Toilet seat device

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device that can effectively clean a toilet seat without increasing humidity in a toilet space.SOLUTION: A washing device 9 is a device for washing an upper surface 41 of a toilet seat 4. The washing device 9 comprises an injection device 91, a suction device 92, and a gas-liquid separation device 93. The injection device 91 injects steam S1 to the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. The suction device 92 sucks the steam S1 injected to the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. The gas-liquid separation device 93 separates gas mixture of air and the steam S1 sucked by the suction device 92, into water W1 and air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a toilet seat apparatus, and more particularly to a toilet seat apparatus capable of cleaning a toilet seat using water steam. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a toilet apparatus mainly includes a bowl and a toilet seat apparatus. The toilet seat apparatus is installed on the bowl and includes a toilet seat and a cover. The toilet seat is used for a user to sit on the toilet bowl. The cover is used to cover the bowl when the toilet is not in use.

[0003] The toilet lid described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a tube for a device that sprays high-temperature steam to clean the toilet seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-16375 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the toilet lid described in Patent Document 1, the high-temperature steam (i.e., water vapor) that is sprayed flows out from the seat of the toilet bowl, splitting into two parts, one inside the bowl and the other outside. The high-temperature steam that flows outside the bowl stays in the toilet space. As a result, the humidity in the toilet space increases, leading to the spread of dirt.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet seat apparatus that can effectively clean the seat surface of a toilet seat without increasing humidity in a toilet space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and a cleaning device. The toilet seat is attached to a bowl. The toilet lid is placed on top of the toilet seat. The cleaning device cleans the upper surface of the toilet seat. The cleaning device has an injection device, a suction device, and a gas-liquid separation device. The injection device injects water vapor onto the upper surface of the toilet seat. The suction device sucks in the water vapor injected onto the upper surface of the toilet seat. The gas-liquid separation device separates the mixture of air and water vapor sucked in by the suction device into water and air. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In a toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the toilet seat can be effectively cleaned without increasing humidity in the toilet space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet apparatus having a toilet seat apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toilet apparatus in the first embodiment (that is, a cross-sectional view taken along a straight line extending in the left-right direction). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2, showing the toilet seat of the toilet apparatus and its flushing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the toilet seat and the cleaning device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the cleaning device in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the cleaning control operation of the cleaning device in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The toilet seat device according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each figure described in the following embodiment is a schematic diagram, and the size and thickness ratio of each component does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. In addition, the configuration described in the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0011] (First embodiment) (1) Overall configuration of the toilet device Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet apparatus 1 having a toilet seat apparatus 3 according to a first embodiment. The toilet apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The toilet apparatus 1 comprises a bowl 2 and a toilet seat apparatus 3 installed on an upper portion of the bowl 2.

[0012] The bowl 2 is a generally funnel-shaped toilet body for receiving waste. The bowl 2 is connected to a sewer pipe via a drain outlet provided at the bottom and a trap or the like. The bowl 2 is made of, for example, resin and has a hollow shape.

[0013] The toilet seat device 3 has a main body 6 disposed on the upper rear surface of the bowl 2, a toilet seat 4 rotatably supported by the main body 6, and a toilet lid 5 disposed on the toilet seat 4 and rotatably supported by the main body 6. The toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 5 are raised from or lowered to the upper surface of the bowl 2 either manually or electrically. The main body 6 accommodates, for example, a private parts cleansing device, a drying device, and a deodorizing device, all of which are not shown.

[0014] The toilet seat 4 is made of, for example, resin. The toilet seat 4 is formed to be annular as a whole, and has a central opening 40 for passing waste excreted by a seated user. The toilet seat 4 is movable between a closed state (i.e., a lowered state) and an open state (i.e., a raised state). In the closed state, the toilet seat 4 is disposed on the bowl 2 so as to surround the upper surface of the bowl 2, and exposes the bowl 2 through the central opening 40. This allows a user to excrete into the bowl 2 while sitting on the toilet seat 4. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view (i.e., a cross-sectional view along a straight line extending in the left-right direction) of the toilet device 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2, and is a view showing the toilet seat unit of the toilet device 1 in the first embodiment and its flushing device 9. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the toilet seat 4 has an upper surface 41 and a lower surface 42. The upper surface 41 is the upper surface of the toilet seat 4 when it is closed, and is the seating surface on which a user sits. The lower surface 42 is the lower surface of the toilet seat 4 when it is closed.

[0015] The toilet lid 5 is made of, for example, resin. The toilet lid 5 is movable between a closed state (i.e., a lowered state) and an open state (i.e., a raised state). As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the toilet lid 5 covers the toilet seat 4 from above when closed. The toilet lid 5 has a lid portion 51 and a peripheral portion 52. When the toilet lid 5 is closed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lid portion 51 covers the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4, and the peripheral portion 52 covers the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat 4. Therefore, when the flushing device 9 (described later) ejects and sucks in the water vapor S1 as described later, the water vapor S1 is unlikely to leak out of the toilet device 1.

[0016] In this specification, "front," "rear," "left," and "right" are directions seen from the perspective of a user sitting on the toilet seat 4 with their back to the open toilet lid 5.

[0017] (2) Cleaning equipment As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the toilet seat device 3 further includes a cleaning device 9. The cleaning device 9 is a device that uses water steam S1 to clean the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. The water steam S1 hits the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 to remove dirt and heat it, thereby cleaning and sterilizing it.

[0018] (2-1) Basic configuration and operation of the cleaning device The cleaning device 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] The cleaning device 9 has an ejection device 91 , a suction device 92 , a moving device 94 , and a rotating member 95 .

[0020] The sprayer 91 sprays water steam S1 onto the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. The sprayer 91 has a spray nozzle 911. The spray nozzle 911 is an opening. The water steam S1 is sprayed from the spray nozzle 911.

[0021] The suction device 92 sucks in the water vapor S1 sprayed onto the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. The suction device 92 has a suction port 921. The suction port 921 is an opening. The water vapor S1 is sucked in from the suction port 921.

[0022] The moving device 94 is provided at the center of the underside of the toilet lid 5, and has a motor and gears (not shown). The moving device 94 rotates a rotating member 95 (described later) about a rotation axis X1 extending in the vertical direction, thereby moving the jet nozzle 911 and suction port 921 of the sprayer 91 along the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. In detail, the jet nozzle 911 and the suction port 921 are capable of circular movement between the rear right end and the rear left end of the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4.

[0023] The rotating member 95 is a rotating member provided with a spray device 91 and a suction device 92. The rotating member 95 extends outward from the moving device 94 (i.e., in a direction away from the center of the lower surface of the toilet lid 5). The center side end of the rotating member 95 is connected to the moving device 94. The rotating member 95 is rotatable around the rotation axis X1. The spray device 91 is provided at the outer end of the rotating member 95. The spray device 91 extends downward from the rotating member 95. The suction device 92 is provided on the rotating member 95 on the rotation axis X1 side of the spray device 91. The suction device 92 extends downward from the rotating member 95. As shown in FIG. 3, when the toilet lid 5 is closed, the spray port 911 and the suction port 921 face each other with the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 sandwiched between them.

[0024] 3, the rotating member 95 is provided with a water vapor supply passage 952 extending to the injection port 911, and a water vapor discharge passage 953 extending to the suction port 921. Although not shown, the water vapor supply passage 952 and the water vapor discharge passage 953 are provided with an openable / closable on-off valve. The on-off valve is, for example, a solenoid valve, and opens and closes in response to a control command from the control unit 74 (described later). The water vapor supply passage 952 and the water vapor discharge passage 953 are formed by hoses arranged inside.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the toilet seat 4 and the flushing device 9 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating member 95 has an expandable portion 951. The expandable portion 951 is a structure that allows the entire rotating member 95 to expand and contract while maintaining the water vapor supply passage 952 and the water vapor discharge passage 953. The expandable portion 951 has a spring (not shown), and the portion having the spray device 91 and the suction device 92 is biased by the spring toward the side away from the rotation axis X1 (i.e., toward the outside). As a result, the outer tip of the rotating member 95 is kept supported by the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral portion 52 of the toilet lid 5. Note that the expandable portion 951 is omitted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0026] The orbiting operation of the cleaning device 9 will be described with reference to Figure 4. When the moving device 94 drives and rotates the rotating member 95, the spray device 91 and the suction device 92 move in an orbit along the toilet seat 4. At this time, due to the expansion and contraction action of a spring (not shown), the length of the expandable portion 951 of the rotating member 95 changes in accordance with the change in the diameter length of the peripheral portion 52 of the toilet lid 5. Therefore, the spray device 91 and the suction device 92 can maintain an appropriate cleaning position with respect to the toilet seat 4.

[0027] During the orbital operation, the spray device 91 sprays water vapor S1 onto the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 to clean the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. Then, the suction device 92 sucks in the water vapor S1 sprayed onto the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4. Therefore, the water vapor S1 is less likely to leak outside the toilet apparatus 1.

[0028] During the orbital operation, the jet port 911 of the jet device 91 and the suction port 921 of the suction device 92 continue to be arranged with a point on the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 between them. Therefore, the water vapor S1 flows from the jet port 911 of the jet device 91 through a point on the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 to the suction port 921 of the suction device 92. In this way, the water vapor S1 is collected by the suction device 92 via the shortest distance. As a result, the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 can be efficiently cleaned with a small amount of water vapor S1.

[0029] The ejection port 911 is disposed on the outer periphery of the toilet seat 4. The suction port 921 is disposed on the inner periphery of the toilet seat 4. Therefore, the water vapor S1 flows from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the toilet seat 4. As a result, the water vapor S1 is less likely to leak outside the toilet apparatus 1.

[0030] The cleaning device 9 further includes a gas-liquid separator 93. The gas-liquid separator 93 separates the mixed gas of air and water vapor S1 sucked by the suction device 92 into water W1 and air. This makes it easy to collect the water vapor S1.

[0031] Gas-liquid separation device 93 is provided in moving device 94. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, gas-liquid separation device 93 discharges separated water W1 into bowl 2. According to the above configuration, since separated water W1 is supplied into bowl 2, the toilet space is less likely to be contaminated by moisture caused by water vapor S1.

[0032] (2-2) Detailed configuration and operation of the cleaning device 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the cleaning device 9 in the first embodiment. The cleaning device 9 will be described in further detail with reference to FIG.

[0033] The spray device 91 of the cleaning device 9 has a heater 912, a pump 913, and a tank 914. These devices are provided outside the moving device 94.

[0034] A pump 913 draws up water from a tank 914 and supplies it to the heater 912. The water supplied to the heater 912 becomes water vapor S1 by the heater 912. The method of generating water vapor S1 by the heater 912 is not particularly limited. Water may be stored in the heater 912 and heated, or water may be sprayed onto a plate incorporating the heater 912.

[0035] The suction device 92 is, for example, a pump.

[0036] (2-3) Control configuration of the cleaning device As shown in Fig. 5, the cleaning apparatus 9 further includes a control unit 74. The control unit 74 includes a computer system having one or more processors and a memory. The functions of the control unit 74 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in the memory, or may be provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

[0037] The control unit 74 controls the operations of the ejection device 91, the suction device 92, the gas-liquid separation device 93, and the movement device 94. Specifically, the control unit 74 controls the ejection nozzle 911 of the ejection device 91, the heater 912, the pump 913, and the motor 941 of the movement device 94.

[0038] An operation signal is input to the control unit 74 from the operation unit 75. The operation unit 75 is, for example, a remote control having switches or buttons. The operation unit 75 accepts operation instructions input from the user, and inputs an operation signal based on the input operation instructions to the control unit 74. The control unit 74 controls the operation of each part of the toilet apparatus 1 based on the operation signal input from the operation unit 75.

[0039] (2-4) Control operation of cleaning device The control operation of the cleaning device 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] The control flow charts described below are merely examples, and each step may be omitted or replaced as necessary. In addition, a plurality of steps may be executed simultaneously, or some or all of the steps may be executed in an overlapping manner.

[0041] Furthermore, each block in the control flowchart is not limited to a single control operation, but can be replaced with a plurality of control operations represented by a plurality of blocks.

[0042] The operation of each device is the result of commands from the control unit 74 to each device, and these are represented by each step of the software application.

[0043] In step S1, the control unit 74 waits for an operation signal to be input from the operation unit 75. In this initial state, the ejection device 91, the suction device 92, the gas-liquid separation device 93, and the movement device 94 are stopped. When an operation signal is input, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0044] In step S2, the control unit 74 controls the injector 91 to inject the water vapor S1 from the injection port 911.

[0045] In step S3, the control unit 74 controls the suction device 92 to suck the water vapor S1 through the suction port 921.

[0046] In step S4, the moving device 94 is controlled to move the spray device 91 and the suction device 92 along the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4.

[0047] In step S5, a predetermined time is awaited. Once the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S6. During this time, the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 is washed, and the collected water vapor S1 is separated into gas and liquid. The predetermined time is preferably the time required to wash the entire upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 once.

[0048] In step S6, the control unit 74 stops the ejection device 91, the suction device 92, the gas-liquid separation device 93, and the movement device 94. Note that the gas-liquid separation device 93 may continue to operate.

[0049] As a result of the above, the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 is cleaned by the water steam S1.

[0050] (2-5) Effects The following are some of the advantages of the present disclosure. It should be noted that it is not necessary for all of the advantages to be realized in one embodiment.

[0051] Since the suction device 92 sucks in the water vapor S1 sprayed onto the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4, the water vapor S1 is less likely to leak outside the toilet apparatus 1.

[0052] The gas-liquid separator 93 separates the mixture of air and water vapor S1 into water W1 and air, making it easy to recover the water vapor S1.

[0053] Since the separated water W1 is supplied into the bowl 2, the toilet space is less likely to be contaminated by moisture caused by the water vapor S1.

[0054] Since the water vapor S1 flows from the jet port 911 of the jet device 91 through one place on the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 to the suction port 921 of the suction device 92, the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4 can be efficiently cleaned with a small amount of water vapor S1.

[0055] Since the water vapor S1 flows from the outer periphery side to the inner periphery side of the toilet seat 4, the water vapor S1 is unlikely to leak outside the toilet apparatus 1.

[0056] Since the jet device 91 and the suction device 92 move in the circumferential direction along the upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4, the cleaning device 9 can clean the entire upper surface 41 of the toilet seat 4.

[0057] (Modification) The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Below, modifications of the above-described embodiment are listed. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0058] The liquid / gas separator may discharge water resulting from steam into another device other than the bowl.

[0059] The gas-liquid separator may perform gas-liquid separation after the cleaning operation.

[0060] The suction device may be a vacuum device that applies a vacuum at a location remote from the ejection device.

[0061] Suction may be started before the injection of water vapor is started.

[0062] The spray device may have multiple sprayers for spraying steam simultaneously at multiple locations on the upper surface of the toilet seat.

[0063] The jet port may be located on the inner periphery of the toilet seat, and the suction port may be located on the outer periphery of the toilet seat.

[0064] The steam ejection operation may be set to occur only while the ejection port and the suction port make one revolution around the upper surface of the toilet seat, or may be set to occur only while the ejection port and the suction port make multiple revolutions around the upper surface of the toilet seat.

[0065] There may be a plurality of pairs of the injection port and the suction port. In this case, the plurality of pairs may be fixed to a plurality of positions on the cover member.

[0066] The water vapor may be generated from water mixed with a detergent.

[0067] A drying device may be provided for drying the upper surface of the toilet seat.

[0068] The operation of the flushing device may be performed automatically. For example, the operation of the flushing device may be performed periodically or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the user left the toilet bowl.

[0069] The mechanical structure of the cleaning device is not particularly limited.

[0070] (Aspect) The present specification discloses the following aspects.

[0071] The toilet seat device (3) includes a toilet seat (4), a toilet lid (5), and a cleaning device (9). The toilet seat (4) is attached to the bowl (2). The toilet lid (56) is placed on the toilet seat (4). The cleaning device (9) is a device for cleaning the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4). The cleaning device (9) includes a spray device (91), a suction device (92), and a gas-liquid separation device (93). The spray device (91) sprays water vapor (S1) onto the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4). The suction device (92) sucks in the water vapor (S1) sprayed onto the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4). The gas-liquid separation device (93) separates the mixture of air and water vapor (S1) sucked by the suction device (92) into water (W1) and air.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the spray device (91) sprays water vapor (S1) onto the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4) to clean the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4). Next, the suction device (92) sucks in the water vapor (S1) sprayed onto the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4). Therefore, the water vapor (S1) is less likely to leak outside the toilet apparatus (1). Finally, the gas-liquid separation device (93) separates the mixture of air and water vapor (S1) sucked in by the suction device (92) into water (W1) and air. This makes it easy to collect the water vapor (S1).

[0073] In the toilet seat device (3) according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the gas-liquid separation device (93) supplies the separated water (W1) into the bowl (2).

[0074] According to this embodiment, since the separated water (W1) is supplied into the bowl (2), the toilet space is less likely to be contaminated by moisture caused by the water vapor (S1).

[0075] In the toilet seat device (3) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the spray device (91) has a spray port (911). The suction device (92) has a suction port (921). The spray port (911) of the spray device (91) and the suction port (921) of the suction device (92) are disposed with one location on the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4) between them.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the water vapor (S1) flows from the spray port (911) of the spray device (91) through one location on the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4) to the suction port (921) of the suction device (92). Therefore, the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4) can be efficiently cleaned with a small amount of water vapor (S1).

[0077] In the toilet seat device (3) according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the jet port (911) is disposed on the outer periphery of the toilet seat (4), and the suction port (921) is disposed on the inner periphery of the toilet seat (4).

[0078] According to this embodiment, the water vapor (S1) flows from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the toilet seat (4), and therefore the water vapor (S1) is less likely to leak to the outside of the toilet apparatus (1).

[0079] In the toilet seat device (3) according to the fifth aspect, in the third or fourth aspect, the cleaning device (9) further includes a moving device (94). The moving device (94) moves the jet nozzle (911) and the suction port (921) along the upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4).

[0080] According to this embodiment, the cleaning device (9) can clean the entire upper surface (41) of the toilet seat (4). [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1: Toilet equipment 2: Bowl 3: Toilet seat device 4: Toilet seat 5: Toilet lid 6: Main body 9: Cleaning equipment 40: Central opening 41:Top surface 42:Bottom surface 51: Lid 52: Periphery 74: Control section 75:Operation section 91: Injection device 92:Suction device 93: Gas-liquid separation equipment 94: Mobile device 95: Rotating parts 911 :Injection port 912: Heater 913: Pump 914: Tank 921: Suction port 941: Motor 951: Telescopic part 952: Steam supply line 953: Water vapor exhaust S1: Water vapor W1:Water X1: Rotation axis

Claims

1. A toilet seat that is attached to the bowl; A toilet lid to be placed on the toilet seat; a cleaning device for cleaning the upper surface of the toilet seat, The cleaning device includes: an injection device that injects steam onto the upper surface of the toilet seat; A suction device that sucks in the water vapor sprayed onto the upper surface of the toilet seat; A gas-liquid separator that separates the mixed gas of air and water vapor sucked by the suction device into water and air. Toilet seat device.

2. The gas-liquid separator supplies water separated by the gas-liquid separator into the bowl.

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

3. The injection device has an injection port, The suction device has a suction port, The injection port of the injection device and the suction port of the suction device are disposed with one point of the upper surface of the toilet seat therebetween. A toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The jet nozzle is disposed on the outer periphery of the toilet seat; and The suction port is disposed on the inner periphery side of the toilet seat.

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

5. The cleaning device further includes a moving device that moves the jet nozzle and the suction nozzle along the upper surface of the toilet seat.

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

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