JP2002339434A - Foam generator for toilet stool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foam generator for a toilet stool capable of effectively informing a user of the maintenance time. SOLUTION: This foam generator 1 for a toilet stool is provided with a tank 2 for storing a foam generating liquid 16, a foam generating part 10 for generating foam 22 in the foam generating liquid 16, and an air pump 9 for generating foam 22 and conveying the same into a toilet stool bowl 51. The foam generator is provided with a maintenance display part for displaying that it is the maintenance time for the tank 2, thereby counting the elapsed time after fitting to the tank 2 and displaying that it is the maintenance time on the maintenance display part when the designated time is counted. When the designated time is counted, the foam generating part 10 may be forced to generate foam 22 only for designated time to empty the foam generating liquid 16 in the tank 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a foam generator for toilet bowls.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A foam generating device for a toilet is a device in which a foam generating liquid is stored in a tank, the foam generating liquid is foamed by an air pump or the like, and the generated foam is conveyed into the toilet and collected on a reservoir surface. By covering the toilet, it is possible to obtain effects such as blocking offensive odor from inside the toilet, prevention of splashing of water at the time of defecation, and cleaning of the toilet. Conventionally, as these foam generators for toilet bowls, as described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 56-82085, there is provided a control means for starting operation by a user's manual operation and automatically stopping after a predetermined time has elapsed. As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 05-17985,
A control device that includes control means for controlling driving based on a seating detection signal, or a control device that includes a photoelectric barrier sensor and controls driving based on the detection signal, as described in JP-A-01-500529. Ones with means have been proposed.

[0003]

The above foam generating apparatus for a toilet has a structure in which the foam generating liquid stored in the tank is consumed by a substantially constant amount each time the foam generating liquid is used. If maintenance such as replacement of the foaming liquid is not performed regularly after a predetermined time has passed since the filling of the liquid, problems such as clogging and generation of an odor due to decay and drying of the foaming liquid may occur. May have occurred.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a foam generating apparatus for a toilet bowl which can effectively inform a user that it is time for maintenance. .

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a tank for storing a foam generating liquid, a foam generating section for generating foam in the foam generating liquid, and a method for storing the generated foam in a toilet. In a foam generator for a toilet comprising a foam conveying means for conveying, a maintenance display section for indicating that it is time for maintenance of the tank, and a maintenance display section for counting elapsed time after installation of the tank and for counting a predetermined time. And a control means for displaying that it is maintenance time. By doing so, the user can periodically know that it is time for maintenance by looking at the display on the maintenance display section, so that the foam generating liquid in the tank is decayed without performing maintenance for a long time, Drying to prevent clogging and bad smell is prevented.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a tank for storing a foam generating liquid, a foam generating section for generating foam in the foam generating liquid, and a foam conveying apparatus for conveying the generated foam into a toilet. Means for generating a foam for a toilet bowl, comprising a means for counting elapsed time after installation of the tank and generating foam for a predetermined time in the foam generating section to empty the foam generating liquid in the tank at a predetermined time count. It is good also as the foam generator for toilets provided with the control means made to perform. In this way, the aged foam generating liquid is automatically discharged, so that the foam generating liquid in the tank is prevented from decaying, drying and clogging or causing a bad smell without maintenance for a long time. You.

It is also preferable that a measurement start operation switch is provided for the user to manually instruct the control means to start counting of the elapsed time after the tank is mounted. By accurately counting the elapsed time, the maintenance time can be accurately known.

It is also preferable that the control means has a tank attachment / detachment detection sensor for judging the start of counting of the elapsed time after the tank is attached. In this case, the user can manually operate a switch or the like. It is possible to accurately count the elapsed time after mounting the tank without having to perform the operation and accurately know the maintenance time.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a local cleaning device 50 integrally configured with an example of the toilet foam generator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The local cleaning device 50 is fixed on the toilet bowl 51, and includes a local cleaning device main body 52 having a main control unit 55 and a toilet seat 53.
And a toilet lid 54 that opens and closes above the toilet seat 53. Further, the local cleaning device main body 52 is connected to a cleaning means, a foam generating device 1 for a toilet bowl, an operating means, and a human detection sensor.

The basic configuration of the local cleaning device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The main control means 55 responds to an operation signal from the operation means, and displays the toilet seat temperature for the toilet seat 53, the cleaning temperature and the cleaning flow rate for the cleaning means, and the toilet foam generator 1 for the toilet foam generating apparatus 1. The amount of foam generation is individually controlled.

The toilet seat 53 is provided with toilet seat temperature adjusting means, a seating detection sensor, and the like. The toilet seat temperature adjusting means is constituted by a toilet seat temperature varying means and a toilet seat temperature detecting means, and receives a toilet seat temperature change instruction from the main control means 55 to hold the toilet seat at a designated temperature.
The seating detection sensor detects that the user is seated,
The detection information is transmitted to the main control means 55.

The cleaning means comprises a cleaning temperature variable means, a cleaning flow rate variable means and the like. Upon receiving a cleaning temperature change instruction and a cleaning flow rate change instruction from the main control means 55, the cleaning means is operated at the designated temperature and flow rate. Local cleaning such as ass cleaning and bidet cleaning is performed.

FIG. 11 shows a specific structure of the cleaning means. Water supply valve 60 for water supply / stop from water supply
And a hot water tank 61 having a heater (not shown) for heating the supplied water and storing it as cleaning water, and for generating a water pressure in the cleaning water and supplying it to a cleaning nozzle 63 described later. Pump 62 and toilet seat 53 of local cleaning device main body 52
A cleaning nozzle 63 is provided so as to be able to expand and contract downward, and has an ejection port 64 for ejecting washing water upward at the tip end.

FIG. 12 shows a specific structure of the cleaning nozzle 63. The cleaning nozzle 63 has a structure in which it is extended forward by being pushed out by water pressure, and is retracted and contracted by the restoring force of the spring 65 when the water pressure is reduced. However, as a means for expanding and contracting the cleaning nozzle 63, an actuator (not shown) such as a motor may be used instead of using the water pressure.

In the cleaning means having the above structure, when the user operates the cleaning operation key provided on the cleaning operation section, the pump 6 is operated.
The cleaning water is sent to the cleaning nozzle 63 by the operation of 2,
After the washing nozzle 63 advances to the washing position by the water pressure of the washing water, the washing water is ejected from the ejection port 64.

The pump 62 controls the washing flow rate in response to an instruction from the main control means 55. As such a washing flow control means, the main control means 5 is used instead of the pump 62.
A motor (not shown) that changes the flow rate by changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path in response to an instruction from 5 may be provided.
Further, the pump 62 may be omitted. In this case, the cleaning water is directly sent to the cleaning nozzle 63 by the water supply pressure generated by opening the water supply valve 60. When an electromagnetic valve is used as the water supply valve 60, the flow rate can be changed by changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path, similarly to the motor described above. Hot water tank 6
1 may be omitted, but in this case, the water supplied from the water supply is heated using a ceramic or sheath type heater (not shown) and the cleaning nozzle 6 is directly heated.
Send to 3.

The above-mentioned toilet foam generating apparatus 1 generates the foam 22 and supplies it to the toilet 51. The foam generating apparatus 1 includes means for adjusting the foam generation rate by changing the foam generation speed or the foam generation time. ing. The specific configuration of the toilet foam generator 1 will be described later in detail.

The operating means comprises a toilet seat operating section, a washing operating section, and a foam generating operating section. Further, the toilet seat operation unit is provided with a toilet seat temperature operation key for changing the toilet seat temperature, and the cleaning operation unit is provided with a cleaning operation key for performing a hip cleaning and a bidet cleaning, and a temperature of the cleaning water. A cleaning temperature operation key for changing the cleaning temperature and a cleaning flow rate operation key for changing the cleaning flow rate during cleaning are arranged. In the foam generation operation part,
A manual bubble generation operation key, a bubble generation amount operation key, and a bubble generation mode switching key are provided. When the user operates these keys provided on the operation unit, the key input information is transmitted to the main control unit 55.

The human detection sensor is for detecting a user entering a toilet using, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.

Next, the structure of the foam generator 1 for a toilet will be described in detail. FIG. 13 shows the entire foam generator 1 for a toilet bowl. The foam generating apparatus 1 for a toilet bowl includes a foam generating liquid 16.
And a foam generator main body 8 mounted on the upper side of the tank 2. The foam generating device main body 8 is integrally formed with the local cleaning device 50, but may be provided separately. In this case, the foam generating device 1 for a toilet bowl is provided in a toilet where the local cleaning device 50 is not installed.
Can be installed.

The tank 2 includes a tank body 3 having an upper opening.
And a tank lid 4 integrally connected to the upper part of the tank body 3 by ultrasonic welding or the like. The tank lid 4 is provided with a foam outflow portion 7. The foam generator body 8 has a foam outlet 7 a formed in the foam outlet 7 of the tank 2 and a toilet 51.
A supply member 12a having a supply path 12 for connecting a foam supply port 14 for supplying bubbles 22 therein, and an air pump 9
And are arranged. The foam generator 10 made of porous foam stone disposed in the tank 2 communicates with the air pump 9 on the foam generator main body 8 via the pipe 15, the foam outlet 7, and the supply path 12. I have.

In the foam generator 1 for a toilet bowl having the above structure,
As shown in FIG. 14, the user fills the tank 2 with the foam generating liquid 16 generated by diluting the detergent at an arbitrary magnification of, for example, about 10 to 100 times, and prepares it for use.

FIGS. 15A to 15C show the progress of foam supply. When the user operates the foam generation mode switching key of the foam generation operation unit and selects, for example, the automatic foam generation mode, detection of entry into the toilet by the human detection sensor or entry into the toilet seat 53 by the seating detection sensor. In response to the seating detection, the air sent from the air pump 9 is
As shown in FIG. 3A, the foam 22 is ejected from the foam generator 10 as bubbles 22 to foam the foam generating liquid 16 in the tank 2. The foamed foam 22 gradually fills the tank 2 as shown in FIG. 15 (b), and when it reaches the foam outlet 7a, as shown in FIG. It is supplied from 14 into the toilet 51. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the operation, the air pump 9 automatically stops, and the supply of the foam 22 to the toilet 51 stops.

When the user operates the foam generation mode switching key and selects, for example, the manual foam generation mode, the user operates the manual foam generation operation key to start the operation of the air pump 9, and the air pump 9 starts operation. Automatically stops after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start. The air pump 9 may be stopped when the user operates the manual bubble generation operation key again during operation.

As described above, the bubble generating section 1 is supplied from the air pump 9.
The bubble generating liquid 16 can be sufficiently foamed by sending air into the bubble generating liquid 16 to generate the foam 22 and by using the means for transporting the foam 22 into the toilet bowl 51. Since the foam 22 hardly flows when attached to the inner surface of the toilet 51, a high cleaning effect is obtained. As a means for generating the foam 22, a means for directly spraying the detergent into the toilet bowl 51 or supplying the detergent after applying it to a mesh or the like can be considered. In this case, the method is compared with the method for generating the foam 22 of the present embodiment described above. Thus, the degree of foaming is reduced, but the time until foaming can be shortened. However, the deodorizing effect can be obtained equally in any method of generating the bubbles 22.

Next, the timing for starting the supply of the foam 22 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the user first enters the toilet and sits on the toilet seat 53, both the human detection sensor and the sitting detection sensor are turned on. When the user in the seated state operates the manual foam generation operation key, the foam generator for a toilet bowl 1 supplies the foam 22 into the toilet bowl 51 by the above-described means. However, the generation of the bubbles 22 at this time is as follows.
In the foam generation routine shown in FIG. 1, for example, the first time is 20
The air pump 9 is driven for a gradually long time, such as 21 seconds for the second time, 21 seconds for the second time, and 50 seconds for the 30th time, to supply the foam 22. By using the calculation table to select a bubble generation time that matches the number of times the bubble is generated, the liquid 16
Irrespective of the remaining amount, the foam 22 can be supplied in a substantially constant amount.

When the user in the seated state operates the cleaning operation key of the operation section, the cleaning water is sent to the cleaning nozzle 63 by the above-described means in accordance with the instruction given by the main control means 55, and the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle 63 The desired washing of the buttocks or bidet is performed on the user by jetting the washing water. Then, when the user leaves the toilet after the local cleaning by the local cleaning device 1, that is, after operating the cleaning operation key, both the seating detection sensor and the human detection sensor are turned off. Bubbles 22 into 51
Supply is started. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the supply of the foam 22 is started when the seating detection sensor is turned off.
2 may be started.

However, the supply of the foam 22 here is performed only after the operation of the cleaning operation key. If the cleaning operation key is not operated, the foam 22 is supplied even if the seating detection sensor or the human detection sensor is turned off. 22 is not supplied. In this way, only when the user actually uses the toilet, the detergent-containing foam 22 can be supplied onto the pool surface after flushing the water in the toilet bowl 51 during use. This bubble 22 is 2
Since it does not disappear for up to 3 hours, the foam 22 is always present in the toilet bowl 51 except when used after a long absence or when used for the first time after getting up. Accordingly, dirt in the toilet bowl 51 is prevented, and it is possible to immediately defecate without having to wait for the generation of bubbles at the next use, and the bubbles 22 are generated unnecessarily when the user does not need it. Is prevented.

5 and 6, the supply of the foam 22 may be started after a lapse of a predetermined time A from the time when the motion detection sensor is turned off, as shown in FIGS. Alternatively, the supply of the foam 22 may be started after a lapse of a predetermined time B from the time when the seating detection sensor is turned off. Here, the predetermined times A, B
It is preferable to set the time until the water in the toilet 51 returns to the normal state again after the user flushes the toilet, to about 1 to 3 minutes. Further, the supply of the foam 22 may be started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the user operates the cleaning operation key. In this case, the water in the toilet bowl 51 is also returned to the normal state after the use similarly. The same effect can be obtained by setting an appropriate time as the time until returning to.

Also, when the human detection sensor is turned off, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, after the user leaves the room, that is, after the human detection sensor is turned off, bubbles are generated every predetermined time C. The foam 22 may be supplied into the toilet 51 for a predetermined time in a routine. When the cleaning operation key is operated when the motion sensor is turned on, the generation of the above-described off-time foam 22 is started after a lapse of a predetermined time C from the generation of the foam 22 by operating the cleaning operation key, and the motion sensor is turned on. When the cleaning operation key is not operated at the time, after an appropriate time has elapsed after leaving or leaving the room, the foam 22 is removed every predetermined time C.
Start supplying. Here, as the predetermined time C, the time in which the foam 22 is maintained without disappearing is 2 to 3 hours.
It is preferable to set the time to about time. In this way, even when used after a long absence and when used for the first time after getting up, dirt in the toilet bowl 51 is prevented, and immediately after the next use, there is no need to wait for foaming. Defecation can be performed.

Further, if the number of supply of the bubbles 22 when the human detection sensor is turned off is limited to a predetermined number of, for example, three times, unnecessary consumption of the bubble generating liquid 16 in a long absence is avoided. Can be prevented.

Next, the maintenance of the tank 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The tank installation time, which is the elapsed time since the tank 2 filled with the foam generating liquid 16 has been installed, is counted. When the tank installation time elapses a predetermined time D, for example, one week to one month, the maintenance is performed. The display unit (not shown) indicates that it is time to remove the tank 2 for maintenance.
It is displayed using an ED or the like. Further, at the time point when the predetermined time D has elapsed, the foam generating device 1 for the toilet bowl is operated for a predetermined time E of, for example, about 20 minutes to generate the foam 22, so that the foam generating liquid 16 in the tank 2 is emptied. These controls are performed by the main control means 55.

By doing so, the maintenance of the tank 2 can be performed regularly, and the foam generating liquid 16 in the tank 2 can be spoiled without maintenance for a long time.
Drying to prevent clogging and bad smell is prevented.

Means for instructing the main control means 55 to start counting the tank assembling time is as follows: when the tank 2 is detached and filled with the foam generating liquid 16, and then the tank 2 is assembled into the foam generator main body 8 again. The user may manually operate a measurement start operation switch (not shown).

Further, a magnet (not shown) is provided in the tank 2, and a tank attachment / detachment detection sensor (not shown) constituted by arranging a hall sensor (not shown) in the foam generator body 8 is provided.
The main control means 55 may determine the start of counting the tank installation time based on the detection signal of the tank attachment / detachment detection sensor. In this way, the tank installation time can be reliably counted without the need for the user to manually perform the switch operation. The tank attachment / detachment detection sensor is not limited to the above configuration, and may be any sensor that can accurately detect the attachment / detachment of the tank 2 for maintenance.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the user can periodically know that it is time to perform maintenance by looking at the display on the maintenance display section, so that the user can perform the maintenance for a long time. This has the effect of preventing the foaming liquid in the tank from decaying and drying to cause clogging and bad odor without maintenance.

In the invention according to claim 2,
As the old foam generating liquid is automatically discharged, the foam generating liquid in the tank rots without maintenance for a long time,
This has the effect of preventing clogging and bad smell from occurring due to drying.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, there is an effect that the maintenance time can be accurately known by accurately counting the elapsed time from the tank mounting time.

In the invention according to claim 4,
In addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the invention, it is possible to accurately count the elapsed time after the tank is installed without the need for the user to manually perform a switch operation or the like, and to accurately know the maintenance time. effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a foam generation control chart immediately after using a toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a foam generation operation immediately after use of the above toilet.

FIG. 3 is a chart of foam generation control after a lapse of a predetermined time from use of the toilet.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a foam generation operation after a lapse of a predetermined time from use of the above toilet.

FIG. 5 is a chart of a bubble generation control chart when the human detection sensor is off.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a bubble generation operation when the human detection sensor is off.

FIG. 7 is a chart of tank installation time measurement and foam generation liquid release control chart of the above.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the tank assembling time measurement and the foam generation liquid discharging operation of the above.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of the same local cleaning device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a basic configuration of the local cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a cleaning unit according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views of the expansion and contraction structure of the above cleaning nozzle, wherein FIG. 12A shows a state when not used, and FIG. 12B shows a state when used.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of the above foam generating apparatus for a toilet, wherein (a) shows an assembled state and (b) shows an exploded state.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the above-mentioned toilet foam generator.

15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of a foam supply progress in the above-mentioned toilet foam generator, wherein FIG. 15A shows a state immediately after the start of operation, and FIG.
Shows a state just before the foam flows out of the tank, and (c) shows a state in which the foam is being supplied to the toilet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 foam generator for toilet bowl 2 tank 9 air pump 10 foam generator 12 supply path 16 foam generating liquid 22 foam 55 main control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A foam generator for a toilet comprising a tank for storing a foam generating liquid, a foam generating section for generating foam in the foam generating liquid, and a foam conveying means for conveying the generated foam into a toilet. A maintenance display unit for displaying that it is the maintenance time of the tank, and control means for counting the elapsed time after the tank is mounted and displaying the maintenance time on the maintenance display unit at a predetermined time count. A foam generator for a toilet bowl. 2. A foam generator for a toilet comprising a tank for storing a foam generating liquid, a foam generating section for generating foam in the foam generating liquid, and a foam conveying means for conveying the generated foam into the toilet. Wherein a control means is provided for counting the elapsed time after mounting the tank and for generating a foam for a predetermined time in the foam generating section in order to empty the foam generating liquid in the tank at the time of counting the predetermined time. Toilet foam generator. 3. The toilet bowl according to claim 1, further comprising a measurement start operation switch for manually instructing the control means to start counting the elapsed time after the tank is mounted. Foam generator. 4. The foam generator for a toilet bowl according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a tank attachment / detachment detection sensor for judging a start of counting of an elapsed time after the tank is attached.