Toilet bowl unit

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of determining volume of water supplied from a source per unit time.SOLUTION: A toilet bowl unit may comprise: a toilet bowl body including a toilet bowl; a water discharge passage including a first water discharge port that discharges wash water flowing into the toilet bowl from an upper end of the toilet bowl; a reservoir that reserves the wash water; a pump that boosts the wash water of the reservoir and supply the boosted water to the first water discharge port; and a control unit which obtains, after discharge of the wash water, a first water supply period taken for the wash water to fill the reservoir.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a toilet device comprising a pressure pump that pressurizes water in a storage tank to the toilet body, an upper water level detection means that detects the level of water supplied into the storage tank by a tank water supply source, and a lower water level detection means that detects the level of water in the storage tank when it is supplied from the storage tank to the pressure pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-002075 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The amount of water supplied per unit time from a water source that supplies wash water to a reservoir that stores the wash water varies.

[0005] The present specification provides a technique that can specify the amount of water supplied per unit time from a water source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, a water discharge flow path including a first water discharge port that discharges flush water flowing from an upper end of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl, a reservoir that stores the flush water, a pump that pressurizes the flush water in the reservoir and supplies it to the first water discharge port, and a control unit that, when a predetermined amount of the flush water is discharged from the reservoir, acquires a first water supply period until the predetermined amount of the flush water is supplied to the reservoir. [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 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a discharge unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and the upper rim portion taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the discharge portion of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a discharge portion of the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 shows a flowchart of a water supply amount specification process according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 shows a flowchart of a flush water volume adjustment process according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 shows a flowchart of an air bleeding process according to an embodiment. 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 reservoir 18 (see FIG. 2), a water supply opening / closing valve 19, a water discharge portion 40 (see FIG. 3), a control portion 100, and a seating sensor 90. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the left-right direction at the left-right center of a toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet portion 12 comprises a toilet body 20 and an upper end rim 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 reservoir 18 at the lower end of the toilet body 20. The reservoir 18 stores flushing water for flushing the toilet bowl 22. Water is supplied to the reservoir 18 from a clean water pipe (not shown). The water supply opening / closing valve 19 switches between communication and blocking between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 18. The toilet device 10 is equipped with a flush button (not shown) that is electrically connected to the water discharger 40. When the flush button is operated by a user, a flushing process is executed in which flush water is discharged from the reservoir 18 via the water discharger 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 the toilet lid (not shown) in accordance with the user's actions, a local cleaning function, a hot air drying function, a deodorizing function, etc.

[0010] In the toilet apparatus 10, the flushing process may be performed by operating a lever arranged on the toilet apparatus 10, in addition to operating the flush button. The flush button may be arranged on a remote controller that is electrically connected to the water discharger 40 either wired or wirelessly. Flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 without any operation by the user. For example, when the user is not detected by the sensor, flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22. In the toilet apparatus 10, either of two types of flushing processes, a large flushing process and a small flushing process, is performed according to at least one of the user's operation and settings. For example, the flush button has a plurality of buttons that can select either a large flush or a small flush, and either of the two types of flushing processes, a large flushing process and a small flushing process, is performed according to the button selected by the user.

[0011] The toilet seat 14 is attached to the toilet bowl 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. A seating sensor 90 is disposed on the toilet seat 14. When a user sits on the toilet seat 14, the toilet seat 14 moves downward. The seating sensor 90 detects the up and down movement of the toilet seat 14, thereby detecting the user sitting and leaving the seat. In a modified example, the seating sensor 90 may be a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like, that directly detects the user. Instead of the seating sensor 90, a human presence sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a camera, etc.) that detects the user may also be used.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 14 and the functional part 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 part 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 reservoir 18 is arranged with respect to the toilet body 20 is referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side.

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

[0014] The water collecting section 24 is connected to a drain pipe 36 through a drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 extends upward from the drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 bends downward at a curved position 36a and extends downward. The drain pipe 36 extends to the outside of the toilet bowl section 12.

[0015] An upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 22, going around the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22. The upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet body 20. The upper rim portion 30 protrudes inward from the upper edge 22a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 22. The underside 30a of the upper rim portion 30 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0016] 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 rearward from the rear end of the front surface 23 along both the left and right ends of the water surface WS. The side surface 26 extends in the rear direction to a position lined up with the rear edge of the water surface WS. The rear surface 25 is a region that connects the rear ends of the side surfaces 26 on both the left and right sides along the rear edge WS2 of the water surface WS.

[0017] The front surface 23 has a linear shape 23a that slopes backward, i.e., toward the water surface WS, as it proceeds downward from the upper edge 22a, and a curved shape 23b that curves downward from the lower end of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS. In the "curved shape that curves downward", in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, a line segment representing a surface located between any two points of the curved shape is located below the line connecting the any two points. The linear shape 23a extends in the tangential direction of the curved shape 23b. The boundary between the linear shape 23a and the curved shape 23b is smooth and continuous without any step. The front surface 23 has a curved shape 23b that has a curved shape that curves downward in a cross section perpendicular to the front-back direction at any position in the front-back direction. The front surface 23 is similar in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at any position in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22. The front surface 23 does not have a shape that bulges upward.

[0018] In a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the left-right center of toilet bowl 22, the portion of water collecting section 24 located below front surface 23 has a linear shape that slopes backward as it extends downward.

[0019] The linear shape 23a has a plane that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction at any position in the front-rear direction. The curved shape 23b curves downward from the lower end of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction at any position in the front-rear direction.

[0020] The side surface 26 has different shapes in the front and rear portions in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The front portion of the side surface 26 has a curved shape that continues from the front surface 23 and curves downward. The curved shape extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the side surface 26 has a straight line shape 26a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS, a curved shape 26b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the lower end of the straight line shape 26a and the water surface WS, and a curved shape 26c that curves upward from the lower end of the curved shape 26b to the water surface WS. The curved shape 26c extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. The portion that has the curved shape 26c is the rear portion, and the portion that does not have the curved shape 26c is the front portion. The boundary between the front portion and the rear portion may be the position of the drain outlet 34 in the front-rear direction.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22, the rear surface 25 has a straight line shape 25a that slopes forward, i.e., toward the water surface WS, as it proceeds downward from the upper end edge 22a, a curved shape 25b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom end of the straight line shape 25a and the water surface WF, and a curved shape 25c that curves upward from the bottom end of the curved shape 25b to the water surface WS. The straight line shape 25a may be parallel to the up-down direction. The rear surface 25 is located behind the rear end edge of the opening 14a of the toilet seat 14. This makes it difficult for the user to see the rear surface 25.

[0022] (Configuration of the water outlet) Water discharger 40 discharges flush water in reservoir 18 into toilet bowl 22. In addition, water discharger 40 discharges foam generated by mixing a surfactant and water into toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 3, water discharger 40 includes a pump 42, a connecting pipe 44, a check valve 45, a switching valve device 46, branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, water discharge nozzles 50 and 52, a water discharge opening 54, and a foam discharger 61.

[0023] The pump 42 draws in the wash water in the reservoir 18 and pressurizes it. The pump 42 sends the pressurized wash water to the communicating pipe 44. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with the pump 42. The communicating pipe 44 defines a flow path through which the wash water flows. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with the switching valve device 46 via a check valve 45. The check valve 45 allows the wash water to flow from the pump 42 toward the switching valve device 46. The check valve 45 restricts the wash water from flowing from the switching valve device 46 toward the pump 42. This makes it possible to prevent the wash water from flowing back to the pump 42 via the communicating pipe 44. By arranging the check valve 45 closer to the pump 42 than the switching valve device 46, the number of check valves 45 can be reduced.

[0024] The switching valve device 46 connects the communication pipe 44 to at least one of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The communication pipe 44 and the branch pipes 48a, 48b, and 48c are each made of a resin such as a synthetic resin. The branch pipes 48a and 48b use synthetic rubber in at least one of the connection parts between the pump 42 and the water discharge nozzles 50 and 52 to improve liquid tightness. The branch pipe 48d has an upstream portion 48e extending from the pump 42 made of the same resin as the branch pipe 48a. Meanwhile, downstream of the upstream portion 48e of the branch pipe 48d, a downstream portion 48f disposed in the toilet body 20 is disposed. The downstream portion 48f is made of ceramic.

[0025] A water discharge nozzle 50 is connected to the branch pipe 48a. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48a via the switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50 into the toilet bowl 22. A spreader 60 of the foam discharge section 61 is connected to the branch pipe 48b. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48b via the switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from the spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. A water discharge nozzle 52 is connected to the branch pipe 48c. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48c via the switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 52 into the toilet bowl 22. A water discharge opening 54 is connected to the branch pipe 48d. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48d via the switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from the water discharge opening 54 into the toilet bowl 22.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The water discharge nozzle 50 is arranged near the upper end of the toilet bowl 22. The water discharge nozzle 50 has an opening 50a that is long in the up-down direction. The water discharge nozzle 52 is arranged symmetrically with the water discharge nozzle 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the water discharge opening 54 opens into the water storage section 24. The water discharge opening 54 opens from the front side toward the drain outlet 34 on the back side. When flush water is discharged from the water discharge opening 54, the flush water from the water discharge opening 54 is discharged toward the drain outlet 34. The flush water from the water storage section 24 is drained into the drain pipe 36 together with the flush water from the water discharge opening 54. The waste in the water storage section 24 and objects floating in the water in the water storage section 24 are also discharged from the drain pipe 36 to the outside of the toilet body 20.

[0027] Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22 along the upper rim portion 30. The flow path of flush water defined by the water discharge nozzle 50 from the branch pipe 48a is called the first rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzle 52 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22 along the upper rim portion 30. The flow path of flush water defined by the water discharge nozzle 52 from the branch pipe 48c is called the second rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 flows downward from near the upper end. Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 flows over a wide area of ​​the toilet bowl 22 from the upper end to the bottom. Flush water discharged from the spreader 60 collides with the spreader 60 from the branch pipe 48b, spreads out in the up, down, left and right directions, and is discharged into the toilet bowl 22. The flow path of flush water defined by the spreader 60 from the branch pipe 48b is called the spreader flow path. The flush water discharged from the water discharge opening 54 functions as a so-called jet water discharge that drains dirt and the like from the water pooling section 24. The flush water flow path defined by the water discharge opening 54 from the branch pipe 48d is called a jet flow path.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the foam discharge unit 61 includes a foam valve 62, an ejector 64, supply pipes 65 and 66, a spreader 60, and a storage reservoir 68. The ejector 64 communicates with the check valve 45 via the supply pipe 65. A foam valve 62 is disposed in the supply pipe 65. The foam valve 62 switches between a state in which the check valve 45 and the ejector 64 communicate with each other via the supply pipe 65, and a state in which the supply pipe 65 is blocked to block the check valve 45 and the ejector 64. The supply pipes 65 and 66 are made of the same resin as the communication pipe 44.

[0029] A storage reservoir 68 is connected to the ejector 64. A surfactant such as detergent is stored in the storage reservoir 68. A communication pipe 68a extending from the storage reservoir 68 communicates with the ejector 64. An air pipe 69 (see FIG. 6) communicates with the ejector 64. The air pipe 69 communicates with the atmosphere. The ejector 64 generates negative pressure in the ejector 64 by reducing the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the flushing water supplied from the supply pipe 65. The negative pressure generated in the ejector 64 draws the surfactant and air into the ejector 64. As a result, the flushing water, the surfactant, and the air are mixed, and foam is generated. A supply pipe 66 that communicates the ejector 64 with the spreader 60 is connected to the downstream side of the ejector 64. The foam generated in the ejector 64 passes through the supply pipe 66 and is discharged from the spreader 60 to the toilet bowl 22. The supply pipe 66 merges with the branch pipe 48b downstream of the ejector 64. A check valve is disposed at the downstream end of the ejector 64 to prevent wash water from flowing back from the branch pipe 48b to the ejector 64. The supply pipe 66 downstream from the position where the branch pipe 48b merges defines a spreader flow path.

[0030] Figures 5 and 6 show the configuration of each part of the water discharger 40. All parts of the water discharger 40, except for the branch pipe 48d and the water discharge opening 54, are housed in the toilet body 20 at the rear side of the toilet bowl 22. In the toilet body 20, each part of the water discharger 40 is housed in a small space. In each of Figures 5 and 6, some of the configuration has been simplified to prioritize ease of viewing.

[0031] The spreader 60 is attached to the rear surface 25 at the rear side of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 is inserted into a through hole penetrating the toilet body 20 and fixed to the toilet body 20. The spreader 60 protrudes from the rear surface 25 to the inside of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 has one or more outlets in each of the up, down, left and right directions. The flush water and foam flowing into the spreader 60 from the supply pipe 66 collide with the front part of the spreader 60 and spread in the up, down and left and right directions. The collided flush water and foam are discharged from the multiple outlets of the spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. This allows the flush water and foam discharged from the spreader 60 to be discharged from the multiple outlets in multiple directions, upward, downward, left and right. This makes it easier to spread the flush water and foam over the surface of the toilet bowl 22.

[0032] The reservoir 18 extends to the right side of the toilet body 20, close to the upper end of the toilet body 20. A water level sensor 18a is disposed at the upper end of the reservoir 18. The water level sensor 18a is equipped with a float that rises above the water surface when the water level in the reservoir 18 reaches a predetermined position, and a sensor unit that detects whether the float is floating or not. A water supply opening / closing valve 19 is disposed at the upper end of the reservoir 18. The water supply opening / closing valve 19 switches between communication and cut-off between the reservoir 18 and the clean water pipe.

[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 water level sensor 18a, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 18a, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, 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 water level sensor 18a, the water supply opening / closing valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the function unit 16, and the seating sensor 90 by the CPU executing processing according to a computer program previously stored in the memory.

[0035] When flush water should be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 due to a user operation or the like, the control unit 100 controls the pump 42 and the switching valve device 46 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 22 from the water discharge nozzles 50, 52, the spreader 60 and the water discharge opening 54. Waste within the toilet bowl 22 is discharged to the outside of the toilet body 20 by the flush water. In addition to flushing the toilet bowl 22 with flush water, the control unit 100 also cleans the toilet bowl 22 with foam.

[0036] (Specific water supply treatment) As shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 100 executes a water supply amount specification process. In the water supply amount specification process, the control unit 100 specifies the amount of water supply per unit time supplied from the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18 (hereinafter simply referred to as "water supply amount"). The water supply amount differs depending on the installation location of the toilet apparatus 10, its positional relationship with other surrounding toilet apparatuses, the environment, etc. The water supply amount specification process specifies the amount of water actually supplied from the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18.

[0037] In the water supply amount determination process, in S12, the control unit 100 determines that the power of the toilet apparatus 10 has been switched on. When power is supplied to the control unit 100, the control unit 100 determines that the power of the toilet apparatus 10 has been switched on. In S14, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 at a measurement rotation speed. The control unit 100 adjusts the current value of the pump 42 to adjust the rotation speed of the pump 42. The measurement rotation speed is stored in the control unit 100 in advance.

[0038] In S16, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the pump 42 and the branch pipe 48a are in communication. The flush water flow path is switched to the first rim flow path. In S18, the control unit 100 determines that a predetermined amount of water has passed through the first rim flow path and is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50. Specifically, the control unit 100 monitors whether a predetermined period of time has passed since switching to the first rim flow path in S16. When the predetermined period of time has passed, it determines that the predetermined amount of water has been discharged (YES in S18) and proceeds to S20.

[0039] The first rim flow path is defined by the resin branch pipe 48a and the water discharge nozzle 50, passing through the resin communication pipe 44 from the pump 42. The first rim flow path is manufactured with little dimensional variation during manufacturing and with good dimensional accuracy. Therefore, when the pump 42 is operated for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined rotation speed, a predetermined amount of flush water can be discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50. In the branch pipe 48d, the downstream portion 48f is made of ceramic. The dimensional variation during manufacturing of ceramic is greater than the variation of resin. The resistance received by the flush water varies due to the dimensional variation of the downstream portion 48f. Therefore, even if the pump 42 is operated for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined rotation speed, the amount of flush water discharged will not be the expected amount.

[0040] In S20, the control unit 100 stops the pump 42. In S22, the control unit 100 closes the switching valve device 46. The pump 42 is not connected to any of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. In a modified example, the process of S20 and the process of S22 may be performed in reverse order or simultaneously. In S24, the control unit 100 starts supplying water to the reservoir 18. Specifically, the control unit 100 opens the water supply opening / closing valve 19 to connect the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18. This causes water to be supplied from the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18.

[0041] In S26, the control unit 100 uses a timer built in the control unit 100 to measure the water supply period from when water supply to the reservoir 18 was started in S24. In S28, the control unit 100 judges whether or not a predetermined amount of water has been supplied. Specifically, the control unit 100 monitors whether a signal indicating that the float has floated is acquired from the water level sensor 18a. If a signal indicating that the float has floated is acquired from the water level sensor 18a, it is judged that a predetermined amount of water has been supplied (YES in S28), and the process proceeds to S29. In S29, the control unit 100 closes the water supply opening / closing valve 19 to cut off the connection between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 18, thereby stopping the supply of water to the reservoir 18. In S30, the control unit 100 stops the measurement of the water supply period started in S26. In S32, the control unit 100 specifies the amount of water to be supplied, and ends the water supply amount specification process. Specifically, the amount of water to be supplied per unit time is calculated by dividing the predetermined amount of water by the water supply period measured in steps S26 to S30.

[0042] (Washing water volume adjustment process) When the water supply volume specification process is completed, a flush water volume adjustment process is executed. The flush water volume adjustment process may be executed periodically or irregularly. In the flush water volume adjustment process, the volume of flush water in the large flush process is adjusted. In a modified example, the toilet apparatus 10 may not distinguish between large flush processes and small flush processes, and may be capable of executing only one type of flush process. In this case, the flush water volume adjustment process may adjust the volume of flush water for the flush processes that can be executed. In a modified example, the toilet apparatus 10 may be capable of executing three or more types of flush processes, each with a different volume of flush water. In this case, the flush water volume adjustment process may adjust the volume of flush water for the flush process that uses the most flush water.

[0043] In the flush water volume adjustment process, the large-flush process is carried out from S42 to S44 and from S48 to S60. In S42, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 at a predetermined rotation speed. In S44, the control unit 100 starts supplying water to the reservoir 18 by opening the water supply on-off valve 19. In S46, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the pump 42 and the branch pipe 48c are in communication. The flush water flow path is switched to the second rim flow path. The flush water passes through the second rim flow path and is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 52. In S48, the control unit 100 measures the water supply period in the same way as in S26.

[0044] In S50, when flush water is discharged from the second rim flow path for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the pump 42 and the branch pipe 48b communicate with each other. The flush water flow path is switched to the spreader flow path. The flush water passes through the spreader flow path and is discharged from the spreader 60. In S51, when flush water is discharged from the spreader flow path for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 to the first rim flow path, as in S16. The flush water passes through the first rim flow path and is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50. In S52, when flush water is discharged from the first rim flow path for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the pump 42 and the branch pipe 48d communicate with each other. The flush water flow path is switched to the jet flow path. The flush water passes through the jet flow path and is discharged from the water discharge opening 54.

[0045] In S53, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 to the first rim flow path when wash water has been discharged from the jet flow path for a predetermined jet water spouting period, as in S51. The wash water passes through the first rim flow path and is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50. In S54, the control unit 100 stops the pump 42 when wash water has been discharged from the first rim flow path for a predetermined period. In S53, a condensing operation is performed to store wash water in the water storage section 24. In a modified example, the condensing operation may discharge wash water from at least one of the jet flow path, the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, and the spreader flow path. In S56, the control unit 100 closes the switching valve device 46. The pump 42 is not connected to any of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. In a modified example, the processing of S54 and the processing of S56 may be performed in reverse order or simultaneously.

[0046] The control unit 100 may change the rotation speed of the pump 42, i.e., the current value of the pump 42, each time the flow path is switched between the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, the spreader flow path, and the jet flow path. For example, the pump 42 may be operated at a first rotation speed in the case of the first rim flow path and the second rim flow path, at a second rotation speed that is equal to or greater than the first rotation speed in the case of the spreader flow path, and at a third rotation speed that is higher than the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed in the case of the jet flow path. In the case of the jet flow path, the rotation speed may be lowered from the third rotation speed to a fourth rotation speed midway. In a situation where flush water is discharged from the jet flow path, waste matter and the like accumulated in the toilet bowl 22 is discharged into the drain pipe 36, and then a condensation process is performed to accumulate water in the toilet bowl 22.

[0047] Between S44 and S56, water is discharged from the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, the spreader flow path, and the jet flow path, while being supplied from the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18. This means that the entire amount of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl 22 during the large flush process does not have to be stored in the reservoir 18. The dimensions of the reservoir 18 can be reduced.

[0048] In S58, the control unit 100 monitors whether the reservoir 18 is full. Specifically, similar to S28, when the control unit 100 receives a signal from the water level sensor 18a indicating that the float has floated, it determines that a predetermined amount of water has been supplied (YES in S58), and proceeds to S60.

[0049] In S60, the control unit 100 closes the water supply on-off valve 19 to cut off the connection between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 18, thereby stopping the supply of water to the reservoir 18. In S62, the control unit 100 stops measuring the water supply period that was started in S46. In S64, the control unit 100 specifies the amount of flush water discharged into the toilet bowl 22 in the large-flush process. Specifically, the control unit 100 calculates the amount of flush water supplied to the reservoir 18 in the large-flush process by multiplying the water supply period measured in S46 to S62 by the amount of water supply specified in S32. The amount of flush water supplied to the reservoir 18 in the large-flush process matches the amount of flush water discharged into the toilet bowl 22 in the large-flush process. In S64, the amount of flush water discharged into the toilet bowl 22 in the large-flush process is calculated.

[0050] In S66, the control unit 100 adjusts the amount of flush water discharged into the toilet bowl 22 in the large flush process. Specifically, the control unit 100 adjusts the amount of flush water by changing the jet water spouting period. For example, if the amount of flush water specified in S64 is below the range of the intended amount of flush water, the jet water spouting period is lengthened by a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second) to increase the amount of water spouted in the jet flow path. For example, if the amount of flush water specified in S64 is above the range of the intended amount of flush water, the jet water spouting period is shortened by a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second) to reduce the amount of water spouted in the jet flow path. In the large flush process, variations in the amount of water spout occur due to variations in the dimensions of the jet flow path. In S66, the amount of flush water in the large flush process can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of water spouted from the jet flow path with large variations. The flush water amount adjustment process can adjust the amount of flush water to within the range of the intended amount of flush water. In a modified example, if the amount of flush water is adjusted in S66, the flush water amount adjustment process may be executed again.

[0051] In S66, the control unit 100 may adjust the period of the condensation process. In a modified example, the control unit 100 may adjust the purified water amount by adjusting at least one of the rotation speed of the pump 42 and the discharge period of flush water from at least one of the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, and the spreader flow path, together with the jet water discharge period. In a modified example, the control unit 100 may adjust the purified water amount by adjusting at least one of the rotation speed of the pump 42 and the discharge period of flush water from at least one of the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, and the spreader flow path, instead of the jet water discharge period.

[0052] (Air removal process) The air bleeding process executed by the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the air bleeding process while power is being supplied to the toilet device 10. In S72, the control unit 100 judges whether the air bleeding start condition is met. Specifically, the control unit 100 judges that the air bleeding start condition is met when the power of the toilet device 10 is switched on, as in S12 (YES in S72). There is a high possibility that a large amount of air is present in the water discharge unit 40 immediately after the power is turned on. The control unit 100 further judges that the air bleeding start condition is met (YES in S72) when flush water is not normally supplied from the reservoir 18 to the toilet bowl 22 in the flushing process, that is, when the load (i.e., the current value) of the pump 42 is smaller than a predetermined value. When the load (i.e., the current value) of the pump 42 is smaller than a predetermined value, there is a high possibility that air has entered the pump 42, preventing the pump 42 from properly delivering flush water. The control unit 100 further determines that the air bleeding start condition is met when flush water is not normally supplied from the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18 (YES in S72).

[0053] Specifically, if a signal indicating that the float has floated is not acquired from the water level sensor 18a even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the water supply opening / closing valve 19 was opened, that is, if it is not determined that a predetermined amount of water has been supplied (see S28), the control unit 100 determines that the air bleeding start condition has been met (YES in S72). In this case, there is a possibility that water is not being supplied normally from the clean water pipe to the reservoir 18. In this case, there is a possibility that air has entered the pump 42 by operating the pump 42 when there is not enough flush water stored in the reservoir 18. After the occurrence of an incident in which there is a possibility that air has entered the pump 42, the air bleeding process can be executed.

[0054] If the answer is YES in S72, in S74, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 at a higher speed than in the cleaning process. This allows the pump 42 to suck in and send out cleaning water from the reservoir 18 even if air is present. This allows the air in the pump 42 and the air in the water discharge unit 40 to be forcibly discharged.

[0055] (Correspondence) The water discharge nozzle 50 is an example of a "first water discharge port", and the water discharge opening 54 is an example of a "second water discharge port". The water supply period measured in S26 to S30 is an example of a "first water supply period". Resin is an example of a "specific material", the first rim flow path is an example of a "first flush water flow path", and the jet flow path is an example of a "second flush water flow path". The water supply amount specified in S32 is an example of a "first water supply amount". The large flush process is an example of a "predetermined flush condition", and the period during which flush water is discharged in S43 to S54 is an example of a "predetermined flush period". The amount of water stored in the reservoir 18 when the water level sensor 18a detects the water level in S58 is an example of a "specific water storage amount". The water supply period measured in S46 to S62 is an example of a "second water supply period". The flush water amount specified in S64 is an example of a "specific flush water amount".

[0056] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0057] The first aspect is a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, a water discharge flow path including a first water discharge port that discharges flush water flowing from an upper end of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl, a reservoir that stores the flush water, a pump that pressurizes the flush water in the reservoir and supplies it to the first water discharge port, and a control unit that, when a predetermined amount of the flush water is discharged from the reservoir, acquires a first water supply period until the predetermined amount of the flush water is supplied to the reservoir.

[0058] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the toilet body is made of ceramic, and the water discharge flow path may include a first flush water flow path between the reservoir and the first water discharge port, the first flush water flow path being made of a specific material other than the ceramic.

[0059] In a third aspect, in the second aspect, the specific material may be a material that has smaller dimensional variation due to manufacturing than the pottery.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit may use the specified water volume and the first water supply period to determine a first water supply volume to be supplied to the reservoir per unit time.

[0061] A fifth aspect is, in the above fourth aspect, wherein the water discharge flow path comprises a second water discharge outlet different from the first water discharge outlet, and a second flushing water flow path that connects the reservoir and the second water discharge outlet and is at least partially defined by ceramic, and when a specific water storage amount is stored in the reservoir and the flushing water is supplied from the reservoir to the toilet bowl for a specific flushing period through at least a part of the water discharge flow path including the second flushing water flow path according to specific flushing conditions including a specific flushing period, the control unit may obtain a second water supply period in which the flushing water is supplied to the reservoir until the specific water storage amount is stored in the reservoir, and may use the first water supply amount and the second water supply period to determine the specific flushing water amount to be supplied to the toilet bowl under the specific flushing conditions.

[0062] In a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the control unit may use the specific flush water volume to adjust the specified flush period so that the volume of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl in accordance with the specified flush conditions falls within a predetermined range of flush water volumes.

[0063] In a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects above, the control unit may supply a greater amount of flushing water per unit time to the toilet bowl in accordance with the specified flushing conditions than a first water supply amount supplied to the reservoir per unit time.

[0064] In an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the control unit may obtain the first water supply period when the toilet apparatus is powered on.

[0065] In a ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the control unit may cause the pump to execute an air bleeding process to discharge gas introduced into the pump when a predetermined air bleeding start condition is satisfied.

[0066] In a tenth aspect, in the above ninth aspect, the control unit may operate the pump in the air removal process at a higher rotation speed than in a toilet bowl flushing process in which the flush water is supplied from the reservoir to the toilet bowl.

[0067] In an eleventh aspect, in any one of the ninth to tenth aspects above, the specified air bleeding start condition may include at least one of a case where the flush water is not normally supplied to the reservoir in a toilet bowl flushing process in which the flush water is supplied from the reservoir to the toilet bowl, and a case where power is turned on to the toilet device.

[0068] 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.

[0069] (1) The branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d may be made of a material having high dimensional accuracy other than resin, such as a metal.

[0070] (2) In addition to the above-described embodiment, the water supply amount specification process, flush water amount adjustment process, and air bleeding process may be performed periodically, such as once a week or once a day. Each of the above processes may also be performed irregularly, such as in response to a user instruction.

[0071] (3) In the water supply amount specification process, flush water may be discharged from at least one of the second rim flow path and the spreader flow path instead of the first rim flow path. In this case, at least one of the water discharge nozzle 52 and the spreader 60 is an example of a "first water discharge port."

[0072] (4) The water outlets arranged in the water outlet section 40 are not limited to the four water outlets of the water outlet nozzles 50, 52, the water outlet opening 54, and the spreader 60, but may include two or more water outlets including the water outlet opening 54. In this case, one or more water outlets other than the water outlet opening 54 may discharge wash water from a flow path with higher dimensional accuracy than ceramic. In the water supply specification process, wash water may be discharged from any of the one or more water outlets other than the water outlet opening 54.

[0073] (5) In the wash water volume adjustment process, instead of the large wash process, the volume of wash water may be adjusted by discharging wash water from the jet flow path under predetermined conditions (for example, for several seconds at the third rotation speed).

[0074] (6) In a modified example, the control unit 100 may determine that the air bleeding start condition is met when the first flushing process should be executed after the water draining operation of the toilet apparatus 10 (YES in S72). The control unit 100 may perform the water draining operation to discharge flushing water remaining in the toilet apparatus 10 other than the toilet body 20 to the outside. The water draining operation may be executed periodically or irregularly, such as at the command of the user. After the water draining operation, air may have entered the pump 42. In this modified example, the air bleeding process can be executed after the occurrence of an incident in which air may have entered the pump 42.

[0075] 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]

[0076] 10: toilet device, 18: reservoir, 20: toilet body, 22: toilet bowl, 24: water storage section, 30: upper end rim section, 40: water discharge section, 42: pump, 44: connecting pipe, 45: check valve, 46: switching valve device, 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d: branch pipes, 50, 52: water discharge nozzle, 54: water discharge opening, 60: spreader

Claims

1. A toilet body having a toilet bowl; a water discharge flow path including a first water discharge port that discharges flush water flowing from an upper end portion of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl; a reservoir for storing the cleaning water; A pump that pressurizes the flush water in the reservoir and supplies it to the first water outlet; A toilet device comprising: a control unit that, when a predetermined amount of flush water is discharged from the reservoir, acquires a first water supply period until the predetermined amount of flush water is supplied to the reservoir.

2. The toilet body is made of ceramic, The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge flow path includes a first flush water flow path between the reservoir and the first water outlet, the first flush water flow path being made of a specific material different from the ceramic.

3. The toilet apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the specific material is a material that has smaller dimensional variation due to manufacturing than the ceramic.

4. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines a first water supply amount to be supplied to the reservoir per unit time using the predetermined water amount and the first water supply period.

5. The water discharge flow path is A second water outlet different from the first water outlet; a second flush water flow path that communicates with the reservoir and the second water outlet and is at least partially defined by ceramic; The control unit is when a specific water amount is stored in the reservoir and the flush water is supplied from the reservoir to the toilet bowl through at least a part of the water discharge flow path including the second flush water flow path for a specific flush period in accordance with specific flush conditions including a specific flush period, a second water supply period is obtained in which the flush water is supplied to the reservoir until the specific water amount is stored in the reservoir; The toilet apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first water supply amount and the second water supply period are used to determine a specific flush water amount to be supplied to the toilet bowl under the predetermined flush condition.

6. The toilet apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit uses the specific flush water volume to adjust the specified flush period so that the amount of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl in accordance with the specified flush conditions falls within a predetermined range of flush water volumes.

7. 4. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit supplies a larger amount of flush water per unit time to the toilet bowl in accordance with the specified flushing conditions than a first water supply amount supplied to the reservoir per unit time.

8. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit obtains the first water supply period when power is supplied to the control unit.

9. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the pump to execute an air bleeding process for discharging gas introduced into the pump when a predetermined air bleeding start condition is satisfied.

10. The toilet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit operates the pump at a higher rotation speed in the air removal process than in a toilet bowl flushing process in which the flush water is supplied from the reservoir to the toilet bowl.

11. The toilet device according to claim 9, wherein the specified air bleeding start condition includes at least one of a case where the flush water is not normally supplied to the reservoir during a toilet bowl flushing process in which the flush water is supplied from the reservoir to the toilet bowl, and a case where power is turned on to the toilet device.

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