EP2918740B1 - Hygienic cleaning device - Google Patents

Hygienic cleaning device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2918740B1
EP2918740B1 EP13853501.8A EP13853501A EP2918740B1 EP 2918740 B1 EP2918740 B1 EP 2918740B1 EP 13853501 A EP13853501 A EP 13853501A EP 2918740 B1 EP2918740 B1 EP 2918740B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nozzle
cleaning water
cleaning
flow
discharge opening
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EP13853501.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2918740A4 (en
EP2918740A1 (en
Inventor
Ryoichi Koga
Mitsumasa Matsumura
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Publication of EP2918740A4 publication Critical patent/EP2918740A4/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/08—Devices in the bowl producing upwardly-directed sprays; Modifications of the bowl for use with such devices ; Bidets; Combinations of bowls with urinals or bidets; Hot-air or other devices mounted in or on the bowl, urinal or bidet for cleaning or disinfecting

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sanitary cleaning device for cleaning a body part.
  • the maximum flow rate of cleaning water is set to approximately 0.5 L/min. Accordingly, to ensure a cleaning effect and a clean feeling even with a small flow rate of cleaning water, a pulsation pump, a pneumatic pump or the like is used. In this case, the pulsation pump or the like is required to generate a high pressure and hence, there has been a demand for a special pump having a high pulsation effect.
  • a hot water cleaning toilet seat device which includes a jet flow portion where fluidic device is used when a maximum flow rate is 1.0 L/min (for example, see PTL 1).
  • a flow rate of cleaning water is lowered to approximately 0.6 L/min, it is necessary to configure the jet flow portion such that a flow passage is extremely narrow. Accordingly, such a hot water cleaning toilet seat device has not been put into a practical use due to restrictions imposed on an operation, a response speed and the like of the fluidic device.
  • the nozzle described in PTL 2 which uses a sharply-narrowed flow passage generates cavitation due to a negative pressure generated in a contracted flow portion.
  • the generated cavitation spreads over the whole region of the hole in the nozzle spout opening, and generates super cavitation. Accordingly, a liquid and a gas are vigorously mixed with each other thus largely accelerating atomization of a fluid. That is, the nozzle described in PTL 2 which uses a sharply-narrowed flow passage is useful as a technique for strongly mixing a liquid and a gas in the nozzle spout opening.
  • the nozzle which uses the sharply-narrowed flow passage used in the fuel injection valve described in PTL 2 is provided on the premise that a fluid is atomized by being used in a state where a flow speed of a jet flow falls within a flow speed region of at least 10 m/sec or more such that the cavitation is surely generated. Accordingly, in the case of a sanitary cleaning device where a flow speed of cleaning water is approximately 10 m/sec at a maximum flow speed and a flow rate of cleaning water is small, only with an action of cavitation, a jet flow of cleaning water cannot be divided into water masses of a certain size. Accordingly, there has been a drawback that a high cleaning effect and an excellent clean feeling cannot be acquired when a flow rate of cleaning water is small.
  • EP 0 615 027 A discloses a sanitary cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of cleaning water jetting openings on a nozzle.
  • the apparatus provides various cleaning patents by giving turbulence to the jetting flow, by mixing air in the water and by changing a distribution ratio of jetting flows from jetting openings.
  • the present invention provides a sanitary cleaning device according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.
  • the throttling portion is disposed in the direction-changing portion which connects the inflow passage and the introducing passage of the body part cleaning nozzle to each other. Accordingly, a flow speed of cleaning water which is injected into the direction-changing portion from the inflow passage is increased at the throttling portion.
  • the flow speed is high, cleaning water impinges on inner wall surface 22a of introducing passage 22 and, at the same time, the flow direction is diverted and hence, the turbulence of flow such as a vortex is generated in cleaning water.
  • a high pulsation effect is imparted to a jet flow of cleaning water and hence, cleaning water can be spouted out from the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion.
  • a sanitary cleaning device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a toilet device provided with the sanitary cleaning device are described with reference to FIG. 1 .
  • FIG.1 is a perspective view of the toilet device on which the sanitary cleaning device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted.
  • toilet device 1000 of this exemplary embodiment includes at least: sanitary cleaning device 100; toilet bowl 700; entrance detection sensor 600 and the like, and sanitary cleaning device 100 is mounted on toilet bowl 700.
  • Sanitary cleaning device 100 includes: body portion 200; remote control unit 300; toilet seat portion 400; lid portion 500 and the like.
  • body portion 200 sitting detection sensor 610 which is provided to an upper portion of a front surface, and a cleaning water supply mechanism (see FIG. 3 ) controlled by control part 4 are incorporated.
  • Toilet seat portion 400 and lid portion 500 are mounted on body portion 200 in an openable and closeable manner.
  • Sitting detection sensor 610 is formed of a reflective-type infrared sensor or the like, for example, and detects the presence or the non-presence of a user on toilet seat portion 400 by detecting an infrared ray reflected from a body part.
  • toilet bowl nozzle 40 is shown in a state where toilet bowl nozzle 40 projects into the inside of toilet bowl 700. Due to such a constitution, the cleaning water supply mechanism supplies cleaning water supplied from the water supply pipe to toilet bowl nozzle 40. In the case of the preliminary cleaning of the toilet bowl, supplied cleaning water is spouted out to a wide area of an inner surface of toilet bowl 700 from toilet bowl nozzle 40. In the case of cleaning a rear portion of toilet bowl 700, cleaning water is spouted out to a back surface side of the inner surface of toilet bowl 700 from toilet bowl nozzle 40.
  • the cleaning water supply mechanism incorporated into body portion 200 is connected to nozzle portion 20 which is constituted of: buttock nozzle 1 and bidet nozzle 2 which are body part cleaning nozzles and nozzle cleaning nozzle 3 (see FIG. 3 ). Due to such a constitution, the cleaning water supply mechanism supplies cleaning water supplied from the water supply pipe to nozzle portion 20. The supplied cleaning water is spouted out to a part of a user from nozzle portion 20 such as buttock nozzle 1 or bidet nozzle 2. Cleaning water supplied to nozzle cleaning nozzle 3 of nozzle portion 20 is spouted out to buttock nozzle 1, bidet nozzle 2 and the like of nozzle portion 20 for cleaning these elements.
  • Remote control unit 300 has a plurality of switches, and is mounted, for example, at a place where a user who is seated on toilet seat portion 400 can operate remote control unit 300.
  • Entrance detection sensor 600 is formed of a reflective-type infrared sensor or the like, for example, and is mounted at an entrance of a toilet room or the like. Entrance detection sensor 600 detects that a user has entered the inside of the toilet room when entrance detection sensor 600 detects an infrared ray reflected from a body part.
  • Control part 4 of body portion 200 controls the operations of the respective parts of sanitary cleaning device 100 based on signals transmitted from remote control unit 300, entrance detection sensor 600 and sitting detection sensor 610.
  • remote control unit 300 of sanitary cleaning device 100 is described with reference to FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the remote control unit of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • remote control unit 300 includes wide cleaning switch 305, rhythm cleaning switch 306, water power setting switches 307, 308, movement cleaning switch 309, cleaning position setting switches 310, 311 which are mounted on an upper portion of controller body portion 301, stop switch 302 for instructing cessation of a cleaning operation, buttock switch 303 and bidet switch 304 which are mounted on a lower portion of controller body portion 301.
  • control part 4 of body portion 200 controls the operations of the respective constitutional parts of body portion 200 and toilet seat portion 400.
  • control part 4 moves nozzle portion 20 of body portion 200 such as buttock nozzle 1 or bidet nozzle 2, and makes nozzle portion 20 spout cleaning water thus cleaning a part of the user.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the constitution of the body part of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • body portion 200 of sanitary cleaning device 100 includes: control part 4, branch faucet 5; strainer 6; electromagnetic valve 7, atmosphere release portion 8; constant flow regulating valve 9; heat exchanger 12; temperature sensors 13a, 13b; water pump 14; buffer tank 15; changeover valve 16; nozzle portion 20; vacuum breaker 31; toilet bowl nozzle 40; toilet bowl nozzle motor 40m and the like.
  • Nozzle portion 20 of body portion 200 includes, as described above, buttock nozzle 1, bidet nozzle 2 and nozzle cleaning nozzle 3.
  • Changeover valve 16 includes changeover valve motor 16m.
  • branch faucet 5 is interposed in water supply pipe 201 which constitutes a water supply source, and branch faucet 5 is connected to body part cleaning water flow passage 202 leading to buttock nozzle 1 and bidet nozzle 2 which are body part cleaning nozzles.
  • body part cleaning water flow passage 202 strainer 6, constant flow regulating valve 9, electromagnetic valve 7, atmosphere release portion 8 having tank 8a provided with vacuum breaker 31 and relief valve 51, temperature sensor 13a, heat exchanger 12, temperature sensor 13b, water pump 14, buffer tank 15, changeover valve 16 and branch faucet 5 are disposed in this order.
  • Toilet bowl nozzle 40 is connected to an end portion of toilet bowl cleaning water flow passage 205 branched from body part cleaning water flow passage 202 by changeover valve 16.
  • Toilet bowl nozzle motor 40m is mounted on toilet bowl nozzle 40m.
  • tap water which flows in water supply pipe 201 is supplied to strainer 6 from branch faucet 5 as cleaning water. Dust, impurities and the like contained in cleaning water are removed by strainer 6.
  • control part 4 controls electromagnetic valve 7 thus changing over a supply state of cleaning water.
  • cleaning water passes through constant flow regulating valve 9 formed of a variable orifice made of rubber whose orifice diameter is changed corresponding to a working water pressure and hence, a pressure of cleaning water which flows in body part cleaning water flow passage 202 is reduced.
  • cleaning water controlled by electromagnetic valve 7 is supplied to heat exchanger 12 through atmosphere releasing portion 8 described in detail hereinafter.
  • heat exchanger 12 heats cleaning water supplied through the inside of body part cleaning water flow passage 202 to a predetermined temperature of 40°C or the like, for example.
  • water pump 14 connected to heat exchanger 12 is subjected to a drive control by control part 4 and hence, a flow rate of cleaning water corresponding to an operation speed of water pump 14 is spouted out from buttock nozzle 1 or bidet nozzle 2 which is the body part cleaning nozzle.
  • the heating operation of heat exchanger 12 is controlled by control part 4 based on measured temperature values which are measured by temperature sensors 13a, 13b and a controlled flow rate by water pump 14.
  • changeover valve 16 performs a changeover control by control part 4 such that the cleaning nozzle to be used is changed over to buttock nozzle 1 or bidet nozzle 2 which is the body part cleaning nozzle or nozzle cleaning nozzle 3. Further, changeover valve 16 performs a changeover control such that the cleaning nozzle is changed over to toilet bowl nozzle 40 which discharges cleaning water to a surface of the toilet bowl surface for preliminary cleaning of the toilet bowl, cleaning of a rear portion of the toilet bowl and the like.
  • buffer tank 15 functions as a temperature buffering portion for heated cleaning water. That is, buffer tank 15 suppresses the occurrence of temperature irregularity in cleaning water supplied under pressure to changeover valve 16. It is preferable that a total capacity of heat exchanger 12 and buffer tank 15 is 15 cc to 30 cc, and it is more preferable that the total capacity be 20 cc to 25 cc. For example, in the case of a sanitary cleaning device of an instantaneous warming type, in setting a flow rate of a jet flow to 500 cc/min., the capacity of heat exchanger 12 and the capacity of buffer tank 15 are factors which cause a delay in response.
  • the influence of the capacity exerted on delay in response is approximately 5% (25/500). This influence is the influence of approximately 3 seconds in terms of time.
  • the nozzle is operated within 10 seconds usually and hence, provided that the time of delay in response brought about by the heat exchanger and the like falls within 3 seconds, the influence can be sufficiently absorbed and hence, there arises no problem when the capacity of heat exchanger 12 and buffer tank 15 falls within the above-mentioned range.
  • control part 4 controls the operation of changeover valve motor 16m so as to change changeover valve 16 to any one of buttock nozzle 1, bidet nozzle 2 and nozzle cleaning nozzle 3 or toilet bowl nozzle 40, and supplies cleaning water supplied under pressure from water pump 14 through buffer tank 15. Accordingly, cleaning water is spouted out from any one of buttock nozzle 1, bidet nozzle 2 and nozzle cleaning nozzle 3, and toilet bowl nozzle 40.
  • Buttock nozzle 1 and bidet nozzle 2 are used for cleaning a part of a user.
  • Nozzle cleaning nozzle 3 is used for cleaning a portion of buttock nozzle 1 and a portion of bidet nozzle 2 projecting into the inside of toilet bowl 700.
  • Toilet bowl nozzle 40 is used for cleaning the inside of the toilet bowl.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of the body part cleaning nozzle of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a nozzle spout portion of the body part cleaning nozzle shown in FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner.
  • body part cleaning nozzle 1 of this exemplary embodiment is driven by the motor drive mechanism (not shown in the drawing) such that body part cleaning nozzle 1 projects to the inside of toilet bowl 700 from the inside of body portion 200 of sanitary cleaning device 100 at the time of cleaning, and is retracted and stored in the inside of body portion 200 after cleaning.
  • the motor drive mechanism and the like are omitted, and only a distal end portion of body part cleaning nozzle 1 is shown.
  • buttock nozzle 1 and bidet nozzle 2 are provided in the inside of one body part cleaning nozzle 1.
  • buttock nozzle 1 of the body part cleaning nozzle which is a key of this exemplary embodiment are described in detail.
  • buttock nozzle 1 of this exemplary embodiment is constituted of nozzle spout portion 26 having at least: inflow passage 21; introducing passage 22; and discharge opening 23, and direction-changing portion 27 having throttling portion 25a.
  • Inflow passage 21 is provided for supplying cleaning water to direction-changing portion 27 from the cleaning water supply mechanism shown in FIG. 3 .
  • Direction-changing portion 27 is configured to connect inflow passage 21 and one side of introducing passage 22 arranged in the direction at an approximately right angle (including a right angle) with respect to inflow passage 21, and diverts the flow direction of cleaning water.
  • Throttling portion 25a of direction-changing portion 27 increases a flow speed of cleaning water supplied from inflow passage 21 by throttling (narrowing) a flow passage of cleaning water, and makes cleaning water impinge on inner wall surface 22a of introducing passage 22.
  • Introducing passage 22 introduces cleaning water whose flow speed is increased by throttling portion 25a of direction-changing portion 27 to nozzle spout portion 26. At this stage of operation, it is preferable that bottom portion 22b of introducing passage 22 is disposed lower than lowest portion 21a of inflow passage 21 of direction-changing portion 27. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to effectively generate turbulence in cleaning water which flows into introducing passage 22.
  • Nozzle spout portion 26 is constituted of inflow portion 23b connected to the other side of introducing passage 22, and discharge opening 23 having exit portion 23a.
  • a sharply-narrowed flow passage where a cross section of the flow passage is sharply reduced as described below is provided from introducing passage 22 having a diameter of 3 mm through inflow portion 23b of discharge opening 23 having a diameter of 1.3 mm, for example.
  • discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 is formed such that aspect ratio (L/D) between flow passage length L of discharge opening 23 from inflow portion 23b side to exit portion 23a side of discharge opening 23 and diameter D of discharge opening 23 is set to a value which falls within a range from 0.25 to 0.75, and preferably within a range from 0.4 to 0.7.
  • Buttock nozzle 1 of this exemplary embodiment is constituted as described above, and cleaning water from the cleaning water supply mechanism is spouted out from exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 through inflow passage 21, direction-changing portion 27 and introducing passage 22, and cleans a body part.
  • FIG. 6 is a view for describing the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment when aspect ratio (L/D) between radius (D/2) and flow passage length L of the discharge opening of the sanitary cleaning device is set to approximately 0.5.
  • FIG. 7 is a view for describing the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment when aspect ratio (L/D) of the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion exceeds 1.
  • FIG. 8 is a view for describing the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment when aspect ratio (L/D) of the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion is set to a value smaller than 0.25.
  • space s is formed between the outer periphery of the jet flow of cleaning water of the contracted flow portion of cleaning water formed in a range from inflow portion 23b to exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 and inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23. Then, at exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26, space s formed by the outer periphery of the jet flow of cleaning water and inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 becomes maximum.
  • Air taken in a jet flow of cleaning water increases a volume of the jet flow. Accordingly, a diameter of the jet flow of cleaning water is increased due to taken air.
  • nozzle spout portion 26 is formed with a predetermined aspect ratio such that space s formed between the outer periphery of the jet flow of cleaning water and inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 becomes maximum at exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26. Therefore, the outer periphery of the jet flow of cleaning water can spread into space s and, at the same time, air can be taken in the jet flow. Accordingly, even when an amount of jet flow of cleaning water from body part cleaning nozzle is small, cleaning water is divided into water masses of a size which gives a strong clean feeling and, then, cleaning water can be spouted out from exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26.
  • a flow speed of cleaning water which flows into discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 is sufficiently fast, that is, 13.5 m/sec, for example, cavitation or the like occurs at above-mentioned vortex 29 or corner 23c of inflow portion 23b of discharge opening 23 as an initiation point. Accordingly, it is possible to impart the larger pulsation to cleaning water which is spouted out from exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26. As a result, it is possible to realize a sanitary cleaning device which acquires a higher cleaning effect and give a more excellent clean feeling.
  • a flow speed of cleaning water is approximately 10 m/sec. Accordingly, the flow of cleaning water which is adhered to inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 again becomes the stable flow where pulsation is suppressed. As a result, a pulsation effect of a jet flow of cleaning water is suppressed and hence, nozzle spout portion 26 where aspect ratio (L/D) exceeds 1 is not suitable as a body part cleaning nozzle of the sanitary cleaning device of this exemplary embodiment.
  • aspect ratio (L/D) of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 is preferably set to 0.75, and more preferably to 0.7 or less.
  • a passage of air to exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 is narrow because a distance from the position where cleaning water starts the contraction of flow is small. As a result, an amount of inflow of air taken in by space s is also decreased.
  • aspect ratio (L/D) of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 is less than 0.25, a state is brought about where jet flow of cleaning water hardly generates pulsation. Accordingly, a pulsation effect of the jet flow is low and hence, such aspect ratio is not suitable for the body part cleaning nozzle of a sanitary cleaning device of this exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between aspect ratio (L/D) and a load change width of a jet flow in the body part cleaning nozzle of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • actually measured values black square points
  • an average value solid line
  • a load change width is maximum in the vicinity of aspect ratio (L/D) of 0.5 so that a pulsation effect can be acquired when aspect ratio (L/D) falls within a range from 0.25 to 0.75.
  • high load change width of 4gw or more, for example, is acquired particularly when aspect ratio (L/D) falls within a range from 0.4 to 0.7.
  • a large load change width is acquired even when aspect ratio (L/D) is 0.75 or more; however, as described previously, an amount of contraction flow of cleaning water is small and a flow speed is lowered and hence, a cleaning effect and a clean feeling are lowered.
  • nozzle spout portion 26 where aspect ratio (L/D) is set to 0.75 or more is not preferable.
  • FIG. 10 is a view showing the relationship between a flow rate and a pressure loss of cleaning water with respect to predetermined aspect ratio (L/D) of the body part cleaning nozzle of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 shows an example where aspect ratio (L/D) of the body part cleaning nozzle is set to 0.5.
  • a solid line in the drawing indicates a result of study of flow rate and a pressure loss of cleaning water spouted out from the body part cleaning nozzle in the exemplary embodiment.
  • a broken line in the drawing indicates the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure loss in the state where neither pulsation nor division occurs in cleaning water spouted out from the body part cleaning nozzle.
  • aspect ratio (L/D) of the body part cleaning nozzle of the exemplary embodiment to a value which falls within a predetermined range from 0.25 to 0.75, for example, cleaning water is sufficiently divided even when a flow rate of cleaning water is 0.6 L/min so that cleaning water can be spouted out in a pulsation state.
  • aspect ratio (L/D) of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment it is preferable to set aspect ratio (L/D) of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 of the sanitary cleaning device according to the exemplary embodiment to a value which falls within a range of 0.25 to 0.75. Further, as described with reference to FIG 9 , it is more preferable to particularly set aspect ratio (L/D) of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 to a value which falls within a range of 0.4 to 0.7. Accordingly, a load change width of pulsation of cleaning water can be increased even with a small flow rate and hence, the sanitary cleaning device of the exemplary embodiment can acquire a higher cleaning effect and a further excellent clean feeling.
  • corner 23c of inflow portion 23b of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 forms cleaning water which flows into nozzle spout portion 26 into a contracted flow and peels off the flow from inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23. Accordingly, corner 23c is important for pulsating a jet flow of cleaning water due to the formation of vortex 29 generated by a subsequent flow.
  • an angle ⁇ of corner 23c is set at an approximately right angle (including a right angle) outwardly to inflow portion 23b from inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23.
  • a round shape is liable to be imparted to corner 23c by working or the like, and such a round shape influences peeling off of the flow of cleaning water.
  • the round shape of corner 23c is formed such that a radius of curvature becomes 0.1 mm or less. Accordingly, the flow of cleaning water can be effectively separated from inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 by corner 23c of inflow portion 23b of discharge opening 23 in nozzle spout portion 26. Then, air is mixed into a jet flow of cleaning water which flows along inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 and hence, the jet flow of cleaning water can be divided easily. As a result, it is possible to effectively impart a pulsation effect to cleaning water which spouts out from the body part cleaning nozzle.
  • corner 23c of inflow portion 23b of discharge opening 23 in nozzle spout portion 26 is formed at an approximately right angle.
  • the present invention is not limited to such an example.
  • an angle ⁇ of corner 23c extending outwardly to inflow portion 23b from inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 may be formed at an acute angle.
  • the flow of cleaning water can be peeled off with more certainty from inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 by corner 23c formed by inflow portion 23b and inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23. Further, an opening area (space s) for air which flows into a negative pressure portion generated by a contracted flow portion of cleaning water formed along inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 can be increased to maximum thus allowing air to easily flow into space s. Accordingly, even when a flow rate of jet flow of cleaning water from the body part cleaning nozzle is small, the jet flow of cleaning water can be divided into water masses of a size by which a strong clean feeling can be acquired and hence, a pulsation effect can be increased. As a result, even when a flow rate of cleaning water is small, it is possible to produce a higher cleaning effect and to give a more excellent clean feeling.
  • a projecting portion formed of a burr may be formed toward introducing passage 22 from inflow portion 23b along inner peripheral wall 23d of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26.
  • the projecting portion such as a burr may be formed by forming discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 by punching a sheet metal such as stainless steel or by resin molding, for example.
  • the jet flow of cleaning water can be divided into water masses of a size by which a strong clean feeling can be acquired and hence, a pulsation effect can be increased.
  • a flow rate of cleaning water is small, it is possible to produce a higher cleaning effect and to give a more excellent clean feeling.
  • FIG 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the body part cleaning nozzle of the sanitary cleaning device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • this exemplary embodiment differs from the body part cleaning nozzle of the sanitary cleaning device of the first exemplary embodiment in that turbulence generating portion 25 is formed on bottom portion 22b of introducing passage 22 which forms direction-changing portion 27 of the body part cleaning nozzle toward nozzle spout portion 26. It is preferable that turbulence generating portion 25 be provided in the vicinity of direction-changing portion 27 or on a direction-changing portion 27 side of introducing passage 22.
  • Other constitutions and the manner of operation and advantageous effects of this exemplary embodiment are equal to those of the sanitary cleaning device of the first exemplary embodiment and hence, the detailed description of other constitutions and the manner of operation and advantageous effects of this exemplary embodiment is omitted.
  • turbulence generating portion 25 in this exemplary embodiment is formed of a projection having a prism shape, for example, and is formed on bottom portion 22b of introducing passage 22 in an erected manner toward nozzle spout portion 26.
  • projection 25c having a prism shape which constitutes turbulence generating portion 25 has a width of 2 mm (in the direction orthogonal to the direction that cleaning water flows into introducing passage 22) and a thickness of 1 mm (in the direction that cleaning water flows into introducing passage 22), for example.
  • the projection having a prism shape which constitutes turbulence generating portion 25 is formed in the direction toward nozzle spout portion 26 such that a height (in the direction toward nozzle spout portion 26) of the projection falls within a range twice as large as a distance between a lowest portion 21a of inflow passage 21 where upper surface 25c1 of projection 25c forms direction-changing portion 27 and a lowest portion of inflow passage 21 and throttling portion 25a.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph showing a load change width of a jet flow in the body part cleaning nozzle shown in Fig. 12 .
  • a load change width of a jet flow in a body part cleaning nozzle which includes neither a throttling portion nor a turbulence generating portion and includes only nozzle spout portion 26 which forms a sharply-narrowed flow passage is also shown in FIG. 13 .
  • throttling portion 25a when a flow rate of cleaning water is increased, a flow speed of cleaning water is increased.
  • turbulence generating portion 25 when turbulence generating portion 25 is further provided, an amplitude of a load change width of a jet flow is increased along with the increase of a flow rate. Accordingly, a jet flow of cleaning water having a large flow rate and a high flow speed can enlarge a load change width and hence, it is possible to realize a desired jet flow of cleaning water.
  • a weak water flow condition that is, a condition where a flow rate of cleaning water is minimum and a flow speed of cleaning water is small
  • the flow speed of cleaning water is made as fast as possible due to throttling portion 25a.
  • cleaning water whose flow speed is increased impinge on turbulence generating portion 25 thus generating turbulence such as a vortex flow, it is possible to generate a pulsation jet flow where an amplitude of a load change width of the jet flow is large.
  • a load change width of a jet flow can be enlarged along with the increase of a flow rate of cleaning water compared to a case where neither throttling portion nor the turbulence generating portion is provided. Further, it is understood that even when a flow rate of cleaning water is 0.6 L/min or less, a high load change width can be acquired. Accordingly, even when a flow rate of cleaning water is small, a pulsation effect of a jet flow of cleaning water can be enhanced so that a higher cleaning effect and a more excellent clean feeling can be acquired.
  • upper surface 25c1 of projection 25c may he formed in an inclined manner toward a lower side (a bottom portion 22b side of introducing passage 22) as the upper surface 25c1 is away from a throttling portion 25a side. Due to such a constitution, cleaning water which impinges on projection 25c can be effectively disturbed.
  • projection 25c which constitutes turbulence generating portion 25 is provided to introducing passage 22 which constitutes direction-changing portion 27.
  • the present invention is not limited to such a case.
  • projection 25b may be disposed upstream of throttling portion 25a. Accordingly, with the simple constitution where the above-mentioned turbulence generating portion is not provided, a flow speed of cleaning water which flows into the throttling portion can be increased. As a result, a pulsation effect of a jet flow of cleaning water spouted out from exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 can be increased.
  • FIG. 15 a sanitary cleaning device according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 15 .
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a pulsation pump according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the sanitary cleaning device according this exemplary embodiment differs from the sanitary cleaning devices of the above-mentioned respective exemplary embodiments in that water pump 14 is formed of pulsation pump 14a.
  • Other constitutions and the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the sanitary cleaning device of this exemplary embodiment are equal to those of the sanitary cleaning device of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments and hence, the detailed description of other constitutions and the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the sanitary cleaning device of this exemplary embodiment is omitted.
  • the example is described where pulsation pump 14a is formed of positive displacement pump 14a.
  • the constitution and the manner of operation of the positive displacement pump which is a pulsation pump mounted in a body portion of the sanitary cleaning device according this exemplary embodiment are described with reference to FIG. 15 .
  • positive displacement pump 14a includes at least: pump body portion 81 having column-shaped space 82; pressure-supply piston 83; motor 86; link mechanism 89 and the like.
  • column-shaped space 82 of pump body portion 81 is divided into pump chamber 82a and pump chamber 82b by pressure-supply piston 83.
  • Inflow portion 84 for cleaning water is formed on one side portion of pump body portion 81, and outflow portion 85 for cleaning water is formed on the other side portion of pump body portion 81.
  • Inflow portion 84 is connected to heat exchanger 12 through body part cleaning water flow passage 202, and outflow portion 85 is connected to changeover valve 16 through body part cleaning water flow passage 202.
  • Gear 87 mounted on a rotary shaft of motor 86 and gear 88 connected to link mechanism 89 are meshed with each other and hence, the rotational movement of motor 86 is converted into reciprocating movement of pressure-supply piston 83 by way of link mechanism 89. That is, when motor 86 is rotated, pressure-supply piston 83 is moved in a reciprocating manner by way of gear 87, gear 88 and link mechanism 89.
  • positive displacement pump 14a performs the following manner of operation.
  • cleaning water in pump chamber 82a When cleaning water in pump chamber 82a is discharged from outflow portion 85a accordingly, cleaning water is supplied to pump chamber 82b from inflow portion 84b. Then, when cleaning water in pump chamber 82a is supplied from inflow portion 84a, cleaning water in pump chamber 82b is discharged from outflow portion 85b.
  • pulsation pump 14a which is positive displacement pump 14a
  • cleaning water to which pulsation is imparted in advance flows into nozzle spout portion 26 through inflow passage 21, direction-changing portion 27, introducing passage 22 of body part cleaning nozzle 1. Therefore, disturbance of cleaning water such as a vortex at direction-changing portion 27 is accelerated by pulsating cleaning water. Accordingly, it is possible to impart a higher pulsation effect to a jet flow of cleaning water spouted out from exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26 which constitutes a sharply-narrowed flow passage.
  • pulsation pump 14a As described in conjunction with the first exemplary embodiment, it is possible to impart pulsation to a jet flow of cleaning water by nozzle spout portion 26. Accordingly, as pulsation pump 14a, pulsation pump 14a with a smaller pulsation pressure can be used. Further, due to such a constitution, it is possible to effectively spout out a jet flow of cleaning water formed of divided water masses of a size by which a good clean feeling can be acquired from exit portion 23a of discharge opening 23 of nozzle spout portion 26. Accordingly, pulsation pump 14a of a low cost can be used by reducing a load of pulsation pump 14a. As a result, it is possible to realize a sanitary cleaning device which can realize a low cost.
  • the present invention provides the sanitary cleaning device which discharges supplied cleaning water toward a body part from the body part cleaning nozzle, wherein the body part cleaning nozzle includes the inflow passage, the introducing passage, and the nozzle spout portion having the discharge opening.
  • the inflow passage is connected to one end of the introducing passage via a direction-changing portion having a throttling portion.
  • the nozzle spout portion is formed of a sharply-narrowed flow passage which is connected to another end of the introducing passage and whose flow passage cross-sectional area is sharply reduced by the introducing passage and the discharge opening.
  • the throttling portion is disposed in the direction-changing portion which connects the inflow passage and the introducing passage of the body part cleaning nozzle to each other. Accordingly, a flow speed of cleaning water which is injected into the direction-changing portion from the inflow passage is increased at the throttling portion.
  • the flow speed is high, cleaning water impinges on the inner wall surface of the introducing passage and, at the same time, the flow direction is diverted by the direction-changing portion and hence, the turbulence of flow such as a vortex is generated in cleaning water.
  • a high pulsation effect is imparted to a jet flow of cleaning water and hence, cleaning water can be spouted out from the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion.
  • a contracted flow of cleaning water forms the minimum diameter portion. Further, a gap is formed between a jet flow of cleaning water and the inner peripheral wall of the discharge opening. Due to such a constitution, the discharging direction of a jet flow of cleaning water is not influenced by the inner peripheral wall of the discharge opening. As a result, it is possible to impart the degree of freedom to the direction that a jet flow of cleaning water is discharged (for example, the longitudinal direction that the body part cleaning nozzle projects).
  • a vortex generated in the space formed by the outer periphery of a jet flow of cleaning water and the inner peripheral wall of the discharge opening changes in terms of time as well as in terms of space. Accordingly, it is possible to impart an action of swinging in the discharge direction of a jet flow of cleaning water in accordance with a change in a vortex.
  • aspect ratio (L/D) between diameter D and flow passage length L of the discharge opening may be set to a value which falls within a range from 0.25 to 0.75. Further, in the nozzle spout portion, aspect ratio (L/D) between diameter D of the discharge opening and flow passage length L of the discharge opening may be set to a value which falls within a range from 0.4 to 0.7.
  • the minimum diameter portion (maximum flow speed portion) of the contracted flow portion generated in the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion approximately agree with (including “agree with") the position of the exit portion of the discharge opening. Accordingly, at the position of the exit portion of the discharge opening, a space formed by an outer periphery of a jet flow of cleaning water and the inner peripheral wall of the discharge opening becomes maximum. An opening area for air which flows into the negative pressure portion generated at the contracted flow portion formed in the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion becomes maximum and hence, air can easily flow into the negative pressure portion.
  • aspect ratio (L/D) a value which falls within a range from 0.25 to 0.75 or within a range from 0.4 to 0.7, it is possible to configure the exit portion of the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion such that a space formed between the outer periphery of a jet flow and the inner peripheral wall of the discharge opening becomes maximum. Accordingly, outside air flows into the space and, at the same time, air is easily taken in a jet flow of cleaning water. Then, air taken in the jet flow of cleaning water increases a volume of the jet flow of cleaning water thus increasing a diameter of an outer periphery of the jet flow.
  • the outer periphery of the jet flow of cleaning water is allowed to sufficiently spread into the space and hence, due to air taken in cleaning water, even when a flow rate of jet flow of cleaning water from the body part cleaning nozzle is small, it is possible to divide cleaning water into water masses by which a user can acquire a strong clean feeling. Due to a pulsation jet flow generated by divided water masses, a load change width of a jet flow which impinges on a part to be cleaned is increased. As a result, even when a flow rate of jet flow of cleaning water from the body part cleaning nozzle is small, it is possible to realize a sanitary cleaning device which acquires a high cleaning effect and a clean feeling.
  • the direction-changing portion may be configured such that the flow direction of cleaning water which flows in the inflow passage and the flow direction of cleaning water which flows in the introducing passage may be changed at a right angle. Due to such a constitution, cleaning water which flows into the introducing passage from the inflow passage impinges on the inner wall surface of the introducing passage and hence, a flow speed distribution of cleaning water which advances to the nozzle spout portion changes. Then, a jet flow of cleaning water is divided at the nozzle spout portion which constitutes the sharply-narrowed flow passage and, at the same time, cleaning water in the direction (longitudinal direction) that the body part cleaning nozzle projects is discharged while being swung. As a result, it is possible to realize a sanitary cleaning device which acquires a high cleaning effect and gives an excellent clean feeling.
  • an inflow portion of the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion connected to the introducing passage may have a corner formed into an acute angle between an outer region of inflow portion and an inner peripheral wall of the discharge opening. Due to such a constitution, the flow of cleaning water can be peeled off with certainty by a portion of the corner at the inflow portion of the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion.
  • the corner acts so as to allow air from the outside to easily flow into the negative pressure portion generated by the reducing flow portion formed by the nozzle spout portion.
  • cleaning water is divided into water masses of a size which can give a strong clean feeling, and thus further enhance a cleaning effect and a clean feeling.
  • the inflow portion of the discharge opening may have a burr that projects toward an introducing passage side. Due to such a constitution, by ensuring an edge of the corner of the inflow portion of the discharge opening of the nozzle spout portion, it is possible to surely peel off the flow of cleaning water by the edge portion of the corner.
  • the corner acts so as to allow air from the outside to easily flow into the negative pressure portion generated by the reducing flow portion formed by the nozzle spout portion. As a result, even when a flow rate of jet flow of cleaning water from the body part cleaning nozzle is small, cleaning water is divided into water masses of a size which can give a strong clean feeling, and thus further enhance a cleaning effect and a clean feeling.
  • a turbulence generating portion which disturbs the flow of the cleaning water flowing into the introducing passage from the inflow passage through the throttling portion may be formed in the inflow passage at a direction-changing portion side. Further, the turbulence generating portion may be formed of a projection formed in an extending manner toward the discharge opening from a bottom portion of the introducing passage. Due to such a constitution, the turbulence of the flow of cleaning water which flows into the introducing passage is accelerated and hence, a pulsation effect of cleaning water which is spouted out from the nozzle spout portion can be further enhanced.
  • the projection may be formed into a shape of a prism. Due to such a constitution, the turbulence of the flow of cleaning water which flows into the introducing passage can be further accelerated.
  • an upper surface of the projection may be inclined downwardly with increase in distance from one side adjacent to the throttling portion. Due to such a constitution, the turbulence of the flow of cleaning water which flows into the introducing passage can be further accelerated.
  • the upper surface of the projection is located at a height within a range twice a distance between a lowest portion of the inflow port and the throttling portion, when the height is measured from the lowest portion of the inflow port that constitutes the direction-changing portion. Due to such a constitution, the flow of cleaning water which flows into the introducing passage can be effectively disturbed.
  • a pulsation pump may be disposed upstream of the body part cleaning nozzle. Due to such a constitution, by making use of the pulsation generated by the nozzle spout portion, it is possible to use the pulsation pump with a smaller pulsation pressure. As a result, it is possible to divide a jet flow of cleaning water from the nozzle spout portion into water masses of a size which can acquire a more preferable clean feeling and, at the same time, a load of the pulsation pump can be decreased.
  • the present invention can enhance a cleaning effect and a clean feeling by dividing a jet flow of cleaning water into water masses of a size which can acquire a strong clean feeling even when a flow rate of jet flow of cleaning water is small. Accordingly, the present invention is applicable not only to a hot water cleaning toilet bowl seat but also applications such as a sanitary cleaning device for cleaning face, head, hands, legs and the like and cleaning of animals such as pets or non-living matters.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
EP13853501.8A 2012-11-06 2013-03-04 Hygienic cleaning device Active EP2918740B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2012244177 2012-11-06
PCT/JP2013/001289 WO2014073124A1 (ja) 2012-11-06 2013-03-04 衛生洗浄装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2918740A1 EP2918740A1 (en) 2015-09-16
EP2918740A4 EP2918740A4 (en) 2015-12-23
EP2918740B1 true EP2918740B1 (en) 2021-09-01

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EP (1) EP2918740B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP5594448B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN104024545B (zh)
WO (1) WO2014073124A1 (zh)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016166452A (ja) * 2015-03-09 2016-09-15 アイシン精機株式会社 温水洗浄便座装置
WO2019036828A1 (zh) * 2017-08-21 2019-02-28 王佰忠 蒸汽卫生坐便器
CN107338842A (zh) * 2017-08-24 2017-11-10 王佰忠 蒸汽卫生坐便器
CN110318450B (zh) * 2019-07-29 2024-05-24 姚燕 马桶及控制方法

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0526139Y2 (zh) * 1986-03-10 1993-07-01
JP2921120B2 (ja) * 1990-12-28 1999-07-19 アイシン精機株式会社 人体局部洗浄装置の洗浄ノズル
TW253005B (zh) * 1993-03-09 1995-08-01 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd
JP3331832B2 (ja) * 1995-09-19 2002-10-07 松下電器産業株式会社 衛生洗浄装置
JP2000120141A (ja) 1998-10-16 2000-04-25 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 温水洗浄便座装置
JP2003083205A (ja) 2001-09-11 2003-03-19 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 燃料噴射ノズル及びこれを備えた内燃機関並びに燃料噴射方法
US7303465B2 (en) * 2004-12-09 2007-12-04 North Carolina State University Hydroentangling jet strip device defining an orifice
JP4848679B2 (ja) * 2005-06-15 2011-12-28 パナソニック株式会社 局部洗浄ノズル
JP4848694B2 (ja) * 2005-07-20 2011-12-28 パナソニック株式会社 自励振動流ノズルとそれを備えた衛生洗浄機能付便座
WO2011111339A1 (ja) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-15 パナソニック株式会社 ノズル装置とそれを備える衛生洗浄装置
JP5556259B2 (ja) * 2010-03-12 2014-07-23 パナソニック株式会社 ノズル装置とそれを使用した衛生洗浄装置
JP5807144B2 (ja) * 2010-03-12 2015-11-10 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 ノズル装置とそれを使用した衛生洗浄装置

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JP5594448B1 (ja) 2014-09-24
EP2918740A4 (en) 2015-12-23
JPWO2014073124A1 (ja) 2016-09-08
CN104024545A (zh) 2014-09-03
CN104024545B (zh) 2015-07-22
WO2014073124A1 (ja) 2014-05-15
EP2918740A1 (en) 2015-09-16

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