Toilet seat device and toilet bowl device comprising the same

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device in which a drying device for drying a toilet seat can be easily cleaned, and a toilet bowl device comprising the same.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device 1 is attached onto a toilet bowl body 2 comprising a bowl 20. The toilet seat device 1 comprises: a toilet seat 3 comprising an opening 30 at a center; a toilet lid 4 capable of switching between a closed posture covering the toilet seat 3, and an opened posture exposing the toilet seat 3; and a drying device 5 provided on the toilet lid 4, and for drying the toilet seat 3 by blowing air to the toilet seat 3. The drying device 5 comprises a protruding part 50 protruding from the toilet lid 4 so as to be located inside the opening 30 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed posture, and the protruding part 50 is provided with a blowing port 500 opened toward the toilet seat 3, and through which the air is passed. A toilet bowl device 100 comprises the toilet bowl body 2 comprising the bowl 20, and the toilet seat device 1 attached onto the toilet bowl body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat apparatus and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a toilet seat apparatus having a drying device for drying a toilet seat, and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic toilet seat cleaning device. In Patent Document 1, a cleaning nozzle that moves around along the contour of the toilet seat is provided on a cover that covers the toilet seat (i.e., a toilet lid). Water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the toilet seat, and then gas is sprayed to dry the toilet seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-246898 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the automatic toilet seat cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, a long pipe connected to the cleaning nozzle extends from the center of the toilet lid to the outer edge. This long pipe is exposed from the toilet lid. Therefore, the drying device, which includes the long pipe and the cleaning nozzle, is easily soiled. As a result, cleaning the drying device is time-consuming.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet seat apparatus in which a drying device that dries the toilet seat can be easily cleaned, and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on a toilet bowl body. The toilet seat apparatus includes a toilet seat with a central opening, a toilet lid switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that exposes the toilet seat, and a drying device attached to the toilet lid that blows air onto the toilet seat to dry it. The drying device includes a protrusion that protrudes from the toilet lid so as to be positioned inside the opening when the toilet lid is in the closed position, and the protrusion is provided with an air outlet that opens toward the toilet seat and through which the air passes.

[0007] 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]

[0008] In a toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure and a toilet apparatus including the same, the drying device that dries the toilet seat can be easily cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view that schematically illustrates a toilet seat apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrates the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat when it is dry. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the toilet seat apparatus of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure, and is a diagram showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat when it is dry. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of the first embodiment when it is dry. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus of the first embodiment when it is dry. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship in a plan view between the toilet seat and the protruding portion of the drying device included in the toilet seat device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the drying device of the first embodiment, showing the state when the upper surface of the toilet seat is being dried. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of the drying device of the first embodiment, showing the state when the underside of the toilet seat is being dried. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a state in which the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is dry. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus of the second embodiment when it is dry. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus of the second embodiment when it is dry. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus of the second embodiment when it is dry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Embodiment 1) 1. Overview FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view schematically illustrating a toilet seat apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrates the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat 3 during drying. As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is attached to a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat apparatus 1 includes a toilet seat 3 having a central opening 30, a toilet lid 4 that is switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat 3 and an open position that exposes the toilet seat 3, and a drying device 5 that is attached to the toilet lid 4 and blows air onto the toilet seat 3 to dry it. The drying device 5 includes a protrusion 50 that protrudes from the toilet lid 4 so as to be positioned inside the opening 30 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The protrusion 50 is provided with an air outlet 500 that opens toward the toilet seat 3 and through which air passes.

[0011] The toilet apparatus 100 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20 and a toilet seat apparatus 1 attached on top of the toilet body 2.

[0012] In the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the drying device 5 has a protrusion 50 that protrudes from the toilet lid 4 so as to be positioned inside the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. An air outlet 500 is provided in the protrusion 50. Therefore, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the drying device 5 is provided in a compact manner and can be easily cleaned.

[0013] 2.Details The toilet seat apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and a toilet bowl apparatus 100 including the same will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view that schematically shows the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and is also a view showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat 3 when it is dry. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view that schematically shows the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus of the first embodiment when it is dry. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view that shows the state of the underside of the toilet seat of the toilet seat apparatus of the first embodiment when it is dry. Below, the elements of the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 will be described in detail, defining the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 will be described based on the state in which the toilet lid 4 is closed, as shown in the figures.

[0014] 2-1. Toilet device 100 The toilet apparatus 100 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat apparatus 1 attached on top of the toilet body 2. In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, only the upper end portion of the toilet body 2 is shown schematically.

[0015] (Toilet body 2) As shown in Figure 1, 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 upper end of the bowl 20, and a skirt 22 that extends downward from the outer periphery of the rim 21 and surrounds the bowl 20. 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.

[0016] The toilet body 2 is made of resin or ceramic. If the toilet body 2 is made of resin, the toilet body 2 further has a frame that supports the rim 21 from below. The frame is made of, for example, metal.

[0017] The upper surface 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 of the rim 21.

[0018] 2-2. Toilet seat device 1 The toilet seat device 1 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 drying device 5 that blows air onto the toilet seat 3 to dry it.

[0019] (Toilet seat 3) Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship in a plan view between the toilet seat and the protruding portion of the drying device included in the toilet seat device of embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the toilet seat 3 has an opening 30 in the center and is annular in a plan view. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the toilet seat 3 has an upper surface 31 on which a user sits and a lower surface 32 facing the opposite side to the upper surface 31. A plurality of rubber feet (not shown) are provided on a portion of the lower surface 32.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, the toilet seat 3 is arranged to rotate around a rotation axis 33 that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the rear end of the toilet seat 3. The toilet seat apparatus 1 further includes an opening and closing device 7 that opens and closes the toilet seat 3 by rotating the toilet seat 3 around the rotation axis 33. The opening and closing device 7 is disposed in a functional section 8 located at the rear of the toilet seat apparatus 1. In addition to the opening and closing device 7, the functional section 8 also includes various electrical devices such as a private parts cleansing device, a deodorizing device, and a toilet seat warming device.

[0021] The toilet seat 3 can be rotated between a reclined position in which the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is in contact with the upper end surface of the toilet body 2, and an upright position in which the toilet seat 3 is upright relative to the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. When the toilet seat 3 is in the reclined position, the legs of the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 come into contact with the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. As a result, a gap is formed between the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 when in the reclined position.

[0022] (Toilet lid 4) The toilet lid 4 is switchable (ie, movable) between a closed position in which it covers the toilet seat 3 and an open position in which it exposes the toilet seat 3.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet lid 4 has a toilet lid body 40 that covers the toilet seat 3 from above when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, and a peripheral wall 41 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body 40 and covers the toilet seat 3 from the side when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The peripheral wall 41 protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body 40 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. In other words, the peripheral wall 41 protrudes horizontally from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body 40 when the toilet lid 4 is in the open position. The surface 400 of the toilet lid body 40 that faces the toilet seat 3 is continuous with the surface 410 of the peripheral wall 41 that faces the toilet seat 3 via a curved surface 401.

[0024] The toilet lid body 40 has a semi-elliptical shape in a plan view. The peripheral wall portion 41 has a semi-elliptical ring shape in a plan view.

[0025] The toilet lid 4 is arranged to rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the rear end of the toilet lid 4. It is desirable that the rotation axis of the toilet lid 4 be located on the same line as the rotation axis 33 of the toilet seat 3. The toilet lid 4 is rotated by an opening / closing device 7 (see Figure 5) that rotates the toilet seat 3.

[0026] The toilet lid 4 can rotate between a closed position in which the toilet lid body 40 fits along the top surface of the toilet body 2, and an open position in which the toilet lid body 40 stands upright against the top surface of the toilet body 2. When the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, the toilet lid body 40 fits along the top surface 31 of the toilet seat 3, and the lower end of the peripheral wall 41 contacts the top surface of the toilet body 2. A gasket may be provided at the lower end of the peripheral wall 41.

[0027] The drying device 5 is provided in the center of the toilet lid body 40 in a plan view. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the drying device of the first embodiment, illustrating the state when the upper surface of the toilet seat is being dried.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, a storage space S1 is formed inside the center of the toilet lid body 40 to accommodate part of the drying device 5. The center of the toilet lid body 40 bulges upward more than the surrounding area, thereby expanding the storage space S1.

[0029] At least one suction port 402 that opens toward the space outside the toilet lid 4 is provided on the upper surface of the center of the toilet lid body 40. The at least one suction port 402 may include multiple suction ports 402. The storage space S1 is connected to the space outside the toilet lid 4 via the suction port 402.

[0030] (Drying device 5) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drying device 5 is attached to the toilet lid 4 and dries the toilet seat 3 by blowing air onto the toilet seat 3. The drying device 5 has a protrusion 50 that protrudes from the toilet lid 4 so as to be positioned inside the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The protrusion 50 has an air outlet 500 that opens toward the toilet seat 3 and through which air passes.

[0031] 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of the drying device of embodiment 1, showing the state during drying of the underside of the toilet seat. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, drying device 5 has a fan unit 51 that blows out air, a case 52 that forms the outer shell of protrusion 50, and a rotation device 53 that rotates case 52 in the circumferential direction along the edge of opening 30 of toilet seat 3. Air outlet 500 is provided in a part of the outer circumferential surface of case 52.

[0032] The drying device 5 further has a lifting device 54 that raises and lowers the case 52 in the vertical direction between an upper position (see FIG. 6) where the upper surface of the toilet seat 3 is located in the opening direction of the air outlet 500, and a lower position (see FIG. 7) where the lower surface of the toilet seat 3 is located in the opening direction of the air outlet 500. The drying device 5 further has a heating device 55 that heats the air heading toward the air outlet 500. The drying device 5 further has a support frame 56.

[0033] The support frame 56 is attached so as to be able to slide up and down in the storage space S1 in the center of the toilet lid body 40. The support frame 56 does not rotate. As shown in Figure 7, the wall of the toilet lid body 40 that surrounds the storage space S1 is provided with guide portions 42 that are protruding strips (i.e., vertical ribs) that extend up and down to guide the sliding movement of the support frame 56.

[0034] 7, the support frame 56 has a cylindrical outer tube portion 560 that forms the outer shell of the support frame 56, a cylindrical inner tube portion 561 that has a bottom and is located inside the outer tube portion 560, and a connecting portion 562 that connects the upper end of the outer tube portion 560 to the upper end of the inner tube portion 561. A locking portion 563 for rotatably mounting the case 52 is provided at the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 560. A long groove (not shown) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 560 to fit the guide portion 42.

[0035] The fan unit 51 is a centrifugal blower that draws in air from the suction port 402 of the toilet lid 4 and sends it out toward the air outlet 500. The centrifugal blower's motor 510 is fixed to the bottom of the inner cylinder portion 561 of the support frame 56 and moves vertically together with the support frame 56. This makes it less likely that the electrical supply wiring 511 connected to the motor 510 will be damaged. The fan unit 51 (i.e., the centrifugal blower) rotates the blade portion 512 using the motor 510. In this way, air is drawn in through the suction port 402 of the toilet lid 4 and sent out toward the air outlet 500.

[0036] The case 52 has a truncated cone shape. An air outlet 500 is provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the case 52 in the circumferential direction. One air outlet 500 is provided in the case 52. The case 52 is provided with a cylindrical locked portion 520 that is locked to a locking portion 563 of the support frame 56. The cylindrical locked portion 520 is an internal gear with teeth arranged on its inner circumferential surface.

[0037] The rotation device 53 includes a motor 530 and a gear 531 attached to the tip of the rotation shaft of the motor 530. The rotation device 53 is disposed between an outer cylinder portion 560 and an inner cylinder portion 561 of the support frame 56, and is fixed to the inner cylinder portion 561.

[0038] Rotation device 53 is arranged so that gear 531 meshes with locked portion 520 that constitutes the internal gear of case 52. When motor 530 of rotation device 53 rotates, case 52 rotates around its central axis L1.

[0039] The lifting device 54 includes a flexible rack 540 that raises and lowers the case 52, a gear 541 around which the flexible rack 540 is wound, and a motor 542 that rotates the gear 541. The lifting device 54 is provided in the storage space S1 in the center of the toilet lid body 40.

[0040] One longitudinal end of the flexible rack 540 is fixed to a part of the support frame 56 (more specifically, the outer cylinder portion 560 in the first embodiment). The remaining longitudinal portion of the flexible rack 540 is provided so as to wrap around and mesh with the gear 541. By rotating the motor 542 in one direction, the protruding length of the flexible rack 540 from the gear 541 is increased, and the support frame 56 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 7. By rotating the motor 542 in the opposite direction, the protruding length of the flexible rack 540 from the gear 541 is decreased, and the support frame 56 is raised, as shown in FIG. 6. As the support frame 56 rises and falls, the case 52, in which the air outlet 500 is provided, rises and falls integrally with the support frame 56.

[0041] The heating device 55 heats the air that is sucked in through the suction port 402 and heading toward the air outlet 500. The heating device 55 is provided in the storage space S1 of the toilet lid body 40, in a portion facing the suction port 402. The heating device 55 is, for example, an electric heating wire. The air sucked in through the suction port 402 is heated to, for example, 30 to 50 degrees by heat exchange with the electric heating wire.

[0042] 2-3.Other It is desirable that the toilet seat device 1 further comprises a toilet seat cleaning device (not shown) that sprays cleaning water toward the toilet seat 3. The toilet seat cleaning device is configured to spray cleaning water onto the upper surface 31 and lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The toilet seat cleaning device may also be configured to spray cleaning water onto the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the toilet seat 3.

[0043] 2-4. Operation of the toilet seat device The toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 of the first embodiment operate, for example, as follows.

[0044] When the user has finished using the toilet apparatus 100 and a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 4 moved to the closed position, cleaning water is discharged onto the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 from the toilet seat cleaning device.

[0045] When the toilet seat cleaning device finishes discharging cleaning water, the fan unit 51 of the drying device 5 is driven. In this way, air outside the toilet lid 4 is sucked into the storage space S1 inside the toilet lid 4 through the suction port 402. The air sucked into the storage space S1 is heated by the heating device 55, and then passes through the fan unit 51 and is discharged from the air outlet 500.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, the drying device 5 first discharges heated air from the air outlet 500 with the case 52 positioned above the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500. As a result, the flushing water remaining on the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is dried (i.e., evaporated) by the heated air and removed. At this time, the heated air moves along the surface 400, curved surface 401, and surface 410 of the peripheral wall portion 41 of the toilet lid body 40. As a result, the flushing water remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat 3 is also dried and removed.

[0047] After the air has been discharged onto the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined period of time, as shown in FIG. 7, the motor 542 of the lifting device 54 is driven, causing the gear 541 to rotate. In this way, the flexible rack 540 is pushed out, and the support frame 56 and case 52 descend together. As a result, the case 52 moves to a lower position where the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500, and heated air is discharged from the air outlet 500 toward the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3. As a result, any flush water remaining on the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is dried (i.e., evaporated) by the heated air and removed. At this time, any flush water remaining on the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 facing the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is also dried (i.e., evaporated) by the heated air and removed.

[0048] After the air has been discharged onto the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined time, as shown in Figure 6, the motor 542 of the lifting device 54 is driven, causing the gear 541 to rotate in the reverse direction. In this way, the flexible rack 540 is wrapped around the gear 541, and the support frame 56 and the case 52 rise together. As a result, the case 52 moves in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500 to an upper position where the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is located.

[0049] As described above, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the warmed air discharged from the drying device 5 can remove moisture from the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3.

[0050] 2-5.Effects In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the drying device 5 that blows air onto the toilet seat 3 is provided in the center of the toilet lid 4, so the drying device 5 can be provided compactly and can be easily cleaned.

[0051] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the drying device 5 is provided on the toilet lid 4 so that the case 52 of the drying device 5 is positioned inside the central opening 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, thereby making effective use of the space within the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3.

[0052] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the lifting device 54 includes a flexible rack 540 that can be deformed so as to wrap around the gear 541, so the space required for arranging the lifting device 54 inside the toilet lid 4 can be reduced compared to when a rod-shaped rack that meshes with the gear 541 is included.

[0053] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the case 52 provided with the air outlet 500 can be raised and lowered by the lifting device 54, making it easier to properly direct heated air onto the upper surface 31 and lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, facilitating drying.

[0054] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, one air outlet 500 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the case 52, and the case 52 is arranged to rotate, so that the size of the fan section 51 required to ensure the amount of airflow from the air outlet 500 can be reduced.

[0055] In the toilet seat apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the case 52 protruding from the toilet lid 4 is frustoconical, so that the outer surface of the case 52 can be easily cleaned.

[0056] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, air outside the toilet lid 4 can be sucked in through the suction port 402 provided in the toilet lid 4 and blown onto the toilet seat 3, so there is less moisture in the air than when air inside the bowl 20 is used, making it easier to dry the cleaning water remaining on the toilet seat 3.

[0057] The toilet apparatus 100 of the first embodiment is provided with the toilet seat apparatus 1 described above, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those described above.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) The toilet seat device 1 and toilet bowl device 100 of the second embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 will be described. Figure 8 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of the second embodiment when it is dry. Figure 9 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the lower surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of the second embodiment when it is dry. Figure 10 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of the second embodiment when it is dry. Figure 11 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the lower surface of the toilet seat device of the second embodiment when it is dry. In the following, with regard to the toilet seat device 1 and toilet bowl device 100 of the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals in the drawings and detailed explanations will be omitted, and different components will be explained in detail.

[0059] The toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 2 further includes a control device 6 that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat 3. The control device 6 is configured to move the toilet seat 3 to either an upper surface drying position (see FIGS. 8 and 10) in which the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the opening direction of the air outlet 500, or a lower surface drying position (see FIGS. 9 and 11) in which the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the opening direction of the air outlet 500.

[0060] The control device 6 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer whose main component is a microprocessor. The control device 6 is installed in a functional unit 8 (see FIG. 5) located at the rear of the toilet seat device 1. The control device 6 controls an opening / closing device 7 (see FIG. 5) that rotates the toilet seat 3 around a rotation axis 33, thereby moving the toilet seat 3 to an upper surface drying position or a lower surface drying position.

[0061] The drying device 5 of embodiment 2 does not have a lifting device 54 that raises and lowers the case 52. The case 52 is rotatable. The case 52 does not move up and down. The toilet lid body 40 of embodiment 2 has an almost flat upper surface. The center of the toilet lid body 40 does not bulge upward.

[0062] In embodiment 2, the top-surface drying position is the reclined position where the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is aligned with the upper end surface of the toilet bowl body 2. The bottom-surface drying position is the position where the toilet seat 3 is slightly raised from the reclined position. The bottom-surface drying position is a position between the reclined position and the upright position. When the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the bottom-surface drying position, the toilet seat 3 may be in contact with the toilet lid body 40 or may be positioned away from the toilet lid body 40.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to move the toilet seat 3 to one of the top drying position (i.e., the reclined position), the bottom drying position, or the upright position. The top drying position and the reclined position do not have to be the same position.

[0064] The toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100 of the second embodiment operate, for example, as follows: The cleaning of the toilet seat 3 with cleaning water and the drying of the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 are the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] After the air has been discharged onto the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined period of time, the control device 6 controls the rotation device of the toilet seat 3 to move the toilet seat 3 to the underside drying position where the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500. As a result, the heated air discharged from the air outlet 500 is blown onto the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3, and the washing water remaining on the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is dried (i.e., evaporated) by the heated air and removed.

[0066] After the air has been discharged onto the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined period of time, the control device 6 controls the rotation device of the toilet seat 3 to move the toilet seat 3 to the reclined position (i.e., the upper surface drying position).

[0067] In addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment can also achieve the following effects.

[0068] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 2, the drying device 5 does not have the lifting device 54, which allows for a more compact drying device 5. Furthermore, the toilet lid 4 equipped with the drying device 5 can be made lighter, and the toilet lid body 40 can be made thinner.

[0069] In the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, simply by changing the method of controlling the opening and closing of the toilet seat 3, it is possible to direct air from the air outlet 500 to both the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3. As a result, a separate dedicated lifting mechanism is not required, and the toilet seat device 1 can be easily provided in a compact size.

[0070] (Variation) The following describes modified examples of the toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100 of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2. The modified examples described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0071] The drying device 5 does not necessarily have to have the rotation device 53. In this case, for example, a plurality of air outlets 500 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction so as to extend over the entire circumferential length of the outer circumferential surface of the case 52.

[0072] The surface 400 of the toilet lid body 40 facing the toilet seat 3 and the surface 410 of the peripheral wall portion 41 facing the toilet seat 3 may be continuous so as to form an angle.

[0073] The case 52 of the drying device 5 of the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1 may be provided so as not to be movable up and down. The drying device 5 may be configured to dry only the upper surface 31 of the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3.

[0074] The lifting device 54 is not limited to the above-described structure, and may be any other lifting mechanism known in the art.

[0075] Drying device 5 may be a device that uses the force of air blown out from air outlet 500 to move and drop the cleaning water adhering to the surface (upper surface 31 and lower surface 32) of toilet seat 3.

[0076] The fan section 51 is not limited to a centrifugal blower, but may be a centrifugal fan or an axial flow fan.

[0077] The toilet lid body 40 does not necessarily have to be provided with an intake port 402, and the intake port may be provided in the case 52.

[0078] (summary) The toilet seat device 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure has the following configuration.

[0079] That is, the toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment is a toilet seat device (1) that is attached to a toilet body (2) having a bowl (20). The toilet seat device (1) includes a toilet seat (3) having a central opening (30), and a toilet lid (4) that is switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat (3) and an open position that exposes the toilet seat (3). The toilet seat device (1) further includes a drying device (5) that is attached to the toilet lid (4) and blows air onto the toilet seat (3) to dry it. The drying device (5) includes a protrusion (50) that protrudes from the toilet lid (4) so ​​as to be positioned inside the opening (30) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, and the protrusion (50) is provided with an air outlet (500) that opens toward the toilet seat (3) and through which the air passes.

[0080] In the toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment, the drying device (5) has a protrusion (50) that protrudes from the toilet lid (4) so ​​as to be positioned inside the opening (30) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, and this protrusion (50) is provided with an air outlet (500). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment, the drying device (5) can be provided compactly and can be easily cleaned.

[0081] The toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the first aspect.

[0082] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the second embodiment, the drying device (5) includes a fan unit (51) that blows out the air and a case (52) that forms the outer shell of the protrusion (50). The drying device (5) further includes a rotation device (53) that rotates the case (52) in the circumferential direction along the edge of the opening (30) of the toilet seat (3). The air outlet (500) is provided in a part of the outer circumferential surface of the case (52).

[0083] In the toilet seat device (1) of the second embodiment, the opening direction of the air outlet (500) can be changed by rotating the case (52) using the rotation device (53), and the toilet seat (3) can be dried by air being blown around it in the circumferential direction. In the toilet seat device (1) of the second embodiment, the air outlet (500) is provided on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the case (52). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the second embodiment, the size of the fan unit (51) required to ensure a constant volume of air discharged from the air outlet (500) can be reduced, and the drying device (5) can be easily made smaller.

[0084] The toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second aspect.

[0085] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the third embodiment, the toilet lid (4) has a toilet lid body (40) that covers the toilet seat (3) from above when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The toilet lid (4) further has a peripheral wall portion (41) that protrudes from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body (40) and covers the toilet seat (3) from the side when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The surface (400) of the toilet lid body (40) facing the toilet seat (3) is continuous with the surface (410) of the peripheral wall portion (41) facing the toilet seat (3) via a curved surface (401).

[0086] In the toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect, the air blown out from the air outlet (500) of the drying device (5) toward the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) tends to flow along the surface (400) of the toilet lid body (40), the curved surface (401), and the surface (410) of the peripheral wall portion (41) in this order. Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect, the air that dries the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) tends to dry the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat (3).

[0087] The toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second or third aspect.

[0088] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, the drying device (5) further includes a lifting device (54) that raises and lowers the case (52). The lifting device (54) raises and lowers the case (52) between an upper position where the air outlet (500) faces the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) and a lower position where the air outlet (500) faces the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3).

[0089] According to the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, by raising and lowering the case (52) using the lifting device (54), the air outlet (500) can be made to face both the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, air from the air outlet (500) can be easily directed to both the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3), and the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) can be easily and efficiently dried.

[0090] The toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the fourth aspect.

[0091] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect, the lifting device (54) includes a flexible rack (540) that raises and lowers the case (52), a gear (541) around which the flexible rack (540) is wound, and a motor (542) that rotates the gear (541).

[0092] According to the toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect, the case (52) is raised and lowered by the deformable flexible rack (540) wound around the gear (541), so that the lifting device (54) can be easily provided in a compact size.

[0093] The toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect has the following additional features in addition to the features of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0094] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the sixth embodiment, the drying device (5) further includes a heating device (55) for heating the air flowing toward the air outlet (500).

[0095] According to the toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect, the air heated by the heating device (55) can be blown out through the air outlet (500), and therefore the toilet seat (3) can be dried efficiently.

[0096] The toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of any one of the second to sixth aspects.

[0097] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect, the toilet cover (4) is provided with an intake port (402) that opens toward the space outside the toilet cover (4). The fan section (51) is a centrifugal blower that draws air through the intake port (402) and sends it toward the air outlet (500).

[0098] The toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect can suck in relatively dry air from the space outside the toilet cover (4) and send it toward the toilet seat (3), making it easy to dry the toilet seat (3).

[0099] The toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect has the following additional features in addition to the features of any one of the first to third, sixth and seventh aspects.

[0100] That is, the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect further includes a control device (6) that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat (3). The control device (6) is configured to move the toilet seat (3) to either an upper-surface drying position where the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) faces the air outlet (500) or a lower-surface drying position where the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3) faces the air outlet (500).

[0101] In the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, the position of the toilet seat (3) can be adjusted by the control device (6) that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat (3), making it easy to dry the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3). Also, in the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, the drying device (5) does not need to have the lifting device (54) that raises and lowers the case (52), making it easy to make the drying device (5) compact.

[0102] The toilet device (100) of the ninth embodiment comprises a toilet body (2) having a bowl (20), and a toilet seat device (1) of any one of the first to eighth embodiments attached to the toilet body (2).

[0103] In the toilet bowl apparatus (100) of the ninth aspect, since the toilet seat apparatus (1) is provided, the drying device (5) can be provided compactly and can be easily cleaned.

[0104] While the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Appropriate design modifications are possible within the intended scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Toilet seat device 2 Toilet body 20 Bowls 21 rims 22 Skirt 3. Toilet seat 30 aperture 31 Top side 32 Bottom surface 33 Rotation axis 4 Toilet lid 40 Toilet lid body 400 sides 401 Curved Surface 402 Intake port 41 Peripheral wall section 410 sides 42 Guide section 5 Drying equipment 50 Protrusion 500 air outlet 51 Fan Club 52 cases 520 Locked part 53 Rotating Device 530 Motor 531 Gears 54 Lifting device 540 Flexible Rack 541 Gears 542 Motor 55 Heating device 56 Support frame 560 Outer cylinder 561 Inner cylinder 562 Connecting part 563 Locking part 6. Control device 7 Switchgear 8 Functional Section 100 Toilet equipment L1 center axis S1 Containment Space

Claims

1. 1. A toilet seat apparatus mounted on a toilet body having a bowl, comprising: a toilet seat having an opening in the center; a toilet lid that can be switched between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that exposes the toilet seat; a drying device provided on the toilet lid that blows air onto the toilet seat to dry the toilet seat; Equipped with The drying device is a protrusion protruding from the toilet lid so as to be positioned inside the opening when the toilet lid is in the closed position; and The protruding portion is provided with an air outlet that opens toward the toilet seat and through which the air passes. Toilet seat device.

2. The drying device is a fan unit that sends out the air; a case that forms an outer shell of the protrusion; a rotation device that rotates the case in a circumferential direction along the edge of the opening of the toilet seat; Equipped with The air outlet is provided in a part of the outer circumferential surface of the case.

2. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 1.

3. The toilet lid is a toilet lid body that covers the toilet seat from above when the toilet lid is in the closed position; a peripheral wall portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body and covers the toilet seat from the side when the toilet lid is in the closed position; Equipped with The surface of the toilet lid body facing the toilet seat is continuous with the surface of the peripheral wall portion facing the toilet seat via a curved surface.

3. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 2.

4. The drying device is a lifting device that raises and lowers the case between an upper position where the air outlet faces the upper surface of the toilet seat and a lower position where the air outlet faces the lower surface of the toilet seat; Further equipped with:

3. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 2.

5. The lifting device is a flexible rack that raises and lowers the case; a gear around which the flexible rack is wound; a motor that rotates the gear; Equipped with 5. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 4.

6. The drying device is A heating device that heats the air directed toward the air outlet Further comprising:

3. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 2.

7. The toilet lid is provided with a suction port that opens toward the outside space of the toilet lid, and The fan unit is a centrifugal blower that draws in the air from the suction port and sends it toward the air outlet.

3. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 2.

8. Further comprising a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the toilet seat, The control device is configured to move the toilet seat to either an upper surface drying position where an upper surface of the toilet seat faces the air outlet, or a lower surface drying position where a lower surface of the toilet seat faces the air outlet.

3. The toilet seat apparatus of claim 2.

9. a toilet body having a bowl; and a toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 attached to the toilet body. Toilet equipment.

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