Wash place floor

Abstract

To provide a wash place floor that is easy to use.SOLUTION: The wash place floor comprises an upper part and a drainage gutter recessed downward from the upper part, wherein the drainage gutter has a lower inclined part positioned at a lower side of a drainage slope, the lower inclined part has an inclination angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a horizontal line, and a total value of the inclination angle and a contact angle of a water droplet with respect to a tangent line at the lower inclined part is configured to be 90 degrees or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Aspects of the present invention relate generally to wash area floors. [Background technology]

[0002] A washing area floor provided with a drain groove that guides hot and cold water toward a drain outlet is known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-144412 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The floor of the washing area is designed with a drainage slope toward the drain to ensure proper drainage to the drain. The slope of the drain on the drain side causes hot water to flow to the opposite side of the drain. In such a case, the slope of the slope becomes closer to horizontal due to the drainage slope, which may make it difficult for hot water to flow to the bottom of the drain.

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, and aims to provide a washing area floor that is easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention is a washing area floor having a drainage gradient, comprising an upper portion and a drainage groove that concaves downward from the upper portion, the drainage groove having a downward inclined portion that is a slope located below the drainage gradient, and an upper inclined portion that is a slope located above the downward inclined portion, the downward inclined portion having an inclination angle with a horizontal line that is greater than 0 degrees, and the combined value of the inclination angle and the contact angle of a water droplet with a tangent at the downward inclined portion is configured to be 90 degrees or greater.

[0007] This washing area floor has a drainage gradient, and even if the washing area floor does not have high hydrophilic properties, it is possible to make good use of its water-repellent properties and make it easier for water droplets adhering to the downwardly sloping portion to collect at the bottom of the drain.

[0008] The second invention is a washing area floor according to the first invention, characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of an oil droplet made of oleic acid with respect to the tangent at the downward inclined portion of the drain groove is less than 90 degrees.

[0009] When sebum dirt (oil droplets) from the human body adheres to the bottom of the drain, it accumulates there and is difficult to remove with the water that has flowed into the bottom of the drain. Therefore, it is preferable to allow the sebum dirt (oil droplets) from the human body to flow to the bottom of the drain together with the water. This washing area floor allows sebum stains from the human body to be discharged together with water through the bottom of the drain and into the drain outlet.

[0010] The third invention is a washing area floor having a drainage gradient, comprising an upper portion and a drainage groove that concaves downward from the upper portion, wherein the drainage groove has a downward inclined portion that is an inclined portion located below the drainage gradient, and an upper inclined portion that is an inclined portion located above the downward inclined portion, wherein the downward inclined portion has an inclination angle with the horizontal line that is greater than 0 degrees, and the combined value of the inclination angle and the contact angle of water droplets on the downward inclined portion is 90 degrees or greater.

[0011] This washing area floor has a drainage gradient, and even if the washing area floor does not have high hydrophilic properties, it is possible to make good use of its water-repellent properties and make it easier for water droplets adhering to the downwardly sloping portion to collect at the bottom of the drain.

[0012] A fourth invention is a washing area floor according to the third invention, characterized in that the downward inclined portion has a sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of an oil droplet consisting of oleic acid on the downward inclined portion that is less than 90 degrees.

[0013] When sebum dirt (oil droplets) from the human body adheres to the bottom of the drain, it accumulates there and is difficult to remove with the water that has flowed into the bottom of the drain. Therefore, it is preferable to allow the sebum dirt (oil droplets) from the human body to flow to the bottom of the drain together with the water. This washing area floor allows sebum stains from the human body to be discharged together with water through the bottom of the drain and into the drain outlet. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, a user-friendly washing area floor can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] An oblique view showing a bathroom unit equipped with a washing area floor in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] This is a plan view of the washing area floor from above. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the washing area floor as viewed from the direction of arrow AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a water droplet adheres to a first portion of a downward inclined portion. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a water droplet adheres to a second portion of the downward inclined portion. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an oil droplet adhering to a first portion of a downward inclined portion. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which an oil droplet adheres to a second portion of the downward inclined portion. FIG. [Figure 8]6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the washing area floor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a case where water droplets adhere to a downward inclined portion. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an oil droplet adheres to a downward inclined portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like elements are designated by like reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bathroom unit equipped with a washing area floor according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, bathroom unit 1 includes a washing area floor 10, a bathtub 90, and wall panels 96a to 96f.

[0017] A washing area floor 10 is installed in the space next to the bathtub 90. The surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 is waterproof so that water does not leak outside the bathroom. In this specification, the term "water" includes not only cold water but also heated hot water.

[0018] A drain pipe 92 is provided on the back side (lower side) of the washing area floor 10 near the boundary with the bathtub 90. In the washing area floor 10, for example, near the boundary with the bathtub 90, a drain outlet 10h that communicates with the drain pipe 92 is formed. The portion where the drain outlet 10h is provided is recessed downward, and the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 has a drainage gradient that slopes downward toward the drain outlet 10h. In addition, a drain outlet (not shown) provided at the bottom of the bathtub 90 is also connected to the drain pipe 92. The inclination angle of the drainage gradient with respect to the horizontal is, for example, 1.1 degrees.

[0019] A bath apron 94 is provided at the boundary between the bathtub 90 and the washing area floor 10 to cover the side of the bathtub 90 facing the washing area floor 10. Depending on the structure of the bathtub 90, the bath apron 94 may not be provided.

[0020] 1, wall panels 96a-96c are installed on the rim of bathtub 90. Wall panels 96d-96f are installed on the peripheral edge of washing area floor 10. A door is attached to wall panel 96f via a door mounting frame (not shown).

[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the washing area floor from above. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the washing area floor as viewed from the direction of the arrow AA in FIG. The surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 is formed in an uneven shape. For ease of explanation, the unevenness formed on the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 is omitted in Fig. 2. As shown by the arrow in Fig. 2, the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 has a drainage gradient toward the drain outlet 10h. This allows water adhering to the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 to flow into the drain outlet 10h.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the washing area floor 10 has an upper portion 20 and a drain groove 30 recessed downward from the upper portion 20. The washing area floor 10 shown in Fig. 3 has a drain outlet 10h on the left side of the paper and a wall panel 96e on the right side of the paper. Therefore, the washing area floor 10 shown in Fig. 3 has a drain gradient from the right side of the paper to the left side. The upper portion 20 is the highest point between adjacent drain grooves 30.

[0023] A drain groove, for example in the form of a grid, is formed on the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10. The drain groove 30 shown in Fig. 3 extends, for example, in a direction parallel to the bathtub 90. Water flowing into the drain groove 30 is guided to the drain outlet 10h via a drain groove (not shown) connected to the drain outlet 10h.

[0024] The drain 30 has a lower inclined portion 40 and an upper inclined portion 50. The lower inclined portion 40 and the upper inclined portion 50 face each other. The lower inclined portion 40 is an inclined portion located at the lower end of the drain gradient. That is, the lower inclined portion 40 is an inclined portion of the drain 30 that is closer to the drain outlet 10h. The upper inclined portion 50 is an inclined portion located higher than the lower inclined portion 40. That is, the upper inclined portion 50 is an inclined portion farther from the drain outlet 10h than the lower inclined portion 40. In this example, the lower inclined portion 40 and the upper inclined portion 50 are formed in a gentle curve and are connected at the bottom 31 of the drain 30. The bottom 31 of the drain 30 refers to the lowest position of the drain 30 when the washing area floor 10 is installed horizontally, for example.

[0025] Water on the upwardly inclined portion 50 flows toward the bottom 31 due to the inclination of the upwardly inclined portion 50 and the drainage gradient. On the other hand, the inclination of the downwardly inclined portion 40 approaches a horizontal state due to the drainage gradient. Therefore, water on the downwardly inclined portion 40 may have difficulty flowing toward the bottom 31. In such a case, it may be considered to increase the hydrophilicity of the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 to make it easier for the water to flow to the bottom 31. However, increasing the hydrophilicity may make the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 slippery, which may reduce the usability of the washing area floor 10.

[0026] Therefore, the washing area floor 10 allows water droplets W and oil droplets O adhering to the downward inclined portion 40 to easily flow toward the bottom 31 without being made more hydrophilic than necessary. The oil droplets O are made of, for example, oleic acid, and correspond to sebum dirt washed away from the body of the bathroom user. The downward inclined portion 40 will be specifically described below with reference to Figs. 3 to 7.

[0027] 3, the first portion 41 is located at any position on the downwardly inclined portion 40. That is, the first portion 41 is located at any position between the upper portion 20 and the bottom portion 31. The first portion 41 has a first point 41a. The first point 41a is the tip position on the bottom 31 side of a 2 mL water droplet W and the tip position on the bottom 31 side of a 2 mL oil droplet O that are attached to the first portion 41.

[0028] The second portion 42 is located at any position on the downward inclined portion 40. That is, the second portion 42 is located at any position between the upper portion 20 and the bottom portion 31. The second portion 42 has a second point 42a. The second point 42a is located at the tip end position on the bottom 31 side of a 2 mL water droplet W and the tip end position on the bottom side of a 2 mL oil droplet O that are attached to the second portion 42. The first portion 41 and the second portion 42 may be located at the same position or at different positions. In this example, the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 are located at different positions.

[0029] The downwardly inclined portion 40 has at least one of a first portion 41 and a second portion 42 between the upper portion 20 and the bottom portion 31. The first portion 41 and the second portion 42 will be described below.

[0030] In an embodiment, the inclination angle of the downward inclined portion 40 may be defined as the angle between a virtual line connecting the bottom 31 of the drainage gutter 30 and a first point 41a of the downward inclined portion 40 located above the bottom 31, and the horizontal line, or it may be defined as the angle between a tangent to a second point 42a of the downward inclined portion 40 located above the bottom 31, and the horizontal line.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a water droplet adheres to the first portion of the downward inclined portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the virtual line BB is a line connecting the bottom 31 of the drain groove 30 and the first point 41a of the downward inclined portion 40 located above the bottom 31. The first point 41a may be, for example, a midpoint (a point where the distance is 1 / 2) between the bottom 31 and the highest point of the upper portion 20 in the horizontal direction. The first point 41a is not limited to the midpoint, and may be a point where the distance is 1 / 3, 1 / 4, or 1 / 6, or any other point. The virtual line BB has a first inclination angle θ1 that is greater than 0 degrees with respect to the horizontal line CC. In this case, the sum of the first inclination angle θ1 and the contact angle θ2 of the water droplet W with the tangent line DD at the first point 41a is 90 degrees or more. As a result, even if the downward inclined portion 40 has a drainage gradient, the water droplet W attached to the first portion 41 can be efficiently drained toward the bottom 31.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a water droplet adheres to the second portion of the downward inclined portion. 5, the tangent EE of the second point 42a of the downward inclined portion 40 located above the bottom 31 has a second inclination angle θ3 that is an angle with the horizontal line CC that is greater than 0 degrees. In this case, the sum of the second inclination angle θ3 and the contact angle θ4 of the water droplet W with the tangent EE at the second point 42a is 90 degrees or more. As a result, even if the downward inclined portion 40 has a drainage gradient, the water droplet W attached to the second part 42 can efficiently flow toward the bottom 31.

[0033] The downwardly inclined portion 40 has at least one of the first portion 41 and the second portion 42. As a result, even if the washing area floor 10 has a drainage gradient and does not have high hydrophilicity, the water droplets W adhering to the downwardly inclined portion 40 can be easily collected at the bottom 31 of the drain groove 30 by making good use of the water-repellent performance.

[0034] In addition to the condition when water droplets W are attached to the first portion 41 and the second portion 42, there may be a condition when oil droplets O made of oleic acid are attached to the first portion 41 and the second portion 42. The case when oil droplets O are attached to the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 will be described below.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an oil droplet adheres to a first portion of the downward inclined portion. 6, the apex of the oil droplet O is lower than that of the water droplet W. That is, the wettability of the oil droplet O is greater than that of the water droplet W. In addition, in the first portion 41, the sum of the first inclination angle θ1 and the contact angle θ5 of the oil droplet O made of oleic acid with respect to the tangent line DD at the first point 41a is smaller than 90 degrees. As a result, the oil droplet O attached to the first portion 41 is suppressed from flowing toward the bottom 31 more than the water droplet W.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an oil droplet adheres to the second portion of the downward inclined portion. 7, in the second portion 42, the sum of the second inclination angle θ3 and the contact angle θ6 of the oil droplet O made of oleic acid with respect to the tangent line EE at the second point 42a is smaller than 90 degrees. As a result, the oil droplet O attached to the second portion 42 is suppressed from flowing toward the bottom 31 more than the water droplet W.

[0037] When sebum dirt from the human body gets into the drain 30, it may become difficult to remove. Therefore, it is preferable that the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 is hydrophilic and oil-repellent. When the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 is hydrophilic, water spreads easily and the surface 10a dries easily. In addition, when the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 is oil-repellent, the sebum dirt from the human body can be discharged together with water.

[0038] However, if the hydrophilicity is increased, the surface 10a of the washing area floor 10 becomes slippery, which may reduce the usability of the washing area floor 10. Therefore, by providing at least one of the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 in the downwardly inclined portion 40, the washing area floor 10 can efficiently drain water without increasing the hydrophilicity more than necessary. In addition, sebum stains can be easily drained together with water. As a result, the washing area floor 10 can be made easy to use.

[0039] Next, a washing area floor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. The washing area floor 60 according to the second embodiment has a linear downward inclined portion 83. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a washing area floor according to the second embodiment. The washing area floor 60 has an upper portion 70 and a drain groove 80 recessed downward from the upper portion 70. The upper portion 70 is the highest position between adjacent drain grooves 80. The washing area floor 60 shown in FIG. 8 has a drain outlet 10h on the left side of the paper and a wall panel 96e on the right side of the paper. Therefore, the washing area floor 60 shown in FIG. 8 has a drain gradient from the right side of the paper to the left side. The drain groove 80 has a downward inclined portion 83 and an upward inclined portion 85. The downward inclined portion 83 and the upper inclined portion 85 are inclined in a straight line from the upper portion 70 to the bottom portion 81.

[0041] 9 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a water droplet adheres to the lower inclined portion 83. In FIG. 9, for example, a water droplet W of 2 mL is shown adhered to the lower inclined portion 83. 9, the downward inclined portion 83 has a third inclination angle θ7 that is an angle with the horizontal line CC that is greater than 0 degrees. The sum of the third inclination angle θ7 and the contact angle θ8 of the water droplets W on the downward inclined portion 83 is greater than 90 degrees. As a result, the downward inclined portion 83 can efficiently drain the water droplets W toward the bottom 81 even though it has a drainage gradient.

[0042] Therefore, the washing area floor 60 having a drainage gradient can make it easier to collect water droplets W adhering to the downward inclined portion 83 at the bottom 81 of the drainage groove 80 by making good use of the water-repellent properties, even if the washing area floor 60 does not have high hydrophilic properties.

[0043] In addition to the condition where 2 mL of water droplet W is attached to the downward inclined portion 83, a condition where 2 mL of oil droplet O made of oleic acid is attached to the downward inclined portion 83 may also be included.

[0044] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an oil droplet adheres to the downward inclined portion. 10, in the downward inclined portion 83, the sum of the third inclination angle θ7 and the contact angle θ9 of the oil droplets O made of oleic acid on the downward inclined portion 83 is smaller than 90 degrees. As a result, the oil droplets O adhering to the downward inclined portion 83 are suppressed from flowing toward the bottom 81 more than the water droplets W.

[0045] The washing area floor 60 according to the second embodiment has the same action and effect as the washing area floor 10 according to the first embodiment. The washing area floor 60 has a downwardly inclined portion 83, so that water can be efficiently drained without making the hydrophilicity higher than necessary. In addition, sebum stains can be easily drained together with water. As a result, the washing area floor 60 can be made easy to use.

[0046] The embodiment may include the following features. (Configuration 1) A washing area floor having a drainage slope, The top and A drain groove recessed downward from the upper portion; Equipped with The drainage groove is A lower slope portion which is a slope portion located at a lower position in the drainage gradient; an upper inclined portion that is an inclined portion located above the lower inclined portion; having the downward inclined portion has an inclination angle with respect to a horizontal line that is greater than 0 degrees, A washing area floor characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of a water droplet with a tangent at the downward inclined portion is configured to be 90 degrees or greater. (Configuration 2) The washing area floor described in configuration 1 is characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of an oil droplet made of oleic acid with respect to the tangent at the downward inclined portion of the drain is less than 90 degrees. (Configuration 3) A washing area floor having a drainage slope, The top and A drain groove recessed downward from the upper portion; Equipped with The drainage groove is A lower slope portion which is a slope portion located at a lower position in the drainage gradient; an upper inclined portion that is an inclined portion located above the lower inclined portion; having The downward inclined portion is The angle between the horizontal and the surface is greater than 0 degrees. A washing area floor characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of water droplets on the lower inclined portion is 90 degrees or more. (Configuration 4) The downward inclined portion is A washing area floor as described in configuration 3, characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of an oil droplet consisting of oleic acid on the lower inclined portion is less than 90 degrees.

[0047] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Regarding the above-mentioned embodiments, those in which a person skilled in the art makes appropriate design changes are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, etc. of each element of the washing area floor are not limited to those exemplified and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, each element of each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the characteristics of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Bathroom unit 10 Washing area floor 10a surface 10h Drain port 20 Upper 30 Drain 31 Bottom 40 Downward slope 41 Part 1 41a 1st point 42 Part 2 42a 2nd point 50 Upward slope 60 Washing area floor 70 Top 80 Drain 81 Bottom 83 Downward slope 85 Upward slope 90 Bathtub 92 Drainage piping 94 Bus Apron 96a~96f Wall Panels O oil drop W water drop

Claims

1. A washing area floor having a drainage slope, The top and A drain groove recessed downward from the upper portion; Equipped with The drainage groove is A lower slope portion which is a slope portion located at a lower position in the drainage gradient; an upper inclined portion that is an inclined portion located above the lower inclined portion; having the downward inclined portion has an inclination angle with respect to a horizontal line that is greater than 0 degrees, A washing area floor characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of a water droplet with a tangent at the downward inclined portion is configured to be 90 degrees or greater.

2. The washing area floor of claim 1, characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of an oil droplet made of oleic acid with a tangent at the downward inclined portion of the drain groove is less than 90 degrees.

3. A washing area floor having a drainage slope, The top and A drain groove recessed downward from the upper portion; Equipped with The drainage groove is A lower slope portion which is a slope portion located at a lower position in the drainage gradient; an upper inclined portion that is an inclined portion located above the lower inclined portion; having The downward inclined portion is The angle between the horizontal line and the first inclination angle is greater than 0 degrees, and A washing area floor characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of water droplets on the lower inclined portion is 90 degrees or more.

4. The downward inclined portion is The washing area floor according to claim 3, characterized in that the sum of the inclination angle and the contact angle of an oil droplet consisting of oleic acid on the downward inclined portion is less than 90 degrees.

Images