Toilet bowl device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing impediment to a flow of water discharged from a second water discharge port by water discharged from a first water discharge port.SOLUTION: A toilet bowl device may include: a toilet bowl body having a toilet bowl; a plurality of water discharge ports including a first water discharge port and a second water discharge port; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of water discharged from the first water discharge port and the second water discharge port into the toilet bowl; and a controller for controlling the adjustment mechanism. In flow rate adjustment processing for controlling the adjustment mechanism to transition from a first state where the flow rate from the first water discharge port is a first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water discharge port is a second flow rate that is smaller than the first flow rate to a second state where the flow rate from the first water discharge port is a third flow rate that is smaller than the first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water discharge port is a fourth flow rate that is larger than the third flow rate, the controller may start reduction control for adjusting the flow rate from the first water discharge port from the first flow rate to the third flow rate, and then start increase control for adjusting the flow rate from the second water discharge port from the second flow rate to the fourth flow rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet apparatus that flushes a toilet bowl by discharging water pressurized by a pressure pump from at least one of a rim spout and a jet spout. The toilet apparatus includes a rim on-off valve that adjusts the flow rate of water discharged from the rim spout, a jet on-off valve that adjusts the flow rate of water discharged from the jet spout, and control means for controlling the rim on-off valve and the jet on-off valve. The control means is capable of executing a first switching step that closes the rim on-off valve to reduce the flow rate of water from the rim spout and opens the jet on-off valve to increase the flow rate of water from the jet spout. The control means is configured to simultaneously perform control to reduce the flow rate of water from the rim spout and control to increase the flow rate of water from the jet spout in the first switching step. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-66758 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the toilet apparatus described above, an operation to increase the water flow rate from a second of the multiple water outlets (i.e., an operation to open the jet on-off valve) is started before an operation to decrease the water flow rate from a first of the multiple water outlets (i.e., an operation to close the rim on-off valve) is completed. In this configuration, water discharged from the second water outlet may collide with water discharged from the first water outlet, thereby preventing it from flowing into the toilet bowl.

[0005] This specification provides a technique that can prevent the flow of water discharged from the second water outlet from being obstructed by the water discharged from the first water outlet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, a plurality of water outlets including a first water outlet and a second water outlet different from the first water outlet, an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of water discharged from each of the first water outlet and the second water outlet into the toilet bowl, and a control unit that controls the adjustment mechanism. The control unit may be capable of performing a flow rate adjustment process by controlling the adjustment mechanism to transition from a first state in which the flow rate from the first water outlet is a first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water outlet is a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate to a second state in which the flow rate from the first water outlet is a third flow rate that is less than the first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water outlet is a fourth flow rate that is greater than the third flow rate. In the flow rate adjustment process, the control unit may start a flow rate reduction control to adjust the flow rate from the first water outlet from the first flow rate to the third flow rate, and then start a flow rate increase control to adjust the flow rate from the second water outlet from the second flow rate to the fourth flow rate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a toilet apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet body and toilet seat taken at the center in the left-right direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 shows a configuration block diagram of a water discharger of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and upper rim portion taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the water discharger of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 shows a plan view of the water discharger of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 shows a flowchart of the large cleaning process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 shows the change over time in the rotation speed of the pump during the large-scale cleaning process of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 shows a flowchart of a small-cleaning process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 shows the change over time in the rotation speed of the pump during the short-flush process of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a structural block diagram of a water discharge section of a toilet apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the toilet body. [Figure 13] 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet body taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment: toilet device 10) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet apparatus 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet apparatus 10 is fixed to the floor when in use. The toilet apparatus 10 may also be, for example, a so-called wall-hung flush toilet that is fixed to a wall.

[0009] The toilet apparatus 10 comprises a toilet bowl section 12, a toilet seat 14, a functional section 16, a reservoir 18 (see FIG. 2), a water supply on-off valve 19, a water discharge section 40 (see FIG. 3), a control section 100, and a seating sensor 90. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of a toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet bowl section 12 comprises a toilet body 20 and an upper rim section 30. The toilet body 20 is made of ceramic. The toilet body 20 comprises a toilet bowl 22 that receives waste. A reservoir 18 is housed in the toilet body 20 at its lower end. The reservoir 18 stores flush water for flushing the toilet bowl 22. Water is supplied to the reservoir 18 from a clean water pipe (not shown). A water supply on-off valve 19 (see FIG. 1) switches between communication and cut-off between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 18. The toilet apparatus 10 is equipped with a flush button (not shown) electrically connected to the water discharger 40. When the flush button is operated by a user, a flushing process (see FIGS. 7 and 9) is executed in which flush water is discharged from the reservoir 18 via the water discharger 40 into the toilet bowl 22. The function unit 16 may also have functions such as an opening and closing function that automatically opens and closes the toilet lid (not shown) in accordance with the user's actions, a local cleaning function, a warm air drying function, a deodorizing function, etc.

[0010] In the toilet apparatus 10, the flushing process may be performed by operating a lever arranged on the toilet apparatus 10, in addition to operating the flush button. The flush button may be arranged on a remote controller that is electrically connected to the water discharger 40 either wired or wirelessly. Flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 without any operation by the user. For example, flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 when the sensor no longer detects the user. In the toilet apparatus 10, one of two types of flushing process, a large flushing process (see FIG. 7) or a small flushing process (see FIG. 9), is performed in accordance with at least one of the user's operation and settings. For example, the flush button may have multiple buttons that can select either a large flush or a small flush, and one of the two types of flushing process, a large flushing process or a small flushing process, is performed depending on the button selected by the user.

[0011] The toilet seat 14 is attached to the toilet bowl body 20 so as to be able to open and close. A user sits on the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat 14 has an opening 14a. A seating sensor 90 is arranged on the toilet seat 14. When a user sits on the toilet seat 14, the toilet seat 14 moves downward. The seating sensor 90 detects the up and down movement of the toilet seat 14, thereby detecting the user sitting and leaving the seat. In a modified example, the seating sensor 90 may be a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like that directly detects the user. Instead of the seating sensor 90, a human presence sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a camera, etc.) that detects the user may also be used.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 14 and the functional unit 16 are aligned will be referred to as the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the side on which the toilet seat 14 is arranged relative to the functional unit 16 will be referred to as the front side of the front-rear direction, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the rear side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the right side, and the front side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the left side. The left and right directions correspond to the left and right as seen by a user facing the toilet device 10. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the side on which the reservoir 18 is arranged relative to the toilet body 20 will be referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the upper side.

[0013] The toilet bowl 22 has a shape that is generally recessed downward. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet bowl 22 has a water collection section 24 that is located at the bottom end of the toilet bowl 22. The toilet body 20 has a drain pipe 36 that communicates with the water collection section 24, and a drain outlet 34 that opens into the water collection section 24. Water collects in the water collection section 24 up to the water level WS. The water level WS coincides with the curved position 36a of the drain pipe 36. In other words, when flush water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 22, the area below the water level WS is referred to as the water collection section 24.

[0014] The water collection section 24 is connected to a drain pipe 36 through a drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 extends upward from the drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 bends downward at a bending position 36a and continues to extend downward. The drain pipe 36 extends to the outside of the toilet bowl section 12.

[0015] An upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 22, surrounding the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22. The upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet body 20. The upper rim portion 30 protrudes inward from the upper edge 22a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 22. The lower surface 30a of the upper rim portion 30 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0016] The toilet bowl 22 has a front surface 23, side surfaces 26, and a rear surface 25 in the area above the water collection section 24. The front surface 23 is a surface located in front of the front edge WS1 of the water surface WS. The side surfaces 26 extend from the rear end of the front surface 23 in the rear direction along both the left and right ends of the water surface WS. The side surfaces 26 extend in the rear direction to a position aligned with the rear edge of the water surface WS. The rear surface 25 is a region that connects the rear ends of the left and right side surfaces 26 along the rear edge WS2 of the water surface WS.

[0017] The front surface 23 has a linear shape 23a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the rear, i.e., the water surface WS, and a curved shape 23b that curves downward from the bottom of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS. In a "downwardly curved curved shape," in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, a line segment representing a plane located between any two points on the curved shape is located below the line connecting those two points. The linear shape 23a extends tangentially to the curved shape 23b. The boundary between the linear shape 23a and the curved shape 23b is smooth and continuous without any steps. The front surface 23 has a curved shape 23b that curves downward in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at any position in the front-rear direction. The same is true for the front surface 23 in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at any position in the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22. The front surface 23 does not have an upwardly bulging shape.

[0018] In a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22, the portion of the water collecting section 24 located below the front surface 23 has a linear shape that slopes backward as it extends downward.

[0019] The linear shape 23a has a plane that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction at any position in the front-rear direction. The curved shape 23b curves downward from the lower end of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction at any position in the front-rear direction.

[0020] In a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the side surface 26 has different shapes in the front and rear portions. The front portion of the side surface 26 has a curved shape that continues from the front surface 23 and curves downward. This curved shape extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. As shown in FIG. 4 , in the rear portion, in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the side surface 26 has a linear shape 26a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS, a curved shape 26b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 26a and the water surface WS, and a curved shape 26c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 26b to the water surface WS. The curved shape 26c extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. The portion having the curved shape 26c is the rear portion, and the portion not having the curved shape 26c is the front portion. That is, the boundary between the front portion and the rear portion is defined between the side surface 26 having the curved shape 26b and the curved shape 26c and the side surface 26 having the curved shape 26b but not the curved shape 26c. The boundary between the front portion and the rear portion may be defined at the position of the drain outlet 34 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the toilet bowl 22, the rear surface 25 has a linear shape 25a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the front, i.e., toward the water surface WS, a curved shape 25b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 25a and the water surface WF, and a curved shape 25c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 25b to the water surface WS. The linear shape 25a may be parallel to the vertical direction. The rear surface 25 is located further back than the rear edge of the opening 14a of the toilet seat 14. This makes the rear surface 25 less visible to the user.

[0022] (Configuration of water discharge section 40) Water discharger 40 discharges flush water from reservoir 18 into toilet bowl 22. Water discharger 40 also discharges foam generated by mixing a surfactant and water into toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 3 , water discharger 40 includes pump 42, connecting pipe 44, check valve 45, switching valve device 46, branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, left rim water discharge port 50, right rim water discharge port 52, jet water discharge port 54, and foam discharger 61.

[0023] The pump 42 draws in flush water from the reservoir 18 and pressurizes it. The pump 42 sends the pressurized flush water to a communicating pipe 44. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with the pump 42. The communicating pipe 44 defines a flow path through which the flush water flows. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with a switching valve device 46 via a check valve 45. The check valve 45 allows flush water to flow from the pump 42 toward the switching valve device 46. The check valve 45 restricts flush water from flowing from the switching valve device 46 toward the pump 42. This makes it possible to prevent flush water from flowing back into the pump 42 via the communicating pipe 44. By arranging the check valve 45 closer to the pump 42 than the switching valve device 46, the number of check valves 45 can be reduced.

[0024] The switching valve device 46 connects the communicating pipe 44 to at least one of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipes 48a, 48b, and 48c are each made of a resin such as a synthetic resin. The switching valve device 46 includes a plurality of valve elements. Each of the plurality of valve elements is disposed between the communicating pipe 44 and each of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. Each of the plurality of valve elements moves between an open state and a closed state, thereby switching between communication and cut-off between the communicating pipe 44 and each of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d.

[0025] Synthetic rubber is used in branch pipes 48a, 48c to improve liquid-tightness at least in the connecting portion with the switching valve device 46 and in the connecting portion with the rim spouts 50, 52. Branch pipe 48d has an upstream portion 48e extending from the pump 42 made of the same resin as branch pipe 48a. Meanwhile, downstream of upstream portion 48e of branch pipe 48d is a downstream portion 48f that is disposed in the toilet body 20. Downstream portion 48f is made of ceramic.

[0026] Branch pipe 48a is in communication with left rim spout 50. When communication pipe 44 is in communication with branch pipe 48a via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from left rim spout 50 into toilet bowl 22. Branch pipe 48b is in communication with spreader 60 of foam discharge section 61. When communication pipe 44 is in communication with branch pipe 48b via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from spreader 60 into toilet bowl 22. Branch pipe 48c is in communication with right rim spout 52. When communication pipe 44 is in communication with branch pipe 48c via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from right rim spout 52 into toilet bowl 22. Branch pipe 48d is in communication with jet spout 54. When the communication pipe 44 is connected to the branch pipe 48d via the switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from the jet water discharge port 54 into the toilet bowl 22.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the left rim spout 50, right rim spout 52, and spreader 60 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The left rim spout 50 is arranged near the top edge of the toilet bowl 22. The left rim spout 50 has an opening 50a that is long in the vertical direction. The right rim spout 52 is arranged symmetrically to the left rim spout 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the jet spout 54 opens into the water collection section 24. The jet spout 54 opens from the front side toward the drain outlet 34 on the back side. When flush water is discharged from the jet spout 54, the flush water from the jet spout 54 is discharged toward the drain outlet 34. The water in the water collection section 24 is drained into the drain pipe 36 along with the flush water from the jet spout 54. Waste in the water collection section 24 and any objects floating in the water in the water collection section 24 are also discharged from the drain pipe 36 to the outside of the toilet body 20.

[0028] Flush water discharged from the left rim spout 50 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22, along the upper rim portion 30. The flush water flow path defined from branch pipe 48a by the left rim spout 50 is called the left rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the right rim spout 52 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22, along the upper rim portion 30. The flush water flow path defined from branch pipe 48c by the right rim spout 52 is called the right rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the rim spouts 50, 52 flows downward from near the top. Flush water discharged from the rim spouts 50, 52 flows over a wide area of ​​the toilet bowl 22, from the top to the bottom. Flush water discharged from spreader 60 passes through branch pipe 48b and hits the spreader 60, spreading out in all directions before being discharged into the toilet bowl 22. The flush water flow path defined from branch pipe 48b by the spreader 60 is called the spreader flow path. The flush water discharged from the jet water discharge port 54 functions as a so-called jet water discharge to drain away waste and the like in the water reservoir 24. The flush water flow path defined by the jet water discharge port 54 from the branch pipe 48d is called the jet flow path.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the foam discharge unit 61 includes a foam valve 62, an ejector 64, supply pipes 65 and 66, a spreader 60, and a storage reservoir 68. The ejector 64 is in communication with the check valve 45 via the supply pipe 65. A foam valve 62 is disposed in the supply pipe 65. The foam valve 62 switches between a state in which the check valve 45 and the ejector 64 are in communication with each other via the supply pipe 65, and a state in which the supply pipe 65 is shut off, thereby shutting off the check valve 45 and the ejector 64. The supply pipes 65 and 66 are made of the same resin as the communication pipe 44.

[0030] A storage reservoir 68 is connected to the ejector 64. A surfactant such as a detergent is stored in the storage reservoir 68. A communication pipe 68a extending from the storage reservoir 68 communicates with the ejector 64. For example, a foam pump (not shown) is provided between the storage reservoir 68 and the communication pipe 68a, which sends the surfactant stored in the storage reservoir 68 to the ejector 64 via the communication pipe 68a. In addition, an air vent pipe 69 (see FIG. 6) communicates with the ejector 64. The air vent pipe 69 communicates with the atmosphere. The ejector 64 generates negative pressure within the ejector 64 by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the cleaning water supplied from the supply pipe 65. The negative pressure generated in the ejector 64 draws air into the ejector 64 through the air vent pipe 69. As a result, the cleaning water, the surfactant, and the air are mixed within the ejector 64, generating foam. A supply pipe 66 that connects the ejector 64 and the spreader 60 is connected to the downstream side of the ejector 64. The foam generated in the ejector 64 passes through the supply pipe 66 and is discharged from the spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. The supply pipe 66 merges with the branch pipe 48b downstream of the ejector 64. A check valve is disposed at the downstream end of the ejector 64 to prevent flush water from flowing back from the branch pipe 48b to the ejector 64. The supply pipe 66 downstream from the point where it merges with the branch pipe 48b defines the spreader flow path.

[0031] Figures 5 and 6 show the configuration of each part of the water discharger 40. All parts of the water discharger 40, except for the branch pipe 48d and the jet water discharge port 54, are housed in the toilet body 20 at the back of the toilet bowl 22. In the toilet body 20, each part of the water discharger 40 is housed in a small space. In each of Figures 5 and 6, some of the configuration has been simplified to prioritize ease of viewing.

[0032] The spreader 60 is attached to the rear surface 25 at the rear of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 is inserted into a through-hole that penetrates the toilet body 20 and is fixed to the toilet body 20. The spreader 60 protrudes from the rear surface 25 into the inside of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 has one or more outlets in each of the up, down, left, and right directions. Flush water and foam that flow into the spreader 60 from the supply pipe 66 collide with the front portion of the spreader 60 and spread in the up, down, left, and right directions. The colliding flush water and foam are then discharged onto the toilet bowl 22 from the multiple outlets of the spreader 60. This allows the flush water and foam discharged from the spreader 60 to be discharged in multiple directions, including upward, downward, left, and right, from the multiple outlets. This makes it easier to spread the flush water and foam over the surface of the toilet bowl 22.

[0033] The reservoir 18 extends to the right side of the toilet body 20, up to near the top of the toilet body 20. A water level sensor 18a is located at the top of the reservoir 18. The water level sensor 18a is equipped with a float that rises above the water surface when the water level in the reservoir 18 reaches a predetermined position, and a sensor unit that detects whether the float is floating or not. A water supply on-off valve 19 is located at the top of the reservoir 18. The water supply on-off valve 19 switches between connecting and blocking communication between the reservoir 18 and the clean water pipe.

[0034] (Processing by control unit 100) As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 100 is housed in the toilet body 20. The control unit 100 is communicatively connected to each of the water level sensor 18a, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 18a, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 is further communicatively connected to operation units operated by the user, such as a flush button and a remote controller.

[0035] The control unit 100 includes a CPU and a memory. The memory has a volatile and a nonvolatile storage section. The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 18a, the water supply valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the function unit 16, and the seating sensor 90 by the CPU executing processing in accordance with a computer program pre-stored in the memory.

[0036] When flush water is to be supplied to the toilet bowl 22, for example by a user operation, the control unit 100 controls the pump 42 and the switching valve device 46 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 22 from at least one of the left rim spout 50, the right rim spout 52, the jet spout 54, and the spreader 60. In particular, the control unit 100 switches each of the multiple valve bodies between open and closed using a signal supplied to the switching valve device 46. In this way, the control unit 100 switches between open and closed communication between the communication pipe 44 and each of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. Waste within the toilet bowl 22 is expelled to the outside of the toilet body 20 by the flush water. In addition to cleaning the toilet bowl 22 with flush water, the control unit 100 also cleans the toilet bowl 22 with foam.

[0037] (Large scale cleaning process: Figure 7) For example, when a command to perform a large flush is input via the flush button, the control unit 100 executes the large flush process. Alternatively, when a command to perform a large flush is input via a lever disposed on the toilet apparatus 10, the control unit 100 executes the large flush process. Alternatively, when the seat sensor 90 switches from a state in which it detects a user to a state in which it does not detect a user, the control unit 100 executes the large flush process.

[0038] In S2, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42. The control unit 100 operates the pump 42 at a relatively low rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm or less). At the timing when the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 in S2, the switching valve device 46 closes each of the multiple valve bodies, thereby blocking the communication pipe 44 from the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The switching valve device 46 blocks the right rim flow path, left rim flow path, spreader flow path, and jet flow path.

[0039] In S4, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the right rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the connection between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c from closed to open, i.e., a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c from closed to open. The switching valve device 46 opens the right rim flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water discharge from the right rim spout 52. From S4 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c open. This keeps the right rim flow path continuously open. The control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S2 (i.e., operating the pump 42) and the control of S4 (i.e., issuing an instruction to open the right rim flow path).

[0040] In S6, the control unit 100 gradually increases the rotational speed of the pump 42. Specifically, the control unit 100 maintains the rotational speed of the pump 42 at low rotational speed (e.g., 2000 rpm or less) until a first predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the control unit 100 sent a signal to the switching valve device 46 to open the right rim flow path in S4. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 100 increases the rotational speed of the pump 42 from low rotational speed to medium rotational speed (e.g., 2000 rpm or more and 3000 rpm or less). The control unit 100 waits for a second predetermined time (e.g., 0.1 seconds) with the rotational speed of the pump 42 at medium rotational speed, and then increases the rotational speed of the pump 42 from medium rotational speed to high rotational speed (e.g., 3000 rpm or more).

[0041] In S8, the control unit 100 determines whether a predetermined period (for example, 0.9 seconds) has elapsed since the rotation speed of the pump 42 was increased to high rotation speed in S6. If the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S8), the process proceeds to S10.

[0042] In S10, the control unit 100 reduces the rotation speed of the pump 42 to a low rotation speed.

[0043] In S12, the control unit 100 commands the switching valve device 46 to close the right rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S4 to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the right rim flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c from an open to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the right rim spout 52 that began in S4. The control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S10 (i.e., reducing the rotation speed of the pump 42) and the control of S12 (i.e., commanding the closure of the right rim flow path).

[0044] In S14, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the spreader flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 transmits to the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the communication between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b from a closed state to an open state, i.e., a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b from a closed state to an open state. The switching valve device 46 opens the spreader flow path in accordance with the signal transmitted from the control unit 100. This starts water discharge from the spreader 60. After S14, the control unit 100 continuously transmits a signal to the switching valve device 46 to maintain the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b in an open state. This keeps the spreader flow path continuously open.

[0045] The processing from S16 to S20 is substantially the same as the processing from S6 to S10 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S14 (i.e., issuing an instruction to open the spreader flow path) and the control of S16 (i.e., increasing the rotation speed of the pump 42).

[0046] In S22, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the spreader flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied to the switching valve device 46 since S14 to maintain the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b in an open position. In this case, the switching valve device 46 moves the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b from an open position to a closed position, thereby closing the spreader flow path. This ends the water discharge from the spreader 60 that was started in S14. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S20 (i.e., reducing the rotation speed of the pump 42) and the control of S22 (i.e., instructing the closure of the spreader flow path).

[0047] In S24, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends to the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to connected, in other words, a signal to move the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to open. The switching valve device 46 opens the left rim flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water spouting from the left rim spout 50. From S24 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. This keeps the left rim flow path continuously open.

[0048] The processing from S26 to S30 is substantially the same as the processing from S6 to S10 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S24 (i.e., issuing a command to open the left rim flow path) and the control of S26 (i.e., increasing the rotation speed of the pump 42).

[0049] In S32, the control unit 100 commands the switching valve device 46 to close the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S24 to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the left rim flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from an open to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the left rim spout 50 that began in S24. The control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S30 (i.e., reducing the rotation speed of the pump 42) and the control of S22 (i.e., commanding the closure of the left rim flow path).

[0050] In S34, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the jet flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends to the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the communication between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d from a closed state to an open state, i.e., a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d from a closed state to an open state. The switching valve device 46 opens the jet flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water spouting from the jet water spouting port 54. After S34, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d open. This keeps the jet flow path open.

[0051] The processing from S36 to S40 is substantially the same as the processing from S6 to S10 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S34 (i.e., issuing an instruction to open the jet flow path) and the control of S36 (i.e., increasing the rotation speed of the pump 42).

[0052] In S42, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to connected, in other words, a signal to move the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to open. The switching valve device 46 opens the left rim flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water spouting from the left rim spout 50. From S42 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. This keeps the left rim flow path continuously open.

[0053] In S44, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the jet flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied to the switching valve device 46 since S34 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the jet flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d from an open to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the jet water spout 54 that began in S34. Note that the switching valve device 46 still leaves the left rim flow path open, so water continues to be spouted from the left rim water spout 50.

[0054] The processing from S46 to S48 is substantially the same as the processing from S6 to S8 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] In S50, the control unit 100 stops the pump 42. The control unit 100 also instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S42 to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the left rim flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from an open position to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the left rim spout 50 that began in S42. After S50, the large flush process ends.

[0056] In this embodiment, of the large-scale cleaning process, the processes from S2 to S40 are called the first water cleaning process, and the processes from S42 to S50 are called the first condensing process.

[0057] Figure 8 is a graph showing the change over time in the rotation speed of the pump 42 during the large-flush process, with areas A, B, C, and D added to represent the period during which water is discharged from each outlet. Area A indicates the period during which water is discharged from the right-side rim outlet 52. Area B indicates the period during which water is discharged from the spreader 60. Area C indicates the period during which water is discharged from the left-side rim outlet 50. Area D indicates the period during which water is discharged from the jet outlet 54.

[0058] During the first flush process, the control unit 100 is configured to control the termination of water discharge from a specific water outlet (for example, right rim water outlet 52) ​​(for example, the process at S12), and then control the commencement of water discharge from another water outlet (for example, spreader 60) (for example, the process at S14). This configuration prevents water from being discharged from two water outlets simultaneously during the first flush process. This prevents water pressure from being dispersed between the two water outlets, and prevents the flow rates from both water outlets from being insufficient to flush the toilet bowl 22.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 stops the signal it is continuously supplying to the switching valve device 46 in S12, the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c moves from open to closed. It takes time for the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c to move from open to closed. The control unit 100 executes the process of S14 before the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c is completely closed, i.e., before the right rim water spouting flow path is closed. As a result, water is being spouted from the right rim water spout port 52 at the time a signal to open the spreader flow path is supplied to the switching valve device 46 in S14. For this reason, there is a period during which water spouting from the right rim water spout port 52 and water spouting from the spreader 60 overlap. However, because the opening of the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c is gradually decreasing, the flow rate of water from the right rim water spout port 52 is decreasing. When water spouting from the spreader 60 begins, the flow rate of water from the right rim spout 52 is low. Therefore, during the period when water spouting from the right rim spout 52 and water spouting from the spreader 60 overlap, the water spouted from the right rim spout 52 is less likely to collide with the water spouted from the spreader 60. Furthermore, when a signal to open the spreader flow path is supplied to the switching valve device 46 in S14, the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b gradually increases in opening until it moves from closed to open. The flow rate of water spouted from the spreader 60 gradually increases. Therefore, during the period when water spouting from the right rim spout 52 and water spouting from the spreader 60 overlap, the water spouted from the right rim spout 52 is even less likely to collide with the water spouted from the spreader 60. The same can be said for the processes of S22 to S24 and S32 to S34.

[0060] Meanwhile, the control unit 100 is configured to perform control to start water spouting from the left rim spout 50 (i.e., process S42) before performing control to end water spouting from the jet spout 54 (i.e., process S44) during the first condensation process. In the switching valve device 46, the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a begins moving from closed to open before the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d begins moving from open to closed. With this configuration, water can be quickly stored in the toilet bowl 22 after water is spouted from the jet spout 54. In other words, water discharged from the water storage section 24 can be quickly replenished by water spouting from the jet spout 54. This makes it possible to prevent seal breakage in the toilet apparatus 10, i.e., to prevent the toilet bowl 22 and the drain pipe 36 from remaining connected.

[0061] The control unit 100 is also configured to reduce the rotational speed of the pump 42 immediately before opening the flow path, and to increase the rotational speed of the pump 42 in stages immediately after opening the flow path (see S10 to S16 in FIG. 7, etc.). With this configuration, the pump 42 operates at a relatively low rotational speed immediately after opening the flow path. This allows the air to be gradually discharged from the flow path, even if it has accumulated in the flow path. This makes it possible to avoid the air being suddenly compressed in the flow path, causing an impact (the so-called air hammer phenomenon).

[0062]

[0043] Note that, during the large-flush process, the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the jet water spouting port 54 is greater than the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the other water spouting ports. In other words, the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from water spouting ports other than the jet water spouting port 54 (for example, the left rim water spouting port 50, the right rim water spouting port 52, and the spreader 60) may be set to a value equal to or less than the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the jet water spouting port 54, or may be set to a value smaller than the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the jet water spouting port 54. The control unit 100 may control the pump 42 so that the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 when water is spouted from water spouting ports other than the jet water spouting port 54 does not exceed the maximum rotation speed of the pump 42 when water is spouted from the jet water spouting port 54. This configuration makes it possible to prevent a larger amount of water than the design value from being supplied. The above configuration may also be applied when the large-flush process is not being performed.

[0063] (Small cleaning process: Figure 9) For example, when a command to perform a small flush is input via the flush button, the control unit 100 executes the small flush process. Alternatively, when a command to perform a small flush is input via a lever disposed on the toilet apparatus 10, the control unit 100 executes the small flush process.

[0064] In S102, the control unit 100 operates the pump 42. The control unit 100 operates the pump 42 at a relatively low rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm or less). At the timing when the control unit 100 operates the pump 42 in S102, the switching valve device 46 closes each of the multiple valve bodies, thereby blocking the communication pipe 44 from the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The switching valve device 46 blocks the right rim flow path, left rim flow path, spreader flow path, and jet flow path.

[0065] In S104, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the right rim flow path and the spreader flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends to the switching valve device 46 a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c from closed to open, and a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b from closed to open. The switching valve device 46 opens the right rim flow path and the spreader flow path in accordance with the signals sent from the control unit 100. This starts water discharge from the right rim spout 52 and water discharge from the spreader 60. From S104 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c open. This keeps the right rim flow path continuously open. From S104 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends a signal to the switching valve device 46 to maintain the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b open. This causes the spreader flow path to be continuously open. In S104, the timing at which the control unit 100 commands the right rim flow path to be opened and the timing at which the control unit 100 commands the spreader flow path to be opened may be the same or different. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S102 (i.e., operating the pump 42) and the control of S104 (i.e., commanding the right rim flow path and the spreader flow path to be opened).

[0066] In S106, the control unit 100 gradually increases the rotational speed of the pump 42. Specifically, the control unit 100 maintains the rotational speed of the pump 42 at low rotational speed (e.g., 2000 rpm or less) until a first predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the control unit 100 sent a signal to the switching valve device 46 to open the right rim flow path in S104. After the first predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 100 increases the rotational speed of the pump 42 from low rotational speed to medium rotational speed (e.g., 2000 rpm or more and 3000 rpm or less). Thereafter, the control unit 100 waits for a second predetermined time (e.g., 0.1 seconds) with the rotational speed of the pump 42 at medium rotational speed, and then increases the rotational speed of the pump 42 from medium rotational speed to high rotational speed (e.g., 3000 rpm or more).

[0067] In S108, the control unit 100 determines whether a predetermined period (for example, 0.4 seconds) has elapsed since the rotation speed of the pump 42 was increased to high rotation speed in S106. If the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S110.

[0068] In S110, the control unit 100 reduces the rotation speed of the pump 42 to a low rotation speed.

[0069] In S112, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the spreader flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S104 to the switching valve device 46 to maintain the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b in an open position. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the spreader flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b from an open position to a closed position. This ends the water discharge from the spreader 60 that was started in S104. Next, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the right rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S104 to the switching valve device 46 to maintain the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c in an open position. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the right rim flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c from an open position to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the right rim spout 52 that began in S104. Note that in S112, the timing at which the control unit 100 commands the closure of the spreader flow path and the timing at which the control unit 100 commands the closure of the right rim flow path may be the same or different. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously begin the control of S110 (i.e., reducing the rotation speed of the pump 42) and the control of S112 (i.e., commanding the closure of the right rim flow path and the spreader flow path).

[0070] In S114, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends to the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to connected, in other words, a signal to move the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to open. The switching valve device 46 opens the left rim flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water spouting from the left rim spout 50. From S114 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. This keeps the left rim flow path continuously open.

[0071] The processing from S116 to S120 is substantially the same as the processing from S106 to S110 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S114 (i.e., issuing a command to open the left rim flow path) and the control of S116 (i.e., increasing the rotation speed of the pump 42).

[0072] In S122, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S114 to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the left rim flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from an open to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the left rim spout 50 that began in S114. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously begin the control of S120 (i.e., reducing the rotation speed of the pump 42) and the control of S122 (i.e., instructing the closure of the left rim flow path).

[0073] In S124, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the jet flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends to the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the communication between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d from a closed state to an open state, that is, a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d from a closed state to an open state. The switching valve device 46 opens the jet flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water spouting from the jet water spouting port 54. From S124 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to maintain the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d in an open state. This keeps the jet flow path open.

[0074] The processing from S126 to S130 is substantially the same as the processing from S106 to S110 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the control unit 100 may simultaneously start the control of S124 (i.e., issuing an instruction to open the jet flow path) and the control of S126 (i.e., increasing the rotation speed of the pump 42).

[0075] In S132, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to open the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 sends to the switching valve device 46 a signal to switch the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to connected, in other words, a signal to move the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from closed to open. The switching valve device 46 opens the left rim flow path in accordance with the signal sent from the control unit 100. This starts water spouting from the left rim spout 50. From S132 onwards, the control unit 100 continuously sends signals to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. This keeps the left rim flow path continuously open.

[0076] In S134, the control unit 100 instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the jet flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S124 to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 closes the jet flow path by moving the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d from an open to a closed position. This ends the spouting of water from the jet water spouting port 54 that began in S124. Note that the switching valve device 46 still leaves the left rim flow path open, so water continues to be spouted from the left rim water spouting port 50.

[0077] The processing from S136 to S138 is substantially the same as the processing from S106 to S108 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] In S140, the control unit 100 stops the pump 42. The control unit 100 also instructs the switching valve device 46 to close the left rim flow path. Specifically, the control unit 100 stops the signal that has been continuously supplied since S132 to the switching valve device 46 to keep the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a open. In this case, the switching valve device 46 moves the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a from an open position to a closed position, thereby closing the left rim flow path. This ends the spouting of water from the left rim spout 50 that began in S132. After S140, the small-flush process ends.

[0079] In this embodiment, the processes from S102 to S130 of the small-cleaning process are called the second water-rinsing process, and the processes from S132 to S140 are called the second condensing process.

[0080] Figure 10 is a graph showing the change over time in the rotation speed of the pump 42 during the small-flush process, with areas A, B, C, and D added to represent the period during which water is discharged from each outlet. Area A indicates the period during which water is discharged from the right rim outlet 52. Area B indicates the period during which water is discharged from the spreader 60. Area C indicates the period during which water is discharged from the left rim outlet 50. Area D indicates the period during which water is discharged from the jet outlet 54.

[0081] The control unit 100 is configured to simultaneously discharge water from the right rim water outlet 52 and the spreader 60 during the second flush process (see S104 to S112 in FIG. 9). This makes it possible to shorten the time required for the small-flush process compared to, for example, the time required for the large-flush process (see FIG. 7).

[0082] Furthermore, during execution of the second condensation process, the control unit 100 is configured to perform control to start water spouting from the left rim spout 50 (i.e., processing S132) before performing control to end water spouting from the jet water spout 54 (i.e., processing S134). With this configuration, water can be quickly accumulated in the toilet bowl 22 after water is spouted from the jet water spout 54. In other words, water discharged from the water accumulation section 24 can be quickly replenished by water spouting from the jet water spout 54. This makes it possible to prevent seal breakage in the toilet apparatus 10, i.e., to prevent the toilet bowl 22 and the drain pipe 36 from remaining connected.

[0083] The control unit 100 is also configured to reduce the rotational speed of the pump 42 immediately before opening the flow path, and to increase the rotational speed of the pump 42 in stages immediately after opening the flow path (see S110 to S116, etc. in FIG. 9). With this configuration, the pump 42 operates at a relatively low rotational speed immediately after opening the flow path. This allows the air to be gradually discharged from the flow path, even if it has accumulated in the flow path. This makes it possible to avoid the air being suddenly compressed in the flow path, causing an impact (the so-called air hammer phenomenon).

[0084]

[0043] Note that, in the small-flush process, the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the jet water outlet 54 is greater than the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the other outlets. In other words, the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from outlets other than the jet water outlet 54 (for example, the left rim water outlet 50, the right rim water outlet 52, and the spreader 60) may be set to a value equal to or less than the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the jet water outlet 54, or may be set to a value smaller than the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 during the period when water is spouted from the jet water outlet 54. The control unit 100 may control the pump 42 so that the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 when water is spouted from outlets other than the jet water outlet 54 does not exceed the maximum rotational speed of the pump 42 when water is spouted from the jet water outlet 54. This configuration makes it possible to prevent a larger amount of water than the design value from being supplied. The above configuration may also be applied when the small-flush process is not being executed.

[0085] (First reinforcing portions 104L, 104R of the toilet body 20) As shown in Figures 12 and 13, an opening 102 is formed in the rear wall 20a of the toilet body 20 to allow a hose (not shown) connected to the drinking water pipe to pass through. Figure 12 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view passing through the center of the opening 102. In addition, first reinforcing portions 104L, 104R are formed on both the left and right sides of the opening 102 in the rear wall 20a. The first reinforcing portions 104L, 104R include reinforcing walls 106L, 106R offset forward relative to the rear wall 20a. The upper ends of the reinforcing walls 106L, 106R are located above the upper end of the opening 102 shown in Figure 13 and above the trap top 36b of the drain pipe 36 shown in Figure 2. The trap top 36b here refers to the portion of the inner surface of the drain pipe 36 that faces the curved position 36a of the drain pipe 36 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the lower ends of the reinforcing walls 106L, 106R are located below the lower end of the opening 102 shown in Fig. 13 and below the trap top 36b shown in Fig. 2. By forming the reinforcing walls 106L, 106R on the rear wall 20a, the rigidity of the rear wall 20a around the opening 102 can be improved.

[0086] (Second reinforcing portions 108L, 108R of the toilet body 20) As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a second reinforcing portion 108L is formed on the left wall 20L of the toilet body 20. A second reinforcing portion 108R is formed on the right wall 20R of the toilet body 20. Because the second reinforcing portion 108L and the second reinforcing portion 108R are symmetrical, the following description will focus on the second reinforcing portion 108L, and will omit a description of the second reinforcing portion 108R.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 13, the second reinforcing portion 108L includes a reinforcing wall 110L offset to the right with respect to the left wall 20L. The reinforcing wall 110L includes a first wall portion 112L extending upward from the lower end of the toilet body 20, and a second wall portion 114L extending leftward from the upper end of the first wall portion 112L and connecting to the left wall 20L. Here, the angle AG1 formed between the upper surface of the second wall portion 114L and the right surface of the left wall 20L is less than 90 degrees (i.e., an acute angle). The angle AG2 formed between the lower surface of the second wall portion 114L and the right surface of the left wall 20L is greater than 80 degrees. Preferably, the angle AG2 is greater than 90 degrees (i.e., an obtuse angle). By positioning the second wall portion 114L and the left wall 20L in the above positional relationship, it is possible to prevent cracks from occurring at the connection portion of the left wall 20L with the second wall portion 114L. The reinforcing wall 110L is provided at the bottom of the toilet body 20. This improves the rigidity of the bottom of the toilet body 20, which is subjected to a relatively large load. Because the reinforcing wall 110L does not extend to the top of the toilet body 20, it is possible to ensure space at the top of the toilet body 20 for arranging the functional part 16, etc.

[0088] (Second embodiment) As shown in Fig. 11, the toilet apparatus of this embodiment differs from the toilet apparatus 10 of the first embodiment (see Figs. 1 to 10) in that it is equipped with multiple valve devices 146 instead of the switching valve device 46. The multiple valve devices 146 include a valve device 146a that adjusts the opening of the left rim flow path, a valve device 146b that adjusts the opening of the spreader flow path, a valve device 146c that adjusts the opening of the right rim flow path, and a valve device 146d that adjusts the opening of the jet flow path. The control unit 100 is configured to open and close the left rim flow path, right rim flow path, spreader flow path, and jet flow path by adjusting the opening of each of the multiple valve devices 146 in each of the large-flush process shown in Fig. 7 and the small-flush process shown in Fig. 9. For example, in S12 of Fig. 7, the control unit 100 sends a signal to the valve device 146c to close the right rim flow path (i.e., reduce the opening of the right rim flow path). Furthermore, in S14 of FIG. 7, the control unit 100 transmits a signal to the valve device 146b to open the spreader flow path (that is, to increase the opening of the spreader flow path).

[0089] (Correspondence) The left rim spout 50, the right rim spout 52, the jet spout 54, and the spreader 60 are examples of "multiple spouts." The water surface WS is an example of a "pooled water surface." The left rim spout 50, the right rim spout 52, and the spreader 60 are examples of an "upper spout." The jet spout 54 is an example of a "lower spout." The switching valve device 46 and the multiple valve devices 146 are examples of an "adjustment mechanism." The first flushing process and the second flushing process are examples of a "flush process." The first condensation process and the second condensation process are examples of a "condensation process." The processes of S12 to S14, S22 to S24, S32 to S34, S42 to S44, S112 to S114, S122 to S124, and S132 to S134 are each an example of a "flow rate adjustment process." In the processes of S12 to S14, the right rim spout 52 is an example of a "first spout," and the spreader 60 is an example of a "second spout." In the processes of S22 to S24, the spreader 60 is an example of a "first spout," and the left rim spout 50 is an example of a "second spout." In the processes of S32 to S34, the left rim spout 50 is an example of a "first spout," and the jet spout 54 is an example of a "second spout." In the processing of S42 to S44, the jet water outlet 54 is an example of the "first water outlet," and the left rim water outlet 50 is an example of the "second water outlet." In the processing of S112 to S114, the right rim water outlet 52 is an example of the "first water outlet," and the left rim water outlet 50 is an example of the "second water outlet." In the processing of S122 to S124, the left rim water outlet 50 is an example of the "first water outlet," and the jet water outlet 54 is an example of the "second water outlet." In the processing of S132 to S134, the jet water outlet 54 is an example of the "first water outlet," and the left rim water outlet 50 is an example of the "second water outlet." In each of the above processing, a flow rate greater than 0 is an example of the "first flow rate," a flow rate of 0 is an example of the "second flow rate," a flow rate of 0 is an example of the "third flow rate," and a flow rate greater than 0 is an example of the "fourth flow rate."The control of S12 (i.e., instructing the closure of the right rim flow path), the control of S22 (i.e., instructing the closure of the spreader flow path), the control of S32 (i.e., instructing the closure of the left rim flow path), the control of S44 (i.e., instructing the closure of the jet flow path), the control of S112 (i.e., instructing the closure of the spreader flow path and the right rim flow path), the control of S122 (i.e., instructing the closure of the left rim flow path), and the control of S134 (i.e., instructing the closure of the jet flow path) are each an example of "reduction control." The operation of S12 (i.e., closing the right rim flow path), the operation of S22 (i.e., closing the spreader flow path), the operation of S32 (i.e., closing the left rim flow path), the operation of S44 (i.e., closing the jet flow path), the operation of S112 (i.e., closing the spreader flow path and the right rim flow path), the operation of S122 (i.e., closing the left rim flow path), and the operation of S134 (i.e., closing the jet flow path) are each examples of a ``weight reduction operation.'' The control of S14 (i.e., commanding the opening of the spreader flow path), the control of S24 (i.e., commanding the opening of the left rim flow path), the control of S34 (i.e., commanding the opening of the jet flow path), the control of S42 (i.e., commanding the opening of the left rim flow path), the control of S114 (i.e., commanding the opening of the left rim flow path), the control of S124 (i.e., commanding the opening of the jet flow path), and the control of S132 (i.e., commanding the opening of the left rim flow path) are each an example of "increase control." The operation of S14 (i.e., opening the spreader flow path), the operation of S24 (i.e., opening the left rim flow path), the operation of S34 (i.e., opening the jet flow path), the operation of S42 (i.e., opening the left rim flow path), the operation of S114 (i.e., opening the left rim flow path), the operation of S124 (i.e., opening the jet flow path), and the operation of S132 (i.e., opening the left rim flow path) are each an example of an "increase operation."

[0090] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0091] A first aspect is a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, a plurality of water outlets including a first water outlet and a second water outlet different from the first water outlet, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of water discharged from each of the first water outlet and the second water outlet into the toilet bowl, and a control unit for controlling the adjustment mechanism. The control unit may be capable of controlling the adjustment mechanism to execute a flow rate adjustment process that transitions from a first state in which the flow rate from the first water outlet is a first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water outlet is a second flow rate that is smaller than the first flow rate to a second state in which the flow rate from the first water outlet is a third flow rate that is smaller than the first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water outlet is a fourth flow rate that is larger than the third flow rate. In the flow rate adjustment process, the control unit may initiate a decrease control to adjust the flow rate from the first water outlet from the first flow rate to the third flow rate, and then initiate a increase control to adjust the flow rate from the second water outlet from the second flow rate to the fourth flow rate.

[0092] In a second aspect, in the first aspect described above, when the control unit executes the flow rate adjustment process, the adjustment mechanism may initiate a volume reduction operation to adjust the flow rate from the first water outlet from the first flow rate to the third flow rate, and then initiate a volume increase operation to adjust the flow rate from the second water outlet from the second flow rate to the fourth flow rate.

[0093] A third aspect is any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the water discharged from the first water outlet may flow in a first direction on the surface of the toilet bowl. The water discharged from the second water outlet may flow in a second direction on the surface of the toilet bowl. The first direction and the second direction may be the same or different.

[0094] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit may control the adjustment mechanism to discharge the water from at least one of the plurality of water outlets to clean the toilet bowl and perform a flushing process to drain the water from the toilet bowl and a condensing process to collect the water in the toilet bowl. The control unit may perform the flow rate adjustment process during the flushing process.

[0095] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the adjustment mechanism may include at least one pump that delivers the water to the first water outlet and delivers the water to the second water outlet, and the control unit may continuously operate the at least one pump during the flow rate adjustment process.

[0096] A sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the control unit may start the increase control in the flow rate adjustment process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then start the decrease control.

[0097] In a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the control unit may control the adjustment mechanism to discharge the water from at least one of the plurality of water outlets to clean the toilet bowl and perform a flushing process to drain the water from the toilet bowl, and a condensation process to collect the water in the toilet bowl. When the predetermined condition that the condensation process is being performed is satisfied, the control unit may start the increase control and then start the decrease control in the flow rate adjustment process.

[0098] In an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the plurality of water outlets may include an upper water outlet positioned above the water level of the toilet bowl and a lower water outlet positioned below the water level. In the condensation treatment, the control unit may cause the adjustment mechanism to discharge the water from the upper water outlet and the lower water outlet.

[0099] In a ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the toilet apparatus may further include a first water discharge flow path that connects the first water discharge outlet to a water supply source, and a second water discharge flow path that connects the second water discharge outlet to the water supply source. The adjustment mechanism may include a first valve device that adjusts a first opening degree of the first water discharge flow path, and a second valve device that adjusts a second opening degree of the second water discharge flow path. In the amount reduction control, the control unit may cause the first valve device to decrease the first opening degree. In the amount increase control, the control unit may cause the second valve device to increase the second opening degree.

[0100] In a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the adjustment mechanism may include a pump that delivers the water to the first water outlet and a pump that delivers the water to the second water outlet. The control unit may change the rotation speed of the pump after starting the amount increase control in the flow rate adjustment process.

[0101] In an eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, the control unit may increase the rotation speed of the pump after starting the amount-increasing control in the flow rate adjustment process.

[0102] A twelfth aspect is any one of the tenth to eleventh aspects, wherein the control unit may maintain the rotation speed of the pump at or below a predetermined rotation speed for a predetermined time period from when the increase control is started in the flow rate adjustment process.

[0103] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0104] (1) The water outlets arranged in the water outlet section 40 are not limited to the four water outlets of the left rim water outlet 50, the right rim water outlet 52, the spreader 60, and the jet water outlet 54, as long as there are two or more water outlets. For example, the water outlets may not include the jet water outlet 54, but may include three water outlets of the left rim water outlet 50, the right rim water outlet 52, and the spreader 60. In this case, during the large flush process and the small flush process, instead of water being discharged from the jet water outlet 54, water may be discharged from any one of the water outlets of the left rim water outlet 50, the right rim water outlet 52, and the spreader 60.

[0105] (2) The toilet apparatus 10 does not have to be equipped with the pump 42. In this case, the toilet apparatus 10 may be configured to supply water from the water supply pipe to the toilet bowl 22 without passing through the reservoir 18. In other words, the toilet apparatus 10 may be configured to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 22 using the pressure of the water supply pipe. Alternatively, the toilet apparatus 10 may be equipped with a pressure-feeding device other than the pump 42 (for example, a booster). The flush water in the reservoir 18 may be sent to the toilet bowl 22 by this pressure-feeding device.

[0106] (3) In each of the large flush process and the small flush process, the order in which water is discharged from each outlet may be changed. For example, in the large flush process, water may be discharged first from the spreader 60, then from the right rim outlet 52, then from the left rim outlet 50, then from the jet outlet 54, and then from the left rim outlet 50. In the small flush process, water may be discharged first from the left rim outlet 50 and the spreader 60, then from the right rim outlet 52, then from the jet outlet 54, and then from the left rim outlet 50.

[0107] (4) In the first condensing process, the order of S42 and S44 may be reversed. That is, the control unit 100 may be configured to send a signal to close the jet flow path in the first condensing process, and then instruct the left rim flow path to be opened. As a result, in the first condensing process, water spouting from the jet water outlet 54 may end, and then water spouting from the left rim water outlet 50 may start. Similarly, in the second condensing process, the order of S132 and S134 may be reversed. That is, the control unit 100 may be configured to send a signal to close the jet flow path in the second condensing process, and then instruct the left rim flow path to be opened. As a result, in the second condensing process, water spouting from the jet water outlet 54 may end, and then water spouting from the left rim water outlet 50 may start.

[0108] (5) The control unit 100 does not have to be configured to gradually increase the rotational speed of the pump 42 immediately after opening the flow path. For example, the control unit 100 may be configured to increase the rotational speed of the pump 42 from a low rotational speed (e.g., 2000 rpm or less) to a high rotational speed (e.g., 3000 rpm or more) immediately (e.g., within 0.3 seconds) after sending a signal to the switching valve device 46 to open the right rim flow path in S4.

[0109] (6) In at least one of the processes of S12, S22, S32, S44, S112, S122, and S134, the control unit 100 may instruct the switching valve device 46 to decrease the opening of the flow path instead of instructing the flow path to close. That is, the control unit 100 may send an instruction to decrease the opening of the open valve element to the switching valve device 46. In this case, the opening of the valve element does not have to be decreased to 0, and water may be allowed to continue flowing through the flow path. In this case, in at least one of the processes of S14, S24, S34, S42, S114, S124, and S132, the control unit 100 may instruct the switching valve device 46 to increase the opening of the flow path instead of instructing the flow path to open. That is, the control unit 100 may send an instruction to increase the opening of the valve element to the switching valve device 46. In this case, the opening of the valve element does not have to be increased to the full open position.

[0110] (7) In the processing of S12 to S14, the control unit 100 may send a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c from closed to open, and then wait for the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c to be completely closed before sending a signal to move the valve element between the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b from closed to open. In this way, water spouting from the spreader 60 may start after the water spouting volume from the right rim spout port 52 reaches zero. This may also be applied to the processing of S22 to S24, the processing of S32 to S34, the processing of S112 to S114, and the processing of S122 to S124.

[0111] (8) The water discharger 40 may include multiple pumps 42. For example, the water discharger 40 may include four pumps 42, one for each of the right rim flow path, the left rim flow path, the spreader flow path, and the jet flow path. In this case, instead of or in addition to adjusting the opening degrees of the multiple valve bodies of the switching valve device 46, the control unit 100 may adjust the rotation speed of each of the multiple pumps 42 to adjust the flow rate of water flowing through each flow path.

[0112] The technical elements described in at least one of the specification and drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies exemplified in at least one of the specification and drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10: toilet device, 12: toilet bowl, 14: toilet seat, 14a: opening, 16: functional part, 18: reservoir, 18a: water level sensor, 19: water supply opening / closing valve, 20: toilet body, 22: toilet bowl, 23: front surface, 24: water storage part, 25: back surface, 26: side surface, 30: upper rim part, 34: drain outlet, 36: drain pipe, 40: water discharge part, 42: pump, 44: connecting pipe, 45: Check valve, 46: switching valve device, 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d: branch pipe, 50: left rim outlet, 52: right rim outlet, 54: jet outlet, 60: spreader, 61: foam discharge section, 62: foam valve, 64: ejector, 65, 66: supply pipe, 68: storage reservoir, 69: vent pipe, 90: seating sensor, 100: control section, 146: multiple valve devices

Claims

1. a toilet body having a toilet bowl; a plurality of water outlets including a first water outlet and a second water outlet different from the first water outlet; an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of water discharged from each of the first water discharge port and the second water discharge port into the toilet bowl; a control unit that controls the adjustment mechanism, The control unit is capable of executing a flow rate adjustment process by controlling the adjustment mechanism to transition from a first state in which the flow rate from the first water outlet is a first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water outlet is a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate to a second state in which the flow rate from the first water outlet is a third flow rate that is less than the first flow rate and the flow rate from the second water outlet is a fourth flow rate that is greater than the third flow rate, In the flow rate adjustment process, the control unit starts a flow rate reduction control to adjust the flow rate from the first water outlet from the first flow rate to the third flow rate, and then starts a flow rate increase control to adjust the flow rate from the second water outlet from the second flow rate to the fourth flow rate.

2. The toilet device described in claim 1, wherein when the control unit executes the flow rate adjustment process, the adjustment mechanism starts a volume reduction operation to adjust the flow rate from the first water outlet from the first flow rate to the third flow rate, and then starts a volume increase operation to adjust the flow rate from the second water outlet from the second flow rate to the fourth flow rate.

3. the water discharged from the first water outlet flows on the surface of the toilet bowl in a first direction; The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water discharged from the second water outlet flows in a second direction on the surface of the toilet bowl.

4. The control unit a flushing process in which the adjustment mechanism is controlled to discharge the water from at least one of the plurality of water outlets to clean the toilet bowl and discharge the water from the toilet bowl; and performing a condensation process of collecting the water in the toilet bowl. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the flow rate adjustment process during the flush process.

5. the adjusting mechanism includes at least one pump that delivers the water to the first water outlet and delivers the water to the second water outlet; The toilet apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit continuously operates the at least one pump during the flow rate adjustment process.

6. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit starts the increasing control and then starts the decreasing control in the flow rate adjustment process when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

7. The control unit a flushing process in which the adjustment mechanism is controlled to discharge the water from at least one of the plurality of water outlets to clean the toilet bowl and discharge the water from the toilet bowl; and performing a condensation process of collecting the water in the toilet bowl. The toilet apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit starts the increase control and then starts the decrease control in the flow rate adjustment process when the predetermined condition that the condensation process is being performed is satisfied.

8. The plurality of water outlets include an upper water outlet arranged above the water surface of the toilet bowl and a lower water outlet arranged below the water surface, The toilet apparatus according to claim 7, wherein in the condensation treatment, the control unit causes the adjustment mechanism to discharge the water from the upper water discharge outlet and also discharge the water from the lower water discharge outlet.

9. The toilet device further includes a first water discharge flow path that connects the first water discharge port and a water supply source, and a second water discharge flow path that connects the second water discharge port and the water supply source, The adjustment mechanism includes a first valve device that adjusts a first opening degree of the first water discharge flow path, and a second valve device that adjusts a second opening degree of the second water discharge flow path, The control unit In the amount-reducing control, the first valve device is caused to reduce the first opening degree; The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second valve device is caused to increase the second opening degree during the volume increase control.

10. the adjustment mechanism includes a pump that delivers the water to the first water outlet and a pump that delivers the water to the second water outlet, The toilet apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit changes the rotation speed of the pump after starting the amount-increasing control in the flow rate adjustment process.

11. The toilet apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit increases the rotation speed of the pump after starting the amount-increasing control in the flow rate adjustment process.

12. 12. The toilet apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit maintains the rotation speed of the pump at or below a predetermined rotation speed until a predetermined time has elapsed since the increase control was started in the flow rate adjustment process.

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