JPH01223230A - Washing device for toilet bowl for feces - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the washing effect by driving a flow-rate control valve on the basis of a flow-rate pattern program which is previously set in a controller and varying the washing flow-rate through the lapse of time in one washing operation. CONSTITUTION:When a washing operation button is pressed, the voltage applied into a piezoelectric element (e) is released on the basis of a driving order program read out from a memory by a controller, and a brake shoe (k) is contracted to clamp plunger (d), and a piezoelectric element (f) is applied with a voltage, and a brake shoe (l) is spread to release the clamp of the plunger (d). When each piezoelectric element (g), (h) is applied with each voltage, and the brake shoe (k) is extended, the elements (e) and (f) shift, and also the plunger (d) clamped by the shoe (k) shifts. Then, the element (e) is applied with a voltage, and the shoe (k) is extended to release the clamp of the plunger (d) by the shoe (k), and each voltage applied onto the elements (g) and (h) is released, and then the elements (g) and (h) contract, and the element (f) extends. Further, the plunger (d) is shifted step by step with a stroke in mum order, and a flow-rate control valve 15 is operated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a toilet bowl cleaning device that can control flow rate.

(B) Conventional technology Various types of toilet bowl cleaning devices have been used in the past, and one of them is a solenoid valve that can be used as a toilet bowl cleaning device. The equipment is described.

This electromagnetic valve device has a structure as shown in FIG. 16.

That is, 41 is a main body provided with a fluid inlet 42 and an outlet 43, and a water stop valve 45 and a filter are installed in a flow path 44 formed between the inlet 42 and the outlet 43 in order from the inlet 42. 46, a solenoid valve section 47 is provided.

The water stop valve 45 is composed of a valve 48 and a valve holding rod 49, and is normally pushed upward by water pressure to open an opening 50 and allow water to flow, as shown in the figure. When stopping, the threaded portion of the valve holding rod 49 is tightened and moved downward to press the valve 48 and close the opening 50, thereby blocking the flow of water.

Further, the solenoid valve section 47 has two cylindrical electromagnetic coils 51.5 disposed in parallel in the axial direction at the center thereof.
A plunger 53 that moves forward and backward according to the excitation of 2 is inserted.

Further, an upper end opening 55 of a cylindrical body 54 with openings at both ends formed by extending a flow path on the outflow port 43 side is configured to be opened and closed by a valve 56 that moves up and down together with the plunger 53.

With this configuration, when both the electromagnetic coils 51 and 52 are de-energized, the spring 57 causes the valve 56 to close to the plunger 53.
The upper end opening 55 is closed by.

When only the electromagnetic coil 51 is excited, the valve 5
6 rises a certain distance and a small flow of fluid flows out.

Furthermore, if both the electromagnetic coils 51 and 53 are energized, the valve 56 will rise further, and a larger flow rate of fluid will flow out compared to when the electromagnetic coil 51 is activated.

Therefore, when such a solenoid valve device is used as a toilet bowl cleaning device, the flow rate used can be electrically switched between urination and defecation.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, such toilet cleaning devices (electromagnetic valve devices) still have the following problems.

In other words, such a toilet bowl cleaning device can only select between a small volume flushing operation and a large volume flushing operation, and in each operation, only an undefined flow rate pattern of natural water flows out. I can't.

However, the cleaning effect of a toilet bowl depends on its shape, piping characteristics,
This is greatly influenced by factors such as the flow rate and water pressure of the flushing water, and with the above irregular flow rate pattern, it is not possible to achieve the maximum flushing effect for all toilet bowls, and the amount of flushing water were also unnecessarily high or low.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl cleaning device that can solve the above problems.

(d) Means for solving the problem The present invention drives the flow rate control valve based on a flow rate pattern program preset in the control device, so that the cleaning flow rate can be changed over time in one cleaning operation. The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device characterized by the following configuration.

(e) Actions and Effects With the configuration described below, the present invention provides the following actions and effects.

In the present invention, in one flushing operation, the flushing flow rate can be changed over time, so the shape of the toilet bowl, piping characteristics, water pressure, etc.
Since the flushing water can flow into the toilet bowl in an optimal flow rate pattern corresponding to other factors, the flushing effect can be maximized and the flow rate of the flushing water used can be minimized.

Example) The present invention will be specifically explained below based on the example shown in the attached drawings.

In Fig. 1, 10 is a water storage tank installed on the roof of the building, and the water main 1 is connected to the water storage tank 10.
1 and a water supply branch pipe 12, flush water is supplied to the toilet bowls 13 on each floor.

A water stop valve 14, a flow control valve 15, and an atmosphere release valve (vacuum breaker) 16 are attached to the water supply branch pipe 12 in this order from the main water supply pipe 11 toward the toilet bowl 13.

Further, the drive of the flow rate control valve 15 is controlled by a control device 17, and a cleaning operation button 19 is provided in the control device 17.
An operation panel 18 equipped with the following is connected.

FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the control device 17, and as shown in the figure, the control device 17 includes a microprocessor 21, an input/output interface 22, 23, the shape of the toilet bowl 13, the piping characteristics, Optimal flow rate pattern program created in consideration of water pressure etc. and piezoelectric element e described later
, f, g, and h.

Next, the operation of the toilet bowl cleaning device having the above configuration will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

After using the toilet, when the user presses the washing operation button 19 on the operation panel 18, an output signal is sent to the microprocessor 17. Then, based on this output signal, the control device 17 reads the flow rate pattern program from the memory 24, drives and opens the flow rate control valve 15 based on the flow rate pattern program, and controls the toilet bowl according to the desired flow rate pattern. 13
Cleaning water can be supplied inside.

FIG. 3 shows one form of such a flow rate pattern,
As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the flow rate is reduced stepwise over time. That is, a large amount is flowed in the first stage, then it is slightly reduced and then flowed at a constant rate, and finally, after being rapidly reduced, a small amount is constantly flowed.

By outflowing and cleaning with this outflow pattern, a siphon phenomenon is generated at an early stage, and by sustaining this siphon at a small flow rate, it is possible to completely remove and drain out the filth, etc. adhering to the toilet bowl 13. Furthermore, since a water seal can be secured, the cleaning effect is the greatest compared to the conventional flow rate pattern (natural flow). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow rate used can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional flow rate pattern.

FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration of the toilet bowl cleaning device.

As shown in the figure, the water stop valve 14 includes a valve 30 and a valve holder 3.
1, and as shown in the figure, the water is normally pushed upward by water pressure to open the opening 32 and allow the water to flow.To stop the water, tighten the threaded part of the valve holding rod 31 and push it downward. , and presses the valve 30 to close the opening 32 and cut off the flow of water.

Further, in this embodiment, the flow rate control valve 15 is constituted by a diaphragm valve 33 using a laminated piezoelectric actuator A as a driving portion.

However, the drive unit is not limited to this, and the drive unit may include a piezoelectric bimorph actuator, a combination of a stamping linear motor (rotary type) and a rotating screw, a combination of a stepping motor (rotary type) and a rotating screw, etc. A motor or actuator can also be used, and various types of valves such as pilot type, direct acting type, spherical, cylindrical, gate type, etc. can be used as the flow rate control valve.

- As an example, FIG. 13 shows a globe valve spindle 60 driven by a stepping motor 62 via a gear train 61 to control the flow rate.

Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the piezoelectric actuator A will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, actuator A has front and rear walls a,
In a cylindrical actuator casing C comprising b,
By mounting the plunger d concentrically and movably back and forth along the axis, and further arranging the piezoelectric element assembly B consisting of four piezoelectric elements e, f+g+h concentrically on the outer peripheral surface of the plunger d. It consists of

A diaphragm valve 33 is attached to the tip of the plunger d, and the diaphragm valve 33 closes the opening 3.
4 can be opened and closed.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the piezoelectric elements g and h are arranged in the center of the actuator casing C, and are fixed to the tip of a holder H whose base end is fixed to the actuator casing C.

Further, L'J is a cantilever-shaped elastic bridge whose base ends are fixed to the piezoelectric elements g and h and whose tips extend toward the front and rear walls a and b.

The tip of the elastic bridge LJ has piezoelectric elements e and f attached to its outer peripheral surface, and 1 is fixed to the brake shoe on its inner peripheral surface.

The piezoelectric elements e, f, g, and h are configured to contract when the power is turned off.

That is, when the piezoelectric elements e and f are energized, they extend and expand their inner diameters to release the clamp on the plunger d, and when they are not energized, they contract and reduce their inner diameters to clamp the plunger d. On the other hand, the piezoelectric elements g and h extend in the axial direction on the plunger d when energized, and in the non-energized state they contract on the plunger d, shortening the total length in the axial direction.

Then, the plunger d connects these four piezoelectric elements e +
By controlling f t g t h by a control device 17 shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to move in the axial direction.

The piezoelectric element e + f + g + h is a cylindrical element formed by laminating a large number of piezoelectric element pieces in the axial direction of the plunger d, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. An electrode is provided on the electrode, and it is configured to expand by applying a voltage to both ends of the electrode.

Note that the piezoelectric element piece can be made of, for example, piezoelectric ceramics, and examples of such piezoelectric ceramics include AB
P ZT (P b (Z r.

Ti)03 series, or PLZT (Pb (Zr, Ti)0
3), PT (PbTi03) system, or pzT
A three-component system based on can be used.

The piezoelectric element e+Lg+tl can also be formed by laminating a large number of thin ring-shaped piezoelectric element pieces in the axial direction around the axis of the plunger d, as shown in FIG. In this case, the direction of voltage application is changed by 90 degrees.

Further, in FIG. 5, m is a U-shaped or Y-shaped packing provided to improve the watertightness of the actuator A and has low sliding resistance.

A low coefficient of friction, wear-resistant material such as fluororesin or polyethylene resin may be attached to the sliding portion of either the seal m or the plunger d.

In the above configuration, the piezoelectric element e+ftg+11 can have not only a circular cross section but also a rectangular cross section, for example, and can also be formed from divided pieces as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In addition, since the plunger d is clamped many times by l to the brake shoes located inside the piezoelectric elements e and f, it has a small linear expansion coefficient and has good hardness, strength, creep resistance, and wear resistance. It is desirable to have a large size and high processing precision; for example, a ceramic material may be considered.

Next, the movement of the plunger d by the actuator A having such a configuration will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

When the cleaning operation button 19 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, the control device 1
7 releases the voltage to the piezoelectric element e, retracts the brake shoe k, clamps the plunger d, and applies the voltage to the piezoelectric element f, as shown in FIG. A voltage is applied to expand the diameter of the predextrose l, and the clamp of the plunger d is released.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements g and h to extend them, the piezoelectric elements e and f move in the direction of the arrow, and accordingly, the brake shoe forming inside the piezoelectric element e The plunger d clamped by k also moves in the direction of the arrow.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element e to release the clamp of the plunger d by the brake shoe k and the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element g+)I is released, the piezoelectric elements g, h shrinks in the direction of the arrow,
The piezoelectric element f further extends in the direction of the arrow.

After that, by repeating the above operation, plunger d
can be moved step by step with a stroke on the μm order or sub-μm order, and the flow rate control valve 15 can be operated precisely and accurately.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and this embodiment is characterized by a configuration in which a flow rate sensor 35 is provided between the flow rate control valve 15 and the water stop valve 14.

With this configuration, the actual amount of outflow is detected during the outflow into the toilet bowl 13 and the flushing operation, and the detected value is stored in the memory 2.
4, the flow control valve 15 can be driven based on the comparison value to more accurately flow out the wash water according to the flow rate pattern program.

Similar control is possible even if the flow rate sensor 35 is provided downstream of the flow rate control valve 15, but in such a case, water flows out downstream of the flow rate control valve 15 when the flow rate control valve 15 is closed. Since the flow rate sensor 35 is closed, the water starts flowing with an impact, which is disadvantageous in terms of the durability of the flow rate sensor 35.

As described above, this embodiment has the following functions and effects.

The flow rate control valve 15 is driven and opened/closed based on a flow rate pattern program set in advance in the control device 17,
In one flushing operation, the flushing flow rate can be changed over time, so flushing water can flow into the toilet bowl with an optimal flow rate pattern that corresponds to the shape of the toilet bowl 13, piping characteristics, water pressure, and other factors. Therefore, the cleaning effect can be maximized and the flow rate of the cleaning water used can be minimized.

Furthermore, by configuring the drive section of the flow rate control valve 15 by a minute distance stepless drive type actuator, the cleaning operation can be performed precisely and precisely based on the flow rate pattern.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the system configuration of the toilet cleaning device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the control device of the same device, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the flow rate pattern, and Fig. 4 is the toilet cleaning device 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the flow control valve, FIGS. 6 to 9 are sectional views of the piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric actuator, and FIGS. 10 to 12 are the operating states of the piezoelectric actuator. An explanatory diagram, FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the flow control valve of the local type, FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the system configuration of another embodiment of the toilet cleaning device according to the present invention, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the same device. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of a conventional solenoid valve device that can be used in a conventional toilet cleaning device. In the figure, 13: Toilet bowl 15: Flow control valve 17: Control device 24: Memrim: Actuator B: Piezoelectric element assembly a: Front wall b: Rear wall C: Actuator casing d: Plunge 〇: Piezoelectric element f: Piezoelectric element
g: Piezoelectric element h: Piezoelectric element Patent applicant: Totokiki Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The flow rate control valve (15) is driven based on a flow rate pattern program preset in the control device (17), and the cleaning flow rate can be changed over time in one cleaning operation. Toilet cleaning device.