JP6937994B2 - urinal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a urinal, and more particularly to a urinal that cleans the bowl surface with spouted wash water.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, the urinal is provided with a urine detection sensor that detects urine movement by the flow of urine and an adjusting means for adjusting water supply to the bowl portion. In this urinal, it is known that the urine detection sensor detects the urine flow and at the same time the adjusting means is fully opened to supply water to the bowl portion in order to reduce the concentration of urine. In this urinal, the urine detection sensor of the urinal detects the urine flow, and at the same time, the adjusting means is fully opened, and the main washing water discharge is started in the bowl portion. This main washing water discharge is continued even after the urine detection sensor is not detected, and the bowl portion is thoroughly washed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-149415 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-22931

Yoshu Fujioka, Nobuhiro Tomomechi, Hachinohe Institute of Technology: Configuration of feature extraction system for urine flow curve pattern classification, Measurement and Automatic Control Society Tohoku Branch 250th Workshop, Document No. 250-5 (2009.6.19)

However, in the urinal described in Patent Document 1 described above, the main washing water discharge for sufficiently washing the bowl portion is performed from the start of the detection of the urine detection sensor to the end of the detection. There is a problem that the amount of washing water discharged in each washing operation increases as compared with a urinal that does not discharge water. Furthermore, if the main washing water discharge is continued during urination when the user's urination is relatively long, the increase in the amount of washing water becomes more problematic. With the recent demand for water saving of washing water, it is an issue to achieve water saving of the amount of washing water of diluted urine spout in urinals.
Further, in the urinal described in Patent Document 1, since the main washing water discharge is continued from the start of detection to the end of detection, a large amount of washing water is unnecessarily discharged in response to a change in the flow rate of the urine flow of the user. There is a problem that it is not possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged, and there is a problem that urine dilution cannot be efficiently realized.

Further, as described in Patent Document 2, in the urinal, preliminary cleaning is performed for 6 seconds from the start of detection by the human body detection sensor to moisten the entire inner surface of the toilet bowl, and the human body detection sensor does not detect after the preliminary cleaning. It is known that a constant flow of washing water is discharged so as to prevent the odor from rising from the toilet bowl during the urination operation until the urination becomes.

However, in the urinal described in Patent Document 2 described above, a constant flow rate of washing water is continuously discharged during the urination operation until the detection of the human body detection sensor is completed. In response to the change, a large amount of washing water may be discharged unnecessarily, and there is a problem that it is not possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and problems of the prior art, and achieves water saving of the amount of washing water discharged in the urine-diluted water discharge mode and efficiently realizes urine dilution. The purpose is to provide a urinal that can be used.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a urinal that cleans the bowl surface with the discharged wash water, and forms the bowl surface that receives urination and forms a drain port at the bottom thereof. The presence or absence or use of a urinal body provided with a drain trap that communicates with the drain port of the bowl portion, a water discharge section that discharges wash water to the bowl surface, and a user who uses the urinal body. It is equipped with a detection sensor that detects the urine flow that a person urinates into the urinal body, a flow rate adjusting device that can change the flow rate of water discharged from the water discharge unit, and a control unit that controls the discharge of wash water by the water discharge unit. The control unit executes a urine-diluted water discharge mode in which water is discharged from the water discharge unit while the detection sensor is in the detection state, and the control unit detects the urine-diluted water discharge mode in the urine-diluted water discharge mode. After the state is reached, water discharge is started at the beginning of the first period, water discharge is continued in the second period following the first period, and the detection sensor is in the non-detection state in the third period following the second period. Water discharge is continued until the water is discharged, and the flow rate adjusting device is controlled to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate in the third period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period.
Normally, it is assumed that the flow rate of urine flow due to urination of the user gradually increases from the start of urination, reaches the maximum flow rate, and then gradually decreases in the latter half of urination. Therefore, according to the present invention, after the detection sensor is in the detection state, the control unit starts water discharge at the beginning of the first period, continues water discharge in the second period following the first period, and continues the water discharge in the second period. In the third period following, water discharge is continued until the detection sensor is in the non-detection state, and the flow rate adjusting device is controlled so that the water discharge flow rate in the third period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period. Let the water spout so that it becomes. Therefore, according to the present invention, in the third period until the detection sensor is in the non-detection state, the control unit is based on the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period according to the decrease in the urine flow rate. Water is discharged so that the flow rate of water discharged in the third period becomes small. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode according to the decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination, and to efficiently realize the urine dilution. ..

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so as to reduce the water discharge flow rate within the period of the third period.
In the present invention configured as described above, the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so as to reduce the water discharge flow rate within the period of the third period. As a result, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the water discharge portion within the period of the third period is reduced without increasing, for example, gradually reduced or stepwise reduced including a certain portion. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode and to realize more efficient urine dilution in accordance with the decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit changes the reduction rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first reduction rate to the second reduction rate with respect to the water discharge flow rate in the third period, and the first reduction rate is The flow rate adjusting device is controlled so as to be larger than the second reduction rate.
In the present invention configured as described above, the control unit changes the reduction rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first reduction rate to the second reduction rate with respect to the water discharge flow rate in the third period, and the first reduction rate. The flow rate adjusting device is controlled so that the rate is larger than the second reduction rate. As a result, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of wash water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode in response to the non-linear decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination, and to realize more efficient urine dilution. can.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate in the first period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period. ..
In the present invention configured as described above, the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate in the first period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period. .. At this time, the flow rate of the urine flow due to the user's urination gradually increases from the initial stage of urination, and since there is almost no urine in the drain trap at the initial stage of urination, the urine concentration in the drain trap remains relatively low. There is. Therefore, as the flow rate of the urine flow in the initial stage of urination gradually increases, it is possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode and to realize efficient urine dilution.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so as to increase the water discharge flow rate within the period of the first period.
In the present invention configured as described above, the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so as to increase the discharge water flow rate within the period of the first period. As a result, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the water discharge portion is increased without decreasing within the period of the first period, for example, it is gradually increased or is increased stepwise including a certain portion. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode in accordance with the increase in the flow rate of the urine flow at the initial stage of urination, and to realize more efficient urine dilution.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit changes the rate of increase in the water discharge rate per unit time from the first rate of increase to the second rate of increase with respect to the water discharge rate in the first period, and the second rate of increase is The flow rate adjusting device is controlled so as to be larger than the first rate of increase.
In the present invention configured as described above, the control unit changes the water discharge flow rate in the first period from the first increase rate to the second increase rate and increases the second increase rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time. The flow rate adjusting device is controlled so that the rate is larger than the first rate of increase. As a result, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of wash water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode in response to the non-linear increase in the flow rate of the urine flow at the initial stage of urination, and to realize more efficient urine dilution. can.

In the present invention, preferably, the detection sensor is a urine detection sensor that detects urination to the urinal body.
In the present invention configured as described above, since the urine flow is detected by the urine detection sensor, the timing at which the user urinates can be measured more accurately. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode, and to realize more efficient urine dilution.

According to the urinal of the present invention, it is possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode and to efficiently realize urine dilution.

A part of the drain trap pipeline of the urinal before the user urinates is enlarged and shown, and urinary stones are generated even in a very short time in an environment where organic matter stains including biofilm are formed. It is a figure explaining a new finding. After the user urinates, it shows that the drain trap pipeline is filled with urine until the urinal is washed, and it is very short in an environment where organic stains including biofilm are formed. It is a figure explaining a new finding that a urinary stone occurs even in time. Even in a very short time in an environment where the main cleaning operation of the urinal is performed and the urine in the drain trap pipeline is replaced with new cleaning water and organic stains including biofilm are formed. It is a figure explaining a new finding that a urinary stone occurs. After the user urinates, the drain trap pipeline shown in FIG. 1A is almost filled with wash water having a relatively high urine concentration, and the same degree in an environment where organic stains including biofilm are formed. It is a figure explaining the new finding that the difference in the amount of urine stones generated is caused by the difference in the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline and the horizontal pulling pipe during this period. The state of the drain trap pipe shown in FIG. 2A after the main cleaning operation is performed. It is a figure explaining the new finding that the difference in the amount of urinary stones generated is caused by the difference in the urine concentration of the washing water in the pipe. After the user urinates, the drain trap pipeline shown in FIG. 1A is almost filled with wash water having a relatively low urine concentration, and the same degree in an environment where organic stains including biofilm are formed. It is a figure explaining the new finding that the difference in the amount of urine stones generated is caused by the difference in the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline and the horizontal pulling pipe during this period. The state of the drain trap pipeline shown in FIG. 2C after the main cleaning operation is performed. It is a figure explaining the new finding that the difference in the amount of urinary stones generated is caused by the difference in the urine concentration of the washing water in the pipe. It is a figure which shows the thickness of organic matter dirt with respect to the number of times of use for each urine concentration of the washing water in a drain trap pipe at the time of urination of a user. It is a figure which shows the mechanism of the generation of organic matter contamination containing a biofilm in the drain trap pipeline 14 shown in FIG. 1A. The drain trap pipeline shown in FIG. 4A is almost filled with wash water having a relatively high urine concentration. It is a figure explaining a new finding that the mechanism of the above is different and the increase in the thickness of organic stains is different. As shown in FIG. 4B, it is a figure for explaining that the reaction for precipitating magnesium ammonium phosphate becomes dominant when a high pH environment is generated in the drain trap pipeline. It is a figure explaining the state that magnesium ammonium phosphate produced crystalline urinary stone with a relatively large particle size by the reaction as shown in FIG. 4C. The drain trap pipeline shown in FIG. 4A is almost filled with wash water having a relatively low urine concentration. It is a figure explaining a new finding that the mechanism of the above is different and the increase in the thickness of organic stains is different. It is a figure explaining that the reaction for precipitating calcium phosphate becomes dominant in the environment where the pH rise in a drain trap pipe is suppressed to be relatively low as shown in FIG. 4E. It is a figure explaining the state that calcium phosphate produced amorphous urinary stone with a relatively small particle size by the reaction as shown in FIG. 4F. It is a perspective view of the urinal according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the urinal according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing seen along the line VII-VII of FIG. It is a top view of the urinal according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the automatic cleaning unit of the urinal by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view of the spreader of the urinal according to one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side sectional view of the spreader of the urinal by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation of the controller for each use by the user in the urinal by 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the urinal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline is used as a comparative example when the urine dilution water discharge mode is executed or when the urine dilution water discharge mode is not executed. It is a figure which shows in comparison with the case of executing the urine dilution water discharge mode in which the discharge water flow rate is constant. It is a figure which shows the time change of the standard urine flow rate in comparison with the time change of the discharge water flow rate in the urinal according to the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a central sectional view of the urinal according to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the urinal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline is used as a comparative example when the urine dilution water discharge mode is executed or when the urine dilution water discharge mode is not executed. It is a figure which shows in comparison with the case of executing the urine dilution water discharge mode in which the discharge water flow rate is constant. It is a figure which shows the time change of the standard urine flow rate in comparison with the time change of the discharge water flow rate in the urinal according to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Through diligent research, the present inventors have found the following new findings that urinary stones are generated even in a very short time in an environment where organic stains including biofilms are formed.

Conventionally, the mechanism of urinary stone generation focusing on inorganic stains such as urinary stone has been known as follows. In this mechanism, after using the user's urinal, urine accumulates in the drain trap line and the horizontal pipe, and general bacteria adhere to the accumulated urine. In the metabolic process of this general bacterium, an enzyme called urease is excreted. Urea in urine is decomposed by this urease enzyme to generate ammonia. When ammonia becomes water-soluble, the pH in the liquid containing urine rises and becomes alkaline. In a relatively high environment where the pH exceeds 8.0 to 8.5, the solubility of Ca and Mg carbonates and phosphates contained in urine decreases, so that these salts are contained in the urine. It precipitates and adheres to the drain trap pipeline and the horizontal pipe as urine stone. It has been considered that the generation of urinary stones of such inorganic stains progresses relatively slowly over a relatively long period of 2 hours or more.

On the other hand, the present inventors have newly focused on organic stains different from inorganic stains among the stains generated in the drain trap pipeline and the horizontal pipe, and in an environment where organic stains including biofilm are formed. It was found that urinary stones are generated even in a very short time of about several seconds.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the mechanism of generation of urinary stone U in a short time focuses on the organic matter stain V including the biofilm, and is explained as follows.
Organic matter stain V is formed by combining biofilms centered on EPS (Extracellular Poly Succharide) released in the process of growth of bacteria X such as general bacteria, proteins contained in urine, and the like. .. Such organic dirt V is known as slime in the pipe and forms a very viscous mucus. In such a biofilm of organic matter stain V, bacteria X adhering to the drain trap pipe line 14 and the horizontal pipe 3 and the like generate a polysaccharide polymer outside the cells, and the cells are detached by being wrapped in the polymer. It is believed that it will be suppressed and will develop.

In FIG. 1A, a part of the drain trap line 14 of the urinal before the user urinates into the urinal is shown in an enlarged manner. The drain trap pipeline 14 shown in FIG. 1A is in a state after the user has continued to use the urinal 1 many times. The drain trap pipeline 14 stores the wash water discharged in the previous main wash / discharge mode. Hereinafter, the states and reactions in the drain trap line 14 are described in FIGS. 1A to 4G, but the state and reaction in the equipment pipe on the downstream side of the drain trap line 14 such as the horizontal pulling pipe 3 are also described. It is almost the same, and is also applied to the horizontal pulling pipe 3 and the like.

When a biofilm of organic stain V is formed in the drain trap pipeline 14 after the user uses the urinal 1, the bacterium X generates and develops this biofilm. Biofilm forms a sponge-like internal structure, which is easy to hold the bacteria X or ammonia (or ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺⁾ in the interior. Bacteria X is discharged urease enzyme, the urease enzyme to decompose the urea in the urine, ammonia (or ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺⁾ is generated. Thus, the biofilm neighboring region in a state of ammonia (or ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺⁾ are abundant. Organic ammonia in the liquid in the vicinity of stains V rises to a relatively high value the pH is in the region in the vicinity of the organic dirt V by causing to ammonium ion NH ₄ and ⁺ water. The pH of the high pH environment region Y in the vicinity of the organic matter stain V containing the biofilm is 8 or more, preferably 9 or more, preferably 8 to 10 or more.

In FIG. 1B, in a urinal having a drain trap pipeline 14 in the state shown in FIG. 1A, a drain trap is performed in a relatively short period of time until the user urinates and the urinal is cleaned. It shows a state in which the inside of the conduit 14 is almost filled with urine. When this urine touches or approaches the high pH environment region Y in the vicinity of the organic matter stain V, carbonates, phosphates, etc. of Ca and Mg contained in the urine are precipitated, and it takes a very short time of about several seconds. A mechanism was found in which urinary stone U was generated.

In FIG. 1C, after the urinal is washed from the state where the inside of the drain trap line 14 as shown in FIG. 1B is almost filled with urine, the urine in the drain trap line 14 is fresh. It shows the state of being replaced with wash water. Although the urine in the drain trap pipeline 14 is replaced with fresh washing water, the precipitated urine stone U remains adsorbed by the organic matter stain V. Since the biofilm forms a sponge-like internal structure, the urinary stone U is also easily retained. It was also found that when the urinary stone U is attached in this way, the bacterium X is more likely to be attached to the urinary stone U itself, and the generation of the urinary stone U is further promoted. In this way, it was found that urinary stones were deposited on the organic matter stain V in a short time and the urinary stones U were laminated by accumulating the washing for a short time each time.

Based on such new findings, the present inventors suppressed the operation of the mechanism that generates urinary stones in a relatively short time when the washing water containing urine comes into contact with the biofilm, and the drain trap pipeline 14 And a technique for suppressing the generation of urinary stones in the horizontal pulling pipe 3 was invented.

Furthermore, the present inventors have conducted diligent research, and in an environment where organic stains including biofilms are formed, the urine of the washing water in the drain trap pipe 14 and the horizontal pipe is urine in the same period. We found the following new findings that the amount of urinary stones generated differs depending on the concentration.

In FIG. 2A, in the urinal having the drain trap line 14 as shown in FIG. 1A, the drain trap line is used in a relatively short period of time until the user urinates and the urinal is washed. It shows a state in which the inside of 14 is almost filled with the washing water having a relatively high urine concentration. When the washing water having a relatively high urine concentration touches or approaches the high pH environment region Y in the vicinity of the organic matter stain V, a relatively large amount of urine stone U is generated in a very short time of about several seconds.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the urinal stone U generated in a relatively large amount is organically contaminated V even after the urinal cleaning operation is performed and the cleaning water in the drain trap pipeline 14 is replaced with new cleaning water. It remains adsorbed to the toilet.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the user urinates, the washing water having a relatively high urine concentration flows into the drain trap pipe line 14 repeatedly every time the urinal is used. A large amount of generated urine stone U accumulates on the drain trap pipeline 14, and makes the thickness of the organic matter stain V relatively large.

On the other hand, in FIG. 2C, in the urinal having the drain trap pipeline 14 as shown in FIG. 1A, the drain trap is performed in a relatively short time until the user urinates and the urinal is washed. It shows a state in which the inside of the pipe line 14 is almost filled with the washing water having a relatively low urine concentration. When the washing water having a relatively low urine concentration touches or approaches the high pH environment region Y in the vicinity of the organic matter stain V, a relatively small amount of urine stone U is generated in a very short time of about several seconds. In this way, the amount of urinary stone U generated depends on the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipe 14 in the same time each time after the user urinates until the urinal washing operation is performed. Findings were found. Therefore, it was also found that the amount of urinary stone U deposited can be suppressed if the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the urinary stone U generated in a relatively small amount also remains adsorbed on the organic matter stain V after the urinal cleaning operation is performed.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the user urinates, the flush water having a relatively low urine concentration flows into the drain trap line 14 repeatedly when the urinal is used, which is relatively high. Since a small amount of urinary stone U accumulates on the drain trap pipeline 14, the thickness of the organic dirt V can be suppressed. It was also found that the difference in the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14 at the time of urination of each user becomes a larger difference in the thickness of the organic matter stain V as the number of times of use increases.

Furthermore, the present inventors have conducted intensive research, and as a result, the mechanism of urine stone generation differs due to the difference in the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pipe, and the thickness of the organic stain V increases. We found the following findings that there is a difference.

In FIG. 4A, the mechanism of generation of organic matter stain V including biofilm in the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 as shown in FIG. 1A described above is shown schematically again. As shown in step (a) in FIG. 4A, the user's urine adheres to the drain trap pipeline 14, and the bacterium X adheres to the urine and proliferates on the drain trap pipeline 14. With the passage of time and / or the increase in the number of times the urinal 1 is used, the process proceeds from step (a) to step (b) in FIG. 4A.

As shown in step (b) in FIG. 4A, a biofilm of organic matter stain V is formed in the drain trap pipeline 14. Next, the process proceeds from step (b) to step (c). As shown in step (c) in FIG. 4A, the biofilm is made easily retain bacteria X or ammonia (or ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺⁾ in the interior. Bacterial X internal biofilm discharged urease enzyme Z, the urease enzyme Z decomposes urea in the urine, ammonia (or ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺⁾ is to be generated. As described above, in the state before the user urinates in the urinal, a part of the drain trap pipeline 14 of the urinal is in a state where the organic matter stain V as shown in FIG. 4A (c) is formed. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when urine with a relatively high urine concentration and / or wash water flows into the drain trap conduit 14 in which the organic matter stain V as shown in FIG. 4A (c) is formed, urea is compared. Since there is a large amount of urea in the urine, which is decomposed by urease enzyme Z, a relatively large amount of urea is generated and a relatively large amount of ammonia is generated. Causing an ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺ by these ammonia to water, rises to a relatively high value the pH of the region near the organic dirt V.

As shown in FIG. 4C, in a high pH environment as shown in FIG. 4B, inorganic substance in a liquid containing urine, for example _{^{Ca 2+, Mg 2+, NH 4}} +, the reaction PO ₄ ^3- and the like with ammonia Then, the reaction of precipitating magnesium ammonium phosphate becomes dominant. Magnesium ammonium phosphate is a urinary stone component that is easily produced from urine in an alkaline environment.

As shown in FIG. 4D, magnesium ammonium phosphate produces crystalline urinary stones with a relatively large particle size. FIG. 4D is an image obtained by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and has a display magnification of 2000 times. As will be described later, this image captures the organic matter stains obtained by an experiment that reproduces the generation of the organic matter stains in the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 of the urinal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It was done. When such urinary stones having a relatively large particle size are mixed in the biofilm, the thickness of the urinary stones and the thickness of the organic matter stain V are likely to increase. The thickness of the organic stain V mainly containing magnesium ammonium phosphate urinary stone is likely to be increased more than the thickness of the organic stain V containing urinary stone of calcium phosphate described later. As the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14 increases, the precipitation ratio of magnesium ammonium phosphate increases, and the thickness of the organic stain V increases.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4E, a case where urination and / or washing water having a relatively low urine concentration flows into the drain trap pipeline 14 in which the organic matter stain V as shown in FIG. 4A (c) is formed will be described. do. At this time, since the amount of urea is relatively small, the amount of urea in urine decomposed by urease enzyme Z is relatively small, and the generation of ammonia is relatively small. Therefore, increase in pH due to the ammonium ion NH ₄ ⁺ generated ammonia and water is relatively low suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 4F, in an environment where the pH increase is suppressed to be relatively low as shown in FIG. 4E, inorganic substances in the liquid including urine, for example, Ca ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , PO ₄ ^3-, etc. Dominate the reaction of reacting with each other to precipitate calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate is a urinary stone component that is more likely to be produced from urine even in an environment closer to neutral than in an environment in which magnesium ammonium phosphate is more likely to be produced from urine.

As shown in FIG. 4G, calcium phosphate produces amorphous urinary stones with relatively small particle sizes. FIG. 4G is an image obtained by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the display magnification is 2003 times. As will be described later, this image captures the organic matter stains obtained by an experiment that reproduces the generation of the organic matter stains in the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 of the urinal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It was done. Calcium phosphate urinary stones are smaller than magnesium ammonium phosphate urinary stones. By mixing such urinary stones having a relatively small particle size in the biofilm, the thickness of the urinary stones and the thickness of the organic matter stain V gradually increase. When urinary stone with a small particle size is the main component, the pace of increase in thickness is relatively slow, and it becomes difficult to increase the thickness. As the urine concentration in the washing water flowing into the drain trap pipeline 14 becomes lower, the precipitation ratio of calcium phosphate increases, and the thickness of the organic matter stain V becomes less likely to increase.

Based on such new findings, the present inventors suppress an increase in the urine concentration of the washing water flowing into the drain trap pipeline 14, and urine stones adhering to the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3. We have invented a technique for suppressing the thickness of the water.

Hereinafter, the structure of the urinal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the urinal 1 is a urinal that cleans the bowl surface with the discharged wash water. The urinal 1 includes a urinal body 2 which is a urinal body made of earthenware and an automatic cleaning unit 4 which is a water discharge device which automatically discharges washing water for cleaning the urinal body 2 to the urinal body 2. There is.
Regarding the urinal 1 of the present embodiment, the lowermost portion of the urinal body 2 is located above the floor surface K by a predetermined distance, and the back surface of the urinal body 2 is attached along the wall surface W behind it. Although the toilet bowl will be described, it may be a floor-standing type urinal in which the toilet bowl main body 2 is arranged directly on the floor surface K.
Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present invention, the floor surface K side is the lower side, the side opposite to the floor surface K across the urinal 1 and the upper side, and the front side of the wall surface W and the side facing the urinal 1 across the urinal 1 are the front side. The wall surface W side of the urinal 1 is the back side, and the left side is the left side and the right side is the right side when viewed from the front side.

A bowl portion 6 for receiving urination is formed on the front side of the toilet bowl main body 2, and a part of the automatic cleaning unit 4 is stored in the upper region of the toilet bowl main body 2 on the back side of the bowl portion 6. Storage room 8 is formed. Further, a drain port 10 is formed at the bottom of the bowl portion 6 of the toilet bowl main body 2. A perforated plate 12 is arranged at the drain port 10. The toilet body 2 is further provided with a drain trap pipeline 14 which is a drain trap that forms a sealing water inside the drain port 10 on the downstream side. The drain trap pipeline 14 communicates with the drain port 10. A horizontal pulling pipe 3 is connected to the downstream side of the drain trap pipeline 14 via a drain socket 15 or the like forming a flow path penetrating the wall surface W.

The drain trap pipeline 14 is formed as a water-saving trap so that the volume of the washing water stored in the drain trap pipeline 14 so as to form a sealing water is 200 ml or less. The drain trap line 14 of such a water-saving trap can replace the wash water in the drain trap line with a smaller amount of wash water than the conventional drain trap line having a volume of about 700 ml. The volume of the water-saving drain trap pipe 14 is preferably in the range of 40 ml to 200 ml, more preferably in the range of 120 ml to 200 ml, and more preferably in the range of 120 ml. Since such a water-saving type drain trap pipe has a volume smaller than the urine volume of the user's urine, the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipe 14 tends to be high, and this urine Is effective in suppressing the adhesion of urine stones in the drain trap pipe line 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3.

The drain trap pipeline 14 may be a drain trap in which the volume of the stored wash water is larger than 200 ml, for example, a conventional drain trap having a volume of about 700 ml. Even in the conventional drain trap pipeline, urine stones adhere to the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pull pipe 3 by diluting urine to suppress an increase in the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14. Is suppressed.

The drain trap pipeline 14 includes a descending pipeline 14a extending downward, a folded-back pipeline 14b extending laterally, and an ascending pipeline 14c extending upward. The descending pipeline 14a and the ascending pipeline 14c are separated by a common wall 14d. Since the drain trap pipeline is folded back before and after the common wall 14d, the drain trap pipeline 14 is downsized and the volume of the drain trap pipeline 14 is also reduced. In the central cross section shown in FIG. 7, the width 14e of the lower end of the descending pipe 14a in the front-rear direction and the width 14f of the lower end of the rising pipe 14c in the front-rear direction are formed to have substantially the same width, and the drain trap pipe 14 Is miniaturized in the front-back direction. Further, in the central cross section shown in FIG. 7, the width in the front-rear direction from the width 14f at the lower end of the rising pipe 14c to the width 14g at the upper end is formed to be substantially constant, and the drain trap pipe 14 is miniaturized in the front-rear direction. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic cleaning unit 4 stops the main water supply pipe 16 forming the main water supply channel 16a to which the cleaning water is supplied from a water supply source (not shown) such as a water supply, and the main water supply pipe 16. A pipe joint 24 that is connected to the downstream end of the main water supply pipe 16 and is a branch portion that branches the main water supply pipe 16 into the first water supply pipe 20 and the second water supply pipe 22. And have.
Further, in one of the first water supply pipes 20 branched from the main water supply pipe 16 by the pipe joint 24, the flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) of the washing water passing through the internal water supply passage (first water supply passage 20a) is provided. A first flow rate valve 26 for adjusting the first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / minute] is provided. The first flow valve 26 is formed so that the flow rate of the washing water passing through the first water supply channel 20a can be changed. The first flow valve 26 can function as a flow rate adjusting device when the washing water for diluting urine is supplied from the first water supply channel 20a side. The first flow valve 26 has a valve structure capable of continuously adjusting the opening degree of the water passage. The first flow valve 26 may have a valve structure capable of adjusting the opening degree of the water passage stepwise. A flow rate sensor for adjusting the flow rate of the passing washing water to an appropriate flow rate may be provided in the first water supply channel 20a.

Further, on the downstream side of the first flow valve 26, a first on-off valve 28 for opening and closing the first water supply channel 20a is provided. At the downstream end of the first water supply channel 20a on the downstream side of the first on-off valve 28, a spreader 30 (water discharge portion) which is a part of a water discharge device for discharging wash water into the bowl portion 6 is provided. The first water discharge portion 32 of the spreader 30 is connected to the downstream end portion of the first water supply channel 20a. In the present embodiment, the first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / min] is preferably in the range of 8 [liter / min] to 17 [liter / min], more preferably 8 [liter / min] to 12. It is set in the range of [liters / minute], even more preferably 9 [liters / minute].

On the other hand, in the other second water supply pipe 22 branched from the main water supply pipe 16 by the pipe joint 24, the flow rate (instantaneous flow rate) of the washing water passing through the internal water supply channel (second water supply channel 22a). A second flow valve 34 is provided for adjusting the flow rate to a second predetermined flow rate Q2 [liter / minute] lower than the first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / minute]. The second flow rate valve 34 is a flow rate adjusting device, and is formed so that the flow rate of the washing water passing through the second water supply channel 22a can be changed. The second flow valve 34 is formed so that the opening degree of the water passage can be continuously adjusted. The second flow valve 34 may be formed so that the opening degree of the water passage can be adjusted stepwise. The second flow valve 34 is controlled in response to a command from the controller 46. A flow rate sensor for adjusting the flow rate of the passing washing water to an appropriate flow rate may be provided in the second water supply channel 22a.

A second on-off valve 36 for opening and closing the second water supply channel 22a is provided on the downstream side of the second flow valve 34. A second water discharge portion 38 of the spreader 30 is connected to a downstream end portion of the second water supply channel 22a on the downstream side of the second on-off valve 36. In the present embodiment, the second predetermined flow rate Q2 [liter / min] is preferably set in the range of 0.1 [liter / min] to 8.0 [liter / min], and more preferably 0. It is set in the range of 1 [liter / minute] to 0.6 [liter / minute]. The flow rate difference between the first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / min] and the second predetermined flow rate Q2 [liter / min] is preferably 1.0 [liter / min] to 8.9 [liter / min]. It is set in the range of [minutes].

Next, on the downstream side of the second on-off valve 36, an electrolysis-releasing bacterial water unit 43 is provided via a check valve 40, and the electrolysis-releasing bacterial water unit 43 generates electrolysis-releasing bacterial water. An electrolytic cell (not shown) is provided, and the second water discharge unit 38 is provided with an electrolysis tank (not shown) to function as an electrolysis bacterial water supply unit.

Further, the automatic cleaning unit 4 is provided on the spreader 30 and stands on the front side (front side) of the toilet bowl body 2 to detect the presence or absence of a user who uses the toilet bowl body 2, and a detection sensor 44 as a human body detection sensor. The controller 46 is a control unit that receives a detection signal transmitted from the detection sensor 44 and controls the operation of each of the first on-off valve 28 and the second on-off valve 36 based on a predetermined control program or the like. ing.

The detection sensor 44 is an infrared type human body detection sensor. The detection sensor 44 stands in front of the toilet bowl body 2 and detects the presence or absence of a user who uses the toilet bowl body 2.

The controller 46 has a built-in CPU, memory, and the like, and can control other devices based on a predetermined control program and the like. The controller 46 controls the opening and closing operation of the first on-off valve 28 to control the start and end of water discharge in the main washing water discharge mode from the first water discharge unit 32. The controller 46 controls the opening / closing operation of the second on-off valve 36 to control the start and end of the urine dilution water discharge mode or the sterilized water discharge from the second water discharge unit 38. The controller 46 can control the flow rate of water discharged from the first water discharge unit 32 of the spreader 30 by controlling the opening degree of the first flow valve 26. The controller 46 can control the flow rate of water discharged from the second water discharge unit 38 of the spreader 30 by controlling the opening degree of the second flow valve 34.

The controller 46 has a urine dilution water discharge mode in which water is discharged from the second water discharge unit 38 during a predetermined period while the detection sensor 44 detects the use of the user, and the detection sensor 44 detects the use of the user. Before executing the main wash water discharge mode in which water is discharged from the first water discharge unit 32 and the urine dilution water discharge mode from the time t0 when the detection sensor 44 detects the use of the user and becomes the detection state. It is equipped with a standby mode that waits for a predetermined standby time and a control program that executes each of the standby modes. The controller 46 also includes a control program that executes other control contents.

In the present embodiment, the first water supply channel 20a and the second water supply channel 22a of the automatic cleaning unit 4 are separately formed, and the first water discharge port 60 and the second water discharge port 76 are separately formed. However, as a modification, the water may be supplied by one common water supply channel and discharged by one common spout. For example, the automatic cleaning unit 4 determines the flow rate of the cleaning water passing through the main water supply pipe 16, the first water supply pipe 20 connected to the downstream end of the main water supply pipe 16, and the first water supply pipe 20. It includes a first flow valve 26 formed so as to be changeable, and a first on-off valve 28 that opens and closes a first water supply channel 20a on the downstream side of the first flow valve 26. The first spout 60 of the first spout 32 is opened at the downstream end of the first water supply channel 20a. The automatic cleaning unit 4 omits the second water supply channel 22a and discharges water in the urine dilution water discharge mode via the first water supply channel 20a. Further, the second spout 76 is omitted, and the spout of the flow rate Q2 [liter / min] in the urine dilution spout mode is spouted from the first spout 60. In this way, water may be discharged from the first water discharge port 60 in the urine dilution water discharge mode.

Further, in the present embodiment, a second flow valve 34 is provided in the second water supply channel 22a branched from the main water supply pipe 16 of the automatic cleaning unit 4, and the flow rate of water discharged from the second water discharge portion 38 of the spreader 30 is measured. Although it is controlled, as a modification, a plurality of parallel flow paths are formed from the main water supply pipe 16 to the second water discharge portion 38, and the flow path through which the washing water is passed is changed to change the spreader 30. The water discharge flow rate from the second water discharge unit 38 may be changed. For example, the controller 46 controls an on-off valve that opens and closes each flow path provided in each flow path.

Next, the details of the bowl portion 6 in the toilet bowl main body of the urinal of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
A bowl surface 48 for receiving urination is formed on the surface of the bowl portion 6, and the bowl surface 48 has a substantially J-shaped shape when viewed from the side. The bowl surface 48 is formed so as to extend to the front surface 7 of the storage chamber 8 of the toilet bowl main body 2.
The bowl surface 48 has an arc-shaped front portion 48a whose front surface is open so as to face the user from the upper portion to the lower portion thereof. In the upper region where the spreader 30 is provided, the bowl surface 48 is not provided with a side surface portion protruding forward from the bowl surface in a wall shape as in the conventional case, and is formed only from the front surface portion 48a. Such a front portion 48a forms a forward curved surface such that the perpendicular line of the tangent line of its own curved surface faces the standing position of the user standing in front of the toilet bowl main body 2. That is, in the horizontal cross section, the front portion 48a is a line in which a perpendicular line extending in the horizontal direction with respect to a tangent line extending in the horizontal direction at all positions connects the left end portion 48b and the right end portion 48c of the bowl surface 48 and extends in the horizontal direction. Cross the minute.

The front portion 48a of the upper region of the bowl surface 48 is an arc having a substantially single radius of curvature from the left end 48b to the right end 48c of the bowl surface 48 in a horizontal cross section (1 so that the radius of curvature does not change substantially in the middle). It is two arcs and is formed along an arc (a circular arc called a single radius). The bowl surface 48 in the lower region below the upper region forms a complex curved surface shape by a combination of arcs having two types of radii of curvature or a combination of arcs and straight lines. The front portion 48a of the bowl surface 48 is formed so as to be inclined rearward from the upper end 48d of the bowl surface 48 downward.

The bowl surface 48 of the bowl portion 6 is formed so that the radius of curvature of its horizontal cross section becomes smaller toward the bottom. The radius of curvature of the arc of the horizontal cross section is formed so as to gradually decrease from the upper end 48d of the bowl surface 48 toward the lower end, and the width of the bowl surface 48 in the left-right direction gradually decreases toward the lower end (front view of the bowl surface 48). The width projected by) is formed to be small. The upper limit of the radius of curvature may be almost infinite, that is, the horizontal cross section of the upper end 48d of the bowl surface 48 may be formed in a straight line.
The bowl surface 48 includes a shelf 42 that extends downward from both the left and right sides of the bowl surface 48 to the front side.

Next, the details of the spreader in the automatic cleaning unit of the urinal of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 9 to 11.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, the spreader 30 is provided in the central portion in the left-right direction in the upper region of the bowl surface 48, and the exterior cover 50 is attached to the front side of the spreader 30 and the detection sensor 44. .. In the spreader 30 shown in FIG. 11, a state in which the exterior cover 50 is removed is shown, and related parts such as the detection sensor 44 provided on the spreader 30 are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the spreader 30 includes a spreader main body 52 fixedly attached to the bowl surface 48, and a nozzle member 54 inserted and attached into the mounting hole 52a of the spreader main body 52. There is.

As shown in FIG. 11, inside the spreader main body 52, a first water supply line 20a of the first water supply pipe 20 and a second water supply channel 22a of the second water supply pipe 22 communicate with each other. The water passage 56 and the second water passage 58 are formed respectively.
A first spout 60, which is a part of the first spout 32, is formed at the downstream end on the front side of the first water passage 56. The first water passage 56 of the spreader main body 52 has an upstream water passage 56a formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction and a flow path downward from the front end portion on the downstream side of the upstream water passage 56a. It is provided with a downstream waterway 56b which is formed in a fan shape when viewed from the front so as to be enlarged. As a result, the washing water supplied from the first water supply channel 20a into the upstream water passage 56a passes through the downstream water passage 56b and spreads in the left-right direction on the bowl surface 48 from the first water discharge port 60. The water is discharged as the cleaning water W1 having the first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / minute].

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the nozzle member 54 includes a mounting portion 62 that is mounted in the mounting hole 52a of the spreader main body 52. Further, the nozzle member 54 includes a nozzle portion 64 integrally provided at the front end portion of the mounting portion 62 as a part of the second water discharge portion 38. The nozzle portion 64 is formed from the side side of the spreader main body portion 52 downward. Therefore, the nozzle portion 64 is arranged at a position eccentric with respect to the center line D in the left-right direction of the bowl surface 48. Therefore, the water flow discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is discharged from a position eccentric with respect to the center line D in the left-right direction of the bowl surface 48.

Inside the mounting portion 62 of the nozzle member 54, a water passage 68 communicating with the second water passage 58 of the spreader main body 52 is formed. A water passage 72 extending from the water passage 68 is formed in the nozzle portion 64 of the nozzle member 54, and a second water discharge portion 38 having a single circular cross-sectional shape is formed at the tip portion of the nozzle portion 64. A spout 76 is formed. The washing water supplied from the second water supply channel 22a of the second water supply pipe 22 to the water passage 68 of the nozzle member 54 is larger than the first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / minute] from the second spout 76. It is designed to be discharged as wash water W2 having a low second predetermined flow rate Q2 [liter / minute]. Further, the flow rate Q1 [liter / minute] of the water discharged from the first water discharge port 60 in the main washing water discharge mode is larger than the flow rate Q2 [liter / minute] of the water discharged from the second water discharge port 76 in the urine dilution water discharge mode. Has been done. Further, when water is discharged from the first spout 60 of the spreader 30 in the urine dilution spout mode, the first spout 60 can be used instead of the second spout 76.

Next, the operation (action) of the urinal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the controller for each use of the urinal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the controller for each use of the urinal, and FIG. 13 is the first embodiment of the present invention. In the urinal in the urinal, the time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline is changed with time when the urine dilution water discharge mode is executed, when the urine dilution water discharge mode is not executed, and the urine dilution with a constant water discharge flow rate as a comparative example. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a comparison with the case where the water discharge mode is executed, and FIG. 14 shows the time change of the standard urine flow flow with the time change of the water discharge flow rate in the urinal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows by comparison.
In FIG. 12, S indicates each step. When the urine dilution water discharge mode in FIG. 13 is not executed, the time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline is shown when the urine dilution water discharge mode is not executed and only the user urinates. .. Further, in FIG. 13, the time change of the standard urine flow rate as shown in FIG. 14 is shown so as to be able to be compared with the time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline. The time change of the flow rate of this standard urine flow shows the change of the flow rate on the vertical axis of FIG. 13 and the passage of time on the horizontal axis. Further, in FIG. 14, the vertical axis shows changes in the flow rate of water discharged from the second spout 76 and the flow rate of standard urine flow, and the horizontal axis shows the passage of time.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user stands in front of the bowl portion 6 of the toilet body 2 of the urinal 1 in S0, the detection sensor 44 is in the detection state of detecting the use of the user (time). t0), the detection signal is transmitted to the controller 46, and the controller 46 recognizes the existence of the user. At this point, the first on-off valve 28 is in a closed state, and the second on-off valve 36 is also in a closed state.

In S1, the controller 46 starts executing the urine dilution water discharge mode from time t0 and proceeds to S2. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the controller 46 opens the second on-off valve 36 by starting the urine dilution water discharge mode, and flushes the washing water of the main water supply channel 16a of the main water supply pipe 16 to the second. It is supplied to the second water supply channel 22a of the water supply pipe 22. The controller 46 keeps the first on-off valve 28 closed. The wash water W2 that has flowed into the second water supply channel 22a passes through the second flow valve 34 and flows into the second water passage 58. Then, the washing water W2 passes through the water passage 68 inside the nozzle member 54 of the spreader 30, and then is discharged from the second spout 76.

As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 46 determines that the first period starts when the detection sensor 44 enters the detection state in the urine dilution / discharge mode, and starts the measurement of the first period. Therefore, after the detection sensor 44 is in the detection state, water discharge is started from the second water discharge port 76 at the beginning of the first period. The first period is a period from time t0 to time t2, which will be described later. The beginning of the first period may include not only the time t0 but also an arbitrary time from the time t0 to the time t1 when a certain period has passed, as the initial time of the first period. At this time, water discharge can be started from a time when a certain period of time has elapsed from time t0.

From time t0 to time t1 before the start of urination, the user is ready to urinate by taking off his clothes while standing in front of the bowl portion 6. The time t1 is set as the time after the average undressing time, which is assumed that the average adult user is prepared to take off his clothes and urinate, has elapsed from the time t0. The undressing time is set to about 8 seconds. The undressing time from time t0 to time t1 is included in the first period. As shown in FIG. 13, from time t0 to time t1, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is almost 0 because the user has not started urinating. At time t1, the user starts urinating.

In the first period, the controller 46 opens the second on-off valve 36 and continues to discharge water from the second spout 76. The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate R1 in the first period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2 in at least a part of the second period described later. Further, the controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so as to increase the water discharge flow rate R1 within the period of the first period. The controller 46 controls so as to continuously increase the opening degree of the second flow valve 34. Within the period of the first period, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the second spout 76 is increased without decreasing. When the discharge water flow rate is increased without decreasing, it also includes a case where the discharge water flow rate is gradually increased, or a case where the discharge water flow rate is increased stepwise while including a portion maintained constant and a portion where the discharge water flow rate is increased.

The controller 46 changes the rate of increase in the water discharge rate per unit time from the first rate of increase R1a to the second rate of increase R1b with respect to the water discharge flow rate R1 in the first period, and the second rate of increase R1b is the first rate of increase R1a. The second flow valve 34 is controlled so as to be larger than. In the first period, the controller 46 changes the rate of increase of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 from the rate of increase of the opening degree corresponding to the first rate of increase R1a to the rate of increase of the opening degree corresponding to the second rate of increase R1b. increase. That is, the controller 46 controls so as to change the increasing speed of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 in the first period. The change point of the increase rate of the opening degree may be not only one but also two or more so as to correspond to the change point of the non-linear increase curve in the process X1 of the increase in the flow rate of the urine flow, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 13, since the user's urination is started from time t1, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 increases. At this time, since the urine-diluted water discharge with the water discharge flow rate R1 is performed, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed to be lower than that in the case where the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not performed. Further, since the discharge water flow rate R1 is increased in the first period, the increase in the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed in accordance with the increase in the urine flow rate increase process X1.

As shown in FIG. 14, the time t2 is the time when it is assumed (assumed) that the flow rate of the urine flow increases to the maximum level X2 and the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 increases to the maximum level. In FIG. 14, the time change of the standard urine flow rate is shown in comparison with the time change of the discharge water flow rate. This time-varying standard urinary flow rate indicates a statistically assumed (assumed) time-varying urinary flow rate when a standard adult user urinates, eg, non-. The typical urine flow curve pattern of a healthy person shown in FIG. 5 (a) of Patent Document 1 is shown by applying it to the operation timing of the present embodiment. In the first period, the flow rate of the standard user's urine flow is assumed to have not reached the maximum level X2 and is in the ascending process X1 lower than the maximum level X2. Therefore, in response to this assumption, the water discharge flow rate R1 in the first period is made smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is saved, and urine dilution is efficiently realized. can do.

The first period is set to include a period of the process X1 in which the flow rate of the urine flow rises mainly from the start of urination of the user. By spouting water from the second spout 76 within the first period, the urine concentration of the washing water flowing down to the drain trap pipe 14 and the horizontal pipe 3 is reduced. The first period is set in the range of 7 seconds to 15 seconds, preferably in the range of 9 seconds to 13 seconds, more preferably in the range of 11 seconds. The controller 46 ends the first period when the predetermined time elapses.

In the urine dilution water discharge mode, when the first period ends, the controller 46 determines that the second period following the first period starts, and starts the measurement of the second period. The detection sensor 44 continues the detection state. The controller 46 continues to open the second on-off valve 36 and continues to discharge water even in the second period following the first period. The second period is a period from time t2 to time t3 where it is assumed (assumed) that the urine flow starts to decrease from the maximum level X2. In the second period, it is assumed that the flow rate of the standard user's urine flow mainly reaches the maximum level X2 and the state of the maximum level X2 continues. Therefore, in response to this assumption, the water discharge flow rate R2 in the second period is set to the maximum level larger than the water discharge flow rate R1 or the water discharge flow rate R3, and the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is saved. Urine dilution can be achieved efficiently.

The second period is mainly set to include a period of maximum level X2 of urinary flow. By spouting water from the second spout 76 within the second period, the urine concentration of the washing water flowing down to the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 is reduced. The second period is set in the range of 1 second to 4 seconds, preferably in the range of 2 seconds to 3 seconds. The controller 46 ends the second period when the predetermined time elapses.

In the second period, the controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate R2 becomes the maximum water discharge flow rate. Although the discharge water flow rate R2 is maintained constant in the second period, it is sufficient that the water discharge flow rate R2 is discharged during at least a part of the second period. In the second period, the controller 46 may change the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 to change the water discharge flow rate.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the second period, the flow rate of the urine flow is constant at the maximum level X2, and the discharge water flow rate R2, which is the maximum discharge flow rate, is discharged. Therefore, the increase in the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed in the second period. Further, since the urine-diluted water discharge of the water discharge flow rate R2 is performed, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed to be lower than that in the case where the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not performed.

In the urine dilution water discharge mode, when the second period ends, the controller 46 determines that the third period following the second period starts, and starts the measurement of the third period. At the start of the third period, the detection sensor 44 continues the detection state. The controller 46 continues to discharge water until the time t5 when the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state in the third period following the second period. The third period is a period from time t3 to time t5.

In the third period, the user ends urination at time t4 when a predetermined time has elapsed from time t3. From the time t4 to the time t5 when the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state, the user prepares to leave from the front of the toilet bowl body 2 by dressing while standing in front of the bowl portion 6. The time t5 is set as the time after the average dress-wearing time, which is assumed that the average adult user wears clothes and prepares to leave, has elapsed from the time t4. Such clothing wearing time is included in the third period.

In the third period, the controller 46 opens the second on-off valve 36 and continues to discharge water from the second spout 76. The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate R3 in the third period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2 in at least a part of the second period. The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so as to reduce the water discharge flow rate R3 within the period of the third period. The controller 46 controls so as to continuously reduce the opening degree of the second flow valve 34. Within the period of the third period, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the second spout 76 is reduced without increasing. When the discharge water flow rate is decreased without increasing, it includes a case where the discharge water flow rate is gradually decreased, or a case where the discharge water flow rate is gradually decreased while including a portion maintained constant and a portion where the discharge water flow rate is decreased.

The controller 46 changes the reduction rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first reduction rate R3a to the second reduction rate R3b with respect to the water discharge flow rate R3 in the third period, and the first reduction rate R3a is the second reduction rate R3b. The second flow valve 34 is controlled so as to be larger than. In the third period, the controller 46 changes the reduction rate of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 from the reduction rate of the opening degree corresponding to the first reduction rate R3a to the reduction rate of the opening degree corresponding to the second reduction rate R3b. Reduce. That is, the controller 46 controls to change the decreasing speed of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 in the third period. The change point of the decrease rate of the opening degree may be provided not only one but also two or more so as to correspond to the change point of the non-linear decrease curve in the descending process X3 of the urine flow rate, which will be described later.

In the third period from time t3 to time t5, the flow rate of the standard user's urine flow is assumed to be below the maximum level X2 and during the descending process X3 until the end of urination. Therefore, in response to this assumption, the water discharge flow rate R3 in the third period is made smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is saved, and urine dilution is efficiently realized. can do.

The third period is mainly set to include the period of the descending process X3 of the urinary flow rate. By spouting water from the second spout 76 within the third period, the urine concentration of the washing water flowing down to the drain trap pipe 14 and the horizontal pipe 3 is reduced. The third period ends when the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state, but as a modification, the third period is in the range of 20 seconds to 40 seconds, preferably in the range of 20 seconds to 30 seconds, more preferably 27 seconds. Even if the controller 46 determines that the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state and controls to end the water discharge from the second spout 76 after the set period has elapsed. good.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the third period, the flow rate of urine flow is in the descending process X3 and is lower than the maximum level X2. In the third period, even if the discharge water flow rate R3 is reduced, the increase in the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed. Further, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is reduced by the water discharge of the water discharge flow rate R3 corresponding to the decrease in the urine flow rate. Further, since the urine-diluted water discharge of the water discharge flow rate R3 is performed, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed to be lower than that in the case where the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not performed.

As a comparative example, FIG. 13 shows a time change in the urine concentration of the wash water in the drain trap pipeline 14 when the urine dilution / discharge mode is not executed and only the user urinates. .. In this case, the urine dilution water discharge mode is not executed after the time t0. In the first period, the urine concentration of the wash water rises towards almost 100%. After time t2, until the main washing water discharge mode is executed, the washing water in the drain trap line 14 is almost replaced with the urine of the user, and the urine concentration of the washing water is almost 100%.

As a comparative example, FIG. 13 shows a time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14 when the urine dilution water discharge mode in which the water discharge flow rate is constant is executed. In the urine-diluted water discharge mode of this comparative example, urine-diluted water discharge with a constant water discharge flow rate is discharged from the second water discharge port 76 from time t0 to time t5. As a result, an increase in urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 can be suppressed. However, in the first half of the first period and the second half of the third period, waste water that does not contribute to urine dilution or hardly contributes to urine dilution is consumed. Therefore, according to the urine dilution water discharge mode of the comparative example, it is not possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode, and further, urine dilution cannot be efficiently realized.

As shown in FIG. 12, in S2, the controller 46 determines whether or not the detection sensor 44 maintains the detection state. When the detection sensor 44 keeps the detection state, the controller 46 returns to S2 and makes a determination of S2 again. When the detection sensor 44 no longer detects the use of the user, the controller 46 determines that the user has finished urinating and has left from the front of the toilet bowl body 2, and wasteful washing water in the urine-diluted water discharge mode. In order to execute the main washing water discharge mode in which consumption is suppressed and the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 are sufficiently washed to suppress the subsequent generation of urine stones, the process proceeds to S3.

In S3, the controller 46 terminates the urine dilution and water discharge mode and proceeds to S4. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the controller 46 closes the second on-off valve 36 and stops the supply of the wash water to the second water supply channel 22a when the urine dilution water discharge mode ends. Therefore, the water discharge from the second water discharge port 76 of the nozzle portion 64 is stopped.

In S4, the controller 46 executes the main wash water discharge mode. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the controller 46 first transmits a control signal to the first on-off valve 28 to open the first on-off valve 28 by executing the main washing water discharge mode. The wash water of the main water supply channel 16a of the main water supply pipe 16 flows only to the first water supply channel 20a through the pipe joint 24. The wash water W1 flowing into the first water supply channel 20a passes through the first flow valve 26 and is discharged from the first spout 60 at a relatively high first predetermined flow rate Q1 [liter / minute]. (See FIG. 6). In the main washing water discharge mode, the controller 46 opens the first on-off valve 28 for a certain period of time so as to discharge a water discharge flow rate of 0.5 [liter] for each use.

As shown in FIG. 6, the washing water W1 spouted from the first spout 60 is spouted so as to spread in the left-right direction along the bowl surface 48, and the bowl surface 48 can be washed over a wide area.

The wash water W1 that has flowed down the bowl surface 48 flows into the drain trap pipeline 14 from the drain port 10. The wash water W1 flows toward the horizontal pulling pipe 3 on the downstream side of the drain trap pipeline 14, so that the urine in the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 is discharged to the downstream side. The wash water W1 flows at a relatively high flow rate Q1 and replaces the diluted urine in the drain trap line 14 with new wash water to increase the urine concentration of the wash water in the drain trap line 14. Can be reduced. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 46 closes the first on-off valve 28, stops the water discharge operation by the spreader 30, ends the operation of the main wash water discharge mode, and proceeds to S5.

In S5, the controller 46 ends the control operation for each use, which starts after the detection sensor 44 detects the use of the user, and puts the detection sensor 44 in the standby state. When the detection sensor 44 detects the use of the user again, the controller 46 starts the control operation for each use from S0.

As a modification, the controller 46 may execute a standby mode in which the detection sensor 44 waits for a predetermined standby time from the time t0 when the detection sensor 44 is in the detection state. At this time, the controller 46 does not start the urine dilution and water discharge mode immediately from the time t0, but executes the preceding standby mode. As a result, it is possible to suppress the discharge of wash water that does not easily contribute to the dilution of urine before the start of urination of the user, and to save the wash water that dilutes the urine. The predetermined standby time is a standby time intentionally realized to achieve the purpose by a program or the like recorded in the controller 46, and is a water discharge operation slightly caused by a delay in signal transmission or a delay in the operation of the valve body. Distinguished from delay time.

The controller 46 starts the standby mode from the time t0 when the detection sensor 44 is in the detection state. The controller 46 executes the standby mode, and after the predetermined waiting time elapses, starts the execution of the urine dilution water discharge mode. The start time of the execution of the urine dilution water discharge mode is close to the time t1 at which the user's urination is started. The urine concentration of the wash water in the drain trap line 14 does not increase until the user starts urinating at time t1. Therefore, by waiting until the start of the execution of the standby mode, it is possible to delay the start of the urine dilution water discharge mode, suppress the discharge of the wash water that does not easily contribute to the dilution of urine, and save the wash water that dilutes the urine. The standby time in the standby mode is preferably set to a time within the range of 6 seconds to 11 seconds, more preferably 7 seconds to 10 seconds from the time t0. Even if the user starts urinating while waiting in the standby mode, the washing water from the previous washing exists in the drain trap pipeline 14 at the initial stage of urination, and even if the urine flows in, the urine of the washing water is urine. The concentration is kept relatively low. Therefore, the generation of urinary stones is suppressed.

Normally, it is assumed that the flow rate of urine flow due to urination of the user gradually increases from the start of urination, reaches the maximum flow rate, and then gradually decreases in the latter half of urination. Therefore, according to the urinal 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the controller 46 starts water discharge at the beginning of the first period after the detection sensor 44 is in the detection state, and continues to the first period. Water discharge is continued in the second period, water discharge is continued until the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state in the third period following the second period, and the second flow valve 34 is controlled to at least the second period. Water is discharged so that the flow rate of water discharged in the third period is smaller than the flow rate of water discharged in a part of the period. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the controller 46 discharges water during at least a part of the second period according to the decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the third period until the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state. Water is discharged so that the flow rate of water discharged in the third period is smaller than the flow rate. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode according to the decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination, and to efficiently realize the urine dilution. can.

Further, according to the urinal 1 according to the first embodiment, the controller 46 controls the second flow valve 34 to discharge water so as to reduce the water discharge flow rate within the period of the third period. As a result, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the water discharge portion within the period of the third period is reduced without increasing, for example, gradually reduced or stepwise reduced including a certain portion. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, according to the decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode can be more reliably saved and more efficient urine dilution can be achieved. It can be realized.

Further, according to the urinal 1 according to the first embodiment, the controller 46 changes the reduction rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first reduction rate to the second reduction rate with respect to the water discharge flow rate in the third period. The second flow valve 34 is controlled so that the first reduction rate is larger than the second reduction rate. As a result, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of wash water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode in response to the non-linear decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination, and to realize more efficient urine dilution. can.

Further, according to the urinal 1 according to the first embodiment, the controller 46 controls the second flow valve 34 so that the water discharge flow rate in the first period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period. Let the water spout like this. At this time, the flow rate of urine flow due to the user's urination gradually increases from the initial stage of urination, and since there is almost no urine in the drain trap pipe 14 at the initial stage of urination, the urine concentrations in the drain trap pipe 14 are compared. It remains low. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as the flow rate of the urine flow at the initial stage of urination gradually increases, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution discharge mode can be saved, and efficient urine dilution can be achieved. It can be realized.

Further, according to the urinal 1 according to the first embodiment, the controller 46 controls the second flow valve 34 to discharge water so as to increase the water discharge flow rate within the period of the first period. As a result, the flow rate of the urine-diluted spout water spouted from the second spout 76 within the period of the first period is increased without decreasing, for example, gradually increased or stepwise including a certain portion. Will be increased. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, according to the increase in the flow rate of the urine flow at the initial stage of urination, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode can be more reliably saved and more efficient urine dilution can be achieved. It can be realized.

Further, according to the urinal 1 according to the first embodiment, the controller 46 changes the water discharge flow rate in the first period and the increase rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first increase rate to the second increase rate, and The second flow valve 34 is controlled so that the second increase rate is larger than the first increase rate. As a result, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of wash water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode in response to the non-linear increase in the flow rate of the urine flow at the initial stage of urination, and to realize more efficient urine dilution. can.

Next, the urinal according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. In the second embodiment, instead of the detection sensor 44 of the first embodiment, a detection sensor 44 capable of detecting the urine flow of the user is provided.
FIG. 15 is a central sectional view of the urinal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 shows the time change of the urine concentration of the wash water in the drain trap pipeline in the urinal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. , When the urine-diluted water discharge mode is executed, when the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not executed, and when the urine-diluted water discharge mode with a constant urine discharge flow rate is executed as a comparative example, FIG. It is a figure which shows the time change of the standard urinary flow flow rate in comparison with the time change of the discharge water flow rate in the urinal according to the second embodiment of the invention. Since the urinal according to the second embodiment has almost the same structure as the urinal according to the first embodiment described above, the same parts as those of the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. ..

The automatic cleaning unit 4 of the urinal 101 receives a detection sensor 144 provided on the spreader 30 to detect the urine flow that the user urinates to the urinal body 2, and a detection signal transmitted from the detection sensor 144, and is predetermined. The controller 46 is a control unit that controls the operation of the first on-off valve 28, the second on-off valve 36, and the like based on the control program and the like.

The detection sensor 144 is a Doppler type sensor using microwaves. The detection sensor 144 detects the urine flow that the user urinates to the toilet body 2. Although the detection sensor 144 is provided in the bowl portion 6, it may be provided at another position such as the drain trap pipeline 14 or the drain socket 15 where urine flow can be detected. For example, the detection sensor 144 may be provided on the back side of the bowl surface 48 and may be provided so as to detect the urine flow flowing from the back side of the bowl surface 48 to the front side of the bowl surface 48. For example, the detection sensor 144 is arranged at the center on the left and right of the bowl surface 48 and slightly below the center of the bowl surface 48 in the height direction. The detection sensor 144 may be a flow rate detection sensor or the like that detects the flow of urine flow. Since the detection sensor 144 is a sensor that detects urine flow, it is possible to more accurately identify the presence or absence of urination on the bowl surface 48 and the timing of the start and end of urination than the human body detection. The detection sensor 144 can also detect the presence or absence of a user who uses the urinal body. Therefore, as a modification, the detection sensor 144 may be provided so as to detect both the presence or absence of urination on the bowl surface 48 of the user and the timing of the start and end of urination.

Next, the operation (action) of normal toilet bowl cleaning in the urinal 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Regarding the explanation of the operation (action) of the second embodiment, the operation of the detection sensor 144 having a structure different from that of the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and for other parts having the same structure, the description of those actions will be described. It is omitted.
First, as shown in FIG. 16, when the user arrives at the front side of the bowl portion 6 of the urinal body 2 of the urinal 1 and stands at time t0, the detection sensor 144 is in the non-detection state. The controller 46 is in a state of not recognizing the existence of the user. At this point, the first on-off valve 28 is in a closed state, and the second on-off valve 36 is also in a closed state.

From time t0 to time t1 before the start of urination, the user prepares to urinate by taking off his clothes while standing in front of the bowl portion 6. The undressing time from time t0 to time t1 is not included in the first period described later. As shown in FIG. 16, since the user has not started urinating from time t0 to time t1, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipe 14 is almost 0.

As shown in FIG. 17, at time t1, the user starts urinating. When the user's urination is started, the detection sensor 144 enters the detection state of detecting the user's urine flow, the detection signal is transmitted to the controller 46, and the controller 46 recognizes the existence of the user. The controller 46 starts executing the urine dilution water discharge mode from time t1. Upon starting the urine dilution water discharge mode, the controller 46 opens the second on-off valve 36 and discharges the washing water from the second water discharge port 76. The controller 46 keeps the first on-off valve 28 closed.

In the urine dilution and water discharge mode, the controller 46 determines that the first period starts when the detection sensor 144 enters the detection state, and starts the measurement of the first period. Therefore, after the detection sensor 144 is in the detection state, water discharge is started from the second water discharge port 76 at the beginning of the first period. The first period is a period from time t1 to time t2, which will be described later. Since the detection sensor 144 can detect the urine flow, the timing of the start of urination of the user and the timing of the start of the urine dilution water discharge mode can be synchronized, and the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode can be saved. At the same time, more efficient urine dilution can be realized.

In the first period, the controller 46 opens the second on-off valve 36 and continues to discharge water from the second spout 76. The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate R1 in the first period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2 in at least a part of the second period described later.

The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so as to increase the water discharge flow rate R1 within the period of the first period. The controller 46 controls so as to continuously increase the opening degree of the second flow valve 34. Within the first period, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the second spout 76 is increased without decreasing. When the discharge water flow rate is increased without decreasing, it also includes a case where the discharge water flow rate is gradually increased, or a case where the discharge water flow rate is increased stepwise while including a portion maintained constant and a portion where the discharge water flow rate is increased.

The controller 46 changes the rate of increase in the water discharge rate per unit time from the first rate of increase R1a to the second rate of increase R1b with respect to the water discharge flow rate R1 in the first period, and the second rate of increase R1b is the first rate of increase R1a. The second flow valve 34 is controlled so as to be larger than. In the first period, the controller 46 changes the rate of increase of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 from the rate of increase of the opening degree corresponding to the first rate of increase R1a to the rate of increase of the opening degree corresponding to the second rate of increase R1b. increase. That is, the controller 46 controls so as to change the increasing speed of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 in the first period. The change point of the increase rate of the opening degree may be provided not only one but also two or more so as to correspond to the change point of the non-linear increase curve in the process X1 of the increase in the flow rate of the urine flow.
Since the detection sensor 144 can detect the urine flow, the timing of the start of urination of the user can be synchronized with the timing of the start of the urine dilution and water discharge mode. Therefore, the timing of the increase process X1 of the urine flow rate of the user and the timing of the increase of the discharge water flow rate R1 can be synchronized, and the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution discharge mode can be saved. More efficient urine dilution can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 16, since the user's urination is started from time t1, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 increases. At this time, since the urine-diluted water discharge with the water discharge flow rate R1 is performed, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed to be lower than that in the case where the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not performed. Further, since the discharge water flow rate R1 is increased in the first period in accordance with the increase in the urine flow rate increase process X1, the increase in the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed.

The time t2 is the time when it is assumed (assumed) that the flow rate of the urine flow increases to the maximum level X2 and the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 increases to the maximum level. Also in FIG. 17, the time change of the standard urine flow rate is shown in comparison with the time change of the discharge water flow rate. In the first period, the flow rate of the standard user's urine flow has not reached the maximum level X2 in the second period and is assumed to be in the ascending process X1 lower than the maximum level X2. Therefore, in response to this assumption, the water discharge flow rate R1 in the first period is made smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is saved, and urine dilution is efficiently realized. can do.

The first period is mainly set to include the period of the rising process X1 of the urinary flow rate. By spouting water from the second spout 76 within the period of the first period, the urine concentration of the washing water flowing down to the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 is reduced. The first period is set in the range of 2 seconds to 7 seconds, preferably in the range of 2 seconds to 5 seconds, more preferably in the range of 3 seconds. The controller 46 ends the first period when the predetermined time elapses.

In the urine dilution water discharge mode, when the first period ends, the controller 46 determines that the second period following the first period starts, and starts the measurement of the second period. The detection sensor 144 continues the detection state. The controller 46 continues to open the second on-off valve 36 and continues to discharge water in the second period following the first period. The second period is a period from time t2 to time t3 where it is assumed (assumed) that the urine flow starts to decrease from the maximum level X2. In the second period, it is assumed that the flow rate of the standard user's urine flow mainly reaches the maximum level X2 and the state of the maximum level X2 continues. Therefore, in response to this assumption, the water discharge flow rate R2 in the second period is set to the maximum level larger than the water discharge flow rate R1 or the water discharge flow rate R3, and the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is saved. Urine dilution can be achieved efficiently.

The second period is mainly set to include a period of maximum level X2 of urinary flow. By spouting water from the second spout 76 within the second period, the urine concentration of the washing water flowing down to the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 is reduced. The second period is set in the range of 1 second to 4 seconds, preferably in the range of 2 seconds to 3 seconds. The controller 46 ends the second period when the predetermined time elapses.

In the second period, the controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate R2 becomes the maximum water discharge flow rate in the urine dilution water discharge mode. Although the discharge water flow rate R2 is maintained constant in the second period, it is sufficient that the water discharge flow rate R2 is discharged during at least a part of the second period. In the second period, the controller 46 may slightly change the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 to change the water discharge flow rate.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the second period, the flow rate of urine flow is kept constant at almost the maximum level X2. Therefore, the increase in the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed in the second period. Further, since the urine-diluted water discharge of the water discharge flow rate R2 is performed, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed to be lower than that in the case where the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not performed.

In the urine dilution water discharge mode, when the second period ends, the controller 46 determines that the third period following the second period starts, and starts the measurement of the third period. At the start of the third period, the detection sensor 144 continues the detection state. The controller 46 continues to discharge water until the time t4 when the detection sensor 144 is in the non-detection state in the third period following the second period. The third period is a period from time t3 to time t4. In the third period, the user ends urination at time t4, which is a continuation of a predetermined time from time t3.

In the third period, the controller 46 opens the second on-off valve 36 and continues to discharge water from the second spout 76. The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate R3 in the third period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2 in at least a part of the second period. The controller 46 controls the second flow rate valve 34 to discharge water so as to reduce the water discharge flow rate R3 within the period of the third period. The controller 46 controls so as to continuously reduce the opening degree of the second flow valve 34. Within the period of the third period, the discharge flow rate of the diluted urine discharge water discharged from the second spout 76 is reduced without increasing. When the discharge water flow rate is decreased without increasing, it includes a case where the discharge water flow rate is gradually decreased, or a case where the discharge water flow rate is gradually decreased while including a portion maintained constant and a portion where the discharge water flow rate is decreased.

The controller 46 changes the reduction rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first reduction rate R3a to the second reduction rate R3b with respect to the water discharge flow rate R3 in the third period, and the first reduction rate R3a is the second reduction rate R3b. The second flow valve 34 is controlled so as to be larger than. In the third period, the controller 46 changes the reduction rate of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 from the reduction rate of the opening degree corresponding to the first reduction rate R3a to the reduction rate of the opening degree corresponding to the second reduction rate R3b. Reduce. That is, the controller 46 controls to change the decreasing speed of the opening degree of the second flow valve 34 in the third period. The change point of the decrease rate of the opening degree may be provided not only one but also two or more so as to correspond to the change point of the non-linear decrease curve in the descending process X3 of the urine flow rate.

In the third period from time t3 to time t4, it is assumed that the flow rate of the standard user's urine flow is lower than the maximum level X2 and is in the descending process X3 until the end of urination. Therefore, in response to this assumption, the water discharge flow rate R3 in the third period is made smaller than the water discharge flow rate R2, the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode is saved, and urine dilution is efficiently realized. can do.

The third period is mainly set to include the period of the descending process X3 of the urinary flow rate. By spouting water from the second spout 76 within the period of the third period, the urine concentration of the washing water flowing down to the drain trap pipeline 14 and the horizontal pulling pipe 3 is reduced. The third period ends when the detection sensor 44 is in the non-detection state, but as a modification, the third period is in the range of 10 seconds to 30 seconds, preferably in the range of 10 seconds to 20 seconds, more preferably 14 seconds. Even if the controller 46 determines that the detection sensor 144 is in the non-detection state and controls to end the water discharge from the second spout 76 after the set period elapses. good.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the third period, the flow rate of urine flow is in the descending process X3 and is lower than the maximum level X2. In the third period, even if the discharge water flow rate R3 is reduced, the increase in the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed. Further, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is reduced by the water discharge of the water discharge flow rate R3 corresponding to the decrease in the urine flow rate. Further, since the urine-diluted water discharge of the water discharge flow rate R3 is performed, the urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 is suppressed to be lower than that in the case where the urine-diluted water discharge mode is not performed.

As a comparative example, FIG. 16 shows the time change of the urine concentration of the washing water in the drain trap pipeline 14 when the urine dilution and discharge mode is not executed and only the user urinates. After time t1, the urine dilution and water discharge mode is not executed. In the first period, the urine concentration of the wash water rises towards almost 100%. After time t2, until the main washing water discharge mode is executed, the washing water in the drain trap line 14 is almost replaced with the urine of the user, and the urine concentration of the washing water is almost 100%.

As a comparative example, FIG. 16 also shows a time change in the urine concentration of the wash water in the drain trap pipeline when the urine dilution water discharge mode in which the water discharge flow rate is constant is executed. In the urine-diluted water discharge mode of this comparative example, urine-diluted water discharge with a constant water discharge flow rate is discharged from the second water discharge port 76 from time t1 to time t4. As a result, an increase in urine concentration in the drain trap pipeline 14 can be suppressed. However, in the first half of the first period and the second half of the third period, waste water that does not contribute to urine dilution or hardly contributes to urine dilution is consumed. Therefore, according to the urine dilution water discharge mode of the comparative example, it is not possible to achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode, and further, urine dilution cannot be efficiently realized.

From time t4 to time t5 when the user leaves from the front of the bowl portion 6, the user prepares to leave from the front of the toilet bowl body 2 by dressing while standing in front of the bowl portion 6. The time t5 is set as the time after the average dress-wearing time, which is assumed that the average adult user wears clothes and prepares to leave, has elapsed from the time t4. Such clothing wearing time is not included in the third period.

When the detection sensor 144 is in the non-detection state, the controller 46 terminates the urine-diluted water discharge mode, suppresses the wasteful consumption of washing water in the urine-diluted water discharge mode, and suppresses the wasteful consumption of the washing water in the urine-diluted water discharge mode. The main washing water discharge mode in which the pull pipe 3 is sufficiently washed to suppress the subsequent generation of urinary stones is executed. When the controller 46 finishes the execution of the main washing water discharge mode, the detection sensor 144 is put into the standby state. When the detection sensor 144 detects the urine flow of the user again, the controller 46 starts the control operation for each use.

Normally, it is assumed that the flow rate of urine flow due to urination of the user gradually increases from the start of urination, reaches the maximum flow rate, and then gradually decreases in the latter half of urination. Therefore, according to the urinal 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the controller 46 starts water discharge at the beginning of the first period after the detection sensor 144 is in the detection state, and continues to the first period. Water discharge is continued in the second period, water discharge is continued until the detection sensor is in the non-detection state in the third period following the second period, and at least one of the second period is controlled by controlling the second flow valve 34. Water is discharged so that the flow rate of water discharged in the third period is smaller than the flow rate of water discharged in the period of the unit. Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the controller 46 is at least a part of the second period in the third period until the detection sensor 144 is in the non-detection state, in response to the decrease in the urine flow rate. Water is discharged so that the flow rate of water discharged in the third period is smaller than the flow rate of water discharged in the third period. Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to save water in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode according to the decrease in the flow rate of the urine flow in the latter half of urination, and to efficiently dilute the urine. It can be realized.

Further, according to the urinal 101 according to the second embodiment, since the urine flow is detected by the urine detection sensor 144, the timing at which the user urinates can be measured more accurately. Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably achieve water saving in the amount of washing water discharged in the urine dilution water discharge mode, and to realize more efficient urine dilution. The effect of the urinal 101 according to the other second embodiment is almost the same as the effect of the urinal 1 of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

1 urinal 2 urinal body 3 horizontal piping 4 automatic cleaning unit 6 bowl 7 front 8 storage room 10 drain port 12 perforated plate 14 drain trap pipeline 14a descending pipeline 14b pipeline 14c ascending pipeline 14d common wall 14e front-rear direction Width 14f Width of the lower end 14g Width of the upper end 15 Drainage socket 16 Main water supply pipe 16a Main water supply pipe 18 Stopcock 20 First water supply pipe 20a First water supply pipe 22 Second water supply pipe 22a Second water supply Road 24 Pipe joint 26 First flow valve 28 First on-off valve 30 Spreader 32 First water discharge part 34 Second flow valve 36 Second on-off valve 38 Second water discharge part 40 Check valve 42 Shelf 43 Electric Release Bacterial water unit 44 Detection sensor 46 Controller 48 Bowl surface 48a Front 48b Left end 48c Right end 48d Upper end 50 Exterior cover 52 Spreader body 52a Mounting hole 54 Nozzle member 56 First water passage 56a Upstream side water passage 56b Downstream side water passage 58 Second water passage 60 First water outlet 62 Mounting part 64 Nozzle part 68 Water passage 72 Water passage 76 Second water outlet 101 Pissing device 144 Detection sensor A Predetermined width D Left-right direction center line K Floor Surface Q1 First predetermined flow rate Q2 Second predetermined flow rate R1 Discharge flow rate R1a Increase rate R1b Increase rate R2 Discharge flow rate R3 Discharge flow rate R3a Decrease rate R3b Decrease rate t0 Time t1 Time t2 Time t3 Time t4 Time t5 Time U Urinary Stone W Wall surface W1 Washing water W2 Washing water X Bacteria X1 Rising process X2 Maximum level X3 Falling process Y Environmental area Z Urease enzyme

Claims (7)

A urinal that cleans the bowl surface with the spouted wash water.
A bowl portion that forms the above-mentioned bowl surface that receives urination and forms a drainage port at the bottom thereof,
A urinal body equipped with a drain trap that communicates with the drain port of the bowl portion,
A water spouting part that spouts wash water on the bowl surface,
A detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a user who uses the urinal body or the urine flow that the user urinates to the urinal body,
A flow rate adjusting device that can change the flow rate of water discharged from the water discharge unit,
A control unit that controls the discharge of washing water by the water discharge unit is provided.
The control unit executes a urine dilution water discharge mode in which water is discharged from the water discharge unit while the detection sensor is in the detection state.
In the urine dilution water discharge mode, the control unit starts water discharge at the beginning of the first period after the detection sensor is in the detection state, and continues water discharge in the second period following the first period. In the third period following the second period, water discharge is continued until the detection sensor is in the non-detection state, and further, the flow rate adjusting device is controlled to obtain the above-mentioned second from the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period. A urinal characterized in that water is discharged so that the flow rate of water discharged during the three periods becomes small. The urinal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so as to reduce the water discharge flow rate within the period of the third period. Regarding the water discharge flow rate in the third period, the control unit changes the reduction rate of the water discharge flow rate per unit time from the first reduction rate to the second reduction rate, and the first reduction rate is larger than the second reduction rate. The urinal according to claim 2, wherein the flow rate adjusting device is controlled so as to be. The control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so that the water discharge flow rate in the first period is smaller than the water discharge flow rate in at least a part of the second period. The urinal according to any one item. The urinal according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting device to discharge water so as to increase the water discharge flow rate within the period of the first period. The control unit changes the rate of increase in the water discharge rate per unit time from the first rate of increase to the second rate of increase with respect to the water discharge rate in the first period, and the second rate of increase is larger than the first rate of increase. The urinal according to claim 5, which controls the flow rate adjusting device so as to be. The urinal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection sensor is a urine detection sensor that detects urination to the urinal body.

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