JP7498008B2 - Sanitary Cleaning Equipment - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a sanitary cleaning device.

Conventionally, a sanitary washing device for washing the body of a person seated on a toilet seat has been disclosed that is provided with a nozzle washing member for washing the washing nozzle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is said to be capable of spraying nozzle washing water in a fan-like shape as it approaches the washing nozzle.

JP 2016-172976 A

In the above-mentioned sanitary washing device, the nozzle cleaning hole from which the nozzle cleaning water is sprayed has a complex water discharge structure consisting of recesses, cutouts, etc. This poses the problem that it is difficult to adjust to obtain uniform cleaning performance. In addition to the above, the nozzle cleaning member in the above-mentioned sanitary washing device has a single flow path connected to multiple nozzle cleaning holes that clean multiple nozzles, which causes an issue of uneven cleaning performance.

This disclosure was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a sanitary cleaning device that can clean nozzles with reduced unevenness using a simple structure.

The present disclosure relates to a sanitary washing device that includes one or more nozzles having a water outlet and arranged to be movable forward and backward relative to a main body, a water outlet hole, a diffusion section that diffuses the washing water discharged from the water outlet hole, and a washing unit that washes the nozzle.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary washing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a front view of a cleaning unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary washing device 10 according to this embodiment is attached to a toilet device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 100 has a toilet bowl 11, a toilet seat 12, a toilet lid 13, a functional unit 14, and an operation panel 15. In the following description of this specification, the front direction as seen by a user of the toilet device 100 seated on the toilet seat 12 of the toilet device 100 is defined as the front, and the rear direction as the rear. The vertical direction from the floor side end of the toilet bowl 11 toward the toilet seat 12 is defined as the up direction, and the opposite direction as the down direction.

The toilet bowl 11 is a Western-style toilet bowl with a recess that is open at the top. The toilet seat 12 is a roughly annular seating surface that is attached along the opening of the toilet bowl 11. The toilet lid 13 is an openable and closable lid that covers the opening of the toilet seat 12. The functional unit 14 is located above and at the rear of the toilet bowl 11, and is a part where a control unit that executes various functions of the toilet device 100 is provided. The sanitary washing device 10 is attached to the functional unit 14, together with the toilet seat 12 and toilet lid 13.

The operation panel 15 extends from the functional unit 14 and is disposed on the side of the toilet seat 12 on the functional unit 14 side. The operation panel 15 is configured to allow the user to perform the flushing operation of the toilet bowl 11, the flushing operation of the sanitary washing device 10, and the selection of various operation modes for the flushing operation of the sanitary washing device 10.

<Hygienic cleaning device>
The sanitary washing device 10 is disposed on the rear side of the opening of the toilet seat 12 and in the front side of the functional part 14. As shown in FIG. 2 , the sanitary washing device 10 has a washing unit 1, a nozzle 5 consisting of a first nozzle 51 and a second nozzle 52, a housing 6 as a main body, a nozzle drive mechanism 7, and a water supply pump 8.

The cleaning unit 1 cleans the nozzle 5 by spraying cleaning water onto the nozzle 5. For example, the cleaning unit 1 sprays cleaning water onto the nozzle 5 when the nozzle 5 advances and retreats from the housing 6 after advancing into the housing 6 and spraying water thereon. The cleaning unit 1 is a frame-shaped body having an opening through which the nozzle 5 can be inserted, and the rear end of the cleaning unit 1 is fixed in contact with the housing 6. The configuration of the cleaning unit 1 will be described in detail later.

The first nozzle 51 is, for example, a nozzle for anal washing. The second nozzle 52 is, for example, a nozzle for a bidet. The first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are arranged in a pair on the left and right. The first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are arranged parallel to each other and inclined downward from the rear to the front, and are provided so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the housing 6. The housing 6 is provided with a shutter (not shown). When the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 move forward and backward with respect to the housing 6, the shutter is opened and closed.

The first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are formed long with the inclination direction as the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are formed in a cylindrical shape. However, this is not limited to this. The first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are formed of, for example, a metal material, a resin material, a ceramic material, etc. A number of teeth are formed in a row on the underside of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 to move each nozzle forward and backward.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 each have a water outlet 51a and a water outlet 52a. One or more water outlets 51a and 52a are formed on the upper surface of the tip side of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, respectively.

A water supply hose 53 is connected to each of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. A water supply pump 8 is connected to the water supply hose 53, and cleaning water is supplied from a water supply source (not shown). The water outlet 51a and the water outlet 52a discharge the cleaning water supplied via the water supply hose 53.

The first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are each individually advanced into the housing 6 by the nozzle driving mechanism 7. At this time, the cleaning unit 1 cleans the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. Next, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, while advanced to a predetermined position, perform an operation of discharging cleaning water from the water outlet 51a and the water outlet 52a. After the above operation is completed, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are retracted into the housing 6 by the nozzle driving mechanism 7. At this time, the cleaning unit 1 cleans the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. After that, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are accommodated inside the housing 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip of the first nozzle 51 is positioned rearward of the front end of the cleaning unit 1 when the first nozzle 51 is housed in the housing 6. The same is true for the tip of the second nozzle 52.

The housing 6 is the main body of the sanitary washing device 10. The housing 6 accommodates the nozzle 5 so that it can move back and forth. The housing 6 has an upper housing 61 and a lower housing 62. A space capable of accommodating the nozzle 5 is formed between the upper housing 61 and the lower housing 62. The nozzle 5 is accommodated in this space when not in use. The top surface of the housing 6 is covered with a nozzle cover 63.

The nozzle drive mechanism 7 has a motor and a pinion (both not shown). The motor is driven by a drive signal from a control unit (not shown). The pinion is a disk-shaped member having multiple teeth that mesh with multiple teeth formed on the underside of the nozzle 5, and rotates when driven by the motor. The rotation of the pinion causes the nozzle 5 to move forward and backward relative to the housing 6.

The water supply pump 8 is connected to the nozzle 5 via a water supply hose 53, and supplies water to the nozzle 5 from a water supply source (not shown). There are no particular limitations on the type of water supply pump 8. The water supply pump 8 is, for example, a gear pump. The gear pump supplies cleaning water to the nozzle 5 by rotating gears with a motor. The temperature and strength of the water supplied from the water supply pump 8 to the nozzle 5 can be controlled by a control unit (not shown).

<Cleaning unit>
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the washing unit 1 has a first water discharge section 3 and a diffusion section 4 consisting of a first diffusion section 41 and a second diffusion section 42. The first water discharge section 3 has water discharge holes 34a and 34b that discharge wash water. In this embodiment, the washing unit 1 further has a second water discharge section 2 in addition to the first water discharge section 3. The washing unit 1 is formed of, for example, resin.

The first water discharger 3 and the second water discharger 2 are frame-shaped bodies having openings through which the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 can be inserted. The cleaning water supplied from the first water discharger 3 is discharged to the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 via the first diffusion section 41 and the second diffusion section 42, respectively. The discharged cleaning water is discharged from directly above the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 so as to directly hit the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. In this specification, directly above the first nozzle 51 means being located on a line extending vertically upward from the central axis of the first nozzle 51 in a front view. The same applies to the second nozzle 52.

The opening in the second water discharger 2 through which the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 can be inserted has a sufficient gap between the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 when the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are inserted. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first nozzle 51 has a distance L3 on the side and a distance L4 above when inserted into the second water discharger 2. The distances L3 and L4 may be, for example, about 4 mm to 5 mm. The distances L3 and L4 form a nozzle cleaning chamber between the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 and the second water discharger 2 as a frame-shaped body. The nozzle cleaning chamber is a space into which cleaning water is discharged to the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52.

If thick dirt adheres to the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, and if the above-mentioned distances L3 and L4 are small, there is a risk that the dirt will adhere to the cleaning unit 1. The cleaning unit 1 according to this embodiment has a sufficient gap between the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, so that the adhesion of dirt to the cleaning unit 1 can be suppressed.

The distance L5 between the first diffusion section 41 and the second diffusion section 42 and the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 is wider than the distance L4, as shown in FIG. 4. Here, the distance L4 is the distance between the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 and the nozzle cleaning chamber. This allows the cleaning water discharged from the first diffusion section 41 and the second diffusion section 42 to be diffused and discharged directly over a wide range of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, and the number of water discharge holes can be relatively small.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first water discharge section 3 has a first water supply port 32 that supplies cleaning water to the first diffusion section 41, and a second water supply port 31 that supplies cleaning water to the second diffusion section 42. In this embodiment, the first water discharge section 3 further has a third water supply port 33 that supplies cleaning water to the second water discharge section 2.

The first water inlet 32 is connected to a water supply source (not shown) and is a water inlet into which flushing water flows. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first water inlet 32 is continuous with a linear flow path 32a extending from the inlet side toward the second water inlet 31 side. The flow path 32a is continuous with a water outlet hole 34a consisting of a linear flow path extending toward the front side. The flow path 32a and the water outlet hole 34a are continuous inside the first water outlet section 3 and do not have a branch point to another flow path. In other words, the first water inlet 32, the flow path 32a, and the water outlet hole 34a are a single flow path, and all flushing water that flows into the first water inlet 32 is discharged in a straight line from the single water outlet hole 34a.

The water discharge hole 34a opens toward the curved surface 41a of the first diffusion section 41, which will be described later. The opening of the water discharge hole 34a is provided directly above the first nozzle 51.

The water discharge hole 34a and the flow path 32a have a circular flow path cross section, and the flow path cross section area of the water discharge hole 34a is smaller than the flow path cross section area of the flow path 32a. Therefore, the wash water that flows into the first water supply port 32 is strengthened when it flows from the flow path 32a into the water discharge hole 34a, and is discharged from the water discharge hole 34a toward the curved surface 41a.

The second water supply port 31 has a similar configuration to the first water supply port 32, and the wash water that flows into the second water supply port 31 passes through a single flow path and is discharged from a single water discharge hole 34b toward the curved surface of the second diffusion section 42. The opening of the water discharge hole 34b is provided directly above the second nozzle 52.

The diffusion section 4 is a single diffusion section provided for each nozzle 5. The diffusion section 4 discharges cleaning water from a single water discharge hole provided in a single flow path to the nozzle 5. This allows the nozzle 5 to be cleaned evenly. The diffusion section 4 discharges cleaning water linearly from directly above the nozzle 5. The diffusion section 4 may discharge water linearly from diagonally above, in addition to directly above. The above linear shape includes the concepts of straight line and curved line. In this embodiment, the diffusion section 4 is composed of a first diffusion section 41 and a second diffusion section 42 provided corresponding to the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, respectively.

The diffusion unit 4 is preferably disposed inside the housing 6, which serves as the main body. This makes it less likely for the cleaning water to splash around, compared to when the diffusion unit 4 is disposed, for example, on the shutter of the housing 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first diffusion section 41 and the second diffusion section 42 are disposed above the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, respectively. Below, the configuration of the first diffusion section 41 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, which cross-section includes the central axis of the first nozzle 51 and extends vertically in the up-down direction. The second diffusion section 42 has the same configuration and effect as the first diffusion section 41, which will be described below.

The first diffusion section 41 has a curved surface 41a that is arranged opposite the opening of the water discharge hole 34a. As shown in FIG. 5, the curved surface 41a is arranged with a certain space between them so as to cover the opening of the water discharge hole 34a. The certain space is closed at the top and sides, and a portion of the bottom is open in a roughly rectangular shape.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning water discharged in a straight line from the water discharge hole 34a collides with the curved surface 41a. The cleaning water is discharged toward the first nozzle 51 from an opening that opens below the curved surface 41a. With the above configuration, the cleaning water is diffused and rectified, and is discharged in a line from directly above the first nozzle 51. The first diffusion section 41 having the above configuration is a single diffusion section provided corresponding to the first nozzle 51. By performing cleaning with a single diffusion section, cleaning of the first nozzle 51 can be performed evenly. The second diffusion section 42 has the same configuration as the first diffusion section 41, and is a single diffusion section provided corresponding to the second nozzle 52. The cleaning water discharged forward from the water discharge hole 34b is discharged toward the second nozzle 52. The second diffusion section 42 causes the cleaning water to be discharged in a line from directly above the second nozzle 52.

The curved surface 41a is a curved wall surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the curved surface 41a is composed of an upper surface and a side surface, and the upper surface extends so as to incline forward with respect to the extension direction of the water discharge hole 34a. The side surface is curved in a gentle arc shape to continue with the upper surface, and extends approximately vertically downward with respect to the extension direction of the upper surface. As a result, the cleaning water that collides with the curved surface 41a is preferably diffused, and the flow is less likely to be disturbed even after being diffused. The curved surface 41a is inclined toward the retreat direction of the first nozzle 51 and extends toward the tip surface of the first nozzle 51 in a state housed in the housing 6. As a result, the first diffusion section 41 always discharges the cleaning water in the retreat direction of the first nozzle 51. Therefore, the first diffusion section 41 discharges the cleaning water in the opposite direction to the opening of the housing 6 through which the first nozzle 51 advances and retreats, so that the cleaning water is less likely to splash outside the housing 6. In addition to the above, the first diffusion section 41 can discharge cleaning water onto the tip surface of the first nozzle 51 when it is housed in the housing 6. Therefore, the first diffusion section 41 can discharge cleaning water onto not only the upper surface of the first nozzle 51 but also the tip surface to clean it. The extension direction of the curved surface 41a is not limited to the above. For example, the curved surface 41a can be structured so that the extension direction can be changed.

The first diffusion section 41 diffuses and rectifies the cleaning water discharged from a single water discharge hole 34a provided in a single flow path, and discharges it to the first nozzle 51. This allows the first nozzle 51 to be cleaned uniformly and powerfully. By performing the above-mentioned diffusion water discharge, the hole diameter of the water discharge hole can be made relatively large, and clogging by foreign matter, etc. can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the width L1 of the area where the cleaning water discharged from the second diffusion section 42 hits the second nozzle 52 directly is at least half the width L2 of the second nozzle 52. Similarly, the width of the area where the cleaning water discharged from the first diffusion section 41 hits the first nozzle 51 directly is at least half the width of the first nozzle 51. This allows the areas on the top surface of the nozzle 5 where dirt is likely to accumulate to be cleaned evenly. It is preferable that the width L1 is equal to or greater than the width L2.

The first diffusion section 41 has a simple configuration with a single curved surface 41a. In addition to the above, the water discharge hole 34a that discharges the cleaning water and the first diffusion section 41 that diffuses and disperses the cleaning water are configured as separate bodies. This makes it easy to adjust the water discharge performance, and the water discharge performance can be stabilized even when the first diffusion section 41 is formed from a material such as resin. In addition to the above, parts can be standardized for products with nozzles 5 of different thicknesses. The same applies to the second diffusion section 42.

The width of the range in which the wash water discharged from the first diffusion section 41 and the second diffusion section 42 directly hits the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, the discharge angle, etc. can be easily adjusted. For example, the above adjustments can be easily made by changing the flow path length, diameter size, curved surface shape, etc. of the water discharge hole 34a.

The washing unit 1 according to this embodiment has a second water discharge section 2. The second water discharge section 2 is provided in contact with the rear side of the first water discharge section 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the second water discharge section 2 and the first water discharge section 3 are combined and arranged so as to be in contact with each other at multiple points, and a flow path 21 is formed inside. The second water discharge section 2 has multiple water discharge holes 22a provided around the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 in the radial direction. The first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are washed by the washing water discharged from the multiple water discharge holes 22a, which directly discharge the washing water in the entire radial direction.

The flow path 21 is a flow path through which the cleaning water flowing in from the third water supply port 33 of the first water discharger 3 flows. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flow path 21 is a flow path that surrounds the radial periphery of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. As shown in Figure 5, the flow path 21 is composed of a part of the first water discharger 3 and the second water discharger 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, multiple water discharge holes 22a are arranged at approximately equal intervals around the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. Water discharge holes 22a are also arranged on the underside of the first nozzle 51 and on one side thereof, i.e., the first water supply port 32 side. Similarly, water discharge holes 22a are also arranged on the underside of the second nozzle 52 and on one side thereof, i.e., the second water supply port 31 side.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water discharge hole 22a is a linear flow path that extends forward. The multiple water discharge holes 22a are continuous with the flow path 21 inside the second water discharge section 2. In other words, the flow path 21 is continuous with the multiple water discharge holes 22a through multiple branching points. The flush water that flows in from the third water supply port 33 is discharged forward from the multiple water discharge holes 22a via the flow path 21.

The water discharge hole 22a has a circular cross-section, and the cross-sectional area of the water discharge hole 22a is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path 21. Therefore, the wash water that flows into the third water supply port 33 is strengthened when it flows from the flow path 21 into the water discharge hole 22a, and is discharged forward from the water discharge hole 22a.

As shown in FIG. 5, wall surface 35a and wall surface 35b of the first water discharge section 3 are arranged opposite the openings of the multiple water discharge holes 22a. Wall surface 35a is provided opposite the water discharge holes 22a arranged above the first nozzle 51. Wall surface 35a is arranged with a certain space between them so as to cover the openings of the water discharge holes 22a. The certain space is closed at the top and open at the bottom. Wall surface 35b is also arranged with a certain space between them so as to cover the openings of the water discharge holes 22a arranged below the first nozzle 51. The certain space is closed at the bottom and open at the top.

The cleaning water discharged forward from the water discharge hole 22a located above the first nozzle 51 collides with the wall surface 35a and is discharged downward as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, and is discharged toward the upper surface of the first nozzle 51. The cleaning water discharged from the water discharge hole 22a located below the first nozzle 51 collides with the wall surface 35b and is discharged upward, and is discharged toward the lower surface of the first nozzle 51. The wall surface 35a consists of an upper surface and a side surface, and the upper surface is a surface that is approximately parallel to the direction in which the water discharge hole 22a extends. The side surface is curved in a gentle arc shape, continues to the upper surface, and extends approximately vertically downward. The wall surface 35b has a configuration symmetrical to the wall surface 35a, and consists of a lower surface and a side surface. As a result, the cleaning water that collides with the wall surface 35a and the wall surface 35b is preferably diffused. By performing the above-mentioned diffused water discharge, the diameter of the water discharge hole 22a can be made relatively large, which can prevent clogging with foreign matter, etc.

The wall surface 35a and the wall surface 35b are continuous walls surrounding the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. That is, the first water discharge section 3 has a wall surface facing the multiple water discharge holes arranged around the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. The wall surface opens toward the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. Therefore, the cleaning water discharged forward from the multiple water discharge holes 22a collides with the wall surface and is discharged toward the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. As a result, the cleaning water is directly discharged in the entire radial direction, including at least one side surface of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. With the above configuration, even if dirt is attached to the side surface or bottom surface of the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, the dirt can be washed away, and the situation in which the dirt adheres to the cleaning unit 1 can be suppressed.

The cleaning unit 1 according to this embodiment has a first water discharge section 3 having water discharge holes 34a and 34b arranged at the top of the nozzle 5, as well as multiple water discharge holes 22a arranged at approximately equal intervals around the periphery of the nozzle 5. Therefore, the water discharge holes in the cleaning unit 1 are arranged more densely at the top of the nozzle than in other locations. This can further improve the cleaning effect on the top surface of the nozzle 5, which is prone to adhesion of dirt.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. are included in the present disclosure. The washing unit 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as a single washing unit 1 capable of washing both the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52, which are multiple nozzles. It is not limited to the above. If the sanitary washing device 10 has a single nozzle, the washing unit 1 may be capable of washing a single washing nozzle. In addition to the above, if the sanitary washing device 10 has multiple nozzles, multiple washing units 1 may be provided, one for each of the multiple nozzles.

The washing unit 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as having a second water discharge section 2 and a plurality of water discharge holes 22a that are provided in a single flow path and discharge washing water. This is not limited to the above. The washing unit 1 does not have to have a second water discharge section 2 and a plurality of water discharge holes 22a.

10 Sanitary washing device, 1 Washing unit, 4 Diffusion section, 34a, 34b Water outlet, 41a Curved surface, 5 Nozzle, 6 Housing (main body)

Claims (4)

One or more nozzles each having a water outlet and being provided retractable relative to the main body;
a cleaning unit that cleans the nozzle and has a water discharge hole and a diffusion section that diffuses the cleaning water discharged from the water discharge hole;
Equipped with
The diffusion section has a curved surface on which the cleaning water collides and is diffused,
The curved surface is disposed at a certain space from the opening so as to cover the opening of the water discharge hole,
An opening through which the wash water is discharged is formed in the certain space,
A sanitary washing device , wherein the certain space is formed so as to narrow toward the opening. The sanitary washing device of claim 1 , wherein the curved surface is inclined toward a retracting direction of the nozzle. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the water discharge hole and the diffusion section are configured as separate bodies. The sanitary washing device according to claim 1 , wherein the water discharge hole is a single water discharge hole provided in a single flow path.

Images