JP7153230B2 - Deodorizing device for toilet - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to toilet deodorizers.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a toilet deodorizing device of a water retaining filter type. In this deodorizing device, water is sprayed onto the filter to retain the water, and odor components in the toilet room (smell generated from urine scattered on the floor, etc.) are dissolved in the water and deodorized. According to this deodorizing device, since the odorous components are discharged to the predetermined position of the toilet bowl together with the water through the drainage path, the filter can be used for a long period of time.

JP 2016-94712 A Japanese Patent No. 2754421

However, in the deodorizing device of Patent Document 1, the drainage path is soaked in water containing odor components for a long time in the deodorizing mode. The inventors of the present application have found that when a drainage channel is immersed in water containing odorous components, biofilm is likely to occur in the drainage channel, and this biofilm may clog the drainage channel. In order to avoid clogging of the drainage channel by biofilm, it is necessary to widen the drainage channel, which leads to an increase in the size of the deodorizing apparatus.

Regarding this problem, Patent Document 2 discloses an adsorption filter type deodorizing device that adsorbs malodorous components without using water. In this deodorizing apparatus, in order to allow the adsorption filter to be used for a long period of time, the adsorption filter is regenerated by desorbing the odorous components adsorbed to the adsorption filter by means of a heater. However, in order to desorb the malodorous components using the heat of the heater, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the adsorption filter to a high temperature of about 200° C., which takes a long time to regenerate. In addition, there are various problems such as early peeling of the coating of the adsorption filter due to heat, an increase in cost due to imparting heat resistance to the adsorption filter, and the risk of contact with high-temperature air to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a deodorizing device for a toilet that can use a filter for a long period of time without using a heater while suppressing the generation of biofilm in the drainage path.

A first invention is a toilet deodorizing device provided in a toilet device, comprising an air passage having an intake port for sucking air in the toilet room and an exhaust port for discharging the sucked air; an air blower provided in the middle of the air passage to form an air flow from the intake port to the exhaust port; a water discharge means capable of discharging water to the adsorption filter; a drainage path for discharging the water discharged from the water discharge means to a predetermined position; and a regeneration mode for desorbing odorous components adsorbed on the adsorption filter, wherein the control device does not discharge water to the adsorption filter in the deodorization mode, and the The water discharge means is controlled to discharge water to the adsorption filter in the regeneration mode, and the surface of the adsorption filter is formed of a material from which adsorbed odorous components can be desorbed only by the water discharged from the water discharge means. It is a deodorizing device for toilets.

According to this toilet deodorizing device, since water does not flow into the drainage path except when the regeneration mode is executed, it is possible to suppress the generation of biofilm due to the drainage path being immersed in water for a long period of time. For example, even if the width of the drainage path is made narrower, clogging of the drainage path by biofilm can be suppressed, and the size of the deodorizing device can be reduced. In addition, since the adsorption filter can be regenerated only by the water discharged from the water discharging means, compared with the case where the adsorption filter is regenerated by heating, the regeneration time is shortened, the safety is improved, the life of the adsorption filter is extended, and the deodorizing device is used. It is possible to reduce the cost of

In a second invention according to the first invention, an adsorption amount measuring means for detecting or estimating an amount of the odorous component adsorbed by the adsorption filter is further provided, and the control device detects or estimates the amount of the odorous component adsorbed by the adsorption filter. In this deodorizing device for toilets, the regeneration mode is not executed when the amount of odorous components detected is less than a predetermined amount, and the regeneration mode is executed when the amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount.

According to this toilet deodorizing device, the number of times the regeneration mode is executed can be minimized, and the time during which the drainage path is immersed in water can be shortened.

A third invention is the toilet deodorizing device according to the second invention, wherein the adsorption amount measuring means estimates the amount of malodorous components adsorbed by the adsorption filter based on the operation time of the air blower.

According to this toilet deodorizing device, it is possible to more easily estimate the amount of malodorous components adsorbed by the adsorption filter. For example, the size and cost of the deodorizing device can be reduced as compared with the case where the deodorizing device is provided with a device that directly detects the amount of odor components.

A fourth invention is the toilet deodorizing device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the control device is such that the amount of water spouted by the water spouting means in the regeneration mode is always constant.

According to this toilet deodorizing device, it is possible to reduce the discharge of water that does not substantially contribute to the desorption of odorous components, and to prevent the drainage path from being immersed in water from being unnecessarily long.

In a fifth aspect based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control device forms an airflow in the drainage path after executing the regeneration mode to remove water remaining in the drainage path. It is a toilet deodorizing device that executes a drying mode for drying.

According to this toilet deodorizing device, it is possible to shorten the time during which the drainage path is immersed in water.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the aspect of this invention, the deodorizing apparatus for toilets which can use a filter for a long period of time without using a heater is provided, suppressing that a biofilm generate|occur|produces in a drainage path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view showing the toilet apparatus provided with the toilet deodorizing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a sanitary washing device provided with a toilet deodorizing device according to an embodiment; FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a top view showing the sanitary washing apparatus provided with the deodorizing apparatus for toilets which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart showing operation|movement of the deodorizing apparatus for toilets which concerns on embodiment. It is a sectional view showing the deodorizing device for toilets concerning an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing the deodorizing device for toilets concerning an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing the deodorizing device for toilets concerning an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing the deodorizing device for toilets concerning an embodiment. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the base plate; FIG. It is a sectional view showing a part of a base plate and a nozzle unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet apparatus provided with a toilet deodorizing device according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 2 includes a western-style seated toilet (hereinafter simply referred to as "toilet" for convenience of explanation) 4, a sanitary washing device 10, and a toilet deodorizing device (hereinafter simply referred to as "deodorizing device"). ) 41. A sanitary washing device 10 is mounted on the toilet bowl 4 . The sanitary washing device 10 may be attached integrally to the toilet bowl 4 or may be detachably attached to the toilet bowl 4 . The deodorizing device 41 is attached to the sanitary washing device 10, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the deodorizing device 41 is provided integrally with the sanitary washing device 10 .

The sanitary washing device 10 has a toilet seat 14 , a toilet lid 16 and a casing 20 . The casing 20 is mounted on the portion of the toilet bowl 4 behind the bowl portion 4a. Casing 20 has a case cover 22 . Casing 20 rotatably supports toilet seat 14 and toilet lid 16 at case cover 22 . Incidentally, the toilet lid 16 is provided in the sanitary washing device 10 as necessary, and can be omitted.

Here, in the specification of the present application, upward, downward, forward, rearward, rightward, and leftward when viewed from the user sitting on the toilet seat 14 with his back to the toilet lid 16 in the open state are referred to as "upward," "Lower", "front", "rear", "right side", and "left side".

The toilet bowl 4 has a bowl portion 4a. The bowl portion 4a has a shape recessed downward. The toilet bowl 4 receives excretion such as urine and feces of the user in the bowl portion 4a.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a sanitary washing device provided with the toilet deodorizing device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sanitary washing device 10 includes a washing water supply unit 30, a seating detection sensor 31, a human body detection sensor 32, a nozzle unit 33, a spray nozzle 38, a deodorizing device 41, and a deodorizing device. 42 and a controller 44 . The nozzle unit 33 has a cleaning nozzle 34 and a nozzle cleaning chamber 36 .

A seating detection sensor 31 detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat 14 . As the seating detection sensor 31, for example, an infrared light projecting/receiving type distance measuring sensor, a detection switch, a capacitance sensor, or the like can be used. The seating detection sensor 31 outputs to the control device 44 the result of detection of the presence or absence of seating.

The human body detection sensor 32 detects a human body entering the room in which the toilet device 2 is installed (hereinafter referred to as a toilet room). As the human body detection sensor 32, for example, a pyroelectric sensor using infrared signals can be used. Alternatively, a radio wave sensor using millimeter waves or microwaves may be used as the human body detection sensor 32 . In this case, it is possible to detect not only a human body entering the toilet room but also a human body trying to enter the toilet room. The human body detection sensor 32 outputs the human body detection result to the control device 44 .

The control device 44 controls operations of the washing water supply unit 30 , the human body detection sensor 32 , the washing nozzle 34 , the nozzle washing chamber 36 , the spray nozzle 38 , the deodorizing device 41 and the deodorizing device 42 . The control device 44 controls the operation of each part according to an operation instruction input from the operation part 45 or a detection result output from the seating detection sensor 31 or the human body detection sensor 32 . The operation unit 45 may be provided in the casing 20 or may be provided separately from the casing 20 . The operation unit 45 may be a so-called remote controller. Communication between the control device 44 and the operation unit 45 may be wired or wireless.

The cleaning water supply unit 30 includes a channel opening/closing valve 50 , a heat exchanger 51 , an electrolytic bath 52 , an atmospheric release type vacuum breaker (VB) 53 , an electromagnetic pump 54 , and a flow adjustment/channel switching valve 55 . and have

The channel opening/closing valve 50 is an electromagnetic valve that can be opened and closed, and controls the supply of cleaning water based on commands from the control device 44 . The channel opening/closing valve 50 switches between supplying and stopping cleaning water supplied from a water supply source.

The heat exchanger 51 is provided downstream of the channel opening/closing valve 50 and heats the wash water supplied from the water supply source to generate hot water. Hereinafter, in the specification of the present application, “washing water” includes water (cold water) supplied from a water supply source and hot water heated by the heat exchanger 51 . The heat exchanger 51 may be an instantaneous heating type (instantaneous type) heat exchanger or a hot water storage heating type heat exchanger using a hot water storage tank. The user can set the temperature of the hot water by operating the operation unit 45, for example.

The electrolytic bath 52 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 51 . The electrolytic cell 52 has a pair of electrodes and electrolyzes washing water (tap water) flowing between the electrodes. The electrolytic cell 52 electrolyzes chlorine ions contained in the cleaning water to generate a liquid containing hypochlorous acid (HClO) (hereinafter referred to as "functional water").

A vacuum breaker 53 is provided downstream of the electrolytic bath 52 . The vacuum breaker 53 promotes draining downstream of the vacuum breaker 53 by drawing air into the water channel.

The electromagnetic pump 54 is provided downstream of the vacuum breaker 53 . The electromagnetic pump 54 pulsates or accelerates the flow of water in the water channel and pulsates the water spouted from the washing nozzle 34 . "Pulsation" refers to pressure fluctuations in the water channel caused by the electromagnetic pump 54 . The electromagnetic pump 54 changes the pressure of the water in the water channel and changes the flow state of the water flowing in the water channel.

The cleaning nozzle 34 has a water discharger 35 . The water discharge part 35 has, for example, a bottom washing water discharge hole 35a, a bottom soft water discharge hole 35b, and a bidet washing water discharge hole 35c. The washing water or functional water sent to the washing nozzle 34 is discharged upward from the water discharger 35 . The cleansing water spouted from the water spouting portion 35 is used for washing the private parts such as the "buttocks" of the user seated on the toilet seat 14 . The functional water is used for cleaning the water discharge holes 35a to 35c and water channels leading to the water discharge holes 35a to 35c.

A flow adjustment/flow path switching valve 55 is provided between the electromagnetic pump 54 and the cleaning nozzle 34 . The flow adjustment/flow path switching valve 55 selects the destination of the cleansing water or functional water supplied via the electromagnetic pump 54 through the bottom cleaning water outlet 35a, the bottom soft water outlet 35b, the bidet cleaning water outlet 35c, and the nozzle cleaning chamber 36. , the spray nozzle 38 and the deodorizing device 41. Further, the flow adjustment/flow path switching valve 55 changes the flow rate of the washing water discharged from the water discharge holes 35a to 35c of the washing nozzle .

The nozzle cleaning chamber 36 has a water discharge portion 36a. The nozzle cleaning chamber 36 cleans the outer surface of the cleaning nozzle 34, that is, cleans the body by jetting cleansing water or functional water from the water jetting portion 36a.

The spray nozzle 38 sprays cleansing water or functional water onto the surface of the bowl portion 4 a of the toilet bowl 4 . The spray nozzle 38 may be provided inside the casing 20 or may be attached to the outside of the casing 20 .

The control device 44 sprays water from the spray nozzle 38 onto the surface of the bowl portion 4a of the toilet bowl 4 in response to detection of the user by the human body detection sensor 32, for example. By allowing water droplets to adhere to the surface of the bowl portion 4a before the user uses the toilet device 2, it is possible to prevent the bowl portion 4a from being soiled.

Further, the control device 44 sprays functional water from the spray nozzle 38 onto the surface of the bowl portion 4a of the toilet bowl 4 when a predetermined time has passed since the human body detection sensor 32 stopped detecting the user in the toilet room. . That is, the control device 44 wets the surface of the bowl portion 4a with functional water (hypochlorous acid water) after the user has finished using the toilet bowl 4 by flushing the waste. As a result, it is possible to suppress the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the bowl portion 4a.

The deodorizing device 42 is provided inside the casing 20 . The deodorizing device 42 sucks the air in the bowl portion 4 a of the toilet bowl 4 , reduces odor components such as stool smell contained in the sucked air, and then discharges the sucked air to the outside of the casing 20 . For example, when the seating detection sensor 31 detects that the user has left the toilet seat 14, the control device 44 causes the deodorizing device 42 to operate for a predetermined period of time.

The deodorizing device 41 according to the embodiment is provided inside the casing 20, for example. The deodorizing device 41 sucks the air in the toilet room. The air in the toilet room mainly refers to the air outside the toilet bowl 4 (air other than the inside of the bowl portion 4a). The deodorizing device 41 collects or decomposes odor components such as urine odor contained in the sucked air. The "odor component" is, for example, a component such as ammonia or trimethylamine. The deodorizing device 41 discharges the air in which odorous components and the like have been captured or decomposed to the outside of the casing 20 (toilet room). Thereby, the deodorizing device 41 deodorizes the air in the toilet room.

The deodorizing device 41 has a dust collection filter 60, a fan 61 (blower device), an adsorption filter 62, a spray section 63 (spraying means), a duct section 64, an intake port 65, and an exhaust port 66. .

One end of the duct portion 64 is provided as an intake port 65 through which the air in the toilet room is sucked. The other end of the duct portion 64 is provided as an exhaust port 66 through which the air sucked from the intake port 65 is discharged to the outside. The duct portion 64 forms an air passage that guides air from the intake port 65 to the exhaust port 66 .

A fan 61 is provided in the middle of the ventilation path. When the fan 61 operates, the air in the toilet room is sucked through the intake port 65 and an airflow is formed in the duct portion 64 from the intake port 65 toward the exhaust port 66 . The fan 61 is, for example, a sirocco fan.

The adsorption filter 62 is provided in the middle of the ventilation path. The adsorption filter 62 is arranged, for example, between the fan 61 and the exhaust port 66 in the duct portion 64 . The spray unit 63 can discharge the cleaning water or functional water supplied from the flow adjustment/flow path switching valve 55 to the adsorption filter 62 under the control of the control device 44 . The spraying unit 63 is provided above the adsorption filter 62 , for example, and can spray (spray) water in the form of a mist toward the adsorption filter 62 . Note that the supply of water to the adsorption filter 62 is not limited to this example, and any form of water discharge that can control the discharge of cleansing water or functional water may be used.

The dust collection filter 60 is provided on the upstream side of the fan 61 and the adsorption filter 62 and prevents dust contained in the sucked air from being sent to the fan 61 and the adsorption filter 62 .

The adsorption filter 62 is configured to be able to adsorb odorous components contained in the air. The adsorption filter 62 has a plurality of through holes through which air can pass. Also, minute pores may be provided on the surface of the adsorption filter 62 to increase the surface area. When the fan 61 operates, air in the toilet room sucked from the intake port 65 passes through the adsorption filter 62 . When the air passes through the adsorption filter 62 , odorous components such as ammonia contained in the air are adsorbed by the adsorption filter 62 . Thereby, the odor component contained in the air can be reduced.

The air with reduced odor components is discharged from the exhaust port 66 to the toilet room. In this way, the deodorizing device 41 can collect or decompose odorous components and the like that always exist in the toilet room. Therefore, when entering the toilet room, the user is less likely to inhale odors due to the odorous components that always exist in the toilet room, and can comfortably use the toilet room.

For example, the control device 44 stops the operation of the fan 61 during a time period when the user's toilet apparatus 2 is used less frequently, and operates the fan 61 during a time period when the user uses the toilet apparatus 2 more frequently. As a result, it is possible to remove the odor that always resides in the toilet room during the period when the user is likely to enter the toilet room.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a sanitary washing device provided with the toilet deodorizing device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the sanitary washing device 10 with the case cover 22 omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, casing 20 has a base plate 24 . The base plate 24 closes the lower end of the case cover 22. - 特許庁In other words, case cover 22 is mounted on base plate 24 . In the sanitary washing device 10, a nozzle unit 33, a deodorizing device 41, a deodorizing device 42, a control device 44, a flow path opening/closing valve 50, a heat exchanger 51, an electrolytic cell 52, a vacuum breaker 53, an electromagnetic pump 54, and flow control/flow Each part such as the path switching valve 55 is mounted on the base plate 24 .

In this example, the sanitary washing device 10 further has a warm air drying unit 43 . The hot air drying unit 43 blows hot air toward the user's private parts (such as the "buttocks") sitting on the toilet seat 14, thereby drying the user's wet private parts. The nozzle unit 33 is provided substantially in the center of the base plate 24 in the left-right direction. For example, the nozzle unit 33, the hot air drying unit 43, the deodorizing device 42, and the deodorizing device 41 are provided adjacent to each other in this order toward the right side from the approximate center in the left-right direction.

The exhaust port 42 a of the deodorizing device 42 is arranged side by side with the exhaust port 66 of the deodorizing device 41 . In this example, the exhaust port 42a and the exhaust port 66 are provided facing rearward and arranged side by side in the left-right direction. For example, the exhaust port 42a and the exhaust port 66 may be provided sideways and arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the exhaust port 42a and the exhaust port 66 may be stacked vertically. The air discharged from the exhaust port 42 a and the exhaust port 66 is discharged to the outside of the casing 20 through an opening provided on the rear surface of the casing 20 .

The deodorizing device 42 has a deodorizing member 42b such as a deodorizing catalyst or an adsorption filter. The deodorizing device 42 reduces odor components contained in the sucked air by passing the sucked air through the deodorizing member 42b.

For the deodorizing device 41, the control device 44 can execute a deodorizing mode and a regeneration mode. In the deodorizing mode, as described above, the control device 44 operates the fan 61 to deodorize the air in the toilet room. In the regeneration mode, the control device 44 discharges water from the spray section 63 to the adsorption filter 62 . When water is supplied to the adsorption filter 62 , the odorous components adsorbed to the adsorption filter 62 are dissolved in the water and flow down from the adsorption filter 62 . As a result, the odorous components are desorbed from the adsorption filter 62, and the odorous components can be collected or decomposed again by the adsorption filter 62. FIG.

The surface of the adsorption filter 62 is made of a material that adsorbs odorous components and can desorb the adsorbed odorous components with water. That is, the adsorption filter 62 can adsorb odorous components even in a state in which it does not contain moisture. In addition, the adsorbed odorous component can be desorbed only by the water discharged from the spray section 63 . Therefore, the control device 44 does not discharge water from the spray section 63 to the adsorption filter 62 in the deodorizing mode, and discharges water from the spray section 63 to the adsorption filter 62 only in the regeneration mode. Activated carbon or zeolite is used as the material of the adsorption filter 62 . Alternatively, a fiber film made of acrylate-based resin may be used as the adsorption filter 62 .

The deodorizing device 41, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a drain gutter 80 (drainage path). The drain gutter 80 has, for example, a tubular shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. When water is discharged from the spray section 63 to the adsorption filter 62 when the regeneration mode is executed, the water also adheres to the inside of the duct section 64 . The drain gutter 80 guides the water inside the duct portion 64 to a predetermined position. In this example, the drain gutter 80 guides and discharges water from the duct portion 64 to the bowl portion 4a of the toilet bowl 4 via the base plate 24 .

The drain gutter 80 is a hard pipe line provided on the base plate 24 . The drain gutter 80 does not undergo elastic deformation or the like in normal use, and does not substantially change the shape of the internal pipeline. As a result, the water drained from the deodorizing device 41 can be discharged to the outside of the casing 20 more appropriately than when draining water using a flexible tube or the like. Further, by making the drain gutter 80 tubular with a substantially rectangular cross-section, the surface tension in the pipe can be reduced and the water can be drained more easily than when the cross-section is substantially circular.

Also, the controller 44 executes the drying mode after the regeneration mode. In the dry mode, the adsorption filter 62 to which water is attached and water remaining in the drain gutter 80 are dried. In the dry mode, the controller 44 operates the fan 61 to create an airflow inside the duct portion 64 . At this time, part of the air flows through the drain gutter 80 . By operating the fan 61 for a predetermined period of time, the insides of the adsorption filter 62 and the drain gutter 80 can be dried.

The deodorizing device 41 also includes adsorption amount measuring means for detecting or estimating the amount (adsorption amount) of the odor component adsorbed by the adsorption filter 62 . The control device 44 executes the regeneration mode when the adsorption amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

As an example, the control device 44 functions as adsorption amount measuring means. The adsorption amount in the adsorption filter 62 is proportional to the amount of air that has passed through the adsorption filter 62 . The amount of air that has passed through the adsorption filter 62 is proportional to the total operating time of the fan 61 . The control device 44 calculates the total operating time of the fan 61 after execution of the immediately preceding regeneration mode. The control device 44 takes the calculated value as the adsorption amount and compares this value with a predetermined amount.

In addition, a gas sensor may be provided as the adsorption amount measuring means. For example, gas sensors are provided upstream and downstream of the adsorption filter 62, respectively. A difference between the ammonia concentration detected by the upstream gas sensor and the ammonia concentration detected by the downstream gas sensor is calculated. This difference corresponds to the amount of ammonia adsorbed on the adsorption filter 62 . The amount of adsorption to the adsorption filter 62 is calculated by accumulating the difference at each time. These calculations may be performed by the gas sensor or may be performed by the controller 44 .

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the toilet deodorizing device according to the embodiment.
When the controller 44 receives a deodorizing mode trigger (step S1), it executes the deodorizing mode (step S2). A trigger for the deodorizing mode is issued when a predetermined time has passed since the previous deodorizing mode in a time period when the frequency of use of the toilet device 2 is high, or when an action of a human body trying to enter the toilet room is detected. In the deodorization mode, as described above, the control device 44 operates the fan 61 to reduce odor components contained in the sucked air in the toilet room.

After executing the deodorizing mode, the controller 44 detects or estimates the adsorption amount in the adsorption filter 62 by the adsorption amount measuring means (step S3). The controller 44 compares the adsorption amount with a predetermined amount (step S4). If the amount of adsorption is less than the predetermined amount, the process returns to the state of waiting for the trigger of the deodorizing mode. When the adsorption amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the control device 44 executes the regeneration mode (step S5), and then executes the drying mode (step S6). As a result, the adsorption filter 62 is brought into a state in which the odor component can be adsorbed again.

Effects of the embodiment will be described.
In the deodorizing device 41 according to the embodiment, the control device 44 does not discharge water from the spray section 63 to the adsorption filter 62 in the deodorizing mode. Then, the control device 44 discharges water from the spray section 63 to the adsorption filter 62 in the regeneration mode. By not discharging water from the spray part 63 in the deodorizing mode, water does not flow to the drain gutter 80 except when the regeneration mode is executed. For this reason, the time during which the drain gutter 80 is immersed in water can be shortened, and the occurrence of biofilm on the drain gutter 80 can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, even if the width of the drain gutter 80 is made narrower, clogging of the drain gutter 80 by biofilm can be suppressed, and the deodorizing device 41 can be made smaller.
The surface of the adsorption filter 62 is made of a material that allows the adsorbed odor components to be desorbed only by the water discharged from the spray section 63 . Therefore, compared with the case of regenerating the adsorption filter 62 by heating, it is possible to shorten the regeneration time, improve the safety, extend the life of the adsorption filter 62, and reduce the cost of the deodorizing device 41 .

The execution timing of the regeneration mode is arbitrary, but it is desirable to detect or estimate the adsorption amount by the adsorption amount measuring means in order to shorten the time that the drain gutter 80 is submerged in water. By executing the regeneration mode based on the detected or estimated amount of adsorption, the number of times the regeneration mode is executed can be minimized.

For example, as described above, the control device 44 functions as adsorption amount measuring means. The control device 44 uses the total operation time of the fan 61 as the value indicating the adsorption amount. The control device 44 executes the regeneration mode when the adsorption amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
The predetermined amount is set based on the amount of odor components that can be adsorbed by the adsorption filter 62 . In order to more reliably suppress the generation of biofilms in the drain gutter 80, it is preferable to minimize the execution frequency of the regeneration mode using water. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined amount is not an amount at which the adsorption amount of the adsorption filter 62 begins to decrease, but an amount at which the adsorption amount reaches a limit (saturation) value and no more odorous components can be adsorbed.

More desirably, the adsorption amount is estimated based on the operating time of the fan 61 . According to this method, the adsorption amount can be estimated more easily. For example, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the deodorizing device 41 as compared with the case where the deodorizing device 41 is provided with a device that directly detects the adsorption amount.

Moreover, in the regeneration using only water, it is difficult to completely desorb the odorous components adsorbed on the adsorption filter 62 . For example, when minute pores are formed on the surface of the adsorption filter 62, water does not sufficiently enter into the depths of the pores, and the odorous components adsorbed in the depths of the pores are not desorbed.
As a result of investigation by the inventors, it was found that the amount of odorous components that are difficult to desorb in the adsorption filter 62 increases as the adsorption filter 62 is regenerated and used repeatedly. When the amount of odorous components that are difficult to desorb in the adsorption filter 62 increases, typically, a method of discharging a large amount of water from the adsorption filter 62 for a longer period of time to promote desorption can be considered. However, as a result of investigation by the inventors, it was found that even if a larger amount of water is discharged for a longer period of time, desorption hardly progresses with respect to odorous components that are difficult to desorb.
Therefore, in order to reduce the discharge of water that does not contribute to the detachment of odorous components and to prevent the drain gutter 80 from being immersed in water unnecessarily long, the number of regenerations of the adsorption filter 62 (the number of times the regeneration mode is executed) should be Regardless, it is desirable to always keep the amount of water discharged to the adsorption filter 62 constant in the regeneration mode.

Further, the control device 44 executes the drying mode after execution of the regeneration mode, so that the water remaining in the drain gutter 80 is dried after execution of the regeneration mode, and the time during which the drain gutter 80 is immersed in water can be shortened.

Hereinafter, a more specific configuration of the deodorizing device 41 will be described.
FIG.5 and FIG.6 is sectional drawing showing the deodorizing apparatus for toilet apparatuses which concerns on embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the deodorizing device 41 is viewed from above.
FIG. 6 shows the deodorizing device 41 viewed from the side.
6 represents a cross section along line A1-A2 of FIG. 5, and FIG. 5 represents a cross section along line B1-B2 of FIG.

The adsorption filter 62 is held by the case portion 72 . The adsorption filter 62 is formed, for example, in a lattice shape and has a plurality of through holes 62a. As described above, the surface of the adsorption filter 62 is made of a material that can adsorb odorous components and desorb the odorous components with water. A resin material containing, for example, an antibacterial agent is used for the case portion 72 . The adsorption filter 62 is held in the duct portion 64, for example, with the through holes 62a directed vertically.

The deodorizing device 41 is arranged with the intake port 65 directed downward. The fan 61 sucks air from below through an air intake opening 22a (see FIG. 1) provided in the lower side surface of the case cover 22 and an air intake port 65. As shown in FIG. The duct portion 64 guides the air discharged from the fan 61 rearward and allows the air to pass through the adsorption filter 62 from the bottom to the top. The duct portion 64 further guides the air that has passed through the adsorption filter 62 rearward and discharges it to the outside of the casing 20 through the exhaust port 66 .

In this manner, the deodorizing device 41 discharges the air sucked from the lateral lower portion of the casing 20 rearward. The positions of the intake air and the exhaust air of the deodorizing device 41 are not limited to the above, and may be arbitrary positions of the casing 20 . For example, the air sucked from the side of the casing 20 may be deodorized and then discharged to the side of the casing 20 again.

The fan 61 is arranged below the adsorption filter 62 . As a result, air can be efficiently sent to the duct portion 64 and the adsorption filter 62 when the air is passed through the adsorption filter 62 from below to above. Further, the fan 61 is horizontally shifted with respect to the adsorption filter 62 . In other words, the fan 61 does not overlap the adsorption filter 62 in the vertical direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the washing water or functional water sprayed from the spray unit 63 from splashing onto the fan 61 when the regeneration mode is executed.

The duct portion 64 has a retention space 64a and an upper space 64b, as shown in FIG. The adsorption filter 62 is provided in the upper space 64b, and the retention space 64a is provided below the adsorption filter 62. As shown in FIG. The retention space 64 a temporarily retains the air sucked by the fan 61 below the adsorption filter 62 . Air is less likely to flow through the adsorption filter 62 than through the duct portion 64 . Therefore, in the retention space 64a located upstream of the adsorption filter 62, air tends to be retained in comparison with other portions.

In the adsorption filter 62 after execution of the regeneration mode, due to gravity, the lower portion contains more water than the upper portion. By temporarily retaining air in the retention space 64a below the adsorption filter 62, the air can be brought into contact with water not only during the time it passes through the adsorption filter 62 but also during the time it is retained in the retention space 64a. As a result, in the dry mode, the adsorption filter 62 and the inner bottom surface 64d of the duct portion 64 that receives water dropped from the adsorption filter 62 can be dried in a shorter time. By facilitating drying of these parts, the amount of water flowing to the drain gutter 80 can be reduced, and the time during which the drain gutter 80 is submerged in water can be shortened.

In addition, when air is allowed to pass through the adsorption filter 62 from below to above, the retention space 64a is made wider than the upper space 64b. As a result, the air can be more easily retained in the retention space 64a, and the contact time between the air and the water can be lengthened. In addition, the air can be prevented from remaining in the upper space 64b and discharged to the outside of the casing 20 immediately. Thereby, in the dry mode, the adsorption filter 62 and the inner bottom surface 64d can be dried in a shorter time.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the toilet deodorizing device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 represents a C1-C2 line cross section of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the duct portion 64 has an introduction portion 64c.

The introduction part 64c guides the air sucked by the fan 61 to the retention space 64a. At the connecting portion between the introduction portion 64c and the retention space 64a, the center CT1 in the width direction of the introduction portion 64c is laterally shifted from the center CT2 in the width direction of the retention space 64a. The introduction part 64c extends, for example, in a tangential direction with respect to the retention space 64a.

By shifting the center CT1 from the center CT2 in this way, the air can be more easily retained in the retention space 64a. For example, air can be swirled along the inner surface 64s of the duct portion 64, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. This makes it possible to lengthen the contact time between air and water and dry the adsorption filter 62 and the inner bottom surface 64d in a shorter time in the dry mode.

A portion of the inner side surface 64s of the duct portion 64 is curved in an arc shape. This makes it easier to swirl the air. Further, when a sirocco fan is used as the fan 61, the wind is stronger on the outer peripheral side of the rotating rotor than on the inner peripheral side, as indicated by the size of the arrow in FIG. In this case, the fan 61 is arranged so that the wind blown out from the outer peripheral side of the rotor of the fan 61 runs along the inner surface 64s of the duct portion 64 . This makes it easier to swirl the air. The contact time between air and water can be lengthened, and the adsorption filter 62 and the inner bottom surface 64d can be dried in a shorter time in the dry mode.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the duct portion 64 has a first drain port 74a and a second drain port 74b. The first drain port 74 a allows the water that is sprayed from the spray part 63 and dropped onto the adsorption filter 62 to flow to the drain gutter 80 . That is, the duct portion 64 is connected to the drain gutter 80 via the first drain port 74a. The second drain port 74b is provided at the bottom between the adsorption filter 62 and the fan 61, and drains water flowing toward the fan 61 to the outside. The second drain port 74 b , for example, drips water toward the fan 61 side onto the base plate 24 and drains it to the bowl portion 4 a of the toilet bowl 4 via the base plate 24 . A blocking plate may be provided on the second drain port 74b to prevent water from flowing to the base plate.

The first drain port 74a is provided on the center side of the base plate 24 in the left-right direction. The second drain port 74b is provided on the side opposite to the first drain port 74a in the left-right direction. That is, the introduction portion 64c is provided on the side opposite to the first drain port 74a in the left-right direction. Thereby, for example, the first drain port 74a and the drain gutter 80 can be easily connected. By providing the first drain port 74a toward the center side of the base plate 24 that drains water to the bowl portion 4a, the water drained from the deodorizing device 41 can be more easily drained to the bowl portion 4a.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the toilet deodorizing device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 represents a cross section taken along line D1-D2 of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the inner bottom surface 64d of the duct portion 64 that receives water dripped from the adsorption filter 62 slopes downward toward the first drain port 74a. The inner bottom surface 64d is an inclined surface having a drainage gradient for draining water dropped from the adsorption filter 62 to the first drainage port 74a. The opening end of the first drain port 74a is located below the opening end of the second drain port 74b. As a result, the water dripping from the adsorption filter 62 is normally directed toward the first drain port 74a and drained to the bowl portion 4a of the toilet bowl 4 via the drain gutter 80. As shown in FIG.

The second drain port 74b allows the water to drip onto the base plate 24 and suppresses the fan 61 from being splashed with water when the water dripping from the adsorption filter 62 unintentionally flows toward the fan 61 side. The second drain port 74b is provided as necessary and can be omitted.

9(a) and 9(b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the base plate.
FIG. 9(b) represents a cross section taken along line E1-E2 of FIG. 9(a).
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the drain gutter 80 has a gutter main body 82 and a lid portion 84 .

The gutter main body 82 has a concave shape with an upper opening. In this example, trough body 82 is provided on base plate 24 . In other words, the gutter main body 82 is formed as a separate member from the base plate 24 and mounted on the base plate 24 . The lid portion 84 closes the top of the gutter main body 82 . The lid portion 84 closes the top of the gutter main body 82 by, for example, fitting into the upper open end of the gutter main body 82 . As a result, the gutter main body 82 and the lid portion 84 form a tubular drainage gutter 80 . The lid portion 84 may close the top of the gutter body 82 by fitting on the outside of the gutter body 82 . The drain trough 80 may be composed of, for example, a concave lid portion with an open bottom, and a bottom plate portion that fits into the lower open end of the lid portion and closes the bottom of the lid portion.

The drain gutter 80 may be formed from two members as described above, or may be formed from a single tubular member. However, by forming the drain gutter 80 with the gutter main body 82 and the lid portion 84 as described above, the drain gutter 80 can be formed easily. Furthermore, by integrally forming the gutter main body 82 with the base plate 24, the number of parts can be reduced and the drain gutter 80 can be formed more easily. For the gutter main body 82 (base plate 24) and the lid portion 84, for example, a hard resin material containing the above-described antibacterial agent is used. This suppresses elastic deformation of the drain gutter 80 in normal use. In addition, it is possible to suppress clogging of the drainage trough 80 due to the growth of bacteria and the formation of a biofilm.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing part of the base plate and the nozzle unit.
As shown in FIG. 10, the nozzle unit 33 has a support 90 that supports the cleaning nozzle 34. As shown in FIG. The support 90 has a projecting portion 90a projecting laterally toward the deodorizing device 41 side. The projecting portion 90a is provided above the lid portion 84 of the drainage gutter 80 and presses the one end 84a side of the lid portion 84 . In this manner, the nozzle unit 33 presses the one end 84 a side of the lid portion 84 .

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the invention is not limited to these descriptions. Appropriate design changes made by those skilled in the art with respect to the above embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element provided in the toilet deodorizing device are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, each element provided in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and a combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

2 toilet device 4 toilet bowl 4a bowl portion 10 sanitary washing device 14 toilet seat 16 toilet lid 20 casing 22 case cover 22a intake opening 24 base plate 30 washing water supply portion 31 seating detection sensor 32 human body Detection sensor 33 Nozzle unit 34 Washing nozzle 35 Water discharge part 35a Bottom washing water discharge hole 35b Bottom soft water discharge hole 35c Bidet washing water discharge hole 36 Nozzle washing chamber 36a Water discharge part 38 Spray nozzle 41 Deodorizing device 42 Deodorizing device 42a Exhaust port 42b Deodorizing member 43 Hot air drying unit 44 Control device 45 Operation unit 50 Flow path opening/closing valve 51 Heat exchanger 52 Electrolyzer 53 Vacuum breaker 54 Electromagnetic pump 55 Flow control/channel switching valve 60 Dust collection filter 61 Fan 62 Adsorption filter 62a Through hole 63 Spray section 64 Duct section 64a Retention space 64b Upper space 64c Introduction section 64d Inner bottom surface 64s Inside side surface 65 intake port 66 exhaust port 72 case portion 74a first drain port 74b second drain port 80 drain gutter 82 gutter main body 84 lid portion 84a one end 90 support 90a protrusion CT1 , CT2 center, S1 to S6 steps

Claims (5)

A toilet deodorizing device provided in a toilet device,
an air passage having an intake port through which air in the toilet room is sucked and an exhaust port through which the sucked air is discharged;
an air blower that is provided in the middle of the ventilation path and forms an airflow from the intake port toward the exhaust port;
an adsorption filter provided in the middle of the ventilation path and capable of adsorbing odorous components contained in the air passing through the ventilation path;
a water discharge means capable of discharging water to the adsorption filter;
a drainage path for discharging water discharged from the water discharging means to a predetermined position;
a control device capable of executing a deodorization mode in which the adsorption filter adsorbs odorous components, and a regeneration mode in which the adsorption filter desorbs the odorous components;
prepared,
The control device controls the water discharging means so as not to discharge water to the adsorption filter in the deodorization mode and to discharge water to the adsorption filter in the regeneration mode,
A deodorizing device for a toilet, wherein the surface of the adsorption filter is made of a material capable of desorbing the adsorbed odor component only by the water discharged from the water discharging means. further comprising adsorption amount measuring means for detecting or estimating the amount of odor components adsorbed by the adsorption filter;
The control device does not execute the regeneration mode when the amount of the odor component detected or estimated by the adsorption amount measuring means is less than a predetermined amount, and executes the regeneration mode when the amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. The toilet deodorizing device according to claim 1. 3. The toilet deodorizing device according to claim 2, wherein said adsorption amount measuring means estimates the amount of odor components adsorbed by said adsorption filter based on the operation time of said air blower. The deodorizing device for a toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller controls the amount of water spouted by the water spouting means in the regeneration mode. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein after executing the regeneration mode, the control device executes a drying mode for forming an airflow in the drainage path to dry water remaining in the drainage path. toilet deodorizing device.

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