JP2000160648A - Privates washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mix air with washing water which is jetted toward the privates of a human body for a privates washing apparatus and to enable installation at a limited space by miniaturizing a pump motor for an air pump to be used for varying the quantity of air to be mixed. SOLUTION: A privates washing apparatus 10 jets bubbled water from a jet nozzle for the bottom of its nozzle device 26. For the bubbled water, air is mixed under the state of bubbling with washing water running through a passage with a pump motor 32a driven. The pump motor 32a is controlled by feed back control with its revolving speed detected by a revolving speed sensor 33a. The revolving speed sensor 33a detects the revolving speed and output of power of the pump motor 32a, based on cyclic noises generated at the time when the motor is driven in revolution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a local cleaning device for cleaning a local part of a human body by spraying cleaning water from a spout.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, bubble water mixed with air has been used for cleaning a local part of a human body, instead of mere cleaning water. For example, JP-A-56-70338
The local cleaning device described in No. 1 includes a cleaning nozzle for ejecting cleaning water, a piping system for supplying cleaning water to the nozzle, and an air mixing unit for mixing bubbles in the cleaning water flowing through the piping flow path. There has been proposed a technique for ejecting cleaning water containing water. By doing so, it is possible to increase the washing power of the ejected washing water, give a soft washing feeling, and reduce the amount of washing water, thereby saving water and power. In the local cleaning device, when changing the air mixing rate defined by the ratio of cleaning water to air, the air flow rate and the cleaning water flow rate
This is done by controlling the output of the air pump. In such a case, in order to adjust the air flow rate, it is necessary to perform feedback control of the pump motor that drives the air pump to a target rotation speed, and to control the rotation speed, an encoder that detects the rotation speed of the pump motor is used. And a tacho generator.

[0003]

Since the local cleaning device needs to be mounted in a narrow space at the rear of the toilet, it is required to reduce the size of the pump motor. However, there is a problem that the encoder or the like attached to the pump motor has to be mechanically mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft of the pump motor, which hinders downsizing of the pump motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The present invention has been made to reduce the size of a pump motor for mixing air while improving the efficiency of water saving by mixing air into washing water. It is an object of the present invention to provide a local cleaning device that can be installed in a space.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects / Effects of the Invention The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The present invention aims at directing bubbled water obtained by mixing air into cleaning water to a human body part from an outlet of a cleaning nozzle. In a local cleaning device that blows out and cleans the local part, a cleaning water flow path that flows cleaning water from a water supply source to the jetting port, an air supply unit that has a pump motor, and outputs compressed air by driving the pump motor, A motor driving force detecting means for detecting a driving force of the pump motor by detecting a periodic noise at the time of driving the pump motor; and a compressed air from the air supply means provided in the washing water flow path. Air mixing means for creating bubble water by mixing with the washing water in the washing water flow path, and, based on a detection signal from the motor driving force detecting means, directing an air flow rate to a target air amount. By fed back control,
Mixing ratio adjusting means for adjusting the air flow rate to the air mixing means.

The local cleaning device according to the present invention is provided with an air mixing means in the cleaning water flow path through which the cleaning water supplied from the water supply source is supplied. The air mixing means supplies the cleaning water from the air supply means. The compressed air is mixed to create bubble water. The bubble water is jetted from the outlet of the cleaning nozzle toward the human body part to clean the human body part. At this time, the air mixing rate λ of the bubble water, that is, the value Qa / Qw of the ratio of the air flow rate Qa to the flow rate Qw of the washing water
Is adjusted by controlling the output of the pump motor by the mixing ratio adjusting means.

[0007] The pump motor is adjusted based on the driving force of the pump motor detected by the motor driving force detecting means to adjust the air flow rate. That is, the motor driving force detecting means detects the rotation speed of the pump motor by detecting periodic noise at the time of driving the pump motor, for example, periodic noise of the current value supplied to the pump motor. Since the motor driving force detecting means does not need to provide a mechanical configuration such as an encoder near the pump motor, the size of the pump motor can be reduced, and the installation space for the local cleaning device can be reduced.

[0008]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 shows a local cleaning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the local cleaning device 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the local cleaning device 10 is of a so-called instantaneous type in which water supplied from a water supply source is spouted to a human body part while being heated.

The local cleaning device 10 includes a heat exchanger 12 for continuously supplying hot water, and receives a supply of cleaning water from a water pipe (not shown) via an electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 having a pressure adjusting function. Since the heat exchanger 12 is an instantaneous type as shown in the figure, there is an advantage that the hot water is continuously supplied and a hot water storage tank is not required, so that space can be saved.
The heat exchanger 12 includes a heater 16 for warming the supplied washing water to an appropriate temperature. This heater 1
6 is turned on / off upon receiving a control signal from the electronic control unit 24.
Turn off. Further, an incoming water temperature sensor 18 for detecting the incoming water temperature is provided upstream of the heater 16, and downstream thereof,
A water discharge temperature sensor 20 for detecting the discharge temperature is provided. The electronic control unit 24 is configured as a logical operation circuit having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
Various controls in are executed. As an example, the electronic control unit 24 controls the heater 16 on / off based on the wash water temperature detected by the incoming water temperature sensor 18 and the discharged water temperature sensor 20 to maintain the discharged water temperature at an appropriate temperature.

The local cleaning device 10 has a vacuum breaker (not shown) provided in a cleaning water supply system from the heat exchanger 12 to the nozzle device 26, and a flow control valve 30. The vacuum breaker prevents backflow of the washing water from the nozzle device 26 side by opening the pipeline to the atmosphere. The flow control valve 30 is a solenoid valve that receives a control signal from the electronic control unit 24 and opens a pipeline and adjusts a flow rate by driving a stepping motor. And a mode in which all ports are fully opened.

Further, the local cleaning device 10 includes a nozzle device 2
In order to make the washing water spouted from the nozzle 6 into washing water containing air bubbles, an air supply system and an air pump 3
2, an air release valve 31 connected to the air flow passage 29 to release the pressure in the air flow passage 29, and a flow control valve 34. The air pump 32 is driven based on a control signal from the electronic control unit 24 to pump air to the flow control valve 34. As the air pump 32, about 50,000 to 10
What is necessary is just to be able to perform a steady operation with a pumping capacity of about 000 Pa (about 0.5 to 1.0 kgfcm ² ), and various types such as a rolling pump, a vane pump, a rotary pump, and a linear pump can be adopted. Air pump 3
2 is driven to rotate by a pump motor 32a shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a rotation speed sensor 33a for detecting the rotation speed of the pump motor 32a. The pump motor 32a is constituted by a DC brushless motor capable of obtaining a large output even if it is small.
The pump motor 32a includes a rotor having a permanent magnet, and an electromagnetic coil disposed to face the rotor. The pump motor 32a is driven by a motor drive circuit 32b that switches the excitation polarity of the electromagnetic coil according to the position of the rotor. You.
The motor drive circuit 32b determines the pump motor 32a based on the rotation speed of the rotor detected by the rotation speed sensor 33a.
Is driven to rotate.

The rotation speed sensor 33a is connected to the pump motor 3
The rotation speed of the pump motor 32a is detected based on the electrical noise caused by the rotation of the rotor 2a. Speed sensor 3
3a is a current detector 33b for detecting the value of the current supplied to the pump motor 32a, and a waveform shaper 33c for differentiating the output from the current detector 33b and converting it into a pulse signal.
A pulse counter 33d for counting pulse signals output from the waveform shaper 33c; and a timer 33e. The output signal from the pulse counter 33d is input to the electronic control unit 24 to detect the pump rotation speed. It is a sensor.

The operation of the rotation speed sensor 33a will be described. Now, when the pump motor 32a is driven by the motor drive circuit 32b, the current value is detected by the current detector 33b. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining outputs from the current detector 33b and the waveform shaper 33c. FIG. 4 (A)
, The current detector 33b is connected to the pump motor 32
The current supplied to a is detected, and this current includes periodic noise that depends on the rotation speed. The output from the current detector 33b is input to the waveform shaper 33c.
The waveform shaper 33c shapes the waveform of the output of the current detector 33b shown in FIG. 4B as a periodic pulse, and outputs it to the pulse counter 33d when the output exceeds the threshold value V1. The pulse counter 33d receives the output from the waveform shaper 33c and the timer 3
The number of pulses within a certain time is counted based on the signal from 3e, and the rotation number of the pump motor 32a is output to the electronic control unit 24.

The electronic control unit 24 includes a pump motor 32a
The feedback control is performed such that the drive rotation speed of the motor goes toward the target rotation speed. Therefore, since the pump motor 32a can detect the number of revolutions based on the electrical noise of the pump motor 32a, there is no need to provide a mechanical configuration to the pump motor 32a as in a tachogenerator. It is possible to realize the miniaturization of itself.

Further, the DC brushless motor constituting the pump motor 32a has a large starting torque and a rotational speed higher than the synchronous speed of the power supply frequency, and the pressure proportional to the square of the rotational speed is substantially proportional to the square. The pressure and the flow rate of the compressed air supplied from the air pump 32 can be greatly increased according to the law and the proportional law of the air flow rate substantially proportional to the rotation speed. Due to the features of the pump motor 32a employing such a DC brushless motor, the air pump 32 itself has a high responsiveness to starting and stopping, and can supply compressed air to the air mixing section in a short time, and The response time for changing the mixing ratio λ can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to quickly respond to a sudden control in which the air mixing ratio λ is changed halfway.
In addition, the air mixing ratio λ can be quickly controlled in a wide range because of having a speed control characteristic in which a wide range of rotation speed can be varied.

As described above, the pump motor 32a constituted by a DC brushless motor can obtain a small and high output characteristic. For example, when the capacity of the pump motor 32a is set to a specification of a rated output of 1 W and 3600 rpm. In this case, the volume can be reduced by 65% as compared with the case where an AC induction motor is used. Further, since the pump motor 32a is a brushless motor, there is no need to consider sparks generated around the brush unlike the brush motor, so that maintenance for brush abrasion is not required and the durability is excellent.

The flow control valve 34 opens the pipeline and adjusts the flow rate based on a control signal from the electronic control unit 24, and sends air from the air pump 32 to the nozzle device 26 downstream thereof. The flow control valve 34 and the flow control valve 30 perform the above-described opening of the respective pipes and the flow control in synchronization with each other based on a control signal from the electronic control unit 24.

The local cleaning device 10 has a nozzle drive motor 33 for driving the nozzle device 26 forward and backward. The nozzle drive motor 33 is engaged with the nozzle device 26 via a drive transmission mechanism having a pulley, a belt, and the like (not shown). The nozzle drive motor 33 is connected to the electronic control unit 2
4, the nozzle device 26 is driven forward and reverse by the control signal from the standby position in the body casing (not shown) to the butt washing position or the bidet washing position in front of the nozzle device 26, or from both washing positions to the standby position. Evacuate.

In addition, the local cleaning device 10 includes an operation unit 35 operated by the user to convert the intention of use into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal to the electronic control unit 24, and that the user is seated on a toilet seat (not shown). It has a seating sensor 36 to be detected and a power-on section 38 which is an operation section of the main power supply. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 35 includes various operation buttons so as to output various commands associated with the local cleaning to the electronic control device 24 in response to a button operation by a user. In this embodiment, a butt cleaning button 71a, a bidet cleaning button 71b, a stop button 71c for starting local cleaning, a massage setting button 71d for setting a jet of cleaning water with a strong or weak change in water force, a nozzle, An operation command button such as a move setting button 71e for setting the cleaning of the local area where the device 26 has been swung, a nozzle cleaning button 71f for cleaning the periphery of the buttocks outlet 49, and a spouting temperature for adjusting the temperature of the cleaning water. Setting button 7
1 g, a cleaning intensity setting button 71 h for setting the cleaning intensity,
Each setting button such as a water force setting button 71i for setting the water force of the bubble water, a water amount setting button 71j for setting the water amount of the washing water, a bubble amount setting button 71k, and an operation on / off for setting the operation state of the whole hot water washing toilet seat. An off button 71n and the like are provided. In addition, the operation unit 35 includes, as an output device, a display unit 72 that displays the operation results of these various operation buttons using a lamp or a liquid crystal together with the above-described buttons.

Next, an outline of the cleaning operation of the local cleaning device 10 will be described with reference to an example of the bottom cleaning. Now, when the bottom cleaning button 71a of the operation unit 35 is operated, the operation unit 35
A rear end cleaning start signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24 receives this signal and sends a control signal to various devices to be controlled. That is, the electromagnetic shutoff valve 14 receives a control signal for opening the pipe, the air pump 32 receives a control signal for performing pneumatic feeding, the flow control valve 30 and the flow control valve 3.
A control signal 4 is transmitted to the nozzle drive motor 33 to control the nozzle device 26 to reach the buttocks washing position. Each of the above-described controlled devices such as the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is driven based on a corresponding control signal. Therefore, the nozzle device 26 advances from the standby position to the buttocks washing position. In the cleaning water supply system, the cleaning water flows into the heat exchanger 12, and the cleaning water is heated to a predetermined temperature and flows into the nozzle device 26 via the vacuum breaker and the flow control valve 30. In the air supply system, the air pumped by the air pump 32 flows into the nozzle device 26 via the flow control valve 34. Then, as will be described later, a bubble flow of cleaning water (see FIG. 8) in which air is dispersed and mixed in air in the cleaning water is supplied to the nozzle device 2.
The butt is flushed from the washing water 6, and the buttocks are washed with the washing water. It should be noted that the air pump 32 may be configured and controlled so that the amount of air to be pumped is variable, and the flow control valve 34 may be an on-off valve for opening and closing the pipeline.

When the butt washing is performed in this manner, the electronic control unit 24 detects the current setting state of the butt washing function such as the strength of the washing water and the like set by the operation setting button. Then, the electronic control unit 24 transmits the setting information relating to the flushing water force to the flow control valve 30 as a flow control amount (a pipe opening amount), and the flow control valve 30 receiving the information sets the setting water force. Adjust the pipe opening. In this case, in the present embodiment, since the air is mixed as described later, the pipe opening is set in consideration of the air mixing ratio λ. Further, the electronic control unit 24 transmits a control signal of the set water force, that is, the control amount of the flow rate of air (the amount of open pipe) based on the flow rate adjustment by the flow rate control valve 30 to the air pump 32. The amount of air to be pumped is adjusted so that the air mixing ratio λ described later is obtained.

When the stop button 71c of the operation unit 35 is operated, the operation unit 35 transmits a stop signal to the electronic control unit 24, and the electronic control unit 24 returns each of the devices to the original state. Let the ass wash finish. As a result, the supply of the cleaning water and the air is stopped, and the nozzle device 26 is stopped.
Retreats to the standby position, and the local cleaning device 10 prepares for the next and subsequent local cleaning.

Next, the nozzle device 26 included in the local cleaning device 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle device 26, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of movement of the nozzle device 26.

As shown in the drawing, the nozzle device 26 includes a nozzle body 40 having a washing water flow path therein, a detachable nozzle head 42 at an end thereof, and a bubble mixing and cleaning device located at the base side of the nozzle body 40. A bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 for performing water switching. Nozzle body 40
Has two washing water flow paths along its axial direction,
The flow path on the small diameter side is a butt flow path 43 for butt washing,
The flow path on the large diameter side is a bidet flow path 45 for bidet cleaning. In this case, the diameter of the bottom channel 43 is approximately 1.9 m.
m, and the bidet channel 45 is about 2.5 mm.
The two flow paths are set to be long and short. However, considering the speed of the washing water passing through the flow paths, the flow paths can be assumed to have substantially the same length. In this embodiment, the length is about 95 mm. Nozzle head 4
2 is attached to the tip of the nozzle body 40 in a watertight manner via a seal ring 46, and has a butt jet flow path 47 having the same diameter as the butt flow path 43 and continuous therewith,
A bidet spouting channel 51 which has the same diameter as the bidet channel 45 and is continuous therewith.
And a bidet outlet 53 at the tip thereof. The bidet outlet 53 is composed of two large and small outlets, and the washing water that has passed through the bidet outlet channel 51 is simultaneously ejected from both outlets.

The bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 includes a casing 55 fixed to the nozzle body 40 in a watertight manner. The casing 55 receives the power of the nozzle drive motor 33 by the motor coupling body 56 at the bottom thereof, and moves the nozzle body 40 to the above-described standby position, the buttocks washing position and the bidet washing position. Inside the casing 55, an air chamber forming body 58 that slides up and down in the figure along the peripheral wall is incorporated in a watertight manner. The air chamber forming body 58 includes an air mixing body 60 therein. This aeration body 60 is
And the support 62 on the opposite side are held with a gap from the inner wall of the air chamber forming body 58.
Further, the air chamber forming body 58 includes an air chamber switching portion 63 on the upper end side illustrated, and a spring 64 in a gap between the air chamber switching section 63 and the casing on the lower end side. And the support 62 is
The through hole 6 which is connected to the flow rate control valve 30 and penetrates through the center of the aeration body 60 from the cleaning water introduction passage 65 therein.
6. Wash water is introduced into 6. On the other hand, the air chamber switching unit 63
Is connected to the flow control valve 34, and introduces air into a gap between the air chamber forming member 58 and the aeration member 60 from an air introduction passage 67 formed therein. Since the aeration body 60 into which the washing water and the air are guided is porous or mesh forming an independent opening, the air guided as described above is passed through the through-hole 66 and In the hole 66, air is mixed into the cleaning water in a bubble form. The cleaning water containing air bubbles flows through the through hole 68 at the center of the support 61 into one of the above-mentioned butt channel 43 and the bidet channel 45, and is subjected to butt washing or bidet washing. The state of air bubble mixing and the method of manufacturing the air mixed body 60 will be described later.

Next, the manner of switching the supply destination of the cleaning water containing air bubbles will be described in relation to the manner of movement of the nozzle device 26. As shown in FIG. 6, the air bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 has a shielding block 69 for pushing down the support 62 downward. When the nozzle device 26 is located at the standby position and the buttocks cleaning position described above, the shielding block 69 is installed at a position that does not interfere with the support 62 as shown on the left side of the drawing. Therefore, when the buttocks washing button 71a is operated and the nozzle device 26 takes the buttocks washing position, the air chamber forming body 58 is
It is in the upper initial position (left side in the figure) under the urging force of. In this state, the through-hole 68 of the support body 61 and the butt-side through-hole 70 of the casing 55 face each other, so that the cleaning water containing air bubbles passes through the butt channel 43 of the nozzle body 40 and It is ejected from the exit 49.

On the other hand, when the bidet cleaning button 71b is operated and the nozzle device 26 advances to the bidet cleaning position ahead of the buttocks cleaning position, the support 62 contacts the shielding block 69 during the nozzle advancement, As shown on the right side of the figure, it is pushed down by the shielding block 69. Therefore, when the nozzle device 26 adopts the bidet cleaning position,
The air chamber forming body 58 moves from the above initial position to the flow path switching position (the right side in the drawing) against the urging force of the spring 64. In this state, the through-hole 68 of the support body 61 and the bidet-side through-hole 71 of the casing 55 face each other.
And is ejected from the bidet ejection port 53. When the nozzle device 26 returns from the bidet cleaning position to the standby position,
The air chamber forming body 58 returns to the initial position under the urging force of the spring 64, and prepares for the next ass washing and bidet washing.

Next, how air is mixed into the cleaning water in the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 will be described. Since the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 functions as a bubble pump, it can be shown as a schematic diagram in FIG. 6 schematically illustrating the concept of the pump. As shown in FIG. 7, the bubble pump 80 includes an air mixing housing 81 corresponding to the air chamber forming body 58 in the air bubble mixing / switching mechanism unit 44, and a bubble supported inside the air mixing chamber 81 with an air chamber 82 therebetween. It has a dispersion 83. The bubble dispersing element 83 is used for the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 4.
4 is an aeration body 60 in FIG. In this case, the pipe diameter of the washing water pipe 84, the center through-hole diameter of the bubble dispersion 83, etc.
It is the same as the pipe diameter of the washing water introduction path 65 of the support body 62 in the bubble mixing / switching mechanism section 44, the diameter of the through hole 66 of the aeration body 60, and the like, and is about 1.5 to 3.0 mm.

The bubble dispersion 83 forms a continuous pipe line with the washing water pipe 84, and has a large number of independent openings on the surface in contact with the washing water flowing through the pipe, that is, on the entire circumference of the pipe wall. Therefore, the air pressure-fed from the air introduction pipe 85 to the air chamber 82 is sent into the pipe from each of the above-described independent openings of the bubble dispersion 83, and expands at each of the openings. In this case, since the air chamber 82 functions as a buffer region that absorbs pressure fluctuations and pressure distribution of the pressure-fed air, the air passes through the bubble dispersing element 83 without causing a significant speed difference. And
The above air swells are cut off by the shearing force received from the flow of the washing water at each opening, and become bubbles, and are individually mixed into the washing water.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned independent apertures in the cell dispersion 83 (air entrainer 60) are formed through the selection of a material to be described later and the process setting, and the diameter of the bubbles formed from each independent aperture is reduced. The thickness was about 100 to 1000 μm. Therefore, such fine bubbles are independently mixed and mixed into the cleaning water. In addition, since each bubble maintains a state of a closed cell from the beginning of formation and has a substantially spherical shape having a small diameter depending to some extent on the independent opening, it has high rigidity and is hardly deformed. For this reason, the chance of coalescence of the mixed air bubbles is reduced, and the coalescence of the air bubbles itself can be made difficult to occur. It can flow. At this time, each bubble is individually formed from each independent opening as described above, and is mixed into the washing water in a state of a closed bubble, so that the bubbles are mixed with the washing water from the beginning with high dispersion efficiency. That is,
In the bubble dispersing element 83, mixing of air, miniaturization, and dispersion mixing are simultaneously performed.

Since the bubble dispersion 83 forms a continuous line with the washing water line 84, the flow of the washing water does not cause any disturbance or stagnation, and the bubble coalescence due to the disturbance or stagnation is prevented. Opportunities can be reduced. Also, the washing water pipeline 8
4 has a large number of independent openings along the flow direction of the washing water, so that air bubbles can be mixed from many places in the flow direction of the washing water to reduce the bubble generation density. Therefore, even if a large amount of air is mixed in from the bubble dispersing element 83, bubble coalescence during bubble generation hardly occurs and fine closed cells can be generated.

As described above, the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44, which is schematically represented as the bubble pump 80, reliably disperses and mixes bubbles in the washing water as described above, and makes it difficult for bubbles to coalesce. ing. Accordingly, the flow of the cleaning water downstream of the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 becomes a cleaning water flow of a bubble flow as shown in FIG. 8 (FIG. 8A), and a gas phase mixed in the cleaning water exists as a continuous phase. The undesired flow appearance of the slug flow (FIG. 8 (b)), the annular flow (FIG. 8 (c)) or the spray flow (FIG. 8 (d)) does not occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, the momentum (energy) of the compressed air can be reliably, efficiently, and quickly transmitted to the cleaning water.
In addition, fine bubbles have high rigidity and are not easily deformed, and do not perform unnecessary movement, so that energy loss is small. A photograph of the flow of the cleaning water jetted from the bubble pump 80 was taken, and as shown in the read image in the photograph of FIG. 9, the jetted cleaning water jet spouted straight from the jet port without spreading. There was found. In addition, since this jet cleaning water flow is a bubble flow in which bubbles are dispersed and mixed as described above,
It was milky white. Then, in the present embodiment, in the state of the bubble flow obtained in this manner, the washing water is sent to the bottom channel 43 or the bidet channel 45 in the nozzle body 40,
It is used for ass washing or bidet washing as described above.

Next, the effect obtained by the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described using the bubble pump 80 of FIG. First, the effect of increasing the momentum of the washing water due to air mixing will be described. The momentum of the washing water can be grasped by the load caused by the ejected washing water when the washing water is ejected from the ejection port of the bubble pump 80. Therefore, the load-side fixed device was arranged opposite to the ejection port of the bubble pump 80, and the load of the ejection washing water was measured for the washing water of the bubble flow having various air mixing ratios λ. The result is shown in FIG. The vertical axis in FIG. 10 indicates that the non-air mixed cleaning water (air mixing ratio λ = 0) is supplied to the bubble pump 80.
It is the load ratio divided by the load obtained when the gas is ejected from. In FIG. 10, what is referred to as the present embodiment means a bubble pump 80 which is equivalent in size and the like to the bubble mixing / switching mechanism unit 44. What is considered to be the prior art means air mixing means in which a pipe having only a single air mixing hole formed in the peripheral wall is incorporated in place of the bubble dispersing element 83, and is simply provided from the branch pipe into the pipe. This is a conventional method in which only air is mixed. The straight line indicated as the theoretical value in the figure is derived as follows.

The momentum Eu of the fluid passing through the pipeline can be expressed by the following equation (1), where S is the pipeline area, ρ is the fluid density, and V is the fluid velocity.

Eu = ρ · S · V ² (1)

Since the density ρa of the air is so small as to be negligible compared to the density ρw of the water, the density of the mixed cleaning water in which air is mixed into the cleaning water is determined by the air mixing ratio λη (air flow rate / wash water flow rate) and the wash water rate. Ρw / (1 + η) from the density ρw of The speed of the mixed washing water is V · (1 + η) from the air mixing ratio λη and the speed V of the washing water. Therefore,
The momentum Eu of the mixed cleaning water having the air mixing rate λη can be expressed by the following equation (2).

Eu = (ρw / (1 + η)) · S · V ² · (1 + η) ² = ρw · S · V ² · (1 + η) (2)

Then, the momentum of this equation (2) is calculated as the momentum (ρw · S ·) of the non-air mixed cleaning water (air mixing ratio λ = 0).
The momentum ratio (1 + η) divided by V ² ) corresponds to the above-mentioned load ratio, and this momentum ratio is shown as a theoretical value.
The mixed wash water at this theoretical value is not only the wash water of a bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed in the wash water, but also the wash water of an undesired flow aspect such as a slag flow in which a continuous gas phase exists. is not. Therefore, the closer the load ratio is to the theoretical value, the more the wash water is a bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed.

FIG. 10 shows that the load ratio in the prior art is different from the above theoretical value from the time of the air mixing ratio λ lower than 1, and when the air mixing ratio λ becomes about 1.3, the load ratio becomes about 1.5. Only a load ratio of the order can be obtained. Therefore, in the prior art, even if the air mixing rate λ is increased to 1 or more with respect to the flow rate of the cleaning water, it is not possible to obtain a bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed in the cleaning water, and undesired slag flow and the like are not obtained. Only the appearance of the flow.
For this reason, even if an attempt is made to save water through the incorporation of air into the washing water, because of this undesirable flow aspect, the washing power is reduced as described above. Need. In this prior art, even when the air mixing ratio λ is about 1.3 or more, no increase in the load ratio is observed.
It is conceivable that even if the air mixing rate is increased, as described above, at the air mixing rate λ, the phase changes to the spray flow, and no further increase in the momentum can be obtained.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the air mixing ratio λ
Until was close to 4, it was in agreement with the above theoretical value, and a high load ratio of up to about 4.5 could be obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even in the prior art, even with a high air mixing ratio λ of 1.3 or more, which is reversed to the spray flow, the bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed in the wash water is obtained. Can be obtained reliably. Therefore, the momentum of the washing water can be surely increased by mixing the air with the washing water of the bubble flow. Therefore, high cleaning power can be exhibited with a small amount of cleaning water, and the effectiveness of water saving can be enhanced. This is because, as described above, the air is mixed with fine bubbles and dispersed and mixed by the air mixing body 60 (bubble dispersion body 83) having the independent openings.

Next, the cleaning operation of the local cleaning device 10 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. Now, when the user sits on the toilet seat, the seat sensor 36 is turned on (time t1), and a signal to that effect is input to the electronic control unit 24. Then, when the user turns on the bottom cleaning button 71a of the operation unit 35 (time t2), the nozzle pre-cleaning process is performed. In the nozzle pre-cleaning process, the air pump 32 is driven for a predetermined time T2 from the time t2, and the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is turned on for a predetermined time T3 at the time t3 when the time Tb has elapsed.
This is done by opening three. At this time, since the flow control valve 30 is at the position of simultaneous water discharge at all ports, the cleaning water flows through the flow path of the nozzle device 26. Then, the compressed air of the air pump 32 is mixed into the washing water to form a bubble flow, and the water is discharged from both the buttocks outlet 49 and the bidet outlet 53. In this way, the nozzle flow around the buttocks outlet 49 is cleaned by the bubble jetting from the buttocks outlet 49 and the like. Then, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is closed to finish the nozzle pre-wash, and the air pump 32 is closed after a lapse of time Tb. Subsequently, with the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 once closed and the air pump 32 stopped, the stepping motor of the flow rate adjustment valve 30 is adjusted to the origin, and the flow rate adjustment valve 30 is set in accordance with the setting of the water volume setting button 71j. Adjust the opening of. At the same time, by driving the nozzle drive motor 33, the nozzle device 26
From the standby position to the cleaning position.

Then, with the nozzle device 26 advanced to the cleaning position, the air pump 32 is driven at time t4, and after a predetermined time Tb, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is fully opened. As a result, the bubble water in which air is mixed into the washing water is ejected from the buttocks outlet 49 of the nozzle device 26 toward the human body part, and the local part is washed. Then, when the user presses the stop button 71c of the operation unit 35 (at time t).
5) Water stoppage is performed. That is, the water stoppage process
This is performed by closing the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 and the flow control valve 30 to stop the supply of the cleaning water, and stopping the air pump 32 to stop the supply of the air.

Subsequently, a post-nozzle cleaning process is performed.
The post-nozzle cleaning process is substantially the same as the pre-nozzle cleaning process, that is, after moving the flow rate adjustment valve 30 to the simultaneous water discharge position for all ports and driving the air pump 32, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is turned on for a predetermined time. This is performed by opening only T4. Then, when the predetermined time T4 has elapsed,
The electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is closed, and then the air pump 32 is stopped. As a result, the butt spout 49 of the nozzle device 26
Is cleaned.

Next, a cleaning intensity setting button 71h (FIG. 2)
The control by which the electronic control unit 24 changes the cleaning intensity Wf (cleaning pressure) by the operation described above will be described. The electronic control unit 24 sets the cleaning intensity setting button 71h based on the setting of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h.
The flow control valve 30 and the flow control valve 34 are controlled to adjust the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for setting the cleaning intensity Wf. In FIG. 12, first, the cleaning intensity set value Wfs (selected position) of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h is read (step S152), and then the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa are calculated (steps S154 and 156). . The washing water flow rate Qw in these steps S154 and S156
13 and the air flow rate Qa are calculated based on the map of FIG.
And the pump motor 32a of the air pump 32 is controlled.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the set value of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h, the flow rate of cleaning water and the like, and the cleaning intensity Wf. In FIG. 13, the cleaning water flow rate Qw is represented by a dashed line, the air flow rate Qa is represented by a dashed line, and the cleaning strength Wf is represented by a measured value of the cleaning pressure [Pa] by a solid line. Here, the selection position can be set in seven stages of levels 1 to 7 by the cleaning intensity setting button 71h. At this selected position, the washing water flow rate Qw is set so as to increase in three stages of level 1-2 → level 3-5 → level 6-7, while the air flow rate Qa is set at the level 1-1 of the selected position. 2. It is set to increase at levels 3 to 5 and levels 6 to 7 and decrease at levels 2 to 3 and levels 5 to 6.

When the selected position is changed from level 1 to level 2 by operating the cleaning intensity setting button 71h, the cleaning water flow rate Qw maintains its value, but the air flow rate Qa increases in proportion. In this case, this level 1
In the range of level 2, although the value of the cleaning water flow rate Qw is the same, the cleaning flow rate Wa increases, so that the cleaning intensity Wf increases almost in proportion. When the selected position of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h is changed from level 2 to level 3, the cleaning water flow rate Qw increases, but the air flow rate Qa decreases. Therefore, the excess of the cleaning intensity Wf due to the increase of the cleaning water flow rate Qw is compensated by decreasing the air flow rate Qa, so that the continuous cleaning intensity W for the selected position of level 2 is obtained.
f.

Further, the selection position is changed from level 3 to level 5
When the level is changed from the level 6 to the level 7, the cleaning water flow rate Qw is constant in the range of the selected position, but the cleaning flow rate Qa increases, so that the cleaning intensity Wf increases. Further, when the selected position is changed from level 5 to level 6, the excessively increased cleaning water flow rate Qw is used as continuous cleaning intensity Wf by reducing the air flow rate Qa.

As described above, the selection position of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h can be set in seven steps.
Is changed in three stages, and the air flow Qa
The cleaning intensity Wf takes on a continuous value. Therefore, the flow rate control valve 30 may have a simple configuration capable of switching the cleaning water flow rate Qw in three stages, and can easily perform flow rate control.

To change the cleaning strength Wf,
This is performed by controlling the driving of the pump motor 32a of the air pump 32. The pump motor 32a is controlled by a pulse width modulation control method (PWM control method). The PWM control method is a method of controlling the input power to the pump motor 32a by arbitrarily changing (modulating) the on-pulse conduction width.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the energization width of the pump motor 32a by the PWM control method is changed. In FIG. 14, FIG. 14A shows a duty ratio [(td / Td) ×
100] is 80%, and FIG.
%, And FIG. 14C shows the case where the duty ratio is 20%. When the duty ratio is long, the rotation speed of the pump motor 32a increases and the air flow rate Qa increases. On the other hand, when the duty ratio is short, the rotation speed of the pump motor 32a decreases and the air flow rate Qa decreases. I do. Therefore, by changing the duty ratio of the input current supplied to the pump motor 32a and controlling the output of the pump motor 32a, the air flow rate Qa can be adjusted.

Here, the above-mentioned duty ratio is controlled at a constant frequency.
It is preferable to set in the range of z. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the frequency for driving the pump motor 32a and the noise. As can be seen from FIG. 15, at frequencies lower than 700 Hz, except for around 300 Hz, 43.17.
Quiet than dB. Here, it is estimated that the noise at 300 Hz increases due to resonance with the case cover of the local cleaning device 10. In the range of 100 to 200 Hz, it is as low as 40 to 42 dB. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined frequency of the pump motor 32a be set in the range of 100 to 200 Hz.

The motor drive circuit 32b for executing the PWM control is constituted by a power transistor, so that the circuit structure can be simplified as compared with the voltage control method, and the size can be reduced as in the local cleaning apparatus 10. It is particularly effective when required. Further, the current flows to the pump motor 32a only when the power pulse is on, and the rest is rest at other times, so that the load on the transistor and the load on the power supply can be extremely reduced. Further, by controlling at a low frequency, the efficiency of the pump motor 32a can be increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the above embodiment, in order to detect the output of the pump motor 32a, the noise frequency included in the input current input to the pump motor 32a is detected as shown in FIGS. However, the detection may be performed by detecting a noise level. That is, FIG. 16 is a graph showing the relationship between the drive output of the pump motor 32a and the noise level. As shown in FIG. 16, it can be seen that the noise level increases as the output of the pump motor 32a increases. Thus, the output of the pump motor 32a can be feedback-controlled based on the noise level. The noise measurement is
The detection is performed based on the periodic noise included in the current value supplied to the motor. However, the detection is not limited thereto, and the detection may be performed using a signal due to magnetic noise or noise due to sparks when a brush motor is used.

(2) In the above embodiment, the configuration using a DC brushless motor as the pump motor has been described, but a DC brush motor may be used. In this case, the power supplied by the PWM control is
Since only the duty ratio is changed and its amplitude is not changed, the power peak value is large. Therefore, the temperature of the brush of the DC brush motor rises to a predetermined temperature or more, and carbon on the brush surface burns, and no carbon remains on the brush.
For this reason, it is not necessary to replace the brush, the life of the motor can be extended, and maintenance is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a local cleaning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the local cleaning device 10.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a rotation speed sensor 33a that detects the rotation speed of a pump motor 32a.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating outputs from a current detector 33b and a waveform shaper 33c.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a nozzle device 26.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of movement of the nozzle device 26.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the action of bubble mixing by the bubble pump 80.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a change in a bubble flow.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a read image of a photograph of a bubble flow.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between an air mixing ratio λ and a washing water load ratio.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the buttocks cleaning operation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for setting a cleaning intensity Wf.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a relationship between a set value of a cleaning intensity setting button 71h, a flow rate of cleaning water and the like, and a cleaning intensity Wf.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the energization width of the pump motor 32a by the PWM control method is changed.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a frequency for driving the pump motor 32a and noise.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between a drive output of a pump motor 32a and a noise level.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Local washing | cleaning apparatus 12 ... Heat exchanger 14 ... Electromagnetic water shutoff valve 16 ... Heater 18 ... Incoming water temperature sensor 20 ... Water discharge temperature sensor 24 ... Electronic control device 26 ... Nozzle device 29 ... Air flow path 30 ... Flow control valve 31 ... Atmospheric release valve 32 ... Air pump 32a ... Pump motor 32b ... Motor drive circuit 33a ... Rotation speed sensor 33b ... Current detector 33c ... Waveform shaper 33d ... Pulse counter 33e ... Timer 33 ... Nozzle drive motor 34 ... Flow control valve 35 ... Operating part 36 ... Seat sensor 38 ... Power supply part 40 ... Nozzle body 42 ... Nozzle head 43 ... Bottom passage 44 ... Bubble mixing / switching mechanism 45 ... Bidet passage 46 ... Seal ring 47 ... Bottom ejection passage 49 ... Butt spout 51... Bidet spouting channel 53. ... Air mixing body 61 ... Support 62 ... Support 63 ... Air chamber switching unit 64 ... Spring 65 ... Washing water introduction path 66 ... Through hole 67 ... Air introduction path 68 ... Through hole 69 ... Shielding block 70 ... Bottom side penetration Hole 71k ... Bubble amount setting button 71n ... Operation on / off button 71a ... Butt washing button 71b ... Bidet washing button 71d ... Massage setting button 71c ... Stop button 71e ... Move setting button 71g ... Spray temperature setting button 71f ... Nozzle washing button 71h: Cleaning intensity setting button 71i ... Water pressure setting button 71j ... Water amount setting button 71 ... Bidet side through-hole 72 ... Display part 80 ... Bubble pump 81 ... Air mixing housing 82 ... Air chamber 83 ... Bubble dispersion 84 ... Cleaning water pipe Road 85 ... air introduction pipe

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Shinsuke Matsuo 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka F-term (reference) 2D038 JA00 JB05 JF00 JH11 4F033 AA04 BA04 CA04 DA01 EA01 GA11 HA02 LA13

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A local cleaning device for cleaning air from a jet nozzle of a washing nozzle by jetting bubbled water mixed with air toward a human body part to wash the local part. An air supply means having a pump motor and outputting compressed air by driving the pump motor; and driving the pump motor by detecting periodic noise when the pump motor is driven. A motor driving force detecting means for detecting a force, provided in the cleaning water flow path, and an air mixing means for creating bubble water by mixing compressed air from the air supply means with the cleaning water in the cleaning water flow path, Based on the detection signal from the motor driving force detection means,
A local cleaning device comprising: a mixing ratio adjusting unit that adjusts an air flow rate to the air mixing unit by performing feedback control on an air flow amount toward a target air amount. 2. The local cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the motor driving force detecting means is a rotation speed sensor that detects a rotation speed of the pump motor by detecting a periodic noise of a current value supplied to the pump motor. apparatus.