JP2022135280A - Plumbing parts - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a plumbing member that can improve scratch resistance of an exposed part and can also ensure dimensional stability of a fitting part.SOLUTION: A plumbing member 200 contains crystalline resin. The plumbing member includes: a fitting part 210 having a member 250 to be fitted thereto; and an exposed part 220 that is a portion other than the fitting part and is provided at a position where it is exposed in a state of being attached to an appliance. The fitting part has a surface hardness that is smaller than the surface hardness of the exposed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to plumbing components.

Conventionally, a toilet lid and a toilet seat manufactured by molding a material containing resin are known (for example, Patent Document 1). Resin such as inexpensive polypropylene (PP) is used as a material for such toilet lids and toilet seats, for example. However, when a plumbing member such as a toilet lid or a toilet seat is molded using a resin such as PP, the surface of the plumbing member may be damaged when wiped dry with toilet paper or a hard non-woven fabric because of its low surface hardness. There is the problem of ease.

As means for solving such problems, for example, it is conceivable to increase the surface hardness of plumbing parts. As a means of increasing the surface hardness of plumbing parts, for example, a heater is provided in the mold for molding plumbing parts, and resin is injected into the heated mold to maintain the high temperature state of the resin for a predetermined period of time. Heat and cool molding (H&C molding), in which the resin is cured while being cured, may be considered. With such a molding method, it is possible to increase the degree of crystallinity of the surface of the plumbing member and increase the surface hardness of the plumbing member by gradually performing the solidification process of the resin.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-308601

However, increasing the crystallinity of the surface increases the amount of shrinkage of the molded product, and after the molded product is removed from the mold, there is a problem that the amount of dimensional change over time of the molded product increases. Therefore, if such a molding method is applied to plumbing parts, there is a risk that the dimensional accuracy will be lowered. For example, a cushion member is attached to the lower surface of the toilet lid or the toilet seat to reduce the impact when the toilet lid or the toilet seat closes. For example, the cushion member is attached by being fitted into a concave portion provided on the lower surface of the toilet lid or toilet seat. Therefore, if the dimensional accuracy of the concave portion is lowered, the concave portion cannot be formed in a desired shape, and there is a possibility that the cushion member cannot be attached.

Aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and provide a plumbing member capable of improving the scratch resistance of the exposed portion and ensuring the dimensional stability of the fitting portion at the same time. With the goal.

An aspect of the present invention is a plumbing member containing a crystalline resin, wherein a fitting portion to which a member to be fitted is fitted, and a portion other than the fitting portion, in a state where it is attached to a device. and an exposed portion provided at an exposed position, wherein the surface hardness of the fitting portion is smaller than the surface hardness of the exposed portion.

According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a plumbing member capable of improving the scratch resistance of the exposed portion and ensuring the dimensional stability of the fitting portion.

1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a sectional view showing a part of toilet lid concerning an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing a part of toilet seat concerning an embodiment. 4(a) to 4(c) are cross-sectional views showing part of the manufacturing process of the toilet lid. It is a table|surface which shows an example of an experiment result.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
1 is a perspective view showing a toilet apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing part of the toilet lid according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing part of the toilet seat according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B2 shown in FIG.
1 and 2 show the toilet seat and toilet lid in an open state. FIG. 3 shows the toilet seat in a closed state.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toilet device 100 according to the embodiment includes a western-style seated toilet (hereinafter simply referred to as "toilet") 10, a casing 20, a toilet lid 30, and a toilet seat 40. .

The toilet bowl 10 has a downwardly recessed bowl portion 11 . The toilet bowl 10 receives a user's excrement such as urine and feces in a bowl portion 11 . The bowl portion 11 has a rim 11a and an opening 11h surrounded by the rim 11a.

Here, in the specification of the present application, "above" is defined as "above" when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 40, and "below" is defined as "below" when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 40. In addition, when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 40 with his back facing the toilet lid 30 in the open state, the left and right directions are defined as "left side" and "right side", respectively, and the front and rear directions are defined as "forward" and "backward", respectively. ”.

A casing 20 is provided on the rear side of the bowl portion 11 of the toilet bowl 10 . The casing 20 accommodates, for example, an electric toilet lid opening/closing unit for opening/closing the toilet lid 30 and an electric toilet seat opening/closing unit for opening/closing the toilet seat 40 . Further, the casing 20 may house, for example, a nozzle unit for washing the user's private parts.

The toilet lid 30 and the toilet seat 40 are provided so that they can be opened and closed with respect to the toilet bowl 10 . The toilet lid 30 and the toilet seat 40 are each rotatably supported with respect to the casing 20 .

The toilet lid 30 has a toilet lid body portion 31 , a toilet lid hinge portion 32 and a toilet lid cushion member 33 . The toilet lid body portion 31 is positioned above the bowl portion 11 and the toilet seat 40 in the closed state. The toilet lid main body part 31 covers the top of the bowl part 11 and the toilet seat 40 in the closed state.

The toilet lid hinge portion 32 is provided behind the toilet lid body portion 31 in the closed state. The toilet lid hinge portion 32 is, for example, integrally formed with the toilet lid body portion 31 . For example, the toilet lid hinge portion 32 may be formed separately from the toilet lid body portion 31 and attached to the toilet lid body portion 31 . The toilet lid hinge portion 32 is rotatably supported with respect to the casing 20 by fitting onto an output shaft of an electric toilet lid opening/closing unit housed inside the casing 20 . The toilet lid electric opening/closing unit opens and closes the toilet lid 30 by rotating the toilet lid body 31 via the toilet lid hinge 32 .

The toilet lid cushion member 33 is a separate member from the toilet lid body portion 31 and is attached to the toilet lid body portion 31 . The toilet lid cushion member 33 is made of, for example, an elastomer, and mitigates the impact when the toilet lid main body 31 hits the toilet seat 40 .

The toilet lid body portion 31 has a toilet lid upper surface portion 31a and a toilet lid lower surface portion 31b. The toilet lid upper surface portion 31a is exposed upward in the closed state. The toilet lid upper surface portion 31a faces upward in the closed state. The toilet lid lower surface portion 31b is exposed downward in the closed state. The toilet lid lower surface portion 31b faces downward in the closed state. The toilet lid lower surface portion 31b faces the toilet seat 40 in the closed state, for example.

A toilet lid concave portion 31c is provided in the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b. The toilet lid concave portion 31c is recessed upward in the closed state. A toilet lid cushion member 33 is attached to the toilet lid concave portion 31c. The toilet lid cushion member 33 is attached to the toilet lid recessed portion 31c by being fitted into the toilet lid recessed portion 31c.

Toilet lid 30 is an example of plumbing member 200 . The plumbing member 200 includes a fitting portion 210 and an exposed portion 220 . The fitting portion 210 is a portion to which a separately formed fitted member 250 is fitted. The exposed portion 220 is a portion other than the fitting portion 210 and is provided at an exposed position when attached to the device 260 . The exposed portion 220 is a portion that is visible to the user while attached to the instrument 260 . The fitting portion 210 is, for example, the toilet lid concave portion 31c. In this case, the fitted member 250 is, for example, the toilet lid cushion member 33 . The fitting portion 210 may be, for example, the toilet lid hinge portion 32 . In this case, the fitted member 250 is, for example, the output shaft of the electric toilet lid opening/closing unit. The exposed portion 220 includes, for example, a toilet lid upper surface portion 31a and a toilet lid lower surface portion 31b. Instrument 260 is, for example, casing 20 .

Plumbing member 200 contains a crystalline resin. More specifically, the toilet lid main body 31 contains a crystalline resin. The toilet lid hinge portion 32 contains, for example, a crystalline resin. A crystalline resin is a thermoplastic resin having crystallinity. As the crystalline resin, for example, PP or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is used.

The plumbing member 200 may further contain an inorganic filler. More specifically, the toilet lid body portion 31 and the toilet lid hinge portion 32 may further contain an inorganic filler. An inorganic filler is a filler (filler) made of an inorganic material. As the inorganic filler, for example, a fibrous inorganic filler such as glass fiber is used. The inorganic filler does not have to be fibrous. Further, the inorganic filler may be, for example, minerals such as acicular minerals, plate-like minerals, and frit-based minerals. When glass fibers are used as the inorganic filler, it is preferable to use glass fibers having a diameter of 6 μm or more and 24 μm or less (for example, about 13 μm) and a length of 10 μm or more and 3000 μm or less (for example, about 300 μm or more and 1000 μm or less). The amount of the inorganic filler contained in the toilet lid main body portion 31 or the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is 5 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less (for example, 10 parts by mass) with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total of the crystalline resin and the inorganic filler. degree).

The surface hardness of fitting portion 210 is less than the surface hardness of exposed portion 220 . The surface hardness of the exposed portion 220 is preferably B or higher in pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the exposed portion 220 is preferably F or less in pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the fitting portion 210 is preferably 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the fitting portion 210 is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness.

The surface hardness of the exposed portion 220 may be the surface hardness of at least a portion of the exposed portion 220, for example. When the exposed portion 220 has a plurality of portions with different surface hardnesses, for example, the surface hardness of the portion of the exposed portion 220 with the highest surface hardness can be regarded as the surface hardness of the exposed portion 220 . When the plumbing member 200 is the toilet lid 30 , for example, the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31 a can be regarded as the surface hardness of the exposed portion 220 . That is, when the fitting part 210 is the toilet lid recessed part 31c, the surface hardness of the toilet lid recessed part 31c is smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface part 31a, for example. When the fitting portion 210 is the toilet lid hinge portion 32, the surface hardness of the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is, for example, smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a.

Further, the surface hardness of the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b is, for example, smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a. The surface hardness of the toilet lid concave portion 31c is, for example, the same as the surface hardness of the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b. The surface hardness of the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is, for example, the same as the surface hardness of the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b.

The surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a is preferably B or higher in terms of pencil hardness. Further, the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a is preferably F or less in terms of pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b is preferably 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness. Further, the surface hardness of the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness.

The surface hardness of the toilet lid concave portion 31c is preferably 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness. Further, the surface hardness of the toilet lid concave portion 31c is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is preferably 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness. Moreover, the surface hardness of the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness.

The surface hardness can be determined as pencil hardness according to JIS K 5600-5-4:1999. Incidentally, pencil hardness of less than 6B not specified in JIS K 5600-5-4: 1999, using Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. Hi-uni series, JIS K 5600-5-4: 1999 as well can be obtained by

The surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a is, for example, the surface hardness at any position vertically overlapping the opening portion 11h of the bowl portion 11 in the closed state. The surface hardness of the toilet lid lower surface portion 31b is, for example, the surface hardness at a position vertically overlapping the position where the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a is measured in the closed state. The surface hardness of the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is, for example, the surface hardness of the flat portion of the hinge bearing portion to which the output shaft of the toilet lid electric opening/closing unit is fitted.

The toilet seat 40 has a toilet seat body portion 41 , a toilet seat hinge portion 42 and a toilet seat cushion member 43 . The toilet seat body portion 41 is positioned above the bowl portion 11 in the closed state. The toilet seat main body 41 has an opening 41h penetrating vertically in the closed state.

The toilet seat hinge portion 42 is provided behind the toilet seat body portion 41 in the closed state. The toilet seat hinge portion 42 is, for example, integrally formed with the toilet seat body portion 41 . The toilet seat hinge portion 42 may be molded separately from the toilet lid main body portion 31 and attached to the toilet seat main body portion 41, for example. The toilet seat hinge portion 42 is rotatably supported with respect to the casing 20 by being fitted to the output shaft of the electric toilet seat opening/closing unit housed inside the casing 20 . The electric toilet seat opening/closing unit opens and closes the toilet seat 40 by rotating the toilet seat body 41 via the toilet seat hinge 42 .

The toilet seat cushion member 43 is a separate member from the toilet seat body portion 41 and is attached to the toilet seat body portion 41 . The toilet seat cushion member 43 is made of, for example, an elastomer, and absorbs the impact when the toilet seat body 41 hits the rim 11 a of the bowl 11 .

The toilet seat body portion 41 has a toilet seat upper surface portion 41a and a toilet seat lower surface portion 41b. The toilet seat upper surface portion 41a is exposed upward in the closed state. The toilet seat upper surface portion 41a faces upward in the closed state. The toilet seat upper surface portion 41a is a seating surface on which a user sits. The toilet seat lower surface portion 41b is exposed downward in the closed state. The toilet seat lower surface portion 41b faces downward in the closed state. The toilet seat lower surface portion 41b faces the rim 11a of the bowl portion 11, for example, in the closed state.

A toilet seat concave portion 41c is provided in the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b. The toilet seat concave portion 41c is recessed upward in the closed state. A toilet seat cushion member 43 is attached to the toilet seat recess 41c. The toilet seat cushion member 43 is attached to the toilet seat recessed portion 41c by being fitted into the toilet seat recessed portion 41c, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the toilet seat 40 is hollow and has a bottom plate 45 , a top plate 46 , a first joint member 47 and a second joint member 48 . The bottom plate 45 includes a toilet seat lower surface portion 41b. The toilet seat lower surface portion 41b corresponds to the lower surface of the bottom plate 45 in the closed state. The top plate 46 is positioned above the bottom plate 45 in the closed state. In this example, the top plate 46 includes a first portion 46a including the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a, a second portion 46b extending downward from one end of the first portion 46a, and a third portion extending downward from the other end of the first portion 46a. and a portion 46c. The toilet seat upper surface portion 41a corresponds to the upper surface of the first portion 46a in the closed state. The first joint member 47 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the toilet seat 40 and joins the bottom plate 45 and the second portion 46 b of the top plate 46 . The second joint member 48 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the toilet seat 40 and joins the bottom plate 45 and the third portion 46 c of the top plate 46 . The toilet seat hinge portion 42 is composed of, for example, a bottom plate 45 and an upper plate 46 .

The toilet seat 40 is an example of the plumbing member 200 . The fitting portion 210 is, for example, the toilet seat concave portion 41c. In this case, the fitted member 250 is, for example, the toilet seat cushion member 43 . The fitting portion 210 may be, for example, the toilet seat hinge portion 42 . In this case, the fitted member 250 is, for example, the output shaft of the electric toilet seat opening/closing unit. The exposed portion 220 includes, for example, a toilet seat upper surface portion 41a and a toilet seat lower surface portion 41b. Instrument 260 is, for example, casing 20 .

The toilet seat body portion 41 contains a crystalline resin. The toilet seat hinge portion 42 contains, for example, a crystalline resin. The toilet seat body portion 41 and the toilet seat hinge portion 42 may further contain an inorganic filler. As the crystalline resin and the inorganic filler, the same ones as exemplified in the description of the toilet lid 30 can be used. Also, the blending amount of the inorganic filler can be the same as that exemplified in the description of the toilet lid 30 .

When the plumbing member 200 is the toilet seat 40 , for example, the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41 a can be regarded as the surface hardness of the exposed portion 220 . That is, when the fitting portion 210 is the toilet seat recessed portion 41c, the surface hardness of the toilet seat recessed portion 41c is, for example, smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a. When the fitting portion 210 is the toilet seat hinge portion 42, the surface hardness of the toilet seat hinge portion 42 is, for example, smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a.

Further, the surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b is, for example, smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a. The surface hardness of the toilet seat recessed portion 41c is, for example, the same as the surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b. The surface hardness of the toilet seat hinge portion 42 is, for example, the same as the surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b.

The surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a is preferably B or higher in terms of pencil hardness. Further, the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a is preferably F or less in terms of pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b is preferably 2B or less in pencil hardness. Further, the surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness.

The surface hardness of the toilet seat recess 41c is preferably 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness. Moreover, the surface hardness of the toilet seat concave portion 41c is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness. The surface hardness of the toilet seat hinge portion 42 is preferably 2B or less in pencil hardness. Further, the surface hardness of the toilet seat hinge portion 42 is preferably 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness.

The surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a is, for example, the surface hardness at any position where it vertically overlaps the rim 11a of the bowl portion 11 in the closed state. The surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b is, for example, the surface hardness at a position vertically overlapping the position where the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a is measured in the closed state. The surface hardness of the toilet seat hinge portion 42 is, for example, the surface hardness of the flat portion of the hinge bearing portion to which the output shaft of the electric toilet seat opening/closing unit is fitted.

Hereinafter, manufacturing processes of the toilet lid 30 and the toilet seat 40 according to the embodiment will be described.
4(a) to 4(c) are cross-sectional views showing part of the manufacturing process of the toilet lid according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), the toilet lid 30 is manufactured by molding using a mold M1 and a mold M2. The mold M1 is provided with a heating portion H and a cooling portion C1. The mold M2 is provided with a cooling section C2 and is not provided with a heating section.

In the manufacturing process, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the space formed by the mold M1 heated by the heating unit H and the mold M2 that is not heated contains the crystalline resin and the like. Fill material X. At this time, the material X is filled in the space formed by the mold M1 and the mold M2 while being heated to a temperature higher than that of the mold M1. In other words, the material X is injected into the space formed by the mold M1 heated to a temperature of minus 70° C. or more of the thermal deformation temperature (ISOR75) and lower than the temperature of the injection cylinder and the mold M2 that is not heated. It is filled while being heated by As a result, the material X is gradually cooled on the side in contact with the mold M1 and rapidly cooled on the side in contact with the mold M2. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the mold M1 is cooled by the cooling unit C1 and the mold M2 is cooled by the cooling unit C2, so that the material inside the mold M1 and the mold M2 is Cool and harden X. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the toilet lid 30 molded by hardening the material X is removed from the molds M1 and M2.

In this way, the mold M1 heated by the heating unit H is filled with the material X heated to a higher temperature than the mold M1, the material X is gradually cooled, and the mold M1 is cooled by the cooling unit C1. By molding the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a of the toilet lid 30 by hardening the material X, the crystallization of the vicinity of the surface of the toilet lid 30 on the side of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a is promoted, The surface hardness of the portion 31a can be increased. In addition, by providing the heating part H in the mold M1 on the side of the toilet lid upper surface part 31a and not providing the heating part in the mold M2 on the side of the toilet lid lower surface part 31b, the toilet lid lower surface part 31b and the toilet lid recessed part 31c The surface hardness can be made smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a. That is, the surface hardness of fitting portion 210 can be made smaller than the surface hardness of exposed portion 220 .

Hereinafter, a molding method in which at least one of the molds M1 and M2 is provided with a heating section and the material X is gradually cooled and hardened will be referred to as "heat & cool molding (H&C molding)." On the other hand, a molding method in which neither of the molds M1 and M2 is provided with a heating section and the material X is rapidly cooled and hardened is called "normal molding".

When the toilet lid hinge portion 32 is integrally molded with the toilet lid main body portion 31, for example, a heating portion is not provided at a portion of the mold for molding the toilet lid hinge portion 32 that contacts the hinge bearing portion. Thereby, the surface hardness of the toilet lid hinge portion 32 can be made smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet lid upper surface portion 31a. That is, the surface hardness of fitting portion 210 can be made smaller than the surface hardness of exposed portion 220 .

4(a) to 4(c), the manufacturing process of the toilet lid 30 has been described, but the toilet seat 40 can also be manufactured by the same method. The toilet seat 40 can be manufactured by, for example, producing the bottom plate 45 and the top plate 46 by the method described above and bonding the bottom plate 45 and the top plate 46 with the first bonding member 47 and the second bonding member 48. can. At this time, the upper plate 46 is molded on the side of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a with the mold M1 provided with the heating portion H, and the bottom plate 45 is molded on the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b side with the mold M2 without the heating portion. The surface hardness of the lower surface portion 41b can be made smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a.

Alternatively, when molding the upper plate 46, heating portions are provided in both the mold M1 and the mold M2 except for the fitting portion where high dimensional accuracy is required, and when molding the bottom plate 45, a metal mold is provided. The surface hardness of the toilet seat lower surface portion 41b may be made smaller than the surface hardness of the toilet seat upper surface portion 41a by not providing heating portions in both the mold M1 and the mold M2. That is, the bottom plate 45 may be molded by "normal molding".

Further, instead of providing the heating portion H in the mold M1, the surface of the mold M1 on which the molded product is to be formed may be coated with a heat insulating material. By coating the surface of the mold M1 with a heat insulating material, the cooling rate of the heated and melted material X is slowed down, so that the same effect as H&C molding can be obtained.

Further, instead of providing the heating portion H in the mold M1, hot water or pressurized hot water may flow through the cooling portion C1. By flowing hot water or pressurized hot water in the cooling part C1, the temperature of the mold M1 becomes higher than that in normal molding, so that the same effect as H&C molding can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of experimental results.
FIG. 5 shows the results of measuring the surface hardness of each molded product (Experimental Examples 1 to 11) molded by normal molding, H & C molding, or adiabatic molding using the materials shown in each table of FIG. FIG. 5 shows the results of evaluating the scratch resistance of each molded product and the dimensional stability of the concave portion and the hinge portion. The PP A species used in Experimental Examples 1 and 11, the PP B species used in Experimental Examples 2 to 5, the PP C species used in Experimental Examples 6 and 8 to 10, and the PP D species used in Experimental Example 7. are all polypropylene (PP), but have different structures.

In normal molding, the mold temperatures of the upper surface side (cavity side), lower surface side (core side), and hinge portion are set to the temperatures shown in FIG. By cooling the mold with the cooling unit, the material was cooled and hardened inside the mold to obtain a molded product. The mold temperature of the concave portion is the same as the mold temperature of the lower surface portion.

In H & C molding, the mold temperature of the upper surface part side, the lower surface part side, and the hinge part is set to the temperature shown in FIG. By cooling the mold with the cooling unit, the material was cooled and hardened inside the mold to obtain a molded product. The mold temperature of the concave portion is the same as the mold temperature of the lower surface portion.

In adiabatic molding, the mold on the upper surface side is coated with a heat insulating material, the mold temperatures for the upper surface portion side, the lower surface portion side, and the hinge portion are set to the temperatures shown in FIG. The mold was filled, the material was gradually cooled, and the material was cooled and hardened inside the mold to obtain a molded product. The mold temperature of the concave portion is the same as the mold temperature of the lower surface portion.

Surface hardness was measured according to JIS K 5600-5-4:1999.

In the evaluation of scratch resistance, felt was attached to the tip of the rubbing tester, and toilet paper, which is likely to be used for cleaning toilet lids and toilet seats, was placed on top of it, and the surface of the molded product was rubbed back and forth five times. and evaluated the scratch resistance of the molded article after the test. For the scratch resistance, the molded product after the test was visually observed, and "x" indicates that the entire rubbed portion was scratched, and "△" indicated that the rubbed portion was partially scratched. A sample with no scratches on the entire part was evaluated as "○". The load during the test was 3 kg on the upper surface. Some paper towels used for wiping washbowl counters and bathroom counters have the same hardness as toilet paper. The results were the same as when the scratch resistance was evaluated using paper.

In the evaluation of the dimensional stability of the concave portion and the hinge portion, the obtained molded product was left at room temperature for 48 hours, and the dimensions of the concave portion and the hinge portion were measured. For dimensional stability, JIS B 0405: 1991 indicates that the tolerance described in JIS B 0405: 1991 is intermediate or less, "○", the tolerance is greater than intermediate and less than the middle of coarse, "△", and the tolerance is coarse. Those larger than the middle were evaluated as "x".

As shown in FIG. 5, in Experimental Example 1 in which the surface hardness of the upper surface portion, the surface hardness of the concave portion, and the surface hardness of the hinge portion are all less than 6B (7B), the concave portion and the hinge portion (fitting portion) Although the dimensional stability was good, the scratch resistance of the upper surface portion (exposed portion) was poor. In addition, in Experimental Example 9 in which the surface hardness of the upper surface portion, the surface hardness of the concave portion, and the surface hardness of the hinge portion are all F, although the scratch resistance is good, the dimensions of the concave portion and the hinge portion (fitting portion) Poor stability. In other words, when the surface hardness of the upper surface (exposed part) and the concave part and hinge part (fitting part) are the same, the scratch resistance of the exposed part can be improved and the dimensional stability of the fitting part can be improved. It was difficult to achieve both securing and

On the other hand, in Experimental Examples 2 to 8, 10, and 11, in which the surface hardness of the concave portion and the surface hardness of the hinge portion are smaller than the surface hardness of the upper surface portion, the scratch resistance of the upper surface portion (exposed portion) is good, The dimensional stability of the concave portion and hinge portion (fitting portion) was also good. In particular, in Experimental Examples 2 to 4, 6 to 8, and 10 in which the surface hardness of the upper surface portion is B or higher in pencil hardness, compared to Experimental Examples 1, 5, and 11 in which the surface hardness of the upper surface portion is less than B in pencil hardness, The scratch resistance of the upper surface portion (exposed portion) was good. Further, in Experimental Examples 2 to 7 and 10 in which the surface hardness of the concave portion and the surface hardness of the hinge portion are 2B or less in pencil hardness, Experimental Examples 8 and 9 in which the surface hardness of the concave portion and the surface hardness of the hinge portion exceed 2B in pencil hardness. Compared to , the dimensional stability of the concave portion and the hinge portion (fitting portion) was good. That is, by setting the surface hardness of the upper surface to B or higher in pencil hardness, and the surface hardness of the concave portion or hinge portion (fitting portion) to 3B or more and 2B or less in pencil hardness, the scratch resistance and the concave portion or hinge portion (fitting portion) can be improved. It was suggested that both the dimensional stability of the joint) can be achieved in a well-balanced manner.

Moreover, the results of Experimental Examples 4 and 11 suggest that the addition of an inorganic filler such as glass fiber increases the surface hardness compared to the case where no inorganic filler is added.

In the above description, the case where the plumbing member 200 is a toilet seat or a toilet lid has been described as an example, but the plumbing member is not limited to these. The plumbing member may be, for example, a washbowl counter, a bathroom counter, and a hand basin provided at the rear of the toilet device. In other words, the plumbing member can be applied to, for example, a toilet seat, a toilet lid, a washbowl counter, a bathroom counter, and a washbasin provided at the rear of the toilet apparatus.

When the plumbing member 200 is a washbowl counter, the appliance 260 is, for example, a cabinet provided below the washbowl counter. Exposed portion 220 is, for example, the surface of a bowl or counter. The fitted member 250 is, for example, a drain plug component or a drain pipe component. The fitting part 210 is, for example, a drain provided in a bowl.

If plumbing member 200 is a bathroom counter, fixture 260 is, for example, a bathroom wall. The exposed portion 220 is, for example, a counter (top plate). The fitted member 250 is, for example, a support that supports a counter. In this case, the fitting portion 210 is, for example, a portion fixed to a support base on the lower surface of the counter (top plate). Also, the fitted member 250 may be, for example, a decorative cover attached to a counter. In this case, the fitting portion 210 is, for example, a recess into which the decorative cover is fitted.

When the plumbing member 200 is a basin for washing hands, the appliance 260 is, for example, a tank portion of a toilet provided below the basin for washing hands. The exposed portion 220 is, for example, the surface of a hand basin. The fitted member 250 is, for example, a fitted portion provided on the upper portion of the tank portion. The fitting part 210 is, for example, a concave part provided in the lower part of the washing basin.

As a plumbing member based on the embodiment described above, for example, the following aspects are conceivable.

A first aspect is a plumbing member containing a crystalline resin, wherein a fitting portion to which a member to be fitted is fitted, and a portion other than the fitting portion, in a state where it is attached to a device. and an exposed portion provided at an exposed position, wherein the surface hardness of the fitting portion is smaller than the surface hardness of the exposed portion.

According to the first aspect, by relatively increasing the surface hardness of the exposed portion, the surface of the exposed portion is prevented from being scratched even when the wiping operation is performed with toilet paper or hard nonwoven fabric. can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to improve the scratch resistance of the exposed portion, which is easily visible to the user, and to suppress deterioration of the aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, in normal use, the fitting portion is hidden by the fitted member. Therefore, it is difficult to perform a wiping operation on the fitting portion. Moreover, even if the surface of the fitting portion is damaged by the wiping operation, it is difficult for the user to see the damage. In other words, even if the surface hardness of the fitting portion is relatively small, it has little effect on the appearance. In this way, since the surface hardness of the fitting portion can be made relatively small, for example, when molding the fitting portion, the temperature of the mold when curing the resin can be made relatively low. be able to. As a result, it is possible to reduce dimensional changes over time due to an increase in the amount of shrinkage in the fitting portion, and to improve dimensional accuracy. Therefore, the fitting portion can be formed in a desired shape, and the fitted member can be properly fitted to the fitting portion. Thus, according to the first aspect, it is possible to improve the scratch resistance of the exposed portion and ensure the dimensional stability of the fitting portion.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the surface hardness of the exposed portion is B or higher in pencil hardness, and the surface hardness of the fitting portion is 2B or lower in pencil hardness. It is a surrounding member.

According to the second aspect, by setting the surface hardness of the exposed portion to be B or higher in pencil hardness, even if the wiping operation is performed with a strong force using toilet paper, hard nonwoven fabric, etc., the surface of the exposed portion can be prevented from being damaged. Further, by setting the surface hardness of the fitting portion to 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness, it is possible to more reliably improve the dimensional accuracy of the fitting portion. That is, it is possible to achieve a better balance between improving the scratch resistance of the exposed portion and ensuring the dimensional stability of the fitting portion.

A third aspect is the plumbing member according to the second aspect, wherein the surface hardness of the exposed portion is F or less in pencil hardness.

According to the third aspect, by setting the surface hardness of the exposed portion to F or less in terms of pencil hardness, it is possible to more easily manufacture the plumbing member while suppressing the surface from being scratched in the exposed portion. For example, by combining known techniques such as addition of glass fiber and H&C molding with an inexpensive PP material as a base, it is possible to manufacture a plumbing member having an exposed portion with sufficient hardness at a low cost.

A fourth aspect is the plumbing member according to the second or third aspect, wherein the fitting portion has a surface hardness of 3B or more in pencil hardness.

According to the fourth aspect, by setting the surface hardness of the fitting portion to 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness, even when the fitting portion is wiped off after removing the member to be fitted, the fitting portion Scratches on the surface of can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the surface of the fitting portion from being damaged and the member to be fitted from being properly fitted.

As described above, according to the embodiments, there is provided a plumbing member capable of improving the scratch resistance of the exposed portion and ensuring the dimensional stability of the fitting portion.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the invention is not limited to these descriptions. Appropriate design changes made by those skilled in the art with respect to the above embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element included in the plumbing member are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, each element provided in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and a combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

10 Toilet bowl 11 Bowl 11a Rim 11h Opening 20 Casing 30 Toilet lid 31 Toilet lid main body 31a Toilet lid upper surface 31b Toilet lid lower surface 31c Toilet lid concave portion 32 Toilet lid hinge portion 33 Toilet lid cushion member 40 Toilet seat 41 Toilet seat body 41a Toilet seat upper surface 41b Toilet seat lower surface 41c Toilet seat recess 41h Opening 42 Toilet seat hinge 43 Toilet seat cushion member 45 Bottom plate 46 Top plate 46a ~ 46c first to third parts 47, 48 first and second joining members 100 toilet device 200 plumbing member 210 fitting portion 220 exposed portion 250 fitted member 260 fixture C1, C2 Cooling section H Heating section M1, M2 Mold X Material

Claims (4)

A plumbing member containing a crystalline resin,
a fitting portion into which the fitted member is fitted;
an exposed portion, which is a portion other than the fitting portion and is provided at a position exposed when attached to the device;
with
A plumbing member, wherein the surface hardness of the fitting portion is smaller than the surface hardness of the exposed portion. The surface hardness of the exposed portion is B or higher in pencil hardness,
2. The plumbing member according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion has a surface hardness of 2B or less in terms of pencil hardness. 3. A plumbing member according to claim 2, wherein the exposed portion has a surface hardness of F or less in pencil hardness. 4. The plumbing member according to claim 2, wherein the fitting portion has a surface hardness of 3B or more in terms of pencil hardness.

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