Washing water tank device

Abstract

To provide a washing water tank device capable of reducing the risk of wetting an electrical system with water while generating power by a power generator in a water storage tank.SOLUTION: A washing water tank device (1) has: a water storage tank (18) that is formed with a drain port; a power generator (44) that generates electric power by water flow of supplied tap water; a drainage valve (38) that opens and closes the drain port of the water storage tank; a drainage valve water pressure drive part (40) that drives the drainage valve based on water supply pressure of the supplied washing water; an electromagnetic valve (26) that is actuated by electric power generated by the power generator; and a vacuum breaker (32) that is disposed on a water supply channel between the electromagnetic valve and the drainage valve water pressure drive part. The power generator and the vacuum breaker are disposed on one side in a right-left direction of the water storage tank with respect to the drainage valve water pressure drive part. The power generator is disposed at a position farther from the drainage valve water pressure drive part than the vacuum breaker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flush water tank apparatus, and more particularly to a flush water tank apparatus that supplies flush water to a flush toilet bowl using electricity that it generates itself. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2021-25285 A (Patent Document 1) describes a flush water tank device. In this flush water tank device, a generator is placed in the water storage tank, and electricity is generated by the flow of flush water supplied. Then, a solenoid valve is operated by the electricity generated by this generator, and based on this, the drain valve of the water storage tank is opened by the drain valve hydraulic drive unit to flush the flush toilet. In this way, in the flush water tank device described in Patent Document 1, the solenoid valve is operated by the electricity generated by the generator, thereby performing toilet flushing. For this reason, it is possible to install a flush toilet that performs toilet flushing electrically even in a toilet room where a power source cannot be secured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-25285 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the flush water tank apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a generator is attached between the vacuum breaker that prevents backflow of flush water to the solenoid valve and the drain valve hydraulic drive unit that drives the drain valve, which presents the problem that it is difficult to centralize the electrical system within the water storage tank. In other words, in the flush water tank apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the generator that generates electricity and the electrical system, such as the solenoid valve that consumes electricity, cannot be centralized and arranged, and the electric wires for transmitting electricity become long. As a result, there is a problem that the risk of electric wires, etc. routed inside the water storage tank becoming wet increases.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to configure a flush water tank apparatus that can generate electricity using a generator inside the water tank while reducing the risk of the electrical system becoming wet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a flush water tank device that supplies flush water to a flush toilet using electricity that it generates itself, comprising a water storage tank that stores flush water to be supplied to the flush toilet and is formed with a drain port for discharging the stored flush water into the flush toilet, a generator that is placed inside the water storage tank and generates electricity from the flow of tap water that is supplied, a drain valve that opens and closes the drain port of the water storage tank to start and stop the supply of flush water to the flush toilet, and a generator that opens and closes the drain valve based on the water supply pressure of the supplied flush water. The system has a drain valve hydraulic drive unit that drives the drain valve hydraulic drive unit, a solenoid valve that is operated by electricity generated by a generator and controls the supply and stop of cleaning water to the drain valve hydraulic drive unit, and a vacuum breaker that is provided in the water supply line between the solenoid valve and the drain valve hydraulic drive unit and prevents backflow from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit, and is characterized in that the generator and vacuum breaker are positioned on one side of the water storage tank in the left-right direction relative to the drain valve hydraulic drive unit, and the generator is positioned farther from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit than the vacuum breaker.

[0007] According to the present invention configured in this way, the solenoid valve that starts and stops the supply of flush water to the drain valve hydraulic drive unit is operated by the power of the generator that generates electricity from the flow of the supplied flush water, so it is possible to install the flush water tank device in a toilet room where a power source cannot be secured. Also, according to the present invention configured as described above, the generator and vacuum breaker are arranged on one side of the water storage tank in the left-right direction with respect to the drain valve hydraulic drive unit, and the generator is arranged in a position farther from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit than the vacuum breaker. As a result, it is possible to arrange the generator away from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit and the vacuum breaker and to arrange it near the solenoid valve that consumes power, and it is possible to arrange the electrical system in a centralized manner. This reduces the risk of water being received by power transmission lines and the like arranged in the water storage tank.

[0008] In the present invention, the water tank preferably has a partition wall that separates the interior into a water storage section in which flushing water is stored and a non-water storage section in which flushing water is not stored, and the solenoid valve is arranged on the non-water storage section side.

[0009] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the solenoid valve is positioned on the non-water storage side where cleaning water is not stored, thereby reducing the risk of the solenoid valve becoming wet and lowering the probability of the solenoid valve failing.

[0010] In the present invention, the vacuum breaker is preferably disposed on the side of the water storage portion in the water storage tank.

[0011] If a backflow occurs from the downstream side toward the vacuum breaker, the backflowing flush water will flow out from the vacuum breaker. According to the present invention configured as described above, since the vacuum breaker is disposed on the side of the water storage section in the water storage tank, flush water flowing out from the vacuum breaker will fall into the water storage section of the water storage tank. This makes it possible to reliably prevent backflowing flush water from entering the non-water storage section of the water storage tank, further reducing the risk of water damage to electrical systems such as solenoid valves.

[0012] In the present invention, the generator is preferably disposed on the side of the water storage portion in the water storage tank.

[0013] A relatively large flow rate of flush water is supplied to the generator that generates electricity, and the flush water used for power generation flows out from the generator. According to the present invention configured as described above, since the generator is arranged on the side of the water storage section in the water storage tank, the large flow rate of flush water flowing out from the generator can be reliably made to flow into the water storage section of the water storage tank, reducing the risk of water getting on electrical systems such as solenoid valves arranged in non-water storage sections. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the flush water tank apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to generate electricity using a generator within the water storage tank while reducing the risk of the electrical system becoming wet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a flush toilet equipped with a flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a flush water supply system of a flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a flush water tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a tank water supply solenoid valve provided in a flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a top view showing the arrangement of each component provided in a flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Next, a flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a flush toilet equipped with a flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a flush water supply system provided by the flush water tank apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the flush water tank apparatus 1 is disposed at the rear of the flush toilet 2. In this embodiment, the flush toilet 2 is a siphon jet type flush toilet, and is composed of a ceramic flush toilet body.

[0018] The flush toilet 2 is formed with a bowl portion 6 for receiving waste, a drain trap pipe 8 provided at the bottom of the bowl portion 6 for discharging waste by siphon action, a rim water outlet 10 for rim water spouting, a rim water conduit 12 for guiding flushing water to the rim water outlet, a jet water outlet 14 for jet water spouting, and a jet water conduit 16 for guiding flushing water to the jet water outlet 14.

[0019] The bowl portion 6 has a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface and a rim portion formed along the upper edge portion of the bowl portion 6. In addition, the lower portion of the bowl portion 6 is connected to a drain trap pipe 8. The drain trap pipe 8 includes an ascending pipe and a descending pipe extending downward from the ascending pipe. The lower end of the descending pipe of the drain trap pipe 8 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown) via a drain socket (not shown).

[0020] The rim water outlet 10 spouts flush water forward, and this flush water swirls as it flows down onto the waste receiving surface of the bowl portion 6. The rim water conduit 12 is a flow path that supplies flush water to the rim water outlet 10, and flush water is supplied to the rim water conduit 12 from the water mains via the flush water tank device 1, and the flush water is discharged from the rim water outlet 10 due to the water supply pressure of the water mains.

[0021] Jet water outlet 14 is formed in the bottom of bowl portion 6 and is disposed so as to face the inlet of drain trap pipe 8. Jet water outlet 14 ejects flush water toward the inlet of drain trap pipe 8, and this flush water flows into drain trap pipe 8, activating the siphon effect.

[0022] The jet water conduit 16 is a flow path extending forward from the flush water tank device 1, and flush water is supplied to the jet water conduit 16 from the water storage tank 18 of the flush water tank device 1, and the flush water is discharged from the jet water outlet 14 due to the head pressure of the flush water.

[0023] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a flush water tank apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the flush water tank device 1 comprises a water supply unit 20 which starts and stops the supply of flush water from the water supply, a water storage tank 18 which stores the flush water supplied via the water supply unit 20, and a drainage unit 22 which discharges the flush water stored in the water storage tank 18 into the flush toilet 2.

[0024] In this embodiment, the water supply unit 20 is equipped with a constant flow valve 24, a tank water supply solenoid valve 26 which is a solenoid valve, a rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, a float switch 30 which is a water level detection unit that detects the water level in the water storage tank 18, a vacuum breaker 32 provided downstream of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, and a controller 34 which is a water supply control device that controls the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28.

[0025] Incidentally, flushing water is supplied to the water supply unit 20 from water pipes 36a via a stop valve 36. The stop valve 36 is configured to stop the water supplied from the water pipes 36a during maintenance or the like, and tap water that passes through the stop valve 36 flows into the water supply unit 20 as flushing water. Therefore, during normal use, the stop valve 36 is used in the "open" state.

[0026] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the drainage unit 22 is built into the water storage tank 18 and includes a drainage valve 38 that opens and closes the drain outlet 18a of the water storage tank 18, a drainage valve water pressure drive unit 40 that drives the drainage valve 38 based on the water supply pressure of the supplied cleaning water, and an overflow pipe 42. Furthermore, the water tank 18 includes a generator 44 that generates electricity from the flow of flush water flowing out from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 .

[0027] In this embodiment, the water storage tank 18 is a small resin tank that stores approximately 2 liters of flush water, and the flush water tank device 1 is a low silhouette type. Also, in this embodiment, the flush water in the water storage tank 18 is of a gravity-fed type, passing through the drain outlet 18a and being discharged from the jet water outlet 14 by gravity.

[0028] The constant flow valve 24 is provided downstream of the stopcock 36 and is configured to regulate the water supplied from the waterworks to a predetermined flow rate and allow it to flow out. The water flowing out of the constant flow valve 24 branches and flows into the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, respectively.

[0029] The tank water supply solenoid valve 26 is opened and closed based on the user's flushing operation, and flush water flowing out from the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 passes through the vacuum breaker 32, the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40, and the generator 44, flows into the water storage tank 18, and is stored therein. The detailed configuration of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 will be described later.

[0030] The rim water spouting solenoid valve 28 is opened and closed based on the user's flushing operation, and flush water flowing out from the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28 is discharged from the rim water outlet 10 of the flush toilet 2 via the rim water conduit 12. A diaphragm valve (not shown) is built into the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28, and the supply of flush water is started and stopped by opening and closing this diaphragm valve. A vacuum breaker (not shown) can also be provided in the flow path between the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28 and the rim water conduit 12.

[0031] The float switch 30 is configured to detect the level of flush water in the water storage tank 18, and is a water level detection unit configured to detect when the water level in the water storage tank 18 has reached a predetermined storage water level and send a detection signal to the controller 34. That is, the float switch 30 is equipped with a float that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level in the water storage tank 18, and is configured to output a detection signal when this float rises to a predetermined height or higher. Note that, in addition to the float switch 30, a float mechanism that mechanically detects the movement of a float, a water level sensor that electrically detects the water level, etc. can also be used as the water level detection unit.

[0032] The vacuum breaker 32 is positioned above a predetermined stored water level inside the water storage tank 18, and is provided in the water supply passage 26a (FIG. 3) that supplies flush water from the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 to the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40. As a result, when negative pressure occurs on the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 side, air is sucked in from the vacuum breaker 32, preventing backflow of flush water from the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40 side to the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 side. Also, when flush water flows back from the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40 side, the backflowing flush water flows out of the vacuum breaker 32 and flows into the water storage tank 18.

[0033] The controller 34 is configured to receive control signals from a remote control 34a operated by the user and control the opening and closing of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28. It is also possible to provide a human presence sensor 34b (FIG. 3) on the toilet seat (not shown) of the flush toilet 2, and configure the controller 34 to receive control signals from the human presence sensor 34b and control the opening and closing of each solenoid valve. The controller 34 is also configured to control the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 based on a detection signal from the float switch 30.

[0034] In this embodiment, a circuit board and a capacitor (not shown) are built into the controller 34. A rectifier circuit that converts AC power from the generator 44 to DC is provided on this circuit board, and the capacitor is charged with the DC current from the rectifier circuit, and the solenoid valve control circuit and each solenoid valve provided on the circuit board are operated by the power from the capacitor.

[0035] Drain valve 38 is provided on the bottom surface of water storage tank 18, and opens based on the user's flushing operation, causing flush water stored in water storage tank 18 to be discharged from jet spout 14 via jet water conduit 16. As will be described later, drain valve 38 is configured to be raised and opened by a drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 provided above. When the toilet is flushed, flush water is supplied to drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 from tank water supply solenoid valve 26, and drain valve 38 is configured to be raised at a predetermined timing.

[0036] Next, with additional reference to Figs. 3 to 5, the configuration of a flush water tank apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of a flush water tank apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of a tank water supply solenoid valve 26 provided in the flush water tank apparatus 1. Fig. 5 is a top view showing the arrangement of each of the components provided in the flush water tank apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Fig. 3, the arrangement has been changed to make it easier to understand the connections of each of the components provided in the flush water tank apparatus 1.

[0037] First, as shown in Figure 3, the interior of the water storage tank 18 is separated by a partition wall 18b into a water storage section 18c and a non-water storage section 18d. Flush water supplied to the water storage tank 18 via the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 is stored in this water storage section 18c. On the other hand, non-water storage section 18d mainly houses components that are electrically operated, and does not store flush water.

[0038] That is, the non-storage section 18d of the water storage tank 18 houses the constant flow valve 24, the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, the controller 34, etc., and is designed to prevent water from getting in. On the other hand, the storage section 18c is arranged with the vacuum breaker 32, the drain valve 38, the drain valve hydraulic drive section 40, the overflow pipe 42, the generator 44, etc.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, a drain outlet 18a is formed in the bottom of the water storage tank 18 on the side of the water storage section 18c for discharging the stored flush water into the flush toilet 2. Also, an overflow pipe 42 is connected inside the water storage tank 18 on the downstream side of the drain outlet 18a. This overflow pipe 42 rises vertically from near the drain outlet 18a and extends above the surface of the flush water that has been stored in the water storage tank 18 up to a predetermined water level W. Therefore, when the water level inside the water storage tank 18 becomes higher than the height of the overflow pipe 42, flush water that flows in from the upper end of the overflow pipe 42 bypasses the drain outlet 18a and flows directly into the flush toilet 2.

[0040] As described above, the drain valve 38 is a valve body arranged to open and close the drain outlet 18a, and when it is pulled upward by the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40, the drain valve 38 opens and the flush water in the water storage tank 18 is discharged into the flush toilet 2, thereby flushing the bowl portion 6.

[0041] The generator 44 is provided downstream of the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40, and is configured to generate electricity based on the flow of water flowing out from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40. Specifically, the generator 44 is equipped with a water wheel (not shown), and electricity is generated by driving the water wheel to rotate by the water flow from the connection pipe 44a connected to the upstream side. The electricity generated by the generator 44 is sent to the controller 34 connected to the generator 44, and is charged in a capacitor (not shown) built into the controller 34. The electricity generated and stored by one flush of the flush toilet 2 is greater than the electricity consumed to operate the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, etc., in one flush, and the electricity used for flushing can be covered by the electricity generated by the generator 44. Therefore, the flush water tank device 1 of this embodiment supplies flush water to the flush toilet 2 using the electricity it generates itself.

[0042] Next, the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 is configured to drive the drain valve 38 using the water supply pressure of the flush water supplied from the waterworks. Specifically, the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 has a cylinder 40a into which the water supplied from the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 flows, a piston 40b slidably arranged in the cylinder 40a, and a rod 46 protruding from the lower end of the cylinder 40a to drive the drain valve 38. Furthermore, a spring 40c is arranged inside the cylinder 40a to urge the piston 40b downward, and a packing 40d is attached to the piston 40b to ensure watertightness between the inner wall surface of the cylinder 40a and the piston 40b. In addition, a clutch mechanism 48 is provided at the lower end of the rod 46, and the clutch mechanism 48 connects the rod 46 and the valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38 in a detachable manner.

[0043] The cylinder 40a is a cylindrical member that is disposed with its axis oriented vertically and that slidably receives a piston 40b inside. A water supply passage 26a extending from the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 is connected to the lower end of the cylinder 40a, so that flush water flowing out from the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 flows into the cylinder 40a. Therefore, the piston 40b in the cylinder 40a is pushed up against the biasing force of the spring 40c by the water that flows into the cylinder 40a.

[0044] On the other hand, an outflow hole is provided at the upper end of the cylinder 40a, and a connecting pipe 44a connected to the generator 44 communicates with the inside of the cylinder 40a through this outflow hole. Therefore, when water flows into the cylinder 40a from the water supply passage 26a connected to the lower part of the cylinder 40a, the piston 40b is pushed upward. Then, when the piston 40b is pushed up to a position above the outflow hole, the flush water that has flowed into the cylinder 40a flows out from the outflow hole through the connecting pipe 44a. That is, when the piston 40b is moved upward, the water supply passage 26a and the connecting pipe 44a are communicated through the inside of the cylinder 40a. Also, the flush water that has flowed into the generator 44 flows out into the water tank 18 through the discharge pipe 44b. Therefore, the flush water that has flowed out of the cylinder 40a is stored in the water tank 18.

[0045] The rod 46 is a rod-shaped member connected to the underside of the piston 40b, and extends through a through-hole formed in the bottom surface of the cylinder 40a so as to protrude downward from within the cylinder 40a. The valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38 is connected to the lower end of the rod 46 via a clutch mechanism 48, and the rod 46 is linked to the drain valve 38. Therefore, when cleaning water flows into the cylinder 40a and the piston 40b is pushed up, the rod 46 connected to the piston 40b lifts the drain valve 38 upward, and the drain valve 38 opens.

[0046] A gap is provided between the rod 46 protruding from below the cylinder 40a and the inner wall of the through hole of the cylinder 40a, and some of the flush water that flows into the cylinder 40a flows out from this gap. The flush water that flows out from the gap flows into the water storage tank 18. Since this gap is relatively narrow and has a large flow resistance, even if flush water flows out from the gap, the pressure inside the cylinder 40a increases due to the flush water flowing into the cylinder 40a from the water supply path 26a, and the piston 40b is pushed up against the biasing force of the spring 40c.

[0047] Furthermore, the clutch mechanism 48 provided at the lower end of the rod 46 is configured to separate the rod 46 from the valve stem 38a of the drain valve 38 when the drain valve 38 is lifted a predetermined distance together with the rod 46. With the clutch mechanism 48 in a disconnected state, the drain valve 38 is no longer linked to the movement of the piston 40b and the rod 46, and descends due to gravity while resisting buoyancy.

[0048] Further, a drain valve float mechanism 50 is provided near the drain valve 38. This drain valve float mechanism 50 is configured to delay the drain valve 38 descending and closing the drain port 18a after the rod 46 is lifted a predetermined distance and the valve stem 38a of the drain valve 38 is separated by the clutch mechanism 48. Specifically, the drain valve float mechanism 50 has a float portion 50a and an engagement portion 50b that interlocks with the float portion 50a.

[0049] The engagement portion 50b is configured to engage with the valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38 that has been released by the clutch mechanism 48 and descended, preventing the drain valve 38 from descending and seating on the drain port 18a. Next, the float portion 50a descends as the water level in the water storage tank 18 drops, and when the water level in the water storage tank 18 drops to a predetermined water level, the float portion 50a rotates the engagement portion 50b, and the engagement between the engagement portion 50b and the valve shaft 38a is released. As a result of the disengagement, the drain valve 38 descends and seats on the drain port 18a. This delays the closing of the drain valve 38, allowing an appropriate amount of flush water to be discharged from the drain port 18a.

[0050] Next, the configuration of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 has a main body 52 to which the water supply passage 26a and the inlet pipe 26b are connected, a diaphragm valve 54 which is the main valve body arranged in the main body 52, a valve seat 56 on which the diaphragm valve 54 is seated, a solenoid coil 58a which is energized by a control signal from the controller 34, a plunger 58b which is driven by the solenoid coil 58a, and a pilot valve 58c attached to the plunger 58b.

[0051] The main body 52 is a cylindrical member having a connection part for the inflow pipe 26b at the bottom and a connection part for the water supply passage 26a on one side. A valve seat 56 is formed inside the main body 52, and this valve seat 56 is configured to communicate with the water supply passage 26a connected to the main body 52. ​​A diaphragm valve 54 is disposed inside the main body 52 to open and close the valve seat 56, and when the valve is open, tap water flowing in from the inflow pipe 26b flows through the valve seat 56 and out into the water supply passage 26a.

[0052] The diaphragm valve 54 is a generally disc-shaped main valve body, and is attached in the main body 52 so as to be able to seat and unseat on the valve seat 56. A bleed hole 54a is provided on the periphery of the diaphragm valve 54. A pressure chamber 52a is formed in the main body 52 on the opposite side of the valve seat 56 (left side in FIG. 4) from the diaphragm valve 54. That is, the pressure chamber 52a is defined by the inner wall surface of the main body 52 and the diaphragm valve 54, and when the pressure in the pressure chamber 52a increases, the diaphragm valve 54 is pressed against the valve seat 56 by the pressure and seats on the valve seat 56. A pilot valve port 52b is provided on the opposite side of the pressure chamber 52a from the diaphragm valve 54.

[0053] Meanwhile, the solenoid coil 58a is attached to the main body 52 on the opposite side of the water supply passage 26a, and is configured to be able to move the pilot valve 58c toward and away from the pilot valve port 52b of the main body 52. ​​That is, a plunger 58b is slidably disposed inside the solenoid coil 58a, and the plunger 58b is biased toward the pilot valve port 52b by a coil spring 58d. In addition, the pilot valve 58c is attached to the tip of the plunger 58b.

[0054] Therefore, the pilot valve 58c is pressed against the pilot valve port 52b of the main body 52 by the biasing force of the coil spring 58d. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the pilot valve 58c closes the pilot valve port 52b by the biasing force of the coil spring 58d. On the other hand, when the solenoid coil 58a is energized, the pilot valve 58c is pulled away from the pilot valve port 52b by the electromagnetic force acting between the solenoid coil 58a and the plunger 58b, and the pilot valve port 52b is opened.

[0055] With this configuration, when the solenoid coil 58a is not energized and the toilet is on standby for flushing, the pilot valve port 52b of the main body 52 is in a closed state. In this state, there is no path for the water that has flowed into the pressure chamber 52a from the bleed hole 54a of the diaphragm valve 54 to flow out, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 52a increases. This pressure presses the diaphragm valve 54 against the valve seat 56, and the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 is in a closed state. Note that when the toilet is on standby for flushing and the valve seat 56 is closed, the pilot valve port 52b of the main body 52 is closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 58d, so no power is consumed by the tank water supply solenoid valve 26.

[0056] On the other hand, when the solenoid coil 58a is energized, the pilot valve 58c is pulled away from the pilot valve port 52b by the electromagnetic force acting on the plunger 58b, the water in the pressure chamber 52a flows out from the pilot valve port 52b, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 52a decreases. This causes the diaphragm valve 54 to move away from the valve seat 56 (to the left in FIG. 4), and the valve seat 56 opens.

[0057] Next, the arrangement of each of the components provided in the flush water tank apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 5, the inside of the water storage tank 18 is divided into a water storage section 18c and a non-water storage section 18d by a partition wall 18b. In this embodiment, the partition wall 18b extends in the front-rear direction of the water storage tank 18, with the water storage section 18c formed on the right side and the non-water storage section 18d formed on the left side. Here, the partition wall 18b extending in the front-rear direction of the water storage tank 18 is bent in a crank shape so that the width of the water storage section 18c is narrow at the rear of the water storage tank 18 and wide at the front. Inside the water storage tank 18, there are arranged a water supply unit 20 for supplying water to the water storage tank 18, a drainage unit 22 for discharging flush water stored in the water storage tank 18, and a generator 44 for generating electricity from the water flow of flush water supplied to the water storage tank 18.

[0058] As described above, the drain unit 22 includes the drain valve 38, the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40, and the overflow pipe 42, which in this embodiment are disposed at the right end of the water storage portion 18c of the water storage tank 18 in a top view. That is, in this embodiment, the drain outlet 18a of the water storage tank 18 is provided not in the center of the water storage tank 18 in the width direction but in a position eccentric to the right, and the drain valve 38 and the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 are provided above it.

[0059] On the other hand, the water supply unit 20 includes a constant flow valve 24, a tank water supply solenoid valve 26, a rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, a float switch 30, a vacuum breaker 32, and a controller 34. In this embodiment, these components are arranged to straddle the non-water storage section 18d and the water storage section 18c of the water storage tank 18 in a top view. That is, in this embodiment, the constant flow valve 24, the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, and the controller 34 of the water supply unit 20 are arranged in the non-water storage section 18d on the left side of the water storage tank 18. In this way, since the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 and the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28 are arranged on the side of the non-water storage section 18d where flush water is not stored, the risk of the solenoid valve becoming wet can be reduced.

[0060] Additionally, the float switch 30 and vacuum breaker 32 of the water supply unit 20 are positioned at the left end of the water storage section 18c, near the partition wall 18b. By positioning the vacuum breaker 32 on the side of the water storage section 18c in the water storage tank 18 in this way, flush water that flows out from the vacuum breaker 32 falls into the water storage section 18c of the water storage tank 18. This makes it possible to reliably prevent backflowing flush water from entering the non-water storage section 18d of the water storage tank 18.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the generator 44 is disposed at the left end of the water storage section 18c on the front side in the front-rear direction of the water storage tank 18 (lower side in Fig. 5) in top view, while the vacuum breaker 32 is disposed at the rear side in the front-rear direction of the water storage tank 18 (upper side in Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 5, the end of the generator 44 is disposed so as to bite into the portion of the water storage section 18c that is expanded by bending the partition wall 18b in a crank shape.

[0062] As a result, the generator 44 is disposed in the water storage section 18c on a side closer to the non-water storage section 18d (on the left side in FIG. 5) than the vacuum breaker 32. That is, the generator 44 and the vacuum breaker 32 are disposed on the left side (one side in the left-right direction) of the drain valve water pressure drive section 40, and the generator 44 is disposed in a position farther from the drain valve water pressure drive section 40 than the vacuum breaker 32.

[0063] This allows the generator 44 to be located away from the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40 and vacuum breaker 32, and to be located near the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, rim water discharge solenoid valve 28, and controller 34, which consume electricity, making it possible to centralize and arrange the electrical system. Also, by locating the generator 44 on the side of the water storage section 18c in the water storage tank 18, a large flow rate of flush water flowing out from the generator 44 can be reliably directed into the water storage section 18c of the water storage tank 18.

[0064] In this embodiment, the components stored in the water tank 18 are arranged as shown in Figure 5 when viewed from above, but the arrangement of the components can be changed as appropriate, such as by flipping the components front to back around the center line in the front-to-back direction, or by flipping the components left to right around the center line in the left-to-right direction.

[0065] Next, the operation of the flush water tank apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, in the toilet flush standby state as described above, the water level in the water storage tank 18 is at a predetermined water level W, and no current is applied to the solenoid coil 58a (Fig. 4) of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26. In this state, the pilot valve port 52b of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 is in a closed state, and the valve seat 56 is closed by the diaphragm valve 54. The rim water discharge solenoid valve 28 is also closed. Next, when the user presses the flush button on the remote control 34a (Fig. 2), the remote control 34a sends a toilet flush command signal to the controller 34.

[0066] When a toilet flush command signal is received, the controller 34 first sends a control signal to the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28, causing it to open. As a result, flush water supplied from water supply piping 36a passes through the stopcock 36, the constant flow valve 24, the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28, and the rim water conduit 12 and is discharged from the rim water outlet 10. The bowl portion 6 of the flush toilet 2 is flushed by this rim water spouting.

[0067] When a predetermined time has elapsed after the rim water discharge solenoid valve 28 is opened, the controller 34 energizes the solenoid coil 58a (Fig. 4) of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, causing the pilot valve 58c to unseat from the pilot valve port 52b. This reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber 52a, causing the diaphragm valve 54 to unseat from the valve seat 56, which then opens. As a result, flush water supplied to the water supply unit 20 (Fig. 2) from the water pipes 36a flows into the vacuum breaker 32 through the constant flow valve 24 and the tank water supply solenoid valve 26.

[0068] Furthermore, flush water flowing out from the vacuum breaker 32 flows into the cylinder 40a of the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 (Fig. 3). The flush water flowing into the cylinder 40a pushes up the piston 40b against the biasing force of the spring 40c. This also pulls up the rod 46 connected to the piston 40b and the drain valve 38 connected to this rod 46, and the drain valve 38 moves away from the drain port 18a. In other words, the drain valve 38 is driven and opened by the water supply pressure of the tap water supplied via the water supply passage 26a.

[0069] When the drain valve 38 is opened, flush water stored in the water storage tank 18 passes through the drain outlet 18a and the jet water conduit 16 and is discharged from the jet water outlet 14 of the flush toilet 2. The water discharged from the jet water outlet 14 induces a siphon effect in the drain trap pipe 8, and the accumulated water and waste in the bowl portion 6 are discharged into the drain trap pipe 8. Furthermore, when the flush water in the water storage tank 18 is discharged, the water level in the water storage tank 18 falls below the predetermined water level W, and the float of the float switch 30 drops.

[0070] Meanwhile, flush water that flows into the cylinder 40a of the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 flows out of the outflow hole and flows into the connecting pipe 44a. The flush water that flows into the connecting pipe 44a reaches the generator 44 and rotates the water wheel (not shown) of the generator 44 to generate electricity. The generated electricity is charged in a capacitor (not shown) built into the controller 34. In addition, the flush water that flows into the generator 44 is discharged from the discharge pipe 44b and flows into the water storage unit 18c of the water storage tank 18.

[0071] Furthermore, when the piston 40b of the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 is pushed up, and the rod 46 and drain valve 38 are raised to a predetermined position, the clutch mechanism 48 separates the valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38 from the rod 46. As a result, the rod 46 remains pushed up together with the piston 40b, while the drain valve 38 descends under its own weight. However, the separated valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38 engages with the engaging portion 50b of the drain valve float mechanism 50, preventing the drain valve 38 from descending. As a result, the drain port 18a of the water storage tank 18 remains open, and water continues to be discharged from the water storage tank 18.

[0072] When the water level in the water storage tank 18 drops to a dead water level that is lower than the predetermined water level W due to the discharge of stored flush water, the float portion 50a of the drain valve float mechanism 50 descends, which moves the engagement portion 50b. This disengages the valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38 from the engagement portion 50b, and the drain valve 38 begins to descend again. The drain valve 38 then closes the drain outlet 18a of the water storage tank 18, and water spouting from the jet water spouting port 14 of the flush toilet 2 is stopped. In addition, after water spouting from the jet water spouting port 14 has stopped, the controller 34 sends a control signal to the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28, causing the rim water spouting solenoid valve 28 to close. This also stops water spouting from the rim water spouting port 10.

[0073] Meanwhile, even after the drain outlet 18a is closed, the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 remains open, so that water supplied from the inlet pipe 26b flows into the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40, and flush water flowing out from the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 flows into the water storage tank 18 through the generator 44. As a result, power generation by the generator 44 continues, and the water level in the water storage tank 18 rises.

[0074] When the water level in the water storage tank 18 rises to a predetermined water level W, the float switch 30 detects this and sends a detection signal to the controller 34. As a result, the controller 34 sends a control signal to the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 (stopping the power supply to the solenoid coil 58a) and closes the tank water supply solenoid valve 26. As a result, the water supply from the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 to the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 is stopped, and the generation of electricity by the generator 44 ends. In addition, the piston 40b of the drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40 is pushed down by the biasing force of the spring 40c. When the rod 46 is pushed down together with the piston 40b, the rod 46 and the valve shaft 38a of the drain valve 38, which had been separated by the clutch mechanism 48, are reconnected. Therefore, the next time the toilet is flushed, the rod 46 and the drain valve 38 are both raised by the piston 40b. With the above, one toilet flush is completed, and the flush water tank apparatus 1 returns to a standby state for a toilet flush.

[0075] According to the flush water tank apparatus 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, which starts and stops the supply of flush water to the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40, is operated by the power of the generator 44, which generates electricity from the flow of the supplied flush water, so it is possible to install the flush water tank apparatus 1 in a toilet room where a power source cannot be secured. Also, according to the flush water tank apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the generator 44 and vacuum breaker 32 are arranged on one side of the water storage tank 18 in the left-right direction relative to the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40, and the generator 44 is arranged in a position farther from the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40 than the vacuum breaker 32 (FIG. 5). As a result, it is possible to arrange the generator 44 away from the drain valve water pressure drive unit 40 and the vacuum breaker 32 and to arrange it near the tank water supply solenoid valve 26, which consumes electricity, and it is possible to arrange the electrical system in a centralized manner. This reduces the risk of water being received by power transmission lines (not shown) and the like arranged inside the water storage tank 18.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the flush water tank device 1 of this embodiment, the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 is arranged on the side of the non-water storage section 18d where flush water is not stored (Figure 5), thereby reducing the risk of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 becoming wet and reducing the probability of the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 failing.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the flush water tank apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the vacuum breaker 32 is arranged on the side of the water storage section 18c inside the water storage tank 18 (FIG. 5), so the flush water that flows out from the vacuum breaker 32 falls into the water storage section 18c of the water storage tank 18. This makes it possible to reliably prevent backflowing flush water from entering the non-water storage section 18d of the water storage tank 18, further reducing the risk of water getting into the electrical system, such as the tank water supply solenoid valve 26.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the flush water tank device 1 of this embodiment, the generator 44 is arranged on the side of the water storage section 18c inside the water storage tank 18, so that a large flow rate of flush water flowing out from the generator 44 can be reliably directed into the water storage section 18c of the water storage tank 18, reducing the risk of water getting into the electrical system, such as the tank water supply solenoid valve 26 arranged in the non-water storage section 18d.

[0079] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. In particular, in the above-described embodiment, the water spout from the rim water spout of the flush toilet is supplied by direct water supply pressure via the rim water spouting solenoid valve, and the water spout from the jet water spout is supplied from a water storage tank. In contrast, as a modified example, the present invention can also be applied to a flush water tank device in which the entire amount of flush water is supplied from a water storage tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Cleaning water tank device 2 flush toilet 6 Bowl section 8 Drain trap line 10 Rim Spout 12 Rim Waterway 14 Jet outlet 16 Jet Waterway 18 Water Tank 18a Drain 18b Partition wall 18c Water storage section 18d Non-water storage section 20 Water Supply Unit 22 Drainage unit 24 Constant flow valve 26 Tank water supply solenoid valve (solenoid valve) 26a Water supply channel 26b Inflow pipe 28 Rim discharge solenoid valve 30 Float switch (water level detector) 32 Vacuum breaker 34 Controller (water supply control device) 34a Remote control 34b Human Sensor 36 Stopcock 36a Water piping 38 Drain valve 38a valve stem 40 Drain valve hydraulic drive unit 40a cylinder 40b piston 40c spring 40d Gasket 42 Overflow pipe 44 Generator 44a Connecting pipe 44b Discharge pipe 46 Rod 48 Clutch mechanism 50 Drain valve float mechanism 50a Float part 50b Engagement part 52 Main body 52a Pressure chamber 52b Pilot valve port 54 Diaphragm Valve 54a Bleed hole 56 Valve seat 58a Solenoid coil 58b Plunger 58c Pilot valve 58d coil spring

Claims

1. A flush water tank device that supplies flush water to a flush toilet using electricity generated by itself, a water storage tank for storing flush water to be supplied to the flush toilet and having a drain port for discharging the stored flush water into the flush toilet; A generator is disposed in the water storage tank and generates electricity from the flow of tap water supplied thereto; a drain valve that opens and closes the drain outlet of the water storage tank and starts and stops the supply of flush water to the flush toilet; a drain valve water pressure drive unit that drives the drain valve based on the water supply pressure of the supplied flush water; an electromagnetic valve that operates using the power generated by the generator and controls the supply and stop of flush water to the drain valve water pressure drive unit; a vacuum breaker provided in a water supply passage between the solenoid valve and the water pressure drive unit for preventing backflow from the water pressure drive unit of the water drain valve; having A flush water tank apparatus characterized in that the generator and the vacuum breaker are arranged on one side of the water storage tank in the left-right direction relative to the drain valve water pressure drive unit, and the generator is arranged in a position farther from the drain valve water pressure drive unit than the vacuum breaker.

2. 2. The flush water tank device according to claim 1, wherein the water tank has a partition wall that separates the interior into a water storage section in which flush water is stored and a non-water storage section in which flush water is not stored, and the solenoid valve is arranged on the side of the non-water storage section.

3. 3. The flush water tank apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vacuum breaker is disposed on the side of the water storage section in the water storage tank.

4. 3. The flush water tank apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generator is disposed on the side of the water storage section in the water storage tank.

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