US20130180041A1

US20130180041A1 - Automatic bidet

Info

Publication number: US20130180041A1
Application number: US13/812,681
Authority: US
Inventors: Yishan Ding; Qiping Lu; Yu Lu; Yun Lu
Original assignee: NANJING LANSAI SANITARY WARE CO Ltd
Current assignee: NANJING LANGSAI SANITARY WARE Co Ltd; NANJING LANSAI SANITARY WARE CO Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-17
Filing date: 2011-03-25
Publication date: 2013-07-18
Also published as: CN101864798B; CN101864798A; WO2011157075A1

Abstract

An automatic bidet has a toilet seat fixedly mounted to a toilet, a bottom sprayer disposed in the toilet seat that can stretch out freely from the toilet seat, and a handheld sprayer that is separated from the toilet seat. A water storage tank, a booster pump, a liquid valve are disposed in the toilet seat and are connected in sequence. The water in the water storage tank flows respectively to the bottom sprayer and the handheld sprayer from the liquid valve under the pressure of the booster pump. The handheld sprayer comprises a hollow handle portion and a curved head portion having a bulge. The top of the bulge is provided with a mammilliform water outlet. The automatic bidet is capable of cleaning anus and private parts of a male or a female, and the handheld spray device can be used to carry out enema by a user and the wastes can be let off completely. The whole process can be done under the condition that a user sits on the toilet. The wastes directly enter the toilet and the user's clothes are kept clean. The user can independently operate the present invention without help from other people so as to avoid the embarrassment of exposure of privacy.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sanitary facility. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic bidet mounted to a toilet which can be used to wash private parts of a human body.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A commonly used traditional toilet comprises a water tank for flushing the toilet bowl after a person uses it. Such a toilet cannot be used to wash anus or female genitals.
Current automatic bidets comprise a traditional toilet but can also be used to wash anus or female genitals using water sprayed from a spray rod that is connected to a water pump. The adjusting of the position of the spraying nozzle by the stretch out and draw back of the spray rod is limited. As for male private parts, current automatic bidets are helpless.
Enema is commonly used for treatment of diseases and health care. Enema with a traditional enemator requires the patient to lie on the side, and a medical worker or another person will penetrate an anus tube into the anus for 10 to 15 centimeters and then fill in an enema; when the enema process is completed, the patient will have to get up and find a restroom to let the enema and dirt off. Traditional enema using an enemator has some problems as follows: 1) the enema treatment can not be carried out by the patient himself/herself and needs to be done by a medical worker or another person; 2) inconvenient as the patient has to lie down for enema and go to a restroom to let the enema and dirt off after the enema process is completed, which may dirty the clothes and bed sheets; 3) embarrassing due to possible exposure of privacy.
An improved automatic bidet has been developed for effecting enema or helping defecation, wherein a small hole having a diameter of about 1 mm is arranged at the front end of the spray rod to generate a centralized tiny jet of water the pressure of which can be used to stimulate anus, and a portion of water can even enter the anus to facilitate lubrication and defecation. However, the amount of water which can enter the anus is relatively small and this requires the user has a certain level of skills of relaxing anal muscles. Thus, such an automatic bidet would not work well or even fail for an elderly, a person can not relax the anal muscles or a person with serious constipation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an automatic bidet comprising a movable handheld sprayer, which can overcome the limitations of current automatic bidets, i.e. the spraying rods being relatively fixed, regardless of the number of the spraying rods of only one spray rod is used, it may have multiple spray holes).
The automatic bidet having a movable handheld sprayer of the present invention comprises a toilet seat fixedly mounted to a toilet, and with a water supply means disposed therein, wherein the automatic bidet further comprises a handheld sprayer that is separated from the toilet seat, and the handheld sprayer is in fluid connection with the water supply means in the toilet seat by a water supply hose.
The water supply means is comprised of a booster pump and a water storage tank which are connected in sequence. A first liquid valve is disposed in the toilet seat, and a bottom sprayer extending out of the interior of the toilet seat is also arranged and can stretch out and draw back. The first liquid valve comprises an inlet and two outlets, wherein the inlet is connected to the outlet of the booster pump and the two outlets are connected respectively to the bottom sprayer and the handheld sprayer. The water in the water storage tank will flow to the bottom sprayer or the handheld sprayer via the first liquid valve under the pressure of the booster pump.
The automatic bidet may also comprise an external liquid storage tank which is disposed outside of the toilet seat. Meanwhile, the automatic bidet comprises a second liquid valve having two inlets and an outlet, wherein the two inlets are connected respectively to the internal water storage tank and the external liquid storage tank, the outlet is connected to the inlet of the booster pump. The external liquid storage tank can be used to store certain enemas or liquid medicines, and the second liquid valve can he controlled manually or electrically for the supply of liquid from the internal water storage tank in the toilet seat or the external liquid storage tank.
An electric control unit may be disposed on the toilet seat to carry out an integrated control of the first liquid valve, the second liquid valve, the booster pump and the stretch out and draw back of the sprayer.
A liquid level switch for controlling the water level, a heater for heating the water and a temperature control unit for the measuring and control of the water temperature may be disposed in the water storage tank, and the liquid level switch, the heater and the temperature control unit can also be controlled by the electric control unit.
In an alternative embodiment, the water supply unit can also be an instant heating unit having a water outlet and a water inlet which is connected to a tap line. The instant heating unit heats the water source immediately and the heated water will enter the booster pump and flow respectively to the bottom sprayer or the handheld sprayer from the first liquid valve. In this way, the instant heating unit is used to replace the water storage tank.
The handheld sprayer comprises a hollow handle portion and a curved head portion. The curved head portion comprises a bulge having a mammilliform water outlet at the top thereof. The mammilliform water outlet is preferably disposed in the central portion of the bulge. The curved head portion of the handheld sprayer is disposed at an angle of about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees, with respect to the handle portion of the handheld sprayer.
When using the present invention, a user can sit on the toilet, and select various functions using the electric control unit. In particular, when male genitals washing is selected the water outlet of the handheld sprayer can be made facing down and spraying water at areas of interest, and the waste water will flow naturally into the toilet. When enema is selected, the mammilliform water outlet of the handheld sprayer can be made aligned with the anus and pressed using a slight force to have the bulge around the mammilliform water outlet cover tightly the surrounding areas of the anus. Then, the switch of the pump can be pressed down and the enema liquid can enter the rectum slowly under pressure, and the wastes resulted from the enema can be let off directly into the toilet, which would make the user very comfortable.
The temperature of the enema liquid can be preset and preferably maintained at about 40°.
The automatic bidet of the present invention can not only wash anus and female genitals, which can be done by a known bidet, it can also facilitate washing of male genitals. Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible for a user to complete both enema and excretion independently by just sitting on the toilet, and thus avoiding the inconveniences of a known enema process, such as the user has to lie aside on the bed and needs assistance of another person, and the user has to walk to find a toilet to let the waste off after the enema. Additionally, the present invention will not dirty the sheets and avoid the embarrassing situation of privacy exposure. The unique design of the enema head can also bring good enema results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic bidet of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automatic bidet of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a handheld sprayer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be further described in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the following detailed description would rather be intended to describe specific structure features of the present invention, than to limit the scope thereof. Various equivalents or modifications without departing the conception and spirit of the present invention would fall within the scope thereof.

Example 1

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic bidet provided in the present invention comprises a toilet seat 100 attached to a toilet base, and a toilet ring and a clamshell cover are mounted to the toilet seat 100. What are disposed in the toilet seat 100 are a water storage tank 1, a booster pump 8, a first liquid valve 7 and a second liquid valve 3, each are in fluid communication with each other via a water pipe.
A handheld sprayer 5 is disposed outside of the toilet seat 100 and connected via a hose to the first liquid valve 7 and then the booster pump 8 disposed in the toilet seat 100, A bottom sprayer 6 is disposed in such a manner that it extends out from the toilet seat 100, and is capable of stretching out and drawing back. When the bottom sprayer 6 stretches out, it is under the toilet ring. The bottom sprayer 6 is also connected to the booster pump 8 via the first liquid valve 7. The first liquid valve 7 comprises an inlet and two outlets wherein the inlet is connected to the outlet of the booster pump 8, and the two outlets are connected respectively to the bottom sprayer 6 and the handheld sprayer 5.
An external liquid storage tank 2 may further be disposed outside of the toilet seat 100 of the automatic bidet and used for storage of a washing solution or an enema that can be designated by a physician. In this case, the second liquid valve 3 is required to have at least two inlets and an outlet wherein the two inlets are connected respectively to the water storage tank 1 and the external liquid storage tank 2, and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the booster pump 8. The second liquid valve 3 may be controlled manually or electrically to take liquid from the internal water storage tank 1 or the external liquid storage tank 2.
An electric control unit 4 may be disposed on the toilet seat 100, and the first liquid valve 7, the second liquid valve 3, the booster pump 8, the bottom sprayer 6 each can be connected to the electric control unit 4 via cables and integrately controlled by the same. The control panel of the electric control unit 4 may comprise respective control buttons; however, respective remote controls may also be provided.
A liquid level switch to be used for controlling the water level, an electric heater for heating and a temperature control unit for measuring and controlling the water temperature may be provided in the water storage tank 1. The liquid level switch, electric heater, temperature control unit each may also be connected to the electric control unit 4 via cables and integrately controlled by the same.
As shown in FIG. 3, in order to use the automatic bidet as an enemator and achieve better enema effects, the handheld sprayer 5 comprises a hollow handle portion 51 and a curved head portion 52. The curved head portion 52 comprises a bulge 53 having a mammilliform water outlet 54 at the top thereof. The mammilliform water outlet 54 is disposed in the central portion of the bulge 53 of the head portion 52 of the handheld sprayer 5. The curved head portion 52 is disposed at an angle of from about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees, with respect to the handle portion 51. The handheld sprayer 5 may be bayonet coupled or screw connected to the pipe for supplying enema to facilitate easy replacement of the handheld enema device.
The present invention can be used in the following ways:
1. When a general wash, such as a wash of anus or a wash of female genitals, is required, a user can start the booster pump 8 via the electric control unit 4 and the booster pump 8 draws via the second liquid valve 3 clean water or washing solution from the water storage tank 1 or the external liquid storage tank 2, and supplies the same via the first liquid valve 7 to the bottom sprayer 6 from which the wash water or washing solution is sprayed to the anus or the female genitals.
2. When a wash of male genitals is required, a user can start the booster pump 8 via the electric control unit 4 and the booster pump 8 draws clean water via the second liquid valve 3 from the water storage tank 1 and supplies the same via the first liquid valve 7 to the handheld sprayer 5 from which the clean water is sprayed to the male genitals, and the waste water flows naturally into the toilet. A heater may be disposed in the water storage tank 1 and used to pre-heat the water to about 40° and this temperature can be maintained using a temperature control unit.
3. When the present invention is used for enema, a user can squat on a squatting pan or sit on the toilet, hold the handle portion 51 of the handheld sprayer 5 and the mammilliform water outlet 54 can be made aligned with the anus and pressed using a slight force to have the round bulge 53 around the mammilliform water outlet 54 cover tightly the surrounding areas of the anus. Then, the switch of the pump 8 can be pressed down and the enema liquid can enter the rectum slowly under pressure, preferably under different pressures, and the wastes resulted from the enema can be let off directly into the toilet or the squatting pan, which would make the user very comfortable. The temperature of the enema can be pre-heated to, and maintained at about 40°.

Example 2

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic bidet of the present invention comprises a toilet seat 100 fixedly mounted to a toilet, and a toilet ring and a clamshell cover are mounted to the toilet seat 100. An instant heating device 10, an external liquid storage tank 2, a booster pump 8, a first liquid valve 7, a second liquid valve 3, a handheld sprayer 6, a bottom sprayer 6 and an electric control unit 4 are disposed inside or outside of the toilet seat 100.
The arrangement of example 2 is basically identical with example 1, except the instant heating device 10 is used to replace the water storage tank 1 of example 1. The instant heating device 10 comprises an inlet and an outlet wherein the inlet is connected to a tap water pipe and the outlet is connected to the second liquid valve 3. The instant heating device 10 can carry out immediate heating of the water source and the heated water enters the booster pump 8, and then flows via the first liquid valve 7 to the bottom sprayer 6 or the handheld sprayer 5. The automatic bidet can also carry out all the functions as described above for example 1.
It should be understood that, although a water tank for supplying water to flush the toilet is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention may include such a water tank.

Claims

1. An automatic bidet, comprising: a toilet seat attached to a toilet base, the toilet seat comprises a water supply disposed therein, wherein the automatic bidet further comprises a handheld sprayer that is separated from the toilet seat, and the handheld sprayer is in fluid connection with the water supply in the toilet seat by a water supply hose.

2. The automatic bidet according to claim 1, wherein the water supply disposed in the toilet seat is comprised of a booster pump and a water storage tank which are connected in sequence.

3. The automatic bidet according to claim 2, wherein the toilet seat comprises a first liquid valve disposed therein and a bottom sprayer that can stretch out freely from the toilet seat; the first liquid valve comprises an inlet and two outlets wherein the inlet is connected to the outlet of the booster pump disposed in the toilet seat, and the two outlets are connected respectively to the bottom sprayer and the handheld sprayer.

4. The automatic bidet according to claim 3, further comprises an external liquid storage tank disposed outside of the toilet seat and a second liquid valve, wherein the second liquid valve comprises two inlets and one outlet wherein the two inlets are connected respectively to the internal water storage tank and the external liquid storage tank, and the outlet is connected to the inlet of the booster pump.

5. The automatic bidet according to claim 4, wherein a heater is disposed in the water storage tank.

6. The automatic bidet according to claim 5, wherein an electric control unit is disposed on the toilet seat, and the first liquid valve, the second liquid valve, the booster pump and the heater is integratedly controlled by the electric control unit.

7. The automatic bidet according to claim 1, wherein the water supply disposed in the toilet seat comprises an instant heating unit having an inlet and an outlet.

8. The automatic bidet according to claim 1, wherein the handheld sprayer comprises a hollow handle portion and a curved head portion, and the curved head portion comprises a bulge having a mammilliform water outlet at the top thereof.

9. The automatic bidet according to claim 8, wherein the mammilliform water outlet is disposed in the central portion of the bulge.

10. The automatic bidet according to claim 9, wherein the curved head portion of the handheld sprayer is disposed at an angle of from 60 degrees to 120 degrees with respect to the handle portion.

11. The automatic bidet according to claim 2, wherein the handheld sprayer comprises a hollow handle portion and a curved head portion, and the curved head portion comprises a bulge having a mammilliform water outlet at the top thereof.

12. The automatic bidet according to claim 4, wherein the handheld sprayer comprises a hollow handle portion and a curved head portion, and the curved head portion comprises a bulge having a mammilliform water outlet at the top thereof.

13. The automatic bidet according to claim 6, wherein the handheld sprayer comprises a hollow handle portion and a curved head portion, and the curved head portion comprises a bulge having a mammilliform water outlet at the top thereof.

14. The automatic bidet according to claim 13, wherein the mammilliform water outlet is disposed in the central portion of the bulge.

15. The automatic bidet according to claim 14, wherein the curved head portion of the handheld sprayer is disposed at an angle of from 60 degrees to 120 degrees with respect to the handle portion.

16. The automatic bidet according to claim 4, wherein the external liquid storage tank contains an enema solution.