US20210017751A1

US20210017751A1 - Toilet seat device, toilet device, and descaling agent supply device

Info

Publication number: US20210017751A1
Application number: US17/042,846
Authority: US
Inventors: Yudai MORIKAWA; Koichi Takeshita; Yuji Saito; Hiroshi Nishigaki
Original assignee: Lixil Corp
Current assignee: Lixil Corp
Priority date: 2018-03-30
Filing date: 2019-03-27
Publication date: 2021-01-21
Also published as: WO2019189447A1; DE112019001734T5; CN111936709A

Abstract

The toilet seat device includes a function unit arranged in a rear part of the toilet; a toilet seat rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism part provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function. The private parts cleaning mechanism part has a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows, the cleaning water flow passage is formed with an air gap that opens the cleaning water flow passage to atmosphere, and the air gap is connectable to a tube member for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In known toilet seat devices, a descaling agent is injected to a warm water tank storing cleaning water to be supplied to a nozzle of a private parts cleaning unit. However, some toilet devices do not have a warm water tank.
Furthermore, in known toilet seat devices, a lid provided on an upper surface of a function unit is opened to inject a descaling agent with an opening portion of a bottle storing the descaling agent facing an input port that has been covered with the lid of the function unit. Therefore, the input port of the descaling agent is located in a position that can be viewed from an upper surface in appearance or the front, which degrades the design.
Furthermore, in known toilet devices, a lid provided on an upper surface of a function unit is opened to inject a descaling agent with an opening portion of a bottle storing the descaling agent facing an input port that has been covered with the lid of the function unit. Then, a state where the descaling agent has been spread over the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage to fill the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage is maintained for a predetermined time. Thereby, the descaling agent removes scale accumulated in the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage.
However, the inside of the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage cannot be viewed from the outside of the toilet device, and therefore, it cannot be determined whether the descaling agent has been spread over the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage to fill the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage. If the descaling agent has not been spread over the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage to fill the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage, it is difficult to sufficiently remove the scale.
Furthermore, since the inside of the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage cannot be viewed from the outside of the toilet device, it is difficult to check whether the descaling agent is remaining in the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage after the scale accumulated in the nozzle and the cleaning water flow passage is removed.
The present disclosure may provide, in some embodiments: a toilet seat device capable of removing scale by a descaling agent even if a warm water tank storing cleaning water is not provided to the toilet seat device; a toilet device; and a descaling agent supply device.
In order to achieve some embodiments as described above, the present disclosure provides a toilet seat device (for example, a toilet seat device 100 described later) attached to a toilet (for example, a toilet body 11 described later), the toilet seat device including: a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear part of the toilet; a toilet seat rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function, in which the private parts cleaning mechanism unit has a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows, the cleaning water flow passage is formed with an air gap (for example, an air gap 52 described later) that opens the cleaning water flow passage to atmosphere, and the air gap is connectable to a tube member (for example, a hose 115 described later) for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage.
It is preferable that an inflow position (for example, one end portion 5661 of a hose 566 described later) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap is in a downstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than a water supply position (for example, another end portion 5641 of a hose 564 described later) at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage.
It is preferable that an inflow position (for example, one end portion 5661 of a hose 566 described later) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap is a lower position than a water supply position (for example, another end portion 5641 of a hose 564 described later) at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage.
It is preferable that an inflow position at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap is in an upstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than an assist pump (for example, an assist pump 523 described later) for causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage.
It is preferable that a downstream end portion (for example, an end portion connection member 1171 described later) of a supply tube (for example, a hose 115 described later) of the descaling agent for causing the descaling agent to flow through the air gap is configured to be the thinnest in the supply tube.
The present disclosure provides a toilet device (for example, a toilet device 1 described later) including: a toilet unit (for example, a toilet unit 10 described later) having a toilet bowl (for example, a toilet bowl 111 described later); a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear side of the toilet unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function, in which the private parts cleaning mechanism unit has a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows, the cleaning water flow passage is formed with an air gap (for example, an air gap 52 described later) that opens the cleaning water flow passage to atmosphere, and the air gap is connectable to a tube member (for example, a hose 115 described later) for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage.
The present disclosure provides a toilet seat device (for example, a toilet seat device 100 described later) attached to a toilet (for example, a toilet unit 10 described later), the toilet device including: a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear part of the toilet; a toilet seat (for example, a toilet seat 112 described later) rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function, in which a side surface of the function unit has a connection port (for example, a connection member 311 described later) that is connectable to an injection member (for example, a hose 115 described later) for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit.
It is preferable that the injection member is a tube member (for example, a hose 115 described later). It is preferable that an end portion (for example, an end portion connection member 1171 described later) of the tube member mounted with an 0-ring is pressed in and connected to the connection port.
The present disclosure provides a toilet device (for example, a toilet device 1 described later) including a toilet unit (for example, a toilet unit 10 described later) having a toilet bowl (for example, a toilet bowl 111 described later); a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear side of the toilet unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function, in which a side surface of the function unit has a connection port (for example, a connection member 311 described later) that is connectable to an injection member (for example, a hose 115 described later) for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit.
The present disclosure provides a descaling agent supply device provided in a toilet seat device (for example, a toilet seat device 100 described later) attached to a toilet and including: a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear part of the toilet (for example, a toilet unit 10 described later); a toilet seat (for example, a toilet seat 112 described later) rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function, the descaling agent supply device including a container (for example, a container 114 described later) storing a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit, and a container holding unit (for example, a container holding unit 116 described later) supported by a predetermined portion of the toilet seat device or a related device of the toilet seat device to hold the container.
It is preferable that a tube member (for example, a hose 115 described later) communicating the container with the cleaning water flow passage and through which the descaling agent flows is provided, and the tube member is provided with a valve (for example, a valve 1172 described later) that switches between flowing through and blocking of the descaling agent in the tube member.
It is preferable that the container holding unit is composed of any of a toilet lid (for example, a toilet lid 113 described later), a toilet seat (for example, a toilet seat 112 described later), and a remote control device for operation of the private parts cleaning mechanism unit.
It is preferable that a control unit (for example, a control unit 33 described later) that controls driving of the toilet lid is further included, and when the descaling agent is supplied from the container to the cleaning water flow passage, the control unit controls the toilet lid to maintain a state where the toilet lid is opened.
The present disclosure provides a toilet device including: a toilet (for example, a toilet unit 10 described later) having a toilet bowl (for example, a toilet bowl 111 described later); and a toilet seat device (for example, a toilet seat device 100 described later) attached to the toilet and including a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear part of the toilet, a toilet seat (for example, a toilet seat 112 described later) rotatably attached to the function unit, and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function, the toilet device including a container (for example, a container 114 described later) storing a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit, and a container holding unit (for example, a container holding unit 116 described later) configured by a predetermined portion of the toilet seat device or a related device of the toilet seat device to hold the container.
The present disclosure provides a descaling agent supply device provided in a toilet seat device (for example, a toilet seat device 100 described later) attached to a toilet and including: a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear part of the toilet (for example a toilet unit 10 described later); a toilet seat (for example, a toilet seat 112 described later) rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) having a private parts cleaning function, the descaling agent supply device including a pump (for example, an assist pump 523 described later) for causing cleaning water to flow through a cleaning water flow passage in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit, a flow rate sensor (for example, a flow rate sensor 571 described later) capable of detecting a flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the cleaning water flow passage, a descaling agent supply unit that supplies a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage to the cleaning water flow passage, and a control unit (for example, a control unit 33 described later) that performs control to drive the pump, in which the control unit drives the pump to supply the descaling agent from the descaling agent supply unit to the cleaning water flow passage, and performs control of determining whether the descaling agent is flowing through the cleaning water flow passage on the basis of the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage that has been detected by the flow rate sensor.
It is preferable that the control unit performs control of determining whether the descaling agent has been filled in the cleaning water flow passage and whether the descaling agent is discharged from the cleaning water flow passage on the basis of the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage that has been detected by the flow rate sensor.
Furthermore, it is preferable that, in the determination whether the descaling agent is flowing through the cleaning water flow passage by the control unit, when it is determined that the descaling agent is not flowing through the cleaning water flow passage, transition is made to control of causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage, and discharging the descaling agent.
The present disclosure provides a descaling agent supply device provided in a toilet seat device (for example, a toilet seat device 100 described later) attached to a toilet and including: a function unit (for example, a function unit 30 described later) arranged in a rear part of the toilet (for example a toilet unit 10 described later); a toilet seat (for example, a toilet seat 112 described later) rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit (for example, a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 described later) having a private parts cleaning function, the descaling agent supply device including a pump (for example, an assist pump 523 described later) for causing cleaning water to flow through a cleaning water flow passage in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit, a flow rate sensor (for example, a flow rate sensor 571 described later) capable of detecting a flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the cleaning water flow passage, a feed valve (for example, a water supply valve 551 described later) that switches between supply and supply stop of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage, a descaling agent supply unit that supplies a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage to the cleaning water flow passage, and a control unit (for example, a control unit 33 described later) that performs control to drive the pump and the feed valve on the basis of the flow rate of the cleaning water that has been detected by the flow rate sensor, in which the control unit performs, with respect to the feed valve, the pump, and the flow rate sensor, control of switching the feed valve to a state where the cleaning water can be supplied to the cleaning water flow passage, and at the same time, driving the pump to start supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage and start detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water in the cleaning water flow passage by the flow rate sensor, and performs, with respect to the feed valve and the flow rate sensor, flow rate determination control of switching the feed valve to cause the cleaning water not to be supplied to the cleaning water flow passage after a predetermined time, and at the same time, determining that an immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is equal to or greater than a predetermined value by the flow rate sensor.
It is preferable that the flow rate determination control by the control unit is repeated a plurality of times.
It is preferable that, in the flow rate determination control by the control unit, when it is determined that the immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, a display appears on the remote control device to urge operation of performing control again from control of starting supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage.
It is preferable that it can be determined in the remote control device that descaling has been performed correctly only when the entire process has been performed, the entire process including starting the flow of the descaling agent through the cleaning water flow passage, retaining the descaling agent for a certain time, supplying the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage, and repeating the flow rate determination control a plurality of times after the predetermined time, by the control unit.
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide: a toilet seat device capable of removing scale by a descaling agent even if a warm water tank storing cleaning water is not provided to the toilet seat device; and a toilet device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a situation of removing scale in a cleaning water flow passage of the toilet device 1, and a nozzle 511 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating arrow A direction view in FIG. 2 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view illustrating B portion in FIG. 2 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an air gap 52 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the air gap 52 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a connection relationship between the air gap 52 and

hoses

566, 567 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the air gap 52 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit 33 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating control of supplying a descaling agent to the cleaning water flow passage and the nozzle 511 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a time chart illustrating control of discharging the descaling agent from the cleaning water flow passage and the nozzle 511 of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, some embodiments of a toilet seat device 100 having a toilet device 1 and a descaling agent supply device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet device 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a situation of removing scale in a cleaning water flow passage and a nozzle 511 of the toilet device 1.
The entire toilet device 1 including the toilet seat device 100 and a toilet unit 10 has a front portion 101 having an oval shape in plan view, and a rear part 102 continuously connected to a rear part of the front portion 101, and having a rectangular shape. The width of the front portion 101 with respect to a longitudinal direction of the front portion 101 is configured to be larger than the width of the rear part 102 in the same direction.
Specifically, the toilet seat device 100 is attached to the toilet unit 10 to configure the toilet device 1 together with the toilet unit 10, and includes a function unit 30 having a private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50, a toilet seat 112, and a toilet lid 113. The toilet seat device 100 is configured such that cleaning water supplied from an external water supply source is warmed by a ceramic heater (not shown) provided in the inside of the function unit 30, and discharged from the nozzle 511 of the private parts cleaning unit 51 of the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50. The toilet seat device 100 does not have a tank storing the cleaning water discharged from the nozzle 511.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet unit 10 has a toilet body 11 including a toilet bowl 111. The function unit 30 has a case 31 as a support member, and the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50, and the function unit 30 is fixed to the toilet body 11 at a position penetrating a rear part of the toilet body 11. The case 31 accommodates members such as the nozzle 511 of the private parts cleaning unit 51 and a hose 561 connected to the cleaning water flow passage communicating with the nozzle 511. The function unit 30 includes a toilet seat driving unit 321 (see FIG. 4) that drives the toilet seat 112, and a toilet lid driving unit 322 (see FIG. 8) that drives the toilet lid 113, and a front portion of the function unit 30 pivotably supports the toilet seat 112 and the toilet lid 113 in a rotatable manner.
Next, each part will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A to 8. FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating arrow A direction view in FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view illustrating B portion in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an air gap 52 of the toilet seat device 100. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the air gap 52 of the toilet seat device 100. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a connection relationship between the air gap 52 and hoses 566, 567 of the toilet seat device 100. FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the air gap 52 of the toilet seat device 100. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit 33 of the toilet seat device 100.
In the description below, a direction from the function unit 30 to the toilet lid 113 (lower left direction in FIG. 1) is set to a front direction, and the opposite direction thereof is set to a rear direction, and these are defined to be a front and rear direction. A direction from the toilet body 11 to the toilet lid 113 (upper direction in FIG. 1) is set to an upper direction, the opposite direction thereof is set to a lower direction, and these are defined to be an upper and lower direction. A left direction on the rear direction (lower left direction in FIG. 1) is set to a left direction, the opposite direction thereof is set to a right direction, and these are defined to be a right and left direction.
The private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 includes a private parts cleaning unit 51 arranged in a rear part of the toilet bowl 111 and having the nozzle 511, hoses 561, 564, 569 included in the cleaning water flow passage, an air gap 52, a water supply valve 551, and an assist pump 523. The water supply valve 551 as a feed valve is connected to a waterworks system, and switches between allowance and blocking of inflow of tap water from the waterworks system to a hose included in the cleaning water flow passage. One end portion of the hose 561 is connected to the water supply valve 551, and another end portion of the hose 561 is connected to an upper end portion of an upper direction extension member 565 extending from a rear part of the air gap 52 in the upper direction. A lower end portion of the upper direction extension member 565 is connected to the rear part of the air gap 52. Accordingly, configuration is made such that the tap water that has flowed into the hose 561 via the water supply valve 551 flows in an internal space of the rear part of the air gap 52 through the upper direction extension member 565.
The air gap 52 is arranged in a left end portion in the function unit 30, near a left side surface of the function unit 30, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, has a groove lower portion 521 having a U-shaped cross section opened in the upper direction, and an upper lid unit 522 that covers the opening. The groove lower portion 521 and the upper lid unit 522 extend from the upper direction extension unit in the front direction, and extend up to a front wall of the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a bottom portion 5211 of the groove lower portion 521 has an inclined surface that becomes lower toward the front direction. Thereby, configuration is made such that cleaning water or the descaling agent flows into the air gap 52 flow, in the air gap 52, from an upper side (left side in FIG. 7) of inclination of the bottom portion 5211 of the groove lower portion 521 to a lower side (right side in FIG. 7), that is, from a rear part to a front portion in the air gap 52.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper lid unit 522 of the air gap 52 is formed with a through hole 5221 opened in a rectangular shape in the upper direction. The through hole 5221 communicates the internal space of the air gap 52 with the external space of the air gap 52, and opens the cleaning water flow passage configured by the internal space of the air gap 52 to the atmosphere. A front end portion of the groove lower portion 521 is opened to the front direction in an opening portion 302 formed in a front wall unit 301 located in the front side of the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front end portion 5224 of the upper lid unit 522 is located in a rear side further than the front end portion 5214 of the groove lower portion 521. Thereby, in the front end portion of the air gap 52, only the groove lower portion 521 exists, the groove lower portion 521 opened to the upper direction where the upper lid unit 522 does not exit.
The upper lid unit 522 of the air gap 52 is connected to one end portion of the hose 566, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, another end portion of the hose 566 is connected to a connection member 311 included in a connection port for connecting a hose being a tube member as an injection member for injecting the descaling agent. Accordingly, an inflow position (one end portion 5661 of the hose 566) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap 52 is in the downstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than a water supply position (another end portion 5641 of the hose 564) at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage. In other words, the inflow position (one end portion 5661 of the hose 566) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap 52 is a position in the front side and lower than a water supply position (another end portion 5641 of the hose 564) at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage, and is in the upstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than the assist pump for causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage. The connection member 311 is located in the upper side further than a portion in which the one end portion 5661 of the hose 566 is connected to the upper lid unit 522 of the air gap 52. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the descaling agent from dropping from the connection member 311.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the connection member 311 having the connection port for connecting the hose for injecting the descaling agent is located in the side surface of the function unit 30 to be arranged in the side surface of the function unit 30. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the side surface of the function unit 30 refers to a side surface of the function unit 30, and is a portion of the side surface located in the rear side further than the front end 1021 of the rear side portion 102 in a plan view, that is the rear part of the front surface portion 101 of the toilet device 1 configured by the toilet seat device 100 and the toilet body 11, that is, the portion of the side surface in which the front side portion 101 curves toward the rear direction in the rear part of the front side portion 101 (when viewed from right behind the toilet, the portion can be viewed, but when viewed from the front side of the toilet, the portion of the side surface close to the rear side that is hidden by the left end portion and the right end portion of the toilet and cannot be viewed).
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the bottom portion 5211 of the groove lower portion 521 has a connection unit 5213 having the opening unit. The connection unit 5213 is located in the lower side of the through hole 5221 of the upper lid unit 522. In the downstream side (right side in FIG. 7) in the direction of flowing of fluid in the air gap 52 further than the through hole 5221 of the upper lid unit 522, the one end portion 5671 of the hose 567 is connected to the hose 567. The other end portion of the hose 567 is connected to the connection member 562.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the connection unit 5213 of the bottom portion 5211 of the groove lower portion 521 of the air gap 52 is connected to a relay member 568. The relay member 568 is connected to the one end portion of the hose 569. The another end portion of the hose 569 is provided in a ceramic heater (not shown) for warming the cleaning water and in a portion of the cleaning water flow passage arranged near the ceramic heater, and is connected to the assist pump 523 via a flow rate sensor 571 (see FIG. 8) capable of detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the cleaning water flow passage. The assist pump 523 communicates with the nozzle 511 of the private parts cleaning unit 51 (FIG. 2). When the assist pump 523 drives, the cleaning water flows through the cleaning water flow passage in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50. The hose 561, the hose 564, the upper direction extension member 565, the internal space of the air gap 52, the relay member 568, and the hose 569 compose the cleaning water flow passage.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the descaling agent is stored in the container 114 composing the descaling agent supply unit. To the opening portion of the container 114, the one end portion of the hose 115 composing the descaling agent supply unit is connected, and the opening portion of the container 114 is supported by the front end portion (portion of the toilet lid 113 located in the uppermost side in FIG. 2) via the container holding unit 116. By this positional relationship, the descaling agent in the container 114 can be supplied to the cleaning water flow passage by using hydraulic head pressure. The container holding unit 116 has a hook-shaped unit 1161 formed in the U-shape, and a plate-shaped container support unit 1162 having a C-shape integrally connected to the hook-shaped unit 1161. When the hook-shaped unit 1161 is locked to the front end portion of the toilet lid 113 in the opened state, and the opening portion of the container 114 is supported in the central portion of the C-shaped container support unit 1162, the container 114 is supported by the toilet lid 113.
The other end portion of the hose 115 is connected to an end portion connection member 1171 having a connection portion for connecting the hose 115 for injecting the descaling agent. The end portion connection member 1171 composes the descaling agent supply unit, and is composed of the tube member that bends in a L-shape, and the inner diameter of the end portion connection member 1171 is smaller than the inner diameter of all portions of the hose 115. A plurality of types of the end portion connection members 1171 having different inner diameters are prepared in advance, and from among them, the end portion connection member is appropriately selected on the basis of the flow rate of the descaling agent that is desired to flow through the cleaning water flow passage. That is, configuration is made such that by selecting and using the end portion connection member 1171 of an appropriate inner diameter, the flow rate of the descaling agent that is desired to flow through can be adjusted. A rubber O-ring (not shown) is provided in the peripheral surface near a tip end portion of the end portion connection member 1171, and the end portion connection member 1171 is pressed in and connected to the opening of the connection member 311.
In a middle of the hose 115, a valve 1172 that switches flowing through and blocking of the descaling agent in the hose 115 is provided. When the valve 1172 is opened, the descaling agent flows through the hose 115 from the container 114, flows through the hose 566 via the connection member 311, and flows into the internal space of the air gap 52. When the valve 1172 is closed, the flow of descaling agent from the container through the hose 115 is blocked.
The control unit 33 is composed of a control circuit board accommodated in the function unit 30, as illustrated in FIG. 8, electrically connected to the toilet lid driving unit 322, the assist pump 523, the water supply valve 551, and the flow rate sensor 571, and is configured to control them. The control unit 33 communicates with a remote controller (not shown) fixed to a wall surface of a toilet by wireless communication to perform various types of control such as discharging of the cleaning water from the nozzle 511 of the private parts cleaning unit 51.
The container 114, the container holding unit 116, the hose 115, the end portion connection member 1171, the valve 1172, the assist pump 523, the flow rate sensor 571, the water supply valve 551, and the control unit 33 compose the supply device of the descaling agent. The container 114, the container holding unit 116, the hose 115, the end portion connection member 1171, and the valve 1172 compose the descaling agent supply unit.
Next, control by the control unit 33 of causing the descaling agent to flow through the cleaning water flow passage to remove scale accumulated in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage of the private parts cleaning unit 51 will be described with reference FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating control of supplying the descaling agent to the cleaning water flow passage and the nozzle 511 of the toilet seat device 100. FIG. 10 is a time chart illustrating control of discharging the descaling agent from the cleaning water flow passage and the nozzle 511 of the toilet seat device 100.
First, when a user of the toilet seat device 100 operates a descaling button of a remote controller (not shown) in order to remove scale, the control unit 33 controls the toilet lid driving unit 322 to maintain a state where the toilet lid 113 is opened. That is, the control unit 33 controls the toilet lid driving unit 322 such that, when the descaling agent is supplied from the container 114 to the cleaning water flow passage, the toilet lid 113 is not closed, and the opened state as illustrated in FIG. 2 is maintained.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the control unit 33 controls the water supply valve 551 to maintain the water supply valve 551 closed. At the same time, the control unit 33 controls the assist pump 523 to drive the assist pump 523, and controls the flow rate sensor 571 to monitor (detect) the flow rate. In the control with respect to the flow rate sensor 571, time from control start until lapse of five seconds, detection is continuously performed, and the cleaning water that has existed in the cleaning water flow passage flows out. After five seconds in which the descaling agent is considered to flow into instead of the cleaning water, determination that the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is equal to or greater than the predetermined value is performed every one second, that is, one time per second. When the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it is considered that normal descaling agent filling is not performed, and transition is made to control of discharging the descaling agent illustrated in FIG. 1. Then, after 10 seconds from control start at which the descaling agent is considered to have filled in the nozzle 511 and the portion of the cleaning water flow passage connected to the nozzle, the control unit 33 controls the assist pump 523 to stop driving of the assist pump 523, and controls the flow rate sensor 571 to end monitoring (detection) of the flow rate.
Thereby, a state is established in which the descaling agent spreads and fills in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage of the private parts cleaning unit 51. By maintain this state for a predetermined time, scale adhered to and accumulated in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage of the private parts cleaning unit 51 is removed by the descaling agent.
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 33 controls the water supply valve 551 to maintain a state where the water supply valve 551 is opened for one minute. At the same time, the control unit 33 controls the assist pump 523 to drive the assist pump 523, and the control unit 33 controls the flow rate sensor 571 to perform the monitoring (detection) of the flow rate continuously for one minute. Then, after one minute from control start, the control unit 33 controls the water supply valve 551 to maintain the state where the water supply valve 551 is closed for five seconds. At the same time, the control unit 33 controls the flow rate sensor 571 such that, after it is determined that the immediately preceding flow rate is the predetermined amount, that is, the water supply valve 551 stops from operating state, and the immediately preceding flow rate is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, determination of the flow rate is not performed for five seconds. Then, the control unit 33 performs control of repeating the control of one minute four times with control of five seconds therebetween.
Since inner diameters of a water circuit composed of the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage are not uniform, when water continuously flows, fluid accumulation is generated in a predetermined portion in the water circuit, and water cannot be completely discharged. However, as described above, when the control unit 33 performs control of one minute and control of five seconds, the water circuit can be once emptied repeatedly, and therefore, from the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage of the private parts cleaning unit 51, the descaling agent that has spread over and filled in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage of the private parts cleaning unit 51 is all flowed out from the nozzle 511 of the private parts cleaning unit 51 to the toilet bowl 111 together with scale and the cleaning water, and a state is established where the descaling agent does not remain in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage of the private parts cleaning unit 51.
According to the toilet seat device 10 according to some embodiments having the configuration described above, effects as below can be obtained. The private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50 of the toilet seat device 100 including the toilet unit 10 having the toilet bowl 111, the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50, and the function unit 30 arranged in the rear side of the toilet unit 10 has the cleaning water flow passage through which the cleaning water flows, the cleaning water flow passage is formed with the air gap 52 that opens the cleaning water flow passage to the atmosphere, and the air gap 52 can be connected to the hose 115 for injecting the descaling agent for removing the scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage.
With this configuration, since there may be no need to provide a dedicated tank storing the descaling agent in the function unit 30, the degree of freedom of layout of each member in the function unit 30 can be improved. Since it is sufficient that the opening to which the hose 115 as the tube member for injecting the descaling agent can be connected is formed, there may be no need to make the opening large, and therefore, it is possible to prevent design from being degraded. Since the inner diameter of the end portion connection member 1171 can be adjusted to adjust the flow rate in the end portion connection member 1171, the flow rate can be adjusted easily at the design stage.
The inflow position (one end portion 5661 of the hose 566) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap 52 is in the downstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than the water supply position (another end portion 5641 of the hose 564) at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage. The inflow position (one end portion 5661 of the hose 566) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap 52 is a lower position than the water supply position (another end portion 5641 of the hose 564) at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage.
This configuration can prevent part of the descaling agent that has bounced up due to inflow of the descaling agent to the cleaning water flow passage from falling on and adhering to a portion of the water supply position at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage.
The inflow position (one end portion 5661 of the hose 566) at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap 52 is the upstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than the assist pump 523 for causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage. This configuration can drive the assist pump 523 to cause the descaling agent to flow through the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage.
The end portion connection member 1171 composing the downstream end portion of the supply tube of the descaling agent through which the descaling agent flows to the air gap 52 is configured to be the thinnest in the hose as the supply tube. This configuration can narrow the diameter of the final input port to the air gap 52 to cause siphon phenomenon to prevent dripping to the outside. By selecting appropriate inner diameter for the diameter of the final input port to the air gap 52, the flow rate of the descaling agent that is desired to flow through the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage can be adjusted.
The side surface of the function unit 30 of the toilet seat device 100 has a connection member 311 having a connection port that can be connected to the hose 115 as the injection member for injecting the descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage through which the cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50. This configuration can prevent design of the toilet seat device 100 from being impaired since the connection port is located in a position that cannot be viewed in normal use of the toilet seat device 100. When water is applied from the front side of the toilet unit 10 to clean the toilet unit 10, it is possible to prevent water from flowing in from the connection port.
The injection member is a hose 115 being a tube member. This configuration can more reliably prevent design of the toilet seat device 100 from being impaired since it is sufficient that the connection port has a size enough to be connected to the hose 115 being a thin tube member, and therefore, the connection port can be made small.
To the connection member 311 of the connection port, the end portion of the hose 115 mounted with the O-ring is pressed in and connected to. With this configuration, the connection member 311 having the connection port can have a simple configuration, and a compact connection port can be configured. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent design of the toilet seat device 100 from being impaired.
The supply device of the descaling agent provided in the toilet seat device 100 includes: a container 114 storing the descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage through which the cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50; and the container holding unit 116 that holds the container 114 composed of a predetermined portion of the toilet seat device 100.
This configuration can prevent design of the toilet set device 100 in normal use of the toilet seat device 100 from being impaired, since the container 114 and the container holding unit 116 for supplying the descaling agent are retrofitting components for the toilet seat device 100. Since the height at which the container 114 is held and fixed at the time of descaling agent supply can made a certain height, it is possible to prevent the change in the supply amount of the descaling agent according to the change in the height of the container 114. Since the descaling agent is supplied by the hydraulic head pressure, components such as a pump may not be required for supplying the descaling agent to the cleaning water flow passage.
The hose 115 as a tube member communicating the container 114 with the cleaning water flow passage and through which the descaling agent flows is provided, and the hose 115 is provided with the valve 1172 that switches flowing through and blocking of the descaling agent in the hose 115.
With this configuration, by opening and closing the valve 1172, supply and supply stop of the descaling agent to the cleaning water flow passage can be switched easily.
The container holding unit 116 is composed of any of the toilet lid 113, the toilet seat 112, and the remote control device that operates the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50.
This configuration can prevent the change in the supply amount of the descaling agent according to the change in the height of the container 114, since making the height at which the container 114 is held and fixed at the time of the descaling agent supply a certain height can be easily achieved.
The control unit 33 that controls driving of the toilet lid 113 is provided, and the control unit 33 controls the toilet lid 113 to maintain a state where the toilet lid 113 is opened when the descaling agent is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage from the container 114.
This configuration can prevent the toilet lid 113 supporting the container 114 from being closed automatically during descaling agent supply to the cleaning water flow passage even when the control unit 33 controls the toilet lid 113 to automatically close when there is no one in the toilet room.
The descaling agent supply device provided in the toilet seat device 100 includes: an assist pump 523 for causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50; the flow rate sensor 571 capable of detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water that flows through the cleaning water flow passage; the descaling agent supply unit that supplies the descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage to the cleaning water flow passage; and the control unit 33 that controls the assist pump 523 to drive. The control unit 33 controls the assist pump 523 to drive to supply the descaling agent to the cleaning water flow passage to determine whether the descaling agent is flowing through the cleaning water flow passage on the basis of the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage that has been detected by the flow rate sensor 571.
With this configuration, since the state where the cleaning water exists in the cleaning water flow passage can be changed to the state where the descaling agent is flowing through the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage using the flow rate sensor 571 that detects presence or absence of the flow rate, descaling can be performed reliably.
The control unit 33 performs control of determining whether the descaling agent is filled in the cleaning water flow passage and determining whether the descaling agent is discharged from the cleaning water flow passage on the basis of the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage detected by the flow rate sensor 571. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably make a state where the descaling agent has spread over and filled in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage, and a state where the descaling agent is discharged from the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage, and therefore, descaling can be performed reliably.
In the determination whether the descaling agent is flowing through the cleaning water flow passage by the control unit 33, when it is determined that the descaling agent does not flow through the cleaning water flow passage, transition is made to the control of causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage and discharging the descaling agent. This configuration can prevent the descaling agent from remaining in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage.
The scaling agent supply device provided in the toilet seat device 100 includes: the assist pump 523 for causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50; the flow rate sensor 571 capable of detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water that flows through the cleaning water flow passage; the water supply valve 551 that switches between supply and supply stop of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage; the descaling agent supply unit that supplies the descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage to the cleaning water flow passage; and the control unit 33 that controls the assist pump 523 and the water supply valve 551 to drive on the basis of the flow rate of the cleaning water that has been detected by the flow rate sensor 571. The control unit 33 controls the water supply valve 551, the assist pump 523, and the flow rate sensor 571 to switch the water supply valve 551 to make a state where the cleaning water can be supplied to the cleaning water flow passage, at the same time, drive the assist pump 523 to start supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage, and start detection of the flow rate of the cleaning water in the cleaning water flow passage by the flow rate sensor 571. After a predetermined time, the control unit 33 performs, with respect to the water supply valve 551 and the flow rate sensor 571, flow rate determination control of switching the water supply valve 551 to make a supply stop state of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage, and at the same time, determining that the immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is equal to or greater than a predetermined value by the flow rate sensor 571.
With this configuration, the cleaning water can be flowed reliably through the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage, and it is possible to reliably reduce the descaling agent remaining in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage. That is, when the water supply is stopped by a user of the toilet seat device 100, the flow rate sensor 571 can detect that the cleaning water is not flowing in, and therefore, in such a case, it is possible to perform reliable descaling by notifying the user of the toilet seat device 100 of impossibility of discharging the descaling agent remaining in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage, and urging the operation of discharging again the descaling agent remaining the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage.
The predetermined time is one minute, and the flow rate determination control by the control unit 33 is repeated four times with a supply stop state of five seconds therebetween. With this configuration, the cleaning water can be flowed reliably through the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage a plurality of times with intervals, and therefore, it is possible to more reliably reduce the descaling agent accumulating in the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage.
In the flow rate determination control by the control unit 33, when it is determined that the immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, a display appears on the remote controller to urge to perform operation again from control of staring supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage. With this configuration, it is easy for the user of the toilet seat device 100 to recognize that the immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and it is possible for the user to immediately perform again control from control of starting supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage.
It can be determined in the remote control device that descaling has been performed correctly only when the entire process by the control unit 33 has been performed, the entire process including staring flowing of the descaling agent through the cleaning water flow passage, retaining the descaling agent for a certain time, supplying the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage, and repeating the flow rate determination control four times after the predetermined time. With this configuration, it is easy for the user to recognize that the entire process of descaling is completed in the remote controller.
The present disclosure is not limited to some embodiments described above, and modification, improvement and the like within a scope in which the object of the present disclosure can be achieved are included in the present disclosure.
For example, shape, configuration and the like of the toilet seat device, each part of the toilet device such as the air gap are not limited to the shape and the configuration of the toilet seat device 100 and each part of the toilet seat device 100 such as the air gap 52 of some embodiments. The container 114 storing the descaling agent and the container holding unit 116 are composed of different members, but the container 114 and the container holding unit 116 are not limited to this configuration. For example, the container 114 and the container holding unit 116 may be configured by being integrally molded. Furthermore, the container holding unit 116 is locked to the toilet lid 113, but the container holding unit 116 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the container holding unit 116 may be fixed to related devices of the toilet seat device 100 of the toilet seat 112 being a predetermined portion of the toilet seat device 100, the remote control device that operates the private parts cleaning mechanism unit 50, or the like. Here, the related device refers to a button for sharing the cleaning water with the toilet unit 10, a wall accommodating the tank, a toilet paper case, a remote controller, a shelf, or the like. When the descaling agent is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage from the container 114, the control unit 33 controls the toilet lid 113 to maintain a state where the toilet lid 113 is opened, but this configuration is not limitation. For example, in the case of the toilet seat device 100 not having a function of automatically closing the toilet lid 113, such control may not be performed. The time and the number of times that are measured at the time of filling of the descaling agent to the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage and discharging of the descaling agent from the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage by the control unit 33 are not limited to the corresponding time and the number of times in some embodiments. It is sufficient that the control is performed measuring the time and the number of times suitable for the size or the like of the nozzle 511 and the cleaning water flow passage. Furthermore, the private parts linear mechanism unit may include a storage tank for storing the descaling agent.

Claims

1. A toilet seat device attached to a toilet, the toilet seat device comprising:

a function unit arranged in a rear part of the toilet;

a toilet seat rotatably attached to the function unit; and

a private parts cleaning mechanism unit provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function,

wherein the private parts cleaning mechanism unit has a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows, the cleaning water flow passage being formed with an air gap that opens the cleaning water flow passage to atmosphere, and

wherein the air gap is connectable to a tube member for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage.

2. The toilet seat device of claim 1, wherein an inflow position at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap is in a downstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than a water supply position at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage.

3. The toilet seat device of claim 1, wherein an inflow position at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap is a lower position than a water supply position at which the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water flow passage.

4. The toilet seat device of claim 1, wherein an inflow position at which the descaling agent flows into the cleaning water flow passage through the air gap is in an upstream side of the cleaning water flow passage further than an assist pump for causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage.

5. The toilet seat device of claim 1, wherein a downstream end portion of a supply tube of the descaling agent for causing the descaling agent to flow through the air gap is configured to be the thinnest in the supply tube.

6. (canceled)

7. A toilet seat device attached to a toilet, the toilet device comprising:

a function unit arranged in a rear part of the toilet;

a toilet seat rotatably attached to the function unit; and

wherein a side surface of the function unit has a connection port that is connectable to an injection member for injecting a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit.

8. The toilet seat device of claim 7, wherein the injection member is a tube member.

9. The toilet seat device of claim 8, wherein an end portion of the tube member mounted with an O-ring is pressed in and connected to the connection port.

10. (canceled)

11. A descaling agent supply device provided in a toilet device attached to a toilet, the toilet seat device comprising: a function unit arranged in a rear part of the toilet; a toilet seat rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit provided in the function unit and having a private parts cleaning function,

the descaling agent supply device comprising a container storing a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in a cleaning water flow passage through which cleaning water flows in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit, and

a container holding unit supported by a predetermined portion of the toilet seat device or a related device of the toilet seat device to hold the container.

12. The descaling agent supply device of claim 11, further comprising a tube member communicating the container with the cleaning water flow passage and through which the descaling agent flows,

wherein the tube member is provided with a valve that switches between flowing through and blocking of the descaling agent in the tube member.

13. The descaling agent supply device of claim 11, wherein the container holding unit is supported by any of a toilet lid, a toilet seat, and a remote control device for operation of the private parts cleaning mechanism unit.

14. The descaling agent supply device of claim 13, further comprising a control unit that controls driving of the toilet lid,

wherein, when the descaling agent is supplied from the container to the cleaning water flow passage, the control unit controls the toilet lid to maintain a state where the toilet lid is opened.

15. (canceled)

16. A descaling agent supply device provided in a toilet seat device attached to a toilet, the toilet seat device comprising: a function unit arranged in a rear part of the toilet; a toilet seat rotatably attached to the function unit; and a private parts cleaning mechanism unit having a private parts cleaning function,

the descaling agent supply device comprising a pump for causing cleaning water to flow through a cleaning water flow passage in the private parts cleaning mechanism unit,

a flow rate sensor capable of detecting a flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the cleaning water flow passage,

a descaling agent supply unit that supplies a descaling agent for removing scale accumulated in the cleaning water flow passage to the cleaning water flow passage, and

a control unit that performs control to drive the pump,

wherein the control unit drives the pump to supply the descaling agent from the descaling agent supply unit to the cleaning water flow passage, and performs control of determining whether the descaling agent is flowing through the cleaning water flow passage on the basis of the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage that has been detected by the flow rate sensor.

17. The descaling agent supply device of claim 16, wherein the control unit performs control of determining whether the descaling agent has been filled in the cleaning water flow passage and whether the descaling agent is discharged from the cleaning water flow passage on the basis of the flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage that has been detected by the flow rate sensor.

18. The descaling agent supply device of claim 16, wherein, in the determination whether the descaling agent is flowing through the cleaning water flow passage by the control unit, when it is determined that the descaling agent is not flowing through the cleaning water flow passage, transition is made to control of causing the cleaning water to flow through the cleaning water flow passage, and discharging the descaling agent.

19. The descaling agent supply device of claim 16, further comprising:

a feed valve that switches between supply and supply stop of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage,

wherein the control unit performs control to drive the pump and the feed valve on the basis of the flow rate of the cleaning water that has been detected by the flow rate sensor, and

performs, with respect to the feed valve, the pump, and the flow rate sensor, control of switching the feed valve to a state where the cleaning water can be supplied to the cleaning water flow passage, and at the same time, driving the pump to start supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage and start detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water in the cleaning water flow passage by the flow rate sensor, and

performs, with respect to the feed valve and the flow rate sensor, flow rate determination control of switching the feed valve to cause the cleaning water not to be supplied to the cleaning water flow passage after a predetermined time, and at the same time, determining that an immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is equal to or greater than a predetermined value by the flow rate sensor.

20. The descaling agent supply device of claim 19, wherein the flow rate determination control by the control unit is repeated a plurality of times.

21. The descaling agent supply device of claim 19, wherein, in the flow rate determination control by the control unit, when it is determined that an immediately preceding flow rate in the cleaning water flow passage is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, a display appears on the remote control device to urge operation of performing control again from control of starting supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage.

22. The descaling agent supply device of claim 19, wherein it can be determined in the remote control device that descaling has been performed correctly only when the entire process has been performed, the entire process including starting the flow of the descaling agent through the cleaning water flow passage, retaining the descaling agent for a certain time, supplying the cleaning water to the cleaning water flow passage, and repeating the flow rate determination control a plurality of times after the predetermined time, by the control unit.