JP3365309B2 - Sanitary washing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sanitary washing device. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years,
Consumers are increasingly interested in cleaning toilets after excretion due to the spread of medical knowledge and increased awareness of hygiene. Against this background, currently, sanitary washing devices attached to Western toilets are becoming popular. This kind of sanitary washing device has a basic function of a posterior washing function and a bidet washing function. [0003] Here, when briefly touching the buttocks washing function of the conventional sanitary washing device, when the user presses the buttocks washing switch after defecation, the washing nozzle advances to a predetermined position and the washing water is discharged. It is gushing continuously. When the washing is completed, the user presses a stop switch, the ejection of the washing water is stopped, and the washing nozzle is retracted. [0004] However, the position (target position) where the washing water is ejected from the washing nozzle is set uniformly, while the user's body shape and habit (for example, some users sit shallowly with respect to the toilet seat) are included. For example, since there are many users who sit deeply, etc.), the actual ejection position is not always the optimum position for the user (that is, as intended). In such a case, conventionally, the user himself or herself sits down on the toilet seat to adjust the optimum position for himself to the actual ejection position, or a nozzle position adjusting function of the washing nozzle is added. In this case, it is necessary to make an adjustment such that the actual ejection position is adjusted to an optimum position for the user using the adjustment function. However, in any case, the position adjustment is performed while the cleaning water is being jetted, and during that time, the position adjustment is performed on average.
It means that the washing water is wasted for about 4 seconds. In addition, the original buttocks cleaning is performed after the position adjustment, but usually, a few seconds are sufficient. This means that the amount of washing water used effectively is generally 50% or less, which is contrary to the demand for water saving. Although a sanitary washing device with a nozzle position adjusting function is commercially available as described above, the nozzle position before use remains at the optimum position of another user who used last time for the user. Therefore, it is not clear whether the aim is appropriate for not actually ejecting the washing water from the washing nozzle. Therefore, it can be said that the nozzle position adjustment function does not contribute to water saving. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to obtain a sanitary washing apparatus capable of sufficiently saving the washing water. A sanitary washing device according to the present invention according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a device main body attached to a Western-style toilet bowl, and is provided in the device main body and supplies cleaning water. Cleaning water supply means for, provided to be connected to the cleaning water supply means and movably between a storage position and a use position,
Local cleaning means for spouting the cleaning water toward the user's local area, controlling the operation of the local cleaning means and the cleaning water supply means, and performing local cleaning from the cleaning water supply means for a predetermined short time to confirm the target position. Control means for temporarily stopping the supply of the cleaning water after supplying the cleaning water to the means, and supplying the cleaning water from the cleaning water supply means to the local cleaning means again for the main cleaning after a predetermined time for position adjustment has elapsed. It is characterized by having. The following is an example of the case where the buttocks are cleaned.
The operation of the present invention will be described. A user performs defecation after sitting on the toilet seat of a Western-style toilet. When the defecation ends, the control means moves the local washing water means from the storage position to the use position. Next, the control unit supplies the cleaning water from the cleaning water supply unit to the local cleaning unit for a predetermined short time. This allows
The user can check whether or not the jetting position of the washing water from the local washing means is the optimum position for him (as intended). After the cleaning water is supplied for a predetermined short time for checking the target position, the supply of the cleaning water is temporarily stopped by the control unit. If the location of the washing water jetting from the local washing means is not at the optimum position, the user adjusts the positions within a predetermined time for position adjustment so that both positions match. After a lapse of a predetermined time for the position adjustment, the control means supplies the cleaning water from the cleaning water supply means to the local cleaning means again for the main cleaning. That is, according to the present invention, the cleaning water supply is not continuously supplied, but the suspension time of the cleaning water supply is set halfway. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a sanitary washing device 12 is attached to a fixed type toilet bowl 10. As shown in this figure, the sanitary washing device 12 includes an apparatus main body 14 disposed at the rear end side of the Western style toilet 10 in an assembled state, and a central portion of the apparatus main body 14 which is rotated via a hinge 16. A toilet seat 18 that is supported so as to be able to open and close, and a lid 22 that is openably and closably supported via a hinge 20 coaxial with the toilet seat 18 are configured as main components. Further, an operation unit 24 having switches and dials, which will be described later, is provided on one side of the apparatus body 14, and a water pump is provided on the other side of the apparatus body 14. A cleaning tank 26 having a built-in 76 (see FIG. 3) is provided. In addition, at the back of the Western style toilet 10, there is a water supply pipe 2.
A low tank 30 connected to a water supply pipe (not shown) via an outlet 8 is provided. The low tank 30 and the cleaning tank 26 are connected by a connecting pipe 32.
A branch fitting 33 is attached at an intermediate position of the water supply pipe 28, and the branch fitting 33 is connected to an end of the connection pipe 32. A cleaning nozzle 34 is provided at the center of the apparatus main body 14 so as to be retractable and extendable. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning nozzle 34 is a rod having a hollow inside, and an ejection portion 38 in which an ejection hole 36 is formed is provided at a tip portion thereof. The cleaning nozzle 34 is slidably supported in a guide hole 42 formed in the center of a resin guide block 40. The axis of the guide hole 42 is inclined downward by a predetermined angle. A connection piece 44 is provided at the rear end of the cleaning nozzle 34,
One side of the connection piece 44 and the cleaning tank 26 are connected by a flexible tube 46. At a position adjacent to the above-described cleaning nozzle 34, a timing belt 48 is provided. The timing belt 48 includes a large-diameter gear wheel 50 disposed on the rear side and a small-diameter gear wheel 54 supported on a support shaft 52 disposed on the front side and protruding from the guide block 40.
It is wound around. Further, a relatively small-diameter tension roller 56 is disposed in front of the large-diameter gear wheel 50, and applies a predetermined tension to the timing belt 48. At a position adjacent to the above-described large-diameter gear wheel 50, a motor 58 that is connected to a controller 66, which will be described later, and that is driven and controlled is provided. The output shaft and the large-diameter gear wheel 50 are connected via a speed reduction mechanism (not shown). Further, a small block 60 is fixed to a predetermined position of the timing belt 48, and a narrow fixing piece 62 protruding from the other side of the connection piece 44 is fitted into the small block 60. ing. The operation of the above-mentioned sanitary washing device 12 is controlled by a controller 66 housed in the operation unit 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 66 includes, as an input, a bottom cleaning switch 68, a bidet cleaning switch 70, a stop switch 72, and a position fine adjustment switch 7.
4 are connected. The position fine adjustment switch 74 includes a forward switch 74A for moving the cleaning nozzle 34 forward and a backward switch 74B for retracting the cleaning nozzle 34. The forward switch 74A or the backward switch 74B is provided.
While the button is kept pressed, a forward signal or a backward signal is input to the controller 66. The controller 66 is connected to a motor 58 for moving the cleaning nozzle 34 forward and backward, and a water pump 76 disposed in the cleaning tank 26 as an output side. By the way, when the forward switch 74A of the position fine adjustment switch 74 is pressed, the motor 58 is driven forward to advance the cleaning nozzle 34, and when the backward switch 74B is pressed, the motor 58 is driven reverse to drive the cleaning nozzle 34 is retracted. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 24 is provided with the above-described posterior washing switch 68, bidet washing switch 70, stop switch 72, and position fine adjustment switch 74. There are provided a drying switch 80 for feeding drying air to the drying unit, a water pressure adjusting dial 82 for adjusting the water pressure of the washing water, a temperature adjusting dial 84 for adjusting the temperature of the washing water, and the like. . These switches and dials are naturally connected to the controller 66, but these elements are not the main part of the present embodiment, and are excluded from the block diagram of FIG. Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the time chart shown in FIG. In the following description, a case where the posterior cleaning is performed will be described as an example. When not in use, the lid 22 is closed and the cleaning nozzle 34 is held at the storage position (the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1). On the other hand, in use, after the lid 22 is opened, the user sits on the toilet seat 18 and defecates. When performing the posterior washing after defecation, the user may press the posterior washing switch 68 of the operation unit 24. When the posterior washing switch 68 is pressed, an affirmative decision is made in step 100. Until the posterior washing switch 68 is pressed, the determination in step 100 is repeated. If the result in step 100 is affirmative, the built-in timer is started (started) in step 102 and the motor 58 is driven to rotate forward in step 104. Until the time measured by the timer reaches T ₀ , the forward drive of the motor 58 is maintained. The time T ₀ is the time required for the cleaning nozzle 34 to move forward to the normal position (meaning the average use position statistically determined, and the position shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1). During this time, the water pump 76 is not operated (see FIG. 5). When the time measured by the timer reaches T ₀ , an affirmative determination is made in step 106. If affirmative in step 106, the motor 58 is stopped in step 108. Next, at step 110, the water pump 76 is operated. When the water pump 76 is operated, cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning tank 26 through the tube 46 to the cleaning nozzle 34.
And is ejected from the ejection hole 38. The jet of the wash water at this time is the jet of the wash water for confirming the target position. [0031] Then, whether the timed time of the timer has reached T ₁ in step 112 it is determined. Incidentally, the time T ₁ is the time at which the cleaning nozzle 34 described above was added the setting time of the time T ₀ required to forward to the normal position 1 to 2 seconds. In other words, even if the washing water is jetted for a short time of 1 to 2 seconds, the user can check whether the jetting position of the washing water from the washing nozzle 34 (that is, the position of the jetting hole 36) is an appropriate position for himself. (As intended) can be easily determined. Next, when the time measured by the timer reaches T ₁ , an affirmative decision is made in step 112 and step 11
Then, the operation of the water pump 76 is stopped. Next, at step 116, it is determined whether or not the user has finely adjusted the jetting position of the washing water. That is, as described above, when it is determined that the user is not as intended when the cleaning water is jetted for confirming the aimed position, the forward switch 74A or the backward switch 74B of the position fine adjustment switch 74 is pressed. It is. When the forward switch 74A or the backward switch 74B is pressed, the motor 58 is driven forward or reverse at step 118. As a result, the cleaning nozzle 34 moves forward as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, or moves backward as shown by the solid line. In this way, fine adjustment is performed so that the cleaning water jetting position (the position of the jetting hole 36) by the cleaning nozzle 34 is as intended. In addition, when the user determines that the cleaning water has been discharged as intended when the cleaning water is jetted for confirming the target position, the user does not touch the position fine adjustment switch 74 and is left as it is. After the cleaning water ejection position is finely adjusted as described above, it is determined in step 120 whether or not the time measured by the timer has reached T ₂ . Note that the time T ₂ are, the time obtained by adding the position adjustment time ΔT 2-3 seconds time T ₁ described above (see FIG. 5). When the time measured by the timer reaches T ₂ , an affirmative determination is made in step 120, and the routine proceeds to step 122 where the water pump 76 is operated again. As a result, the user's local cleaning is performed. Usually, the main cleaning is performed for about 2 to 3 to 4 seconds. When the main cleaning is completed, the stop switch 72 is pressed by the user. When the stop switch 72 is pressed, an affirmative determination is made in step 124, the timer is reset by the switch 126, and the process ends. As described above, in this embodiment, the cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning tank 26 to the cleaning nozzle 34 for a predetermined short time (T ₁ -T ₀ = 1 to 2 seconds) for confirming the target position. A configuration in which the supply of water is temporarily stopped, and after a predetermined time for position adjustment (T ₂ −T ₁ = ΔT = 2 to 3 seconds) has elapsed, cleaning water is again supplied from the cleaning tank 26 to the cleaning nozzle 34 for main cleaning. Therefore, instead of the continuous supply of the cleaning water as in the related art, the suspension time of the cleaning water supply (ΔT =
(2 to 3 seconds) is set in the middle. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the washing water can be sufficiently saved. In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning tank 26, the tube 46, and the water pump 76 are used.
Corresponds to “cleaning water supply means” in the present invention, the cleaning nozzle 34 corresponds to “local cleaning means” in the present invention, and the controller 66 corresponds to “control means” in the present invention. The timing belt 48, the gear wheels 50 and 54, the tension roller 56, the motor 58, the small block 60, and the fixed piece 62 are broadly described as "moving means or moving means for moving the local cleaning means between the storage position and the use position. Are grasped as "nozzle driving means". In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the posterior washing is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to the bidet washing. In this case, in consideration of the fact that the regular position of the washing nozzle 34 is different from the case of the posterior washing, the control may be performed in the same manner as in the case described above. Further, since the user has time to re-sit or fine-adjust the position of the washing nozzle 34, it is possible to reduce the cost by using the washing nozzle 34 for both bidet washing and buttocks washing. In this embodiment, the position fine adjustment switch 74 is provided, and the cleaning nozzle 34 itself is moved forward or backward using the position fine adjustment switch 74. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a sanitary washing device that does not include the position fine adjustment means of the nozzle 34. In this case, the user remembers the jetting position of the washing water at the time of confirming the target position as a sensation, and based on the memory, the user may himself sit back and adjust the position within the washing water supply stop time (ΔT). . Further, in the present embodiment, the stop switch 7
Although the configuration in which the main cleaning is performed until the user presses 2 is adopted, the invention is not limited to this, and the main cleaning time is set in advance, and the cleaning of the cleaning water is automatically stopped after the main cleaning time has elapsed (ie,
Configure the backwash switch as a one-touch circuit)
You may do so. In this embodiment, the case where the sanitary washing device 12 is applied to the fixed type toilet bowl 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a portable toilet with a washer function (portable toilet) may be used. The present invention may be applied.
In this case, since the washing water supply tank is of a cassette type and has a limited capacity, various effects (for example, an increase in the number of times the toilet can be used,
Device miniaturization, etc.). In addition, when the present invention is applied to a portable toilet with a washer function (portable toilet), fine adjustment using both hands may be performed depending on the user in order to save space and simplify the structure. Therefore, it is preferable that the stop switch 72 is not provided and the above-described one-touch circuit type buttocks washing switch is used. Further, in the present embodiment, the water pressure of the cleaning water at the time of confirming the target position is the same as the water pressure of the cleaning water at the time of main cleaning. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be set lower than the water pressure of the cleaning water at the time of the main cleaning. In this case, the washing water can be further saved. In this embodiment, the cleaning water is continuously jetted during the main cleaning. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
A configuration in which the cleaning water is intermittently jetted at the time of the main cleaning or a configuration in which the continuous jetting and the intermittent jetting of the cleaning water can be mutually switched may be adopted. By doing so, a higher water-saving effect can be obtained and a massage effect can be obtained. As described above, in the sanitary washing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means cleans the cleaning water supply means from the cleaning water supply means to the local cleaning means for a predetermined short time for confirming the target position. After the supply of the water, the supply of the cleaning water is temporarily stopped, and after a lapse of a predetermined time for position adjustment, the cleaning water is supplied again from the cleaning water supply unit to the local cleaning unit for the main cleaning. The water supply stop time can be set halfway, and as a result, there is an excellent effect that a sufficient water saving effect of the washing water can be obtained. [0045]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a sanitary washing device according to the present embodiment is mounted on a Western-style toilet. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a cleaning nozzle, a nozzle driving unit, and the like shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the sanitary washing device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a washing water jet control method applied to the sanitary washing device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a use state of cleaning water when the sanitary washing device is operated based on the flowchart shown in FIG. [Description of Signs] 10 Western style toilet 12 Sanitary washing device 14 Device main body 26 Washing tank (washing water supply means) 34 Washing nozzle (local washing means) 46 Tube (washing water supply means) 66 Controller (control means) 68 Water Pump (wash water supply means)

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E03D 9/08

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] An apparatus main body attached to a Western-style toilet, a cleaning water supply means provided in the apparatus main body for supplying cleaning water, and a cleaning water supply A local cleaning means connected to the means and movably provided between the storage position and the use position, for spraying the cleaning water toward the user's local area; and controlling the operation of the local cleaning means and the cleaning water supply means. At the same time, the supply of the cleaning water is temporarily stopped after supplying the cleaning water from the cleaning water supply unit to the local cleaning unit for a predetermined short time for confirming the target position, and the main cleaning is again performed after the predetermined time for the position adjustment has elapsed. Control means for supplying cleaning water from the cleaning water supply means to the local cleaning means.