JP2019180842A - Toilet seat lifting/lowering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat lifting/lowering device, even when an outside diameter of a cylinder of a damper mechanism diminishes, capable of securing a buffer power of the damper mechanism in the toilet seat lifting/lowering device including the damper mechanism for moderating a lifting/lowering speed of a slider part to which the toilet seat is fixed.SOLUTION: The toilet seat lifting/lowering device includes a damper mechanism 13 for moderating the lifting/lowering speed of a slider part, the pneumatic damper including a cylinder 23c and a piston 34, where a seal member 35 is attached to the piston 34 and recessed parts recessed inward in a radial direction of the cylinder 23s are formed on an outer peripheral surface of a seal member attachment part 34b. The toilet seat lifting/lowering device includes vent holes for passing air exhausted from the inside of a tip end of the cylinder 23s to the outside in a base end of the cylinder 23s and air supplied from the outside in the base end of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the tip end of the cylinder 23c, formed between the seal member attachment part 34b and the seal member 35 by the recessed parts formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attachment part 34b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet seat lifting and lowering device for lifting and lowering a toilet seat with respect to a toilet body of a western style toilet.

  Conventionally, a toilet seat lifting and lowering device for manually lifting and lowering a toilet seat with respect to a toilet body of a Western-style toilet is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The toilet seat lifting device described in Patent Document 1 is a fixed plate fixed to the toilet body, two guide shafts fixed to the fixed plate, a slider moving up and down along the two guide shafts, and fixed to the slider. And a movable plate to which the toilet seat is fixed. The two guide shafts are arranged in a state spaced from each other in the left-right direction. The slider includes two bearing portions through which the guide shaft is inserted, and a top plate portion that connects upper ends of the two bearing portions.

  Further, the toilet seat lifting device described in Patent Document 1 includes an air damper mechanism for relaxing the lifting speed of the slider. The air damper mechanism includes a cylindrical cylinder extending downward from the top plate portion of the slider, and a piston disposed inside the cylinder. A communication hole that leads to the sealed space of the cylinder is formed in the top plate portion. The inner diameter of the communication hole is about 0.2 (mm). In the toilet seat lifting device described in Patent Document 1, the slider is formed of resin.

JP 2007-268211 A

  The inventor of the present application reduces the size of the toilet seat lifting / lowering device in the front / rear direction perpendicular to the left / right direction and the up / down direction in which the two guide shafts are arranged in the toilet seat lifting / lowering device described in Patent Document 1. Are considering. In order to reduce the size of the toilet seat lifting device in the front-rear direction, it is necessary to reduce the outer diameter of the cylinder. When the outer diameter of the cylinder is reduced, the buffering force of the air damper mechanism may not be ensured unless the inner diameter of the communication hole is reduced in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder that becomes smaller together with the outer diameter of the cylinder. That is, if the inner diameter of the cylinder is reduced without changing the inner diameter of the communication hole, the relative size of the inner diameter of the communication hole with respect to the inner diameter of the cylinder increases, so the buffering force of the air damper mechanism decreases, and the air damper mechanism There is a risk that the buffering force cannot be secured. Therefore, when reducing the outer diameter of the cylinder, it is necessary to reduce the inner diameter of the communication hole.

  However, in the toilet seat lifting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the inner diameter of the communication hole is about 0.2 (mm). Therefore, if the inner diameter of the communication hole is further reduced, it is difficult to form the communication hole using a mold when molding a resin slider. That is, it is difficult to form a pin of less than 0.2 (mm) for forming the communication hole in the mold for molding the slider. Therefore, in the toilet seat lifting device described in Patent Document 1, when reducing the outer diameter of the cylinder, it is difficult to reduce the inner diameter of the communication hole in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder. When it becomes smaller, there is a possibility that the buffering force of the air damper mechanism cannot be secured.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat lifting / lowering device including a damper mechanism for relaxing the lifting / lowering speed of a slider portion to which a toilet seat of a Western-style toilet is fixed, even if the outer diameter of the cylinder of the damper mechanism is reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat lifting / lowering device capable of securing the buffering force.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a toilet seat lifting apparatus of the present invention includes a fixing portion fixed to a toilet body of a western-style toilet, a slider portion to which the toilet seat of the western-style toilet is fixed and liftable with respect to the fixing portion, A damper mechanism for reducing the ascending / descending speed of the slider portion, and the damper mechanism is a pneumatic damper having a cylinder and a piston disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder, and the piston is formed of an elastic body. An annular seal member that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder with a predetermined contact pressure is attached, and the side of the cylinder where the piston enters and exits is the base end side, and the opposite side of the base end side is the front end side. If the portion to which the seal member is attached is a seal member attachment portion, the inner peripheral surface of the seal member contacts the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attachment portion with a predetermined contact pressure, and the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attachment portion At least one of a concave portion recessed in the radial direction of the cylinder and a convex portion expanding outward in the radial direction is formed, and the seal member is mounted by the concave portion and / or the convex portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion. The air discharged from the inside of the front end side of the cylinder to the outside of the base end side of the cylinder according to the operation of the piston passes between the part and the seal member, and at the base end side of the cylinder according to the operation of the piston A vent hole through which air supplied from the outside to the inside of the tip end side of the cylinder passes is formed.

  In the toilet seat lifting / lowering device of the present invention, at least one of a concave portion recessed inward in the radial direction of the cylinder and a convex portion inflating outward in the radial direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, which is a portion to which the seal member is attached. Either one is formed. Therefore, in the present invention, by forming a small convex portion for forming the piston-side concave portion or forming a small concave portion for forming the piston-side convex portion in the mold for molding the piston, When forming a mold, it is possible to form a shallow and narrow concave portion or a low convex portion on the outer peripheral surface of the piston by using a die. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to form a shallow and narrow concave portion or a low convex portion on the outer peripheral surface of the piston in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder having a small outer diameter.

  Further, in the present invention, the recess and / or projection formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion causes a gap between the seal member mounting portion and the seal member from the inside of the front end side of the cylinder according to the operation of the piston. A vent hole is formed through which air discharged to the outside of the base end side of the cylinder passes and through which air supplied from the outside of the base end side of the cylinder to the inside of the tip end side of the cylinder passes according to the operation of the piston. Yes. Therefore, in the present invention, the damping force of the damper mechanism is obtained by using the vent hole formed between the seal member mounting portion and the seal member by the concave portion or the convex portion formed according to the inner diameter of the cylinder having a small outer diameter. Can be secured. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the outer diameter of the cylinder is reduced, it is possible to ensure the buffering force of the damper mechanism.

  In the present invention, for example, a recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, and the recess is a linear groove extending in the axial direction of the piston. Moreover, in this invention, the linear convex part extended in the axial direction of a piston may be formed in the outer peripheral surface of a seal member attaching part. Further, in the present invention, a step portion in which the outer diameter of the seal member mounting portion changes discontinuously is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, and is adjacent to the step portion between the seal member mounting portion and the seal member. A vent hole may be formed in the portion to be performed.

  In addition, when the linear groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, when the linear convex portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, the seal member mounting portion and the seal Compared with a case where a vent hole is formed in a portion adjacent to the step portion between the members, a range in which the seal member is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion becomes clear. That is, when the linear groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, the range of the vent holes becomes clear in the circumferential direction of the annular seal member. Therefore, when a linear groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, it is easy to adjust the flow rate of air passing through the vent hole.

  In the present invention, the piston is formed with hook-shaped flanges disposed on both sides of the seal member in the axial direction of the piston, and the surface of the flange on the seal member side has a ventilation recess for ventilation and a ventilation At least one of the ventilation projections is formed, and the ventilation recesses and / or the ventilation projections formed in the collar portion allows the air passing through the ventilation holes between the seal member contacting the collar portion and the collar portion. It is preferable that a flow path is formed.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to prevent the shift | offset | difference of the sealing member in the axial direction of a piston by a collar part. Also, with this configuration, an air flow path leading to the vent hole is formed between the sealing member that contacts the collar and the collar by the ventilation recess and / or the ventilation convex formed in the collar. Therefore, even if a flange is formed on the piston to prevent the seal member from shifting in the axial direction of the piston, the air that leads to the vent hole is between the seal member that contacts the flange and the flange. It is possible to secure a flow path.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to the present invention includes a fixing portion fixed to a toilet body of a western toilet and a slider portion to which the toilet seat of the western toilet is fixed and which can be raised and lowered with respect to the fixing portion. And a damper mechanism for reducing the ascending / descending speed of the slider portion. The damper mechanism is a pneumatic damper having a cylinder and a piston disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder. An annular seal member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder with a predetermined contact pressure. The side of the cylinder where the piston enters and exits is the base end side, and the opposite side of the base end side is the front end side. Then, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, at least one of a concave portion recessed outward in the radial direction of the cylinder and a convex portion expanding inward in the radial direction is formed, and the concave portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and Alternatively, one end of the convex portion in the axial direction of the piston is disposed closer to the front end side of the cylinder than the seal member in the entire operation range of the piston relative to the cylinder, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The other end in the axial direction of the piston is disposed closer to the base end side of the cylinder than the seal member in the entire operation range of the piston with respect to the cylinder, and is formed by a recess and / or a protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The air exhausted from the inside of the front end side of the cylinder to the outside of the base end side of the cylinder in accordance with the operation of the piston passes between the piston and the seal member over the entire operating range of the piston with respect to the cylinder and the piston operation A vent hole is formed to allow the air supplied from the outside on the base end side of the cylinder to the inside on the tip end side of the cylinder. And wherein the are.

  In the toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to the present invention, at least one of a concave portion recessed outward in the radial direction of the cylinder and a convex portion expanding inward in the radial direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. Therefore, in the present invention, the cylinder for molding the cylinder is formed with a small convex portion for forming the concave portion on the cylinder side or a small concave portion for forming the convex portion on the cylinder side. When forming a mold, it is possible to form a shallow and narrow concave portion or a low convex portion on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder using the die. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to form a shallow and narrow concave portion or a low convex portion on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder according to the inner diameter of the cylinder having a small outer diameter.

  Further, in the present invention, the concave portion and / or the convex portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder causes the cylinder to move between the cylinder and the seal member in accordance with the operation of the piston in the entire operating range of the piston relative to the cylinder. Ventilation through which air discharged from the inside of the tip end to the outside of the base end side of the cylinder passes and through which air supplied from the outside of the base end side of the cylinder to the inside of the tip end side of the cylinder passes according to the operation of the piston A hole is formed. Therefore, in the present invention, the damper mechanism is buffered by using a vent hole formed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and the seal member by the concave portion or the convex portion formed according to the inner diameter of the cylinder having a small outer diameter. It becomes possible to secure power. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the outer diameter of the cylinder is reduced, it is possible to ensure the buffering force of the damper mechanism.

  In the present invention, for example, a recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, and the recess is a linear groove extending in the axial direction. In the present invention, a linear protrusion extending in the axial direction may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. When a linear groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, a seal is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder as compared with a case where a linear convex portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The range where the member is not in contact is clear. That is, when the linear groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, the range of the vent hole becomes clear in the circumferential direction of the annular seal member. Therefore, when a linear groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, it is easy to adjust the flow rate of air passing through the vent hole.

  In the present invention, the seal member is, for example, an O-ring.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the toilet seat lifting / lowering device including the damper mechanism for relaxing the lifting / lowering speed of the slider portion to which the toilet seat of the Western-style toilet is fixed, the damper is reduced even if the outer diameter of the cylinder of the damper mechanism is reduced. It becomes possible to secure the buffering force of the mechanism.

It is a perspective view of the toilet seat raising / lowering apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the western style toilet unit in which the toilet seat raising / lowering apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used. It is a disassembled perspective view of the toilet seat raising / lowering apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the toilet seat lifting apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the slider main body shown in FIG. 3 from another direction. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the EE cross section of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the fixing plate from the toilet seat raising / lowering apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from another direction. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the FF cross section of FIG. (A) is a perspective view of the piston shown in FIG. 6, (B) is an enlarged view of the G part of (A), and (C) is a seal member attached to the seal member mounting part shown in (B). It is sectional drawing of the state to which was attached. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the spring holding member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the seal member attaching part concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the internal peripheral surface of the cylinder concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the internal peripheral surface of the cylinder concerning other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Overall configuration of toilet seat lifting device)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat lifting / lowering apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a Western-style toilet unit 5 in which the toilet seat lifting apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toilet seat lifting apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device for manually lifting and lowering the toilet seat 4 with respect to the toilet body 3 of the western toilet 2 when cleaning the western toilet 2 and the like, as shown in FIG. Used in unit 5. The western toilet 2 includes a toilet lid 6 in addition to the toilet body 3 and the toilet seat 4. The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 lifts and lowers the toilet lid 6 together with the toilet seat 4. The western toilet 2 may not include the toilet lid 6.

  The toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 includes a fixed portion 9 fixed to the toilet body 3, a slider portion 10 to which the toilet seat 4 is fixed and can be moved up and down with respect to the fixed portion 9, and a plurality of slider portions 10 that are guided in the vertical direction. And a guide shaft 11. Further, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 includes a holding mechanism 12 for maintaining the stopped state of the slider unit 10 stopped at a predetermined position in the vertical direction, and a damper mechanism 13 (for relaxing the lifting / lowering speed of the slider unit 10). 6), and a compression coil spring 14 that urges the slider portion 10 upward with respect to the fixed portion 9. The toilet seat lifting / lowering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes two guide shafts 11, two holding mechanisms 12, two damper mechanisms 13, and two compression coil springs 14.

  The axial direction of the guide shaft 11 coincides with the vertical direction. In addition, the two guide shafts 11 are arranged in a state where they are spaced from each other in a predetermined direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. In the following description, the X direction in FIG. 1 or the like in which the two guide shafts 11 are arranged is “left and right direction”, and the Y direction in FIG. " Further, the Y1 direction side in FIG. 1 or the like which is one side in the front-rear direction is referred to as the “front” side, and the Y2 direction side in FIG. A rear end portion of the toilet seat 4 is attached to the slider portion 10, and the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 is disposed behind the toilet seat 4.

(Configuration of fixed part)
The fixing portion 9 includes a fixing plate 17 fixed to the toilet body 3, a retaining plate 18 fixed to the upper end side of the fixing plate 17, and a spring holding member 19 that holds the lower portions of the two compression coil springs 14. And. The fixed plate 17 is formed by bending a metal flat plate into a predetermined shape. The fixed plate 17 includes a flat plate-like lower end portion 17a that forms the lower end surface of the fixed portion 9, and a back surface portion 17b that rises upward from the rear end of the lower end portion 17a. The lower end portion 17a is fixed to the toilet body 3 so that the thickness direction of the lower end portion 17a and the vertical direction coincide with each other.

  The back surface portion 17b is formed in a flat plate shape. The left and right end portions of the back surface portion 17b are bent portions 17c that are bent toward the front side. The back surface portion 17b is arranged so that the thickness direction of the portion of the back surface portion 17b excluding the bent portion 17c matches the front-rear direction. The bent portion 17c is arranged so that the thickness direction of the bent portion 17c and the left-right direction coincide.

  Concave portions 17 d and 17 e into which a rear end portion of an engaging member 30 described later constituting the holding mechanism 12 enters are formed in the back surface portion 17 b. Specifically, two concave portions 17d and two concave portions 17e are formed on the back surface portion 17b. The recesses 17d and 17e are recessed toward the rear side. The two concave portions 17d are formed at substantially the center position of the back surface portion 17b in the vertical direction. The two concave portions 17d are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction, and are arranged in a state of being spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The two concave portions 17e are formed on the upper end side of the back surface portion 17b. The two concave portions 17e are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction, and are arranged in a state of being spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

  The retaining plate 18 is formed by bending a metal flat plate into a predetermined shape. The retaining plate 18 includes an upper end portion 18a that forms the upper end surface of the fixing portion 9, and a fixed portion 18b that bends downward from the rear end of the upper end portion 18a. The upper end portion 18a is arranged so that the thickness direction of the upper end portion 18a matches the vertical direction, and the fixed portion 18b is arranged so that the thickness direction of the fixed portion 18b matches the front-rear direction. Yes. The fixed portion 18b is fixed to the upper end portion of the back surface portion 17b by a screw 20.

  The lower end side of the guide shaft 11 is supported by the lower end portion 17 a of the fixed plate 17, and the upper end side of the guide shaft 11 is supported by the upper end portion 18 a of the retaining plate 18. That is, the guide shaft 11 is supported by the fixed portion 9. The retaining plate 18 has a function of preventing the slider portion 10 from being pulled upward from the guide shaft 11. Further, the guide shaft 11 is disposed in front of the back surface portion 17b.

  The spring holding member 19 is made of resin. The spring holding member 19 is fixed to the upper surface of the lower end portion 17a by a screw 21. A specific configuration of the spring holding member 19 will be described later.

(Configuration of slider part)
4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the toilet seat lifting apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the slider body 23 shown in FIG. 3 from another direction. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the EE cross section of FIG.

  The slider portion 10 includes a slider main body 23 made of resin and a metal reinforcing member 24 for reinforcing the resin slider main body 23. The slider portion 10 of this embodiment includes two reinforcing members 24. The reinforcing member 24 is an L-shaped metal plate composed of a flat plate portion 24a and a flat plate portion 24b that is bent at a right angle from an end surface of the flat plate portion 24a.

  The slider main body 23 includes a toilet seat fixing portion 23a to which the toilet seat 4 is fixed, and a main body portion 23c having a bearing portion 23b through which the guide shaft 11 is inserted. The toilet seat fixing portion 23a is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and is disposed so that the thickness direction of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a coincides with the vertical direction. The main body portion 23c rises upward from the rear end of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a.

  The toilet seat fixing portion 23 a is disposed on the front side of the guide shaft 11. Two recesses 23d in which the flat plate portion 24a of the reinforcing member 24 is disposed are formed on the lower surface of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a. The recess 23d is formed so as to be recessed upward from the lower surface of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a. The recess 23d is formed in a predetermined range from the rear end of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a toward the front side. Each of the two concave portions 23d is formed on each of the left and right ends of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a. A protrusion 23e for positioning the reinforcing member 24 is formed in the recess 23d. The protrusion 23e is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the recess 23d that is recessed upward.

  Further, the toilet seat fixing portion 23a is formed with a through hole 23f in which a part of the screw 25 for fixing the flat plate portion 24a of the reinforcing member 24 is arranged. The through hole 23f penetrates from the upper surface of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a to the bottom surface of the recess 23d. Further, the through holes 23f are formed at four places. Of the four through holes 23f, two through holes 23f are formed on the right end side of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a, and the remaining two through holes 23f are formed on the left end side of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a. . The two through holes 23f disposed on both the left and right ends are formed with a space in the front-rear direction. The head of the screw 25 and a part of the shaft portion are disposed in the through hole 23f.

  The two bearing portions 23b constitute left and right end portions of the main body portion 23c. The upper end portion 23g constituting the upper end surface of the main body portion 23c connects the upper end portions of the two bearing portions 23b. The upper end 23g is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape. The rear surface of the upper end portion 23g is disposed behind the rear surface of the lower portion of the main body portion 23c, and the thickness of the upper end portion 23g in the front-rear direction is the upper end of the main body portion 23c. It is thicker than the thickness in the front-rear direction of the portion below the portion 23g.

  A plurality of reinforcing ribs 23h for reinforcing a connecting portion between the toilet seat fixing portion 23a and the main body portion 23c are formed on the front surface of the main body portion 23c. Two concave portions 23j in which the holding mechanism 12 is disposed are formed on the rear surface of the upper end portion 23g. The concave portion 23j is formed in a square hole shape that is recessed from the rear surface of the upper end portion 23g toward the front side. The two recesses 23j are arranged in a state spaced from each other in the left-right direction. Moreover, the two recessed parts 23j are arrange | positioned between the two bearing parts 23b in the left-right direction. Formed in the recess 23j is a columnar projection 23k that protrudes rearward from the bottom surface of the recess 23j that is recessed toward the front side.

  A contact surface 23n with which the flat plate portion 24b of the reinforcing member 24 contacts is formed on the front surface of the main body portion 23c. The contact surface 23n is a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Further, the contact surface 23n is formed at two locations on both the left and right ends of the main body portion 23c. A rectangular opening 23p that penetrates the main body 23c in the front-rear direction is formed below the contact surface 23n. That is, the opening part 23p which penetrates the main-body part 23c is formed in two places of the right-and-left both ends side of the main-body part 23c.

  A through hole 23q in which a part of a screw 26 for fixing the flat plate portion 24b of the reinforcing member 24 is disposed is formed in a portion of the main body portion 23c where the contact surface 23n is formed. The through hole 23q is formed below the upper end 23g. The through hole 23q penetrates the main body portion 23c in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the through holes 23q are formed at four places. Of the four through holes 23q, two through holes 23q are formed on the right end side of the main body portion 23c, and the remaining two through holes 23q are formed on the left end side of the main body portion 23c. A part of the shaft portion of the screw 26 is disposed in the through hole 23q.

  A plurality of substantially triangular reinforcing ribs 23r for reinforcing the portion of the main body portion 23c where the through holes 23q are formed are formed on the rear surface of the main portion 23c where the contact surface 23n is formed. . The reinforcing rib 23r is formed below the upper end 23g. Further, the reinforcing rib 23r is formed at a position avoiding the through hole 23q. The reinforcing rib 23r is formed in a substantially triangular flat plate shape with the vertical direction as the thickness direction. The front surface of the reinforcing rib 23r is connected to the rear surface of the main body portion 23c. The right end surface of the reinforcing rib 23r arranged on the right side is connected to the bearing portion 23b arranged on the right side, and the left end surface of the reinforcing rib 23r arranged on the left side is connected to the bearing portion 23b arranged on the left side.

  In this embodiment, a cylinder 23s constituting a part of the damper mechanism 13 is formed integrally with the main body 23c. The cylinder 23s is formed in two places. As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the cylinder 23s includes a recessed portion 23t that is recessed upward from the lower surface of the upper end portion 23g on the rear surface side of the main body portion 23c, and a lower side of the upper end portion 23g below the recessed portion 23t. It is comprised from the cylindrical part 23u of the extended cylindrical shape. The recess 23t is formed in a round hole shape, and the center of the recess 23t coincides with the axis of the cylindrical portion 23u. The inner diameter of the recess 23t is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 23u. The two recesses 23t are formed between the two recesses 23j in the left-right direction. That is, the cylinder 23s is disposed between the two recesses 23j in the left-right direction.

  As described above, the reinforcing member 24 is an L-shaped metal plate including the flat plate portion 24a and the flat plate portion 24b. A screw hole 24c into which the screw portion of the screw 25 is screwed is formed in the flat plate portion 24a. The screw holes 24c are formed in two places. The screw hole 24c penetrates the flat plate portion 24a. Further, a positioning hole 24d into which the protrusion 23e is inserted is formed in the flat plate portion 24a. The positioning hole 24d passes through the flat plate portion 24a. The positioning hole 24d is formed between the two screw holes 24c. A screw hole 24e into which the screw portion of the screw 26 is screwed is formed in the flat plate portion 24b. The screw holes 24e are formed in two places. The screw hole 24e passes through the flat plate portion 24b.

  The reinforcing member 24 is fixed to the slider body 23 with the upper surface of the flat plate portion 24a contacting the bottom surface of the recess 23d and the rear surface of the flat plate portion 24b contacting the contact surface 23n. That is, in the reinforcing member 24 fixed to the slider main body 23, the flat plate portion 24a is in contact with the lower surface of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a, and the flat plate portion 24b is in contact with the front surface of the main body portion 23c. A part of the reinforcing member 24 is disposed in the opening 23p and closes the opening 23p. The lower surface of the flat plate portion 24a is disposed on the same plane as the lower surface of the toilet seat fixing portion 23a.

  The reinforcing member 24 of this embodiment reinforces the connecting portion between the toilet seat fixing portion 23a and the main body portion 23c. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 24 is positioned in the vertical direction by the bottom surface of the recess 23d, and the reinforcing member 24 is positioned in the front-rear and left-right directions by the protrusions 23e and the positioning holes 24d. In this embodiment, the concave portion 23d and the protrusion 23e constitute a positioning portion 27 for positioning the reinforcing member 24 (see FIG. 4).

  The head portion of the screw 25 is disposed above the shaft portion of the screw 25, and the screw portion of the screw 25 that has passed through the through hole 23f is screwed into the screw hole 24c. The toilet seat fixing portion 23a is sandwiched between the head of the screw 25 and the flat plate portion 24a. The head of the screw 26 is disposed on the rear side of the shaft portion of the screw 26, and the screw portion of the screw 26 that has passed through the through hole 23q to the front side is screwed into the screw hole 24e. The main body portion 23c is sandwiched between the head portion of the screw 26 and the flat plate portion 24b.

(Configuration of holding mechanism)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state where the fixing plate 17 is removed from the toilet seat lifting apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 from another direction. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the FF cross section of FIG. 4.

  The holding mechanism 12 includes an engaging member 30 that is held by the slider body 23 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a compression coil spring 31 that urges the engaging member 30 toward the rear side. . The holding mechanism 12 is disposed in the recess 23j. On the inner peripheral side of the compression coil spring 31, a protrusion 23k is inserted. The engaging member 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape with a bottom having an open front end, and a compression coil spring 31 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the engaging member 30. On the rear end surface of the engaging member 30, a protruding portion 30a that protrudes toward the rear side is formed.

  The holding mechanism 12 maintains the stopped state of the slider portion 10 by contacting the front surface of the back surface portion 17b at the position where the concave portions 17d and 17e are formed. Specifically, at the position where the recesses 17d and 17e are formed, the rear end surface of the engagement member 30 contacts the front surface of the back surface portion 17b, and the protrusion 30a enters the recesses 17d and 17e, thereby holding The mechanism 12 maintains the stopped state of the slider portion 10 at two positions, that is, a position where the concave portion 17d is formed and a position where the concave portion 17e is formed. As described above, since the two concave portions 23j are disposed between the two bearing portions 23b in the left-right direction, the two holding mechanisms 12 are disposed between the two guide shafts 11 in the left-right direction. Has been placed.

(Damper mechanism configuration)
9 (A) is a perspective view of the piston 34 shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 (B) is an enlarged view of a G portion of FIG. 9 (A), and FIG. 9 (C) is FIG. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the sealing member 35 was attached to the sealing member attaching part 34b shown to B). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the spring holding member 19 shown in FIG.

  The damper mechanism 13 is a pneumatic damper having the above-described cylinder 23s formed integrally with the main body portion 23c of the slider main body 23, and a piston 34 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder 23s. As described above, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 includes the two damper mechanisms 13. That is, the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 includes two cylinders 23 s and two pistons 34. The two damper mechanisms 13 are arranged so as to be adjacent in the left-right direction.

  In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s is relatively small in order to reduce the size of the toilet seat lifting apparatus 1 in the front-rear direction. Further, the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s is relatively small according to the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s. In the present embodiment, the lower end side of the cylinder 23s is the base end side of the cylinder 23s that is the side where the piston 34 enters and exits, and the upper end side of the cylinder 23s is the front end side of the cylinder 23s.

  The piston 34 is made of resin. The piston 34 is disposed so that the axial direction of the piston 34 coincides with the vertical direction. That is, the vertical direction is the axial direction of the piston 34. An annular seal member 35 that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23 s with a predetermined contact pressure is attached to the piston 34. The seal member 35 is formed of an elastic body. Specifically, the seal member 35 is made of rubber. The seal member 35 of this embodiment is an O-ring. Therefore, in the following description, the seal member 35 is referred to as an “O-ring 35”.

  The upper end portion 34a of the piston 34 is formed in a truncated cone shape whose outer diameter decreases toward the upper side. A seal member attachment portion 34b to which the O-ring 35 is attached is formed below the upper end portion 34a. The seal member attachment portion 34b is formed in a columnar shape. The width of the seal member attachment portion 34 b in the vertical direction is larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring 35. The inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b with a predetermined contact pressure.

  The upper and lower sides of the seal member mounting portion 34b are hook-shaped flange portions 34c. That is, the piston 34 is formed with flange portions 34c disposed on both sides of the O-ring 35 in the vertical direction. The collar portion 34c is formed in an annular shape. The flange 34c extends from the upper and lower ends of the seal member mounting portion 34b to the outside in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s, and the O-ring 35 is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b and the two flanges 34c. Is formed so as to be recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the piston 34 inward in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s. The upper surface of the collar portion 34c disposed on the upper side is connected to the lower surface of the upper end portion 34a.

  The lower portion of the piston 34 below the flange portion 34c disposed on the lower side is a piston main body portion 34d having a cross-shaped cross section. The shape of the cross section of the piston main body 34d (the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction) is a cross shape. A screw 36 for restricting the movement range of the piston 34 in the vertical direction is fixed to the lower end of the piston main body 34d (that is, the lower end of the piston 34). The outer diameter of the head of the screw 36 is substantially equal to the maximum outer diameter of the piston main body 34d formed in a cross shape. The upper end side of the piston 34 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder 23 s, and the lower end side of the piston 34 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the spring holding member 19.

  The spring holding member 19 includes two cylindrical portions 19a formed so as to be connected in the left-right direction. The rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 19a is cut away to prevent interference with the back surface portion 17b, and an opening 19b is formed on the rear end side of the cylindrical portion 19a. An inner cylindrical portion 19c formed in a cylindrical shape is formed on the inner peripheral side of the lower end side portion of the cylindrical portion 19a. A lower end portion of the piston main body portion 34d is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylindrical portion 19c. At the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 19c, a restricting portion 19d for restricting the upward movement range of the piston 34 is formed. The upward movement of the piston 34 is restricted by the head of the screw 36 coming into contact with the lower surface of the restricting portion 19d. Further, the downward movement of the piston 34 is restricted by the head portion of the screw 36 coming into contact with the upper surface of the lower end portion 17a.

  In this embodiment, when the slider portion 10 is raised from the state in which the protruding portion 30a is fitted in the concave portion 17d, the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s and the O are not changed until the head portion of the screw 36 contacts the lower surface of the restricting portion 19d. When the piston 34 rises together with the slider portion 10 due to the frictional force with the ring 35 and the head of the screw 36 comes into contact with the lower surface of the restricting portion 19d, the piston 34 stops, and then the buffering force by the damper mechanism 13 is reached. Acts on the slider portion 10. Further, when the slider portion 10 is lowered from the state in which the protruding portion 30a is fitted in the recess portion 17e, the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s and the O-ring 35 are maintained until the head portion of the screw 36 contacts the upper surface of the lower end portion 17a. When the piston 34 moves down together with the slider portion 10 and the head of the screw 36 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lower end portion 17a, the piston 34 stops. Acts on part 10.

  The regulating portion 19d is formed with a cross-shaped through hole 19e penetrating in the vertical direction (see FIG. 10). The piston body 34d of the piston 34 is inserted through the through hole 19e. In this embodiment, the rotation of the piston 34 whose vertical direction is the axial direction of the rotation is prevented by the cross-shaped through hole 19e and the cross-shaped piston main body portion 34d inserted through the through hole 19e. .

  The compression coil spring 14 is an assist spring for enabling the toilet seat 4 to be easily lifted. A cylindrical portion 23 u is inserted on the inner peripheral side of the upper portion of the compression coil spring 14. The lower portion of the compression coil spring 14 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 19a, and the inner cylindrical portion 19c is inserted on the inner peripheral side of the lower end portion of the compression coil spring 14. The compression coil spring 14 is disposed coaxially with the cylinder 23 s and the piston 34. A contact surface with which the lower end of the compression coil spring 14 contacts is formed between the lower end of the cylindrical portion 19a and the lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 19c.

  As described above, the piston 34 is formed with the cylindrical seal member attachment portion 34b. A concave portion 34e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. The concave portion 34e is recessed inward in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s. The recess 34e is a linear groove extending in the vertical direction. The recessed part 34e is formed in the whole region of the seal member attaching part 34b in the vertical direction. Moreover, the recessed part 34e is formed in one place. The recess 34e is formed so as to be slightly recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b toward the inside in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s. The width of the recess 34e is narrow.

  In this embodiment, the recess 34e formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b causes the upper end side of the cylinder 23s between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 according to the operation of the piston 34. The air discharged from the inside of the cylinder 23s to the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s passes, and the air supplied from the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s according to the operation of the piston 34 A hole 40 is formed (see FIG. 9C).

  A ventilation recess 34f for ventilation is formed on the surface of the flange portion 34c on the O-ring 35 side. That is, a ventilation recess 34f is formed on the upper surface of the flange 34c disposed on the lower side and the lower surface of the flange 34c disposed on the upper side. The ventilation recess 34f is formed so as to be recessed downward from the upper surface of the flange 34c in the flange 34c disposed on the lower side, and from the lower surface of the flange 34c to the upper side in the flange 34c disposed on the upper side. It is formed so as to be recessed. The ventilation recess 34f is formed at one location of each of the two flanges 34c.

  The ventilation recess 34f is a linear groove extending in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s. The ventilation recess 34f is formed in the entire area of the flange 34c in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s. The inner end of the ventilation recess 34f in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s is connected to the recess 34e. The depth of the ventilation recess 34f is substantially equal to the depth of the recess 34e. Further, the width of the ventilation recess 34f is substantially equal to the width of the recess 34e. The depth of the ventilation recess 34f may be greater than the depth of the recess 34e, and the width of the ventilation recess 34f may be wider than the width of the recess 34e.

  As described above, the vertical width of the seal member attachment portion 34b is larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring 35, but one of the two flange portions 34c and the O-ring 35 May come into contact. In this embodiment, an air flow path leading to the vent hole 40 is formed between the O-ring 35 in contact with the flange 34c and the flange 34c in contact with the O-ring 35 by the ventilation recess 34f formed in the flange 34c. Is formed. When the flange 34c and the O-ring 35 are not in contact with each other, the gap between the flange 34c and the O-ring 35 is a relatively large air flow path that communicates with the vent hole 40.

  In the damper mechanism 13, the air discharged from the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23 s to the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23 s is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 34 c disposed on the upper side and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23 s. And after passing through the air passage between the upper flange 34c and the O-ring 35 and passing through the vent hole 40 downward, the flange 34c disposed on the lower side After passing through the air flow path between the O-ring 35 and the clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the lower flange 34c and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s To be discharged.

  In addition, air supplied from the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside on the upper end side of the cylinder 23s passes through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the lower flange 34c and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s and is lowered. After passing through the air flow path between the side flange 34c and the O-ring 35 and then passing upward through the vent hole 40, the air flow between the upper flange 34c and the O-ring 35 is increased. After passing through the flow path, it passes through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the upper flange 34c and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, and is supplied to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s. The size of the vent hole 40 is one factor that determines the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the recess 34e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b of the piston 34. For this reason, in this embodiment, by forming a small convex portion for forming the concave portion 34e in the mold for molding the resin piston 34, the concave portion having a shallow and narrow width when the piston 34 is molded. 34e can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 34 using a mold. That is, in this embodiment, the shallow and narrow recess 34e can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 34 in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter.

  Further, in this embodiment, the concave portion 34e formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b causes the cylinder 23s to move between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 according to the operation of the piston 34. Air discharged from the inside of the upper end side to the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s passes, and air supplied from the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s according to the operation of the piston 34 passes. A vent hole 40 is formed. For this reason, in this embodiment, the damper mechanism 13 uses the vent hole 40 formed between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the O-ring 35 by the recess 34e formed according to the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter. It is possible to ensure a sufficient buffering force. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s is reduced, it is possible to ensure the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13.

  In this embodiment, the piston 34 is formed with flange portions 34 c disposed on both sides of the O-ring 35 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the O-ring 35 from shifting in the vertical direction. Further, in this embodiment, an air flow path leading to the vent hole 40 is formed between the O-ring 35 that contacts the flange 34c and the flange 34c by the ventilation recess 34f formed in the flange 34c. . Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the flange 34c for preventing the displacement of the O-ring 35 in the vertical direction is formed on the piston 34, between the O-ring 35 and the flange 34c contacting the flange 34c, It is possible to secure an air flow path that leads to the vent hole 40.

  Two or more recesses 34e may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. In this case, the ventilation recessed part 34f connected to the recessed part 34e is formed in the collar part 34c according to the number of the recessed parts 34e.

(Modification 1 of seal member mounting portion)
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a seal member mounting portion 34b according to another embodiment of the present invention. Note that in FIG. 11A, the same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the embodiment described above, instead of the concave portion 34e, as shown in FIG. 11A, a convex portion 34g bulging outward in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. . The convex portion 34g is formed in a straight line extending in the vertical direction. Moreover, the convex part 34g is formed in the whole region of the seal member attaching part 34b in the up-down direction. Moreover, the convex part 34g is formed in one place. The convex portion 34g is formed so as to slightly protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b toward the outer side in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s.

  In this case, the convex portion 34g formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b causes the cylinder 23s to move between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 according to the operation of the piston 34. Air discharged from the inside of the upper end side to the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s passes, and air supplied from the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s according to the operation of the piston 34 passes. A vent hole 40 is formed. As shown in FIG. 11A, the vent holes 40 are formed on both sides of the convex portion 34g in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35. The inner end of the ventilation recess 34f in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s communicates with a ventilation hole 40 formed on both sides of the projection 34g.

  In this modification, since the convex part 34g is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attaching part 34b of the piston 34, a small concave part for forming the convex part 34g is formed in the mold for molding the piston 34. Thus, when the piston 34 is molded, the projection 34g having a low height can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 34 using a mold. That is, it is possible to form the convex portion 34g having a low height on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 34 in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter.

  Further, the convex portion 34g formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b causes the lower end side of the cylinder 23s from the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35. A vent hole 40 through which air exhausted to the outside passes and air supplied from the outside at the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside at the upper end side of the cylinder 23s is formed, so that the cylinder 23s with a small outer diameter is formed. The cushioning force of the damper mechanism 13 can be secured by using the vent hole 40 formed between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the O-ring 35 by the convex portion 34g formed in accordance with the inner diameter of the damper mechanism. . Therefore, also in this modified example, it is possible to ensure the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13 even when the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s is reduced, as in the above-described embodiment.

  Two or more convex portions 34g may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. Moreover, the recessed part 34e and the convex part 34g may be formed in the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member attaching part 34b. For example, one concave portion 34e and one convex portion 34g may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. In this case, the vent hole 40 is formed between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the O-ring 35 in the portion where the concave portion 34e is disposed and the portion where the convex portion 34g is disposed. That is, the vent hole 40 is formed between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the O-ring 35 by the concave portion 34e and the convex portion 34g. Further, two convex portions 34g having a narrow interval in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35 are formed, and the seal member is attached by the concave portion formed between the two convex portions 34g and the two convex portions 34g. A ventilation hole 40 may be formed between the portion 34 b and the O-ring 35.

(Modification 2 of seal member mounting portion)
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a seal member attachment portion 34b according to another embodiment of the present invention. Note that in FIG. 11B, the same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the embodiment described above, instead of the recess 34e, as shown in FIG. 11B, a stepped portion 34h in which the outer diameter of the seal member mounting portion 34b changes discontinuously is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. May be. In this case, a recess 34j that is recessed inward in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b by the step portion 34h. The depth of the recess 34j becomes shallower as the distance from the step 34h in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35 increases. The recessed part 34j is formed in the whole region of the seal member attaching part 34b in the vertical direction. Moreover, the recessed part 34j is formed in one place.

  In this case, the upper end of the cylinder 23s is moved between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 according to the operation of the piston 34 by the recess 34j formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. The air discharged from the inside of the cylinder 23s to the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s passes, and the air supplied from the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s passes according to the operation of the piston 34. A vent hole 40 is formed. That is, a vent hole 40 is formed in a portion adjacent to the step portion 34 h between the seal member attachment portion 34 b and the O-ring 35.

  Also in this modified example, the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13 can be secured even when the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s is reduced, as in the above-described embodiment. Note that two or more stepped portions 34h may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion 34b. Moreover, the recessed part 34e and the level | step-difference part 34h may be formed in the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member attachment part 34b, the convex part 34g and the level | step-difference part 34h may be formed, and the recessed part 34e and the convex part 34g and level difference part 34h may be formed.

  In addition, when the linear recessed part 34e is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attaching part 34b like the form mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 11, it is a convex part in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attaching part 34b. Compared with the case where 34g is formed or when the vent hole 40 is formed in the portion adjacent to the stepped portion 34h between the seal member attaching portion 34b and the O-ring 35, the seal member attaching portion. The range in which the O-ring 35 is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of 34b becomes clear. That is, when the linear recessed part 34e is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attaching part 34b, the range in which the vent hole 40 is formed in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35 becomes clear. Therefore, when the linear recessed part 34e is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member attaching part 34b, it becomes easy to adjust the flow volume of the air which passes the ventilation hole 40. FIG.

(Modification 3 of seal member mounting portion)
In the form mentioned above, you may form a recessed part in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attachment part 34b by forming a plane part in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attachment part 34b. That is, you may form a recessed part in the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attaching part 34b by performing D cut process on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attaching part 34b.

(Modification of the buttocks)
In the embodiment described above, ventilation vents for ventilation may be formed on the surface of the flange 34c on the O-ring 35 side instead of the ventilation recess 34f. The ventilation convex portion is formed so as to bulge upward from the upper surface of the flange portion 34c in the flange portion 34c disposed on the lower side, and from the lower surface of the flange portion 34c to the lower side in the flange portion 34c disposed on the upper side. It is formed so as to swell upward. In addition, an air flow path leading to the vent hole 40 is formed between the O-ring 35 in contact with the flange 34c and the flange 34c in contact with the O-ring 35 by the ventilation protrusion.

  Moreover, the ventilation recessed part 34f and the ventilation | gas_flowing convex part may be formed in the surface at the side of the O-ring 35 of the collar part 34c. In this case, an air flow path that leads to the vent hole 40 is formed between the O-ring 35 that contacts the flange 34c and the flange 34c by the ventilation recess 34f and the ventilation protrusion. Further, instead of the ventilation recess 34f and the ventilation projection, a notch that communicates with the ventilation hole 40 may be formed in the flange 34c. That is, the flange portion 34 c may not be formed over the entire area in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35. This notch is formed, for example, at a location where the vent hole 40 is formed in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35 so as to be recessed inward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 34c. If the flange 34c and the O-ring 35 are not in contact with each other, the notch, the ventilation recess 34f, and the ventilation protrusion may not be formed in the flange 34c.

(Cylinder modification 1)
12 and 13 are cross-sectional views for explaining the configuration of the inner peripheral surface of a cylinder 23s according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described above.

  In the embodiment described above, instead of forming the recess 34e in the piston 34, a recess 23w that is recessed outward in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s. The recess 23w is a linear groove extending in the vertical direction. The recess 23w is formed in one place. The recess 23w is formed to be slightly recessed from the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s toward the outside in the radial direction of the cylinder 23s. The width of the recess 23w is narrow. Two or more recesses 23w may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s.

  The upper end 23x of the recess 23w is disposed on the upper end side of the cylinder 23s with respect to the cylinder 23s in the entire operation range of the piston 34, and the lower end 23y of the recess 23w is the entire operation range of the piston 34 with respect to the cylinder 23s. , The cylinder 23s is disposed on the lower end side of the O-ring 35. That is, in the entire region between the lowered position of the slider portion 10 in which the protruding portion 30a of the engaging member 30 is fitted in the concave portion 17d and the raised position of the slider portion 10 in which the protruding portion 30a is fitted in the concave portion 17e. The upper end 23x of the recess 23w is disposed closer to the upper end side of the cylinder 23s than the O-ring 35, and the lower end 23y of the recess 23w is disposed closer to the lower end side of the cylinder 23s than the O-ring 35.

  In this modified example, the concave portion 23w causes the piston 23 to move from the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s in accordance with the operation of the piston 34 between the cylinder 23s and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 in the entire operating range of the piston 34 relative to the cylinder 23s. A vent hole through which air discharged to the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s passes and air supplied from the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s in accordance with the operation of the piston 34 is formed. Has been.

  In this modification, since the concave portion 23w is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, by forming a small convex portion for forming the concave portion 23w on the mold for molding the resin slider body 23, When the slider body 23 is molded, a shallow and narrow recess 23w can be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s using a mold. That is, according to the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter, the shallow and narrow recess 23w can be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s.

  Also, air is discharged from the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s to the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23s between the cylinder 23s and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 by the recess 23w formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 23s. Is formed in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter, since a vent hole through which air supplied from the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s passes is formed. It is possible to secure the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13 by using the vent hole formed between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the O-ring 35 by the recess 23w. Therefore, also in this modified example, it is possible to ensure the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13 even when the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s is reduced, as in the above-described embodiment.

  In this modification, the upper end 23x of the recess 23w is disposed on the upper end side of the cylinder 23s with respect to the cylinder 23s over the entire operating range of the piston 34, and the lower end 23y of the recess 23w is disposed on the cylinder 23s. Since the recess 23w is formed so as to be disposed on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s with respect to the O-ring 35 in the entire operation range of the piston 34, the length of the recess 23w formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s. Becomes longer. On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the concave portion 34e may be formed in the seal member mounting portion 34b, so that the length of the concave portion 34e is shortened.

  Further, in this modification, when the piston 34 moves with respect to the cylinder 23s, the O-ring 35 always slides with respect to the recess 23w, so that it contacts the edge of the recess 23w on the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 35. However, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of scratches on the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 35.

(Cylinder modification 2)
In Modification 1 of the cylinder 23s described above, instead of the recess 23w, a convex portion that swells radially inward of the cylinder 23s may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s. This convex part is formed in the linear form extended in an up-down direction. Moreover, this convex part is formed so that it may protrude slightly toward the inner side of the radial direction of the cylinder 23s from the internal peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s while being formed in one place.

  The upper end of the convex portion is arranged on the upper end side of the cylinder 23s relative to the O-ring 35 in the entire operating range of the piston 34 relative to the cylinder 23s, and the lower end of the convex portion is positioned in the entire operating range of the piston 34 relative to the cylinder 23s. The cylinder 23s is disposed on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s with respect to the O-ring 35. In addition, by this convex portion, between the cylinder 23s and the O-ring 35, in the entire operation range of the piston 34 relative to the cylinder 23s, the lower end side of the cylinder 23s from the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s according to the operation of the piston 34. A vent hole is formed through which air discharged to the outside passes and air supplied from the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23 s to the inside on the upper end side of the cylinder 23 s according to the operation of the piston 34.

  Even in this modified example, when the mold for molding the slider body 23 made of resin is formed with a small recess for forming the projection on the cylinder 23s side, the height of the slider body 23 when molding the mold is increased. Can be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s using a mold. That is, according to the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter, it is possible to form a convex portion having a low height on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s.

  Further, air that is discharged from the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23 s to the outside of the lower end side of the cylinder 23 s between the cylinder 23 s and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 by the convex portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 23 s. Is formed in accordance with the inner diameter of the cylinder 23s having a small outer diameter, since a vent hole through which air supplied from the outside on the lower end side of the cylinder 23s to the inside of the upper end side of the cylinder 23s passes is formed. The cushioning force of the damper mechanism 13 can be secured by using the vent hole formed between the seal member mounting portion 34b and the O-ring 35 by the convex portion. Therefore, also in this modified example, it is possible to ensure the buffering force of the damper mechanism 13 even when the outer diameter of the cylinder 23s is reduced, as in the above-described embodiment.

  Note that two or more convex portions may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s. Moreover, the recessed part 23w and the convex part may be formed in the internal peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s. Also in this modified example, as in the modified example 1 of the cylinder, the length of the convex portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s is increased. Further, when the piston 34 moves with respect to the cylinder 23s, the O-ring 35 always slides with respect to the convex portion, so that the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 that contacts the convex portion may be damaged. There is.

  In addition, when the linear recessed part 23w is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, compared with the case where the convex part is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s. The range where the O-ring 35 is not in contact is clear. That is, when the linear recess 23w is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, the range in which the vent hole is formed in the circumferential direction of the O-ring 35 becomes clear. Therefore, when the linear recessed part 23w is formed in the internal peripheral surface of the cylinder 23s, it becomes easy to adjust the flow rate of the air passing through the vent hole.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the number of damper mechanisms 13 included in the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 may be three or more. The number of damper mechanisms 13 provided in the toilet seat lifting / lowering device 1 may be one. In the above-described embodiment, the cylinder 23 s is formed integrally with the slider main body 23, but the cylinder 23 s formed separately from the slider main body 23 may be fixed to the slider main body 23. In the embodiment described above, the seal member 35 may be an annular seal member other than the O-ring.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toilet seat raising / lowering device 2 Western style toilet 3 Toilet bowl body 4 Toilet seat 9 Fixed part 10 Slider part 13 Damper mechanism 23s Cylinder 23w Recess 23x Upper end (one end of the recessed part in the axial direction of the piston)
23y Lower end (the other end of the recess in the axial direction of the piston)
34 piston 34b seal member mounting portion 34c flange 34e, 34j recess 34f ventilation recess 34g protrusion 34h step 35 35 O-ring (seal member)
40 Vent hole

Claims (9)

A fixed portion fixed to a toilet body of a western-style toilet, a slider portion to which a toilet seat of the western-style toilet is fixed and which can be raised and lowered relative to the fixed portion, and a damper mechanism for relaxing a lifting speed of the slider portion With
The damper mechanism is a pneumatic damper having a cylinder and a piston disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder,
An annular seal member that is formed of an elastic body and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder with a predetermined contact pressure is attached to the piston,
The side of the cylinder where the piston enters and exits is the base end side, the opposite side of the base end side is the front end side, and the part of the piston to which the seal member is attached is a seal member attachment part.
The inner peripheral surface of the seal member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion with a predetermined contact pressure,
On the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, at least one of a concave portion recessed in the radial direction of the cylinder and a convex portion bulging outward in the radial direction is formed,
The inside of the front end side of the cylinder according to the operation of the piston between the seal member mounting portion and the seal member by the concave portion and / or the convex portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion. From which the air discharged from the outside of the base end side of the cylinder passes through and the air supplied from the outside of the base end side of the cylinder to the inside of the tip end side of the cylinder passes according to the operation of the piston A toilet seat lifting and lowering device, wherein a hole is formed. The recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion,
The toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a linear groove extending in an axial direction of the piston.   The toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion that is linear and extends in an axial direction of the piston is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion. On the outer peripheral surface of the seal member mounting portion, a step portion in which the outer diameter of the seal member mounting portion changes discontinuously is formed.
The toilet seat lifting / lowering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vent hole is formed in a portion adjacent to the step portion between the seal member attaching portion and the seal member. The piston is formed with hook-shaped flanges disposed on both sides of the seal member in the axial direction of the piston,
On the surface of the flange portion on the seal member side, at least one of a ventilation concave portion for ventilation and a ventilation convex portion for ventilation is formed,
An air flow path leading to the ventilation hole is formed between the sealing member that contacts the flange and the flange by the ventilation recess and / or the ventilation protrusion formed in the flange. The toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat lifting / lowering device is provided. A fixed portion fixed to a toilet body of a western-style toilet, a slider portion to which a toilet seat of the western-style toilet is fixed and which can be raised and lowered relative to the fixed portion, and a damper mechanism for relaxing a lifting speed of the slider portion With
The damper mechanism is a pneumatic damper having a cylinder and a piston disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylinder,
An annular seal member that is formed of an elastic body and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder with a predetermined contact pressure is attached to the piston,
When the side of the cylinder where the piston enters and exits is the base end side, and the opposite side of the base end side is the front end side,
On the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, at least one of a concave portion recessed outward in the radial direction of the cylinder and a convex portion expanding inward in the radial direction is formed,
One end of the concave portion and / or the convex portion formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in the axial direction of the piston is at the tip of the cylinder rather than the seal member in the entire operation range of the piston relative to the cylinder. Placed on the side
The other end in the axial direction of the concave portion and / or the convex portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder is a base end of the cylinder rather than the seal member in the entire operation range of the piston relative to the cylinder. Placed on the side
According to the operation of the piston in the entire operation range of the piston relative to the cylinder between the cylinder and the seal member by the concave portion and / or the convex portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. Air exhausted from the inside of the front end side of the cylinder to the outside of the base end side of the cylinder passes and is supplied from the outside of the base end side of the cylinder to the inside of the front end side of the cylinder according to the operation of the piston. A toilet seat lifting and lowering device characterized in that a vent hole through which air to be passed passes is formed. The recess is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder,
The toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to claim 6, wherein the recess is a linear groove extending in the axial direction.   The toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to claim 6, wherein a linear convex portion extending in the axial direction is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.   The toilet seat lifting / lowering device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seal member is an O-ring.

Images