Flush toilet bowl device

Abstract

To provide a flush toilet bowl device capable of, while discharging cleaning water retained in a cleaning water tank by gravity, having the device a low silhouette type.SOLUTION: A flush toilet bowl device (1) that performs toilet bowl cleaning by discharging cleaning water retained in a cleaning water tank by gravity includes: a flush toilet bowl body (2); a cleaning water tank (26) disposed in a rear section of the flush toilet bowl body and retaining cleaning water; and a valve unit (24) for supplying or halting cleaning water to the cleaning water tank and / or supplying or halting cleaning water to the flush toilet bowl body. The valve unit is disposed laterally to the cleaning water tank, and a main valve body (44) embedded in the valve unit is disposed lower than a highest storage water level (WL) when the water cleaning tank is used normally.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flush toilet apparatus, and in particular to a flush toilet apparatus that flushes a toilet by discharging flush water stored in a flush water tank using gravity. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2002-327479 A (Patent Document 1) describes a flush toilet. In this flush toilet, a flush water tank is provided on the rear side of the flush toilet body, and the supply of water to the flush water tank is started and stopped by a ball tap located inside the flush water tank. That is, the ball tap is equipped with a valve that switches the supply of water to the flush water tank on and off, and a float on the ball tap is moved up and down depending on the water level in the flush water tank, opening and closing the valve.

[0003] When the water level in the flush water tank is below a predetermined storage water level, the valve is opened and flush water is discharged from above the water surface in the flush water tank to supply water to the flush water tank. When the water level in the flush water tank reaches the predetermined storage water level, the valve is closed and the supply of water to the flush water tank is stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-327479 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with flush toilet devices of the type that use flush water stored in a flush water tank for flushing, such as the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is the problem that it is difficult to achieve a low silhouette. Firstly, in order for the flush water in the flush water tank to be discharged into the flush toilet body by gravity, the flush water tank needs to be positioned at a certain height or higher. Furthermore, if a ball tap is used to start and stop the supply of water to the flush water tank, as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, it becomes even more difficult to achieve a low silhouette for the flush toilet device.

[0006] That is, the valve provided on the ball tap is prone to malfunction if placed submerged, so the valve must be placed above the stored water level in the flush water tank. In addition, the flush water flowing out from the valve must be discharged into the flush water tank with a certain air gap, so the flush water must be discharged from above the maximum stored water level in the flush water tank. For this reason, it is necessary to secure a large space above the maximum stored water level inside the flush water tank, making it difficult to achieve a low silhouette for the flush toilet device.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a flush toilet apparatus that can be of a low silhouette type while allowing flush water stored in the flush water tank to be discharged by gravity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a flush toilet device that flushes the toilet by discharging flush water stored in a flush water tank by gravity, and comprises a flush toilet main body, a flush water tank that is located at the rear of the flush toilet main body and stores flush water, and a valve unit for supplying and stopping flush water to the flush water tank, and / or supplying and stopping flush water to the flush toilet main body, the valve unit being located to the side of the flush water tank, and the main valve body built into the valve unit being located below the maximum stored water level in the flush water tank during normal use.

[0009] The valve unit that supplies flush water to the flush water tank or flush toilet main body is prone to malfunction when submerged, and cannot be placed submerged. For this reason, if the valve unit is placed inside the flush water tank when viewed from above, the valve unit will be placed above the stored water level in the flush water tank, making it difficult to achieve a low silhouette for the flush toilet apparatus. According to the present invention configured as described above, since the valve unit is placed to the side of the flush water tank, it is possible to place the valve unit in a low position, and since the main valve body of the valve unit is placed below the highest stored water level in the flush water tank, it is possible to achieve a low silhouette for the flush toilet apparatus.

[0010] In the present invention, the main valve element is preferably a diaphragm valve, and the lower end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve sits is located below the highest stored water level.

[0011] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the lower end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve sits is positioned below the highest stored water level, making it possible to achieve a low silhouette of the flush toilet apparatus.

[0012] In the present invention, the upper end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve sits is preferably located above the lowest water level stored in the flush water tank during normal use.

[0013] When a flush toilet device is installed in a cold region, freezing of flush water remaining in the valve unit becomes a problem, and if the flush water freezes, it can cause problems such as water leakage. Here, the stored water level of the flush water in the flush water tank fluctuates between the minimum and maximum stored water levels each time the flush toilet device is used, so the flush water between these levels is frequently replaced, and the temperature is maintained relatively high within this range. According to the present invention configured as described above, the lower end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve sits is located below the maximum stored water level, and the upper end of the seat surface is located above the minimum stored water level, so the seat surface is located near a relatively hot part of the flush water tank and is maintained at a relatively high temperature. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the diaphragm valve from dropping and freezing.

[0014] In the present invention, flush water supplied to the flush water tank via the valve unit is preferably discharged into the flush water tank from above the highest stored water level.

[0015] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the flush water supplied to the flush water tank via the valve unit is discharged into the flush water tank from above the highest stored water level, so that even if the upstream side of the valve unit becomes negative pressure, the flush water in the flush water tank can be prevented from flowing back upstream.

[0016] In the present invention, the valve unit is preferably positioned more inward than both widthwise ends of the flush toilet main body when viewed from above.

[0017] With the present invention configured in this manner, the valve unit is positioned inside both ends of the width of the flush toilet main body when viewed from above, so even if the valve unit is positioned to the side of the flush water tank, the valve unit will not protrude to the side of the flush toilet main body, providing a low-silhouette flush toilet apparatus with excellent aesthetic appeal.

[0018] In the present invention, the valve unit preferably incorporates a main valve body which is opened and closed to start and stop the supply of flush water to the flush water tank, and a main valve body which is opened and closed to start and stop the supply of flush water to the rim spout provided in the flush toilet body.

[0019] With the present invention configured in this way, flush water is supplied to the rim spout of the flush toilet main body via the valve unit, so there is no need to store the entire amount of flush water used for toilet flushing in the flush water tank, making it possible to make the flush water tank more compact and achieving a low-silhouette flush toilet apparatus.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that the device further comprises a vacuum breaker connected downstream of the valve unit, and this vacuum breaker is arranged above the valve unit and inside the flush water tank when viewed from above.

[0021] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the vacuum breaker is disposed above the valve unit and inside the flush water tank when viewed from above, so flush water that flows out from the vacuum breaker falls naturally into the flush water tank. Therefore, flush water that flows out from the vacuum breaker can be treated without the need for any special configuration. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the flush toilet apparatus of the present invention, flush water stored in the flush water tank is discharged by gravity, allowing it to be of a low silhouette type. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, of a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a flush water supply system in a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a flush water supply device portion provided in a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing a flush water supply device provided in a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing a flush water supply device provided in a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a solenoid valve built into a flush water supply device provided in a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Next, a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a flush toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a flush toilet device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a siphon jet type flush toilet, and comprises a ceramic flush toilet body 2, a plastic toilet seat and toilet lid (not shown) that are placed on the top surface of the flush toilet body 2, and a flush water supply device 4 that is placed at the upper rear of the flush toilet body 2 and covered by a plastic cover (not shown).

[0026] The flush toilet main body 2 is formed with a bowl portion 6 for receiving waste, a drain trap pipe 8 provided at the bottom of the bowl portion 6 for discharging waste by siphon action, a rim spout 10 for rim water spouting, a rim water conduit 12 for directing flushing water to the rim spout, a jet water spout 14 for jet water spouting, and a jet water conduit 16 for directing flushing water to the jet water spout 14.

[0027] The bowl portion 6 comprises a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface 18, a rim portion 20 formed along the upper edge of the bowl portion 6, and a shelf portion 21 formed between the waste receiving surface 18 and the rim portion 20. The bowl portion 6 also comprises a pot portion 22 formed in the area below the waste receiving surface 18 and connected to the drain trap pipe 8. A water sealing surface W is formed inside the pot portion 22.

[0028] The drain trap pipeline 8 has an inlet portion 8a, an ascending pipeline 8b extending upward from the inlet portion 8a, a descending pipeline 8c extending downward from the ascending pipeline 8b, and a top portion 8d located between the descending pipeline 8c and the ascending pipeline 8b and determining the seal water level. Here, the lower end of the descending pipe 8c of the drain trap pipe 8 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown) via a drain socket (not shown).

[0029] When looking at the flush toilet body 2 from the front, the rim spout 10 is formed on the rear left side of the rim section 20. The rim spout 10 spouts flush water forward, and this flush water swirls around the inner circumferential surface of the rim section 20 and the shelf surface of the shelf section 21 as it flows down to the waste receiving surface 18.

[0030] The rim water conduit 12 is formed in a tapered shape with the flow path cross section gradually becoming smaller towards the rim water outlet 10. Flush water is supplied to the rim water conduit 12 from the water mains via a flush water supply device 4, and flush water is discharged from the rim water outlet 10 by the water supply pressure of the water mains.

[0031] The jet water outlet 14 is formed in the bottom of the bowl portion 6. The jet water outlet 14 is disposed opposite the inlet 8a of the drain trap pipe 8 and is directed toward the inlet 8a of the drain trap pipe 8. The jet water outlet 14 ejects flush water toward the inlet 8a of the drain trap pipe 8, and this flush water flows into the drain trap pipe 8 to activate the siphon action.

[0032] The jet water conduit 16 comprises an upstream flow path 16a extending forward from the flush water supply device 4, a curved flow path 16b bending from this upstream flow path, and a downstream flow path 16c extending rearward from this curved flow path and connecting to the jet water outlet 14. Flush water is supplied to the jet water conduit 16 from a flush water tank 26 (Fig. 3) of the flush water supply device 4, and the flush water is discharged from the jet water outlet 14 due to the head pressure of the flush water.

[0033] Next, with additional reference to Figs. 3 to 7, the flush water supply device 4 provided in the flush toilet device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a flush water supply system in a flush toilet apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a side view showing an enlarged portion of a flush water supply device provided in the flush toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a front view showing an enlarged portion of a flush water supply device provided in the flush toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing a flush water supply device provided in the flush toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged solenoid valve built into a flush water supply device 4 provided in the flush toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the flush water supply device 4 is composed of a valve unit 24 that starts and stops the supply of flush water from the water supply, and a flush water tank 26 made of resin that stores the flush water supplied via the valve unit 24.

[0035] The valve unit 24 incorporates a constant flow valve 30, a tank water supply solenoid valve 32, a rim water discharge solenoid valve 34, and a controller 35 that controls the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34. In addition, the flush water tank 26 is equipped with a drain valve 36, a float switch 38, and a vacuum breaker 40.

[0036] In this embodiment, the flush water tank 26 is a small resin tank with a volume of approximately 2 liters. The lower part of the flush water tank 26 is positioned below the upper surface of the rim part 20 of the flush toilet main body 2, and above the top part 8d of the drain trap pipe 8. This makes the flush toilet apparatus 1 a low-silhouette type toilet. Also, in this embodiment, the flush water in the flush water tank 26 is discharged from the jet spout 14 by gravity.

[0037] Stopcock 28 is configured to stop the water supplied from water pipe 28a during maintenance or the like, and tap water that passes through stopcock 28 flows into valve unit 24 as flushing water. Therefore, during normal use, stopcock 28 is used in the "open" state. The constant flow valve 30 is provided downstream of the stopcock 28 and is configured to regulate the water supplied from the waterworks to a predetermined flow rate and allow it to flow out. The water flowing out from the constant flow valve 30 is branched and flows into the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34, respectively.

[0038] The tank water supply solenoid valve 32 is opened and closed based on the user's flushing operation, and flush water flowing out from the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 flows into the flush water tank 26 and is stored there. The rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 is opened and closed based on the user's flushing operation, and flush water flowing out from the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 is discharged from the rim water outlet 10 of the flush toilet main body 2 via the rim water conduit 12. In this way, the valve unit 24 equipped with the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 and the rim discharge solenoid valve 34 is configured to start and stop the supply of flush water to the flush water tank 26, and to start and stop the supply of flush water to the flush toilet main body 2.

[0039] The controller 35 is configured to receive a control signal from a remote control 35a operated by a user, and to control the opening and closing of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34. The controller 35 is also configured to control the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 based on a detection signal from a float switch 38.

[0040] Drain valve 36 is provided on the bottom surface of flush water tank 26, and is opened based on the user's flushing operation, causing flush water stored in flush water tank 26 to be discharged from rim spout 10 via jet water conduit 16. Drain valve 36 is also configured to be pulled up from drain outlet 26a by toilet flushing motor 36a provided on the top of flush water tank 26, opening drain outlet 26a. Toilet flushing motor 36a is configured to pull up drain valve 36 at a predetermined timing based on a control signal from controller 35 when the toilet is being flushed.

[0041] The float switch 38 is configured to detect the water level in the flush water tank 26, and is configured to detect when the water level in the flush water tank 26 reaches a predetermined stored water level and send a detection signal to the controller 35.

[0042] The vacuum breaker 40 is positioned above a predetermined stored water level inside the flush water tank 26, and is provided downstream of the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 and upstream of the rim water conduit 12. As a result, when the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 side becomes negative pressure, air is sucked in from the vacuum breaker 40, preventing flush water from flowing back from the rim water spouting port 10 side to the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 side. Also, when flush water flows back from the rim water spouting port 10 side, the backflowing flush water flows out of the vacuum breaker 40 and flows into the flush water tank 26.

[0043] Next, the structure of the cleaning water supplying device will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flush water supply apparatus 4 is made up of a valve unit 24 and a flush water tank 26, with the valve unit 24 being positioned outside the flush water tank 26, to the side of it. The valve unit 24 is also positioned inside both ends in the width direction of the flush toilet main body 2 (Figure 1). In this way, the flush water supply apparatus 4 is configured overall to be narrower than the flush toilet main body 2, and is configured to fit neatly into the rear of the flush toilet main body 2. In this specification, "positioned outside the flush water tank" means that when flush water is stored in the flush water tank up to a specified storage water level, it is positioned outside the area enclosed by the projection line of the flush water surface when projected vertically.

[0044] 4, water pipes 28a are connected to the valve unit 24 from below. As described above, flush water flowing in from water pipes 28a passes through the constant flow valve 30 inside the valve unit 24, then branches off and flows into the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34. Flush water that has passed through the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 passes through the tank water supply pipes 32a that extend upward from the valve unit 24, heads toward the top of the flush water tank 26, and flows into the flush water tank 26.

[0045] Meanwhile, flush water that has passed through the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34 flows upward in the flush water tank 26 through the rim water supply pipe 34a that extends upward from the valve unit 24, and flows into the vacuum breaker 40. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the vacuum breaker 40 is located at the end of the upper, front part of the flush water tank 26, where the valve unit 24 is located, and above the valve unit 24. In other words, the vacuum breaker 40 is located inside the flush water tank 26 in a top view, above the upper end surface of the rim section 20 of the flush toilet body 2 and above the stored water level of the flush water tank 26. For this reason, flush water that flows upward in the flush water tank 26 through the rim water supply pipe 34a flows into the vacuum breaker 40 from the side above the flush water tank 26.

[0046] The flush water that flows into vacuum breaker 40 flows out from hose connection part 26b (Figure 4) of the flush water supply device 4, which is provided directly below and directly connected to the underside of vacuum breaker 40. Hose connection part 26b of this flush water supply device 4 is formed integrally with the flush water tank 26, and is a connection part that protrudes vertically downward. A water supply hose 42 for supplying flush water to the flush toilet body 2 is connected to this hose connection part 26b (Figure 4).

[0047] Next, the arrangement of the tank water supply solenoid valve will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Figure 6, the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 built into the valve unit 24 is positioned to the side of the flush water tank 26. Flush water flowing out from the constant flow valve 30 positioned below is branched (Figure 3), and one branch of flush water flows into this tank water supply solenoid valve 32. The other branch of flush water flows into the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34, as described above. Also, in this embodiment, the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 and the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 (not shown in Figure 6) are positioned side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the flush toilet apparatus 1, at the same height.

[0048] Tank water supply piping 32a is connected to the downstream side of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32. This tank water supply piping 32a extends upward from the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, then bends 90 degrees and extends above the flush water tank 26. A tank water supply port 32b that opens downward above the flush water tank 26 is provided at the end of the tank water supply piping 32a. Therefore, flush water supplied to the flush water tank 26 via the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 of the valve unit 24 is discharged from above into the flush water tank 26 through the tank water supply port 32b.

[0049] Meanwhile, during normal use, flush water is stored in flush water tank 26 up to a predetermined stored water level WL. That is, after the flush water in flush water tank 26 is drained in order to flush the toilet, flush water is supplied into flush water tank 26 from tank water supply port 32b via tank water supply solenoid valve 32. The supply of flush water causes the water level in flush water tank 26 to rise, and when the water level rises to the predetermined stored water level WL, this is detected by float switch 38 arranged in flush water tank 26. When float switch 38 detects the stored water level WL, controller 35 (Figure 3) sends a control signal to tank water supply solenoid valve 32, closing it to stop water supply.

[0050] Incidentally, this storage water level WL is set below the height at which tank water supply port 32b is provided. Therefore, flush water supplied to flush water tank 26 via valve unit 24 is discharged into flush water tank 26 from above the highest storage water level WL. This ensures a specified air gap between tank water supply port 32b and the storage water level WL, preventing backflow of flush water in flush water tank 26 toward tank water supply solenoid valve 32. Meanwhile, diaphragm valve 44 (Figure 7), which is the main valve body built into tank water supply solenoid valve 32, is positioned to the side of flush water tank 26, below the storage water level WL, so there is no need to provide a large space above flush water tank 26, and it is possible to give the flush toilet apparatus 1 a low silhouette. In addition, the diaphragm valve 44 is arranged parallel to the tank water supply piping 32a, making it easier to arrange it inside the flush water tank 26 when viewed from above than if it were arranged perpendicular to the tank water supply piping 32a, making it easier to ensure the volume of the flush water tank 26 and to arrange other components.

[0051] Meanwhile, when the toilet is flushed, the drain valve 36 is raised and the flush water in the flush water tank 26 is discharged into the flush toilet body 2, causing the water level in the flush water tank 26 to drop. Then, when the water level in the flush water tank 26 drops to a predetermined dead water level DWL, the drain valve 36 is closed, and thereafter the water level in the flush water tank 26 rises due to the supply of flush water from the tank water supply port 32b. Therefore, during normal use, the level of flush water in the flush water tank 26 fluctuates between the dead water level DWL, which is the minimum water level, and the stored water level WL, which is the maximum water level.

[0052] 6, the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 is disposed at a position higher than the dead water level DWL and lower than the stored water level WL. In this embodiment, the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34 is disposed at the same height as the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, and therefore the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34 is also disposed at a position higher than the dead water level DWL and lower than the stored water level WL.

[0053] Next, the structure of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 7, the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 has a diaphragm valve 44 which is a main valve body, and a main valve port 46 which is provided opposite the diaphragm valve 44 and is opened and closed by the diaphragm valve 44. In addition to the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, a manually operated valve which is used during a power outage or the like may be provided in the tank water supply piping 32a.

[0054] The diaphragm valve 44 is a disk-shaped valve body as a whole, and its flexible peripheral portion is watertightly supported by the main body of the valve unit 24. By deformation of this peripheral portion, the diaphragm valve 44 can move horizontally between the open position shown in FIG. 7 and the closed position where it sits on the main valve port 46.

[0055] A pressure chamber 44a is provided on the back side of the diaphragm valve 44 (opposite the main valve port 46). When the pressure chamber 44a is filled with cleaning water and the pressure in the pressure chamber 44a increases, the pressure presses the diaphragm valve 44 toward the main valve port 46, and the diaphragm valve 44 is closed. A small hole 44b is provided through the diaphragm valve 44, and a portion of the cleaning water supplied to the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 flows into the pressure chamber 44a through the small hole 44b. A cleaning pin 44c is inserted into the small hole 44b to guide the movement of the diaphragm valve 44.

[0056] Furthermore, a pilot valve port (not shown) is provided so as to communicate with the pressure chamber 44a, and the pilot valve port is opened and closed by a solenoid 48. That is, the solenoid 48 is configured to drive a pilot valve (not shown) based on a control signal from the controller 35, and the pilot valve port (not shown) of the pressure chamber 44a is opened and closed by moving the pilot valve. When the pilot valve port is closed by the pilot valve, the pressure in the pressure chamber 44a increases due to the cleaning water flowing into the pressure chamber 44a from the small hole 44b, and the diaphragm valve 44 is closed. When the pilot valve port is opened, the cleaning water in the pressure chamber 44a flows out from the pilot valve port, the pressure in the pressure chamber 44a decreases, and the diaphragm valve 44 is opened. In this way, the diaphragm valve 44 is opened and closed by the solenoid 48 controlled by the control signal from the controller 35.

[0057] On the other hand, the main valve port 46 is a cylindrical part provided so as to face the diaphragm valve 44, and its central axis is directed in the horizontal direction. The circular area at the tip of the main valve port 46 that opens to the side is the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve 44 sits. Here, the flushing water supplied to the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 inside the valve unit 24 flows into the space around the main valve port 46. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 44a is high, the diaphragm valve 44 is pressed toward the main valve port 46, and the diaphragm valve 44 sits on the seat surface at the tip of the main valve port 46. In this state, the flushing water around the main valve port 46 does not flow into the main valve port 46, and the tank water supply solenoid valve is in a closed state. Also, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 44a decreases, the diaphragm valve 44 moves away from the seat surface at the tip of the main valve port 46 and is in an open state, as shown in FIG. 7. In the open state, flush water that has flowed into the space around the main valve port 46 passes through the gap between the diaphragm valve 44 and the seat surface at the tip of the main valve port 46 and flows into the main valve port 46 .

[0058] Here, as shown in Fig. 7, in this embodiment, the lower end 46a of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve 44 sits is located below the stored water level WL, which is the highest water level. Furthermore, the upper end 46b of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve 44 sits is located above the dead water level DWL, which is the lowest stored water level. Also, the water level in the flush water tank 26, which is located to the side of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, changes between the highest stored water level WL and the lowest dead water level DWL each time a toilet flush is performed. For this reason, the flush water stored in the portion of the flush water tank 26 to the side of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 is replaced each time a toilet flush is performed, so the temperature of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, which is located nearby, is maintained relatively high.

[0059] The structure of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 has been explained above, but the structure of the diaphragm valve and main valve port (not shown) provided in the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 is also the same as the structure of the diaphragm valve 44 and main valve port 46 of the tank water supply solenoid valve 32. Therefore, the valve unit 24 has built-in diaphragm valve 44 which is opened and closed to start and stop the supply of flush water to the flush water tank 26, and a diaphragm valve (not shown) which is opened and closed to start and stop the supply of flush water to the rim spout 10 provided in the flush toilet body 2.

[0060] Also, as mentioned above, the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 is positioned at the same height as the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, so the lower end of the seat surface (not shown) on which the diaphragm valve (not shown) of the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 sits is located below the highest stored water level WL. Furthermore, the upper end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve of the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 sits is located above the dead water level DWL, which is the lowest stored water level. And the flush water stored in the part of the flush water tank 26 to the side of the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 is replaced every time a toilet flush is performed, and the temperature of the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34, which is positioned nearby, is also maintained relatively high.

[0061] Next, the operation of a flush toilet device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 3. First, when the flush toilet device 1 is in standby state, flush water is stored in the flush water tank 26 up to a specified storage water level WL. When the user operates the toilet flush switch (not shown) provided on the remote control 35a, a flush command signal is sent to the controller 35. Upon receiving the flush command signal, the controller 35 sends a control signal to a solenoid (not shown) provided in the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34 of the valve unit 24, opening the diaphragm valve (not shown) of the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34. As a result, flush water supplied from the water supply passes through the rim water spouting solenoid valve 34, the vacuum breaker 40, and the rim water conduit 12, and is discharged from the rim water outlet 10. The flush water discharged from the rim water outlet 10 forms a swirling flow on the waste receiving surface 18 of the bowl section 6, cleaning the waste receiving surface 18.

[0062] When a predetermined time has elapsed after the rim water discharge solenoid valve 34 is opened, the controller 35 sends a control signal to the toilet flushing motor 36a, which causes the toilet flushing motor 36a to raise the drain valve 36. This opens the drain valve 36, and flush water stored in the flush water tank 26 is discharged from the jet water discharge port 14 through the jet water conduit 16. This causes the water level in the flush water tank 26 to drop from the stored water level WL. The discharge of water from the jet water discharge port 14 induces a siphon phenomenon in the drain trap pipe 8, and the flush water and waste in the bowl portion 6 are discharged through the drain trap pipe 8.

[0063] The controller 35 also sends a control signal to a solenoid 48 (FIG. 7) provided in the tank water supply solenoid valve 32 of the valve unit 24, causing the diaphragm valve 44 to open. As a result, flush water supplied from the water supply is discharged from the tank water supply port 32b through the tank water supply solenoid valve 32, and supplied into the flush water tank 26.

[0064] Furthermore, when the water level in flush water tank 26 drops to a predetermined dead water level DWL, drain valve 36 closes drain outlet 26a, stopping water discharge from jet water outlet 14. Even after drain outlet 26a is closed, rim water discharge solenoid valve 34 remains open, and flush water supplied from the water mains is discharged from rim water outlet 10. When the water level in bowl section 6 rises to a predetermined water level due to water discharge from rim water outlet 10 and refilling is completed, controller 35 sends a control signal to rim water discharge solenoid valve 34 of valve unit 24, causing it to close.

[0065] Meanwhile, because tank water supply solenoid valve 32 remains open even after drain valve 36 is closed, flush water flowing into flush water tank 26 causes the water level in flush water tank 26 to rise from dead water level DWL. When the water level in flush water tank 26 rises to the specified stored water level WL, float switch 38 detects this and sends a detection signal to controller 35. On receiving a detection signal from float switch 38, controller 35 sends a control signal to solenoid 48 of tank water supply solenoid valve 32, causing diaphragm valve 44 to close. This completes the supply of water to flush water tank 26 and one toilet flush.

[0066] According to the flush toilet device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the valve unit 24 is positioned to the side of the flush water tank 26 (Fig. 5), making it possible to position the valve unit 24 in a low position, and because the diaphragm valve 44 (Fig. 7), which is the main valve body built into the valve unit 24, is positioned below the maximum stored water level WL of the flush water tank 26, the flush toilet device 1 can be given a low silhouette.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the flush toilet device 1 of this embodiment, the lower end 46a of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve 44 sits is positioned below the maximum stored water level WL (Figure 7), allowing the flush toilet device 1 to have a low silhouette.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the flush toilet device 1 of this embodiment, the lower end 46a of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve 44 sits is positioned below the highest stored water level WL, and the upper end 46b of the seat surface is positioned above the dead water level DWL, which is the lowest stored water level (Figure 7), so the seat surface is located near a relatively hot part of the flush water tank 26 and is maintained at a relatively high temperature. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the diaphragm valve 44 from dropping and freezing.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the flush toilet device 1 of this embodiment, flush water supplied to the flush water tank 26 via the valve unit 24 is discharged into the flush water tank 26 from above the maximum stored water level WL (Figure 6), so even if the upstream side of the valve unit 24 becomes negative pressure, it is possible to prevent the flush water in the flush water tank 26 from flowing back upstream.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the flush toilet device 1 of this embodiment, the valve unit 24 is positioned inside both widthwise ends of the flush toilet main body 2 when viewed from above (Figure 1), so even if the valve unit 24 is positioned to the side of the flush water tank 26, the valve unit 24 does not protrude to the side of the flush toilet main body 2, providing a flush toilet device 1 with a low silhouette that is aesthetically pleasing.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the flush toilet device 1 of this embodiment, flush water is supplied to the rim spout 10 of the flush toilet main body 2 via the valve unit 24 (Figure 3), so there is no need to store the entire amount of flush water used for toilet flushing in the flush water tank 26, making it possible to make the flush water tank 26 more compact and achieving a low-silhouette flush toilet device 1.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the flush toilet device 1 of this embodiment, the vacuum breaker 40 is positioned above the valve unit 24 (Fig. 4) and inside the flush water tank when viewed from above (Fig. 1), so flush water that flows out from the vacuum breaker 40 naturally falls into the flush water tank 26. For this reason, the flush water that flows out from the vacuum breaker 40 can be treated without the need for any special configuration.

[0073] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Flush toilet device 2 Flush toilet body 4. Cleaning water supply device 6 Bowl section 8 Drain trap line 8a Entrance 8b Ascending Pipe 8c descending pipe 8d top 10 Rim Spout 12 Rim Waterway 14 Jet outlet 16 Jet Waterway 16a Upstream channel 16b Bent flow path 16c Downstream channel 18 Waste receiving surface 20 Rim section 21 Shelf 22 Pressure Point Section 24 Valve unit 26 Cleaning water tank 26a Drain port 26b Hose connection 28 Stopcock 28a Water piping 30 Constant flow valve 32 Tank water supply solenoid valve 32a Tank water supply piping 32b Tank water inlet 34 Rim discharge solenoid valve 34a Rim water supply pipe 35 Controller 35a Remote Control 36 Drain valve 36a Toilet flushing motor 38 Float switch 40 Vacuum Breaker 42 Water supply hose 44 Diaphragm valve (main valve body) 44a Pressure chamber 44b Small hole 44c cleaning pin 46 Main valve port 46a Bottom edge of sheet surface 46b Top edge of sheet surface 48 Solenoid

Claims

1. A flush toilet device that flushes a toilet by discharging flush water stored in a flush water tank by gravity, A flush toilet body, A flush water tank that is disposed at the rear of the flush toilet body and stores flush water; a valve unit for starting and stopping the supply of flush water to the flush water tank, and / or for starting and stopping the supply of flush water to the flush toilet main body, A flush toilet apparatus characterized in that the valve unit is disposed to the side of the flush water tank, and the main valve body built into the valve unit is disposed below the maximum stored water level in the flush water tank during normal use.

2. 2. A flush toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main valve element is a diaphragm valve, and the lower end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve sits is located below the highest stored water level.

3. 3. A flush toilet apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the upper end of the seat surface on which the diaphragm valve sits is located above the lowest stored water level in the flush water tank during normal use.

4. 2. A flush toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein flush water supplied to said flush water tank via said valve unit is discharged into said flush water tank from above said maximum stored water level.

5. The flush toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit is positioned inward from both ends in the width direction of the flush toilet main body when viewed from above.

6. The flush toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit incorporates a main valve element which is opened and closed to start and stop the supply of flush water to the flush water tank, and a main valve element which is opened and closed to start and stop the supply of flush water to a rim spout provided in the flush toilet main body.

7. 7. A flush toilet apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a vacuum breaker connected to the downstream side of the valve unit, the vacuum breaker being positioned above the valve unit and inside the flush water tank when viewed from above.

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