Toilet bowl device

Abstract

To suppress discharge of air from a jet water discharge port during discharge of wash water from the jet water discharge port.SOLUTION: A toilet bowl device may comprise: a toilet bowl body having a toilet bowl communicating with a drain flow passage and a jet flow passage having a jet water discharge port that is at least partially immersed in a water storing part of the toilet bowl; a feed pipe that is fitted to the toilet bowl body and feeds wash water to the jet flow passage; and an atmosphere release passage having a first end connected to at least either a feed flow passage allowing the wash water to flow in the feed pipe or the jet flow passage and a second end opened to the atmosphere. At least either the feed flow passage or the jet flow passage may be opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere release passage during when the wash water flows from the feed flow passage toward the jet flow passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for releasing air that is retained in a jet-side water supply passage that communicates with a jet water outlet in a toilet apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-007847 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology, a flapper valve is disposed between the jet-side water supply passage and an air bleed pipe that discharges air from the jet-side water supply passage. The flapper valve is operated to be in a closed state by the water pressure of the wash water supplied to the jet-side water supply passage.

[0005] This specification provides a technique for suppressing air from being discharged from the jet water discharge port while wash water is being discharged from the jet water discharge port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet body including a toilet bowl communicating with a drainage flow path and a jet flow path having a jet water outlet at least a part of which is submerged in a water reservoir of the toilet bowl, a supply pipe attached to the toilet body and supplying cleaning water to the jet flow path, and an atmosphere opening path including a first end connected to at least one of the supply flow path and the jet flow path through which the cleaning water flows in the supply pipe, and a second end opened to the atmosphere. At least one of the supply flow path and the jet flow path may be opened to the atmosphere via the atmosphere opening path while the cleaning water flows from the supply flow path toward the jet flow path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a toilet device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet body and toilet seat taken at the center in the left-right direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a discharge unit. [Figure 4] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and the upper flange portion taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 4 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the water outlet and the discharge member. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a jet flow path, an air release path, and an overflow flow path. [Figure 7] 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the overflow channel taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the jet flow passage taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6 and a branch pipe communicating therewith. [Figure 9] 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and the upper flange portion taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 2. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of modified examples of branch pipes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (Configuration of toilet device 10) As shown in Fig. 1, the toilet apparatus 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet apparatus 10 is fixed to a floor surface when in use. The toilet apparatus 10 may be, for example, a so-called wall-hung flush toilet that is fixed to a wall.

[0009] The toilet device 10 comprises a toilet portion 12, a toilet seat 14, a functional portion 16, a tank 18 (see FIG. 2), a discharge portion 40, an atmosphere release path 64 (see FIG. 6), an overflow flow path 78 (see FIGS. 5 and 7), a control portion 100, and a seating sensor 90. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet portion 12 comprises a toilet body 20 and an upper end flange portion 30. The toilet body 20 is made of ceramic. The toilet body 20 comprises a toilet bowl 22 that receives waste. The toilet body 20 accommodates a tank 18 at the lower end of the toilet body 20. The tank 18 stores flushing water for flushing the toilet bowl 22. The toilet device 10 comprises a flush button (not shown) that is electrically connected to the discharge portion 40. When the flush button is operated by the user, flush water is discharged from the tank 18 via the discharge unit 40 into the toilet bowl 22. The functional unit 16 may have functions such as an opening and closing function that automatically opens and closes a toilet lid (not shown) in accordance with the user's actions, a local cleaning function, a hot air drying function, a deodorizing function, etc. The overflow flow path 78 discharges flush water that overflows from the tank 18 into the toilet bowl 22.

[0010] In the toilet apparatus 10, flush water in the tank 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 by operating a lever arranged on the toilet apparatus 10, in addition to operating a flush button. The flush button may be arranged on a remote controller that is electrically connected to the discharge portion 40 either wired or wirelessly. Flush water in the tank 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 even without operation by the user. For example, flush water in the tank 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 when the user is not detected by the sensor.

[0011] The toilet seat 14 is attached to the toilet body 20 so as to be openable and closable. A user sits on the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat 14 has an opening 14a.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 14 and the functional unit 16 are arranged is referred to as the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the side on which the toilet seat 14 is arranged with respect to the functional unit 16 is referred to as the front side of the front-rear direction, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is referred to as the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the rear side of the paper in FIG. 1 is referred to as the right side, and the front side of the paper in FIG. 1 is referred to as the left side. The left and right directions correspond to the left and right as seen by a user facing the toilet device 10. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is referred to as the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the side on which the tank 18 is arranged with respect to the toilet body 20 in FIG. 2 is referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side is referred to as the upper side.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet bowl 22 has a shape that is generally recessed downward. The toilet body 20 comprises a water storage section 24 that is disposed at the lower end of the toilet bowl 22, a drainage flow path 36 that communicates with the water storage section 24, and a drain outlet 34 that opens into the water storage section 24. The water storage section 24 is part of the toilet bowl 22. Water is stored in the water storage section 24 up to the water surface WS. The water surface WS coincides with the curved position 36a of the drainage flow path 36. In other words, when flush water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 22, the area below the water surface WS is referred to as the water storage section 24.

[0014] The water storage section 24 communicates with a drainage flow path 36 through a drain outlet 34. The drain outlet 34 is an inlet through which flush water flows from the water storage section 24 to the drainage flow path 36. The drainage flow path 36 extends upward from the drain outlet 34. The drainage flow path 36 bends downward at a curved position 36a and extends downward. The drainage flow path 36 extends to the outside of the toilet bowl section 12.

[0015] The toilet body 20 has a jet flow path 58. The jet flow path 58 has a jet water outlet 54 at its downstream end. The jet water outlet 54 ejects flushing water toward the drain outlet 34 of the drainage flow path 36. The jet water outlet 54 opens into the water storage section 24. The jet water outlet 54 opens from the front side toward the drain outlet 34 at the back side. When flushing water is ejected from the jet water outlet 54, the flushing water in the water storage section 24 is drained into the drainage flow path 36 together with the flushing water from the jet water outlet 54. Waste in the water storage section 24 and objects floating in the accumulated water in the water storage section 24 are also discharged from the drainage flow path 36 to the outside of the toilet body 20.

[0016] In a modified example, the entire jet water spout 54 does not have to open into the water collection section 24. The jet water spout 54 may be arranged so that at least a portion of it opens into the water collection section 24. In another modified example, the entire jet water spout 54 may open in a part of the toilet bowl 22 other than the water collection section 24. In this case, for example, the jet water spout 54 may open above the water collection section 24, and the jet water spout 54 may be located on either the left or right side of the toilet bowl 22.

[0017] An upper end flange portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 22, encircling the upper end edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22. The upper end flange portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet body 20. The upper end flange portion 30 protrudes inward from the upper end edge 22a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 22. The lower surface 30a of the upper end flange portion 30 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0018] The toilet bowl 22 has a front surface 23, a side surface 26, and a rear surface 25 in an area above the water collecting portion 24. The front surface 23 is a surface located in front of the front edge WS1 of the water surface WS. The side surface 26 is a surface that extends from the rear edge of the front surface 23 to the rear along both the left and right ends of the water surface WS. The side surface 26 extends to the rear edge of the water surface WS. The rear surface 25 is a surface that extends along the rear edge WS2 of the water surface WS between the rear edges of the side surfaces 26 on both the left and right sides.

[0019] (Configuration of Discharge Section 40) Discharge unit 40 discharges flush water in tank 18 into toilet bowl 22. As shown in Figure 3, discharge unit 40 includes a pump 42, a communicating pipe 44, a switching valve 46, branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, discharge nozzles 50, 52, and a discharge member 56.

[0020] The pump 42 draws in flush water in the tank 18 and pressurizes it. The pump 42 sends the pressurized flush water to a communication pipe 44. The communication pipe 44 is connected to the pump 42. The communication pipe 44 defines a flow path through which the flush water flows. The communication pipe 44 is connected to a changeover valve 46. The changeover valve 46 connects the communication pipe 44 to at least one of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. A discharge nozzle 50 is connected to the branch pipe 48a. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48a via the changeover valve 46, flush water is discharged from the discharge nozzle 50 into the toilet bowl 22. A discharge member 56 is connected to the branch pipe 48b. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48b via the changeover valve 46, flush water is discharged from the discharge member 56 into the toilet bowl 22. A discharge nozzle 52 is connected to the branch pipe 48c. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48c via the changeover valve 46, flush water is discharged from the discharge nozzle 52 into the toilet bowl 22. A jet water outlet 54 is connected to the branch pipe 48d via a jet flow path 58. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48d via the changeover valve 46, flush water is discharged from the jet water outlet 54 into the toilet bowl 22. In other words, the jet water outlet 54 and the jet flow path 58 are part of the discharge section 40.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 4, discharge nozzles 50, 52 and discharge member 56 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Discharge nozzle 50 is arranged near the upper end of toilet bowl 22. Discharge nozzle 50 has an opening 50a that is long in the up-down direction. Discharge nozzle 52 is arranged symmetrically with discharge nozzle 50.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross section just below the lower surface 30a of the upper end flange portion 30 of the toilet body 20. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the discharge nozzle 50 is accommodated in the accommodation space 70 of the toilet body 20. In the toilet body 20, a water discharge opening 70a that opens into the toilet bowl 22 is arranged on the front side of the discharge nozzle 50. The water discharge opening 70a is arranged at the front end of the accommodation space 70. The water discharge opening 70a is located above the water storage portion 24. The water discharge opening 70a has an opening area larger than the opening area of ​​the opening 50a of the discharge nozzle 50. The flush water discharged from the discharge nozzle 50 is supplied to the toilet bowl 22 from the water discharge opening 70a. The discharge nozzle 52 is accommodated in the accommodation space 72, just like the discharge nozzle 50. The accommodation space 72 has a water discharge opening 72a that opens into the toilet bowl 22, just like the accommodation space 70. The water discharge opening 72a is located above the water collecting portion 24. The discharge member 56 is attached to the rear surface 25 on the rear side of the toilet bowl 22. The discharge member 56 is disposed on the rear side of the water discharge openings 70a and 72a.

[0023] (Overflow flow path configuration) 6 shows a cross section of the toilet body 20 perpendicular to the up-down direction just below the storage space 70. In FIG. 6, the upper end portion of the tank 18 is shown with a solid line to clearly show the positional relationship of the toilet body 20 with the jet flow path 58. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the tank 18 is provided with an outlet 18a that opens the upper part of the tank 18. The overflow flow path 78 is formed by an overflow tank 74, the storage space 72 (see FIG. 5), and a communication pipe 76. The overflow tank 74 communicates with the tank 18 via the outlet 18a. The lower part of the overflow tank 74 communicates with the storage space 72 via the communication pipe 76. The overflow tank 74 includes a bottom wall 74a, a front wall 74b, a back wall 74c, a left wall 74d, a right wall 74e, and a partition wall 74f. The front wall 74b, the rear wall 74c, the left wall 74d, and the right wall 74e are erected to surround the bottom wall 74a. The partition wall 74f extends, for example, from the front wall 74b to the rear wall 74c. In the overflow tank 74, the partition wall 74f divides the space within the tank into a first space S1 communicating with the tank 18 and a second space S2 communicating with the communicating pipe 76. The height of the partition wall 74f is lower than the height of any of the walls (the front wall 74b, the rear wall 74c, the left wall 74d, and the right wall 74e) that define the first space S1.

[0024] When flush water stored in the tank 18 overflows from the tank 18, the flush water flows out from the outlet 18a. The flush water that flows out from the outlet 18a flows into the first space S1 in the overflow tank 74, which is above the tank 18. When the flush water that flows into the first space S1 increases to a water level that exceeds the height of the partition wall 74f, it flows into the second space S2 of the overflow tank 74. The flush water that flows into the second space S2 is discharged from the water discharge opening 72a via the communication pipe 76 into the toilet bowl 22 (see FIG. 5). In other words, the overflow flow path 78 communicates with the toilet bowl 22 from above the predetermined water level at which the amount of flush water stored in the tank 18 exceeds a predetermined water amount. The flush water that overflows from the tank 18 flows down into the toilet bowl 22 via the overflow flow path 78 without returning to the tank 18.

[0025] (Jet flow path configuration) As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the jet flow path 58 is formed by a flow path wall 60 arranged in the toilet body 20. The flow path wall 60 has a peripheral wall 60a and an end wall 60b. The end wall 60b is located at the upstream end of the jet flow path 58. The peripheral wall 60a has a cylindrical shape extending from the end wall 60b to the jet water outlet 54 located at the downstream end of the jet flow path 58. The peripheral wall 60a extends from the end wall 60b from the back side to the front side, and is bent at the middle position to be connected to the jet water outlet 54.

[0026] A branch pipe 48d is attached to the end wall 60b. The branch pipe 48d supplies cleaning water to the jet flow path 58. The branch pipe 48d has a supply flow path 62 therein through which cleaning water flows. The supply flow path 62 communicates with the tank 18. The supply flow path 62 supplies cleaning water from the tank 18 to the jet flow path 58. A supply opening 62a that discharges cleaning water from the branch pipe 48d to the jet flow path 58 is located at the downstream end of the supply flow path 62. The peripheral wall 60a has an opposing surface 60a1 that faces the supply opening 62a with a gap therebetween.

[0027] The branch pipe 48d has a first horizontal portion 48d1 on the downstream end side of the supply flow path 62. When the toilet body 20 is arranged so that the upper end flange portion 30 is horizontal, the first horizontal portion 48d1 extends parallel to the horizontal direction. The branch pipe 48d is connected to the upstream end of the jet flow path 58 at the first horizontal portion 48d1. The first horizontal portion 48d1 is attached to the end wall 60b.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the jet flow path 58 includes an upstream portion 58a that is connected to the downstream end of the supply flow path 62, and a downstream portion 58b that extends from the upstream portion 58a to the jet water outlet 54. In the jet flow path 58, the wash water that flows in from the branch pipe 48d flows in the forward direction. Then, the wash water that flows in the forward direction collides with the opposing surface 60a1, and the direction of the wash water flow changes. The upstream portion 58a refers to the portion where the wash water flows in the forward direction from the branch pipe 48d to the opposing surface 60a1. The downstream portion 58b refers to the entire downstream side from the portion where the flow of the wash water from the branch pipe 48d is changed by the opposing surface 60a1 to the jet water outlet 54. The cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream portion 58a of the jet flow path 58 is larger than any cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream portion 58b of the jet flow path 58. The "cross-sectional area" described in this specification refers to the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction of the jet flow path 58 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the "flow path cross-sectional area"). Therefore, air is likely to remain in the upstream portion 58a of the jet flow path 58. The flow path wall 60 has a partition wall 60c extending forward from the peripheral wall 60a at the boundary between the upstream portion 58a and the downstream portion 58b. In the jet flow path 58, the flow path cross-sectional area is locally reduced by the peripheral wall 60a on which the partition wall 60c and the opposing surface 60a1 are arranged. In the downstream portion 58b, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the jet flow path 58 gradually decreases from the upstream end to the downstream end. In a modified example, the downstream portion 58b may have a reduced diameter portion in which the flow path cross-sectional area locally decreases from the upstream end to the downstream end. The opening area (see FIG. 9) of the jet water outlet 54 located at the downstream end of the jet flow path 58 is the smallest among the cross-sectional areas of the jet flow path 58.

[0029] (Configuration of the atmospheric release path 64) The upstream end of the jet flow path 58 is connected to an atmosphere opening path 64. The atmosphere opening path 64 has a first end 64a connected to the jet flow path 58 and a second end 64b (see Figs. 4 and 5) that is open to the atmosphere. The atmosphere opening path 64 is a path for releasing air that has been retained in the jet flow path 58 to the atmosphere. The atmosphere opening path 64 is formed by a branch pipe 48d, an overflow flow path 78, and a communication pipe 66 that communicates between the branch pipe 48d and the overflow flow path 78. At the water discharge opening 72a located at the downstream end of the overflow flow path 78, the overflow flow path 78 is opened to the atmosphere. That is, the second end 64b is the water discharge opening 72a. The atmosphere opening path 64 opens the jet flow path 58 to the atmosphere via the overflow flow path 78. Therefore, even if sewage flows back from the jet water outlet 54 into the jet flow path 58, the sewage will be discharged from the water discharge opening 72a into the toilet bowl 22 via the atmosphere open path 64. This prevents the sewage that flows back through the jet flow path 58 from leaking out of the toilet body 20 and contaminating the surroundings of the toilet apparatus 10. At the top of the overflow tub 74, the overflow flow path 78 is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, the top of the overflow flow path 78 is an example of a second end.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d has a part of the atmosphere release path 64 formed therein together with the supply path 62. The atmosphere release path 64 has a second horizontal portion 64c on the jet path 58 side (i.e., the first end 64a side). When the toilet body 20 is arranged so that the upper end flange portion 30 is horizontal, the second horizontal portion 64c extends parallel to the horizontal direction. The atmosphere release path 64 is connected to the upstream end of the jet path 58 at the second horizontal portion 64c. The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 is attached to the end wall 60b together with the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d. The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 is arranged parallel to the direction in which the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d extends. The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere vent path 64 is located above the connecting portion between the supply flow path 62 and the jet flow path 58 (i.e., the supply opening 62a of the supply flow path 62). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere vent path 64 is disposed at the upper end of the branch pipe 48. By the atmosphere vent path 64 above the supply opening 62a of the supply flow path 62, air remaining in the upper portion of the upstream portion 58a of the jet flow path 58 and in the upper portion of the supply flow path 62 extending from the switching valve 46 to the downstream end of the branch pipe 48d is efficiently released.

[0031] The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 is formed as an integral member with the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d. The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 is integrally molded with the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d using resin. This allows the number of parts to be reduced. In a modified example, the entire second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 does not have to be formed as an integral part with the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d. A part of the second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 may be formed as an integral part with the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d. In another modified example, the second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 may be formed as a separate member from the first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 10, the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the cross-sectional areas perpendicular to the extension direction of the atmosphere open path 64 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the supply opening 62a of the supply flow path 62. The minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the atmosphere open path 64 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the jet water outlet 54 (see Fig. 9). When the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the atmosphere open path 64 is small in this manner, the cleaning water discharged from the supply flow path 62 to the jet flow path 58 does not easily flow toward the atmosphere open path 64. The air remaining in the jet flow path 58 can be discharged via the atmosphere open path 64 without the cleaning water flowing into the atmosphere open path 64 more than necessary. In a modified example, the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the atmosphere open path 64 may be smaller than the opening area of ​​the jet water outlet 54.

[0033] (Processing by the control unit) As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 100 is housed in the toilet body 20. The control unit 100 is communicatively connected to each of the pump 42, the switching valve 46, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 controls the pump 42, the switching valve 46, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 is further communicatively connected to operation units operated by the user, such as a flush button, a remote controller, etc.

[0034] The control unit 100 includes a CPU and a memory. The memory has a volatile and non-volatile storage unit. The control unit 100 controls the pump 42, the switching valve 46, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90 by the CPU executing processing according to a computer program pre-stored in the memory.

[0035] When flush water is to be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 by operation by a user or the like, the control unit 100 controls the pump 42 and the switching valve 46 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 22 from the discharge nozzles 50, 52, the discharge member 56 and the jet water outlet 54. Waste in the toilet bowl 22 is discharged to the outside of the toilet body 20 by the flush water.

[0036] The control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the pump 42 to switch the flow rate per unit time of the cleaning water to be sent out depending on the location to which the cleaning water is to be discharged. When the cleaning water is to be discharged from the discharge nozzles 50, 52, the control unit 100 adjusts the rotation speed of the pump 42 so that the flow rate per unit time of the cleaning water sent out to the branch pipes 48a, 48c becomes a first flow rate. When the cleaning water is to be discharged from the discharge member 56, the control unit 100 adjusts the flow rate per unit time of the cleaning water sent out to the branch pipe 48b to a second flow rate.

[0037] When flushing water is discharged from the jet water outlet 54, the control unit 100 adjusts the flow rate of flushing water per unit time sent to the branch pipe 48d, i.e., the jet flow path 58, in two stages, in the order of a third flow rate and a fourth flow rate. The fourth flow rate is larger than the third flow rate. The control unit 100 sends flushing water to the jet flow path 58 at the third flow rate, thereby storing flushing water in the upstream portion 58a, which has a relatively large cross-sectional area. As a result, gas remaining in the upstream portion 58a is released through the air release path 64. During this time, the third flow rate is set so that flushing water does not flow out from the jet water outlet 54. The third flow rate is smaller than the first flow rate and the second flow rate. The control unit 100 sends flushing water at the fourth flow rate to the jet flow path 58, thereby discharging flushing water from the jet water outlet 54 together with flushing water stored in the upstream portion 58a. With this configuration, air remaining in the jet flow path 58 can be released into the atmosphere before flushing water is discharged from the jet water outlet 54. Therefore, when a large amount of wash water is supplied to the jet flow path, the amount of air entrained in the wash water is reduced. It is possible to suppress the discharge of air when wash water is discharged from the jet water discharge port 54. This makes it possible to reduce the sound when air is discharged from the jet water discharge port 54.

[0038] The following describes a series of cleaning processes executed by the control unit 100. At the start of the cleaning process, the switching valve 46 is set to a blocking state in which the communication pipe 44 is blocked from all of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d.

[0039] First, the control unit 100 judges whether the toilet apparatus 10 is in use. Specifically, the control unit 100 judges that the toilet apparatus 10 is in use when the seating sensor 90 detects that a user is seated. When the seating sensor 90 does not detect that a user is seated, the control unit 100 judges that the toilet apparatus 10 is not in use and proceeds to the next process. When it is determined that the toilet apparatus 10 is in use, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes this process until it determines that the toilet apparatus 10 is not in use.

[0040] Next, the control unit 100 causes the cleaning water to be discharged from the discharge nozzles 50, 52 for a first predetermined period. Specifically, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 to send the cleaning water to the communication pipe 44. The control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the pump 42 to switch the flow rate per unit time sent to each of the branch pipes 48a and 48c to a first flow rate. Then, the control unit 100 operates the switching valve 46 to connect the communication pipe 44 to each of the branch pipes 48a and 48c. This causes the cleaning water to be discharged from the discharge nozzles 50, 52. When the cleaning water is discharged from the discharge nozzles 50, 52 for the first predetermined period, the control unit 100 operates the switching valve 46 to switch the state of the switching valve 46 to a shutoff state.

[0041] Next, the control unit 100 causes the discharge member 56 to discharge the cleaning water for a second predetermined period. The control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the pump 42, and switches the flow rate per unit time sent to the branch pipe 48b to the first flow rate. Then, the control unit 100 operates the switching valve 46 to connect the communication pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b. This causes the cleaning water to be discharged from the discharge member 56. When the cleaning water has been discharged from the discharge member 56 for the second predetermined period, the control unit 100 operates the switching valve 46, and switches the state of the switching valve 46 to a shutoff state.

[0042] Next, the control unit 100 releases air from the jet flow path 58. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the pump 42 to switch the flow rate per unit time sent to the branch pipe 48d to a third flow rate. Then, the control unit 100 operates the switching valve 46 to connect the communication pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d. As a result, cleaning water is supplied from the branch pipe 48d to the jet flow path 58. When cleaning water is supplied from the branch pipe 48d to the jet flow path 58 for a third predetermined time, the control unit 100 determines that air has been released from the jet flow path 58 via the atmosphere release path 64, and proceeds to the next process.

[0043] Next, the control unit 100 discharges wash water from the jet water outlet 54 for a fourth predetermined time. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the rotation speed of the pump 42, and switches the flow rate per unit time sent to the branch pipe 48d to a fourth flow rate. This causes wash water to be discharged from the jet water outlet 54. When wash water has been discharged from the branch pipe 48d for the fourth predetermined time, the control unit 100 stops the pump 42. The control unit 100 operates the switching valve 46, and switches the state of the switching valve 46 to a shutoff state.

[0044] This completes the cleaning process by the control unit 100. The cleaning process is not limited to the above-described series of processes. In a modified example, the control unit 100 does not need to execute the process of discharging air from the jet flow path 58.

[0045] (Effects of the embodiment) In the configuration of this embodiment, there is no part (such as a flapper valve) between the jet flow path 58 and the atmosphere release path 64 that blocks communication between them. In other words, even while the flushing water flows from the supply flow path to the jet flow path, it is open to the atmosphere via the atmosphere release path 64. Therefore, regardless of the flushing state of the toilet apparatus 10, air that has accumulated in the jet flow path 58 can be efficiently released. Furthermore, because there is no need to place a part such as a flapper valve, the cross-sectional area of ​​the atmosphere release path 64 can be reduced accordingly. This allows space to be saved.

[0046] In this embodiment, in the jet flow path 58, the supply opening 62a located at the downstream end of the supply flow path 62 faces the opposing surface 60a1 of the peripheral wall 60a via a gap. With this configuration, cleaning water is stored in the space between the supply opening 62a and the opposing surface 60a1, and air that has been stagnating in the upstream portion 58a of the jet flow path 58 is easily pushed out from the atmosphere release path 64.

[0047] In this embodiment, the branch pipe 48d is connected to the upstream end of the jet flow path 58 at the first horizontal portion 48d1. For example, when attempting to connect the branch pipe 48d to the jet flow path 58 from the vertical direction, a space is required above the upstream portion 58a of the jet flow path 58 to connect the branch pipe 48d. Alternatively, when there is no space above the upstream portion 58a, the upstream portion 58a of the jet flow path 58 must be expanded in the back direction. That is, when attempting to connect the branch pipe 48d from the vertical direction, there are significant space restrictions. By connecting the branch pipe 48d to the jet flow path 58 in the horizontal direction, they can be connected in a space-saving manner.

[0048] Similar to the branch pipe 48d, the second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere vent path 64 is connected to the upstream end of the jet flow path 58. This allows the atmosphere vent path 64 and the jet flow path 58 to be connected in a small space.

[0049] The branch pipe 48d is an example of a "supply pipe." The third flow rate is an example of a "first flow rate." The fourth flow rate is an example of a "second flow rate."

[0050] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0051] In a first aspect, a toilet device may include a toilet body including a toilet bowl communicating with a drainage flow path and a jet flow path having a jet water outlet at least a portion of which is submerged in a water reservoir of the toilet bowl, a supply pipe attached to the toilet body and supplying cleaning water to the jet flow path, and an atmosphere opening path including a first end connected to at least one of the supply flow path and the jet flow path through which the cleaning water flows in the supply pipe, and a second end opened to the atmosphere. At least one of the supply flow path and the jet flow path may be open to the atmosphere via the atmosphere opening path while the cleaning water flows from the supply flow path toward the jet flow path.

[0052] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the second end of the air release path may be connected to the toilet bowl and may have an opening that opens into the toilet bowl. The opening may be located above the water level of the toilet bowl.

[0053] In a third aspect, the toilet apparatus in the second aspect may further include a tank that communicates with the supply flow path and stores the flush water, and an overflow flow path that communicates with the toilet bowl from above a predetermined water level at which the amount of flush water stored in the tank exceeds a predetermined water amount. The second end may be an end of the overflow flow path on the toilet bowl side.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the cross-sectional areas of the atmosphere release path perpendicular to the direction in which the path extends may be smaller than the opening area of ​​the jet water outlet.

[0055] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the supply pipe may have a first horizontal portion including a horizontal vector component, and the supply pipe may be connected to an upstream end of the jet flow path of the toilet body at the first horizontal portion.

[0056] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the atmosphere release path may have a second horizontal portion including a horizontal vector component. The atmosphere release path may be connected to an upstream end of the jet flow path of the toilet body at the second horizontal portion.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the second horizontal portion may be located above a connection portion between the supply passage and the jet passage.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, at least a part of the second horizontal portion of the atmosphere release path may be formed as an integral member with the supply pipe.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the toilet body may have an opposing surface in the jet flow path that faces an opening of the supply pipe located at the downstream end of the supply flow path with a gap therebetween.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the toilet apparatus may further include a pump that sends out the flushing water to the jet flow path, and a control device that controls the rotation speed of the pump and switches the flow rate per unit time of the flushing water sent out to the jet flow path between a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is larger than the first flow rate. The jet flow path may include an upstream portion that is connected to the downstream end of the supply flow path, and a downstream portion that extends from the upstream portion to the jet water outlet. The cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream portion may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream portion. The upstream portion may be connected to the atmosphere release path. The control device may discharge the flushing water at the first flow rate, thereby releasing gas in the upstream portion to the atmosphere via the atmosphere release path, and then discharge the flushing water from the jet water outlet by sending out the flushing water at the second flow rate.

[0061] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above in detail. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

[0062] (Modification 1) As shown in FIG. 11, while the cleaning water flows from the supply flow path 62 toward the jet flow path 58, the supply opening 162a of the supply flow path 62 may be arranged so that the entire supply opening 162a is submerged in the cleaning water in the jet flow path 58. With this configuration, the air entrained in the cleaning water discharged from the supply opening 162a is likely to move upward due to buoyancy. As a result, the air entrained in the cleaning water is likely to be released from the jet flow path 58 via the atmosphere release path 64. The amount of air contained in the cleaning water in the jet flow path 58 is reduced. That is, it is possible to suppress the air from being discharged when the cleaning water is discharged from the jet water discharge port 54. This makes it possible to reduce the sound when the air is discharged from the jet water discharge port 54.

[0063] (Variant 2) While cleaning water flows from the supply flow path 62 to the jet flow path 58, both the jet flow path 58 and the supply flow path 62 may be open to the atmosphere via an atmosphere vent path, or only the supply flow path 62 may be open to the atmosphere.

[0064] (Variation 3) The second end 64b of the atmosphere release path 64 does not have to be connected to the toilet bowl 22. The toilet apparatus 10 does not have to be provided with an overflow passage that communicates with the toilet bowl 22.

[0065] (Modification 4) The first horizontal portion 48d1 of the branch pipe 48d does not have to be parallel to the horizontal direction. In this case, the first horizontal portion 48d1 may have a horizontal component and may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. In another modification, the first horizontal portion 48d1 may be parallel to the vertical direction.

[0066] (Variation 5) The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere release path 64 does not have to be parallel to the horizontal direction. In this case, the second horizontal portion 64c may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction while the second horizontal portion 64c has a horizontal component. In another variation, the second horizontal portion 64c may be parallel to the vertical direction. In yet another variation, the second horizontal portion 64c does not have to be parallel to the first horizontal portion 48d1.

[0067] (Variation 6) The second horizontal portion 64c of the atmosphere vent path 64 does not have to be located above the connecting portion between the supply flow path 62 and the jet flow path 58. For example, the second horizontal portion 64c may be located to the left or right of the connecting portion between the supply flow path 62 and the jet flow path 58.

[0068] (Variation 7) The peripheral wall 60a of the jet flow passage 58 does not have to have a facing surface that faces the supply opening 62a of the branch pipe 48d located at the downstream end of the supply passage 62 with a gap therebetween.

[0069] (Variation 8) The toilet apparatus does not have to be equipped with a pump. In this case, the toilet apparatus may send flush water to the jet flow path 58 using a siphon system.

[0070] The technical elements described in the specification and / or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in the specification and / or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10: toilet device, 18: tank, 20: toilet body, 22: toilet bowl, 24: water storage section, 40: discharge section, 42: pump, 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d: branch pipe, 48d1: first horizontal section, 54: jet water outlet, 58: jet flow path, 58a: upstream section, 58b: downstream section 62: supply flow path, 62a: supply opening, 64: atmospheric release path, 64a: first end, 64b: second end, 64c: second horizontal section, 70, 72: water outlet opening, 78: overflow flow path, WS: water storage surface

Claims

1. A toilet body including a toilet bowl communicating with a drainage flow path and a jet flow path having a jet water outlet at least a portion of which is submerged in a water pool of the toilet bowl; A supply pipe attached to the toilet body for supplying flush water to the jet flow path; an atmosphere vent path having a first end connected to at least one of a supply flow path through which the cleaning water flows and the jet flow path in the supply pipe, and a second end opened to the atmosphere; A toilet apparatus, wherein at least one of the supply flow path and the jet flow path is open to the atmosphere via the atmosphere open path while the flush water flows from the supply flow path toward the jet flow path.

2. the second end of the atmosphere release path is connected to the toilet bowl and has an opening that opens into the toilet bowl; The toilet apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the opening is located above a water surface of the toilet bowl.

3. The toilet device further comprises: a tank communicating with the supply flow path and configured to store the cleaning water; an overflow passage communicating with the toilet bowl from above a predetermined water level when the amount of flush water stored in the tank exceeds a predetermined water amount; The second end is an end of the overflow passage on the toilet bowl side.

3. The toilet apparatus of claim 2.

4. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the cross-sectional area of ​​the atmosphere release path perpendicular to a direction in which the path extends is smaller than an opening area of ​​the jet water outlet.

5. the supply pipe having a first horizontal portion including a horizontal vector component; The toilet apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the supply pipe is connected to an upstream end of the jet flow passage of the toilet body at the first horizontal portion.

6. the atmosphere vent path has a second horizontal portion including a horizontal vector component; The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the atmosphere release path is connected to an upstream end of the jet flow path of the toilet body at the second horizontal portion.

7. 7. The toilet system of claim 6, wherein the second horizontal portion is located above a junction between the supply passage and the jet passage.

8. The toilet apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second horizontal portion of the atmosphere vent path is formed as an integral member with the supply pipe.

9. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the toilet body has an opposing surface in the jet flow passage that faces an opening of the supply pipe located at a downstream end of the supply flow passage with a gap therebetween.

10. The toilet device further comprises: a pump that delivers the cleaning water to the jet flow path; a control device that controls a rotation speed of the pump and switches a flow rate per unit time of the cleaning water delivered to the jet flow path between a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate; Equipped with The jet flow path includes an upstream portion connected to a downstream end of the supply flow path, and a downstream portion extending from the upstream portion to the jet water outlet, a cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream portion is greater than a cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream portion; The upstream portion is connected to the atmosphere release path, The control device includes:

2. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the flushing water is discharged at the first flow rate to release gas in the upstream portion to the atmosphere via the atmospheric open path, and then the flushing water is discharged from the jet water outlet by discharging the flushing water at the second flow rate.

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