Toilet device

Abstract

To reduce discomfort given to a user by suppressing generation of an offensive smell.SOLUTION: A toilet device according to an embodiment is a toilet device placed on a toilet main body having a toilet bowl, and includes a casing, a toilet seat and a toilet lid, and a deodorizing unit having an intake port through which air in a toilet room is taken in, an exhaust port through which the air taken in from the intake port is exhausted, and a fan for sucking the air from the intake port. The deodorizing unit dissolves the odor inside the toilet room or inside the toilet bowl into the moisture inside the toilet bowl by exhausting the air of the toilet room downward toward the sealing water of the toilet main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The disclosed embodiments relate to a toilet apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a toilet seat device is known that includes an atomization device and a mist transport means, and blows mist from an outlet inside the toilet bowl (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4333339 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Compared to configurations that use cartridges (filters) for deodorization, the conventional configurations described above do not require cartridge replacement and are easier to maintain. However, because the atomizer is located inside the deodorizing unit, moisture can adhere to the path that directs the mist to the outside of the toilet bowl. If odors dissolve in this moisture, it can cause an unpleasant odor when the moisture dries, potentially causing discomfort to users. As such, there is room for improvement in methods for dissolving odors and achieving deodorization.

[0005] One aspect of the embodiment has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a toilet device that can suppress the generation of unpleasant odors and reduce discomfort to users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A toilet device according to one aspect of the embodiment is a toilet device that is placed on a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and is provided with a casing, a toilet seat and a toilet lid, a deodorizing unit having an air intake port through which air from within the toilet room is drawn in, an exhaust port through which the air drawn in from the air intake port is exhausted, and a fan for drawing air from the air intake port, and the deodorizing unit exhausts the air from the toilet room downward toward the sealing water of the toilet body, thereby dissolving odors from within the toilet room or within the toilet bowl in the moisture within the toilet bowl.

[0007] The toilet system can prevent the buildup of water droplets containing dissolved odors inside the deodorizing unit, thereby suppressing the generation of unpleasant odors and reducing discomfort to users. Furthermore, by exhausting air downward from the deodorizing unit toward the water seal, odors can be efficiently exposed to water, improving deodorizing performance.

[0008] The toilet also includes a spray device that is disposed separately from the deodorizing unit, and the deodorizing unit dissolves odors in the mist that is ejected from the spray device into the toilet bowl.

[0009] By dissolving odors in the mist that adheres to the inside of the toilet bowl, deodorization is possible regardless of the shape of the water sealing surface. Also, by placing the spray device separately from the deodorizing unit, it is possible to prevent odors from dissolving inside the deodorizing unit, resulting in a toilet system that reduces discomfort to users.

[0010] Furthermore, the deodorizing unit exhausts air rearward of the center of the water sealing surface of the toilet body.

[0011] The rear of the toilet bowl is an area where waste accumulates and where many mist droplets remain. By exhausting air toward this area, odors can be dissolved into water more efficiently.

[0012] Furthermore, the deodorizing unit can change the direction of airflow with time.

[0013] After the surface of the toilet bowl has dried, the exhausted air can be made to come into contact with the water-sealing surface more easily, allowing the odor to dissolve more efficiently into the water.

[0014] The deodorizing unit also has a local drying function for drying the local areas of the user, and the direction of exhaust air during deodorization is directed downward compared to the direction of exhaust air during local drying.

[0015] The deodorizing unit is also used for local drying, and by using the airflow direction appropriately, both deodorizing and local drying can be achieved, eliminating the need for a dedicated unit and making the unit compact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the generation of unpleasant odors can be suppressed, and discomfort to the user can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a toilet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of intake and exhaust air. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the intake and exhaust air flows. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toilet device as seen from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the control timing of the toilet device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the target range of exhaust. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the change in airflow direction over time. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the air blowing direction of a deodorizing unit having a local drying function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The toilet device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements may differ from reality. The dimensional relationships and ratios may differ between the drawings.

[0019] In recent years, there has been a demand for high functionality in toilets, as well as high design (low product height, etc.). It is also necessary to prevent the rise in product prices that accompanies such high functionality. To solve these problems, we focused on complementing existing functions with other functions and parts. Specifically, we discovered that by utilizing the gentle breeze drive of an existing warm air fan, the existing mist function, and moisture in the toilet bowl (seal water, the mist itself, and residual mist water), we could substitute the deodorizing function for the resident odor.

[0020] The toilet device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the toilet device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0021] For ease of explanation, the drawings show a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z-axis whose positive direction is vertically upward. In the Cartesian coordinate system, the positive X-axis direction is defined as left, and the negative X-axis direction is defined as right. The positive Y-axis direction is defined as forward, and the negative Y-axis direction is defined as backward. The X-axis direction is called the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction is called the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is called the up-down direction.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 10 is placed on a toilet body 1 having a toilet bowl 2. The toilet device 10 includes a casing 11, a toilet seat 12, and a toilet lid 13.

[0023] The toilet body 1 is made of ceramic and comprises a toilet bowl 2, a rim 3, a trap 4, and a skirt 5.

[0024] The toilet bowl 2 receives waste from the user. The rim portion 3 is formed on the upper edge of the toilet bowl 2. The rim portion 3 is formed with a water outlet that discharges flushing water into the toilet bowl 2.

[0025] The trap unit 4 communicates with the bottom of the toilet bowl 2. The trap unit 4 extends from the bottom of the toilet bowl 2 and discharges waste from within the toilet bowl 2. The trap unit 4 is connected to a drain pipe via a drain socket.

[0026] The skirt portion 5 is provided on the outside of the toilet bowl 2. The skirt portion 5 is provided so as to cover the outside of the toilet bowl 2. The skirt portion 5 has an outer wall 6 that forms the exterior of the toilet body 1.

[0027] The casing 11 houses a private parts washing means for washing private parts of the human body, such as the buttocks, of a user seated on the toilet seat 12, as well as a deodorizing unit 14 and a spray device 18 (see Figure 4), which will be described later. The private parts washing means includes, for example, a nozzle that can be extended to the outside of the casing 11. The private parts washing means, deodorizing unit 14, and spray device 18 are driven based on commands from a control device provided in the toilet apparatus 10. The toilet seat 12 and toilet lid 13 are each supported on the casing 11 so that they can be opened and closed.

[0028] Next, the dissolution of odors by the toilet device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of intake and exhaust air. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the flow of intake and exhaust air. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the toilet device 10 as seen from the front. Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the control timing of the toilet device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, deodorizing unit 14 has air intake 15, fan 16, and exhaust vent 17. Air in the toilet room is drawn in through air intake 15 by fan 16 (see arrow A). The air drawn in through air intake 15 is exhausted through exhaust vent 17 (see arrow B). For example, fan 16 is a gentle-breeze-driven warm air fan that blows warm air.

[0030] The deodorizing unit 14 exhausts the air in the toilet room downward (see arrow B) toward the water seal S of the toilet body 1, thereby dissolving odors in the toilet room or in the toilet bowl 2 into the moisture in the toilet bowl 2. For example, odorous components are ammonia (NH3) and trimethylamine ((CH3)3N). The moisture in the toilet bowl 2 includes moisture adhering to the toilet bowl 2 and the water seal S. Note that the deodorizing unit 14 is not limited to a configuration that draws in air through a dedicated air intake 15, and may also be configured to draw in outside air from gaps in the product.

[0031] The air in which odorous components have been adsorbed and dissolved by the moisture in the toilet bowl 2 is discharged into the toilet room (see arrow C). That is, as shown in Figure 3, air drawn in by the fan 16 is exhausted into the toilet bowl 2, and the odorous components are adsorbed and dissolved in the moisture 22 in the toilet bowl, and then discharged into the toilet room. The moisture 22 in the toilet bowl includes mist M, which will be described later.

[0032] The toilet device 10 configured as described above does not require a deodorizing cartridge, and can reset the moisture in the toilet bowl 2 by flushing the toilet during normal use. Here, toilet flushing refers to the operation of expelling waste from the toilet bowl 2 and cleaning the inner surface of the toilet bowl 2. During toilet flushing, flush water is supplied into the toilet bowl 2, and seal water S is accumulated within the toilet bowl 2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the toilet apparatus 10 includes a spray device 18 that is disposed separately from the deodorizing unit 14 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] Spray device 18 discharges mist M into toilet bowl 2. Spray device 18 turns, for example, sterilized water (containing free chlorine) produced by the sterilization device or tap water into a mist, and discharges mist M from outlet 19 onto the surface of toilet bowl 2. In other words, spray device 18 causes mist M of sterilized water or tap water to land (adhere) on toilet bowl 2. Note that the deposition of water on toilet bowl 2 is not limited to by spray device 18, and may also be achieved by water discharge from a nozzle of a local cleansing means or by toilet flushing.

[0035] The deodorizing unit 14 also dissolves odors in the mist M discharged from the spray device 18 into the toilet bowl 2. For example, the deodorizing unit 14 exhausts air through an air blower damper 20 that covers the exhaust port 17 (see FIG. 2). The air blower damper 20 is located to the left of the discharge port 19 of the spray device 18 and is rotatably supported on the front wall 11a of the casing 11. A nozzle damper 21 is disposed between the discharge port 19 and the air blower damper 20, and a nozzle of the local cleaning means is disposed behind the nozzle damper 21. The air sent from the deodorizing unit 14 is sent from the exhaust port 17 into the toilet bowl 2 with its direction controlled by the air blower damper 20.

[0036] 5, the deodorizing unit 14 may start operating at the same time as the spray device 18 sprays the mist M, thereby dissolving the odor in the mist M. In this way, by overlapping the operating times of the deodorizing unit 14 and the spray device 18, the odor can be dissolved in the scattered mist M as well, thereby enhancing the deodorizing effect.

[0037] Next, the air blowing direction of the deodorizing unit 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the target range D of exhaust. Fig. 6(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the target range D of exhaust. Fig. 6(b) is a plan view of the target range D of exhaust. The dashed line E is a line indicating the center of the water sealing surface T in the front-to-rear direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the deodorizing unit 14 discharges air toward the rear of the center of the water sealing surface T of the toilet body 1. For example, the deodorizing unit 14 discharges air toward a target range D, which is the space within the toilet bowl 2 behind the dashed line E. The area behind the center of the water sealing surface T is an area where waste tends to adhere, and when it also serves to drive the spray device 18, this is an area where many droplets of mist M remain, making it possible to more effectively dissolve odors.

[0039] Next, the change in airflow direction over time will be explained with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the change in airflow direction over time. Fig. 7(a) shows the target range D when the surface of the toilet bowl 2 is wet. Fig. 7(b) shows the target range D when the surface of the toilet bowl 2 is dry.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the deodorizing unit 14 can change the airflow direction over time. For example, an electric damper or a damper whose opening angle changes depending on the exhaust volume can be used as the airflow damper 20 that changes the airflow direction. As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the surface of the toilet bowl 2 is wet, such as immediately after the spray device 18 (see FIG. 4) sprays mist M, the deodorizing unit 14 exhausts air targeting the entire surface of the toilet bowl 2. As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the surface of the toilet bowl 2 is dry, such as after some time has passed since the spray device 18 sprayed mist M, the deodorizing unit 14 exhausts air targeting the water sealing surface T. In this way, the deodorizing unit 14 exhausts air toward the moisture that dissolves odors, thereby more effectively dissolving odors.

[0041] Next, the direction of exhaust air from deodorizing unit 14 having a local drying function will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the air blowing direction from deodorizing unit 14 having a local drying function.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, deodorizing unit 14 may have a local drying function for drying the user's local areas. In this case, the direction of exhaust air during deodorization (see arrow B) is downward compared to the direction of exhaust air during local drying (see arrow F). For example, the direction of exhaust air during local drying is forward. Note that deodorizing unit 14 may be configured to also perform ventilation functions, heating and cooling functions, etc., in addition to the local drying function. For example, if it is configured to also perform ventilation functions, a ventilation fan is used to prevent condensation inside casing 11. Also, deodorizing unit 14 may be configured such that an exhaust port is provided in toilet lid 13 and exhaust air is directed downward from toilet lid 13.

[0043] As described above, the toilet device 10 according to the embodiment is a toilet device 10 placed on a toilet body 1 having a toilet bowl 2, and is provided with a casing 11, a toilet seat 12, a toilet lid 13, an air intake 15 through which air from within the toilet room is drawn in, an exhaust 17 through which the air drawn in from the air intake 15 is exhausted, and a deodorizing unit 14 having a fan 16 for drawing air from the air intake 15, and the deodorizing unit 14 exhausts the air from the toilet room downward toward the sealing water S of the toilet body 1, thereby dissolving odors from within the toilet room or within the toilet bowl 2 in the moisture within the toilet bowl 2.

[0044] Because the adhesion of water droplets containing dissolved odors can be suppressed inside the deodorizing unit 14, the generation of unpleasant odors is suppressed, resulting in a toilet apparatus 10 that is less likely to cause discomfort to users. Furthermore, by exhausting air downward from the deodorizing unit 14 toward the seal water S, the odors can be efficiently exposed to moisture, improving deodorizing performance.

[0045] The deodorizing unit 14 also includes a spray device 18 that is disposed separately from the deodorizing unit 14, and the deodorizing unit 14 dissolves odors in the mist M that is discharged from the spray device 18 into the toilet bowl 2.

[0046] By dissolving odors in the mist M adhering to the inside of the toilet bowl 2, deodorization can be achieved without depending on the shape of the water sealing surface T. Furthermore, by arranging the spray device 18 separately from the deodorizing unit 14, it is possible to suppress the dissolution of odors inside the deodorizing unit 14, resulting in a toilet device 10 that reduces discomfort to the user.

[0047] Moreover, the deodorizing unit 14 exhausts air toward the rear side of the center of the water sealing surface T of the toilet body 1.

[0048] The rear part of the toilet bowl 2 is an area where waste accumulates and where many mist droplets remain. By discharging air toward this area, odors can be dissolved into water more efficiently.

[0049] Furthermore, the deodorizing unit 14 can change the direction of airflow as time passes.

[0050] After the surface of the toilet bowl 2 has dried, the exhausted air is allowed to come into contact with the water sealing surface T more easily, thereby dissolving the odor into water more efficiently.

[0051] Furthermore, the deodorizing unit 14 has a local drying function for drying the local areas of the user, and the direction of exhaust air during deodorization is directed downward compared to the direction of exhaust air during local drying.

[0052] The deodorizing unit 14 is made to function as a unit that also serves as a local drying unit, and by using the airflow direction appropriately, both deodorizing and local drying can be achieved, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated unit and making the unit compact.

[0053] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0054] <Additional Notes> (1) A toilet device that is placed on a toilet body having a toilet bowl, A casing; a toilet seat and a toilet lid; a deodorizing unit having an air intake port through which air in a toilet room is taken in, an air exhaust port through which the air taken in from the air intake port is exhausted, and a fan for drawing air through the air intake port; The deodorizing unit is a toilet device that dissolves odors in the toilet room or the toilet bowl into the moisture in the toilet bowl by exhausting air in the toilet room downward toward the sealed water of the toilet body. (2) a spray device disposed separately from the deodorizing unit; The toilet apparatus according to (1), wherein the deodorizing unit also dissolves odors in the mist discharged from the spray device into the toilet bowl. (3) The toilet apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the deodorizing unit exhausts air toward the rear side of the center of the water sealing surface of the toilet body. (4) The toilet apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the deodorizing unit is capable of changing the direction of airflow with time. (5) The toilet device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the deodorizing unit has a local drying function for drying the user's local areas, and the direction of exhaust air during deodorization is downward compared to the direction of exhaust air during local drying. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Toilet bowl 2 Toilet bowl 10 Toilet equipment 11 Casing 12 toilet seats 13 Toilet lid 14 Deodorizing unit 15 Air intake 16 Fans 17 Exhaust port 18 Spraying device M Mist S water seal T Sealing surface

Claims

1. A toilet device that is placed on a toilet body having a toilet bowl, A casing; a toilet seat and a toilet lid; a deodorizing unit having an air intake port through which air in a toilet room is taken in, an air exhaust port through which the air taken in from the air intake port is exhausted, and a fan for drawing air through the air intake port; The deodorizing unit is a toilet device that dissolves odors in the toilet room or the toilet bowl into the moisture in the toilet bowl by exhausting air in the toilet room downward toward the sealed water of the toilet body.

2. a spray device disposed separately from the deodorizing unit; 2. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing unit also dissolves odors in the mist discharged from the spray device into the toilet bowl.

3. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing unit exhausts air toward a rear side of the center of the water sealing surface of the toilet body.

4. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing unit is capable of changing the direction of airflow with time.

5. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deodorizing unit has a local drying function for drying the user's local areas, and the direction of exhaust air during deodorization is downward compared to the direction of exhaust air during local drying.

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