Sanitary device comprising a bowl.

FR3159398A1Active Publication Date: 2025-08-22SATURN CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024001650
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-20
Publication Date
2025-08-22
Estimated Expiration
2044-02-20

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Abstract

Sanitary device (1) comprising a bowl (2) having:- a tubular internal surface (S);- an upper passage (21) opening onto the tubular internal surface (S) to admit excrement into an internal zone of the bowl (2);- a lower passage (22) for evacuating excrement from the internal zone of the bowl (2), the sanitary device (1) comprising at least one upper water inlet (23) opening onto the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl. A main scraper (R0) movable relative to the bowl (2) extends against the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl to scrape it by moving the main scraper (R0) relative to the bowl. FIGURE OF THE ABSTRACT: Fig. 3
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Description

Title of the invention: Sanitary device comprising a bowl.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sanitary devices comprising a bowl for receiving excrement.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] From the prior art, a sanitary device is known comprising a bowl having: - a tubular internal surface; - an upper passage opening onto the tubular internal surface to admit excrement to an internal area of ​​the bowl; and - a lower passage for the evacuation of excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl, the sanitary device comprising at least one upper water inlet opening onto the tubular internal surface of the bowl to admit water to the internal area of ​​the bowl and thus clean it and evacuate excrement and wash water.

[0004] Such a sanitary device consumes a quantity of water for cleaning and evacuation of effluents that it would be useful to limit.

[0005] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a sanitary device making it possible to resolve all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention essentially relates to a sanitary device comprising a bowl having: - a tubular internal surface; - an upper passage opening onto the tubular internal surface to admit excrement to an internal area of ​​the bowl; - a lower passage for the evacuation of excrement outside the internal area of ​​the bowl, the sanitary device comprising at least one upper water inlet opening onto the internal tubular surface of the bowl.

[0008] The sanitary device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that a main scraper movable relative to the bowl extends against the tubular internal surface of the bowl to scrape it by movement of the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0009] The main scraper mounted to move relative to the bowl makes it possible to scrape dirt from the tubular internal surface.

[0010] Said at least one upper water inlet allows the scraped dirt to be moved towards the lower passage while washing the main scraper which extends at least partly below the level of said at least one upper water inlet.

[0011] The amount of water required to clean the bowl can be limited because the main scraper generates a mechanical effect on the dirt in addition to that of the water flowing through the upper water inlet.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main scraper comprises a wire stretched between first and second wire attachment zones, a first portion of the wire extending between said first and second wire attachment zones is in contact against the tubular internal surface so that the first portion of the stretched wire scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface during movement of the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0013] Preferably, the portion of stretched wire in contact against the tubular internal surface extends from the first and second attachment zones and is in continuous contact against the tubular internal surface which is exclusively convex over an entire zone extending from a level of the first attachment zone to a level of the second attachment zone.

[0014] The use of a taut wire to scrape the exclusively convex part of the internal surface of the bowl is advantageous because, under the effect of its tension, the wire necessarily comes into contact and presses against the exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface.

[0015] Other advantages of such a stretched wire will be explained below in the detailed description.

[0016] Preferably, the bowl comprises a first lower water inlet opening onto the tubular internal surface of the bowl, said at least one upper water inlet being placed between a high plane in which the upper passage extends and a low plane in which the lower passage and the first lower water inlet are located.

[0017] Thus, said at least one upper water inlet can be used to wash the internal surface of the bowl and the main scraper while the lower water inlet can be used to evacuate the excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl towards the lower passage.

[0018] It is thus possible to specialize the flow of water from the upper inlet for cleaning only and the flow of water from the lower inlet for the sole evacuation of excrement / effluents towards the lower passage.

[0019] This allows for better quality washing that consumes less water and more efficient removal of excrement that consumes less water.

[0020] The excrement is also evacuated more efficiently since the lower water inlet can be specifically positioned in relation to the lower passage where the effluent is evacuated.

[0021] As will be seen later, water can be introduced to the internal zone via dif different upper and / or lower water inlets depending on whether you want to wash the bowl and / or remove the waste. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1a] [Fig. 1a] is a perspective view of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its seat in the raised position;

[0024] [Fig. 1b] [Fig. 1b] is a perspective view of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its seat in the lowered position;

[0025] [Fig. 1a] [Fig. 1a] is a top view of the sanitary device 1 illustrated in [Fig. 1a] where we see the main scraper R0 and its wire stretched against the internal tubular surface of the bowl which is convex when observed in vertical section;

[0026] [Fig.ld] [Fig.ld] is a top view of the sanitary device illustrated in [Fig.lb] with its bezel disinfection device covering a radial edge of the bezel 10 to disinfect it;

[0027] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view in a vertical sectional plane of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention, where we see upper water inlets 23, 23b and the lower passage 22 for evacuating the effluents from the internal zone of the bowl via a siphon downstream of the lower passage 22;

[0028] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of one half of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention cut along a vertical section plane to illustrate details of the attachment of the stretched wire of the scraper to the pivoting bezel 10 and to the rotating lower part 4 which is at the bottom of the internal zone of the bowl to pivot freely in the bowl around a substantially vertical axis ZZ;

[0029] [Fig.4a] [Fig.4a] is a perspective view from the front of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its covers 70, 71 made transparent to illustrate the driving of the crown and the supply of the upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c;

[0030] [Fig.4b] [Fig.4b] is a perspective view of the left side of a part of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its covers 70, 71 made transparent to illustrate the driving of the crown and the supply of the upper water inlet 23, the seat being in the raised position;

[0031] [Fig.5a] [Fig.5a] is a section along a vertical plane of a part of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention to illustrate the seat in the raised position and the disinfection apparatus 40 moved away from the seat to free access to the seat 10;

[0032] [Fig.5b] [Fig.5b] illustrates the device according to the invention in the same sectional plane as in [Fig.5a], while the seat is in the lowered position with the disinfection apparatus 40 placed on a radial edge of the seat 10 to disinfect it;

[0033] [Fig.6a] [Fig.6a] is a top view of the device illustrated in [Fig.5a] with the cover of the disinfection apparatus 40 made transparent to illustrate the first and second scrapers 41, 41b, the nozzle 42 and the ultraviolet radiation generator 43 making it possible to clean and disinfect the upper surface of the bezel 10 which moves relative to the apparatus 40;

[0034] [Fig.6b] [Fig.6b] is an enlarged view of the part of the sanitary device 1 illustrated in [Fig.6a];

[0035] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a vertical sectional view of the disinfection apparatus 40 showing the flow of washing liquid projected by the nozzle 42 onto the upper face of the seat 10 and showing a notch in a portion of the upper edge at the rear of the bowl 2 to form a channel 2x for guiding washing liquid flowing over the seat to the internal area of ​​the bowl 2;

[0036] [Fig.8a] [Fig.8a] is a schematic view of the disinfection apparatus 40 observed along a radial direction of the annular bezel 10;

[0037] [Fig.8b] [Fig.8b] is a schematic view of the disinfection apparatus 40 illustrated in [Fig.8a], this apparatus 40 being observed here in a direction perpendicular to a radial plane of the annular bezel 10;

[0038] [Fig.9a] [Fig.9a] is a sectional view in a vertical plane of the sanitary device 1 while water is admitted into the internal zone of the bowl via the upper inlets 23, 23b, 23c to generate a single vortex on the tubular internal surface of the bowl (the exclusively convex shape of the profile of this tubular part observed in vertical section associated with the narrowing of the cross-section of the tubular part going towards the bottom of the bowl contributes to the quality of the cleaning);

[0039] [Fig.9b] [Fig.9b] is a top view of the bowl of [Fig.9a] (without its seat);

[0040] [Fig.9c] [Fig.9c] is a view of the sanitary device 1 in section in a vertical plane while the water intake via the upper inlets 23 is interrupted (the internal tubular surface of the bowl is cleaned) and pressurized water is admitted via the lower inlet 24 to evacuate effluents towards the lower passage 22;

[0041] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a side view of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention (without its side cover 70), the valve apparatus 25 being illustrated here with its hydraulic ports;

[0042] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of a lower part of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its side cover 70 made transparent to vi to supply the hydraulic pipes connecting the valve device 25 to the various water inlets 23, 24 of the bowl;

[0043] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view from above of the sanitary device according to the invention showing the removable appearance of its side cover 70 and its upper cover 71. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] With reference to figures 1a to 12, the invention essentially relates to a sanitary device 1 of the toilet type.

[0045] This device 1 comprises a bowl 2 having: - a tubular internal surface S; - an upper passage 21 opening onto the tubular internal surface S to admit excrement towards an internal zone of the bowl 2; - a lower passage 22 for the evacuation of excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl 2.

[0046] The lower passage 22 opens into a siphon intended to connect the lower passage 22 to an effluent evacuation network which is external to the sanitary device. This external evacuation network will therefore not be described.

[0047] The purpose of the siphon is to maintain a minimum water level in the bowl to prevent air from passing freely between the external network and the internal area of ​​the bowl via the lower passage 22.

[0048] The sanitary device 1 comprises at least one upper water inlet 23 opening towards the tubular internal surface S of the bowl to admit water towards the internal zone of the bowl 2.

[0049] The upper water inlet is here formed through a wall of the bowl, but it is also conceivable that the upper water inlet(s) is / are carried by one or more distribution ramps located above the upper edge of the bowl, for example: - between the seat and the bowl; and / or - directly fixed to the seat.

[0050] The shape of the tubular internal surface S is flared going from a bottom of the bowl towards the upper passage 21.

[0051] A main scraper R0 movable relative to the bowl 2 extends against the tubular internal surface S of the bowl to scrape it by moving the main scraper R0 relative to the bowl.

[0052] The main scraper R0 is mounted to move relative to the bowl 2 to scrape dirt at the level of the tubular internal surface S.

[0053] Said at least one upper water inlet 23 makes it possible to move the dirt scraped towards the lower passage 22 while washing the main scraper RO which extends at least partly below the level of said at least one upper water inlet 23.

[0054] The excrement is evacuated, via the lower passage 22, out of the internal area of ​​the bowl using a flow of water injected towards the internal area of ​​the bowl.

[0055] As will be seen later, water can be introduced into the internal zone via different upper 23 and / or lower 24 water inlets depending on whether it is desired to wash the bowl or simply evacuate the effluents / excrement.

[0056] As understood in particular from figures 2, 3, 4b and 10 and 11, the main scraper R0 comprises a stretched wire F0 between first and second attachment zones ROa, ROb of the wire.

[0057] A first portion of the wire F0 extends between the first and second attachment zones of the wire ROa, ROb, this first portion being in contact against the tubular internal surface S so that the first portion of the stretched wire F0 scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface S during the movement of the main scraper R0 relative to the bowl 2.

[0058] The use of a wire F0 to scrape the exclusively convex part of the internal surface S of the bowl 2 is advantageous because, under the effect of its tension, the wire F0 necessarily comes into contact, under pressure, against the exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface.

[0059] Preferably, in all vertical section planes of the tubular internal surface S passing through a main axis of symmetry of the surface S, with the exception of zones of the tubular internal surface S where at least one upper water inlet 23, or at least one lower water inlet 24 or the lower passage 22 open, the tubular internal surface S has an exclusively convex profile.

[0060] This convexity of the internal surface S is oriented towards the internal zone of the bowl 2, the exclusively convex profile extends in height at least up to a high level where said first attachment zone of the wire ROa is located and at least up to a low level where said second attachment zone of the wire ROb is located.

[0061] In other words, outside the zones where the water inlets 23 and the lower passage 22 for the evacuation of excrement open out, from the high level where the first attachment zone of the wire ROa is located to the low level where the second attachment zone ROb of the wire is located, the tubular internal surface S is exclusively convex in all vertical section planes of the bowl 2.

[0062] Thus, when the main scraper R0 is rotated, the wire of the scraper F0 which is stretched against a portion of the internal surface which is exclusively convex can scrape / sweep it continuously while remaining in contact over its length of wire F0 against this convex internal surface S.

[0063] Preferably, from the first to the second attachment zone ROa, ROb, the wire is in continuous contact against the part of the tubular internal surface which is exclusively convex.

[0064] The use of the FO wire is advantageous since in the event of resistance to the movement of the FO wire against the internal surface S, the wire tends to deform elastically to catch any dirt forming an obstacle.

[0065] In addition, the wire tends to roll on itself when it scrapes the tubular internal surface, thus limiting the risk of it becoming clogged.

[0066] Ideally, the wire F0 has a diameter of between 0.25 mm and 3 mm and is made of at least one material included in the group of materials comprising one or more polymers, one or more metal alloys.

[0067] Ideally, the tension applied to the wire is greater than 100 Newtons, preferably between 150 and 400 Newtons.

[0068] While deforming elastically, the wire tends to roll against the internal surface of the bowl, which is favorable on the one hand to the detachment of dirt and on the other hand to the evacuation of dirt along the wire.

[0069] The main scraper R0 is pivotally mounted relative to the bowl 2 around a pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0070] The tubular internal surface observed in a sectional plane in which said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper R0 extends has exclusively convex profiles respectively arranged on either side of the pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper R0.

[0071] More particularly, the tubular internal surface S is essentially (mostly) a surface of revolution with a main axis parallel to said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0072] Preferably, said main axis is preferably merged with the pivot axis ZZ around which the main scraper R0 pivots.

[0073] Thus, even if it is possible for the pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper and the main axis around which the internal tubular surface S of revolution of the bowl is defined, to be slightly spaced from each other (for example to accept dimensional tolerances during the manufacture of the device 1), it is preferable for the main axis and the pivot axis ZZ to coincide.

[0074] Indeed, in the case where these axes are parallel and not coincident, the tension of the wire of the main scraper necessarily varies during the rotation of the scraper R0 and the wire undergoes an elongation which causes the quality of the scraping to vary depending on the orientation of the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0075] To homogenize this scraping of the internal surface S, it is preferable that the tension of the wire remains substantially constant during the pivoting of the main scraper R0.

[0076] Preferably, said first attachment zone ROa of the wire FO is mechanically connected to a main crown 3 pivotally mounted relative to the bowl 2 around said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper RO.

[0077] The second attachment zone ROb of the wire FO is carried by a lower part 4 which rotates relative to the bowl 2 around said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0078] Preferably, said main crown 3 carries the annular bezel 10 (which will be presented later), this bezel defining a seating surface allowing a user of the sanitary device to sit above the bowl 2.

[0079] In the present case, the first attachment zone ROa and the third attachment zone ROc (which will be presented below) are directly fixed to a lower face of the annular bezel 10.

[0080] As illustrated in particular in Figures 3, 4a and 9b, 9c and 10, the wire F0 is also stretched between third and fourth attachment zones of the wire ROa, ROb.

[0081] More particularly, a second portion of the wire F0 which extends between said third and fourth attachment zones ROc, ROd is in continuous contact against the tubular internal surface S so that the second portion of the stretched wire scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface 2 during the movement of the main scraper R0 relative to the bowl.

[0082] The first and second portions of the tensioned wire F0 are in contact against opposite sides of said tubular internal surface S of the bowl.

[0083] The contact of the wire stretched on either side of the surface of the bowl makes it possible to simultaneously scrape the opposite faces of the tubular internal surface S, thus doubling the cleaned surface for a given movement of the main scraper R0.

[0084] Furthermore, this makes it possible to symmetrize the forces applied to the main scraper, which is favorable to improving the scraping quality and improving the longevity of the main scraper.

[0085] It could also be arranged so that the first and second portions of tensioned wire belong, not to a single wire, but to two separate tensioned wires. This two-wire solution is however less interesting than the single-wire solution because it remains less efficient in terms of symmetrical distribution of forces on either side of the scraper.

[0086] As can be seen in Figures 3, 4a, 4b and 9b, the third attachment zone of the wire ROc is mechanically connected to said main crown 3 and the fourth attachment zone ROd of the wire is carried by the rotating lower part 4.

[0087] The rotating lower part 4 can be surmounted by a fixed part (relative to the bowl) with a curved upper face against which said wire extends, this wire bearing against the curved upper face of the fixed part in order to be able to scrape it when it is driven by the rotating crown 3.

[0088] In this case, the curved face of the fixed part is oriented towards said upper passage 21 and is delimited by a peripheral circular rim, the curved face of the fixed part thus having a tendency to evacuate the dirt towards its periphery.

[0089] The wire driven in rotation by the slewing ring 3 pivots the rotating lower part 4 which is covered by a fixed part and, as this wire passes over and against the curved upper face of the fixed part, it can simultaneously scrape the internal surface of the bowl and the curved face of the fixed part.

[0090] Alternatively, the rotating lower part 4 could have a curved face delimited by a peripheral circular rim, the curved face being oriented towards said upper passage 21.

[0091] In this way, the curved face tends to evacuate the materials suspended in water from the internal bowl zone towards the periphery of the rotating lower part 4, that is to say towards the tubular internal surface S.

[0092] In the present case, the lower passage 22 of the bowl opens into a part of the internal zone of the bowl which is located between said rotating lower part 4 and the upper passage 21.

[0093] Preferably, one side of the curved face of the fixed part arranged above the rotating lower part 4 or one side of the curved face of the rotating lower part 4 is located opposite the lower passage 22.

[0094] The peripheral circular rim of the rotating lower part 4 may optionally comprise an annular seal coming into sliding contact against the tubular internal surface S.

[0095] Thus, the curved face of the part 4 associated with its rotation makes it possible to guide the suspended matter towards the lower passage 22, the annular seal limiting the passage of dirt under the rotating part 4 to avoid fouling of the bottom of the bowl 2.

[0096] A rotation drive means 5 of the main scraper R0 is arranged to drive the main scraper R0 in rotation relative to the bowl 2 around said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0097] In the present case, the rotation drive means 5 of the main scraper cooperates with said main crown 3 to drive it in rotation relative to the bowl, thus creating additional tension on the wire F0 of the main scraper stretched between the first attachment zone ROa mechanically connected to the main crown 3 and the rotating lower part 4.

[0098] The increase in tension on the wire induced by the rotation of the main crown 3 has the effect of: - to increase the scraping pressure of the wire against the internal surface S of the bowl; And - to force the wire to move relative to the bowl to clean it.

[0099] The movement of the wire also has the effect of causing the rotation of the lower rotating part 4 relative to the bowl.

[0100] The rotating lower part 4 is here mounted freely to rotate relative to the bowl 2 while being immobile in translation along the ZZ axis.

[0101] This pivot connection is here achieved by a fixed vertical axis at the bottom of the bowl on which pivots a bearing associated with part 4.

[0102] Thus, the orientation torque of the crown is transmitted to the lower part 4 via the tensioned wire.

[0103] Of course, it could be envisaged to motorize the rotating lower part 4 so that the latter also allows the rotational drive of the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0104] However, since the diameter of the lower part 4 is smaller than that of the crown, it is preferred to transmit the torque to the scraper R0 via the crown.

[0105] The rotation drive means 5 of the main scraper R0 is here engaged with the main crown and is located outside the bowl 2, away from the wet zones of the bowl.

[0106] As can be seen in the detail of [Fig.3], a circular profile 30 having a U-shaped cross-section with an upwardly oriented annular hollow zone extends in a horizontal plane, between a lower face of the bezel 10 and the bowl 2.

[0107] The lower face of the bezel 10 comprises a male annular shape coming inside the annular hollow zone of the profile 30.

[0108] Thus, a chicane is created between the circular profile 30 and the lower face of the annular bezel 10 / circular.

[0109] Such a baffle prevents water from passing between the seat 10 and the bowl when water is admitted via said at least one upper water inlet 23.

[0110] The profile 30 may comprise a lower opening to allow the flow of water from the annular hollow zone of the profile towards the internal zone of the bowl.

[0111] An at least partially annular seal 31 can also provide an at least partially complementary annular seal inside the profile 30.

[0112] This seal 31 extends between the crown 3 and an internal annular edge of the annular profile 30 to oppose the passage of water towards the crown 3.

[0113] This seal 31 is preferably fixed on the profile 30, in the hollow zone.

[0114] The sanitary device 1 also comprises a seat 6 movable relative to the bowl. 2 between a lowered position in which the flap 6 obstructs access to said upper passage 21 of the bowl and a raised position in which said flap 6 frees access to said upper passage 21.

[0115] An actuator 7 of the flap 6 is arranged to move the flap 6 between its lowered and raised positions, depending on a control signal.

[0116] The actuator 7 is here a telescopic linear cylinder, one end of which is rotatably mounted relative to a fixed point with respect to the bowl and another end of which is rotatably mounted on a fixed point with respect to the seat. In this way, when the cylinder 7 is extended or retracted, it then moves the seat between the raised and lowered positions.

[0117] In the example illustrated, when the cylinder 7 is retracted, it then moves the flap to its raised position, and when it is extended, it moves the flap to its lowered position.

[0118] Of course, one could do the reverse so that when the cylinder is extended, it moves the flap to its raised position, and when it is retracted, it moves the flap to its lowered position.

[0119] The seat 6 is here mounted to rotate relative to the bowl 2 around a pivot of axis X which is substantially horizontal.

[0120] The toilet seat 6 includes a transparent area 60 allowing the cleaning status of the bowl to be viewed and to know when the bowl is being cleaned.

[0121] Thus, the user can simply visualize whether water is being projected into the internal zone of the bowl, whether the main scraper R0 or the annular bezel 10 are moving relative to the bowl 2.

[0122] The use of the sanitary device 1 by the user is authorized only when the main scraper R0 and the seat 10 are stationary relative to the bowl 2.

[0123] The control signal for moving the seat can be generated by a control unit of the sanitary device comprising the control module of said rotational drive means 5 of the main scraper R0 and / or the control module of the disinfection apparatus.

[0124] More particularly, to avoid the risks of interaction with the scraper R0, said control module of said rotational drive means 5 of the main scraper R0 is arranged to authorize the rotational drive of the main scraper R0 when the flap 6 is in the lowered position and to prohibit the rotational drive of the main scraper R0) when the flap 6 is in the raised position.

[0125] We will now present particular features of the bowl. In this case, said at least one upper water inlet 23 here comprises first, second and third upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c which are distributed around the periphery of the tubular internal surface S to bring water there towards the tubular internal surface.

[0126] The number of these water inlets is 3 here, but we could have more.

[0127] The first, second and third upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c extend in the same water inlet plane towards the bowl 2.

[0128] These first, second and third upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c are here distributed at 120° to each other on the tubular periphery of the internal surface S of the bowl 2.

[0129] Each upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c is oriented so that the water arriving in the bowl forms the same water vortex on the tubular internal surface S.

[0130] To form the same water vortex in the bowl, each at least one upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c is oriented tangentially relative to the tubular internal surface so that the water brought into the bowl swirls therein in a single swirl direction which can be a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when the swirl is observed from above.

[0131] Preferably, the direction of vortex is chosen to be opposite to the direction of rotational movement of the main scraper R0 relative to the bowl.

[0132] Preferably, each upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c is inclined relative to the tubular internal surface by the same tangency angle value.

[0133] Preferably, this same tangency angle value is between 5 and 30° angle.

[0134] The angle of tangency for a given upper water inlet is the smallest angle formed between a main axis of water outlet via the given upper water inlet and a theoretical surface extending the tubular internal surface at the location of the given upper water inlet (the theoretical surface is the shape that the tubular internal surface would have if it were not locally hollowed out / crossed by the given upper water inlet. This theoretical surface is tangent to the tubular internal surface over the entire periphery of the given upper water inlet).

[0135] According to another aspect of the invention, the bowl 2 comprises a first lower water inlet 24 opening towards the tubular internal surface S of the bowl 2.

[0136] Said at least one upper water inlet 23 is placed between a high plane in which the upper passage 21 extends and a low plane in which the lower passage 22 and the first lower water inlet 24 are located, these high and low planes being horizontal.

[0137] Thus, said at least one upper water inlet 23 can be used to wash the internal surface of the bowl 2 while the lower water inlet 24 can be used to evacuate the excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl towards the lower passage 22.

[0138] The principle of supplying these upper and lower inlets will now be presented.

[0139] For this purpose, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a valve apparatus 25 comprising: - a pressurized water inlet port suitable for connection to a pressurized water Rx network external to the sanitary device; - at least one first water outlet port connected to each at least one upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c; and - at least one second water outlet port connected to said first lower water inlet 24.

[0140] The valve apparatus 25 is arranged to selectively adopt a washing configuration and a discharge configuration.

[0141] In the washing configuration, a pressurized water supply via the valve apparatus 25 is authorized towards said at least one upper water inlet and is prohibited towards said first lower water inlet.

[0142] In the evacuation configuration, a pressurized water supply via said valve apparatus 25 is authorized towards the first lower water inlet.

[0143] In the evacuation configuration, it is possible either to ensure that the valve apparatus 25 prohibits the supply of water to said at least one upper water inlet or alternatively to authorize it according to a predetermined criterion.

[0144] This embodiment allows for example: - firstly, to carry out the bowl washing with a reduced flow rate / quantity of water specifically defined / adapted for said at least one upper water inlet; then - secondly, to evacuate the effluents containing the excrement by supplying to the lower water inlet a flow rate and a quantity of water specifically determined for the sole purpose of evacuating the effluents via the lower passage.

[0145] These characteristics of the invention make it possible to optimize the quantities and areas of water distribution towards the bowl depending on whether the aim is to wash the internal surface of the bowl or to evacuate effluents from the bowl.

[0146] Overall, thanks to this feature of the invention, the quantity of water required for cleaning the bowl and evacuating the effluent can be reduced compared to a conventional flushing mechanism which delivers water only via an upper water inlet to both wash the bowl and evacuate the effluent.

[0147] According to another aspect of the invention which could also be used in an embodiment where the sanitary device 1 would not include a main scraper R0, the sanitary device 1 includes: - an annular bezel 10 arranged above the bowl 2 to define a seating surface on an upper face of the bezel 10 (the seating surface allows a user of the sanitary device to sit above the bowl); and - a disinfection device 40 for the bezel 10.

[0148] This embodiment of the device with the disinfection apparatus 40 of the bezel 10 is particularly visible in figures 4a to 9a.

[0149] The disinfection apparatus 40 comprises a first scraper 41 of the annular seat surface 10, at least one nozzle 42 arranged to spray a portion of the upper face of the seat 10 with washing liquid and at least one ultraviolet radiation generator 43 oriented to illuminate, with ultraviolet radiation, at least a portion of the upper face of the seat 10; and - a displacement means 50 arranged to generate a relative displacement between the seating surface of the seat 10 and the disinfection apparatus 40 such that areas to be cleaned of the seating surface are: - watered with washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle 42; - scraped by said first scraper 41; then - illuminated by ultraviolet radiation generated by said generator 43.

[0150] Thus, thanks to the disinfection apparatus 40, the dirt 100 present on the upper face of the seat 10 is sprayed with the washing liquid delivered at least by the nozzle 42, scraped at least with the first scraper 41 which also makes it possible to evacuate the washing liquid present on the seat 10 then the upper face of the seat thus washed is disinfected by projection of ultraviolet rays.

[0151] The combination of scraping, watering, drying and ultraviolet treatment of a previously dried surface provides a reliable solution for removing a wide variety of dirt deposited on the window and for disinfecting it.

[0152] Since the moving means 50 moves the seating surface relative to the disinfection apparatus 40, the entire seating surface of the toilet seat 10 can be washed and disinfected efficiently and economically.

[0153] Preferably, said at least one ultraviolet radiation generator 43 generates at least UV-C, that is to say UV radiation with a wavelength between 100-280 nm which is particularly suitable for carrying out disinfection, in particular of E. Coli germs.

[0154] The radiation generator is preferably equipped with several LEDs distributed to diffuse the radiation over a portion of the surface of the seat, each of these LEDs generating at least part of said ultraviolet radiation.

[0155] Preferably, the LEDs are arranged in several LED alignments.

[0156] Preferably the means of movement and the radiation generator are arranged so that when the telescope is moved relative to the radiation generator, a point on the seating surface entering an area illuminated by the ultraviolet radiation generator 43 is moved into the illuminated area so as to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in this illuminated area for an exposure time greater than 0.3 seconds, preferably less than 1 second, preferably between 0.4 and 0.9 seconds, preferably between 0.49 and 0.84 second.

[0157] Preferably, each LED has a specific power greater than 100 mW, preferably at least 200 mW.

[0158] More particularly, the bezel 10 is circular and the displacement means 50 comprises an orientation ring of the bezel 10 on which said bezel 10 is fixed.

[0159] The displacement means 50 comprises a motorization and the orientation ring of the telescope is mounted movably on the bowl 2 (for example via pads and / or rollers and / or slides) to be, under the effect of the motorization of the displacement means 50, oriented in rotation relative to the bowl 2 while maintaining the orientation ring parallel to an upper plane of the bowl 2.

[0160] The main crown 3 and the orientation crown of the telescope 10 form a single part which can be oriented relative to the bowl 2 under the effect of the motorization of the displacement means 50, thus making it possible to simultaneously orient: - the main scraper R0 in relation to bowl 2; - the bezel 10 in relation to the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0161] In an alternative embodiment, said main ring 3 which carries the main scraper R0 and said orientation ring of the bezel 10 could be two separate parts, thus making it possible to segregate the functions of orientation of the main scraper R0 and orientation of the bezel 10.

[0162] This alternative embodiment makes it possible to limit the risk of simultaneous malfunction of the cleaning of the bowl 2 and the cleaning of the seat 10.

[0163] It could thus be envisaged that the main crown 3 is driven in displacement relative to the bowl by a motor belonging to said drive means 5 for rotation of the main scraper while the seat orientation crown would be driven by the specific motorization of said displacement means 50 arranged to generate the relative displacement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0164] However, to minimize the number of parts, it is preferable, as is the case for the embodiment illustrated in the figures, that the motorization specific to the drive means 5 of the main scraper and the motorization specific to the displacement means 50 (allowing displacement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40) comprise the same motor M rotating a single same part 3 forming both the main crown 3 which carries the main scraper R0 and the orientation crown of the bezel.

[0165] It should be noted that the motorization M specific to the drive means 5 for rotation of the main scraper comprises a toothed pinion driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.

[0166] The toothed pinion is meshed against complementary teeth formed on the main crown 3 so as to orient it relative to the bowl during rotation of the motor.

[0167] The motorization M specific to the rotation drive means 5 of the main scraper RO and / or the motorization M specific to said displacement means 50 may comprise the same motor: - of hydraulic type supplied by said valve apparatus 25 by pressurized water coming from a pressurized water supply network Rx external to the device 1; or - of the electrical type selectively powered by an electric current delivered by an electrical power supply module belonging to the sanitary device 1.

[0168] The disinfection apparatus 40 is here carried by an arm movable relative to the bezel 10 between: - a disinfection position of the bezel (illustrated 1b, 1d, 3, 5b to 7 and 9a) in which at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel is covered by the disinfection apparatus 40 to be disinfected; and - a position of use of the bezel (illustrated in [Fig.la], le, 4a to 5a) in which the disinfection apparatus 40 is moved away from said upper portion of the bezel to completely free said upper face of the bezel.

[0169] An arm actuator 7 (particularly visible in Figures 5a, 5b and 9a) is mechanically connected to said movable arm to move the arm between the positions for disinfecting the seat and for using the seat.

[0170] The movable arm is here mounted to rotate relative to the bowl around a pivot of axis X which is substantially horizontal.

[0171] In the present case, as the arm and the seat are fixedly connected to each other, under the effect of the arm actuator 7 which also serves as a seat actuator, the arm and the seat move together relative to the bowl around this X-axis pivot.

[0172] In the present case, the movable arm and the flap are fixedly connected to each other (the flap may in certain cases constitute the movable arm), the actuator 7 of the flap and the arm actuator being one and the same actuator 7.

[0173] The actuator of the flap, like the arm actuator, are here constituted by the same linear piston cylinder 7.

[0174] This linear piston cylinder 7 can be: - of hydraulic type supplied by said valve apparatus with pressurized water coming from a pressurized water supply network Rx external to the sanitary device according to the invention; or - of the electrical type selectively powered by an electric current delivered by an electrical power supply module belonging to the sanitary device according to the invention.

[0175] As understood in particular from Figures 6a, 6b and 7, the disinfection apparatus 40 comprises a second scraper 41b of the annular bezel seating surface.

[0176] Said at least one nozzle 42 is oriented so that said sprayed portion of the upper face of the bezel 10 extends at least partly between said first and second scrapers 41, 41b of the seating surface.

[0177] In this embodiment with two scrapers in contact with the bezel 10, the first scraper 41a has the main function of drying the surface sprayed by the nozzle 42 before it is illuminated by the ultraviolet radiation generator.

[0178] The quality of ultraviolet disinfection is increased by first drying the irradiated surface.

[0179] The second scraper 41b has the function of scraping dirt carried by the upper face of the bezel upstream of the first scraper 41, relative to the direction of movement SI of the upper surface of the bezel relative to the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0180] The nozzle 42 has the function of spraying at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel 10 located between the first and second scrapers 41, 41b to remove the dirt 100 scraped by the second scraper 41b before drying the portion sprayed by the first scraper 41, then disinfection by ultraviolet radiation.

[0181] It should be noted that the washing liquid L1 delivered by said at least one nozzle 42 may be water but it could also be a solution of water and a bactericidal disinfectant product.

[0182] In the latter case, the sanitary device 1 would comprise a reservoir of bactericidal disinfectant product and a mixing chamber having a water intake inlet connected, possibly via the valve apparatus 25, to the external pressurized water supply network Rx, a disinfectant product intake inlet connected to the disinfectant product reservoir and an outlet connected, possibly via the valve apparatus 25, to said at least one nozzle 42 to deliver said washing liquid (i.e. a mixture of water and disinfectant product) to it.

[0183] It should be noted that the sanitary device according to the invention could also comprise a second nozzle for delivering a rinsing product onto a part of said upper face of the seat 10 located between the part sprayed by said at least one nozzle 42 (here called the first nozzle) and the first scraper 4L.

[0184] Such a second nozzle could be connected to the valve apparatus 25 to be selectively supplied with water from the Rx pressurized water supply network external to the sanitary device. This second nozzle would thus allow rinsing with water of the washing liquid present on the seat.

[0185] In the present case, the second scraper 41b comprises a taut wire extending between an outer annular edge of the upper face of the bezel 10 and an inner annular edge of the upper face of the bezel 10 while being in contact against said upper face of the bezel 10.

[0186] Such a stretched wire 41b of the disinfection apparatus 40 has the advantage of being able to roll on the bezel 10 to limit the risk of its clogging, this wire being self-cleaned over its entire periphery by the washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle 42. For this purpose, said at least one nozzle is oriented to spray the stretched wire of the second scraper 41b.

[0187] Another advantage of the tensioned wire 41b is that it adapts to irregularities in the shape of the bezel profile 10 and can be compatible with different transverse profiles / bezel shapes (which is more difficult to achieve with scrapers having a predefined length shape).

[0188] As can be understood from [Fig.7] which shows a sectional view of the disinfection apparatus 40 in a plane where the stretched wire 41b extends longitudinally, the nozzle 42 is oriented to deliver the flow of washing liquid going partly towards the stretched wire 41b so that the dirt detached by this wire 41b is conducted towards the inside of the bowl.

[0189] The profile of the upper face of the bezel 10 observed in cross section is exclusively convex, which allows for continuous contact of the wire against this upper face of the bezel.

[0190] As illustrated in Figures 5a, 6b, 7, 9a, 9b, the bowl 2 also comprises an upper channel 2x inclined towards the internal zone of the bowl 2, this channel 2x extending below the disinfection apparatus 40 and below a portion of the annular seat 10 so as to collect washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle 42 and flowing under the seat.

[0191] The 2x channel extends beyond the outer annular edge of the annular bezel to collect any splashes or drops and guide them to the inner area of ​​the bowl.

[0192] The flow of washing liquid flowing over the seat is here separated into at least one liquid layer NI going towards the inner edge of the seat 10 and at least one liquid layer N2 going towards the outer edge of the seat. It should be noted that the upper face of the seat is essentially inclined towards the annular inner edge of the seat 10 to promote the flow towards the inside of the bowl 2.

[0193] As seen in particular in Figures 3, 5a to 7, the disinfection apparatus 40 also comprises an upper cover 44 arranged to extend over an entire radial section S20 of the annular bezel 10 when the disinfection apparatus 40 is used to disinfect the annular bezel.

[0194] This cover 44 limits the washing liquid projection and emission zone ultraviolet around the radial section of the bezel being disinfected.

[0195] This improves disinfection while limiting the risk of emission of projections and ultraviolet rays into the environment of the device 1.

[0196] The cover 44 may have lateral seals between which are located all the areas of the bezel that the apparatus 40 waters and illuminates.

[0197] A control module of the disinfection apparatus 40 is preferably arranged to selectively adopt a power supply state of the disinfection apparatus and a power supply stop state of the disinfection apparatus.

[0198] In the power supply state, the control module authorizes the supply of washing liquid to said at least one nozzle 42, authorizes the relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40 and electrically powers the ultraviolet radiation generator 43 to generate said ultraviolet radiation.

[0199] In the power supply off state, the control module prohibits the supply of washing liquid to said at least one nozzle 42, prohibits said relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40 and prohibits the electrical supply of the ultraviolet radiation generator 43.

[0200] Preferably, the control module of the disinfection apparatus 40 belongs to a control unit of the device 1 and is functionally connected to a man / machine control interface to control according to one or more predefined operating sequences: - the movement of the main scraper R0 relative to the bowl; and / or - the movement of the bezel 10 relative to the bowl; and / or - the movement of the seat 6 relative to the bowl; and / or - the movement of the arm carrying the disinfection apparatus 40 relative to the bowl; and / or - the water supply of said at least one upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c opening towards the bowl; and / or - the water supply of said lower water inlet 24; and / or - the supply of washing liquid (which may be water) to said at least one nozzle 42; and / or - the power supply of said ultraviolet generator 43.

[0201] Typically, a predefined operating sequence may include: - moving the seat relative to the bowl to the lowered position and / or moving the arm carrying the disinfection equipment to the toilet seat disinfection position; followed by - the water supply to said at least one upper water inlet opening towards the bowl and / or the washing liquid supply to said at least one nozzle of the disinfection apparatus; monitored for a predefined period - the movement of the seat and / or the main scraper relative to the bowl while said ultraviolet generator is electrically powered and said power supplies to the upper water inlet and said at least one nozzle are maintained; followed by - the water supply from said lower water inlet opening into the bowl; followed by - stopping said upper and lower water supply and said at least one nozzle and said ultraviolet generator; monitoring - movement of the seat relative to the bowl towards the raised position and / or movement of the arm carrying the disinfection equipment towards the position of use; followed by - the emission of a signal to the user indicating the end of the disinfection cycle.

[0202] It is also possible for the predefined operating sequence to comprise a plurality of reversals of direction of movement of said main scraper and / or movement of said bezel, which may be useful for promoting self-cleaning of the scrapers.

[0203] The invention can thus also relate to a method for controlling the sanitary device 1 according to the invention by its control unit so as to implement the predefined operating sequence described above.

[0204] The human / machine control interface may comprise a user presence detector in front of the device and / or a seat position detector and / or a position detector of the mobile arm carrying the disinfection apparatus and / or a push button and / or a touch control detection device and / or a multifunction mobile communication device (such as a multifunction mobile telephone also known by the English term smartphone) and / or indicator lights and / or a sound transmitter. Any interface without contact with the user is preferred here.

[0205] The advancement of the predefined operating sequence may be conditioned by the detection of predefined conditions detected by said human / machine interface.

[0206] It should be noted that the sanitary device 1 according to the invention may comprise a buffer water reserve (not shown), which may be a simple water reserve flowing by gravity or a pressurized water reserve (i.e. under a pressure higher than the ambient atmospheric pressure), supplied with water by said Rx network external to the device and / or by a pump (not shown).

[0207] In this particular embodiment where the device 1 would include a buffer water reserve, the buffer water reserve could be of the bladder tank type.

[0208] The buffer water reserve could be connected to the valve device 25 to selectively supply at least one of the lower water inlet (via the pipe C2), said at least one upper water inlet (via pipe Cl), said at least one nozzle 42 (via pipe C3).

[0209] It should be noted that the pump, of the booster type, could be coupled to the water reserve to supply it with water coming from said external network Rx but having a pressure higher than that of the external network Rx.

[0210] Preferably, the water delivered by the water reserve and / or by the pump to said at least one nozzle 42 is at a pressure Pn of at least 5 bars, preferably at least 10 bars, preferably 24 bars.

[0211] In this way, the quality of cleaning can be improved while limiting the amount of water consumed.

[0212] Alternatively, a pump could be connected on the one hand to the external network and on the other hand directly to said at least one nozzle 42 to deliver pressurized water to it at said pressure Pn, without passing through the valve device 25.

[0213] In some embodiments, the buffer water reservoir and / or the pump could be coupled to the lower water inlet 24 to deliver a flow of water to the bowl at a predetermined minimum flow rate and at a predetermined minimum pressure.

[0214] This is particularly useful in cases where the pressure and / or flow rate of the external water network Rx is insufficient.

[0215] The valve apparatus 25 may comprise a hydraulic distribution valve, a slide valve of which is moved by an electromagnetic actuator functionally connected to the control unit of the sanitary device 1.

[0216] It should be noted that the control unit of the device 1 here comprises the control module of said rotation drive means 5 of the main scraper R0 and / or the control module of the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0217] Finally, as can be understood from the last figure ([Fig. 12]), the sanitary device 1 according to the invention can also comprise: - a removable side cover 70 forming an external lateral face of the sanitary device 1, the bowl 2 being surrounded on at least three of its sides by said side cover 70; and / or - a removable upper cover 71 constituting an upper portion of the sanitary device 1, this upper cover 71 having a first curved edge extending along a peripheral edge of the seat 10 and having a notch for the passage of a connecting mechanism between said seat 6 and the bowl 2.

[0218] Preferably, an external edge of the removable upper cover 71 is adjacent to an upper edge of the removable side cover 70 so as to form a continuity between these edges of the covers 70, 71, thus preventing the passage of dirt towards the external face of the bowl which is masked by these removable covers.

[0219] The fact that these covers 70, 71 are removable makes it possible to simplify access to the valve apparatus 25 and to the pipes C1, C2, C3 which respectively connect this valve apparatus 25 to the upper inlets 23, 23b, 23c to the lower inlet 24 and to said at least one nozzle 42 of the disinfection apparatus 40. It should be noted that these pipes C1, C2, C3 are here flexible conduits arranged around the bowl.

[0220] The pipe Cl extends from a first port of the valve device 25 to each of the three upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c.

[0221] The pipe C2 extends from a second port of the valve device 25 to the lower water inlet 24.

[0222] The pipe C3 extends from a third port of the valve device 25 to the nozzle 42, extending along the movable arm which carries the disinfection apparatus and which is located on an upper rear area of ​​the bowl 2.

[0223] It is thus possible to facilitate the maintenance of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention while limiting the risk of degradation of the valve apparatus 25.

[0224] Finally, these covers 70, 71 can be replaced to change the aesthetics or personalize / modulate the sanitary device 1.

[0225] In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figures 8a, 8b, said at least one nozzle 42 is oriented so that: - on the one hand a main axis 42x of the nozzle (i.e. the main axis of projection of the washing liquid by the nozzle 42) is, when observed in a direction perpendicular to a radial plane of the telescope 10 (i.e. the direction of observation of [Fig.8b]), inclined by a first angle Al relative to a horizontal plane PI in which the annular telescope 10 extends; and that - on the other hand said main axis (42x) of the nozzle is, when observed in a direction parallel to said radial plane of the telescope 10 (i.e. the observation direction of [Fig.8a]), inclined at a second angle A2 relative to said horizontal plane PI in which the annular telescope 10 extends.

[0226] The first angle Al is between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°.

[0227] The second angle A2 is between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°.

[0228] Thus, as understood from figures 8a and 8b, the washing liquid sprayed by the nozzle 42 is directed towards the first scraper 41, which is here a lip seal and towards an inner edge of the seat 10, that is to say towards the internal zone of the bowl.

[0229] The dirt 100 stuck on the upper face of the seat is thus sprayed with the pressurized washing liquid to detach it, then evacuate it towards the internal zone of the bowl with a movement forcing this dirt 100 to move along the first scraper 41.

[0230] The scraper 41 makes it possible to block this dirt and guide it towards the inside of the bowl and to dry the upper face of the seat before its disinfection by the ultraviolet ray generator.

Claims

Claims

1. Sanitary device (1) comprising a bowl (2) having: - a tubular internal surface (S); - an upper passage (21) opening towards the tubular internal surface (S) to admit excrement towards an internal zone of the bowl (2); - a lower passage (22) for evacuating excrement from the internal zone of the bowl (2), the sanitary device (1) comprising at least one upper water inlet (23) opening towards the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl, characterized in that a main scraper (RO) movable relative to the bowl (2) extends against the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl to scrape it by moving the main scraper (RO) relative to the bowl.

2. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the main scraper (RO) comprises a stretched wire (FO) between first and second attachment zones (ROa, ROb) of the wire, a first portion of the wire (FO) extending between said first and second attachment zones of the wire (ROa, ROb) being in contact against the tubular internal surface (S) so that the first portion of the stretched wire (FO) scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface (S) during the movement of the main scraper (RO) relative to the bowl (2).

3. Sanitary device according to claim 2, in which the main scraper (RO) is pivotally mounted relative to the bowl (2) around a pivot axis (ZZ) of the main scraper, the tubular internal surface observed in a section plane in which said pivot axis (ZZ) of the main scraper (RO) extends has exclusively convex profiles respectively arranged on either side of the pivot axis (ZZ) of the main scraper (RO).

4. Sanitary device according to claim 3, in which the tubular internal surface (S) is a surface of revolution around a main axis.

5. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein said first attachment zone (ROa) of the wire (FO) is mechanically connected to a main crown (3) pivotally mounted relative to the bowl (2) around said pivot axis (ZZ) of the main scraper (RO) and wherein said second attachment zone (ROb) of the wire (FO) is carried by a lower part (4) rotating relative to the bowl (2) around said pivot axis (ZZ) of the main scraper.

6. Sanitary device according to claim 5, wherein the wire (FO) is also stretched between third and fourth wire attachment zones (ROa, ROb), a second portion of the wire (FO) extending between said third and fourth attachment zones (ROc, ROd) being in continuous contact against the tubular internal surface (S) so that the second portion of the stretched wire scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface (2) during movement of the main scraper (RO) relative to the bowl, the first and second portions of the stretched wire (FO) being in contact against opposite sides of said tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl.

7. Sanitary device according to claim 6, wherein the third wire attachment zone (ROc) is mechanically connected to said main crown (3) and wherein said fourth wire attachment zone (ROd) is carried by the rotating lower part (4).

8. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said rotating lower part (4) has a curved face delimited by a peripheral circular rim, the curved face being oriented towards said upper passage (21).

9. Sanitary device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, comprising a rotation drive means (5) of the main scraper (RO) arranged to drive the main scraper (RO) in rotation relative to the bowl (2) around said pivot axis (ZZ) of the main scraper and thus force the scraping of the tubular internal surface (S) by the main scraper (RO).

10. Sanitary device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a seat (6) movable relative to the bowl (2) between a lowered position in which the seat (6) obstructs access to said upper passage (21) of the bowl and a raised position in which said seat (6) frees access to said upper passage (21), an actuator (7) of the seat (6) being arranged to move, as a function of a control signal, the seat (6) between said lowered and raised positions.

11. Sanitary device (1) according to claims 9 and 10 combined, wherein said control module of said rotational drive means (5) of the main scraper (RO) is arranged to authorize the rotational drive of the main scraper when the seat (6) is in the lowered position and to prohibit the rotational drive of the main scraper (RO) when the seat (6) is in the raised position.

12. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said at least one upper water inlet (23) comprises first, second and third upper water inlets (23, 23b, 23c) distributed around the periphery of the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl (2) to bring water thereto towards the tubular internal surface, the first, second and third upper water inlets (23, 23b, 23c) extending in the same water inlet plane towards the bowl (2).

13. Sanitary device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which each at least one upper water inlet (23, 23b, 23c) is oriented so that the water arriving in the bowl forms on the tubular internal surface (S) the same water vortex.

14. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the bowl comprises a first lower water inlet (24) opening towards the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl (2), said at least one upper water inlet (23) being placed between a high plane in which the upper passage (21) extends and a low plane in which the lower passage (22) and the first lower water inlet (24) are located.

15. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 14, wherein: - a valve apparatus (25) comprising a pressurized water inlet port adapted to be connected to a pressurized water network (Rx) external to the sanitary device, at least one first water outlet port connected to each at least one upper water inlet (23, 23b, 23c) and at least one second water outlet port connected to said first lower water inlet (24), the valve apparatus (25) selectively adopting a washing configuration and a discharge configuration; - in the washing configuration, a pressurized water supply by the valve apparatus is authorized to said at least one upper water inlet and is prohibited to said first lower water inlet; - in the discharge configuration, a pressurized water supply by said valve apparatus is authorized to the first lower water inlet.

16. Sanitary device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising: - an annular bezel (10) arranged above the bowl (2) to define a seating surface on an upper face of the bezel (10); - a disinfection apparatus (40) for the seat (10), the disinfection apparatus (40) comprising a first scraper (41) for the annular seat surface (10), at least one nozzle (42) arranged to spray a portion of the upper face of the seat (10) with washing liquid and at least one ultraviolet radiation generator (43) oriented to illuminate, with ultraviolet radiation, at least a portion of the upper face of the seat (10); and - a displacement means (50) arranged to generate a relative displacement between the seat surface of the seat (10) and the disinfection apparatus (40) such that areas to be cleaned of the seat surface are sprayed with washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle (42), scraped by said first scraper (41) and then illuminated by ultraviolet radiation generated by said generator (43).

17. Sanitary device according to claim 16, in which the bezel (10) is circular and the displacement means (50) comprises an orientation ring of the bezel (10) on which said bezel (10) is fixed, the displacement means (50) comprising a motorization, the orientation ring of the bezel being mounted movably on the bowl (2) to be, under the effect of the motorization of the displacement means (50), oriented in rotation relative to the bowl (2) while maintaining the orientation ring parallel to an upper plane of the bowl.

18. Sanitary device according to claims 5 and 17 combined, in which said main crown (3) and said orientation crown of the seat (10) form a single part which can be oriented relative to the bowl (2) under the effect of the motorization of the displacement means (50) thus making it possible to simultaneously orient the main scraper (R0) relative to the bowl (2) to scrape said internal surface of the bowl and orient the seat (10) relative to the disinfection apparatus to disinfect the upper face of the seat.

19. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, in which the disinfection apparatus is carried by an arm movable relative to the seat between: - a disinfection position of the seat in which at least a portion of the upper face of the seat is covered by the disinfection apparatus to be disinfected; and - a position of use of the seat in which the disinfection apparatus is moved away from said upper portion of the seat to completely free said upper face of the seat.

20. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the disinfection apparatus (40) of the seat (10) comprises a second scraper (41b) of the annular seat surface, said at least one nozzle (42) being oriented so that said sprayed portion of the upper face of the seat (10) extends at least partly between said first and second scrapers (41, 41b) of the seat surface, the second scraper (41b) comprising a taut wire extending between an outer annular edge of the upper face of the seat (10) and an inner annular edge of the upper face of the seat (10) while being in contact against said upper face of the seat (10).

Citation Information

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