Cleaning routine for a bidet nozzle of an integrated toilet-bidet unit, and sanitary unit for a public transport vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to: a method for operating a toilet-bidet unit (40); a sanitary unit comprising a toilet-bidet unit (40); and a public transport railway vehicle comprising a sanitary unit, wherein the toilet-bidet unit (40) comprises a toilet bowl (43) and a bidet nozzle (42) integrated into the toilet bowl (43), wherein a flushing of the toilet bowl (43) is detected, and the bidet nozzle (42) is flushed based on the detected flushing of the toilet bowl (43).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Cleaning routine for a bidet nozzle of an integrated toilet-bidet unit and sanitary cubicle for a public transport vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a toilet-bidet unit, a sanitary cell with a toilet-bidet unit and a rail vehicle for public transport with a sanitary cell, wherein the toilet-bidet unit comprises a toilet bowl and a bidet nozzle integrated into the toilet bowl.

[0004] A well-known solution for a toilet with a bidet facility is a handheld showerhead on a hose, positioned next to the toilet bowl. When in use, the area around the bowl is regularly flooded. When not in use, the handheld showerhead can be stored on a wall bracket to the side of the bowl in a hygienically safe position.

[0005] Toilets with a bidet function, so-called integrated toilet-bidet units, are also well known.

[0006] For example, US 2010 / 0235978 A1 teaches a mechanically extendable bidet nozzle that is installed in the toilet bowl. When the bidet function is not in use, it is parked in a position where it is protected from contamination. When used, the bidet nozzle automatically moves to an operating position and emits a water jet, the bidet stream. After use of the bidet function, the bidet nozzle automatically returns to the parked position.

[0007] What both solutions have in common is that the hand shower or bidet nozzle is only exposed inside the toilet bowl when the bidet function is in use. This eliminates accidental contamination with stagnant liquids or debris.

[0008] However, the solution with a hand shower attached to the hose is undesirable for public restrooms, such as washroom cubicles in public transport vehicles, as it usually significantly waters the surrounding ground. Misuse or theft of the hose and hand shower is also easily possible.

[0009] A retractable bidet nozzle, on the other hand, is mechanically vulnerable and also appears unsuitable for use in public restrooms, such as washroom cubicles in public transport vehicles. It quickly becomes calcified, which ultimately prevents the device from returning to its parking position. It is also subject to accidental or intentional damage due to force (vandalism).

[0010] For sanitary facilities in rail vehicles, toilets with vacuum pressure or central vacuum technology are usually used. Vacuum toilets with an integrated bidet have also become known in the field of rail vehicles for public passenger transport. WO 2015 / 197348 A1 discloses a generic vacuum toilet for a rail vehicle with an integrated bidet. At least one bidet nozzle is connected to a downflow system with a water pressure predetermined by gravity and is directed upwards or, if appropriate, designed as an adjustable spherical nozzle, so that when the bidet function is activated it emits a water jet directed diagonally upwards that extends over an upper edge of the toilet.

[0011] The bidet nozzle described in WO 2015 / 197348 A1 is a solid component, firmly integrated into the toilet bowl. It cannot have any moving parts and is resistant to force.

[0012] The bidet nozzle, on the other hand, is located within the hygiene-questionable area of ​​the toilet. During normal use of the toilet, the bidet nozzle can become contaminated with debris. Likewise, fluids can collect in the angled, upward-facing bidet nozzle. The bidet nozzle can become contaminated, particularly when passengers standing in front of the toilet are using the toilet. Upon subsequent or later use of the bidet function, the water jet from the bidet nozzle will first spray the foreign matter onto the user.

[0013] The water consumption of the entire system is also critical. Multiple uses lead to high water consumption and thus a large volume of water that needs to be transported.

[0014] The invention is based on the object of improving the hygiene of a toilet-bidet unit.

[0015] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments and refinements of the invention are found in the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0016] A method according to the invention for operating an integrated toilet-bidet unit in a, in particular public, sanitary cubicle, wherein the toilet-bidet unit has a toilet bowl and at least one, in particular exactly one, bidet nozzle integrated into the toilet bowl, comprises the following method steps: a. detecting a flush of the toilet bowl; b. flushing the bidet nozzle as a function of a detected flush of the toilet bowl. The sanitary cubicle can be a public sanitary cubicle, in particular for a vehicle, for example a rail vehicle for passenger transport, an aircraft or a ship, but also for a stationary public toilet facility.

[0017] A sanitary cubicle according to the invention is set up to carry out the method according to the invention. For this purpose, it comprises the means already mentioned that are suitable for carrying out the respective method step. These are at least one integrated toilet-bidet unit with a toilet bowl, in particular a commode, and at least one bidet nozzle integrated into the toilet bowl, wherein the sanitary cubicle further comprises a control device for controlling the discharge of water through the bidet nozzle and at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl, for example a flush sensor, wherein the control device is connected to the at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl, wherein the control device is designed to flush the bidet nozzle as a function of a detected flushing of the toilet bowl.

[0018] The at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl can be designed as a flush sensor which generates a signal in response to a detected flushing of the toilet bowl and transmits it to the control device via a signaling connection to the latter. The control device is in turn designed to receive and process the signal and to control a flushing of the bidet nozzle in response to the received signal, which represents a detected flushing of the toilet bowl, in particular to generate and output a control signal when a flushing of the toilet bowl is detected. In order to flush the toilet bowl, the toilet-bidet unit can comprise at least one flushing nozzle integrated into the toilet bowl. Method step a could therefore be: a. detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl by means of the at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl;

[0019] The following steps could be carried out between process steps a and b:

[0020] - generating at least one signal about a detected flushing of the toilet bowl by the at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl and transmitting the at least one generated signal about a detected flushing of the toilet bowl to the at least one control device;

[0021] - receiving the at least one transmitted signal of the at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl via a detected flushing of the toilet bowl from the at least one control device;

[0022] - generating at least one control signal for flushing the bidet nozzle by the control device in response to the received signal about a detected flushing of the toilet bowl and outputting the at least one control signal for flushing the bidet nozzle.

[0023] A rail vehicle for public passenger transport according to the invention accordingly comprises at least one sanitary cell according to the invention.

[0024] Flushing the bidet nozzle serves to clean it. A water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle is briefly activated once or several times. This expels any liquids that have penetrated the nozzle from the outside and rinses away any buildup. The duration of the activations, the water pressure during activation, and the length of the pauses between multiple activations can be individually configured. A cleaning cycle of the bidet nozzle occurs after each use of the toilet-bidet unit and is started after each flush of the toilet. The invention thus enables a significant improvement in the hygiene of a toilet-bidet unit.

[0025] In particular, the bidet nozzle is flushed after each use of the toilet function of the toilet-bidet unit, whereby the use of the toilet function of the toilet-bidet unit is recorded by detecting a successful flush.

[0026] According to a development of the invention, the toilet-bidet unit is a vacuum toilet, for example a sanitary cubicle of a rail vehicle for passenger transport. The toilet-bidet unit therefore comprises a vacuum flush. In principle, if the bidet function is used exclusively, additional introduction of flushing water into the toilet bowl during flushing, for example by means of the flushing nozzles, could be dispensed with. However, the initiation of a flushing process of the toilet-bidet unit is necessary in order to drain away the water that has collected in the toilet bowl when the bidet function is used. This flush of the toilet bowl, which may be dry, is detected and the bidet nozzle is then flushed.

[0027] In a further development, the toilet-bidet unit is a vacuum toilet, whereby a water reserve is created in the toilet bowl by flushing the bidet nozzle according to method step b. Usually, before the toilet bowl is vacuumed when the toilet bowl of a vacuum toilet is flushed, flushing water is released into the toilet bowl through the flushing nozzles. After suction has taken place, a small amount of water is then released into the toilet bowl through the flushing nozzles to create a water reserve. In a further development, after suction has taken place, this small amount of water is released into the toilet bowl not through the flushing nozzles, but through the bidet nozzle, on the one hand to flush the bidet nozzle, and on the other hand to create the water reserve.Furthermore, if the bidet is used exclusively, the release of flushing water through the flushing nozzles when flushing the toilet bowl of the vacuum toilet-bidet unit could be dispensed with - the toilet bowl would thus be flushed "dry", i.e. in particular only suctioned - with subsequent creation of the water reserve by flushing the bidet nozzle. When the toilet function of the toilet-bidet unit is used, as explained above, a normal flushing process is initiated, with flushing water being released through the flushing nozzles into the toilet bowl, subsequent suction and the subsequent flushing of the bidet nozzle and the associated creation of the water reserve.

[0028] A further advantage of the invention is that the water consumption is not increased by flushing the bidet nozzle to create the water reservoir in the toilet-bidet unit designed as a vacuum toilet.

[0029] For this purpose, the control unit can be adapted so that the water input from the bidet nozzle cleaning routine into the toilet is taken into account when introducing the water seal into the toilet, which occurs after each flush. The goal is to prevent the bidet nozzle cleaning routine from resulting in additional flush water consumption at the end of the flush.

[0030] To flush the toilet bowl, the toilet-bidet unit of the sanitary cubicle comprises at least one flush nozzle, in particular a plurality of flush nozzles, integrated into the toilet bowl. These are connected to a water reservoir for supplying the flush nozzles with water via water-carrying pipes. At least one, in particular exactly one, flush actuating valve for controlling the delivery of water through the flush nozzles is arranged in the water inlet to the flush nozzles, i.e. in particular in the said pipes between the water reservoir and the flush nozzles. This flush actuating valve can in particular be designed as a control valve acting as a throttle valve for setting a predetermined flow rate. The control device can be suitably designed in a further development and can be connected to the at least one flush actuating valve in terms of signaling in order to control the at least one flush actuating valve.

[0031] The control device can be suitably configured to receive and process a trigger signal from a manually operated flush button and to control flushing of the toilet bowl in response to the received signal, in particular to generate a control signal and output it to the at least one flush actuation valve and / or, if appropriate, to at least one suction valve. These control signals can, in turn, represent a flushing of the toilet bowl, whereby they are to be considered as detected by the control device, whereupon the flushing of the bidet nozzle can be controlled.

[0032] According to a further development of the invention, at least one, in particular exactly one bidet actuating valve, in particular a control valve acting as a throttle valve for setting a predetermined flow rate, is provided for controlling the delivery of water through the bidet nozzle, which is arranged in particular in the water inlet to the bidet nozzle, i.e. in particular between the bidet nozzle and a water reservoir, in particular a fresh water tank, and is connected to the bidet nozzle and the water reservoir by means of pipes. The control device is advantageously designed and signal-connected to the at least one bidet actuating valve in order to control the at least one bidet actuating valve. This can apply both to regular use of the bidet function and to flushing the bidet nozzle.To flush the bidet nozzle, as already explained above, at least one control signal is generated when the toilet bowl is flushed and sent to the bidet actuation valve. Similarly, another control signal can be generated when the bidet function is used and sent to the bidet actuation valve.

[0033] The water reservoir to which the bidet nozzle is connected is, in particular, a fresh or drinking water tank, which holds fresh water of drinking water quality. The flushing nozzles can also be directly connected to the fresh or drinking water tank. However, it is advantageous if the flushing nozzles are connected to a greywater treatment system that provides greywater for flushing the toilet.

[0034] The sanitary cell comprises, in a correspondingly further developed manner, at least one grey water treatment system to which water from a wash basin is supplied, for example, and the grey water treated by the grey water treatment system is used to flush the toilet and is accordingly supplied to the at least one flush nozzle of the toilet. Generic grey water treatment systems or sanitary facilities for rail vehicles with generic grey water treatment systems are known, for example, from EP 2 781 248 B1, EP 3 515 784 B1, EP 3 488 057 B1, EP 3 487 742 B1 or EP 3 487 743 B1, to which reference is made here. These grey water treatment systems have a connection for supplying grey water, for example from the wash basin, and optionally a fresh water inlet for supplying fresh water from a fresh water tank.

[0035] This allows treated greywater to be used to flush the toilet bowl during toilet use, and freshwater to be used for bidet use and to flush the bidet nozzle, as well as to create a water reservoir if necessary. This further reduces overall water consumption.

[0036] When using the bidet function of the toilet-bidet unit, a water jet is preferably emitted through the bidet nozzle that describes an arc that locally exceeds the upper edge of the toilet bowl, at least in some sections. On the one hand, this is not absolutely necessary for flushing the bidet nozzle; on the other hand, it is intended to prevent a person still sitting on the toilet bowl, especially a commode, from being unexpectedly hit by a water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle during flushing.

[0037] This can be achieved, for example, by reducing the "flying height" of the water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle when the bidet nozzle is flushed, so that the water jet remains completely within the toilet bowl and thus below an upper rim of the toilet bowl when the bidet nozzle is flushed. This can be achieved, in particular, by means of a reduced operating pressure or by means of a realignment of an adjustable bidet nozzle.

[0038] According to a further development, a water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle when the bidet nozzle is flushed according to method step b is dimensioned such that it runs completely within the toilet bowl. During regular use of the bidet function, the water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle describes in particular an arc which, at least in sections, locally passes an upper edge of the toilet bowl. The bidet nozzle can be directed upwards, i.e. towards the edge of the toilet bowl. When the bidet nozzle is flushed, however, the water jet does not exceed the upper edge of the toilet bowl.

[0039] In a further development, particularly when the bidet nozzle is directed upwards, the water pressure for generating the water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle when the bidet nozzle is flushed is adjusted according to method step b so that the water jet remains completely within the toilet bowl and thus below the upper rim of the toilet bowl. Due to the reduced water pressure when the bidet nozzle is flushed compared to normal bidet use, despite the bidet nozzle being directed upwards, the water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle when it is flushed describes an arc which runs completely below the upper rim of the toilet bowl.

[0040] According to a further development, the control device is designed to control a degree of opening of the bidet actuation valve, in particular as a function of a flushing of the bidet nozzle to be carried out according to method step b, and as a function of regular use of the bidet function. The different degrees of opening control the flow rate (mass and / or volume flow) of water in the inlet to the bidet nozzle and / or the water pressure applied to the bidet nozzle. When the bidet function is used, the degree of opening is higher compared to when the bidet nozzle is flushed. Thus, the water pressure applied to the bidet nozzle and / or the flow rate of water in the inlet to the bidet nozzle is reduced when the bidet nozzle is flushed compared to when the bidet function is used.Thus, the control device of the further developed sanitary cell is designed to control the arc of the water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle, accordingly below the rim of the toilet bowl when flushing the bidet nozzle and above the rim of the toilet bowl when using the bidet.

[0041] The water pressure in the pipe between the reservoir, which supplies the bidet nozzle, and the bidet actuation valve can be assumed to be essentially constant. The changing water jet is due to the different control of the bidet actuation valve's opening degree.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the at least one bidet nozzle can be designed to be adjustable, for example rotatable, wherein it is directed upwards for regular use of the bidet function and the water pressure for use of the bidet function is dimensioned such that a water jet is emitted by the bidet nozzle when the bidet function is used, which describes an arc that at least partially locally exceeds an upper edge of the toilet bowl, wherein before the bidet nozzle is flushed according to method step b. the bidet nozzle is aligned in such a way, in particular adjusted, for example rotated, to point into the toilet bowl, so that a water jet is emitted by the bidet nozzle when the bidet nozzle is flushed, which describes an arc that runs completely below the upper edge of the toilet bowl.This can happen with the same water pressure compared to bidet use or the water pressure is reduced compared to bidet use.

[0043] The control device of the sanitary cubicle can be further developed to control the orientation of the bidet nozzle. The orientation of the bidet nozzle is controlled and adjusted by the control device depending on the type of water delivered by the bidet nozzle, i.e. depending on whether the bidet nozzle is flushed or the bidet function is used. The bidet nozzle is further developed so that it is arranged in the toilet bowl so that it is freely accessible at all times. It cannot be pushed in or out. The bidet nozzle is in particular stationary and, if necessary, only its direction for delivering water can be adjusted. In particular, the bidet nozzle is arranged on an inner surface of the toilet bowl, in particular integrated into the inner surface of the toilet bowl, and is designed to be rotatable. The bidet nozzle is further developed in the form of a spherical nozzle.

[0044] A further possibility of preventing a person still sitting on the toilet bowl, in particular the commode, from being hit by a water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle when the toilet is flushed consists in the sanitary cubicle having a lockable door and a locking sensor for monitoring a door lock, wherein the flushing of the bidet nozzle according to method step b. takes place in further dependence on a detected unlocking of the lockable door of the sanitary cubicle. Additionally or alternatively, the toilet-bidet unit of the sanitary cubicle can comprise a toilet lid for closing the toilet bowl and a sensor for monitoring the toilet lid position, wherein the flushing of the bidet nozzle according to method step b. takes place in further dependence on the detected unlocking of the lockable door of the sanitary cubicle or in further dependence on a detected closing of a toilet lid of the toilet-bidet unit.The bidet nozzle is therefore only flushed in accordance with method step b when the toilet bowl has been flushed and the door of the sanitary cubicle has been unlocked and / or when the toilet bowl has been flushed and the toilet lid has been closed. The bidet nozzle is therefore not flushed immediately after the toilet has been flushed, but only when the door is unlocked and / or the toilet lid is closed. This ensures that no one is sitting on the commode during the cleaning cycle. The control device is designed to receive an unlocking signal from the locking sensor and / or a closing signal from the sensor for monitoring the toilet lid position and to control the flushing of the bidet nozzle in response thereto.

[0045] In order to prevent a person from leaving the sanitary cubicle without flushing the toilet, it can be assumed that the toilet-bidet unit has been used by detecting an unlocking of the door of the sanitary cubicle in which the integrated toilet-bidet unit is located. If the door is unlocked without the toilet bowl being flushed beforehand, a toilet flush can be activated, as taught, for example, in patent application DE 10 2023 201 831, to which reference is made here. According to the invention, the bidet nozzle is then flushed after the toilet has been flushed. The toilet bowl does not necessarily have to have been flushed for it to be detected by a flush sensor.In particular, if the flushing of the toilet bowl is controlled by the control device that also controls the flushing of the bidet nozzle, it is sufficient to trigger a flushing of the toilet bowl, in particular to detect a flushing signal from a flush sensor, in order to detect a flushing of the toilet bowl according to method step a. The control device receives a flushing signal for triggering a flushing of the toilet from a flush sensor.The flush sensor can be designed as a measuring sensor or switch, for example a hand or foot switch, or contactless, for example as a proximity sensor or as a gesture recognition module with a camera for detecting a gesture or as a speech recognition module with a microphone, for detecting a person's flush request and / or for detecting use of a toilet, here the integrated toilet-bidet unit, as is known, for example, from the patent application with the file number DE 10 2023 201 831, which was not yet published at the time of this application and to which reference is made here. The flush sensor detects a command from a person to flush the toilet or it detects use of the toilet function of the toilet-bidet unit and then generates a flush signal, which is output to the control device.The control device can, in turn, be designed to receive the flushing signal and then trigger or control flushing of the toilet bowl. Thereafter, in particular after a predetermined period of time, which is in particular dimensioned such that flushing of the toilet bowl is completed, the control device subsequently triggers flushing of the bidet nozzle according to method step b, as described in detail above.

[0046] The solution described makes it possible to keep a mechanically tolerant, fixed bidet nozzle in a hygienically acceptable condition without running the risk of flooding in the sanitary unit or having to factor in increased maintenance costs for descaling or for repairing damage caused by vandalism.

[0047] The invention is susceptible of numerous embodiments. It is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, each of which illustrates an exemplary embodiment. Identical elements in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, which is equipped with a fall-water operated bidet toilet system, during the execution of the bidet function

[0049] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention, in which a downflow water-operated bidet toilet system is additionally equipped with a wash basin and water tap, Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a toilet-bidet unit as can be used in the rail vehicles according to Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 4 shows a schematic flow chart of the method according to the invention.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows a rail vehicle 10 for passenger transport, which is equipped with a downflow bidet toilet system 20 in a sanitary compartment of the rail vehicle 10. The downflow bidet toilet system 20 comprises a downflow system 30 and a toilet-bidet unit 40 connected thereto.

[0051] The toilet-bidet unit 40 has a toilet bowl 43, possibly also called a toilet bowl, as well as several flushing nozzles 41, which serve to flush the toilet when the toilet-bidet unit 40 is used.

[0052] In addition to the flushing nozzles 41, the toilet-bidet unit 40 is equipped with one or more bidet nozzles 42, which are arranged together with the flushing nozzles 41 in the toilet bowl 43 or are integrated into it. For example, the following assumes that a single bidet nozzle 42 is integrated into the toilet bowl 43.

[0053] The flushing nozzles 41 are connected via a flushing water line 100 to a preferably unheated main water line 200 of the downdraft system 30. The main water line 200 connects the flushing water line 100 to a water tank 300 of the downdraft system 30.

[0054] A flush water actuation valve 110 is provided in the flush water line 100, which can be used to control the toilet flushing of the toilet-bidet unit 40. When the flush water actuation valve 110 is triggered, a predetermined amount of water flows through the flush water line 100 and the flushing nozzles 41 into the toilet bowl 43, cleaning the toilet.

[0055] The bidet nozzle 42 is connected to the unheated main water line 200 via a water line 400. The water line 400 is preferably provided with a pipe heater 410, which can heat the water flowing through the water line 400 or the water standing therein. The water line 400 is accordingly referred to below as the hot water line 400, since it delivers water preheated or warmed downstream by the pipe heater 410.

[0056] A bidet actuation valve 420, which may be a solenoid valve, for example, is arranged in the hot water line 400. The bidet actuation valve 420 preferably allows a fixed, predetermined amount of water to flow downstream towards the bidet nozzle 42 per actuation in order to enable the bidet function of the toilet-bidet unit 40 upon actuation. The amount of water that is allowed through per actuation of the bidet actuation valve 420 is preferably selected such that it is sufficiently large for normal bidet use. The amount of water released per actuation is preferably in a range between 0.2 l and 0.5 l in a time span of between 10 and 30 seconds.

[0057] In order to ensure that sufficient warm water is available when the bidet is used, even if the bidet actuation valve 420 is actuated multiple times, it is considered advantageous if the heating output of the pipe heating 410 and the diameter and length of the hot water pipe 400 are dimensioned such that the heated water quantity or water column available in the hot water pipe 400 is sufficiently large for at least two bidet actuations. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the flush water pipe 100 and the hot water pipe 400 are connected to the water tank 300 via the unheated main water pipe 200; alternatively, it can be provided that either the flush water pipe 100 and / or the hot water pipe 400 are connected directly to the water tank 300.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows the toilet-bidet unit 40 during operation of the bidet function. As soon as the bidet actuating valve 420 is activated and a flow of water through the bidet actuating valve 420 is permitted, the water located upstream above the bidet actuating valve 420 and preheated by the pipe trace heating 410 will, due to gravity, flow towards the bidet nozzle 42 and, in the form of an arc-shaped water jet, which is identified in Figure 2 by the reference numeral 500, will at least partially locally pass the upper edge 43a of the toilet bowl 43 before landing in the toilet bowl 43.

[0059] In order to be able to adjust or, if necessary, readjust the curved path of the water jet 500 shown, it is considered advantageous if the bidet nozzle 42 is a pivotable or adjustable ball nozzle.

[0060] A significant advantage of the described downdraft-operated bidet toilet system 20 is that the water jet 500, which is emitted upwards by the bidet nozzle 42 beyond the upper edge 43a of the toilet bowl 43, will reliably remain within the toilet bowl 43 and will re-enter the toilet bowl 43 within the inner edge of the toilet bowl 43. This is ensured by the downdraft operation or the gravity-induced drainage of the water from the water tank 300, because the height of the water column in the water tank 300 and between the water tank 300 and the bidet nozzle 42, as well as the pipe cross-section, determine the water flow and the pressure conditions and thus determine the height and width of the water jet 500 after leaving the bidet nozzle 42.

[0061] Fig. 2 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a rail vehicle 10 equipped with a downflow bidet toilet system 20. In contrast to the bidet toilet system 20 according to Fig. 1, the bidet toilet system 20 is equipped with an additional washbasin 600 provided with a faucet 610. The faucet 610 is connected via a handwash valve 620 to the hot water line 400, which also supplies the bidet nozzle 42 of the toilet-bidet unit 40 with hot water.

[0062] The connection of the water tap 610 or the hand-washing valve 620 to the hot water pipe 400 ensures that the wash basin 600 is operated with water at a pleasant temperature.

[0063] In order to prevent the water temperature within the hot water pipe 400 from rising too much, it is considered advantageous if the pipe heating system 410 is equipped with a thermostat and / or a temperature monitoring device which ensures that the water column in the hot water pipe 400 does not exceed a predetermined limit temperature of, for example, 20 ° C.

[0064] During operation, the bidet nozzle 42 of the integrated toilet bidet unit 40 is flushed after the toilet bowl 43 has been flushed by releasing water through the flushing nozzles 41.

[0065] In Figs. 1 and 2, the water jet 500 is shown during use of the bidet. This jet exceeds the upper edge 43a of the toilet bowl 43. When flushing the bidet nozzle 42, however, it preferably does not exceed the upper edge 43a of the toilet bowl 43 and remains entirely within the toilet bowl 43. This can be ensured by a lower water pressure, which is regulated by the bidet actuation valve 420 in the inlet to the bidet nozzle 42. For example, the bidet actuation valve 420 may be fully open when using the bidet function of the toilet-bidet unit 40, but only partially open when flushing the bidet nozzle 42, thereby reducing both the flow of water to and through the bidet nozzle 42 and the water pressure thereat.

[0066] The pressure upstream of the bidet actuating valve 420 can be assumed to be essentially constant in the outlined downflow system. In addition to the aforementioned downflow system, water could also be supplied to the bidet nozzle 42, and if necessary also to the flushing nozzles 41, from a lower-lying fresh water tank by means of pumps. Even then, the water pressure can be kept constant, and the water jet emitted by the bidet nozzle 42 can be regulated by means of the bidet actuating valve 420 depending on the type of use, i.e., reduced compared to bidet use during flushing. Alternatively, the water pressure could then also be adjusted to the type of use by the pump.

[0067] In addition to the reduced water pressure, the bidet nozzle 42, which is designed as a ball nozzle, could be directed downwards to flush the bidet nozzle 42 in order to reduce the flight height of the water jet 500.

[0068] In addition, it can be provided that the bidet nozzle 42 is only flushed after the toilet bowl 43 has been flushed and after a door (not shown) of the sanitary cubicle has been unlocked. This is preferably controlled by a control device (likewise not shown). Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a toilet-bidet unit 40 which can be used in the fall water-operated bidet toilet system 20 according to Figs. 1 and 2. Figure 4 shows the toilet-bidet unit 40 in a three-dimensional view obliquely from the side. Three flushing nozzles 41 can be seen, which are preferably mounted rotationally symmetrically in the interior of the toilet bowl 43 or are integrated into the inner surface 43b of the toilet bowl 43.

[0069] Also integrated into the toilet bowl 43, specifically also into the inner surface 43b of the toilet bowl 43, is a bidet nozzle 42, with which an arcuate water jet, such as the water jet 500 according to Fig. 1 and 2, can be generated solely by gravity through the falling water system 30 according to Fig. 1 and 3.

[0070] In the exemplary embodiment, the bidet nozzle 42 is a ball nozzle which can be adjusted during installation and / or maintenance such that the arcuate water jet 500 remains within the bowl area or within the inner contour of the bowl area of ​​the toilet bowl 43.

[0071] The bidet nozzle 42 is separate from the underlying flushing nozzle 41; with a view to minimizing assembly effort, it can alternatively be provided that the bidet nozzle 42 forms a combination nozzle with an associated flushing nozzle 41, which can be assembled and adjusted in a single assembly step and allows connection to both the flushing water line 100 and the hot water line 400 according to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0072] Fig. 4 shows a schematic flow chart of the method according to the invention for operating an integrated toilet-bidet unit 40 according to Figs. 1 to 3 in a sanitary cell of a rail vehicle 10 for passenger transport. After use of the toilet-bidet unit 40, in particular after use of the toilet function of the toilet-bidet unit 40, the toilet bowl 43 is flushed by releasing water from the flushing nozzles 42 and by suctioning out the wastewater in the toilet bowl 43. Even after use of the bidet function of the toilet-bidet unit 40, a flushing process can take place which comprises at least suctioning out the wastewater in the toilet bowl 43.

[0073] According to method step a, the flushing of the toilet bowl 43 is detected, in particular by a suitable means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl 43, for example by a flush sensor. A flush sensor detects, for example, the flushing of the toilet bowl 43 and then generates a flush signal, which it transmits to a control device connected to it by signaling.

[0074] According to method step b, the bidet nozzle 42 is then flushed itself depending on the detected flushing of the toilet bowl 43, by releasing water once or multiple times through the bidet nozzle 42. In this case, a predetermined amount of water, in particular at a predetermined water pressure, can be released through the bidet nozzle 42. As already explained above, the predetermined amount of water and the predetermined water pressure can differ from the amount of water and the water pressure of regular bidet use.

[0075] The control device is designed to control the delivery of water through the bidet nozzle 42 in order to flush the bidet nozzle 42 as a function of a detected flushing of the toilet bowl 43 and, if appropriate, also to control the delivery of water through the bidet nozzle 42 when the bidet function is used. Additionally or alternatively, the orientation of the bidet nozzle 42 can be adjusted between use of the bidet function and flushing of the bidet nozzle 42, which can also be controlled by the control device. If the toilet-bidet unit 40 is a vacuum toilet, a water reserve in the toilet bowl 43 is advantageously created by flushing the bidet nozzle 42 according to method step b.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for operating an integrated toilet-bidet unit (40) in a sanitary cubicle, wherein the toilet-bidet unit (40) comprises a toilet bowl (43) and at least one bidet nozzle (42) integrated into the toilet bowl (43), characterized by the following method steps: a. detecting a flush of the toilet bowl (43); b. flushing the bidet nozzle (42) as a function of a detected flush of the toilet bowl (43).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flushing of the bidet nozzle (42) according to method step b. takes place in further dependence on a detected unlocking of a lockable door of the sanitary cubicle or in further dependence on a detected closing of a toilet lid of the toilet-bidet unit (40).

3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a water jet (500) emitted by the bidet nozzle (42) runs completely within the toilet bowl (43) when the bidet nozzle (42) is flushed according to method step b.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a water pressure for generating the water jet (500) emitted by the bidet nozzle (42) during flushing of the bidet nozzle (42) is adjusted according to method step b., so that the water jet (500) runs completely within the toilet bowl (43).

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one bidet nozzle (42) is adjustable and before flushing the bidet nozzle (42) is aligned according to method step b. pointing into the toilet bowl (43).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the toilet-bidet unit (40) is a vacuum toilet, wherein a water reservoir in the toilet bowl (43) is formed by flushing the bidet nozzle (42) is produced according to process step b.

7. Sanitary cell for a public transport vehicle comprising at least one integrated toilet-bidet unit (40) with a toilet bowl (43) and at least one bidet nozzle (42) integrated into the toilet bowl (43), a control device and a means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl (43), wherein the control device is connected to the at least one means for detecting a flushing of the toilet bowl (43), characterized in that the control device is designed to control a discharge of water through the bidet nozzle (42) in order to flush the bidet nozzle (42) as a function of a detected flushing of the toilet bowl (43).

8. Sanitary cubicle according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a bidet actuating valve (420) for controlling the delivery of water through the bidet nozzle (42), wherein the control device is designed to control a degree of opening of the bidet actuating valve (420).

9. Sanitary cubicle according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one lockable door or a toilet lid for the toilet-bidet unit (40), wherein the control device is designed to control the flushing of the bidet nozzle (42) in further dependence on a detected unlocking a lockable door of the sanitary cell or in further dependence on a detected closing of a toilet lid of the toilet-bidet unit (40).

10. Sanitary cubicle according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the bidet nozzle (42) is designed to be adjustable such that, in an orientation for using the bidet function, it emits a water jet which points upwards out of the toilet bowl (43) and, in an orientation for flushing the bidet nozzle, it emits a water jet which points downwards into the toilet bowl (43), wherein the control device is designed to control the orientation of the bidet nozzle (42).

11. Rail vehicle for public passenger transport with at least one sanitary cell according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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