Toilet seat device and toilet device equipped with the same

The toilet seat device addresses the challenge of drying the toilet seat and its surroundings by using a cleaning device with a blower and switching mechanism to efficiently direct air, achieving effective drying without increasing the device size.

JP2025045523APending Publication Date: 2025-04-02PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023153483
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-20
Publication Date
2025-04-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing toilet seat cleaning devices face challenges in efficiently drying the toilet seat surface and its surroundings without increasing the size of the wind-generating device.

Method used

A toilet seat device equipped with a cleaning device that includes a cleaning nozzle for washing the toilet seat, a first and second drying nozzle for directing air towards the seat surface and its back surface, respectively, and a blower with a switching mechanism to control air distribution between the nozzles.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively dries the toilet seat surface and its surroundings using wind without enlarging the wind-generating device, ensuring efficient and compact operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device and a toilet device capable of drying a toilet seat and its periphery with wind while suppressing an increase in the size of a device for generating wind.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device 1 is mounted on a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat device 1 includes a toilet seat 3, a toilet lid 4, and a washing device 5 for washing the toilet seat 3. The washing device 5 includes a washing nozzle 60 configured to discharge washing water to the toilet seat 3, a first drying nozzle 70a configured to discharge air toward a seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a second drying nozzle 70b configured to discharge air toward a reverse surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. The washing device 5 further includes a blower configured to supply air, and a switching mechanism 9 configured to switch communication states between a first communication state in which the first drying nozzle 70a is communicated with the blower and a second communication state in which the second drying nozzle 70b is communicated with the blower.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat device and a toilet bowl device including the same, and more particularly to a toilet seat device including a cleaning device for cleaning a toilet seat, and a toilet bowl device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic toilet seat cleaning device that can automatically clean a toilet seat using a toilet seat cleaning unit installed on a toilet seat cover.

[0003] This toilet seat cleaning unit automatically cleans the toilet seat by first rotating the cleaning nozzle around the toilet seat to spray water, and then rotating the cleaning nozzle to dry the toilet seat with air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-246898 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the toilet seat cleaning unit described in Patent Document 1, when water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle, there is a risk that water will splash not only onto the surface of the toilet seat but also onto the surrounding area.

[0006] In this toilet seat cleaning unit, in order to dry the water scattered around the seat surface using air from the same cleaning nozzle that sprays water, the amount of air required for drying increases, so the device that generates the air needs to be made larger.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide a toilet seat device and a toilet bowl device that can dry the seat surface and its surroundings with wind while preventing the wind-generating device from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on a toilet body having a bowl. The toilet seat apparatus includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and a flushing device for cleaning the toilet seat. The flushing device has a flushing nozzle configured to discharge cleaning water onto the toilet seat, a first drying nozzle configured to discharge air toward the seat surface of the toilet seat, and a second drying nozzle configured to discharge air toward the underside of the toilet seat. The flushing device further includes an air blower configured to supply air, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to switch the communication state between a first communication state in which only the first drying nozzle of the first and second drying nozzles is connected to the air blower, and a second communication state in which only the second drying nozzle of the first and second drying nozzles is connected to the air blower.

[0009] A toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet body having a bowl, and the toilet seat apparatus attached on top of the toilet body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In a toilet seat device according to one aspect of the present disclosure and a toilet bowl device including the same, the seat surface of the toilet seat and its surroundings can be dried by wind while preventing the wind-generating device from becoming too large. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a toilet seat apparatus and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with the toilet lid in an open state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view that schematically shows a toilet seat device and a toilet bowl device including the same according to one embodiment, with the toilet lid in a closed state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of a cleaning device provided in a toilet seat device of one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cleaning water supply unit of a cleaning device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an air supply unit of a cleaning device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway plan view that schematically shows the movement of the cleaning device according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a switching portion of a switching mechanism included in a cleaning device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9A is a plan view showing the state of switching by the switching mechanism of one embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a plan view showing the state of switching by the switching mechanism of one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the toilet seat device of the embodiment and a toilet bowl device including the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (One embodiment) 1. Overview Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a toilet seat apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a toilet bowl apparatus 100 including the same. In Fig. 1, a toilet lid 4 is open. Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a toilet seat apparatus 1 according to an embodiment and a toilet bowl apparatus 100 including the same. In Fig. 2, the toilet lid 4 is closed. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0013] A toilet seat device 1 of one embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 is attached to a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat device 1 includes a toilet seat 3, a toilet lid 4, and a flushing device 5 for cleaning the toilet seat 3. The flushing device 5 includes a flushing nozzle 60 configured to discharge cleaning water onto the toilet seat 3, a first drying nozzle 70a configured to discharge air toward the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a second drying nozzle 70b configured to discharge air toward the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3. The flushing device 5 further includes an air blower 8 configured to supply air, and a switching mechanism 9. The switching mechanism 9 is configured to switch the communication state between a first communication state in which only the first drying nozzle 70a of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is connected to the air blower 8, and a second communication state in which only the second drying nozzle 70b of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is connected to the air blower 8.

[0014] The toilet apparatus 100 of one embodiment comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20 and the toilet seat apparatus 1 mounted on the toilet body 2.

[0015] In one embodiment of the toilet seat apparatus 1 and a toilet apparatus 100 equipped with the same, the destination of the air supplied from the air blower 8 can be switched to either the first drying nozzle 70a or the second drying nozzle 70b by the switching mechanism 9. Therefore, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet apparatus 100 of one embodiment, the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried by the air supplied from the air blower 8 without increasing the air volume of the air blower 8. As a result, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet apparatus 100 equipped with the same of one embodiment, the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried by air while preventing the air blower 8 from becoming larger.

[0016] 2.Details A toilet seat device 1 according to one embodiment and a toilet bowl device 100 equipped with the same will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the toilet seat device 1 and the toilet bowl device 100 equipped with the same will be described in detail, with the front, back, left, right, top and bottom directions defined as shown in Figure 1, based on the directions seen by a user seated on the toilet seat 3 of the toilet seat device 1. The toilet seat device 1 will be described based on the state in which the toilet lid 4 is closed, as shown in Figure 2.

[0017] 2-1. Toilet device 100 The toilet apparatus 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat apparatus 1 attached to the toilet body 2. Only the upper end portion of the toilet body 2 is shown schematically in Figures 1 to 3.

[0018] (Toilet body 2) The toilet body 2 has a bowl 20 for receiving excrement, a rim 21 that is annular in plan view and extends horizontally from the top of the bowl 20, and a skirt 22 that extends downward from the outer periphery of the rim 21 and surrounds the bowl 20. In Figures 1 to 3, only the upper ends of the bowl 20 and the skirt 22 are shown schematically. A drain trap is connected to the bottom of the bowl 20. The bowl 20 is connected to a sewer pipe via the drain trap.

[0019] The toilet body 2 is made of resin or ceramic. When the toilet body 2 is made of resin, the toilet body 2 further has a frame that supports the bowl 20, the rim 21, and the skirt 22. The frame is made of, for example, metal.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the upper surface 210 of the rim 21 forms the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. The toilet seat 3 of the toilet seat device 1 is placed on the upper surface 210 of the rim 21. As shown in Figure 1, a mounting hole 211 is provided at the rear of the rim 21 for mounting the toilet seat device 1 to the toilet body 2.

[0021] 2-2. Toilet seat device 1 The toilet seat device 1 is attached to a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat device 1 includes a toilet seat 3, a toilet lid 4, and a flushing device 5 for cleaning the toilet seat 3. The flushing device 5 has a cleaning nozzle 60 configured to eject cleaning water onto the toilet seat 3, and a drying nozzle 70 configured to eject air onto the toilet seat 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flushing device 5 further includes an air blowing device 8 configured to supply air. The flushing device 5 further includes a switching mechanism 9 that switches which of the drying nozzles 70 communicate with the air blowing device 8.

[0022] (Cleaning device 5) The flushing device 5 further includes a movable part 10 that moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, a water supply passage 17 that connects the flushing nozzle 60 to the water source, and an air blowing passage 18 that connects the drying nozzle 70 to the air blowing device 8. In one embodiment, the water supply passage 17 is located between the toilet seat 3 and the toilet lid 4 when the toilet lid 4 is closed.

[0023] (Cleaning water supply unit 6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the cleaning water supply unit 6 of the cleaning device 5 of one embodiment.

[0024] (Waterway 17) As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply passage 17 is composed of a water passage 11 that communicates with the cleaning nozzle 60 and a water supply pipe 12 that connects the water passage 11 to a water supply source. In one embodiment, the water supply passage 17 is composed of a first water supply passage 17a and a second water supply passage 17b. The water passage 11 is composed of a first water passage 11a and a second water passage 11b. The water supply pipe 12 is composed of a first water supply pipe 12a and a second water supply pipe 12b. The first water supply passage 17a is composed of the first water passage 11a and the first water supply pipe 12a. The second water supply passage 17b is composed of the second water passage 11b and the second water supply pipe 12b.

[0025] (Air supply unit 7) Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the air supply unit 7 of the cleaning device 5 according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the air passage 18 is made up of an air passage 13 that communicates with the drying nozzle 70 and an air pipe 14 that connects the air passage 13 with the air blower 8. In one embodiment, the air passage 13 is made up of a first air passage 13a and a second air passage 13b.

[0026] (Toilet seat 3) Fig. 7 is a partially cutaway plan view that schematically shows the movement of the flushing device 5 of one embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the toilet seat 3 is annular in shape in plan view. The toilet seat 3 has a seat surface 30 on which a user sits and a back surface 31 facing away from the seat surface 30. A plurality of rubber feet 32 ​​are attached to a portion of the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3.

[0027] The rear end of the toilet seat 3 is swingably connected to a mounting part 15 (see Figure 3) that is attached to a mounting hole 211 in the toilet body 2. The toilet seat 3 can swing between a reclined position where the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is aligned with the top surface (i.e., the top surface 210) of the toilet body 2, and an upright position where the toilet seat 3 is upright relative to the top surface of the toilet body 2. The legs 32 of the toilet seat 3 abut the top surface of the toilet body 2. This creates a gap between the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 and the top surface of the toilet body 2 when in the reclined position.

[0028] (Toilet lid 4) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the toilet lid 4 has a toilet lid body 40 that covers the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a toilet lid side wall 41 that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid body 40 and covers the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat 3. The toilet lid body 40 is plate-shaped. Similarly, the toilet lid side wall 41 is plate-shaped. When viewed in the thickness direction of the toilet lid body 40 (i.e., the up-and-down direction in Figure 2), the toilet lid body 40 has a semi-elliptical shape. When viewed in the thickness direction of the toilet lid body 40, the toilet lid side wall 41 has a semi-elliptical ring shape.

[0029] The rear end of the toilet lid 4 is swingably connected to the mounting part 15. The toilet lid 4 can swing between a closed position in which the toilet lid body 40 is aligned with the upper end surface of the toilet body 2, and an open position in which the toilet lid body 40 stands upright against the upper end surface of the toilet body 2.

[0030] A seal 16 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid 4 (i.e., the lower end of the toilet lid side wall 41) so as to seal the gap between it and the toilet bowl body 2. Like the toilet lid side wall 41, the seal 16 is also semi-elliptical and annular. More specifically, the seal 16 is provided around the entire lower end of the toilet lid side wall 41. The seal 16 is, for example, a rubber packing. The seal 16 may also be made of resin, or may have a labyrinth structure provided on the underside of the toilet lid side wall 41.

[0031] When the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, the seal portion 16 abuts against the upper end surface of the toilet body 2, closing the gap between the toilet lid side wall 41 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. This prevents water and air from leaking out from between the toilet lid side wall 41 of the toilet lid 4 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2.

[0032] A rail 42 is provided on the underside of the toilet lid body 40, running along the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. The rail 42 is made up of an inner rail 420, an outer rail 421, and an intermediate rail 422, each of which has a semi-elliptical ring shape when viewed from above. The intermediate rail 422 is provided with a rack gear and a groove recessed upward (i.e., toward the toilet lid body 40) over the entire circumferential length.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, a first stopper 43 and a second stopper 44 are provided on the back surface of the toilet lid body 40. The first stopper 43 is provided so as to face the end face of a first end in the longitudinal direction of the rail 42 (e.g., one end of the rail 42). The second stopper 44 is provided so as to face the end face of a second end in the longitudinal direction of the rail 42 (e.g., the other end of the rail 42). Note that the rail 42 is not shown in Figure 7.

[0034] The first stopper 43 and the second stopper 44 are flat plates arranged perpendicular to the toilet lid body 40. The first stopper 43 and the second stopper 44 each have a thickness direction parallel to the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. In one embodiment, the thickness direction of the first stopper 43 is inclined slightly to the left with respect to the front-to-back direction. The thickness direction of the second stopper 44 is inclined slightly to the right with respect to the front-to-back direction.

[0035] The first stopper 43 and the second stopper 44 are positioned at the same position in the front-to-rear direction. A first buffer member 45a is attached to the surface of the first stopper 43 facing the rail 42 (i.e., the front surface). A second buffer member 45b is attached to the surface of the second stopper 44 facing the rail 42 (i.e., the front surface). Each of the first buffer member 45a and the second buffer member 45b is sheet-shaped and made of, for example, rubber.

[0036] (Blower 8) An air blower 8 is attached to the surface of the toilet lid body 40 (i.e., the surface opposite the toilet seat 3). An insertion hole 400 is provided in the center of the toilet lid body 40, through which part of the air blower duct 14 connected to the air blower 8 passes.

[0037] (Air pipe 14) The air duct 14 has a fixed duct 140 attached to the front side of the toilet lid body 40 and a movable duct 141 that communicates with the fixed duct 140 and is arranged on the back side of the toilet lid body 40.

[0038] The movable pipe 141 is an extendable pipe. One end (more specifically, the upstream end) of the movable pipe 141 is connected to the fixed pipe 140. The other end (more specifically, the downstream end) of the movable pipe 141 is connected to the movable part 10 via the switching mechanism 9. As shown in FIG. 3 , as the movable part 10 moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, the movable pipe 141 automatically extends and retracts while rotating around the insertion hole 400.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the movable tube 141 has a first tube section 142 connected to the fixed tube 140 and a second tube section 143 connected to the movable section 10 via the switching mechanism 9. The inner diameter of the second tube section 143 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first tube section 142. A portion of the first tube section 142 is slidably fitted inside the second tube section 143. This makes the movable tube 141 extendable and retractable. Note that the movable tube 141 may be any tube as long as it is extendable and retractable. The movable tube 141 may be, for example, a bellows-shaped tube.

[0040] (Movable part 10) The movable part 10 shown in Figure 1 is attached to the toilet lid body 40 of the toilet lid 4 so as to move in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. The movable part 10 moves reciprocally in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 by being guided by a rail 42. The movable part 10 is movable between a first movable position facing one part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, and a second movable position facing another part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. In one embodiment, the one part and the other part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 are left and right portions of the toilet seat 3 that sandwich the rear part 330 of the central opening 33.

[0041] The first movable position is a position where the movable part 10 abuts against the first stopper 43 at the first end in the longitudinal direction of the rail 42. That is, in Figure 7, the first movable position is the position where the movable part 10 is located on the left side indicated by the two-dot chain line.

[0042] The second movable position is a position where the movable part 10 abuts against the second stopper 44 at the second end in the longitudinal direction of the rail 42. That is, in Figure 7, the second movable position is the position where the movable part 10 is located on the right side indicated by the two-dot chain line. The front-rear position of the first movable position and the front-rear position of the second movable position are the same.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the flushing device 5 included in the toilet seat device 1 of one embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the movable part 10 has rollers 101 that roll on rails 42. The rollers 101 are made up of an inner roller 102 that rolls on an inner rail 420, an outer roller 103 that rolls on an outer rail 421, and an intermediate roller 104 that rolls in a groove in an intermediate rail 422. The movable part 10 further has a pinion 105 that meshes with a rack gear provided on the intermediate rail 422, and a motor 106 that rotates the pinion 105.

[0044] Rotation of the motor 106 causes the pinion 105 to rotate while meshing with the rack gear of the intermediate rail 422, and the rollers 101 to roll on the rail 42, causing the movable part 10 to move in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. At this time, the inner rollers 102, outer rollers 103, and intermediate rollers 104 roll on the inner rail 420, outer rail 421, and intermediate rail 422, respectively, thereby preventing the movable part 10 from tilting relative to the horizontal. As a result, the relative positional relationship between the moving movable part 10 and the toilet seat 3 remains approximately constant at any position in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3.

[0045] 4, the movable part 10 has a driving part 107, a cleaning water supply part 6 fixed to the driving part 107, and an air supply part 7 fixed to the driving part 107. The driving part 107 is provided with a roller 101, a pinion 105, and a motor 106.

[0046] The flush water supply section 6 and the air supply section 7 are aligned in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 (that is, in the left-right direction in FIG. 4).

[0047] (Cleaning water supply unit 6) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flush water supply unit 6 has a main body portion 61 that extends along part of the circumferential direction of the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a first arm portion 62 that extends downward from one longitudinal end of the main body portion 61. The flush water supply unit 6 further has a second arm portion 63 that extends downward from the other longitudinal end of the main body portion 61. The first arm portion 62 is located outboard of the outer periphery of the toilet seat 3. The second arm portion 63 is located inboard of the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3. The lower end of the first arm portion 62 is located above the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 (i.e., the upper surface 210). The protruding length of the second arm portion 63 from the main body portion 61 is longer than the protruding length of the first arm portion 62 from the main body portion 61. The lower end of the second arm portion 63 is located below the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 (i.e., the upper surface 210).

[0048] The main body 61 is provided with a water supply port 64 to which the water supply pipe 12 is connected. In one embodiment, the water supply port 64 is composed of a first water supply port 64a to which the first water supply pipe 12a is connected and a second water supply port 64b to which the second water supply pipe 12b is connected. As shown in FIG. 7 , the first water supply pipe 12a is connected to a first joint 120a connected to a water supply source. The second water supply pipe 12b is connected to a second joint 120b connected to a water supply source. The first joint 120a and the second joint 120b are separate joints.

[0049] 5, the flush water supply unit 6 is provided with a first water passage 11a that communicates with a first water supply port 64a, and a second water passage 11b that communicates with a second water supply port 64b. The first water passage 11a and the second water passage 11b are not connected to each other. In other words, the first water passage 11a and the second water passage 11b are separate water passages.

[0050] (Cleaning nozzle 60) The flushing nozzle 60 includes a first flushing nozzle 60a configured to spray flushing water toward the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a second flushing nozzle 60b configured to spray flushing water toward the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3. The flushing nozzle 60 further includes a toilet lid flushing nozzle 60c configured to spray flushing water toward the inner circumferential surface of the toilet lid side wall 41 of the toilet lid 4, and a bowl flushing nozzle 60d configured to spray flushing water toward the upper end of the bowl 20. The flushing water is not limited to water, but may also be warm water, foam, disinfectant water, or water containing detergent. The flushing water may also be water from which metal components have been removed using a water softener to prevent limescale.

[0051] The first flushing nozzle 60a is provided at the inner corner formed by the first arm portion 62 and the main body portion 61. Therefore, flushing water is discharged from the first flushing nozzle 60a toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3 onto the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3. The seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3 is cleaned by flushing water flowing from the outer periphery of the toilet seat 3 to the inner periphery.

[0052] The second flushing nozzle 60b is provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the first arm portion 62 (i.e., the surface facing the toilet seat 3). Therefore, flushing water is ejected from the second flushing nozzle 60b toward the inner periphery of the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. In one embodiment, flushing water is also ejected from the second flushing nozzle 60b toward the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 facing the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 (i.e., the upper surface 210). As a result, the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 facing it (i.e., the upper surface 210) are cleaned by flushing water directed toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3.

[0053] The toilet lid washing nozzle 60c is provided on the outer surface (i.e., the surface facing the toilet lid side wall 41) of the upper part of the first arm portion 62. The first washing nozzle 60a, toilet lid washing nozzle 60c, and second washing nozzle 60b are lined up in this order in the vertical direction.

[0054] Bowl cleaning nozzle 60d is provided on the outer surface of the lower end of second arm portion 63 (i.e., the surface facing toilet seat 3). In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two bowl cleaning nozzles 60d are provided on second arm portion 63. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the two bowl cleaning nozzles 60d opens diagonally downward toward the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of bowl 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the openings of the two bowl cleaning nozzles 60d are oriented approximately 120 degrees apart from each other in a plan view.

[0055] The first flushing nozzle 60a and the toilet lid flushing nozzle 60c are connected to the first water passage 11a, while the second flushing nozzle 60b and the two bowl flushing nozzles 60d are connected to the second water passage 11b.

[0056] In one embodiment, the opening area of ​​the tip of the second cleaning nozzle 60b is smaller than the opening area of ​​the tip of the first cleaning nozzle 60a, so that cleaning water is more likely to be ejected from the second cleaning nozzle 60b with more force than from the first cleaning nozzle 60a.

[0057] In one embodiment, the first water channel 11a supplies flushing water to the first flushing nozzle 60a and the toilet lid flushing nozzle 60c, while the second water channel 11b supplies flushing water to the second flushing nozzle 60b and the bowl flushing nozzle 60d. Therefore, it is possible to change the cleaning power of the flushing water by changing the water pressure, temperature, type, or a combination thereof, between the first water channel 11a and the second water channel 11b. Therefore, it is also possible to supply flushing water with high cleaning power from the second flushing nozzle 60b and the bowl flushing nozzle 60d to the upper end of the bowl 20 and the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3, which are prone to becoming soiled with urine and feces that splash up off the surface of the bowl 20.

[0058] (Air supply unit 7) 4 and 6, the air supply unit 7 has a main body 71 that extends along part of the circumferential direction of the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and an arm 72 that extends from one longitudinal end of the main body 71. The arm 72 is located outside the outer periphery of the toilet seat 3. The arm 72 is provided with a drying nozzle 70 that sprays air onto the toilet seat 3.

[0059] (Drying nozzle 70) In one embodiment, the drying nozzle 70 is composed of a first drying nozzle 70a, a second drying nozzle 70b, and a toilet lid drying nozzle 70c. The first drying nozzle 70a is configured to spray air toward the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3. The second drying nozzle 70b is configured to spray air toward the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3. The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is configured to spray air toward the toilet lid side wall 41 of the toilet lid 4. In other words, in one embodiment, the drying nozzle 70 sprays air toward the toilet seat 3 and its surroundings.

[0060] A switching mechanism 9 is attached to the main body 71. As shown in FIGS. 6, 9A, and 9B, a first connection port 73a and a second connection port 73b are provided in the main body 71. One connection port selected from the first connection port 73a and the second connection port 73b is connected to the air passage 18 via the switching mechanism 9.

[0061] 6, air supply unit 7 is provided with first air passage 13a communicating with first connection port 73a and second air passage 13b communicating with second connection port 73b. First air passage 13a and second air passage 13b are not connected to each other. First air passage 13a and second air passage 13b are separate air passages.

[0062] First air passage 13a communicates with first drying nozzle 70a. Second air passage 13b communicates with second drying nozzle 70b and toilet lid drying nozzle 70c. In other words, toilet lid drying nozzle 70c communicates with the air passage that supplies air to second drying nozzle 70b (i.e., second air passage 13b).

[0063] The first drying nozzle 70a is provided at the upper end of the arm portion 72. Therefore, air is discharged from the first drying nozzle 70a onto the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3 toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3.

[0064] The second drying nozzle 70b is provided at the lower end of the arm portion 72. Therefore, air is discharged from the second drying nozzle 70b toward the inner periphery of the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. In one embodiment, air is also discharged from the second drying nozzle 70b toward the upper end surface (i.e., upper surface 210) of the toilet body 2 facing the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. Therefore, air is discharged from the second drying nozzle 70b toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3 toward the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 facing it.

[0065] The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is located in the vertical middle of the arm portion 72. The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c opens toward the toilet lid side wall 41 of the toilet lid 4. The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is located between the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b. The first drying nozzle 70a, toilet lid drying nozzle 70c, and second drying nozzle 70b are lined up in this order in the vertical direction.

[0066] The first drying nozzle 70a is positioned alongside the first washing nozzle 60a in the left-right direction. The vertical position of the first drying nozzle 70a is the same as the vertical position of the first washing nozzle 60a. The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is positioned alongside the toilet lid washing nozzle 60c in the left-right direction. The vertical position of the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is the same as the vertical position of the toilet lid washing nozzle 60c. The second drying nozzle 70b is positioned alongside the second washing nozzle 60b in the left-right direction. The vertical position of the second drying nozzle 70b is the same as the vertical position of the second washing nozzle 60b.

[0067] Therefore, when the movable part 10 moves, the air from the first drying nozzle 70a and the cleaning water from the first cleaning nozzle 60a are ejected to approximately the same location on the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3. Similarly, the air from the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c and the cleaning water from the toilet lid cleaning nozzle 60c are ejected to approximately the same location on the inner circumferential surface of the toilet lid side wall 41. Similarly, the air from the second drying nozzle 70b and the cleaning water from the second cleaning nozzle 60b are ejected to approximately the same location on the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3.

[0068] As shown in Figure 4, the tip of the second drying nozzle 70b is provided with two openings 74 aligned one above the other. This makes it easier for the air discharged from the second drying nozzle 70b to hit both the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 (i.e., the upper surface 210).

[0069] (Switching mechanism 9) The switching mechanism 9 shown in Figures 4 and 6 is configured to switch the communication state between a first communication state in which only the first drying nozzle 70a of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is in communication with the air blower 8, and a second communication state in which only the second drying nozzle 70b of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is in communication with the air blower 8. The switching mechanism 9 includes a switch 90 that is pressed by contact with a portion surrounding the movable part 10 (in one embodiment, the first stopper 43 or the second stopper 44) when the movable part 10 reaches the first movable position or the second movable position. The switching mechanism 9 further includes a switching unit 91 (see Figure 8) configured to switch the communication state from the first communication state to the second communication state or from the second communication state to the first communication state when the switch 90 is pressed.

[0070] 8 is a perspective view showing the switching unit 91 of the switching mechanism 9 included in the cleaning device 5 of one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the switching unit 91 has an air passage 910 therein. The air passage 910 includes a first end 911 that communicates with the blower 8 and a second end 912 that communicates with the first drying nozzle 70a or the second drying nozzle 70b. The switching unit 91 moves between a first communication position where the second end 912 communicates with the first drying nozzle 70a and a second communication position where the second end 912 communicates with the second drying nozzle 70b.

[0071] When the switch 90 is pressed, the switching unit 91 rotates and switches from the first communication position to the second communication position, or from the second communication position to the first communication position. More specifically, when a first end of the switch 90 in the length direction is pressed, the switching unit 91 rotates and switches from the first communication position to the second communication position. When a second end of the switch 90 in the length direction (i.e., the end opposite to the first end) is pressed, the switching unit 91 moves from the second communication position to the first communication position. This will be described in detail later.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, the switching mechanism 9 further includes a connecting member 92 that connects the switch 90 and the switching portion 91, and a case 93 that holds the switching portion 91 rotatably.

[0073] In one embodiment, the switch 90 is a rod-shaped member movably supported by the drive unit 107 of the movable unit 10. The switch 90 is longer in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 (i.e., the left-right direction in FIG. 4 ) than the movable unit 10, and both ends in the longitudinal direction protrude further in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 than the movable unit 10. The switch 90 is movable in its longitudinal direction. When the movable unit 10 moves between the first movable position and the second movable position, the switch 90 hits the first stopper 43 or the second stopper 44, thereby moving in the longitudinal direction.

[0074] A connecting member 92 is fixed to a part of the switch 90 in the longitudinal direction. The connecting member 92 moves in the same direction as the switch 90 as the switch 90 moves.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 8, the outer shape of switching unit 91 is cylindrical with a central axis parallel to the up-down direction. Switching unit 91 has air passage 910 inside. A first end 911 of air passage 910 opens at the center of the top surface of switching unit 91. A second end 912 of air passage 910 opens at part of the outer circumferential surface of switching unit 91. A pin-shaped rotation operation unit 913 protrudes upward from part of the top surface of switching unit 91.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the case 93 is formed by combining two separate upper and lower sections. FIG. 9A is a plan view illustrating switching by the switching mechanism 9 in one embodiment. FIG. 9B is a plan view illustrating switching by the switching mechanism 9 in one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4, 9A, and 9B, the case 93 is provided with a cylindrical connection port 930 to which the air duct 14 is connected and an arc-shaped hole 931 through which the rotation operation unit 913 passes. The case 93 is further provided with a first communication passage 932 that connects the second end 912 with the first connection port 73a and a second communication passage 933 that connects the second end 912 with the second connection port 73b. The first communication passage 932 and the second communication passage 933 are not connected to each other and are separate air passages.

[0077] Switching unit 91 is rotatably disposed within case 93. A first end 911 of air passage 910 of switching unit 91 communicates with connection port 930. A rotation operation unit 913 of switching unit 91 protrudes upward from an arc-shaped hole 931 in case 93. Rotation operation unit 913 is connected to switch 90 via connecting member 92. As rod-shaped switch 90 moves back and forth in its length direction, rotation operation unit 913 moves along the circumferential direction of arc-shaped hole 931. As a result, switching unit 91 switches between a first communication position in which a second end 912 of air passage 910 communicates with first communication passage 932 and a second communication position in which the second end 912 communicates with second communication passage 933.

[0078] In one embodiment, when movable part 10 reaches the first movable position or the second movable position, a first end or a second end (the end opposite to the first end) of switch 90 in the longitudinal direction comes into contact with first stopper 43 or second stopper 44, respectively, and switch 90 moves in the longitudinal direction. This causes switching part 91 to rotate, and second end 912 of air passage 910 communicates with either first air passage 13a or second air passage 13b, and air from blower 8 is supplied to either first drying nozzle 70a or second drying nozzle 70b.

[0079] The toilet seat device 1 further has a control unit that controls the movable part 10, the flush water supply part 6, and the air supply part 7. The control unit is a device whose main component is a computer system such as a microcomputer. The control unit controls the movement by the movable part 10, the supply of flush water by the flush water supply part 6, and the supply of air by the air supply part 7. As a result, the toilet seat device 1 in one embodiment can automatically clean the toilet seat 3 and its surroundings.

[0080] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the toilet seat apparatus 1 further includes a cover 19 attached to the toilet lid body 40 of the toilet lid 4. The cover 19 covers the movable pipe 141 of the air supply pipe 14, the first water supply pipe 12a, and the second water supply pipe 12b from below, preventing these from being exposed.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1, a toilet seat device 1 according to one embodiment is mounted on a toilet body 2 to form a toilet device 100. The toilet seat device 1 is electrically connected to a commercial power source. The first joint 120a and the second joint 120b of the toilet seat device 1 are each connected to a water supply source.

[0082] 2-3. Operation of the toilet seat device The toilet seat device 1 and the toilet bowl device 100 of one embodiment operate, for example, as follows.

[0083] When the user has finished using the toilet device 100 and the toilet lid 4 is closed automatically or manually, the flushing device 5 starts cleaning the toilet seat 3.

[0084] First, the movable part 10 located in the first movable position (i.e., the movable part 10 on the left side in FIG. 7) moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 toward the second movable position. At this time, flush water is supplied from the water supply source to the flush water supply part 6 via the first water supply pipe 12a and the second water supply pipe 12b. As a result, flush water is ejected from each of the first flushing nozzle 60a, the second flushing nozzle 60b, the toilet lid flushing nozzle 60c, and the bowl flushing nozzle 60d. As a result, the seat surface 30 and back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3, the inner peripheral surface of the toilet lid side wall 41, and the upper end of the bowl 20 are cleaned with flush water.

[0085] When the movable part 10 reaches the second movable position, the supply of flush water to the flush water supply part 6 is stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9B , one longitudinal end of the switch 90 abuts the second stopper 44, causing the switching part 91 to rotate. As a result, the second end 912 of the air passage 910 of the switching part 91 moves to the second communication position, where it communicates with the second communication passage 933. The air passage 910 then communicates with the second connection port 73b and the second air passage 13b. This places the blower 8 in communication with the second drying nozzle 70b and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c via the air duct 14 and the second air passage 13b. Note that at this time, the second end 912 of the air passage 910 of the switching part 91 does not communicate with the first communication passage 932, and the air passage 910 does not communicate with the first connection port 73a and the first air passage 13a. Therefore, the blower 8 and the first drying nozzle 70a do not communicate with each other.

[0086] Next, the movable part 10, which is located in the second movable position, moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 toward the first movable position. At this time, air is supplied from the blower 8 to the air duct 14 and the second air passage 13b, and air is discharged from the second drying nozzle 70b and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c. This dries the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface (i.e., upper surface 210) of the toilet body 2 facing it, as well as the inner circumferential surface of the toilet lid side wall 41. At this time, air is not discharged from the first drying nozzle 70a.

[0087] When the movable unit 10 reaches the first movable position, as shown in FIG. 9A , the other longitudinal end of the switch 90 abuts the first stopper 43, causing the switching unit 91 to rotate. As a result, the second end 912 of the air passage 910 of the switching unit 91 moves to the first communication position, where it communicates with the first communication passage 932. The air passage 910 then communicates with the first connection port 73a and the first air passage 13a. This places the blower 8 in communication with the first drying nozzle 70a via the air duct 14 and the first air passage 13a. Note that at this time, the second end 912 of the air passage 910 of the switching unit 91 does not communicate with the second communication passage 933, and the air passage 910 does not communicate with the second connection port 73b and the second air passage 13b. Therefore, the blower 8 does not communicate with the second drying nozzle 70b and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c.

[0088] Next, the movable part 10, which is located in the first movable position, moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 toward the second movable position. At this time, air is supplied from the blower device 8 to the air duct 14 and the first air passage 13a, and the air is discharged from the first drying nozzle 70a. This dries the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3. At this time, air is not discharged from the second drying nozzle 70b and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c.

[0089] When the movable part 10 reaches the second movable position, the air supply by the blower 8 stops, completing the cleaning of the toilet seat 3. At this time, as shown in Figure 9B, one end of the switch 90 in the longitudinal direction hits the second stopper 44, causing the switching part 91 to rotate. As a result, the second drying nozzle 70b and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c communicate with the blower 8 via the air duct 14 and the second air passage 13b.

[0090] The discharge of flushing water from the first flushing nozzle 60a and the toilet lid flushing nozzle 60c and the discharge of flushing water from the second flushing nozzle 60b and the bowl flushing nozzle 60d may be shifted from each other. For example, when the movable part 10 moves from the first movable position to the second movable position, flushing water may be discharged only from the second flushing nozzle 60b and the bowl flushing nozzle 60d. Then, when the movable part 10 moves from the second movable position to the first movable position, flushing water may be discharged only from the first flushing nozzle 60a and the toilet lid flushing nozzle 60c. In this case, even if flushing water discharged toward the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3, the upper end surface of the toilet body 2, and the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the bowl 20 splashes onto the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3 or the inner circumferential surface of the toilet lid side wall 41, it can be washed away.

[0091] 2-4.Effects In the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the embodiment described above, the destination of the air supplied from the air blower 8 can be switched between the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b by the switching mechanism 9. Therefore, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried by the air supplied from the air blower 8 without increasing the air volume of the air blower 8. As a result, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried by air while preventing the air blower 8 from becoming larger.

[0092] Furthermore, in the toilet seat device 1 of one embodiment, the first drying nozzle 70a, the second drying nozzle 70b, and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c are provided on the movable part 10 that moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, so that the destinations to which air is supplied from the air blower 8 are concentrated in one location. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1 of one embodiment, the size of the air blower 8 can be prevented from increasing compared to when air from the air blower 8 is dispersed and supplied to multiple destinations.

[0093] In one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, the first air passage 13a, which is in communication with the first drying nozzle 70a, is not in communication with the second drying nozzle 70b and the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c, making it easy to ensure the amount of air supplied to the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, it is possible to prevent a user from sitting on the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the seat surface 30 is not sufficiently dried.

[0094] In one embodiment of the toilet seat apparatus 1, a switching mechanism 9 that switches the drying nozzle 70 that communicates with the air blower 8 is provided on the movable part 10, and the air blower 8 and the switching mechanism 9 are connected by a single air duct 14. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat apparatus 1, the number of air ducts 14 that connect the air blower 8 and the drying nozzle 70 can be reduced, making it easier to make the toilet seat apparatus 1 more compact.

[0095] In one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, when the movable part 10 moves to the first movable position or the second movable position, the switch 90 of the switching mechanism 9 hits the first stopper 43 or the second stopper 44, thereby activating the switching mechanism 9. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, a common power source can be used for moving the movable part 10 and for operating the switching mechanism 9.

[0096] In one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, the first drying nozzle 70a and the first cleaning nozzle 60a are aligned in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. Similarly, the second drying nozzle 70b and the second cleaning nozzle 60b are aligned in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. Similarly, the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c and the toilet lid cleaning nozzle 60c are aligned in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, it is easy to efficiently blow air onto the area where cleaning water is ejected, thereby drying it.

[0097] In the toilet seat device 1 of one embodiment, the air supply pipe 14 configured to supply air to the drying nozzle 70 and the water supply pipe 12 configured to supply wash water to the washing nozzle 60 are separate pipes. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1 of one embodiment, the air supply pipe 14 and the water supply pipe 12 can each be easily shaped or structured to suit the fluid to be passed through.

[0098] In one embodiment of the toilet seat apparatus 1, the air passage that supplies air to the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is common to the second air passage 13b that supplies air to the second drying nozzle 70b. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat apparatus 1, the structure of the toilet seat apparatus 1 can be simplified compared to when a separate air passage is provided exclusively for supplying air to the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c.

[0099] In one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b each eject air toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, water blown off the seat surface 30 and back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 by air from the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is less likely to be discharged to the outside of the toilet seat 3 and toilet lid 4 (i.e., the outside of the toilet bowl device 100).

[0100] In one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, a seal portion 16 is provided on the outer periphery of the toilet lid 4, which is configured to seal the gap between the toilet body 2. Therefore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, it is easy to prevent water and air from being discharged to the outside of the toilet seat 3 and toilet lid 4 (i.e., the outside of the toilet device 100).

[0101] The toilet seat device 1 in one embodiment is equipped with a toilet lid drying nozzle 70c configured to spray air toward the inner peripheral surface of the toilet lid side wall 41. Therefore, the toilet seat device 1 in one embodiment can prevent water remaining on the inner peripheral surface of the toilet lid side wall 41 from dripping down the toilet lid side wall 41 onto and outside the toilet bowl body 2 when the toilet lid 4 is opened.

[0102] 3. Variations Next, a description will be given of modified examples of the above-described toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100. The modified examples shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0103] The cleaning device 5 does not need to have a movable part 10. In this case, for example, multiple sets of drying nozzles 70 and cleaning nozzles 60 may be provided on the toilet lid 4 so as to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. In this case, the switching mechanism 9 may be provided on the toilet lid 4 adjacent to the drying nozzles 70, or adjacent to the air blower 8.

[0104] The switching mechanism 9 is not limited to the above-described mechanism, and may be any mechanism configured to switch the communication state between the first communication state and the second communication state. For example, instead of having a mechanical switch that is pressed by contact with a surrounding portion (in one embodiment, the first stopper 43 or the second stopper 44), the switching mechanism 9 may be a mechanism that operates the switching unit 91 through electrical control. Furthermore, the switching unit 91 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 8 , and may change the position of the second end 912 by moving linearly instead of rotating.

[0105] The tips of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b do not have to open toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3. At least one of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b may open toward the outer periphery of the toilet seat 3. Even in this case, in one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 100, the seal portion 16 can prevent the air discharged toward the outer periphery of the toilet seat 3 and the water splashed by this air from being discharged outside the toilet apparatus 100.

[0106] The seal portion 16 does not need to be provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid 4. In this case, it is preferable that the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b are provided so that they open toward the inner peripheral side of the toilet seat 3.

[0107] The washer 5 does not necessarily have to have the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c. The washer 5 may have only the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b as the drying nozzles 70. In this case, it is preferable that the orientation and position of the opening of at least one of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b be set so that the inner peripheral surface of the toilet lid side wall 41 can also be dried.

[0108] The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c does not have to be connected to the second air duct 13b. The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c may be connected to a dedicated air duct. In this case, the switching mechanism 9 is configured so that the second end 912 of the air duct 910 of the switching part 91 also moves to a third communication position where air is supplied to the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c. The switching mechanism 9 is not limited to two or three stages, and may be switchable to four or more stages. The structure of the switching mechanism 9 can be appropriately adapted from a conventionally known structure, such as the knock mechanism of a ballpoint pen.

[0109] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the toilet seat apparatus 1 of one embodiment and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 including the same. As in the modified example shown in Fig. 10, the toilet seat apparatus 1 may be provided with a downwardly protruding bulge 310 on the inner peripheral edge of the rear surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. In this modified example, the lower end of the bulge 310 is located within the opening at the upper end of the bowl 20 when the toilet lid 4 is closed. The lower end of the bulge 310 is located below the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 (i.e., the upper surface 210). A gap is formed between the bulge 310 and the inner peripheral surface of the bowl 20.

[0110] In the toilet seat device 1 of this modification, the water and air ejected from the second cleaning nozzle 60b and the second drying nozzle 70b located on the outer periphery of the toilet seat 3 toward the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 are guided by the bulging portion 310 and tend to flow toward the bowl 20. This prevents the water and air forcefully ejected from the second cleaning nozzle 60b and the second drying nozzle 70b from splashing to areas other than the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2.

[0111] The air blower 8 does not have to be provided on the surface of the toilet lid body 40 of the toilet lid 4, and may be provided in another location. For example, the air blower 8 may be provided on the back surface of the toilet lid body 40, or on the inner surface of the toilet lid side wall 41.

[0112] The range of movement of the movable part 10 is not limited to the range described above. The range of movement of the movable part 10 in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 may be shorter than the range described above, or may cover the entire circumference of the toilet seat 3. In other words, the first movable position and the second movable position are not limited to the left and right positions of the rear part 330 of the opening 33 of the toilet seat 3 shown in Figure 7, and may be other positions.

[0113] The toilet apparatus 100 is not limited to a toilet seat apparatus 1 attached separately from the toilet body 2 on top of the toilet body 2, but may also be an apparatus in which the toilet body 2 and the toilet seat apparatus 1 are provided integrally. In this case, the air blower 8 may be built into the toilet body 2.

[0114] (summary) As in the embodiment and its modified examples described above, the toilet seat device 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure has the following configuration.

[0115] That is, the toilet seat device 1 of the first embodiment is mounted on a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat device 1 includes a toilet seat 3, a toilet lid 4, and a flushing device 5 for cleaning the toilet seat 3. The flushing device 5 includes a flushing nozzle 60 configured to discharge flushing water onto the toilet seat 3, a first drying nozzle 70a configured to discharge air toward the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a second drying nozzle 70b configured to discharge air toward the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3. The flushing device 5 further includes an air blower 8 configured to supply air, and a switching mechanism 9. The switching mechanism 9 is configured to switch the communication state between a first communication state in which only the first drying nozzle 70a of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is connected to the air blower 8, and a second communication state in which only the second drying nozzle 70b of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b is connected to the air blower 8.

[0116] In the toilet seat device 1 of the first embodiment having the above configuration, the destination of the air supplied from the air blower device 8 can be switched between the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b by the switching mechanism 9. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1 of the first embodiment, the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried by the air supplied from the air blower device 8 without increasing the air volume of the air blower device 8. As a result, in the toilet seat device 1 of the first embodiment, the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried by air while preventing the air blower device 8 from becoming larger.

[0117] As in the above-described embodiment and its modified example, the toilet seat device 1 of the second aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of the first aspect.

[0118] That is, in the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, the cleaning device 5 further has a movable part 10 that moves in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. The movable part 10 is provided with a first drying nozzle 70a, a second drying nozzle 70b, and a switching mechanism 9.

[0119] In the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, air can be discharged from the first drying nozzle 70a or the second drying nozzle 70b provided on the moving movable part 10, so that the seat surface 30 and the back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be dried in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. Also, in the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, the switching mechanism 9 is provided on the movable part 10, so that the switching mechanism 9 and the air blower device 8 can be connected by a single air duct 14. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, it is easy to reduce the number of parts and to make the toilet seat device 1 more compact.

[0120] As in the above-described embodiment and its modified example, the toilet seat device 1 of the third aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of the second aspect.

[0121] That is, in the toilet seat device 1 of the third aspect, the movable part 10 is movable between a first movable position facing a part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, and a second movable position facing another part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. The switching mechanism 9 includes a switch 90 that is pressed by contact with a part around the movable part 10 when the movable part 10 reaches the first movable position or the second movable position. The switching mechanism 9 further includes a switching part 91 configured to switch the communication state from the first communication state to the second communication state, or to switch the second communication state from the first communication state to the second communication state, when the switch 90 is pressed.

[0122] In the toilet seat device 1 of the third embodiment, when the movable part 10 reaches the first movable position or the second movable position in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, the switch 90 comes into contact with the surrounding area and is pressed, switching the communication destination of the air blower device 8 to the first drying nozzle 70a or the second drying nozzle 70b. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1 of the third embodiment, the power source for moving the movable part 10 and the power source for operating the switching mechanism 9 can be shared.

[0123] As in the above-described embodiment and its modified example, the toilet seat device 1 of the fourth aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of the third aspect.

[0124] That is, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment, the switching unit 91 has an internal air passage 910. The air passage 910 includes a first end 911 that communicates with the air blower 8, and a second end 912 that communicates with either the first drying nozzle 70a or the second drying nozzle 70b. When the switch 90 is pressed, the switching unit 91 moves between a first communication position where the second end 912 communicates with the first drying nozzle 70a, and a second communication position where the second end 912 communicates with the second drying nozzle 70b.

[0125] According to the fourth embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, the destination of communication of the air blower can be switched between the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b by moving the switching unit 91 having an air passage 910 therein between the first communication position and the second communication position.

[0126] Like the embodiment and its modified examples described above, the toilet seat device 1 of the fifth aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0127] That is, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment, the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b open toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3.

[0128] According to the toilet seat device 1 of the fifth aspect, air can be discharged from each of the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat 3. Therefore, according to the toilet seat device 1 of the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent air from being discharged outside the toilet seat 3, i.e., outside the toilet lid 4.

[0129] Like the embodiment and its modified examples described above, the toilet seat device 1 of the sixth aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0130] That is, in the toilet seat device 1 of the sixth embodiment, a seal portion 16 configured to close the gap between the toilet lid 4 and the toilet body 2 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid 4.

[0131] According to the sixth embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, it is possible to prevent air ejected from the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b from being discharged through the gap between the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid 4 and the toilet body 2.

[0132] Like the embodiment and its modified examples described above, the toilet seat device 1 of the seventh aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0133] That is, in the toilet seat device 1 of the seventh embodiment, the toilet lid 4 has a toilet lid body 40 that covers the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3, and a toilet lid side wall 41 that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid body 40 and covers the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat 3. The cleaning device 5 further has a toilet lid drying nozzle 70c configured to eject air toward the toilet lid side wall 41.

[0134] In the seventh embodiment of the toilet seat device 1, even if water on the seat surface 30 and back surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is scattered by the air from the first drying nozzle 70a and the second drying nozzle 70b and adheres to the toilet lid side wall 41, it can be dried by the air from the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c.

[0135] As in the above-described embodiment and its modified example, the toilet seat device 1 of the eighth aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of the seventh aspect.

[0136] That is, in the toilet seat device 1 of the eighth aspect, the cleaning device 5 has a first air duct 13a communicating with the first drying nozzle 70a and a second air duct 13b communicating with the second drying nozzle 70b. The first air duct 13a and the second air duct 13b are not connected to each other. The toilet lid drying nozzle 70c is connected only to the second air duct 13b out of the first air duct 13a and the second air duct 13b.

[0137] In the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the eighth embodiment, air can be supplied to the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c by utilizing the air duct for the second drying nozzle 70b, without the need for a dedicated air duct for supplying air to the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c. Therefore, the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the eighth embodiment can discharge air from the toilet lid drying nozzle 70c while achieving a compact design. In addition, because the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the eighth embodiment utilizes the drying air duct for the underside 31 of the toilet seat 3 (i.e., the second air duct 13b), the amount of air for drying the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3 is not reduced, and a decrease in the drying function of the seat surface 30 can be prevented.

[0138] As in the above-described embodiment and its variations, the toilet device 100 of the ninth aspect comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat device 1 of any one of the first to eighth aspects attached to the toilet body 2.

[0139] The ninth embodiment of the toilet device 100 having the above configuration is equipped with the toilet seat device 1, and therefore can dry the seat surface 30 of the toilet seat 3 and its surroundings with wind while preventing the device that generates wind (i.e., the air blower device 8) from becoming too large.

[0140] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate design changes are possible within the intended scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1 Toilet seat device 2 Toilet bowl body 20 Bowls 21 rims 210 Top 211 Mounting hole 22 Skirt 3. Toilet seat 30 seat 31 Back side 310 Bulge 32 legs 33 Aperture 330 rear 4 Toilet lid 40 Toilet lid body 400 insertion hole 41 Toilet lid side wall 42 Rail 420 inner rail 421 outer rail 422 Intermediate rail 43 First Stopper 44 Second stopper 45a first buffer member 45b Second buffer member 5. Cleaning equipment 6. Cleaning water supply section 60 cleaning nozzle 60a First cleaning nozzle 60b Second cleaning nozzle 60c Toilet lid cleaning nozzle 60d Bowl Cleaning Nozzle 61 Main body 62 First arm 63 Second arm 64 Water inlet 64a First water inlet 64b Second water supply port 7 Air supply section 70 Drying nozzle 70a First drying nozzle 70b Second drying nozzle 70c Toilet lid drying nozzle 71 Main body 72 Arm section 73a First connection port 73b Second connection port 74 Aperture 8. Blower 9 Switching mechanism 90 Switch 91 Switching section 910 Wind path 911 First end 912 Second end 913 Rotation control unit 92 Connecting member 93 cases 930 Connection port 931 hole 932 First series of aisles 933 Second communication passage 10 Moving parts 101 Roller 102 Inner roller 103 Outer Roller 104 Intermediate Roller 105 Pinion 106 Motor 107 Drive Unit 11 Waterways 11a First waterway 11b Second waterway 12 Water supply pipe 12a First water supply pipe 12b Second water supply pipe 120a First joint 120b Second joint 13 Wind path 13a First wind path 13b Second wind path 14 Air duct 140 Fixed tube 141 Movable tube 142 First pipe section 143 Second pipe section 15 Mounting part 16 Seal part 17 Water Supply Line 17a First water supply line 17b Second water supply line 18 air supply path 19 カバー 100 toilet fixtures

Claims

1. 1. A toilet seat apparatus for mounting on a toilet body having a bowl, comprising: The toilet seat, The toilet lid and a cleaning device for cleaning the toilet seat; Equipped with The cleaning device includes: A cleaning nozzle configured to dispense cleaning water onto the toilet seat; a first drying nozzle configured to emit air toward a seat surface of the toilet seat; a second drying nozzle configured to emit air toward the underside of the toilet seat; a blower configured to supply air; a switching mechanism configured to switch a communication state between a first communication state in which only the first drying nozzle of the first drying nozzle and the second drying nozzle is connected to the blower and a second communication state in which only the second drying nozzle of the first drying nozzle and the second drying nozzle is connected to the blower; having Toilet seat device.

2. The flushing device further has a movable part that moves in a circumferential direction of the toilet seat, and the movable portion is provided with the first drying nozzle, the second drying nozzle, and the switching mechanism; 2. A toilet seat apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

3. The movable portion is movable between a first movable position facing a part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat and a second movable position facing another part of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat; and The switching mechanism includes: a switch that is pressed by contacting a portion surrounding the movable part when the movable part reaches the first movable position or the second movable position; a switching unit configured to switch the communication state from the first communication state to the second communication state or from the second communication state to the first communication state when the switch is pressed; Including, 3. A toilet seat apparatus as claimed in claim 2.

4. The switching unit has an air passage therein, The air passage includes a first end communicating with the air blower and a second end communicating with the first drying nozzle or the second drying nozzle; and When the switch is pressed, the switching unit moves between a first communication position where the second end communicates with the first drying nozzle and a second communication position where the second end communicates with the second drying nozzle.

4. A toilet seat apparatus as claimed in claim 3.

5. The first drying nozzle and the second drying nozzle are open toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat. A toilet seat apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A seal portion is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid so as to close the gap between the toilet lid and the toilet body. A toilet seat apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The toilet lid is A toilet lid body that covers the seat surface of the toilet seat; A toilet lid side wall that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the toilet lid body and covers the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat; and The cleaning device further includes a toilet lid drying nozzle configured to eject air toward the toilet lid side wall.

2. A toilet seat apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

8. The cleaning device includes: A first air passage communicating with the first drying nozzle; A second air duct communicating with the second drying nozzle; having The first air passage and the second air passage are not in communication with each other, The toilet lid drying nozzle is not in communication with the first air passage, and The toilet lid drying nozzle is in communication with the second air duct.

8. A toilet seat arrangement as claimed in claim 7.

9. A toilet body having a bowl; A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is attached on the toilet body; A toilet device comprising:

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Automatic toilet seat cleaning device

    JP2010246898A