fig. 3). 4. Drying device according to claim 1 or following, characterized in that the air streams (56, 68) emerge from the openings (52, 54, 74, 76) substantially horizontally or inclined downwards by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal. 5. Drying device according to claim 1 or following, characterized in that the air streams (56, 58) meet at an angle (α) less than 180 ⁰ . 6. Drying device according to claim 1 or the following, characterized in that the openings (52, 54, 74, 76) are designed as nozzles. 7. Drying device according to claim 1 or the following, characterized in that the openings (52, 54, 74, 76) are arranged in pivotable components (80) (Fig. 4 and 5). 8. Drying device according to claim 7, characterized in that the component (80) is substantially spherical and has a bore (82) which tapers conically to the opening (52, 54, 74, 76). 9. Drying device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the component (80) is preferably arranged in an insert (78) on the bowl (2) seat glasses (10) (Fig. 4 and 5). 10. Drying device according to claim 1 or following, characterized in that on the right or left side (64 or 66) of a seat on the bowl (2) seat glasses (10) each have an air duct (48 or 50) is arranged ( 2 and 3). 11. Drying device according to claim 1 or the following, characterized in that the air channels (48, 50) are arranged on the underside of seat glasses (10) which can be placed on the bowl (2) (FIG. 1). 12. Drying device according to claim 1 or following, characterized in that the air channels (48, 50) are formed as hoses, preferably made of plastic. 13. Drying device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the air channels (48, 50) are arranged in the interior of the seat glasses (10). 14. Drying device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the one or more air channels (48, 50) are designed to be flexible between a fastening frame (12) and the seat glasses (10) articulated thereon or a flexible intermediate part (70, 72) have (Figs. 2 and 3). 15. Drying device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the one or more air channels (48, 50) are guided through a fastening frame (12) through the joints (90, 92) provided for the articulation of the seat glasses (10) (Fig 6). 16. Drying device according to claim 15, characterized in that the joints (90, 92) contain substantially hollow cylindrical tubes which protrude into the air channels (48, 50) of the mounting frame (12) and the seat glasses (10). 17. Drying device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an air channel (48 or 50) is arranged on the right or left side (64 or 66) in the upper bowl edge (8) of the bowl.

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