JP5555150B2 - Toilet bowl cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet bowl cleaning apparatus.

  When the toilet bowl is washed, a drain outlet that communicates the inside of the washing tank with the toilet bowl is opened by an opening / closing mechanism, and the water stored in the washing tank is supplied to the toilet bowl. The operation of opening the drain outlet by the opening / closing mechanism may be performed manually by the user or automatically. In view of this, a toilet bowl cleaning device that can manually and automatically operate the opening and closing mechanism has been proposed. In the toilet cleaning device, in the automatic cleaning mode in which the opening / closing mechanism is automatically operated, the power of the power source such as a motor is transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism, and in the manual cleaning mode in which the opening / closing mechanism is operated manually, the opening / closing mechanism is cleaned. The force applied to the handle is transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism, and the power from the power source is not transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism. That is, in the toilet bowl cleaning device, a mechanism for switching between the automatic cleaning mode and the manual cleaning mode is required (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the automatic cleaning mode, the operation of opening the drain port by the opening / closing mechanism is, for example, an operation of pulling up the plug member that closes the drain port and requires a large torque. Therefore, in the conventional toilet bowl cleaning device, the output torque of the motor or the like is converted into a large torque by using the speed reduction mechanism.

Japanese Patent No. 3616905 JP-A-8-163893

  As a switching mechanism, there is one using a planetary gear mechanism as shown in Patent Document 1. When the planetary gear mechanism as shown in Patent Document 1 is used, when the planetary gear is engaged with the connecting gear, the position of the teeth of the planetary gear with respect to the teeth of the connecting gear is not fixed. Switching to the manual cleaning mode may not be performed smoothly. Further, in the automatic cleaning mode, if power is not supplied to the motor due to a power failure or the like, there is a possibility that the automatic cleaning mode cannot be shifted to the manual cleaning mode, and the drainage port cannot be closed by the opening / closing mechanism.

  Moreover, as a switching mechanism, as shown in Patent Document 2, there is a mechanism using a clutch. When a clutch as shown in Patent Document 2 is used, the engaging portions facing each other in the automatic cleaning mode are engaged by the pressing force (suction force) generated by the solenoid, and the engaging portions facing each other in the manual cleaning mode. Are separated by the biasing force generated by the spring. Therefore, in order to shift from the manual cleaning mode to the automatic cleaning mode, a solenoid that can generate a pressing force exceeding the biasing force generated by the spring immediately after the start of operation is used, and the solenoid cannot be reduced in size. There is a possibility that the toilet cleaning device cannot be increased in size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a toilet bowl cleaning device that can reliably switch between an automatic cleaning mode and a manual cleaning mode and can suppress an increase in size of the device. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the toilet bowl cleaning apparatus of the present invention is a toilet bowl cleaning apparatus that is disposed in a cleaning tank and operates an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes a drain opening communicating with the toilet bowl, A cleaning handle is provided, an output shaft connected to the opening / closing mechanism and driving the opening / closing mechanism by rotation, a first rotating member that is rotatably supported and to which power generated by a power source is transmitted, and is rotatable. And a second rotating member that is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the first rotating member and connected to the output shaft so as to be able to transmit the power, and to the first rotating member The second rotating member engages by moving in the axial direction and connects the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and the second rotation with respect to the second rotating member during operation. The first member An actuator for applying a pressing force in the connecting direction connected to the rolling member, a first elastic member for applying a first biasing force in the connecting direction to the second rotating member via the actuator, and the first rotating member And a second elastic member that is disposed between the second rotating member and applies a second urging force in a direction opposite to the connecting direction to the second rotating member, wherein the first urging force is: The second urging force is equal to or less than the second urging force, and a total value of the pressing force and the first urging force exceeds the second urging force.

  In the toilet bowl cleaning device, it is preferable that the pressing force immediately after the actuator is operated in the released state in which the clutch is released is equal to or less than the second urging force in the released state.

  In the toilet bowl cleaning device, the second rotating member and the first rotating member are arranged coaxially, and the clutch is opposed to each other in the axial direction of the second rotating member and the first rotating member. It is preferable that a plurality of protrusions are formed in each part and mesh with each other in the axial direction, and the protrusions are formed in a tapered shape in which the width of the opposing meshing surfaces becomes narrower toward the tip.

  In the toilet bowl cleaning device, the first elastic member is disposed to face the second rotating member in the axial direction with the actuator interposed therebetween, and the first urging force is transmitted through the actuator to the second rotation. Preferably added to the member.

  According to the toilet bowl cleaning device according to the present invention, since the first urging force is equal to or less than the second urging force, the clutch can be surely shifted from the engaged state to the released state, and the total value of the pressing force and the first urging force. Exceeds the second urging force, the clutch can be reliably shifted from the released state to the engaged state. Thereby, switching between the automatic cleaning mode and the manual cleaning mode can be reliably performed. Further, since the first elastic member is provided, the pressing force generated by the solenoid 6 can be reduced, the solenoid 6 can be reduced in size, and the increase in size of the apparatus can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an opening / closing mechanism that is operated by the toilet bowl cleaning device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the toilet bowl cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a fixed gear. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the floating gear. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship among the solenoid, the assist spring, and the return spring. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the toilet bowl cleaning device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the clutch in an engaged state.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

  The toilet bowl cleaning device according to the present embodiment is arranged in a cleaning tank and operates an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes a drain opening communicating with the toilet bowl. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an opening / closing mechanism that is operated by the toilet bowl cleaning device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the toilet bowl cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a fixed gear. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the floating gear. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship among the solenoid, the assist spring, and the return spring. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the toilet bowl cleaning device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the clutch in an engaged state. Here, FIG. 2 shows the manual cleaning mode with the clutch 5 in the released state. FIG. 5 is a graph in which the vertical axis represents force F [N] and the horizontal axis represents stroke amount S [mm]. FIG. 6 shows the automatic cleaning mode with the clutch 5 engaged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet bowl cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment operates an opening / closing mechanism 100. The opening / closing mechanism 100 is disposed inside a cleaning tank 110 (two-dot chain line shown in the figure). A drain port 111 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 110. The drainage port 111 communicates with the toilet 120 (two-dot chain line shown in the figure). That is, when the drainage port 111 is opened by the opening / closing mechanism 100, the water stored in the washing tank 110 is supplied to the toilet bowl 120 through the drainage port 111, and toilet flushing is performed. On the other hand, when the drainage port 111 is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 100, the water supplied into the cleaning tank 110 via the water supply pipe outside the cleaning tank 110 is stored.

  The opening / closing mechanism 100 includes a stopper member 101, a ball chain 102, and a lifting member 103. The plug member 101 closes the drain port 111. Both ends of the ball chain 102 are connected to the plug member 101 and the lifting member 103, respectively. The lifting member 103 rotates to pull up the plug member 101 via the ball chain 102. The lifting member 103 protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction from the main body 103a and one end in the axial direction of the main body 103a. In the present embodiment, the lifting member 103 protrudes vertically downward. And a leading end portion 103b. A tank side end 2a of an output shaft 2 (to be described later) of the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 is inserted and fixed to the main body 103a from the other end. A ball chain 102 is connected to the tip 103b. Accordingly, the opening / closing mechanism 100 is configured such that when the output shaft 2 rotates, the lifting member 103 rotates and the ball chain 102 is pulled up, thereby pulling up the plug member 101 with respect to the drain port 111 and opening the drain port 111. Become.

  The toilet bowl cleaning device 1 is disposed inside the cleaning tank 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet bowl cleaning apparatus 1 includes an output shaft 2, a fixed gear 3, a floating gear 4, a clutch 5, a solenoid 6, an assist spring 7, and a return spring 8. These components are housed in the casing 9. Here, the casing 9 has an upper case 91 and a lower case 92, and is fixed to each other by, for example, a screw to form the casing 9. Here, the casing 9 preferably has a sealed structure. Power generated by the motor 11 is transmitted to the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 via the speed reduction mechanism 10 as power for operating the opening / closing mechanism 100. Here, the speed reduction mechanism 10 is disposed inside the casing 9 and converts the output torque from the motor 11 into a large torque. This is because a large torque (force for pulling up the plug member 101) is required to operate the opening / closing mechanism 100. In this embodiment, the speed reduction mechanism 10 has a worm gear (not shown) and a two-stage gear in order to obtain a large speed reduction ratio. The worm gear is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 11 and meshes with the gear on the side with the smaller number of teeth of the two-stage gear supported rotatably in the casing 9. The motor 11 is a power source, and drives the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 to automatically operate the opening / closing mechanism 100. The motor 11 is supplied and controlled by a control device (not shown). The motor 11 is energized on the basis of a toilet cleaning instruction signal output to the control device when a user operates a remote device capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the control device wirelessly, for example, to perform toilet cleaning. Can be driven.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the output shaft 2 rotates the opening / closing mechanism 100 by rotating. The output shaft 2 is rotatably supported with respect to the casing 9, as shown in FIG. The output shaft 2 is restricted by the casing 9 from moving in the axial direction with respect to the casing 9. The output shaft 2 is provided with a cleaning handle 21 and a drive gear 22. The output shaft 2 has one end in the axial direction, that is, a tank side end 2a on the cleaning tank 110 side (hereinafter simply referred to as “tank side”) protrudes from the upper case 91 to the tank side, , That is, the handle side end 2b on the cleaning handle 21 side (hereinafter simply referred to as “handle side”) is formed to protrude from the lower case 92 toward the handle.

  When the user rotates the cleaning handle 21, the output shaft 2 is rotated and the opening / closing mechanism 100 is manually operated. The cleaning handle 21 is provided on the output shaft 2 so as to be positioned outside the cleaning tank 110. The cleaning handle 21 is fixed to the end 2 b of the output shaft 2 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 2.

  The drive gear 22 transmits power from the motor 11 to the output shaft 2 via the floating gear 4. The drive gear 22 is fixed to the output shaft 2 in the casing 9 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 2. The drive gear 22 has a plurality of teeth 22 a formed on the outer periphery thereof, is disposed in contact with the teeth 4 a (see FIG. 4) formed on the outer periphery of the floating gear 4, and meshes with the floating gear 4. The drive gear 22 is formed with teeth 22a so that the engagement can be maintained even if the floating gear 4 moves in the axial direction with respect to the fixed gear 3. In this embodiment, the drive gear 22 and the floating gear 4 are formed as spur gears, and the teeth 22a of the drive gear 22 are supplied from the motor 11 transmitted to the floating gear 4 regardless of the position of the floating gear 4 in the axial direction. The length in the axial direction is set so as to secure the contact surface with the teeth 4a of the floating gear 4 that can transmit power to the drive gear 22.

  The fixed gear 3 is a first rotating member and transmits power from the motor 11 via the speed reduction mechanism 10. The fixed gear 3 is rotatably supported with respect to the shaft 12. Here, the other end of the shaft 12 in the axial direction with respect to the lower case 92, that is, the handle side end 12 b is supported. Further, the shaft 12 is formed such that one end, that is, the tank side end 12 a protrudes from the fixed gear 3 to the tank side while the fixed gear 3 is rotatably supported. The fixed gear 3 is restricted by the lower case 92 from moving toward the handle in the axial direction with respect to the casing 9. The fixed gear 3 has a plurality of teeth 3a formed on the outer periphery, and is arranged in contact with the teeth formed on the outer periphery of the gear on the side of the two-stage gear (not shown) of the speed reduction mechanism 10 that has a large number of teeth. The gear meshes with the gear with the larger number of teeth. In other words, the power from the motor 11 is transmitted to the fixed gear 3 through the speed reduction mechanism 10 in a state where the torque is largely converted. Further, the fixed gear 3 is formed with a tank side protruding portion 3b that protrudes toward the tank side from the tank side surface of the tooth 3a. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of fixed-gear-side convex portions 51 of the clutch 5 to be described later are formed in the tank-side protruding portion 3 b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

  The floating gear 4 is a second rotating member, and as shown in FIG. 2, the power from the motor 11 transmitted to the speed reduction mechanism 10 is transmitted via the fixed gear 3. The floating gear 4 transmits power from the motor 11 when the clutch 5 is in an engaged state. The floating gear 4 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft 12 by being inserted into the tank side end portion 12 a of the shaft 12, and is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the shaft 12. In other words, the floating gear 4 is arranged coaxially with the fixed gear 3 on the tank side of the fixed gear 3 and is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the fixed gear 3. Further, since the floating gear 4 meshes with the drive gear 22 as described above, the floating gear 4 is connected to the output shaft 2 so that the power from the motor 11 can be transmitted. Further, the floating gear 4 is formed with a tank side protruding portion 4b that protrudes toward the tank side from the tank side surface of the tooth 4a. The tank-side protruding portion 4b is inserted into a through hole formed in a solenoid cover 61 and a yoke 62 of the solenoid 6 described later so as to move freely in the axial direction, and comes into contact with the movable iron core 64. Further, the floating gear 4 is formed with a handle side protruding portion 4c that protrudes toward the handle side from the handle side surface of the tooth 4a. The handle side protrusion 4c is opposed to the tank side protrusion 3b in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle-side protruding portion 4 c is formed with a plurality of floating gear-side convex portions 52 of the clutch 5 described later at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the clutch 5 is engaged with the fixed gear 3 by moving the floating gear 4 in the axial direction, and connects the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4. The clutch 5 is configured such that the floating gear 4 moves with respect to the fixed gear 3 in the connecting direction in which the floating gear 4 is connected to the fixed gear 3, in this embodiment, in the axial direction from the tank side to the handle side. Is engaged. That is, the clutch 5 connects the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4, rotates the output shaft 2 with the power from the motor, and automatically operates the opening / closing mechanism 100. That is, the clutch 5 is engaged in the automatic cleaning mode in which power is transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism 100 and is released in the manual cleaning mode. The clutch 5 is disposed between the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4. The clutch 5 includes a fixed gear side convex portion 51 and a floating gear side convex portion 52.

  The fixed gear side convex portion 51 is formed so as to protrude from the tank side end portion of the tank side protruding portion 3b to the tank side. As shown in FIG. 7, the fixed gear side convex portion 51 enters between the adjacent floating gear side convex portions 52 in the axial direction when the floating gear 4 moves in the coupling direction with respect to the fixed gear 3. is there. The fixed gear side convex portion 51 is formed such that meshing surfaces 51 a and 51 b that come into contact with the floating gear side convex portion 52 are opposed to each other in the circumferential direction of the fixed gear 3. Here, the fixed gear side convex portion 51 is formed in a tapered shape in which the width of the opposing meshing surfaces 51a and 51b is narrowed toward the tip portion, that is, from the handle side to the tank side.

  The floating gear side convex portion 52 is formed to protrude from the handle side end portion of the handle side protruding portion 4c toward the handle side. The floating gear-side convex portion 52 enters between the fixed gear-side convex portions 51 adjacent in the axial direction as the floating gear 4 moves in the connecting direction with respect to the fixed gear 3. That is, in the clutch 5, the fixed gear side convex portion 51 and the floating gear side convex portion 52 are engaged with each other by meshing with each other in the axial direction, and the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4 are integrally rotated. The floating gear-side convex portion 52 is formed with meshing surfaces 52 a and 52 b that contact the fixed gear-side convex portion 51 so as to face each other in the circumferential direction of the floating gear 4. Here, the floating gear side convex portion 52 is formed in a taper shape in which the widths of the meshing surfaces 52a and 52b facing each other are narrowed toward the tip portion, that is, from the handle side toward the tank side.

  The solenoid 6 is an actuator, and moves the floating gear 4 in the connecting direction to connect the fixed gear 3 during operation as shown in FIG. The solenoid 6 converts electromagnetic energy into mechanical linear motion, and is disposed on the tank side of the floating gear 4 as shown in FIG. The solenoid 6 includes a solenoid cover 61, a yoke 62, a coil 63, and a movable iron core 64. The solenoid cover 61 accommodates the yoke 62, the coil 63, and the movable iron core 64 inside, and is fixed to the casing 9. The yoke 62 is disposed in the solenoid cover 61 so as to face the movable iron core 64 in the axial direction with the coil 63 interposed therebetween. The yoke 62 regulates a range in which the movable iron core 64 can move to the handle side in the axial direction when the movable iron core 64 comes into contact. The coil 63 generates electromagnetic energy when electric power is supplied. The coil 63 is formed in a ring shape and is accommodated in the yoke 62. The coil 63 is supplied and controlled by a control device (not shown). The coil 63 is energized based on the toilet cleaning instruction signal output to the control device when the user operates the above-described remote device to perform toilet cleaning, and generates electromagnetic energy. The movable iron core 64 performs linear motion by electromagnetic energy. The movable iron core 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is disposed between the coil 63 and the upper case 91 in the axial direction, and is inserted into the coil 63 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The movable iron core 64 is applied with a suction force in the direction from the tank side to the handle side in the axial direction when the coil 63 generates electromagnetic energy. The movable iron core 64 moves to the handle side in the axial direction by the applied suction force. Therefore, the floating gear 4 in contact with the movable iron core 64 in the axial direction moves to the handle side in the axial direction, that is, strokes, as the movable iron core 64 moves by the suction force. Thereby, the movable iron core 64 can apply the pressing force Fs in the connecting direction to the floating gear 4 that contacts in the axial direction. Further, the movable iron core 64 is formed with a flange portion 64a that protrudes radially outward on the tank side in the axial direction. The flange portion 64a is at least partially opposed to the upper case 91 in the axial direction, and contacts the upper case 91 to restrict a range in which the movable iron core 64 can move to the tank side in the axial direction. Here, the position where the movable iron core 64 is farthest in the axial direction with respect to the yoke 62 is set as the set position, and the position closest to the yoke 62, for example, the position where it contacts the yoke 62 is set as the stroke position. In the set position, the floating gear 4 that is in contact with the movable iron core 64 in the axial direction is in the most separated state in the axial direction with respect to the fixed gear 3, and the fixed gear side convex portion 51 and the floating gear side convex portion 52 do not mesh. The clutch 5 is released. At the stroke position, the floating gear 4 that is in contact with the movable iron core 64 in the axial direction is closest to the fixed gear 3 in the axial direction, and the fixed gear side convex portion 51 and the floating gear side convex portion 52 are engaged with each other. 5 is in the engaged state.

  The assist spring 7 is a first elastic member, and applies a first urging force Fa in the coupling direction to the floating gear 4 via the solenoid 6. The assist spring 7 is disposed to face the floating gear 4 in the axial direction with the solenoid 6 interposed therebetween. The assist spring 7 is a coil spring and is disposed between the movable iron core 64 and the upper case 91. The assist spring 7 is supported by the upper case 91 in a state in which movement in the radial direction is restricted by inserting a support portion 91 a that is formed on the upper case 91 and protrudes toward the handle side. In this embodiment, the assist spring 7 contacts the movable iron core 64 in the axial direction in a compressed state at the set position, and contacts the movable iron core 64 in a compressed state at the stroke position. The first urging force Fa can always be applied to 64. Further, the assist spring 7 is positioned on the tank side in the axial direction with respect to the fixed gear 3, the return spring 8, the floating gear 4, and the solenoid 6 that are arranged on the same axis, and is thus assembled to the upper case 91 in advance. Therefore, the assembling property of the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 can be improved.

  The return spring 8 is a second elastic member, and applies a second urging force Fb in the direction opposite to the coupling direction to the floating gear 4. The return spring 8 is a coil spring and is disposed between the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4. The return spring 8 is inserted in such a manner that the tank side protruding portion 3b and the handle side protruding portion 4c face each other in the axial direction, so that the movement in the radial direction is restricted, and the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 3 4 is supported. In this embodiment, the return spring 8 is in contact with the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4 in the axial direction in a compressed state at the stroke position, and is in contact with the fixed gear 3 and the floating gear 4 in a compressed state at the set position. Therefore, the second urging force Fb can always be applied to the floating gear 4.

  Next, the relationship among the solenoid 6, the assist spring 7, and the return spring 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the stroke amount at the set position is 0, and the stroke amount at the stroke position is St.

  The pressing force Fs in the connecting direction that the solenoid 6 applies to the floating gear 4 during operation (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is small because the movable iron core 64 and the yoke 62 are separated from each other at the set position. At the stroke position where the yoke 62 approaches, the pressing force Fs at the set position becomes significantly larger. That is, the pressing force Fs of the solenoid 6 becomes the smallest immediately after the clutch 5 is released, that is, immediately after being operated in the set position (hereinafter, simply referred to as “beginning of the coupling operation”). Here, the solenoid 6 is set so that the total value Fx (solid line in the figure) of the pressing force Fs and the first biasing force Fa of the assist spring 7 exceeds the second biasing force Fb. Therefore, when the solenoid 6 is operating and the pressing force Fs is applied to the floating gear 4, the sum of the pressing force Fs and the first urging force Fa minus the second urging force Fb is obtained. The connecting force Fl (Fs + Fa−Fb), which is a force for pressing the floating gear 4 in the connecting direction, is always applied to the floating gear 4. Thereby, it can transfer to manual cleaning mode from automatic cleaning mode reliably. The connecting force Fl at the set position is an initial pressing force Y2 that moves the movable iron core 64 in the connecting direction from the set position. Therefore, for example, by adjusting at least one of the pressing force Fs at the set position of the solenoid 6 or the first urging force Fa at the set position of the assist spring 7, the coupling force Fl can be changed at the set position, so that it is movable. The margin when moving the iron core 64 from the set position in the connecting direction can be changed. Further, the solenoid 6 is set so that the pressing force Fs immediately after the start of the coupling operation is equal to or less than the second urging force Fb in the present embodiment. Even if the pressing force Fs immediately after the start of the coupling operation is the same as the second urging force Fb, the movable iron core 64 can be moved from the set position in the coupling direction by the first urging force Fa of the assist spring 7, and the clutch 5 Can be engaged. Therefore, it is possible to surely shift from the manual cleaning mode to the automatic cleaning mode, and it is possible to reduce the size of the solenoid 6 and to suppress the increase in size of the device as compared with a toilet bowl cleaning device that does not include the assist spring 7. it can.

  The first biasing force Fa (dotted line) in the connecting direction that the assist spring 7 applies to the floating gear 4 via the solenoid 6 becomes large because the assist spring 7 is most compressed at the set position, and the stroke position Then, since it is not compressed compared with the set position, it becomes smaller than the first urging force Fa at the set position. The assist spring 7 is set such that the first biasing force Fa is equal to or less than the second biasing force Fb of the return spring 8. That is, the first biasing force Fa of the assist spring 7 is smaller than the second biasing force Fb of the return spring 8 regardless of the position of the movable iron core 64. Therefore, in a state where the solenoid 6 is not operated and the pressing force Fs is not applied to the floating gear 4, the first biasing force Fa minus the second biasing force Fb is opposite to the connecting direction of the floating gear 4. It is always applied to the floating gear 4 as a release force Ff (Fb-Fa) that is a force pressing in the direction. As a result, the automatic cleaning mode can be surely shifted to the manual cleaning mode. The release force Ff at the set position is a holding force Y1 that holds the movable iron core 64 at the set position when the solenoid 6 is not operated at the set position. Therefore, for example, by adjusting the first biasing force Fa at the set position of the assist spring 7, the release force Ff at the set position can be changed, and the margin for holding the movable iron core 64 at the set position is changed. be able to. The assist spring 7 is a linear characteristic spring, and it is preferable that the difference in the first biasing force Fa between the set position and the stroke position is large. As a result, the release force Ff at the stroke position is larger than the release force Ff at the set position, so when the solenoid 6 shifts from the operating state to the non-operating state and shifts from the automatic cleaning mode to the manual cleaning mode, The clutch 5 can be released quickly and reliably.

  The second urging force Fb (the dashed line in the figure) in the direction opposite to the connecting direction applied by the return spring 8 to the floating gear 4 is large because the return spring 8 is most compressed at the stroke position, and at the set position. Since it is not compressed compared to the stroke position, it is smaller than the second urging force Fb at the stroke position. The return spring 8 is a linear characteristic spring, and it is preferable that the difference in the second urging force Fb between the set position and the stroke position is small. As a result, the holding force Y1 at the stroke position is reduced, so that the solenoid 6 can be reduced in size.

  Next, operation | movement of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. The operation of the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 has a manual cleaning mode and an automatic cleaning mode, and is switched by engagement and release of the clutch 5. First, the manual cleaning mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the manual cleaning mode is a mode in which the clutch 5 is disengaged, the power from the motor 11 is not transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism 100, and the force applied to the cleaning handle 21 is transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism 100. Specifically, in the manual cleaning mode, by not driving the motor 11, the power from the motor 11 is not transmitted to the fixed gear 3, and the fixed gear 3 does not rotate. Further, since the solenoid 6 is inactivated, the pressing force Fs is not generated, the release force Ff is applied to the floating gear 4, the floating gear 4 moves in the direction opposite to the connecting direction, and the movable iron core 64 is connected. Move to the set position in the opposite direction. As a result, the engaged clutch 5 is released. Even when the movable iron core 64 moves to the set position, since the release force Ff is applied to the floating gear 4, the movement of the floating gear 4 and the movable iron core 64 in the connecting direction is restricted, and the floating gear 4 is fixed. It is held at a position farthest away from the gear 3 in the axial direction. Accordingly, in the manual cleaning mode, the clutch 5 is in the released state, and therefore, when the user operates the cleaning handle 21, the opening / closing mechanism 100 opens the drain port 111 when the output shaft 2 rotates due to the force applied to the cleaning handle 21. Can do. In the manual cleaning mode, when the user finishes the operation of the cleaning handle 21, no force is applied to the cleaning handle 21, and the pulled plug member 101 is moved vertically downward by its own weight. The shaft 2 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction rotated by the force applied to the cleaning handle 21, and the drainage port 111 is closed, whereby the opening / closing mechanism 100 closes the drainage port 111.

  Next, the automatic cleaning mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic cleaning mode is a mode in which the clutch 5 is engaged and the power from the motor 11 is transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism 100. Specifically, in the manual cleaning mode, the motor 11 is driven, and the power from the motor 11 is transmitted to the fixed gear 3 via the speed reduction mechanism 10. Further, since the solenoid 6 is activated, the pressing force Fs is generated, the connecting force Fl is applied to the floating gear 4, the floating gear 4 moves in the connecting direction, and the movable iron core 64 moves to the stroke position in the connecting direction. Moving. As a result, the released clutch 5 is engaged. When the movable iron core 64 moves to the stroke position, an attracting force is generated between the movable iron core 64 and the yoke 62, so that the floating gear 4 and the movable iron core 64 are restricted from moving in the direction opposite to the connecting direction. The floating gear 4 is held at a position closest to the fixed gear 3 in the axial direction. Therefore, in the automatic cleaning mode, since the clutch 5 is in the engaged state, the output shaft is driven by the power from the motor 11 transmitted through the speed reduction mechanism 10, the fixed gear 3, the clutch 5, the floating gear 4, and the drive gear 22. When 2 rotates, the opening / closing mechanism 100 can open the drain port 111. Note that the drain opening 111 opened in the automatic cleaning mode is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 100 by shifting from the automatic cleaning mode to the manual cleaning mode.

  As described above, in the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 according to the present embodiment, since the first urging force Fa is less than or equal to the second urging force Fb, when the solenoid 6 is changed from the operating state to the non-operating state, it is opposite to the connecting direction. A release force Ff that is a directional force is always applied to the floating gear 4. Accordingly, the floating gear 4 can move in the direction opposite to the connecting direction with respect to the fixed gear 3, and the clutch 5 reliably shifts from the engaged state to the released state, so that the manual cleaning mode is surely changed to the automatic cleaning mode. Can be migrated. Further, since the total value Fx of the pressing force Fs and the first urging force Fa exceeds the second urging force Fb, when the solenoid 6 is changed from the non-operating state to the operating state, the connecting force Fl that is a force in the connecting direction is obtained. It is always added to the floating gear 4. Accordingly, the floating gear 4 can move in the connecting direction with respect to the fixed gear 3, and the clutch 5 reliably shifts from the disengaged state to the engaged state, so that the automatic cleaning mode is surely shifted to the manual cleaning mode. Can do. Further, the first urging force Fa of the assist spring 7 is opposed to the second urging force Fb of the return spring 8 and is applied to the floating gear 4 together with the pressing force Fs. Therefore, the assist spring 7 is not provided. Compared to the case, when the same engagement force Fl is applied to the floating gear 4, the pressing force Fs generated by the solenoid 6, particularly the pressing force Fs immediately after the start of the connecting operation can be reduced. Here, in order to increase the pressing force Fs immediately after the start of the coupling operation, it is necessary to improve the capability of the solenoid 6. To increase the capability, the solenoid 6 is increased in size, such as an increase in the number of turns of the coil 63 and an increase in the size of the yoke 62. An increase in the current value when energized can be considered. Therefore, by providing the assist spring 7, the solenoid 6 can be reduced in size, and the toilet cleaning device 1 can be prevented from being increased in size. Moreover, the power consumption of the toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus 1 can be reduced, and economical efficiency can be improved.

  Further, as described above, in the automatic cleaning mode, since the clutch 5 is in the engaged state, as shown in FIG. 7, the fixed gear side convex portion 51 and the floating gear side convex portion 52 mesh with each other in the axial direction, The meshing surface 51a contacts the meshing surface 52b, and the meshing surface 51b contacts the meshing surface 52a. Here, since the meshing surfaces 51a and 51b of the fixed gear side convex portion 51 and the meshing surfaces 52a and 52b of the floating gear side convex portion 52 are formed in a tapered shape, the fixed gear is interposed via the clutch 5 in the engaged state. 3, when the power from the motor 11 transmitted to 3 is transmitted to the floating gear 4, the floating gear side convex portion 52 receives a force that tends to move away from the fixed gear side convex portion 51 toward the tank side in the axial direction. It will be. In other words, when the clutch 5 is in the engaged state, the floating gear 4 receives a force to move away from the fixed gear 3 toward the tank side in the axial direction. Therefore, if the solenoid 6 is in an inoperative state when shifting from the automatic cleaning mode to the manual cleaning mode, the force for rotating the output shaft 2, the power transmitted from the motor 11 to the output shaft 2, or the output shaft 2, if an external force is applied to the output shaft 2, the engaged clutch 5 can be forcibly released. As a result, even if a malfunction occurs in the components constituting the toilet bowl cleaning device 1, if the solenoid 6 can be brought into a non-operating state where power is not supplied, the automatic cleaning mode is forcibly shifted to the manual cleaning mode. The drainage port 111 can be reliably closed by the opening / closing mechanism 100. Even when the solenoid 6 is in the activated state, the clutch 5 in the engaged state can be forcibly released when the output shaft 2 is to be rotated with an excessive force. Therefore, damage to the toilet bowl cleaning device 1 can be suppressed, and durability can be improved.

  In addition, when the clutch 5 is in the engaged state, the floating gear 4 receives a force to move away from the fixed gear 3 toward the tank side in the axial direction. Therefore, the coupling force Fl, particularly the coupling force Fl at the stroke position is not sufficient. When the engaged clutch 5 is once disengaged and reengaged, the pulling operation of the plug member 101 may be insufficient. Therefore, when the assist spring 7 is not provided, the coupling force Fl is increased by increasing the pressing force Fs of the solenoid 6, so that the size of the solenoid 6 is increased and the apparatus can be reduced in size. Can not. However, since the toilet cleaning device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the assist spring 7, the connection force Fl can be increased without increasing the size of the solenoid 6, and the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 100 in the automatic cleaning mode can be performed. It can suppress becoming inadequate.

  In this embodiment, the solenoid 6 is set so that the pressing force Fs immediately after the start of the connection operation is the same as the second urging force Fb, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection is not limited to this. Since the force Fl should be larger than 0, the pressing force Fs immediately after the start of the coupling operation may be smaller than the second urging force Fb. In this case, the solenoid 6 can be further reduced in size, and the increase in size of the device can be further suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the user switches from the manual cleaning mode to the automatic cleaning mode by the remote device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user's toilet bowl is used depending on the use situation of the user. The cleaning may be performed automatically without being based on the operation. For example, the automatic cleaning mode motor 11 may be switched from the manual cleaning mode based on the user leaving the toilet seat using a sensor that detects that the user has been seated on the toilet seat.

  As described above, the toilet bowl cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a toilet bowl cleaning apparatus that switches between the automatic cleaning mode and the manual cleaning mode, and in particular, it is possible to surely switch between the automatic cleaning mode and the manual cleaning mode. It is suitable for suppressing the enlargement of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toilet bowl washing device 2 Output shaft 21 Washing handle 4 Floating gear 5 Clutch 51 Fixed gear side convex part 52 Floating gear side convex part 6 Solenoid 7 Assist spring 8 Return spring 9 Casing 11 Motor 100 Opening and closing mechanism 110 Washing tank 111 Drain outlet 120 Toilet bowl F force Fa 1st urging force Fb 2nd urging force Ff Release force Fl Connection force Fs Pressing force S Stroke amount

Claims (4)

A toilet cleaning device that is disposed in a cleaning tank and operates an opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes a drain port communicating with the toilet.
A cleaning handle is provided, connected to the opening / closing mechanism, and an output shaft that drives the opening / closing mechanism by rotation;
A first rotating member that is rotatably supported and to which power generated by a power source is transmitted;
A second rotating member that is rotatably supported and supported so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the first rotating member, and is connected to the output shaft so as to transmit the power;
A clutch that engages the first rotating member by moving the second rotating member in the axial direction and connects the first rotating member and the second rotating member;
An actuator for applying a pressing force in a connecting direction for connecting the second rotating member to the first rotating member with respect to the second rotating member during operation;
A first elastic member that applies a first urging force in the coupling direction to the second rotating member;
A second elastic member disposed between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and applying a second urging force in a direction opposite to the connection direction to the second rotating member;
With
The first biasing force is equal to or less than the second biasing force;
The toilet bowl cleaning device, wherein a total value of the pressing force and the first urging force exceeds the second urging force. In the toilet bowl cleaning device according to claim 1,
The toilet bowl cleaning device, wherein the pressing force immediately after the actuator is operated in the released state in which the clutch is released is equal to or less than the second urging force in the released state. In the toilet bowl cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
The second rotating member and the first rotating member are arranged coaxially,
The clutch is a plurality of convex portions that are formed in a plurality of ends facing each other in the axial direction of the second rotating member and the first rotating member and mesh with each other in the axial direction,
The said convex part is a toilet bowl washing | cleaning apparatus currently formed in the taper shape which becomes narrow as the width | variety of the opposing meshing surface goes to a front-end | tip part. In the toilet bowl washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first elastic member is disposed to face the second rotating member in the axial direction with the actuator interposed therebetween,
The toilet cleaning device, wherein the first urging force is applied to the second rotating member via the actuator.

Images