JP6578622B2 - Sanitary washing device - Google Patents

Description

  Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a sanitary washing apparatus, and more specifically, to a sanitary washing apparatus for washing a user's “butt” or the like seated on a Western-style seated toilet with water.

  In tap water used as cleaning water for sanitary cleaning devices, bacteria are reduced by killing or inactivating bacteria (microorganisms) that may cause illness or spoilage with chlorine. However, it is not possible to completely remove bacteria contained in tap water only by mixing chlorine. For this reason, in the sanitary washing apparatus, it has been proposed to provide an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the washing water with ultraviolet rays to further reduce the bacteria contained in the washing water (Patent Document 1).

  For example, the ultraviolet irradiation unit starts irradiation of ultraviolet rays in response to an instruction from the user to start cleaning the human body, and stops irradiation of ultraviolet rays in response to an instruction from the user to stop cleaning the human body. In the sanitary washing apparatus, after the human body washing is stopped, water is passed even after the human body washing is stopped, for example, by washing a nozzle that sprays washing water toward the human body. For this reason, when the irradiation of ultraviolet rays is stopped in response to an instruction to stop the human body cleaning, when the start of the human body cleaning is instructed again immediately after the stop of the human body cleaning, the remaining ultraviolet rays are not irradiated. There is a concern that water may fall on the human body.

  For example, when the start of the human body washing is instructed again immediately after the stop of the human body washing, it is conceivable that the human body washing process is started in the same manner as usual after the nozzle is once stored in the casing. However, in such an operation, the start of the human body cleaning is delayed with respect to the instruction from the user. For this reason, in a sanitary washing apparatus having an ultraviolet irradiation unit, it is desired to obtain a good operation that can supply safer washing water and has little delay with respect to instructions from the user.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 05-004499

  The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary washing apparatus that can supply safe washing water and has a good operation.

1st invention has a nozzle which discharges water toward a human body local part, a pipe line from a water supply source to the nozzle, a water guide part which guides water supplied from the water supply source to the nozzle, and the pipe An electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a path, and is provided between the electromagnetic valve and the nozzle on the path of the water guiding section, and a flow path for flowing water, and a light emitting section that irradiates the water flowing through the flow path with ultraviolet rays, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit having a control unit for controlling the operation of the solenoid valve and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in accordance with an input of an instruction to stop the indication and the human body washing of the start of the human body washing for ejecting water toward the human private parts The controller is configured to perform post-cleaning after cleaning the nozzle after stopping the cleaning of the human body , and performing the cleaning of the human body and the post-cleaning. Hygiene characterized by irradiating with ultraviolet rays Kiyoshi is a device.

  According to this sanitary washing apparatus, since the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit is irradiated with ultraviolet rays until a predetermined time has elapsed since the instruction to stop human body washing, the start instruction is input again immediately after the instruction to stop human body washing. In this case, even if the human body cleaning is started immediately, it is possible to prevent water that has not been irradiated with ultraviolet rays from being applied to the human body. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sanitary washing device that can supply safe washing water and that operates well.

  A second invention is the sanitary washing apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the control unit causes the ultraviolet irradiation unit to irradiate ultraviolet rays after filling the flow path with water.

  According to this sanitary washing apparatus, it is possible to suppress irradiation of ultraviolet rays in a state where there is no water in the flow path, and to suppress deterioration of the flow path due to irradiation of ultraviolet light. For example, a metal material that reflects ultraviolet rays may be used for at least a part of the flow path, and a resin material (coating material) for suppressing corrosion or the like may be applied to the surface of the metal material portion. In such a case, if ultraviolet rays are directly incident on the resin material in a state where there is no water in the flow path, the surface state of the resin material may be mutated and the surface unevenness may be increased. Such surface irregularities reduce the reflectivity of ultraviolet rays and impair the effect of reducing bacteria contained in water. In this sanitary washing apparatus, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit is irradiated with ultraviolet rays after filling the flow path with water. Thereby, it can suppress that the unevenness | corrugation of the resin material surface becomes large. Therefore, even when a resin material or the like is applied to the inner surface of the flow path, the bacteria contained in the water can be appropriately reduced.

A third invention further includes a vacuum breaker that takes in air into the pipe line when there is no flow of water in the water guide section in the first or second invention, and the ultraviolet irradiation section is more than the vacuum breaker. Further , the sanitary washing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes the ultraviolet irradiation unit to irradiate ultraviolet rays when the electromagnetic valve is closed for a predetermined time.

  According to this sanitary washing device, it is possible to suppress the increase of bacteria in the flow path due to long-term non-use, and to further improve the safety of the sanitary washing device.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, a sanitary washing apparatus that can supply safe washing water and has good operation is provided.

It is a perspective schematic diagram showing the toilet apparatus provided with the sanitary washing apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the sanitary washing apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a cross-sectional view and an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing the ultraviolet irradiation unit according to the first embodiment. It is a timing chart which illustrates the example of operation | movement of the sanitary washing apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart which illustrates another operation of the sanitary washing device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a timing chart which illustrates the modification of operation | movement of the sanitary washing apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart which illustrates the modification of operation | movement of the sanitary washing apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the principal part structure of the sanitary washing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a timing chart which illustrates the example of operation | movement of the sanitary washing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a toilet apparatus provided with a sanitary washing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet apparatus includes a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter simply referred to as “toilet bowl”) 800 and a sanitary washing apparatus 100 provided thereon. The sanitary washing device 100 includes a casing 400, a toilet seat 200, and a toilet lid 300. The toilet seat 200 and the toilet lid 300 are pivotally supported with respect to the casing 400 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  Inside the casing 400 is incorporated a body washing function unit that implements washing of a user who sits on the toilet seat 200 such as a “butt”. Further, for example, the casing 400 is provided with a seating detection sensor 404 that detects that the user has sat on the toilet seat 200. When the seating detection sensor 404 detects a user sitting on the toilet seat 200, when the user operates the operation unit 500 such as a remote controller, for example, a cleaning nozzle (hereinafter simply referred to as “nozzle”) 473. Can be advanced into the bowl 801 of the toilet bowl 800. In the sanitary washing device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 473 has entered the bowl 801.

  The nozzle 473 discharges water toward the human body part and cleans the human body part. At the tip of the nozzle 473, a bidet cleaning water outlet 474a and a buttocks cleaning water outlet 474b are provided. The nozzle 473 can wash the female local part of the woman sitting on the toilet seat 200 by spraying water from the bidet washing spout 474a provided at the tip thereof. Alternatively, the nozzle 473 can wash the “butt” of the user sitting on the toilet seat 200 by jetting water from the buttocks washing spout 474 b provided at the tip thereof. In the present specification, “water” includes not only cold water but also heated hot water.

  Examples of the mode for washing “wet” include “wet washing” and “soft washing” for gentle washing with a softer water flow than “wet washing”. The nozzle 473 can execute, for example, “bidet cleaning”, “bottom cleaning”, and “soft cleaning”.

  In the nozzle 473 shown in FIG. 1, the bidet cleaning water outlet 474a is provided on the tip side of the nozzle 473 relative to the buttocks cleaning water outlet 474b, but the installation positions of the bidet cleaning water outlet 474a and the buttocks cleaning water outlet 474b are provided. Is not limited to this. The bidet cleaning water outlet 474a may be provided on the rear end side of the nozzle 473 with respect to the buttocks cleaning water outlet 474b. In addition, the nozzle 473 illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with two water outlets, but may be provided with three or more water outlets.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the sanitary washing device according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the principal part structure of a waterway system and an electric system is represented collectively.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sanitary washing device 100 includes a water guide unit 20. The water guide unit 20 includes a pipe line 20 a that extends from a water supply source 10 such as a water supply or a water storage tank to the nozzle 473. The water guide unit 20 guides the water supplied from the water supply source 10 to the nozzle 473 through the pipe line 20a. The pipe line 20a is formed by, for example, each part such as an electromagnetic valve 431, a heat exchanger unit 440, and a flow path switching part 472 described below, and a plurality of pipes that connect these parts.

  An electromagnetic valve 431 is provided on the upstream side of the water guide unit 20. The electromagnetic valve 431 is an electromagnetic valve that can be opened and closed, and controls the supply of water based on a command from the control unit 405 provided in the casing 400. In other words, the electromagnetic valve 431 opens and closes the pipe line 20a. By opening the electromagnetic valve 431, the water supplied from the water supply source 10 flows into the pipe line 20a.

  A pressure regulating valve 432 is provided downstream of the electromagnetic valve 431. The pressure regulating valve 432 adjusts the pressure in the pipe line 20a to a predetermined pressure range when the feed water pressure is high. A check valve 433 is provided downstream of the pressure regulating valve 432. The check valve 433 suppresses the backflow of water upstream from the check valve 433 when the pressure in the pipe line 20a is reduced.

  A heat exchanger unit 440 is provided downstream of the check valve 433. The heat exchanger unit 440 includes a heater, and heats the water supplied from the water supply source 10 to raise the temperature to, for example, a specified temperature. That is, the heat exchanger unit 440 generates hot water.

  The heat exchanger unit 440 of this embodiment is an instantaneous heating type (instantaneous type) heat exchanger using, for example, a ceramic heater, and in a short time compared to a hot water storage type heat exchanger using a hot water storage tank. Water can be raised to a specified temperature. The heat exchanger unit 440 is not limited to an instantaneous heating type heat exchanger, and may be a hot water storage heating type heat exchanger.

  The heat exchanger unit 440 is connected to the control unit 405. For example, the control unit 405 controls the heat exchanger unit 440 according to the operation of the operation unit 500 by the user, thereby raising the temperature of the water to the temperature set by the operation unit 500.

  A flow sensor 442 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger unit 440. The flow rate sensor 442 detects the flow rate of the water discharged from the heat exchanger unit 440. That is, the flow sensor 442 detects the flow rate of the water flowing through the pipe line 20a. The flow sensor 442 is connected to the control unit 405. The flow sensor 442 inputs the flow rate detection result to the control unit 405.

  An electrolytic cell unit 450 is provided downstream of the flow sensor 442. The electrolytic cell unit 450 generates a liquid (functional water) containing hypochlorous acid from tap water by electrolyzing tap water flowing inside. The electrolytic cell unit 450 is connected to the control unit 405. The electrolytic cell unit 450 generates functional water based on the control by the control unit 405.

  The functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 may be a solution containing metal ions such as silver ions and copper ions, for example. Alternatively, the functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 may be a solution containing electrolytic chlorine, ozone, or the like. Alternatively, the functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 may be acidic water or alkaline water.

  A vacuum breaker (VB) 452 is provided downstream of the electrolytic cell unit 450. The vacuum breaker 452 includes, for example, a flow path for flowing water, an intake port for taking air into the flow path, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the intake port. For example, the valve mechanism closes the intake port when water is flowing through the flow path, and opens the intake port when the water flow stops to take air into the flow path. That is, the vacuum breaker 452 takes in air into the pipe line 20a when there is no flow of water in the water guide section 20. For example, a float valve is used as the valve mechanism.

  For example, the vacuum breaker 452 promotes drainage of a portion downstream of the vacuum breaker 452 of the pipe line 20a by taking air into the pipe line 20a as described above. The vacuum breaker 452 promotes draining of the nozzle 473, for example. In this way, the vacuum breaker 452 draws out the water in the nozzle 473 and takes in air into the nozzle 473, so that, for example, the cleaning water in the nozzle 473 or the sewage collected in the bowl 801 is supplied to the water supply source 10 ( Suppresses backflow to the water supply side.

  A pressure modulation device 454 is provided downstream of the vacuum breaker 452. The pressure modulator 454 pulsates or accelerates the flow of water in the pipe 20 a of the water guide 20, and water is discharged from the bidet cleaning water outlet 474 a and the butt cleaning water outlet 474 b of the nozzle 473 and the water outlet of the nozzle cleaning chamber 478. Pulsates the water. That is, the pressure modulation device 454 varies the flow state of the water flowing in the pipe line 20a. The pressure modulation device 454 is connected to the control unit 405. The pressure modulation device 454 varies the flow state of water based on the control by the control unit 405.

  An ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is provided downstream of the pressure modulator 454. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 irradiates the water flowing in the pipe line 20a with ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 kills or inactivates at least a part of the bacteria contained in the water flowing in the pipe line 20a, for example, by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the ultraviolet irradiation part 460 reduces the living microbe contained in the water which flows through the inside of the pipe line 20a. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 sterilizes the cleaning water by, for example, ultraviolet irradiation. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is connected to the control unit 405. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 performs ultraviolet irradiation based on control by the control unit 405.

  A flow rate adjustment unit 471 is provided downstream of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460. The flow rate adjustment unit 471 adjusts the water flow (flow rate). A flow path switching unit 472 is provided downstream of the flow rate adjustment unit 471. The flow path switching unit 472 opens / closes and switches the water supply to the nozzle 473 and the nozzle cleaning chamber 478. The flow rate adjusting unit 471 and the flow path switching unit 472 may be provided as one unit. The flow rate adjusting unit 471 and the flow path switching unit 472 are connected to the control unit 405. The operations of the flow rate adjusting unit 471 and the flow path switching unit 472 are controlled by the control unit 405.

  A nozzle 473, a nozzle cleaning chamber 478, and a spray nozzle 479 are provided downstream of the flow path switching unit 472. The nozzle 473 receives the driving force from the nozzle motor 476 and advances or retracts into the bowl 801 of the toilet bowl 800. That is, the nozzle motor 476 advances and retracts the nozzle 473 based on a command from the control unit 405.

  The nozzle cleaning chamber 478 cleans the outer peripheral surface (body) of the nozzle 473 by ejecting functional water or water from a water discharge section provided in the nozzle cleaning chamber 478. The spray nozzle 479 sprays cleaning water or functional water on the bowl 801 in a mist form. In this example, a spray nozzle 479 is provided separately from the nozzle 473 for cleaning the human body. However, the nozzle 473 may be provided with a water outlet for spraying a mist-like liquid onto the bowl 801.

  Further, downstream of the flow path switching unit 472, a buttocks cleaning flow path 21, a soft cleaning flow path 22, and a bidet cleaning flow path 23 are provided. The buttocks washing flow path 21 and the soft washing flow path 22 guide the water supplied from the water supply source 10 through the water guide unit 20 and the functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 to the buttocks washing discharge port 474b. The bidet cleaning flow path 23 guides the water supplied from the water supply source 10 through the water guide 20 and the functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 to the bidet cleaning outlet 474a.

  Further, the surface cleaning channel 24 and the spray channel 25 are provided downstream of the channel switching unit 472. The surface cleaning flow path 24 guides the water supplied from the water supply source 10 through the water guide unit 20 and the functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 to the water discharge unit of the nozzle cleaning chamber 478. The spray channel 25 guides the water supplied from the water supply source 10 via the water guide 20 and the functional water generated in the electrolytic cell unit 450 to the spray nozzle 479.

  The control unit 405 controls the flow path switching unit 472 so that each flow of the buttocks cleaning flow path 21, the soft cleaning flow path 22, the bidet cleaning flow path 23, the surface cleaning flow path 24, and the spray flow path 25 is controlled. Switch between opening and closing the road. As described above, the flow path switching unit 472 communicates with the pipe line 20a for each of the plurality of water discharge ports such as the bidet cleaning water discharge port 474a, the cleaning water discharge port 474b, the nozzle cleaning chamber 478, and the spray nozzle 479. , And the state of not communicating with the pipe line 20a.

  The control unit 405 is supplied with electric power from the power supply circuit 401, and based on signals from the human body detection sensor 403, the seating detection sensor 404, the flow rate sensor 442, the operation unit 500, etc., the electromagnetic valve 431 and the heat exchanger Operations of the unit 440, the electrolytic cell unit 450, the pressure modulator 454, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460, the flow rate adjustment unit 471, the flow path switching unit 472, the nozzle motor 476, and the like are controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the human body detection sensor 403 is provided so as to be embedded in a recessed portion 409 formed on the upper surface of the casing 400, and detects a user (human body) approaching the toilet seat 200. A transmissive window 310 is provided at the rear of the toilet lid 300. Therefore, in the state where the toilet lid 300 is closed, the human body detection sensor 403 can detect the presence of the user via the transmission window 310. For example, the control unit 405 automatically opens the toilet lid 300 in response to a user detection by the human body detection sensor 403.

  The operation unit 500 is provided with a plurality of operation members such as a buttocks washing button, a soft washing button, a bidet washing button, a washing stop button, and a water temperature adjustment button. The operation unit 500 inputs a corresponding instruction to the control unit 405 according to the operation of the operation member by the user. The operation unit 500 only needs to be able to input to the control unit 405 at least an instruction to start human body washing (wet washing, soft washing, bidet washing, etc.) and an instruction to stop human body washing. When the operation unit 500 is a remote controller, the operation unit 500 is provided separately from the casing 400. In this case, the operation unit 500 inputs various signals to the control unit 405 as radio signals. The operation unit 500 may be provided integrally with the casing 400.

  Also, the casing 400 is provided with various types of devices such as a “warm air drying function”, a “deodorizing unit”, and an “indoor heating unit” for blowing and drying hot air toward a “butt” of a user sitting on the toilet seat 200. A mechanism may be provided as appropriate. At this time, an exhaust port 407 from the deodorizing unit and an exhaust port 408 from the indoor heating unit are appropriately provided on the side surface of the casing 400. However, in the present invention, the sanitary washing function unit and other additional function units are not necessarily provided.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a cross-sectional view and an exploded cross-sectional view schematically showing the ultraviolet irradiation unit according to the first embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 includes a channel 461 and a light emitting element 462 (light emitting unit). For example, the flow path 461 causes the water sent from the pressure modulation device 454 to flow inside and sends the water to the flow rate adjustment unit 471. The light-emitting element 462 irradiates the water flowing through the flow path with ultraviolet rays. The wavelength of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light emitting element 462 is, for example, not less than 200 nm and not more than 400 nm. Preferably, it is 250 nm. Thereby, the microbe contained in the water which flows through the flow path 461 can be reduced appropriately. The light emitting element 462 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitting element 462 is not limited to an LED, and may be, for example, an LD (Laser Diode) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode). In this example, the light emitting element 462 is shown as a light emitting unit that irradiates the water flowing through the flow path with ultraviolet rays. However, the light emitting unit is not limited to this, and may be a mercury lamp, for example. The mercury lamp is, for example, a high pressure mercury lamp or a low pressure mercury lamp. The high pressure mercury lamp is, for example, a metal halide lamp. Examples of the low-pressure mercury lamp include a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) and a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL).

  The flow path 461 is a straight tube. An opening 461 a is provided at one end of the channel 461. An opening 461 b is provided at the other end of the channel 461. The channel 461 allows water to flow between the opening 461a and the opening 461b. The opening 461a is connected to the pressure modulation device 454, for example. The opening 461b is connected to the flow rate adjusting unit 471, for example. As a result, the water exiting the pressure modulation device 454 enters the flow path 461 from the opening 461a and flows to the flow rate adjusting unit 471 through the opening 461b. That is, the flow path 461 forms a part of the pipe line 20a. In the channel 461, water flows from the opening 461a toward the opening 461b. On the contrary, water may flow from the opening 461b toward the opening 461a.

  The opening 461b faces in the same direction as the direction in which the flow path 461 extends. On the other hand, the opening 461a faces in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the flow path 461 extends. That is, in this example, the flow path 461 is a substantially L-shaped pipe line. The shape of the channel 461 is not limited to this, and may be any shape that allows water to flow inside.

  In addition, an opening 461c is further provided at one end of the channel 461 where the opening 461a is provided. The opening 461c faces the same direction as the direction in which the flow path 461 extends. A concave portion 461d is provided on the outer edge of the opening 461c. An ultraviolet irradiation window 463 is fitted into the recess 461d. The shape of the ultraviolet irradiation window 463 is substantially the same as the shape of the recess 461d. The ultraviolet irradiation window 463 is transparent to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light emitting element 462. The ultraviolet irradiation window 463 makes the ultraviolet light of the light emitting element 462 disposed outside the flow channel 461 enter the flow channel 461. For the ultraviolet irradiation window 463, for example, inorganic glass such as quartz glass is used.

  Thus, in this example, the light emitting element 462 is provided outside the flow path 461. For example, when the light-emitting element 462 is sealed with a package of resin, metal, or the like, at least a part of the light-emitting element 462 may be disposed in the flow path 461. In this case, the ultraviolet irradiation window 463 may be provided in the package of the light emitting element 462. As described above, the light-emitting element 462 (light-emitting portion) may include the ultraviolet irradiation window 463.

  For example, in the case where a mercury lamp such as a cold cathode tube is used for the light emitting portion that irradiates ultraviolet rays, a glass tube of a mercury lamp that seals gas or the like may be used as the ultraviolet irradiation window 463. For example, the channel 461 itself may be formed of a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays such as quartz glass, and a part of the channel 461 may be used as the ultraviolet irradiation window 463.

  The recess 461d is further provided with a recess 461e. The recess 461e has an annular shape surrounding the outer edge of the opening 461c. A packing 464 is fitted into the recess 461e. For the packing 464, an elastic material such as rubber is used. The packing 464 enters the recess 461e, is slightly elastically deformed by being sandwiched between the flow path 461 and the ultraviolet irradiation window 463, and closes a gap between the flow path 461 and the ultraviolet irradiation window 463. Thereby, the packing 464 suppresses water leakage from the ultraviolet irradiation window 463.

  In addition, a lid 465 is attached to one end of the channel 461. The lid 465 is attached to one end of the channel 461 and sandwiches the ultraviolet irradiation window 463 and the packing 464 together with the channel 461. As a result, the lid 465 holds the ultraviolet irradiation window 463 and the packing 464. The lid 465 is provided with an opening 465 a at a position facing the ultraviolet irradiation window 463.

  The light emitting element 462 is mounted on the substrate 466. The substrate 466 is attached to the lid 465 from the side opposite to the flow path 461. The light emitting element 462 enters the opening 465 a of the lid 465 with the substrate 466 attached to the lid 465. As a result, the light emitting element 462 faces the ultraviolet irradiation window 463, and the ultraviolet light irradiated from the light emitting element 462 enters the flow path 461 through the ultraviolet irradiation window 463. The light emitting element 462 is connected to the control unit 405 through the substrate 466, for example, and emits ultraviolet rays in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 405. Lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting element 462 is controlled by the control unit 405. The control unit 405 irradiates ultraviolet rays from the light emitting element 462 by, for example, constant current driving that supplies a substantially constant current to the light emitting element 462. Thereby, for example, the intensity of ultraviolet rays emitted from the light emitting element 462 can be kept substantially constant. The driving method of the light emitting element 462 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, constant voltage driving or another driving method.

  In this manner, the light emitting element 462 is attached to one end of the straight tubular channel 461. Therefore, the direction in which the light emitting element 462 emits ultraviolet rays is the same as the direction in which the flow path 461 extends. For example, the optical axis of the light emitting element 462 is substantially parallel to the direction in which the flow path 461 extends.

  The irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light of the light emitting element 462 is not limited to the above, and may be an arbitrary direction capable of irradiating the water flowing through the flow channel 461 with ultraviolet light. However, as described above, the direction in which the light emitting element 462 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays is the same as the direction in which the flow path 461 extends. For example, the direction of ultraviolet light emitted from the light-emitting element 462 has at least a component that goes in the same direction as the direction in which the flow path 461 extends. Thereby, the time which an ultraviolet-ray hits water becomes long, and the microbe contained in water can be reduced more appropriately.

  In this example, a straight tubular flow path 461 is shown, but the shape of the flow path 461 may be any shape capable of flowing water. A straight tubular portion may be provided in at least a part of the channel 461, and the extending direction of the straight tubular portion may be the same as the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light of the light emitting element 462.

  The channel 461 includes a main body portion 467 and a reflection portion 468. The reflection part 468 is provided inside the main body part 467. The reflection part 468 forms at least a part of the inner surface of the flow path 461. The reflective portion 468 is reflective to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light emitting element 462. The reflectivity of the reflective portion 468 is higher than the reflectivity of the main body portion 467 with respect to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light emitting element 462. For the main body 467, for example, a resin material is used. For the reflection part 468, for example, a metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or silver is used. The material of the reflecting portion 468 is not limited to a metal material, and may be, for example, a dielectric multilayer film. The material of the reflective portion 468 may be any material that is reflective to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light emitting element 462 and has a higher reflectance than the main body portion 467.

Next, a specific example of the operation of the sanitary washing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating a specific example of the operation of the sanitary washing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the standby state before the seating detection sensor 404 detects the user, the nozzle 473 is housed in the casing 400 (timing t0 to t1).

  When the human body detection sensor 403 detects a user who has entered the toilet room, the control unit 405 opens the electromagnetic valve 431 and causes the flow path switching unit 472 to communicate only the spray nozzle 479 with the conduit 20a of the water guide unit 20. Is driven to spray water on the surface of the bowl 801 (timing t1). The time for spraying the clean water is, for example, about 4 seconds (timing t1 to t2). In this way, the filth attached to the surface of the bowl 801 can be reduced by wetting the surface of the bowl 801 before the user uses the toilet bowl 800.

  When an instruction to start human body cleaning is input from the operation unit 500 according to the operation of the user, the control unit 405 opens the electromagnetic valve 431, and connects only the bidet cleaning water discharge port 474a and the buttocks cleaning water discharge port 474b to the water guiding unit. The flow path switching unit 472 is driven so as to communicate with the 20 pipe lines 20a (timing t3). Thereby, the control part 405 wash | cleans the path | route from the water supply source 10 to the bidet washing | cleaning water outlet 474a and the butt washing water outlet 474b in the state which accommodated the nozzle 473. FIG.

  Moreover, the control part 405 starts the production | generation of warm water by operating the heat exchanger unit 440 at this timing. More specifically, the operation of the heat exchanger unit 440 is started when the detection value of the flow sensor 442 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Thereby, it can suppress starting heating in the state without water in the heat exchanger unit 440. FIG. The so-called empty cooking of the heat exchanger unit 440 can be suppressed. Therefore, strictly speaking, the timing of starting the operation of the heat exchanger unit 440 is slightly delayed from the timing at which an instruction to start human body washing is input (the timing at which the electromagnetic valve 431 is opened).

  In addition, when an instruction to start washing the human body is input, the control unit 405 turns on the light emitting element 462 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 and starts irradiation of ultraviolet rays with respect to the water flowing through the flow path 461. Thereby, germs contained in the water flowing through the flow path 461 can be reduced, and safe washing water can be supplied to the nozzle 473. In this example, the flow path 461 is filled with water by spraying water onto the surface of the bowl 801 in response to detection by the human body detection sensor 403. Accordingly, even when the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is driven substantially simultaneously with the instruction to start the human body cleaning, the ultraviolet ray is irradiated in a state where the flow path 461 is filled with water. As described above, the control unit 405 causes the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 to irradiate ultraviolet rays after filling the flow path 461 with water. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the irradiation of ultraviolet rays in a state where there is no water in the channel 461 and to suppress the deterioration of the channel 461 due to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays.

  The control unit 405 drives the flow path switching unit 472 so that only the nozzle cleaning chamber 478 communicates with the pipe line 20a of the water guide unit 20 and drives the nozzle motor 476 after cleaning for a predetermined time. The nozzle 473 is advanced into the bowl 801 while cleaning the body of the nozzle 473 (timing t4).

  The control unit 405 moves the nozzle 473 into the bowl and then switches the flow channel switching unit 472 so that only one of the bidet cleaning water discharge port 474a and the buttocks cleaning water discharge port 474b communicates with the conduit 20a of the water guide unit 20. To start the human body cleaning (timing t5).

  When the control unit 405 is instructed to stop the human body cleaning from the operation unit 500, the control unit 405 drives the flow path switching unit 472 so that only the nozzle cleaning chamber 478 communicates with the conduit 20 a of the water guide unit 20, and the nozzle motor 476. By driving the nozzle 473, the nozzle 473 is housed in the casing 400 while cleaning the body of the nozzle 473 (timing t6).

  After the storage of the nozzle 473 is completed, the control unit 405 drives the flow path switching unit 472 so that only the bidet cleaning water discharge port 474a and the butt cleaning water discharge port 474b communicate with the pipe line 20a of the water guide unit 20. The path from the water supply source 10 to the nozzle 473 is washed (timing t7).

  After performing the cleaning for a predetermined time, the control unit 405 closes the electromagnetic valve 431 and stops the operations of the heat exchanger unit 440 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 (timing t8). In this way, the control unit 405 closes the electromagnetic valve 431 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the instruction to stop the human body cleaning, and emits ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 until the predetermined time has elapsed from the instruction to start the human body cleaning. Irradiate. The predetermined time is, for example, the sum of the time required for the backward movement of the nozzle 473 and the time required for cleaning the path between the water supply source 10 and the nozzle 473.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the user by the human body detection sensor 403, the control unit 405 connects the bidet cleaning water outlet 474a, the cleaning water outlet 474b, the nozzle cleaning chamber 478, and the spray nozzle 479 to the pipe line 20a. By driving the flow path switching unit 472 so as to communicate with each other, the operation of draining the water accumulated in the nozzle 473 is performed (timing t9). At this time, when the water in the vacuum breaker 452 is reduced, the intake port of the vacuum breaker 452 is opened and air is taken into the pipe line 20a. As a result, drainage of the portion downstream of the vacuum breaker 452 is promoted.

  The control unit 405 drains the water for a predetermined time, and then drives the flow path switching unit 472 to each of the bidet cleaning water outlet 474a, the cleaning water outlet 474b, the nozzle cleaning chamber 478, and the spray nozzle 479 and the pipe line 20a. Is closed (timing t10).

  The control unit 405 opens the electromagnetic valve 431 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the water draining operation, and the flow path so that only the bidet cleaning water discharge port 474a and the buttocks cleaning water discharge port 474b communicate with the pipe line 20a of the water guiding unit 20. The switching unit 472 is driven (timing t11). Further, the control unit 405 operates the electrolytic cell unit 450. Thereby, the control part 405 wash | cleans the path | route from the water supply source 10 to the bidet washing | cleaning water outlet 474a and the butt washing water outlet 474b with functional water in the state which accommodated the nozzle 473. FIG. For example, the controller 405 sterilizes the path between the electrolytic cell unit 450 and the nozzle 473 with functional water.

  The control unit 405 drives the flow path switching unit 472 so that only the nozzle cleaning chamber 478 communicates with the pipe line 20a of the water guide unit 20 and drives the nozzle motor 476 after cleaning for a predetermined time. The nozzle 473 is advanced and retracted, and the body of the nozzle 473 is washed with functional water (timing t11 to t12). For example, the body of the nozzle 473 is sterilized with functional water.

  After cleaning the body of the nozzle 473, the control unit 405 cleans the path between the electrolytic cell unit 450 and the nozzle 473 with functional water again, closes the electromagnetic valve 431, and stops the operation of the electrolytic cell unit 450. (Timing t13 to t14).

  The controller 405 sterilizes the nozzle 473 and then performs the water draining operation again (timing t15). At this time, the control unit 405 drives the nozzle motor 476 to move the nozzle 473 back and forth (timing t16 to t17). Thereby, for example, the difference in height between the vacuum breaker 452 and each of the water discharge ports 474a and 474b becomes large, and the water can be drained more reliably in the downstream portion than the vacuum breaker 452.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating another operation of the sanitary washing device according to the first embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the operation unit 500 instructs the start of the human body cleaning again immediately after the operation unit 500 instructs the stop of the human body cleaning (timing t <b> 21), the control unit 405 controls the nozzle 473 as it is. Advance (timing t22). In other words, the control unit 405 reverses the driving of the nozzle 473 from the backward movement to the advancement when the start of the human body washing is instructed again before the nozzle 473 is accommodated in the casing 400. Then, after completing the advancement of the nozzle 473, the control unit 405 starts cleaning the human body (timing t23). Thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed.

  In the sanitary washing device 100, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 460 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the instruction to stop the human body washing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, when a start instruction is input again immediately after an instruction to stop human body washing, even if the nozzle 473 is advanced and the human body washing is started immediately, It can suppress that the water which has not been irradiated falls on a human body.

  For example, when the ultraviolet irradiation of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is stopped in response to the instruction to stop the human body cleaning, that is, when the ultraviolet irradiation of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is stopped at the timing t6 in FIG. There is a concern that the water that has not been irradiated with the ultraviolet rays remaining in 20a may fall on the human body.

  Further, when the start of human body washing is instructed again while the nozzle 473 is being retracted, it is conceivable that the nozzle 473 is once retracted and then switched to advance. However, in such an operation, the start of the human body cleaning is delayed by the amount by which the backward movement of the nozzle 473 is completed.

  In the sanitary washing device 100, when the start of human body cleaning is instructed again while the nozzle 473 is being retracted, the nozzle 473 is advanced as it is to start human body washing. Thereby, compared with the case where retreat is completed, the delay of the start of human body washing | cleaning can be decreased. And also in this case, it can suppress that the water which is not irradiated with an ultraviolet-ray falls on a human body. Therefore, the sanitary washing device 100 can supply safe washing water and obtain a good operation.

  For example, when the resumption of human body washing is instructed after the backward movement of the nozzle 473 is completed, water that is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays can be pushed out by washing the body of the nozzle 473. Accordingly, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is driven until at least the backward movement of the nozzle 473 is completed (until timing t7 in FIG. 4). Thereby, it can suppress that the water which is not irradiated with an ultraviolet-ray falls on a human body.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a modified example of the operation of the sanitary washing device according to the first embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, in this example, the control unit 405 temporarily stops driving the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 in response to an instruction to stop the human body cleaning (timing t31 to t32). For example, during a period until a predetermined time elapses from the instruction to stop the human body cleaning (between timings t6 to t8 in FIG. 4), even if the driving of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is stopped for a short time, the ultraviolet irradiation is performed. No water can be pushed out by washing the body of the nozzle 473. Even if the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is temporarily stopped, the contact of water not irradiated with ultraviolet rays with the human body can be appropriately suppressed.

  As described above, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 may include a section in which ultraviolet rays are not irradiated within a range that does not impair the effect of reducing the bacteria until a predetermined time elapses from the instruction to start the human body cleaning. Thereby, for example, power saving of the sanitary washing device 100 can be achieved. For example, the lifetime of the light emitting element 462 can be extended. The driving method of the light emitting element 462 may be a method of switching on and off at high speed, such as a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating a modified example of the operation of the sanitary washing device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, in this example, the control unit 405 does not spray water on the surface of the bowl 801 in response to detection by the human body detection sensor 403. In this way, the spraying of water onto the surface of the bowl 801 may be performed as necessary and can be omitted.

  In this case, the control unit 405 delays the timing t42 at which the driving of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is started from the timing t41 at which the instruction to start the human body cleaning is input. In other words, the control unit 405 delays the timing to start driving the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 from the timing at which the electromagnetic valve 431 is opened.

  Thereby, even when the spraying of water on the surface of the bowl 801 is omitted, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays after filling the flow path 461 with water. It is possible to suppress the irradiation of ultraviolet rays in a state where there is no water in the channel 461 and to suppress the deterioration of the channel 461 due to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. The timing for starting the driving of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 may be appropriately set in a range in which the flow path 461 is filled with water and the water after the ultraviolet irradiation is in time for the start of human body cleaning.

  For example, a resin material (coating material) for suppressing corrosion or the like may be applied to the surface of the metal reflecting portion 468 (a surface in contact with water flowing in the flow path 461). In such a case, if ultraviolet rays are directly incident on the resin material in the state where there is no water in the flow path 461, the surface state of the resin material may be mutated and the surface unevenness may be increased. Such surface irregularities reduce the reflectivity of ultraviolet rays and impair the effect of reducing bacteria contained in water. In the sanitary washing device 100, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 460 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays after filling the flow path 461 with water. Thereby, it can suppress that the unevenness | corrugation of the resin material surface becomes large. Therefore, even when a resin material or the like is applied to the surface of the reflecting portion 468 (the inner surface of the flow path 461), bacteria contained in water can be appropriately reduced.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the sanitary washing device according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the sanitary washing device 102, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is provided between the check valve 433 and the heat exchanger unit 440. In the sanitary washing device 102, a vacuum breaker 452 is provided between the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 and the nozzle 473. As described above, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 may be arranged on the upstream side of the vacuum breaker 452.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating a specific example of the operation of the sanitary washing device according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 9, the operation at timings t50 to t67 is substantially the same as the operation at timings t0 to t17 described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the sanitary washing device 102, the control unit 405 operates the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 when the state where the electromagnetic valve 431 is closed is continued for a predetermined time (timing t68). Then, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time (timing t68 to t69).

  The water upstream of the vacuum breaker 452 of the water guide section 20 is filled with water even after the draining operation. For this reason, when the state in which the electromagnetic valve 431 is closed is continued for a predetermined time, that is, when the nozzle 473 is not used for a long time, bacteria may increase in the water accumulated in the flow path 461. There is.

  For this reason, in the sanitary washing apparatus 102, when the state which closed the electromagnetic valve 431 is continued for the predetermined time, the ultraviolet irradiation part 460 is operated. Accordingly, even when the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is arranged on the upstream side of the vacuum breaker 452, the increase of bacteria in the flow path 461 due to long-term non-use is suppressed, and the safety of the sanitary washing device 102 is further improved. be able to. In this example, the case where the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is arranged on the upstream side of the vacuum breaker 452 is illustrated, but the ultraviolet irradiation unit 460 is operated when the electromagnetic valve 431 is closed for a predetermined time. The configuration can be implemented in any configuration in which water can accumulate in the flow path 461.

  In the said embodiment, the sanitary washing apparatus 100 and the toilet bowl 800 united and illustrated the integrated toilet apparatus. The sanitary washing device may be, for example, a so-called seat-type toilet seat device that is detachably attached to the toilet bowl.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element included in the sanitary washing device 100 and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Water supply source, 20 Water conveyance part, 21 Butt washing channel, 22 Soft washing channel, 23 Bidet washing channel, 24 Surface washing channel, 25 Spray channel, 100, 102 Sanitary washing device, 200 Toilet seat, 300 Toilet Lid, 310 transmission window, 400 casing, 401 power supply circuit, 403 human body detection sensor, 404 seating detection sensor, 405 control unit, 407 exhaust port, 408 discharge port, 409 recessed portion, 431 solenoid valve, 432 pressure regulating valve, 433 reverse Stop valve, 440 Heat exchanger unit, 442 Flow rate sensor, 450 Electrolytic cell unit, 452 Vacuum breaker, 454 Pressure modulator, 460 Ultraviolet irradiation unit, 461 Channel, 462 Light emitting element, 463 Ultraviolet irradiation window, 464 Packing, 465 Lid Part, 466 substrate, 467 body part, 46 Reflecting portion, 471 flow rate adjusting unit, 472 flow path switching unit, 473 nozzles, 474a bidet spout, 474b wash water discharge port, 476 nozzle motor, 478 nozzle cleaning chamber, 479 spray nozzle, 500 operation unit, 800 the toilet, 801 bowl

Claims (3)

A nozzle that discharges water toward the human body,
A water conduit that has a conduit from a water supply source to the nozzle, and guides water supplied from the water supply source to the nozzle;
An electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the pipe;
An ultraviolet irradiating unit provided between the electromagnetic valve and the nozzle on the path of the water guiding unit, and having a flow path for flowing water and a light emitting unit for irradiating the water flowing through the flow path with ultraviolet light;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the solenoid valve and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in accordance with an input of an instruction to stop the indication and the human body washing of the start of the human body washing for ejecting water toward the human private,
With
The controller is configured to perform post-cleaning after cleaning the nozzle after stopping the cleaning of the human body, and to irradiate the ultraviolet irradiation unit with ultraviolet rays when performing the human body cleaning and the post-cleaning . Sanitary washing device characterized by that.   The sanitary washing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the ultraviolet irradiation unit to irradiate ultraviolet rays after filling the flow path with water. A vacuum breaker that takes in air into the pipe line when there is no flow of water in the water guide,
The ultraviolet irradiation unit is disposed upstream of the vacuum breaker,
The sanitary washing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the ultraviolet irradiation unit to irradiate ultraviolet rays when the state where the electromagnetic valve is closed continues for a predetermined time.

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