JP2000120134A - Sanitary cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly control the mixed state of a bubble in a sanitary cleaning device using a cleaning water having mixed bubbles. SOLUTION: A sanitary cleaning device is provided with a mixing means for pressurizing an air by an air pump to mix bubbles into a cleaning water. The size of the bubble and a mixing rate is controlled by controlling the pressure caused by the air pump and the flow speed of the cleaning water passing through the mixing means. In the case where the cleaning water is jetted toward the vagina part, the bubble is controlled into a poor stimulative state, and in the case where the cleaning water is jetted toward the anus, the cleaning power is improved, and the bubble is controlled according to a cleaned portion. The control is carried out during the oscillation of a jet mouth in the cleaning. In addition the cleaning is carried out by dividing into such stages as a preparatory cleaning, a normal cleaning and a finish cleaning, and in the finish cleaning, the mixing rate of the bubble is enlarged to make a water drop difficult to adhere, and the bubble is controlled according to an elapsed time after the beginning of cleaning. The bubble can be properly controlled to realize comfortable cleaning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sanitary washing device for washing a local part of a human body by jetting washing water containing air bubbles from a jet port, and more particularly to a sanitary washing device capable of controlling the state of air bubbles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a sanitary washing device for ejecting washing water to wash a human body part. In recent years, a sanitary washing apparatus using washing water mixed with air bubbles has also been proposed (for example, a sanitary washing apparatus described in JP-A-5-33377). When bubbles are mixed into the washing water, a water saving effect of reducing the amount of washing water used can be obtained. There is also an effect that the cleaning power is improved depending on the mixing ratio of bubbles.

[0003] On the other hand, there has conventionally been known one having a buttocks washing mode for washing the vicinity of the anus and a bidet washing mode for washing a local part of a woman. When washing a local part of a woman, a sanitary washing device for washing not only a relatively limited part of a vagina but also a wide area from an anus to a urethra has been proposed (JP-A-8-492).
79). During the menstruation, the female part often becomes extensively soiled, so if it can be extensively cleaned, the usefulness in such a case is enhanced. In addition, when washing the anus, sewage may splash on the vagina, but if it can be washed extensively, the sewage on the vagina can be washed and the effect of keeping the female local area clean There is also.

[0004]

As described above, the use of washing water containing air bubbles is effective in various aspects. However, no study has been made on how to control the state of air bubbles mixed into the cleaning water. Conventionally, in each of the buttocks cleaning mode and the bidet cleaning mode, air bubbles are merely mixed in a predetermined fixed mixing state.

[0005] In particular, in the function of cleaning a local portion of a woman over a wide area, no study has been made on how to control the mixing state of bubbles, and a problem has actually occurred.
Generally, women's departments are very sensitive. When air bubbles are mixed in the cleaning water, the irritation applied to the local area as well as the cleaning power greatly changes depending on the mixing state. In the conventional sanitary washing device, when the state of mixing of air bubbles is set based on the feeling of cleaning the anus, the vaginal part is too irritating in the mixed state, and the user may feel a strong discomfort when cleaning a wide area.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary washing apparatus that appropriately controls the state of air bubbles mixed into washing water and realizes comfortable washing.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve at least a part of the problems, the present invention has the following constitution. The sanitary washing device of the present invention is a sanitary washing device for washing a human body part by jetting washing water supplied from the outside from a jet port, wherein a bubble mixing means for mixing bubbles in the washing water, The gist is to provide a control means for controlling the mixed state to be different depending on the elapsed time after the start of cleaning.

According to such a sanitary washing apparatus, the state of air bubbles can be controlled to be different depending on the elapsed time after the start of washing. Conventionally, a constant mixing ratio has been maintained after the start of cleaning. Generally, when cleaning a local part, the state of the local part to be cleaned changes according to the elapsed time after the start of cleaning. Continuing the cleaning removes local stains and does not require as much cleaning power. In the case of cleaning a wide area, a part to be cleaned may be different depending on the elapsed time after the start of cleaning. In each case, the irritation and detergency suitable for cleaning will vary. In the sanitary washing device of the present invention, by controlling the mixed state according to the elapsed period, the air bubbles can be brought into a mixed state suitable for each period. As a result, in the entire period from the start to the end of cleaning,
Comfortable cleaning can be realized.

[0009] The mixing state of bubbles can be controlled by various parameters. For example, the control means may be a means for controlling the size of the mixed bubbles, and the control means may be a means for controlling the mixing rate of the bubbles.

In general, the size of the air bubbles is mainly responsible for local irritation. The larger the bubbles, the weaker the local stimulus, and the smaller the bubbles, the stronger the local stimulus. The mixing ratio of air bubbles is mainly related to the cleaning power. As the mixing ratio of bubbles increases, the cleaning power gradually increases. However, if the mixing ratio is further increased after a certain state, the amount of the cleaning water itself hitting a local part is reduced, and the cleaning power is reduced. The state of air bubbles being mixed can be controlled based on these parameters according to local stimulation and detergency. Of course, the control may be performed based on other parameters.

The mixing ratio of bubbles refers to the volume of air mixed per unit volume of water. The size of the bubble can be represented by the average diameter of the bubble. Since it is difficult to strictly control the average diameter of the bubbles, the control may be performed with a considerable width.

[0012] In the sanitary washing device of the present invention, the control means may be means for increasing the mixing ratio of the bubbles as the elapsed time increases.

By controlling the mixing ratio of bubbles in this manner,
As the elapsed time increases, the amount of washing water used can be reduced. As a result, even if the cleaning period increases, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of cleaning water used in the entire cleaning period. In addition, the following various effects can be obtained according to the type of the sanitary washing device. For example,
In a sanitary washing device that uses washing water heated by a hot-water type heat exchanger, the stored washing water decreases as the elapsed time after washing increases, and in some cases, the temperature of the jetted washing water. May decrease.
As the elapsed time increases, the amount of washing water used is suppressed, so that a decrease in temperature can also be suppressed. On the other hand, in a sanitary washing device that uses an instantaneous heat exchanger, the amount of washing water is reduced as the elapsed time increases, and the washing water is easily heated by making the washing water easier to heat. An increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

In the sanitary washing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a pre-cleaning means for performing pre-cleaning for moistening the local part prior to the main cleaning for removing stains on the local part, and the control means corresponds to the pre-cleaning. The period may be a means for reducing the mixing ratio of bubbles.

If the pre-cleaning is performed when cleaning the local area, the cleaning effect can be enhanced. Pre-cleaning may be sufficient if the local area is moistened so that dirt can easily be removed.
Therefore, the cleaning power of the cleaning water is not so required, and the amount of the cleaning water is required. If the mixing ratio of bubbles is controlled in the above-described manner, the amount of cleaning water can be increased by reducing the mixing ratio of bubbles, and the cleaning water can be brought into a state suitable for preliminary cleaning. Thereafter, by performing the main cleaning while increasing the mixing ratio of the bubbles, the dirt can be effectively removed.

In the sanitary washing device of the present invention, the control means may control the state of the washing water at the end of washing so that the amount of water droplets adhering to the local part is reduced.

This makes it possible to easily dry the local portion after the cleaning. In order to reduce the amount of water droplets adhering to the local part, for example, the mixing ratio of bubbles to the cleaning water may be increased. Further, the diameter of the bubble may be increased.

In the sanitary washing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a moving means for moving the spout during washing, and the control means controls the mixed state of bubbles to a different state according to the position of the spout. There can be.

In this way, when the jet port is moved to clean a relatively wide area, it is possible to control the state of air bubbles depending on the area to be cleaned. In general, the degree of sensitivity and the degree of dirt are often different for each cleaning part.
If the mixed state of the air bubbles is controlled in the above-described manner, the washing water can be set in an appropriate state according to the sensitivity of each part and the degree of dirt, and comfortable washing can be realized.

Specifically, for example, the moving means is a means capable of moving at least an area including a female vagina, and the control means is capable of causing the spout to spout washing water into the female vagina. If it is located at a proper position, it can be a means for controlling the state of air bubble mixing so that local stimulation is little.

The female vagina is very sensitive. If the mixing ratio of bubbles is controlled in the above-described manner, the washing water is kept at a low level of irritation when jetted into the vagina, so that the vagina can be washed without feeling uncomfortable. The state with little irritation can be set by a so-called sensory test.
In other words, the washing water is spouted to a plurality of subjects while the mixing ratio and the diameter of the bubbles are variously changed, and a state in which the stimulation is felt to be small is selected. Generally, the larger the diameter of the bubble, the less the stimulation. Also, as the mixing ratio of bubbles decreases, the stimulus tends to be less.

In a sanitary washing apparatus for controlling the state of air bubbles mixed according to the position of the spout, the control means is a means capable of moving at least a range including the anus, and the control means is provided with the spout. When is located at a position where the washing water can be ejected to the anus, it may be a means for controlling the mixing state of the air bubbles so that the washing power is high.

In general, a strong detergency is often required when cleaning the anus. In addition, since the anal part is not so sensitive, there is a tendency that even if the stimulus is somewhat strong, no extreme discomfort is felt. If the mixing state of the bubbles is controlled in the above manner,
The washing water having a high detergency can be spouted to the anus, and the anus can be quickly washed.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) Apparatus configuration: Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration inside a sanitary washing device 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. The sanitary washing device 10 is the toilet body 1
4, which is a device for jetting water supplied from a general water pipe to a local part of a human body to clean the local part of the human body.

The sanitary washing device 10 is assembled in a casing 16 fixed to the toilet body 14. The water absorption pipe 12 is formed so as to be connectable to a water pipe, and functions as a supply path of cleaning water from the water pipe to the sanitary washing device 10. The sanitary washing device 10 is connected by a pipe in the order of the pump 20, the suction head 30, the heat exchanger 40, the flow control valve 50, and the nozzle 70 from the water absorption pipe 12 side. The washing water supplied from the water absorption pipe 12 passes through each component of the sanitary washing device 10 in this order, and is then ejected from the nozzle 70. The components can be arranged in various orders from upstream in addition to the order described above.

The pump 20 adjusts the washing water supplied from the water absorption pipe 12 to a pressure suitable for washing. The pump 20 adjusts the flow rate of the cleaning water by adjusting the pressure of the cleaning water. When the pump 20 is turned on, the cleaning water is ejected from the nozzle 70. The pressure of the washing water can be adjusted by the user as described later.

The suction head 30 is a part that has a function of mixing air bubbles into the cleaning water. In this embodiment, bubbles can be mixed into the cleaning water at a predetermined ratio by sending air pressurized by the air pump 32 connected to the suction head 30. The principle of mixing bubbles will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a cross section of the suction head 30. The washing water flows from the left side to the right side in the figure. The suction head 30 has a configuration in which an air chamber 35 is provided inside a housing 34 and a cylindrical bubble dispersion member 36 is fixed. The flow path diameter through which the washing water flows is about 1.5 to 3.0 mm
It is. The housing 34 is provided with an air introduction pipe 37 for sending air pressurized by the air pump 32 into the air chamber 35.

The cell dispersion 36 is formed of a porous body having a large number of openings. The pore formed in the porous body does not leak water to the outside at the pressure of the washing water passing through the inside,
It is a fine hole that allows air to be sent from the outside to the inside due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside.

The cell dispersion 36 is formed by heating and molding substantially spherical particles of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. When these substantially spherical particles are molded by heating, independent pores in which voids are divided by the particles can be formed on the surface of the cell dispersion 36. In order to fill the particles with substantially uniform particles, the openings are arranged in a substantially regular grid. The regularly arranged openings have an advantage that generated bubbles can be prevented from uniting with each other. Since the particles are fused by heat molding, there is also an advantage that they are excellent in strength against water pressure and air pressure.

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene has the advantage that the surface properties can be easily controlled during molding by sufficiently controlling the heating temperature and melting at a temperature slightly above the melting point of the resin. In addition, there is an advantage that it has physical properties suitable for being applied to a part of the flow path of the washing water, such as being chemically stable and having almost no water absorption.

Although the average particle diameter of the particles is 50 μm to 300 μm, the pore diameter can be controlled by controlling the particle diameter of the material, so that the bubble diameter of generated bubbles is determined by the average particle diameter of the material. When the particles having an average particle diameter of 50 μm to 300 μm are used, pores for forming a bubble diameter of 100 μm to 1000 μm are formed. To increase the cell diameter, the particle diameter of the material may be increased, and to decrease the cell diameter, the particle diameter of the material may be decreased.

The cell dispersion 36 can be formed of various other materials. For example, a material obtained by weaving substantially spherical particles of an acrylic resin or a fiber material such as nylon into a substantially lattice shape may be used. Further, metals such as bronze and stainless steel, glass, and the like can also be used. Instead of using the heat-meltable powder, a material having continuous pores formed using phase change glass, a ceramic material, or the like may be used.

When the air pressurized by the air pump 32 is sent from the air introduction pipe 37 to the air chamber 35, the air is sent from the opening of the bubble dispersing element 36 into the pipe, and expands at each opening. . When the air expands to a predetermined size, the air is cut off by the shearing force received from the washing water flowing in the pipe and becomes bubbles, which are mixed into the washing water. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the independent aperture of the cell dispersion 36 is set so that the diameter of the formed cells is about 100 to 1000 μm. The air pump 32
What is necessary is just to be able to perform a steady operation with a pumping capacity of about 50,000 to 100,000 Pa, and various types such as a rolling pump, a vane pump, a rotary pump, and a linear pump can be adopted.

The sanitary washing device 10 of the present embodiment can control the rate of air bubbles mixed into the washing water by controlling the pressure of the air by the air pump 32. In addition to the pressure from the air pump 32,
By controlling with 0, the diameter of the bubble can be controlled. The mixing ratio and the diameter of the bubbles may be controlled by switching the bubble dispersion 36.

The heat exchanger 40 is a so-called instantaneous water heater. The cleaning water is directly heated by the heater 42 and supplied to the nozzle 70. In this embodiment, a ceramic heater is used as the heater 42. The heat exchanger 40 is
It has the ability to heat the wash water to about 40 degrees Celsius depending on the settings of the user.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the heat exchanger 40. The left side of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view from the side of the heat exchanger 40, and the right side of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view from the front. The heat exchanger 40 is formed such that a heater 42 is supported by a plurality of separators 46 inside a housing 44. The cleaning water flows on both sides of the heater 42 as shown on the left side of FIG. The separators 46 are arranged in a staggered manner as shown on the right side of FIG. The washing water is branched by the separator 46 and flows with stirring. The separator 46 improves the heat transfer efficiency from the heater 42 to the cleaning water by such an effect.

The structure of the nozzle 70 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the nozzle 70. Inside the nozzle 70, two cleaning water flow paths having a circular cross section are formed.
The small-diameter flow path is the hip-washing water channel 72 that serves as the flow path of the washing water for the hip-wash. The large-diameter flowing water is a bidet washing water passage 74 that serves as a flow path of washing water for bidet washing. In this embodiment,
The diameter of the butt washing channel 72 is about 1.9 mm, and the bidet washing channel 7
4 had a diameter of about 2.5 mm. Also, both flow paths are about 95m
At about m, the pressure loss in the buttocks washing channel 72 and the pressure loss in the bidet washing channel 74 are set to be substantially equal. Since the buttocks washing channel 72 has a smaller diameter and a larger pressure loss per unit length, the bidet washing channel 74
Has a slightly shorter flow path length. The tip of the nozzle 70 is provided with a tail washing water jet 73 connected to a tail washing water channel 72 and a bidet washing water jet 75 connected to a bidet washing water channel 74. Butt washing water spout 73
Has one spout. The bidet cleaning water spout 75 has two large and small spouts, and the washing water is spouted from both spouts simultaneously.

In the present embodiment, the diameters of the buttocks washing channel 72 and the bidet washing channel 74 are changed in order to obtain different washing feelings. In this embodiment, the diameter of the buttocks washing channel 72 is smaller than the diameter of the bidet washing channel 74. Therefore, the flow rate of the washing water in the buttocks washing channel 72 is faster than the flow rate of the washing water in the bidet washing channel 74. The time from when air bubbles are mixed into the washing water to when it is ejected is shorter in the butt washing than in the bidet washing. In general, the diameter of bubbles is known to increase in correlation with the elapsed time after mixing, so in the present embodiment, the washing water used for ass washing is more than the washing water used for bidet washing. The diameter of the bubbles becomes smaller. The smaller the bubble diameter, the harder the washing feeling. As described above, due to the difference in the bubble diameter and the ejection speed, the washing feeling between the buttocks washing and the bidet washing is different, and in this embodiment, the buttocks washing gives a harder washing feeling than the bidet washing. Can be.

At the base of the nozzle 70, a switching mechanism for switching the supply destination of the washing water to the buttocks washing channel 72 and the bidet washing channel 74 is provided. In addition, the nozzle 70
Is provided with a nozzle drive motor 60 for driving the nozzle forward and backward. The nozzle drive motor 60 causes the nozzle 70 to advance from the standby position of the casing 16 to the buttocks cleaning position or the bidet cleaning position further in front thereof, or to retract from both cleaning positions to the standby position. The state of each movement is shown by a broken line in FIG. In the present embodiment, the bidet washing position which is usually used, that is, the washing water advances further forward than the advancing position where the washing water hits the vagina of the woman, so that the urethra of the woman can be washed. Further, not only local cleaning of each part but also cleaning while moving the nozzle 70 from the anus to the urethra can be performed.

The switching mechanism switches the supply destination of the washing water in conjunction with the movement of the nozzle 70. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism for switching the supply destination of the cleaning water and its function. As shown in the drawing, the switching mechanism includes a nozzle body 71.
Support 76 slidably supported by a spring 78 via a spring 78
And a shielding block 79 fixed to the casing 16. In the support 76, a flow path 77 through which the washing water that has passed through the heat exchanger 40 flows is formed. Nozzle 70
Is in the standby position (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 5A), the shielding block 79 and the support 76 do not interfere with each other. Even when the nozzle 70 moves from left to right in FIG. 5A and comes to the buttocks washing position, the shielding block 79 and the support 76 do not interfere with each other. In these states, the support 76 is located above by receiving the urging force of the spring 78, and the flow path 77 of the support 76 and the buttocks washing water channel 72 face each other. Therefore, the washing water passes through the buttocks washing water channel 72 in the nozzle 70,
It is spouted from the ass washing water spout 73.

As the nozzle 70 advances to the bidet cleaning position, the support 76 contacts the shielding block 79. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the support 76 is pushed down by the shielding block 79, and the flow path 77 of the support 76 is
And the bidet washing water channel 74 face each other. Therefore, the washing water passes through the bidet washing water channel 74 in the nozzle 70 and is jetted from the bidet washing water jet port 75. When the nozzle 70 returns from the bidet cleaning position to the standby position, the support 76 returns to the upper initial position by the urging force of the spring 78.

The above operations are performed by the control unit 1 shown in FIG.
00. The control device 100 has a C
The microcomputer is provided with a PU, a RAM, and a ROM, and controls the operation of each component of the sanitary washing device 10 according to various control programs stored in the ROM. Various sensors are connected to the control device 100 in order to perform this control. For example, a seating sensor 102 for detecting that the user is seated, a temperature sensor 106 for detecting the temperature of the washing water, a remote controller 200
And a light receiving unit 104 for inputting an infrared signal from the camera. The seating sensor 102 of the present embodiment detects the capacitance of a heater provided for heating the toilet seat, and detects seating based on a change between when the seat is seated and when it is not seated. In addition, various sensors can be applied as the seating sensor 102, such as a sensor that detects the pressure acting between the toilet body 14 and the toilet seat at the time of sitting.

The remote controller 200 is a device that converts a user's intention into an infrared signal and outputs the infrared signal. FIG. 6 shows an outline of the remote controller 200. As shown in the figure, the remote controller 200 is provided with a group of buttons for commanding an operation, an operation unit for setting an operation, and an operation on / off button 202 for turning on / off the entire sanitary washing device. ing. Buttons for instructing the operation include a bottom cleaning button 206 for starting local cleaning, a bidet cleaning button 208, a drying button 210 for starting blowing hot air, and a stop button 20.
4. A massage setting button 212 for setting a jet of washing water with a strong or weak change in water force during ass washing, and a massage setting button 214 for setting a jet of washing water with a strong or weak change in water force during bidet washing. There is a move setting button 216 for setting the cleaning of the local area where the nozzle 70 is swung. The operation unit for setting the operation includes a butt washing water temperature setting button 22 for adjusting the temperature of the washing water during the butt washing.
4H, 224L, buttocks washing water pressure setting buttons 226H, 226L for setting strength of water, bidet washing water temperature setting button 225H for adjusting the temperature of washing water during bidet washing,
225L, bidet cleaning water force setting buttons 227H and 227L for setting the strength of the water force, movable range adjustment buttons 228F and 228B for adjusting the movable range of the nozzle 70 in the front-rear direction,
There are a deodorizing button 218 for setting a deodorizing state, a toilet seat temperature adjusting knob 220 for setting a toilet seat temperature, and an indoor heating button 222 for setting on / off of indoor heating. The operation results and setting results of these buttons are displayed on the display unit 230 by a lamp or a liquid crystal.

Movable range setting buttons 228F, 228B
Is for adjusting the moving range of the nozzle 70 when the move setting button 216 is operated. If the movable range of the nozzle 70 is maximized, the nozzle 70 swings in a range corresponding to the urethra from the anal part of the woman to the vaginal part. If the movable range is slightly narrowed, the nozzle 70 swings in a range corresponding to a woman's anus and vagina.

The state of control by the control device 100 will be described by taking a normal cleaning sequence as an example. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a sequence when the buttocks cleaning is performed. When the seating sensor detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat (time t1), the control device 100 starts the air pump 32 to perform the residual water treatment. By sending air into the nozzle 70, the cleaning water remaining in the nozzle 70 is expelled. At this point, the nozzle 70 is stored in the casing 16.

When the user operates the bottom cleaning button 206 of the remote controller 200 (time t2), the control device 100 detects this signal by the light receiving section 104 and starts pre-cleaning. In other words, the pump 20 and the air pump 32 are driven to eject the cleaning water from the nozzle 70 at a predetermined pressure. The pre-cleaning is a process for cleaning dirt, germs, and the like attached to the inside and the tip of the nozzle 70. At this point, the nozzle 70 is still stored in the casing 16. When the pre-cleaning for a predetermined time is completed (time t3),
Control device 100 temporarily stops driving of pump 20 and air pump 32. Then, the nozzle drive motor 60 is controlled to move the nozzle 70 to a predetermined butt washing position. During this time, the flow control valve 50 is once returned to the origin, and the water pressure setting button 226H of the remote controller 200,
The opening is set according to the water force set at 226L.

When the nozzle 70 comes to the bottom cleaning position (time t4), the control device 100 drives the pump 20 and the air pump 32 to perform the main cleaning. Wash water mixed with air bubbles at a predetermined ratio is spouted from the ass washing water jet 73 of the nozzle 70 to clean the buttocks. During this time, the control device 100
The current of the heater 42 is controlled according to parameters such as the flow rate of the cleaning water so that the temperature of the cleaning water is maintained at the temperature set by the user. When the user operates the move setting button 216, the control device 100 responds accordingly.
By controlling 0, the nozzle is swung. When the user operates the stop button 204 to instruct the end of cleaning (time t)
5), the control device 100 includes the pump 20 and the air pump 3
2 is stopped. Thereafter, the nozzle driving motor 60 is controlled to move the nozzle 70 to the standby position. During this time, the flow control valve 50 is once returned to the origin, and then set to the fully open position again.

When the nozzle 70 returns to the standby position in the casing 16 (time t6), the control device 100 starts post-washing. By driving the pump 20 and the air pump 32, the washing water mixed with the air bubbles at a predetermined ratio is jetted from the nozzle 70. The post-cleaning is cleaning for removing dirt attached to the nozzle 70 by the main cleaning. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the control device 100 sets the pump 20 and the air pump 32
Is stopped to finish the post-washing. Thereafter, when the seating sensor 102 detects that the user has left the toilet seat (time t7), the control device 100 causes the air pump 32
To drive air into the nozzle 70. Thus, the washing water remaining in the nozzle 70 is discharged. The purpose of discharging the washing water is to prevent germs from multiplying and the apparatus from corroding. In addition, the cell dispersion 36
This is also to prevent the washing water from entering the inside of the independent opening. In some cases, after the main cleaning, an operation of blowing out hot air to dry a local part may be included according to a user's instruction.

(2) Cleaning control processing: Next, the cleaning control processing in the sanitary cleaning apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the cleaning control process. This process is a process that the CPU in the control device 100 repeatedly executes together with other control processes.

When the cleaning control processing routine is started, C
The PU inputs the currently executed cleaning mode and the nozzle movement instruction (step S10). As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the CPU sets the nozzle 70 according to the cleaning mode.
The control of the switching mechanism is executed. Therefore, the current cleaning mode can be easily identified also in the cleaning control processing routine of FIG. An instruction to move the nozzle is made by the move button 216 and the movable range setting buttons 228F and 228B of the remote controller 200. The CPU inputs a signal related to a nozzle movement instruction through the light receiving unit 104.

According to the movement instruction thus input, C
The PU controls the nozzle drive motor to perform nozzle movement control (step S20). When the move setting button 216 has not been operated, the nozzle 70 advances to a position corresponding to the cleaning mode. When the move setting button 216 is operated, the movable range setting buttons 228F and 228F
The nozzle 70 is swung in the range set in 8B. The swing may be performed locally, for example, near the anus, or may be performed over a wide range from near the anus to near the urethra of a woman. As described above, the entire cleaning control processing routine is repeatedly executed. Therefore, for example, when the nozzle 70 is swung, the CPU once executes the nozzle movement control process at the time when the nozzle 70 is moved by a distance corresponding to the product of the repetition time of the cleaning control process routine and the swing speed of the nozzle 70. The processing is terminated, and the processing of the cleaning control processing routine is continued.

Next, the CPU detects the current position of the nozzle 70 (step S30). In this embodiment, the position of the nozzle 70 is calculated from the operation amount of the nozzle drive motor 60. Of course, a sensor for detecting the position of the nozzle 70 may be provided. In accordance with the nozzle position thus detected, the CPU sets a mixing ratio and a diameter of bubbles in the cleaning water (step S40).

The mixing ratio and diameter of bubbles are set in advance as a table corresponding to the nozzle position. Examples of such a table are shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 is a table for giving the mixing ratio of bubbles, and FIG. 10 is a table for giving the diameter of bubbles. These tables are stored in the controller 100
Is stored in the ROM. The nozzle position indicated by section A in the figure corresponds to the vicinity of the female urethra. The nozzle position shown in the section B corresponds to the vaginal part. The nozzle position shown in the section C corresponds to the anus. The mixing ratio of bubbles is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the value Mc in the anus (section C) is the highest value, the value Vb in the vagina (section B) is the lowest value, the urethra (section A).
Is set to an intermediate value Ma. The bubble diameter is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the largest value Db is set in the vagina (section B), and the smaller value Da is set in the urethra and anus (sections A and C).

These tables are set based on the stimulus and detergency given to the local area by the jet of the cleaning water. The mixing ratio and the diameter of bubbles that give an appropriate local stimulus can be determined by a sensory test. In other words, washing water with variously changed mixing ratios and diameters of bubbles is jetted to the local portions of a plurality of female subjects to select a combination that feels comfortable. This sensory test can be performed for each of the anal, vaginal, and urethral parts to set the mixing ratio and the diameter that give an appropriate stimulus. Of course, this set value is set with some width. On the other hand, if a test is performed to evaluate the detergency of the cleaning water with variously changed mixing ratios and diameters of bubbles, a combination suitable for the detergency required for each part can be set. By comparing the combination set in terms of local irritation and the combination set in terms of detergency, setting an appropriate combination for both local stimulation and detergency for each part Can be. The tables shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are set in this manner.

After setting the mixing ratio and diameter of bubbles based on the tables in FIGS. 9 and 10, the CPU detects the elapsed time t after the start of cleaning (step S50). The elapsed time t is measured from the time when the user sits on the toilet seat 15 and performs an operation of starting washing. The measurement of the elapsed time is performed in a cleaning control processing routine as described later. Note that when the seating sensor 102 detects that the user has left the seat, the elapsed time t is reset to the value 0.

Next, the CPU corrects the bubble mixing rate based on the elapsed time t (step S60). The correction is performed based on a table that provides a correction coefficient based on the elapsed time t after the start of cleaning. FIG. 11 shows an example of such a table. This table is stored in the ROM in the control device 100. As illustrated, in the present embodiment, the correction coefficient changes in three stages according to the value of the elapsed time t. In the section t1 after the start of cleaning, the correction coefficient is set to a value k1 smaller than the value 1. In the next section t2, the correction coefficient is set to the value 1. In the last section t3, the correction coefficient becomes a value k2 larger than the value 1. The CPU calculates the correction coefficient set in accordance with the elapsed time t based on this table in step S4.
The mixture ratio is corrected by multiplying the mixture ratio of bubbles set at 0.

As a result, the mixing ratio of bubbles gradually increases as the elapsed time t after the start of cleaning increases. In this embodiment, the setting is made for the following reason. In this embodiment,
Cleaning is performed in three stages. Pre-cleaning, main cleaning, and finish cleaning. The section t1 in FIG. 11 corresponds to the preliminary cleaning, the section t2 corresponds to the main cleaning, and the section t
3 corresponds to finish cleaning.

The pre-cleaning is a cleaning in which the emphasis is placed on moistening a local part in preparation for the main cleaning. Therefore, it is desirable that the amount of the cleaning water jetted to the local part is large. In the present embodiment, from this viewpoint, in the preliminary cleaning, the mixing ratio of bubbles is reduced and the amount of cleaning water is increased.

The main cleaning is a cleaning that focuses on removing local dirt. Therefore, the cleaning water is spouted at a mixing ratio at which the most desirable cleaning power is obtained. From this viewpoint, in the main cleaning, the mixing ratio set based on FIG. 9 is used without correction.

The finish cleaning is performed in a state where the local dirt itself is substantially removed. The main purpose is to remove sewage adhering around the local area when cleaning the local area. Therefore, a small amount of washing water is not required. Finish cleaning is also a preparation stage for drying a local part. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the amount of the washing water attached to the local part as much as possible. From this point of view, it is preferable to reduce the amount of washing water. In this embodiment, from this viewpoint, in the finishing cleaning, a correction coefficient larger than 1 is set to increase the mixing ratio of bubbles.

By the above processing, the mixing ratio and the diameter of the bubbles were set. The CPU executes a control process for mixing bubbles with the set value (step S70). In the present embodiment, the pressurization by the air pump 32 is controlled,
In addition, by controlling the pump 20 and the flow control valve 50 to control the flow velocity, the mixing ratio and the diameter of the bubbles are controlled. Basically, the control is performed by referring to a table in which the correspondence between the mixing ratio and the diameter of the bubbles and the pressurized value by the air pump 32 and the flow rate by the pump 20 and the like are stored in advance. That is, control is performed in an open loop. Of course, feedback control may be performed.

The CPU finally performs processing for increasing the elapsed time t by the time step Δt for executing the cleaning control processing routine (step S80). The elapsed time after cleaning is measured. The elapsed time t thus measured
Is used for setting the correction coefficient of the mixing ratio of bubbles as described above.

According to the sanitary washing apparatus of the present embodiment described above, it is possible to control the mixing ratio and diameter of bubbles for each part to be washed based on the tables shown in FIGS. . Therefore, it is possible to provide a washing feeling suitable for each part. For this reason, even when cleaning while oscillating the nozzle 70 over a wide area including a very sensitive female local part, cleaning can be performed without feeling uncomfortable.

In the sanitary washing apparatus of this embodiment, the mixing ratio of air bubbles can be changed according to the lapse of time after the start of washing. Therefore, in a cleaning sequence such as pre-cleaning, main line cleaning, and finish cleaning, a cleaning power suitable for each sequence can be provided. As a result, very efficient cleaning can be performed. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the correction coefficient was set in three stages, and the correction coefficient was set so as to increase stepwise. It goes without saying that the setting of the correction coefficient is not limited to this. FIG.
A correction coefficient that changes in more stages than that may be set, or may be set to change continuously. In addition, not only a monotonous increase and a monotonous decrease, but also a mode having a polar region on the way may be set.

FIG. 12 shows a modification of the setting of the correction coefficient.
In this embodiment, the correction coefficient is set according to the purpose of cleaning. In the example of FIG. 12, the correction coefficient is simply set according to the elapsed time after the start of cleaning. That is, the correction coefficient is set to a value of 1 until a predetermined limit time tlim, and the correction coefficient is set to a value kt larger than 1 when the limit time tlim is exceeded.

The setting in this mode is effective in a sanitary washing apparatus in which the user can change the washing time by his / her own will. As the cleaning time increases, the amount of cleaning water and the power consumption required for heating the cleaning water increase. However, in practice, dirt is almost completely removed within a certain predetermined time tlim. Normally, the user cannot confirm the cleaning state by himself / herself, so that the continuation of the cleaning for the time tlim or more may be merely performed for security. If the correction coefficient is set in the mode of FIG. 12, after the time tlim is exceeded, the mixing ratio of bubbles will be increased. Therefore, the amount of washing water used per unit time should be suppressed. Can be. At the same time, power consumption for heating the cleaning water can be suppressed. Therefore,
If the mixing ratio of bubbles is controlled in the mode of FIG. 12, it is possible to suppress the water amount and power consumption in the entire cleaning from being extremely increased. Further, after the time tlim, the cleaning water is used in a state where it can be easily heated.
And the life of the heater 42 can be prevented from being unnecessarily shortened.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is particularly effective in a sanitary washing apparatus provided with a hot water storage type heat exchanger. In a hot water storage type heat exchanger, if a large amount of washing water is used, heating of the washing water cannot keep up with the usage amount, and the temperature of the washing water may decrease. If the mixing ratio of bubbles is controlled in the mode of FIG. 12, the amount of washing water used can be suppressed after the time tlim, so that the temperature of the washing water can be prevented from lowering due to the above-described causes.

Various modifications can be made to the setting of the correction coefficient in FIG. For example, in FIG. 12, the correction coefficient is set so as to change in two stages, but may be changed in more stages or may be changed continuously.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. In this embodiment, the example using the instantaneous heat exchanger 40 is shown, but a hot water storage type heat exchanger may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sanitary washing device 10.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a suction unit 30.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat exchanger 40.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a nozzle 70.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of switching a flow path of a nozzle 70.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote controller 200.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a cleaning sequence of the sanitary cleaning device 10.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a cleaning control processing routine.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing setting of a bubble mixing ratio.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing setting of a bubble diameter.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing setting of a correction coefficient of a bubble mixing ratio.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of setting of a correction coefficient for a bubble mixing ratio.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sanitary washing | cleaning apparatus 12 ... Water absorption piping 14 ... Toilet bowl main body 16 ... Casing 20 ... Pump 30 ... Suction head 32 ... Air pump 34 ... Housing | casing 35 ... Air chamber 36 ... Bubble dispersion 37 ... Air introduction pipe 40 ... Heat exchanger 42 ... Heater 44 ... Housing 46 ... Separator 50 ... Flow control valve 60 ... Nozzle drive motor 70 ... Nozzle 71 ... Nozzle body 72 ... Bottom washing water channel 73 ... Bottom cleaning water spout 74 ... Bide cleaning water channel 75 ... Bide cleaning water Spouting port 76 ... Support 77 ... Flow path 78 ... Spring 79 ... Shielding block 100 ... Control device 102 ... Seat sensor 104 ... Light receiving unit 106 ... Temperature sensor 200 ... Remote controller 202 ... Operation on / off button 204 ... Stop button 206 ... Butt washing button 208 ... bidet washing button 210 ... drying button 212 ... massage setting button 214 Massage setting button 216 ... Move setting button 218 ... Deodorizing button 220 ... Toilet seat temperature adjustment knob 222 ... Room heating button 224H, 224L ... Bottom washing water temperature setting button 225H, 225L ... Bidet washing water temperature setting button 226H, 226L ... Bottom washing water force Setting buttons 227H, 227L ... bidet cleaning water pressure setting buttons 228F, 228B ... movable range adjustment buttons 230 ... display unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinsuke Matsuo 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka F-term (reference) 2D038 JA02 JA03 JA05 JB05 JF00 JH00 JH12 JH16 JH22

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A sanitary washing apparatus for washing a human body part by jetting washing water supplied from the outside from a jet port, wherein: a bubble mixing means for mixing bubbles in the washing water; A control means for controlling the mixed state to be different according to the elapsed time after the start of cleaning. 2. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein said control means is means for controlling the size of the air bubbles mixed therein. 3. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein said control means is means for controlling a mixing ratio of bubbles. 4. The sanitary washing device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is a unit that increases a mixing ratio of the bubbles as the elapsed period increases. 5. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a pre-cleaning unit that performs pre-cleaning for moistening the local part prior to main cleaning for removing a stain on the local part; A sanitary washing device which is a means for reducing the rate of air bubbles during the period corresponding to the preliminary washing. 6. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a state of air bubbles mixing so as to reduce the amount of water droplets adhering to the local part at the end of the washing. 7. A sanitary washing apparatus for washing a human body part by jetting washing water supplied from the outside from a jet port, wherein a bubble mixing means for mixing bubbles in the washing water, and the washing water is jetted. A sanitary washing device comprising: moving means for moving a target part during cleaning; and control means for controlling a mixed state in which the air bubbles are mixed to a different state according to the target part. 8. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means is means for controlling a mixing ratio of bubbles. 9. The sanitary washing device according to claim 7, wherein said control means is means for controlling the size of the air bubbles mixed therein. 10. The sanitary washing device according to claim 7, wherein the moving unit is a unit that can move at least a range including a vaginal part, and the control unit is configured such that the spout is provided for cleaning water in the vaginal part. A sanitary washing device that is a means for controlling the state of air bubbles mixed in a position where it can be ejected to reduce irritation to local areas. 11. The sanitary washing device according to claim 7, wherein the control means is a means capable of moving at least an area including the anus, and the control means is configured such that the spout is provided with cleaning water at the anus. If it is in a position where it can be ejected, control the state of air bubble mixing,
A sanitary washing device that is a means to increase the washing power.