Flush toilet

Abstract

To prevent washing water from splashing out from a toilet bowl when the washing water is sprayed from a toilet spout, without spoiling the appearance design.SOLUTION: A flush toilet is provided, flushing a toilet bowl with washing water supplied by the water supply pressure of tap water. The flush toilet includes: a bowl portion having a bowl-shaped filth receiving surface, a rim portion formed above the filth receiving surface and a shelf surface formed between the filth receiving surface and the rim portion; one toilet spout provided in the rim portion and spraying washing water forward; and a conduit for directing washing water to the toilet spout. In the downstream side of the toilet spout, a flow path expansion portion is provided, which forms a space expanding upward in the direction in which washing water flows from the toilet spout. This flow path expansion portion is located near or below the vertical centerline of the rim portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flush toilet, and more particularly to a flush toilet that flushes the toilet with flush water supplied by water supply pressure from a mains water supply. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, flush toilets have been known in which flush water supplied from the water mains is discharged from a single rim spout to flush the toilet, as described in Patent Document 1. In such flush toilets, flush water supplied by the water supply pressure of the water mains is discharged from a single rim spout, so the flush water is forcefully discharged from the rim spout. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-26681 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In flush toilets such as those described above, flush water is spouted with force from the rim spout, and there is a possibility that the flush water will splash out of the toilet bowl when it is spouted from the rim spout. Specifically, in flush toilets such as those described above, the rim spout is continuous with the inner circumferential surface of the rim, so the flush water spouted from the rim spout flows upward along the inner circumferential surface of the rim, causing the flush water to splash out of the toilet bowl. One way to prevent flush water from splashing out is to separate the inner circumferential surface of the rim from the rim spout so that they are not continuous. However, if the inner circumferential surface of the rim is separated from the rim spout, the rim spout will be exposed to the outside and become noticeable, which will detract from the aesthetic design of the entire toilet bowl.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent flushing water from splashing out of the toilet bowl when it is discharged from the spout without compromising the external design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flush toilet that flushes the toilet bowl with flush water supplied by the water supply pressure of a water main, and has a bowl portion equipped with a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface, a rim portion formed above the waste receiving surface, and a shelf surface formed between the waste receiving surface and the rim portion, one spout provided in the rim portion that spouts flush water forward, and a water conduit for guiding the flush water to the spout, and downstream of the spout is an expanded flow path portion that forms a space that expands upward in the direction in which the flush water flows from the spout, and this expanded flow path portion is located near the vertical center line of the rim portion or below this center line. In the present invention configured in this manner, the toilet has an expanded flow path portion that forms a space that expands upward in the direction in which flush water flows from the spout, thereby preventing flush water from splashing out of the toilet bowl when it is discharged from the spout. Furthermore, because the expanded flow path portion is located near the vertical center line of the rim portion or below this center line, the spout is not noticeable from the outside, and the external design of the entire toilet bowl is not impaired. Therefore, flush water can be prevented from splashing out of the toilet bowl when it is discharged from the spout, without compromising the external design.

[0007] In the present invention, the upper surface of the enlarged flow path portion is preferably substantially horizontal. In the present invention configured in this way, the upper surface of the expanded flow path section is almost horizontal, so the flush water flowing upward can be dropped by the upper surface of the expanded flow path section, preventing the flush water from splashing out of the toilet bowl. In addition, the upper surface of the expanded flow path can cover and conceal the spout, making the rim spout less noticeable from the outside.

[0008] In the present invention, the upper surface of the enlarged flow path portion is preferably formed so as to taper toward the downstream side in plan view. In the present invention configured in this manner, the upper surface of the expanded flow path portion is formed so that it tapers downstream when viewed in a plane, which prevents flushing water from splashing out of the toilet bowl near the spout and makes the expanded flow path portion less noticeable from the outside.

[0009] In the present invention, the shelf surface is preferably formed at the same height as the bottom surface of the water channel. In the present invention configured in this manner, the shelf surface is formed at the same height as the bottom surface of the water channel, so the shelf surface can be placed at a relatively low position, preventing flush water from splashing out of the toilet bowl. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The flush toilet of the present invention can prevent flush water from splashing out of the toilet bowl when it is discharged from the discharge port, without compromising the external design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing cross section IIIA of the rim portion of the flush toilet according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing cross section IIIB of the rim portion of the flush toilet according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing cross section IIIC of the rim portion of the flush toilet according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing cross section IIID of the rim portion of the flush toilet according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an enlarged flow path portion of a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. First, the basic structure of a flush toilet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. In this specification, the front side of the flush toilet as seen from the user is referred to as the front side, the back side as the rear side, and the right side as the right side. will be described as the right side and the left side as the left side.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a flush toilet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a siphon jet flush toilet that uses a jet of water to generate a siphon effect and discharge waste from the bowl section to the outside through the drain trap pipe. The flush toilet 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a siphon jet type flush toilet, but it may also be a wash-down type toilet in which waste is washed away by the flowing water caused by the difference in water level within the bowl, or a siphon type flush toilet in which siphon action is generated by the rim spout to discharge waste within the bowl to the outside through the drainage pipe.

[0014] The flush toilet 1 comprises a ceramic toilet body 2, a resin toilet seat and toilet lid (not shown) placed on the top surface of the toilet body 2, and a water storage tank 4 placed at the upper rear of the toilet body 2 and covered by a resin cover (not shown).

[0015] The toilet body 2 is formed with a bowl portion 6 for receiving waste, a drain trap pipe 8 provided at the bottom of the bowl portion 6 for discharging waste by siphon action, a rim spout 10 for rim water discharge, a rim water conduit 12 for supplying flushing water to the rim spout 10, a jet spout 14 for jet water discharge, and a jet water conduit 16 for supplying flushing water to the jet spout 14.

[0016] Bowl portion 6 has a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface 18, a rim portion 20 formed along the upper edge of bowl portion 6, and a shelf surface 21 formed between waste receiving surface 18 and rim portion 20. Bowl portion 6 also has a basin portion 22 formed in the area below waste receiving surface 18 and connected to drain trap pipe line 8. A water collecting surface W is formed inside basin portion 22.

[0017] The drain trap pipe 8 has an inlet 8a, an ascending pipe 8b extending upward from the inlet 8a, a descending pipe 8c extending downward from the ascending pipe 8b, and a top 8d located between the descending pipe 8c and the ascending pipe 8b and defining the accumulated water level. The lower end of the descending pipe 8c of the drain trap pipe 8 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown) via a drain socket (not shown).

[0018] When viewing the toilet body 2 from the front, only one rim spout 10 (spout) is formed on the rear left side of the rim portion 20. The rim spout 10 spouts flushing water forward, and this flushing water flows down onto the waste receiving surface 18 while swirling on the inner circumferential surface 20a of the rim portion 20 and the shelf surface 21, thereby cleaning the waste receiving surface 18.

[0019] In plan view, the rim conduit 12 is formed in a tapered shape with the flow path cross section gradually becoming smaller towards the rim spout 10. A water supply hose 13 that is directly connected to the water supply is connected to the upstream side of the rim conduit 12. Flush water is supplied to the rim conduit 12 from the water supply, and is discharged from the rim spout 10 by the water supply pressure of the water supply.

[0020] Jet water outlet 14 is formed in the bottom of bowl portion 6. Jet water outlet 14 is positioned opposite inlet 8a of drain trap pipe 8 and is directed toward inlet 8a of drain trap pipe 8. Jet water outlet 14 ejects flush water toward inlet 8a of drain trap pipe 8, and this flush water flows into drain trap pipe 8, activating the siphon action.

[0021] The jet water conduit 16 extends forward from the water storage tank 4, bends, and then extends rearward. One end of the jet water conduit 16 is connected to the drain outlet 4a of the water storage tank 4, and the other end is connected to the jet water spouting outlet 14. Flush water is supplied to the jet water conduit 16 from the water storage tank 4, and the head pressure of this flush water causes the flush water to be spouted from the jet water spouting outlet 14.

[0022] The water storage tank 4 is a gravity-fed tank that stores the flush water used for jet spouting and supplies it to the jet spouting port 14. The water storage tank 4 is a small resin tank. The water storage tank 4 has a volume of approximately 3 liters, and the amount of flush water discharged from the water storage tank 4 in one flush is approximately 2 liters.

[0023] Inside the water storage tank 4 are provided a water supply device 24 that supplies flush water to the water storage tank 4, a drainage device 26 that supplies or stops the flush water stored in the water storage tank 4 to the jet water conduit 16, and a float switch 28 that detects when the flush water level in the water storage tank 4 has reached the full water level. Also provided outside the water storage tank 4 is a controller (not shown) that controls the water supply device 24 and drainage device 26 to operate or stop based on an operation signal from the user, and an operation unit (not shown) that sends out an operation signal in response to operation by the user.

[0024] The water supply device 24 comprises a constant flow valve (not shown) connected to the water supply, a rim-side solenoid valve 23 which supplies or stops the flow of flush water to the rim spout 10, and a tank-side solenoid valve 27 which supplies or stops the flow of flush water to a tank water supply port 25 located inside the water storage tank 4. The rim-side solenoid valve 23 and tank-side solenoid valve 27 are designed to be driven by commands from a controller based on operation signals from the user and water level detection signals from a float switch 28.

[0025] The drainage device 26 comprises an overflow pipe 30 that drains overflowing water from the water storage tank 4 into the toilet body 2, a drain valve 32 fixed to the lower end of the overflow pipe 30, and a toilet flushing unit 36 that opens and closes the drain valve 32 by moving the overflow pipe 30 up and down using an electric drive force. The toilet flushing unit 36 is driven by commands from a controller based on operation signals from the user.

[0026] The controller is electrically connected to the operation unit, float switch 28, rim-side solenoid valve 23, tank-side solenoid valve 27, and toilet flushing unit 36, and is capable of sending and receiving various signals. The controller receives a flush start signal for a large flush or small flush from the operation unit, and activates or stops the rim-side solenoid valve 23, tank-side solenoid valve 27, and toilet flushing unit 36 based on a pre-stored flush sequence.

[0027] The flush toilet 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention is set to have a flush water volume of approximately 4.8 liters for a large flush and approximately 3.8 liters for a small flush.

[0028] Next, the structure of the rim section 20 downstream of the rim spout 10 of a flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figures 3A to 3D are diagrams showing cross sections IIIA to IIID of the rim section of a flush toilet according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a perspective view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the enlarged flow path section of a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the invention seen from above.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the upper surface 12a and lower surface 12b of the rim conduit 12 extend almost horizontally. This rim conduit 12 is indicated by a dashed line in Figure 2. Downstream of the rim spout 10 of the rim section 20, an expanded flow path section 40 is formed, which forms a space that expands suddenly upward in the direction in which flush water flows from the rim spout 10. The upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 is formed so that there is a step in relation to the upper surfaces 12a of the rim spout 10 and rim conduit 12. In other words, the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 and the upper surfaces 12a of the rim spout 10 and rim conduit 12 are not smoothly connected. This prevents flush water spouted from the rim spout 10 from flowing upward along the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40.

[0030] 1 and 2, the expanded flow path section 40 extends from the rim spout 10 to an area forward of the front-to-rear center line CL1 of the bowl section. The expanded flow path section 40 is positioned below the vertical center line CL2 of the rim section 20. This makes the rim spout 10 less noticeable from the outside compared to when the expanded flow path section 40 is positioned above the center line CL2. In the flush toilet 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the enlarged flow path section 40 is positioned below the vertical center line CL2 of the rim section 20, but the enlarged flow path section 40 may also be positioned near the vertical center line CL2 of the rim section 20.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1, 3A-3D, and 4, the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 is formed in a triangular shape in a plan view, tapering toward the downstream side. In Figure 1, the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 20 is indicated by diagonal lines. The width W of the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 in the left-right direction is set to approximately twice the length of the rim spout 10 near the rim spout 10 (see Figure 3A). This prevents flush water from splashing out of the toilet bowl near the rim spout 10. Furthermore, the width W of the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 gradually decreases toward the downstream side (see Figures 3B and 3C), disappearing at the most downstream end and merging with the inner circumferential surface 20a of the rim section 20 (see Figure 3D). This makes the expanded flow path section 40 appear to be integrated with the rim section 20, making it less noticeable from the outside.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2, 3A to 3D, and 5, the height H of the expanded flow path section 40 (height of the side surface 40c) is approximately constant from the upstream side to the downstream side. In other words, the upper surface 40a and lower surface 40b (shelf surface 21) of the expanded flow path section 40 extend parallel to each other and approximately horizontally. Furthermore, the upper surface 40a and side surface 40c of the expanded flow path section 40 intersect perpendicularly. This allows flush water spouted from the rim spout 10 to flow upward along the side surface 40c, and then be forced downward by the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40.

[0033] 1 and 5, the side surface 40c of the expanded flow path section 40 is smoothly connected to the side surface of the rim water conduit 12 on its upstream side, and is smoothly connected to the inner circumferential surface 20a of the rim section on its downstream side. This allows the side surface of the rim water conduit 12, the side surface 40c of the expanded flow path section 40, and the inner circumferential surface 20a of the rim section 20 to be smoothly connected, allowing flush water to flow smoothly.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2, 3A to 3D, and 5, the underside 40b (ledge surface 21) of the expanded flow path section 40 is approximately horizontal, over which flush water discharged from the rim spout 10 flows. The underside 40b (ledge surface 21) of the expanded flow path section 40 is formed at the same height as the underside 12b of the rim water conduit 12, and is set at a relatively low position. The underside 40b (ledge surface 21) of the expanded flow path section 40 is also smoothly and continuously connected to the underside 12b of the rim water conduit 12.

[0035] The following describes the effects and advantages of the flush toilet 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above. The flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an expanded flow path section 40 that forms a space that expands upward in the direction that flush water flows from the rim spout 10, and therefore it is possible to prevent flush water from splashing out of the toilet when it is spouted from the rim spout 10. Furthermore, because the expanded flow path section 40 is positioned near the vertical center line CL2 of the rim section 20 or below the center line CL2, the rim spout 10 is not noticeable from the outside and the external design of the toilet as a whole is not compromised. Therefore, it is possible to prevent flush water from splashing out of the toilet when it is spouted from the rim spout 10 without compromising the external design.

[0036] Furthermore, in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 is approximately horizontal, so the upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 can cause flush water that flows upward along the side surface 40c of the expanded flow path section 40 to fall, preventing the flush water from splashing out of the toilet. The upper surface 40a of the expanded flow path section 40 can also cover and conceal the rim spout 10, making it less noticeable from the outside.

[0037] In the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface 40a of the enlarged flow path section 40 is formed so that it tapers downstream when viewed in a plane, which prevents flush water from splashing out of the toilet near the rim spout 10 and makes the enlarged flow path section 40 less noticeable from the outside.

[0038] Furthermore, in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the underside 40b (shelf surface 21) of the enlarged flow path section 40 is formed at the same height as the underside 12b of the rim water conduit 12, so the underside 40b (shelf surface 21) of the enlarged flow path section 40 can be positioned at a relatively low level, preventing flush water from splashing out of the toilet.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: Flush toilet 2: Toilet bowl body 4: Water tank 6: Bowl section 10: Rim spout 12: Rim waterway 12a: Top surface of the rim conduit 12b: Underside of rim channel 18: Waste receiving surface 20: Rim 20a: Inner surface of rim 21: Shelf surface 40: Enlarged flow path 40a: Upper surface of enlarged flow path 40b: Lower surface of enlarged flow path 40c: Side of enlarged flow path

Claims

1. A flush toilet that uses flush water supplied by the water supply pressure of the mains water supply, a bowl portion including a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface, a rim portion formed above the waste receiving surface, and a shelf surface formed between the waste receiving surface and the rim portion; one water outlet provided in the rim portion and which discharges flush water forward; a water channel for guiding the flush water to the water outlet; and A flush toilet characterized in that an expanded flow path section is provided downstream of the spout, forming a space that expands upward in the direction in which flush water flows from the spout, and this expanded flow path section is located near the vertical center line of the rim section or below this center line.

2. 2. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the enlarged flow path portion is substantially horizontal.

3. 3. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the enlarged flow path portion is formed so as to taper downstream in plan view.

4. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein the shelf surface is formed at the same height as the bottom surface of the water channel.

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