JP3355768B2 - Sanitary washing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sanitary washing apparatus for washing a human body after stool, and more particularly to a sanitary washing apparatus capable of changing a washing position without moving a washing nozzle. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this type of cleaning device for cleaning a local part of a human body, there is a cleaning device in which a single or a plurality of cleaning nozzles are provided to blow hot water to wash the local part intensively. On the other hand, it was not possible to perform a wide range of cleaning adapted to the local part of the human body. In addition, there is a problem that the cleaning efficiency cannot be improved because there is no change in the cleaning water in the portion to be cleaned. In other words, when cleaning the dirt attached to the part to be cleaned, the fluid enters the joint between the surface to be cleaned and the dirt,
There is a process of reducing the bonding force, and a process in which the cleaning fluid collides with the portion to be cleaned to separate the contaminants. In order to enhance the separating effect, it is effective to move the jet in the portion to be cleaned. It is.

For this reason, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire cleaning nozzle is reciprocated by driving means such as a motor.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-56775 discloses a method in which a cleaning jet is changed to realize a wide range of cleaning suitable for a human body part and to improve cleaning efficiency. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a washing nozzle, in which washing water supplied from a washing water supply means (not shown) flows in from a water supply port 2 and is ejected from an ejection hole 3 provided at a tip portion toward a human body part. I do. Reference numeral 4 denotes a motor for driving the cleaning nozzle 1 forward and backward, the driving force of which is reduced by a reduction means 5 composed of gears 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, a wire 7 wound around a shaft 6 of the gear 5d and a rotor. Linear motion conversion means 9 comprising
And the cleaning nozzle 1 coupled to the wire 7 by the coupling portion 10 can be driven forward and backward.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a photo-interrupter for detecting the amount of advance of the cleaning nozzle 1, and the advance position of the cleaning nozzle 1 is detected by counting the number of slits (not shown) formed on the side surface of the gear 5d.

In the above configuration, when a cleaning start switch (not shown) is turned on, the motor 4 is started, and the speed reduction means 5 is started.
The cleaning nozzle 1 is driven to advance from the retracted position in the cleaning nozzle 12 to the local human body position shown in FIG. 6 through the linear motion converting means 9, and the cleaning water flowing from the water supply port 2 is discharged from the ejection hole 3. . On the other hand, the advance amount of the cleaning nozzle 1 is detected by the photo interrupter 11, and the motor 4 is stopped at the advanced position, and the cleaning nozzle 1 is driven back and forth at predetermined intervals as necessary, thereby performing a wide range of cleaning adapted to the human body part. In addition, high cleaning efficiency is realized.

[0005]

However, in the conventional cleaning apparatus described above, the motor as the driving means, the deceleration means, and the rotational movement of the motor are changed into the forward and backward movements of the cleaning nozzle in order to move the entire cleaning nozzle. The linear motion conversion means and the position detection means for detecting the advance state are required, and there is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated, large, and associated with high price.

[0006] The present invention is to solve the above problems,
The cleaning water jetting from the two parts is configured to be able to merge, and the flow rate of the cleaning water jetting from each of the jetting holes is adjusted so that the cleaning jet at the part to be cleaned can be moved without moving the entire cleaning nozzle. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a sanitary washing apparatus having a simple configuration, which can move the stool to perform a wide range of washing suitable for a human body part and improve the washing efficiency.

A second object is to provide a sanitary washing apparatus capable of easily selecting an intensive washing by a steady flow and a wide washing pattern by moving a jet according to the physical condition and taste of a user. is there.

A third object is to provide a sanitary washing device in which a user can arbitrarily adjust a washing position by operating a switch.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a sanitary washing apparatus capable of releasing a washing pattern and a washing position set by a previous user at the start of washing and performing washing under predetermined standard conditions.

[0010]

In order to achieve the first object, the sanitary washing device of the present invention comprises a washing water supply means,
First and second flow paths, and first and second flow paths communicating with the respective flow paths.
It has a second ejection hole, and the axes of the first and second ejection holes intersect between the ejection end face of the washing nozzle and the portion to be washed, and at a point P on the substantially central axis of the portion to be washed. And the upstream side of the first and second flow paths .
The apparatus is provided with flow rate ratio control means for controlling the distribution ratio of the amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths .

In order to achieve the second object, the sanitary washing apparatus of the present invention controls the flow ratio control means by turning on a swing selection switch, and controls the flow rate control means to connect the first and second flow paths of the washing nozzle. There is provided a flow rate ratio continuously varying means for automatically increasing / decreasing a distribution ratio of a supplied washing water amount, that is, an ejection flow rate from the first and second ejection holes within a predetermined range.

In order to achieve the third object, the sanitary washing device of the present invention controls a flow ratio control means by operating a position adjusting switch, so that the first and second flow paths of the washing nozzle can be controlled. The distribution ratio of the supplied washing water amount, that is, the first
And a flow rate intermittent variable means for stepwise increasing and decreasing the ratio of the flow rate of the jet from the second jet hole.

In order to further achieve the fourth object, the sanitary washing device of the present invention cancels the washing conditions set by the previous user by means of the swing selection switch and the position adjusting switch, and sets the first and second washing conditions at the start of washing. An initial setting means for setting the distribution ratio of the amount of washing water supplied to the second flow path to the same ratio is provided.

[0014]

According to the sanitary washing device of the present invention, the axis of the first and second ejection holes is set at a point P between the ejection end face of the washing nozzle and the portion to be washed, and substantially on the center axis of the portion to be washed. The cleaning water jetted from the first and second jet holes intersect and merge at a predetermined position P because they are provided to be inclined so as to intersect. At this time, when the jet power of each merged jet is decomposed into a horizontal component and a vertical component with respect to the jet direction, when the flow rates jetted from the first and second jet holes are controlled to the same rate,
The vertical component of the jet of the first and second injection holes are balanced with each other, the human private i.e. the portion to be cleaned become intensive steady flow
Is ejected toward the approximate center position of. On the other hand, when the ratio of the amount of washing water from the second ejection hole to the amount of washing water in the first ejection hole is increased by the flow ratio control means, the ejection power from the second ejection hole increases, and conversely, The ejection power from one ejection hole decreases.

As a result, the cleaning position of the combined cleaning jet on the surface to be cleaned moves to the first jet hole side.
That is, by changing the distribution ratio of the washing water supplied to the first and second ejection holes by the flow rate ratio control means, the washing jet is moved without moving the entire nozzle device.
Therefore, a wide range of cleaning suitable for a human body part can be performed, and the cleaning efficiency can be improved. Further, since it is not necessary to move the entire cleaning nozzle, the configuration can be simplified.

Further, the sanitary washing device of the present invention controls the flow ratio control means by turning on the swing selection switch,
Flow ratio continuous variable means for automatically increasing or decreasing the distribution ratio of the amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths of the washing nozzle, that is, the ejection flow rate from the first and second ejection holes, within a predetermined range. When the swing selection switch is turned on, the flow rate from the first and second jet holes is automatically increased or decreased by a flow rate ratio continuously varying means at a ratio within a predetermined range,
The cleaning jet automatically oscillates within a predetermined range, and when the oscillating selection switch is released, the flow ratio is fixed and a concentrated jet of a steady flow is obtained. As a result, it is possible to easily select a wide-area cleaning by moving the jet flow and an intensive cleaning pattern by the steady flow according to the physical condition and preference of the user. Further, since the cleaning pattern can be changed by controlling the flow ratio, remote control of the cleaning pattern can be performed. This is controlled at the tip of the cleaning nozzle
It is suitable for a hydraulically driven nozzle structure where it is difficult to provide members .

Further, in the sanitary washing device according to the present invention, by operating the position adjusting switch, the flow ratio control means is controlled, and the distribution ratio of the amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths of the washing nozzle, ie, Since the flow ratio intermittent variable means for increasing / decreasing the ratio of the jet flow rate from the first and second jet holes in a stepwise manner is provided, each time the position adjustment switch is turned on, the flow ratio intermittent variable means is used. Is controlled, and the ratio of the ejection flow rate from the first and second ejection holes is increased or decreased stepwise, so that the cleaning position can be adjusted stepwise. That is, it is possible to move the cleaning jet to an arbitrary cleaning position suitable for the user.

Further, in the sanitary washing device according to the present invention, the washing condition set by the previous user is released by the swing selection switch and the position adjusting switch, and the amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths at the start of washing. Is provided with an initial setting means for setting the distribution ratio of the same to the same ratio, so that at the time of cleaning, cleaning is started under predetermined standard conditions. This is suitable for this type of sanitary washing apparatus having a plurality of users of different ages and genders.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sanitary washing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a washing nozzle in the apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a washing water supply means composed of a water pump 14 and a motor 15 as a driving means thereof, 16 denotes a hot water tank for storing hot water heated by an electric heater 17, and 18 denotes a supply of washing water. It is a water supply channel. Reference numeral 19 denotes a washing nozzle, a nozzle cylinder 21 having first and second water supply ports 20a and 20b, which is located inside the nozzle cylinder 21, is driven to advance by receiving the water pressure of the washing water, stops at the position of the human body local part, and receives the washing water. Is formed from a nozzle element 22 provided at one end thereof and a movable water supply body 23 which jets out toward a human body local part, and an elastic member 23a which urges the movable water supply body 23 toward the retreat position. Movable water supply 2
3 is provided with valve members 24a and 24b for preventing water from leaking to the outside of the nozzle at the advanced position, and is provided such that the water supply port 20b is located at an intermediate portion between the valve members 24a and 24b. ing.

The movable water supply body 23 has a first flow path 25 communicating with the first water supply port 20a at the advanced position, and a second flow path 26 communicating with the second water supply port 20b. And the jetting end face 27 of the cleaning nozzle and the approximate center of the portion A to be cleaned , respectively.
It communicates with the first and second ejection holes 28a and 28b provided at a predetermined angle θn and inclined so that the axes intersect at a point P located on the center axis.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a flow ratio control valve which is provided downstream of the hot water tank 16 and distributes and supplies the washing water supplied from the washing water supply means 13 to the first passage 25 and the second passage 26. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, and FIG.
The X sectional view is shown. That is, reference numeral 30 denotes a housing, which has a water inlet port 31 communicating with the hot water tank 16, and first and second water outlet ports 32a and 32b which are branched from the water inlet port 31, respectively. 32
a is connected to the first water inlet 20a and the second water outlet port 32a.
“b” communicates with the second water supply port 20 b via the bypass passage 33. Reference numeral 34 denotes a valve plug rotatably provided in the housing 30. By providing a notch 35 provided in a part of a cylinder, the water inlet port 31 and the first and second water outlet ports 32a and 32b are selected. A passage 36 is formed which communicates with the main body. Reference numeral 37 denotes a seal member made of a polymer material containing ethylene tetrafluoride, and is integrally formed with the valve plug 34. The polymer material containing ethylene tetrafluoride has a small coefficient of friction and high elasticity, realizes a smooth rotation of the valve plug 34, and prevents the control fluid from leaking outside. Numeral 38 denotes a driving means for the valve plug 34, which comprises a stepping motor 39, a speed reducing means 40, and a motor shaft 41 inserted into the valve plug 34.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a water supply control circuit, which is activated by turning on the cleaning switch 43, and is provided with the cleaning water supply means 13.
Control means 44 for controlling the amount of washing water supplied by controlling
And flow rate adjusting means 45 for controlling the flow rate control valve 29
It is composed of

The flow ratio adjusting means 45 outputs a signal to the stepping motor 39 to rotate the valve plug 34 and to supply a predetermined amount of washing water supplied by the washing water supply means 13 to the first and second flow paths 25. , 26. Reference numeral 46 denotes a water pressure adjusting switch, and the water amount adjusting means 4 is adjusted by adjusting this switch.
The washing water supply means 13 is controlled via the control unit 4 so that a water force according to the user's preference can be set.

FIG. 5 shows the rotation angle θ of the valve plug 34 and the first flow path 2.
5 shows the relationship between the ratio of the flow rate Q1 distributed to the second flow path 5 and the flow rate Q2 distributed to the second flow path 26. In FIG. 4, when the rotation angle θ is 0, the first and second water discharge ports 32
When the valve plug 34 rotates to the θa side, the flow rate to the first water outflow port 32a increases and the flow rate to the second water outflow port 32b decreases. On the other hand, when it rotates to the θb side, the first water outlet port 32
a and the second flush port 32b
Flow rate to the air increases.

FIG . 5 shows that the flow rate Q to the first flow path 25
The flow rate Q2 to the first and second flow paths 26 is controlled by the rotation angle θ.
Thus, it is possible to discharge each of them independently.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a swing selection switch. When this switch is turned on, the continuous flow ratio varying means 48 operates to output a signal to the flow ratio adjusting means 45, and the valve plug 34 is driven by the driving means 38 as shown in FIG. , The rotation is continuously and alternately reversed in the range of θa to θb, and the ratio of the flow rates Q1 and Q2 supplied to the first and second flow paths 25 and 26 is continuously increased and decreased.

Reference numeral 49 denotes a forward and backward switch 50
When the switch is turned on, the intermittent flow ratio changing means 51 operates to output a signal to the flow ratio adjusting means 45, and each time the forward or backward switch 50a, 50b is turned on. When the stepping motor 39 rotates by a predetermined angle, the valve plug 34 is intermittently driven to rotate in the range of θa to θb, and the first and second flow paths 25 and 2 are rotated.
The ratio of the flow rates Q1 and Q2 supplied to 6 is intermittently increased or decreased.

Reference numeral 52 denotes initial setting means. After the washing switch 43 is turned on, a water force and a flow rate ratio according to the user's preference are set by a water force adjustment switch 46, a swing selection switch 47 and a position adjustment switch 49. In this case, when the stop switch 53 is turned on and the washing operation is completed, the water force adjusting means 44 is set to the standard water force, and the flow ratio adjusting means 45 sets the rotation angle θ of the valve plug 34 to 0 as shown in FIG. Location, i.e. first and second flow paths 25, 26
The cleaning operation is completed by setting the flow ratios to be distributed to the same ratio. Therefore, when the next user turns on the cleaning switch 43 again, cleaning is started based on predetermined initial setting conditions.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The operation will be described. When the washing switch 43 is turned on, the washing water supply means 13 operates under the conditions set by the initial setting means 52, and the washing water flows into the flow ratio control valve 29 via the hot water tank 16. Here, the valve plug 34 of the flow ratio control valve 29 is set at the position of the rotation angle 0 as shown in FIG. 4, and the first and second water discharge ports 32a,
From 32b, the water is distributed to the first and second water supply ports 20a and 20b at the same rate with respect to the supply amount, that is, 50% each. When washing water flows into the nozzle cylinder 21, water pressure acts on the movable water supply body 23 to move forward, and the nozzle element 2
2 stops at the point where it has reached the local position of the human body, and at the same time, the washing water is jetted from the first and second jet holes 28a and 28b.

Since the jet holes 28a and 28b are inclined at an angle of θn, the jetted washing water merges at the point P to form a concentrated jet as shown by the solid line in FIG. As a result, it collides with a substantially central portion of the portion A to be cleaned, and cleaning is performed.
Further, by operating the water pressure adjusting switch 46, a water force according to the user's preference can be selected. The washing position at this time may not be optimal depending on individual differences and sitting positions. In such a case, for example, when it is desired to move the washing jet forward with respect to the user, when the forward switch 50a of the position adjusting switch 49 is turned on once, the flow ratio adjusting means is output by the flow rate intermittent variable means 51. 45 operates, the valve plug 34 of the flow ratio control valve 29 is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle θb1 from the position of the rotation angle 0 in the direction of θb, and is supplied to the first flow path 25 as shown in FIG. As the flow rate Q1 decreases, the flow rate Q2 supplied to the second flow path 26 increases. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the ejection power from the second ejection holes 28b is increased, and the washing position by the jet moves in the direction of arrow F (forward with respect to the user).

When it is desired to move further forward, the forward switch 50a is operated again to set the rotation angle to θb2, and when it is desired to move backward, the backward switch 50b is selected, so that the part to be cleaned is selected. Based on the approximate center of A
As a standard , the washing position can be adjusted stepwise in the front-rear direction .

Next, the operation of the flow ratio continuously varying means 48 will be described. When the swing selection switch 47 is turned on after the washing switch 43 is turned on, the flow ratio continuously varying means 4 is turned on.
8 operates to output a signal to the flow ratio variable means 45, and the valve plug 34 of the flow ratio control valve 29 is continuously and alternately rotated forward and reverse alternately in the range of θa to θb shown in FIG. The ratio of the flow rates Q1, Q2 supplied to the second flow paths 25, 26 is continuously increased or decreased. As a result, the first and second ejection holes 28a,
The washing water spouted from 8b is alternately and continuously increased and decreased. As shown in FIG. 2, when Q1 increases, the washing position is in the direction of arrow B, and when Q2 increases, the washing position is in the direction of arrow F. In the direction, and with reference to the approximate center of the portion A to be cleaned.
By repeating these alternately in the front-rear direction, a wide range of cleaning can be performed by the oscillation of the jet. Note that the swing width Wn of the jet is proportional to the inclination angle θn of the ejection holes 28a and 28b, and the swing width Wn or the position adjustment width can be set large by setting the inclination angle θn large. The swing cycle in the swing cleaning depends on the operation speed of the flow ratio control valve 29, that is, the rotation speed of the stepping motor 39 and the reduction ratio of the reduction means 40.

As described above, in this embodiment, the portion to be cleaned A
So that the axes intersect at a point P located on the approximate center axis of
First and second jet holes 28a and 28b are provided, which are capable of contacting and joining jets by being inclined by a predetermined angle θn, and two flow paths 25 and 26 are provided corresponding to the respective jet holes 28a and 28b. A flow ratio control valve 29 for controlling the ratio of the flow rates supplied to the flow paths 25 and 26 is provided. If the flow ratios ejected from the ejection holes 28a and 28b are controlled to the same rate, an intensive washing jet can be obtained. By selecting the oscillating selection switch 47, the oscillating jet that can continuously change the flow rate ratio and perform wide-area cleaning without moving the entire cleaning nozzle 19 can be selected. Therefore, the optimum cleaning jet can be easily selected according to the user's physical condition, age, preference, and the like, and the configuration of the cleaning device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Since the valve ratio is adjusted by rotating the valve plug 34 by the stepping motor 39 as the flow ratio control valve 29, the flow ratio can be controlled with high precision by controlling the pulse signal supplied to the stepping motor 39. Therefore, the feedback control by detecting the rotation angle is unnecessary. For this reason, a rotation angle detecting means and a control circuit therefor are not required, and cost reduction can be achieved.
Further, since the seal member 37 made of a polymer material containing tetrafluoroethylene is provided on the surface of the valve plug 34 by integral molding, the friction coefficient at the time of rotation can be reduced, and the torque of the stepping motor 39 can be reduced. In addition, the reliability of the control fluid against external leakage is improved.

By operating the position adjusting switch 49,
The cleaning position can be adjusted by adjusting the flow ratio stepwise. As a result, a cleaning position suitable for the user can be selected without moving the entire cleaning nozzle 19, and a conventional cleaning position can be selected.
Such as motors, deceleration means, linear motion conversion means, etc.
Eliminates the need for equipment, complicating equipment and increasing costs
It is possible to adjust the washing position without using a washing machine.

Further, since the initial setting means 52 is provided, the previous use condition of the user is canceled, and at the start of use, the washing is always started at the preset water force and washing position. Switch operation is reduced. This is suitable for this type of sanitary washing device with multiple users.

[0038]

As described above in detail, the sanitary washing apparatus of the present invention can perform a wide range of washing suitable for a human body part and can improve the washing efficiency. Since the motion converting means and the position detecting means are unnecessary, the configuration of the cleaning device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sanitary washing device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a washing nozzle of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a flow ratio control valve of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flow rate control valve of the sanitary washing device taken along line XX.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a rotation angle and a flow ratio of a flow ratio control valve of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a conventional sanitary washing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 13 cleaning water supply means 18 water supply path 19 cleaning nozzle 20a first water supply port 20b second water supply port 21 nozzle cylinder 23 movable water supply body 23a elastic member 25 first flow path 26 second flow path 27 ejection end face 28a 1 ejection hole 28b second ejection hole 29 flow rate control valve 30 housing 32a first outflow path 32b second outflow path 34 valve plug 38 driving means 39 motor 45 flow rate adjusting means 47 swing selection switch 48 flow rate ratio Continuous variable means 49 Position adjustment switch 51 Flow ratio intermittent variable means 52 Initial setting means

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Motoko Toshima 1006 Odakadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-10393 (JP, A) JP-A 62- 276136 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E03D 9/08

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing water supply means, a water supply channel, and a washing nozzle for jetting washing water toward a human body part, wherein the washing nozzle has first and second flow paths, First and second ejection holes communicating with a path, wherein the axes of the first and second ejection holes are between the ejection end face of the washing nozzle and the portion to be washed , and the substantially central axis of the portion to be washed. Point P on the line
, And upstream of the first and second flow paths .
A sanitary washing apparatus provided with a flow rate control means for controlling a distribution ratio of an amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths on a side of the sanitary washing apparatus; 2. A washing nozzle comprising: a nozzle cylinder having first and second water supply ports; and first and second flow paths respectively communicating with first and second ejection holes. A movable water supply body configured to be able to advance and retreat in the nozzle cylinder by the water pressure of the nozzle, and an elastic member for urging the movable water supply body in a retreating direction, wherein the second water supply port is provided at an advanced position of the movable water supply body. And a second flow passage communicating with the first flow passage.
The sanitary washing device as described. And a housing having an inflow passage communicating with the water supply passage, first and second outflow passages respectively communicating with the first and second water supply passages of the washing nozzle, and the housing. A flow rate ratio comprising a valve plug rotatably provided in the inside and adjusting a flow rate ratio of washing water supplied to the first and second outflow passages, and a driving means having a motor for rotating the valve plug. 3. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a control valve and a flow ratio adjusting means for controlling a rotation angle of the motor. 4. A flow ratio continuous variable means for automatically increasing / decreasing a distribution ratio of an amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths within a predetermined range by turning on a swing selection switch. The sanitary washing device according to 1. 5. By operating the position adjustment switch,
2. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flow rate intermittent variable means for increasing / decreasing a distribution ratio of an amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow paths in a stepwise manner. 6. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an initial setting means for setting the distribution ratio of the amount of washing water supplied to the first and second flow passages to the same ratio at the start of washing.