Toilet seat with bidet functions and toilet with bidet functions comprising said seat

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet seat with bidet functions, in particular, to a seat that is provided with a functional module adapted to be installed on the surface of a toilet in order to provide this toilet with bidet functions. It also relates to a toilet with bidet functions comprising said seat.Background of the invention

[0002] Toilet seats with bidet functions are known that include a functional module provided with means for performing anal and / or perineal washing, an installation module capable of being anchored to the body of a conventional toilet to provide said toilet with the functions of a bidet, and attachment means for removably attaching the functional module to the installation module.

[0003] The functional module usually comprises a housing wherein a washing water discharge nozzle is housed that is connected to a water supply tank or conduit, and an anal and / or perineal drying unit, while the installation module usually comprises conventional fixing systems based on the installation of a base or support to the body of the toilet whereon the functional module is removably or permanently fixed.

[0004] Conventional installation systems of the toilet seat on the body of the toilet have the drawback that, in most cases, they require detaching the functional module in order to be able to clean the dirt that accumulates on the surface of the toilet that is concealed under the functional module, between the functional module and the installation module, as described in JP H10 23995 A or US 2006 / 218710 A1.

[0005] Toilet seats with bidet functions provided with installation systems that allow the horizontal displacement of the functional module on guides of the installation module to facilitate access to the concealed surface of the toilet body without the need to detach the functional module are known in the state of the art. However, these seats have the disadvantage that they do not allow a complete cleaning of the toilet surface under the functional module, since their manoeuvrability is very limited.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a clear need to obtain a toilet seat with bidet functions that is easy to install, and that allows effective cleaning of the toilet surface without the need to completely detach the functional module.Description of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat with bidet functions, as well as a toilet with bidet functions comprising said toilet seat, which have the advantages which will be described below.

[0008] In accordance with this objective, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a toilet seat with bidet functions, comprising: a functional module provided with means for performing anal and / or perineal washing, an installation module capable of being anchored to the toilet body; and attachment means for removably attaching the functional module to the installation module.

[0009] In a novel way, the toilet seat is characterised in that; the attachment means comprise an articulated coupling between the functional module and the installation module, wherein the articulated coupling includes at least one first coupling member of the functional module adapted and arranged to be able to be articulately coupled to at least one second coupling member of the installation module, wherein the at least first coupling member of the functional module and / or the at least second coupling member of the installation module define a pivot "Y" configured to allow the rotation of the functional module with respect to the installation module, preferably, according to a rotation axis located in a rear portion of the functional module and the installation module, and wherein the at least first coupling member of the functional module is further adapted to be uncoupled from the installation module when the functional module acquires an angular position exceeding a predetermined rotation angle, preferably, a predetermined counterclockwise rotation angle, and advantageously, according to the axis of rotation located at the rear portion of the functional module and the installation module.

[0010] Thanks to the claimed features, a toilet seat is obtained that provides bidet functionality to a conventional toilet whereon it is installed, allowing an extended tilting of the functional module to be able to perform a complete cleaning of the surface of the toilet under the functional module, without having to disengage the functional module to be able to access said surface. In addition, the tilting can even be performed with a single hand, since the functional module, together with the installation module, has a rear pivoting point that maintains the articulated connection between both modules, while the rotating force is exerted on the functional module.

[0011] Furthermore, the articulated coupling of both modules is of the type that prevents a possible breakage of the system by an excess of force exerted by the user, once the functional module acquires an angular position that exceeds a predetermined rotation angle. Thus, to perform the cleaning of the toilet surface, the user can tilt the functional module with one hand and not worry about the force exerted in its lifting, since both modules can be automatically uncoupled when the angular position of the functional module exceeds a predetermined rotation angle, for example, a predetermined counterclockwise rotation angle by means of a stop.

[0012] All this is achieved without using auxiliary assemblies, nor performing guided movements, and without having to perform the complete detachment of the assembly to be able to perform the complete cleaning of the toilet surface that is concealed under the functional module.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the functional module comprises a housing sized to house the means for anal and / or perineal washing, wherein preferably, the pivot "Y" is integrated into a base of the housing.

[0014] Advantageously, the second coupling member of the installation module is adapted and arranged on a base of the installation module to be able to be coupled to the pivot "Y" so that, in the position of use of the seat, the articulated coupling is concealed under the housing of the functional module.

[0015] Preferably, a rear portion of said housing has a geometry adapted to allow the functional module to oscillate a predetermined rotation angle around the pivot.

[0016] This geometry of the rear part of the housing allows the functional module to be pivoted by a predetermined pivot angle. In addition, this geometry preferably allows maintaining a conventional distance in the installation position of the seat with respect to a rear cistern, or rear wall, and thus, to perform the tilting of the functional module to an extended position that allows performing a complete and efficient cleaning of the surface of the toilet without having to detach the functional module.

[0017] Optionally, the rear portion of the housing of the functional module comprises a lower edge that acts as a stop to limit the rotational movement of the functional module and facilitate its disengagement when said functional module acquires the angular position that exceeds the predetermined rotational angle.

[0018] This lower edge that acts as a stop enables delimiting the angle of rotation. It is a stop integrated in the housing that prevents the functional module from rotating until it hits the rear wall or cistern of the toilet, acting as a support point and lever for automatic detachment by the action of the user's force.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one first coupling member of the functional module, preferably the pivot "Y", is adapted and arranged to cooperate by snap-fitting with the at least one second coupling member of the installation module, the at least one first coupling member of the functional module being susceptible to being disengaged from the at least one second coupling member of the installation module by the action of the force of a user when the functional module acquires the angular position exceeding the predetermined rotation angle.

[0020] Advantageously, the at least first coupling member of the functional module comprises a fitting element configured to be able to be pressure coupled to a receiving element of the at least second coupling member of the installation module and, more advantageously, the at least first coupling member of the functional module comprises said fitting element adapted to act as a "Y" pivot that allows the rotation of the functional module with respect to the installation module, preferably, according to the rotation axis located in the rear portion of the functional module and the installation module.

[0021] This preferred configuration of the attachment means achieves, by means of a coupling that is created by fitting between the coupling members of the functional module and the installation module, a pivotal articulation, as well as a direct mounting. In addition, the fit between both coupling members is preferably by pressure, which enables easy and quick disengagement of both modules.

[0022] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the at least first coupling member, or fitting element, of the functional module is adapted and arranged to be able to be coupled according to a substantially vertical direction to the second coupling member of the installation module, said second coupling member preferably being located at the rear portion of the installation module.

[0023] This embodiment allows having a coupling configuration in a vertical path, which facilitates the mounting between modules and, thanks to having a stop in the rear portion of the housing, also allows performing a detachment by disengagement in the vertical direction.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means that removably attach the functional module to the installation module further comprise retaining means for retaining the coupling position of the functional module on the installation module, said retention means being capable of being released by the force of the hand of a user who actuates the rotation of the functional module with respect to the installation module.

[0025] These advantageous characteristics allow to ensure a correct position of the functional module in its mounting position and conventional operation of the seat, retaining the functional module on the installation module and avoiding a bad positioning or its displacement caused by light knocks or interactions. This retention is performed so that the user can release it by tilting the functional module.

[0026] Specifically, the retaining means may comprise a magnetic coupling between the functional module and the installation module.

[0027] In this way, a retention of the functional module is achieved in an effective way, easily releasable by the user at the time the functional module is to be lowered to perform the cleaning of the concealed surface of the toilet.

[0028] With regard to these retaining means, and even more specifically, the magnetic coupling can comprise at least one magnet arranged in the functional module and / or in the installation module so that, in the coupling position of both modules said at least one magnet is protected from the external environment inside a housing provided in the functional module and / or in the installation module.

[0029] In this way, the at least one magnet is protected from the external environment, water, and the possibility of receiving splashes, which could decrease its retention properties.

[0030] Complementary to any of the previous embodiments, the installation module comprises a base configured to be fixed on the surface of the toilet so that, in the position of use of the seat, the base is concealed under the housing of the functional module, said same base being provided with anchoring means to the body of the toilet. This base allows the installation module to be fixed to the body of a conventional toilet to subsequently receive the functional module.

[0031] Also optionally and complementary to the previous embodiments, the toilet seat with bidet functions comprises a housing provided with means for articulately fixing a seat cover and a seat ring to the functional module.

[0032] It should be mentioned that this possibility can be alternatively replaced by a system wherein the cover and the ring do not need to be anchored to the set of modules.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a toilet with bidet functions, which advantageously comprises a toilet seat according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0034] The incorporation of a toilet seat as described allows providing bidet functions to a conventional toilet, keeping the surface of the toilet clean, in a simple and easy way, by being able to lower the functional module by a predetermined angle and being able to uncouple, with one hand, the functional module when it acquires an angular position that exceeds a predetermined rotation angle.

[0035] In the present invention, by toilet seat, it will be understood an assembly of functional module and installation module to provide bidet functions to a toilet. Preferably, this assembly referred to as a toilet seat can have the seat cover and the seat ring of the toilet seat coupled, in an articulated way, to one of the modules. Alternatively, the seat cover and seat ring may be independently articulated to the assembly, or the assembly may dispense with the cover and ring.Brief description of the drawings

[0036] For the better understanding of the description made herein, a set of drawings has been provided wherein, schematically, and solely by way of a non-limiting example, a practical case of an embodiment is portrayed. Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation view, showing the toilet seat partially installed in the toilet, having its installation module fixed to the toilet and the functional module in the process of being fixed following a vertical mounting direction. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the toilet seat in the same conditions as figure 1. Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation view, showing the toilet seat fully installed on the toilet, in its normal operating position. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the toilet seat in the same conditions as figure 3. Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation view, showing the toilet seat installed on the toilet, with the functional module tilted down in an angular position. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the toilet seat in the same conditions as figure 5. Figure 7 is a sectional side elevation view, showing the toilet seat once the functional module acquires a disengaged angular position exceeding a predetermined rotation angle. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the toilet seat with the functional module disengaged from the installation module. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the tilted toilet seat and a user's hand while cleaning the toilet. In this figure, the seat includes a seat cover and a seat ring articulately attached to the functional module. Description of a preferred embodiment

[0037] The toilet seat with bidet functions of the present invention is described below with reference to figures 1 to 9.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention and as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the toilet seat 10 is formed by a functional module 11 that comprises inside its housing 30 the means necessary to perform anal and / or perineal washing (not shown in the figures). These means conventionally comprise the water supply inlet, the electrical supply connection to the interior components, a retractable nozzle for the application of water on the anal and / or perineal areas of the seated user, and drying means of said areas.

[0039] The toilet seat 10 also comprises an installation module 12, which is fixed on the toilet 100 by means of a base 15 provided with anchoring means 14 that are fixed on conventional receiving means of the toilet 100.

[0040] The functional module 11 is articulately and removably coupled to the installation module 12. To this end, attachment means 102 are provided that are formed by a first coupling member 16 of the functional module 11 that is articulately and removably coupled to the second coupling member 18 of the installation module, creating in its coupling a pivot (Y) that allows the rotation of the functional module 11 with respect to the installation module 12 according to a rotation axis located in a rear portion of the functional module 11 and the installation module 12.

[0041] The two coupling members 16,18 form a joint of elements that cooperate by fitting to create the articulated joint. In the present embodiment, the first coupling member 16 of the functional module 11 is formed by a pair of cylinders aligned on the same axis and integrally attached to, or integrated in, the lower-rear end or base of the functional module 11 and which press-fit into the second coupling member 18 of the installation module 12. The second coupling member 18 of the installation module 12 is formed by a pair of "U" section pieces of complementary geometry to that of the cylinders of the functional module 11. The cylinders of the functional module 11 are coupled on the U-shaped parts of the installation module 12 by means of a fit that allows in turn to tilt the functional module 11 around the axis of rotation formed by these cylinders in their press-fitting with the U-shaped parts of the installation module 12.

[0042] Alternatively, a configuration is possible in which the positions of the cylinders and the U-shaped parts can be inverted, or that the press-fit geometries are different, provided that they also allow a pivot and a removable articulated coupling to be created, such as a standby and a receiving housing thereof, among other options. Likewise, the number of coupling elements or members may vary, being one only, or having more than two, as is the case with the present embodiment.

[0043] The housing 30 of the functional module has a rear portion 20 with a geometry curved towards the top that provides more space to be able to tilt the functional module 11, and that in its rotation on the pivot (Y) allows the functional module 11 to acquire an angular position up to a certain radius of rotation. Alternatively, this rear portion 20 can be of another geometry that allows rotation to a desired tilting position.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the rear portion 20 of the housing 30 of the functional module 11 has a lower edge 22 that acts as a stop for the counterclockwise rotation of the functional module 11 with respect to the installation module 12. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lower edge 22 comes into contact with the surface of the toilet body 10 when the functional module 11 acquires a certain angular position on the pivot (Y), facilitating disengagement.

[0045] As can be seen from figures 5 to 8, the articulated coupling made by means of a press-fit between the coupling members 16,18, makes it possible to disengage by way of safety against breakage when the functional module 11 acquires an angular position that exceeds a predetermined rotation angle, and the lower edge 22 of the housing 30 of the functional module 11 itself abuts the surface of the toilet 100. The force exerted by the user creates a disengagement force between the coupling members 16,18 which, thanks to their configuration and the relative flexibility of their materials, allows disengagement without breaking the press-fitting elements.

[0046] The shape of the element that acts as a stop can be varied without altering the principle of automatic disengagement.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the coupling members 16,18 are configured so that the fitting is carried out following a substantially vertical direction, thus allowing a simple mounting and detachment in the same direction and opposite direction, either by a manual action of vertical disengagement or by the action of the lower edge 22 that acts as a lever when abutting the surface of the toilet.

[0048] As indicated, the configuration of both the element that acts as a stop and the position of the coupling members and their alignment of geometries for their fitting, may vary. Alternatively, it would be possible to have a substantially horizontal mounting direction, for example, and a stop element located at the top of the rear portion 20 of the housing 30 so that, in a coordinated manner, the automatic disengagement for safety over the excess angle of rotation of the functional module 11 creates a disengagement following a substantially horizontal direction. Other coupling and uncoupling configurations can be made following the principles indicated herein in the embodiments described.

[0049] The functional module 11 and the installation module 12 have attachment means comprising retaining means 103 of the front part of the functional module 11 on the installation module 12, fixing the normal use position of the toilet seat 10, as can be seen in figures 3 and 4. This retention is performed so that it releasable by the force of the user's hand, as can be seen in Figure 9, allowing the functional module 11 to be tilted with respect to the pivot ("Y").

[0050] The retaining means 103 are formed in the present embodiment by a magnetic coupling 17,19 between the two modules 11,12, and more specifically, by the aligned vertical arrangement of at least one pair of magnets 17,19 in each of the modules 11,12, which in the position of mounting and use of the toilet seat 10 have their magnetic poles positioned so as to attract each other 17,19.

[0051] These magnets 17, 19 are located in housings 31 in the functional module 11 and in the installation module 12 that have complementary geometric shapes so that one housing is inserted into the other, these magnets 17,19 being protected from the external environment.

[0052] Alternatively to these retaining means 103, it would be possible to have different means that also allow this removable retention of the front part of the functional module 11 to prevent an involuntary movement thereof during use. For example, it would be possible to have clip-on fitting or similar between the two modules 11,12. Likewise, the number and position of the retaining means 103 could be varied while also achieving an effective retention of the functional module 11 on the installation module 12.

[0053] As shown in Figure 9, the toilet seat 10 alternatively incorporates a seat cover 101 and a seat ring 104 in the housing 30 of the functional module, configured so that they can perform a rotation as required by use.

[0054] Alternatively, the seat cover 101 and the seat ring 104 can be independently articulately attached to the toilet seat 10, or it is even possible to do without them.

[0055] Surprisingly, the toilet seat 10 with bidet functions allows the functional module 11 to be tilted down to an extended position that allows a complete and efficient cleaning of the surface of the toilet 100 without having to detach the functional module 11. The user can lift the functional module 11 from the toilet seat 10 with one hand and clean the surface of the toilet 100 with the other (see figure 9).

[0056] If the user lifts the functional module 11 excessively so that it acquires an angular position that exceeds a predetermined rotation angle, the functional module 11 is disengaged from the installation module 12 without the risk of breakage (see figure 7). The user can then remount the functional module 11 by coupling, for example, according to a vertical direction, the first coupling member 16 of the functional module 11 to the second coupling member 18 of the installation module 12 (see figure 1). The functional module 11 is effectively retained in a fixed position on the installation module 12 thanks to the presence of a magnetic coupling that includes the two magnets 17, 19 housed inside two complementary housings 31 of the modules 11, 12 (see figure 3).

Claims

1. A toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, comprising: □ a functional module (11) provided with means for performing anal and / or perineal washing, said functional module (11) comprising a housing (30) dimensioned to house said means for performing anal and / or perineal washing, □ an installation module (12) capable of being anchored to the toilet body (100), and □ attachment means (102,103) for removably attaching the functional module (11) to the installation module (12), □ wherein said attachment means (102) comprise an articulated coupling between the functional module (11) and the installation module (12), and □ wherein said articulated coupling includes at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) adapted and arranged to be able to be articulately and removably coupled to at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12), characterised in that; □ the at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) and / or the at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12) define a pivot ("Y") configured to allow the rotation of the functional module (11) with respect to the installation module (12) according to an axis of rotation located at a rear portion of the functional module (11) and the installation module (12), □ wherein the at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12) is adapted and arranged on a base (15) of the installation module (12) to be coupled to the pivot ("Y") so that, in the position of use of the seat (10), the articulated coupling is concealed under the housing (30) of the functional module, and □ wherein the at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) is further adapted to be uncoupled from the installation module (12) when the functional module (11) acquires an angular position exceeding a predetermined rotation angle according to the rotation axis located at the rear portion of the functional module (11) and the installation module (12).

2. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, according to claim 1, wherein the functional module (11) comprises a housing (30) dimensioned to house the means for anal and / or perineal washing, wherein the pivot ("Y") is integrated in a base of the housing (30).

3. Toilet seat (10) according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the rear portion of said housing (30) has a geometry adapted to allow the functional module (11) to oscillate the predetermined rotation angle on said pivot ("Y").

4. A toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rear portion (20) of the functional module (11) comprises a lower edge (22) that acts as a stop to limit the rotational movement of the functional module (11) and facilitate its uncoupling when said functional module (11) acquires the angular position that exceeds the predetermined rotation angle.

5. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) is adapted and arranged to cooperate by fitting with the at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12), the at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) being susceptible to being uncoupled from the at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12) by the action of the force of a user when the functional module (11) acquires the angular position that exceeds the predetermined rotation angle.

6. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) comprises a fitting element configured to be able to be pressure coupled to a receiving element of the at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12).

7. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, according to claim 6, wherein the at least one first coupling member (16) of the functional module (11) comprises said fitting element adapted to act as a pivot ("Y") and allow the rotation of the functional module (11) with respect to the installation module (12) according to the rotation axis located in the rear portion of the functional module (11) and installation module (12).

8. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one first coupling member (16), or pivot-like fitting element ("Y") of the functional module (11), is adapted and arranged to be able to be coupled according to a substantially vertical direction to the at least one second coupling member (18) of the installation module (12), said second coupling member (18) being arranged at the rear portion of the installation module (12).

9. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means that removably attach the functional module (11) to the installation module (12) further comprise retaining means (103) for retaining the coupling position of the functional module (11) on the installation module (12), said retention means (103) being capable of being released by the force of a user's hand which actuates the rotation of the functional module (11) with respect to the installation module (12).

10. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions according to claim 9, wherein said retaining means (103) comprise a magnetic coupling (17,19) between the functional module (11) and the installation module (12).

11. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions according to claim 10, wherein the magnetic coupling comprises at least one magnet (17, 19) arranged in the functional module (11) and / or in the installation module (12) so that, in the coupling position of both modules (11, 12) said at least one magnet (17, 19) is protected from the external environment inside a housing (31) provided in the functional module (11) and / or in the installation module (12).

12. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the installation module (12) comprises a base (15) configured to be fixed on the surface of the toilet so that, in the position of use of the seat (10), said base (15) is concealed from the user's view under the housing (30) of the functional module (11), said same base (15) being provided with anchoring means (14) to the body of the toilet (100).

13. Toilet seat (10) with bidet functions according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (30) comprises means for articulately fixing a seat cover (101) and a seat ring (104) to the functional module (11).

14. A toilet with bidet functions, characterised in that it comprises a toilet seat (10), as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13.

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