Toilet equipment

Abstract

To provide a toilet device that can widely illuminate the floor surface even if there is an obstruction between the toilet bowl and the floor surface. [Solution] The toilet device 1 comprises a toilet bowl body 2 having a bottom portion 26 and supported such that the bottom portion 26 is positioned away from the floor surface S1, a lower cover 4 attached to the bottom portion 26 of the toilet bowl body 2, a light source device 5, and a light guide member 6 provided on the lower cover 4. The lower cover 4, when attached to the bottom portion 26 of the toilet bowl body 2, includes a portion 42 that is positioned above the floor surface S1 with a space between them. The light guide member 6 is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet device.

Background Art

[0002] A toilet device including a toilet body supported at a position above the floor surface of a toilet room or the like (hereinafter referred to as a "floating state") has been conventionally known. In this type of toilet device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a lighting unit for illuminating the floor surface is installed at the lower rear of the toilet body. The light of the lighting unit is irradiated obliquely downward in front. [[ID=,14]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional toilet device, for example, if there is an obstacle between the toilet body and the floor surface, the light irradiated from the lighting unit may be blocked by this obstacle, and the floor surface may not be widely illuminated.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a toilet device that can widely illuminate the floor surface even if there is an obstacle between the toilet body and the floor surface.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A toilet device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a toilet body having a bottom and supported such that the bottom is positioned away from the floor surface; a lower cover attached to the bottom of the toilet body; a light source device; and a light guide member provided on the lower cover. The lower cover includes a portion that, when attached to the bottom of the toilet body, is positioned above the floor surface. The light guide member is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device.

[0007] A toilet device according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a toilet body having a bottom and supported such that the bottom is positioned away from the floor surface; a light source device housed in the toilet body; and a light guide member provided at the bottom of the toilet body. The light guide member is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure has the effect of illuminating a wide area of ​​the floor even if there is an obstruction between the toilet bowl and the floor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view of a toilet device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the lower cover of the toilet assembly shown above. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the toilet device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view of a modified toilet device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A toilet device according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described based on the attached drawings. However, the embodiments described below are only one of many embodiments of this disclosure, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of this disclosure are achieved. Furthermore, the figures showing the embodiments below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions and shapes of each component in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions and shapes.

[0011] 1. First Embodiment Figure 1 shows a toilet device 1 of the first embodiment. The toilet device 1 comprises a toilet body 2, a support frame 3 that supports the toilet body 2, a lower cover 4 separate from the toilet body 2, a light source device 5 housed in the toilet body 2, and a light guide member 6 attached to the lower cover 4.

[0012] (Toilet bowl) The toilet bowl body 2 is also referred to as a seated toilet. The toilet bowl body 2 is made of resin. In this disclosure, the vertical, front-back, and left-right directions are defined relative to a user seated on the toilet bowl body 2. The vertical, front-back, and left-right directions are each orthogonal to the other two directions.

[0013] The toilet bowl body 2 comprises a bowl portion 21, a drain pipe 22, a movable trap 23, an attachment device 24, a skirt portion 25, and a bottom portion 26.

[0014] The bowl portion 21 has an opening 212 that opens upward and a bottom portion 215. The opening 212 is the uppermost part of the bowl portion 21. The bottom portion 215 is the lowermost part of the bowl portion 21.

[0015] The drain pipe 22 extends rearward from the bottom 215 of the bowl section 21. A movable trap 23 is connected to the drain pipe 22.

[0016] The movable trap 23 is mainly composed of a flexible bellows portion. The movable trap 23 has an upstream end portion 231 and a downstream end portion 233. The upstream end portion 231 of the movable trap 23 is connected to the downstream end opening of the drain pipe 22. The downstream end portion 233 of the movable trap 23 is vertically displaced by a motor (not shown) attached to the toilet body 2.

[0017] The posture of the movable trap 23 when the downstream end portion 233 is located above is the water sealing posture. The posture of the movable trap 23 when the downstream end portion 233 is located below is the drainage posture. The movable trap 23 changes its posture between the water sealing posture and the drainage posture.

[0018] The accessory device 24 is provided at the upper rear part of the toilet device 1. In the upper cover 241 forming the outer shell of the accessory device 24, various devices (not shown) used in the toilet device 1 are accommodated. The various devices may include, for example, all or part of a discharge nozzle, a sanitary washing device, and a deodorizing device. The water discharge nozzle is a nozzle that discharges washing water toward the inside of the bowl portion 21. The sanitary washing device is a device that discharges washing water for washing the user's local area. The deodorizing device is a device that deodorizes the inside of the bowl portion 21. It is also preferable that the various devices further include other devices.

[0019] The skirt portion 25 constitutes the main part of the outer shell of the toilet body 2. The skirt portion 25 has a U-shaped horizontal cross section that opens to the rear and is positioned so as to surround the front and both sides of the bowl portion 21.

[0020] The bottom portion 26 constitutes the lowermost part of the outer shell of the toilet body 2. The bottom portion 26 is located below the skirt portion 25. The bottom portion 26 has a bottom surface facing vertically downward. In the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the bottom surface of the bottom portion 26 is positioned at a distance above the floor surface S1. That is, in the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the bottom portion 26 of the toilet body 2 is not installed on the floor surface S1, but the toilet body 2 is supported in a floating state where the bottom portion 26 is separated from the floor surface S1.

[0021] The toilet body 2 further includes a toilet seat 27 and a toilet lid 28.

[0022] The toilet seat 27 is rotatably mounted with respect to an upper cover 241 forming an outer shell of the attachment device 24. The toilet seat 27 is rotatable about a virtual central axis extending in the left - right direction. Similarly, the toilet lid 28 is rotatably mounted with respect to the upper cover 241 forming an outer shell of the attachment device 24. The toilet lid 28 is rotatable about a virtual central axis extending in the left - right direction.

[0023] (Support frame) The support frame 3 supports the toilet body 2 in the above - mentioned floating state. The support frame 3 is configured to support the bottom portion 26 of the toilet body 2 from below.

[0024] The support frame 3 includes a stand portion 31 fixed to the floor surface S1 and an extension portion 35 extending forward from the stand portion 31. The extension portion 35 is fixed to the bottom portion 26 of the toilet body 2 and supports the bottom portion 26 from below.

[0025] In the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the stand portion 31 is covered by a lining 9 installed behind the toilet device 1. The height of the lining 9 is set lower than that of the toilet device 1, but the height of the lining 9 is not limited to this and may be set higher than that of the toilet device​​​​​​​​​​​​ The lower cover 4, when attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet bowl body 2, includes a portion 42 that is positioned above the floor surface S1, leaving a space between them.

[0029] In the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the entire lower cover 4 constitutes part 42. That is, in the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, with the lower cover 4 attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, the entire lower cover 4 is positioned above the floor surface S1 with a space between them.

[0030] (Light source device) The light source device 5 is housed in the upper half of the toilet bowl body 2, more specifically, in the upper rear part of the toilet bowl body 2. The light source device 5 is housed inside the upper cover 241 that forms the outer shell of the attached device 24. In other words, the light source device 5 is included among the various devices of the attached device 24 used in the toilet bowl device 1.

[0031] In the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the light source device 5 is positioned behind the bowl portion 21 of the toilet body 2. Also, the light source device 5 is positioned above the bowl portion 21 of the toilet body 2. However, the housing position of the light source device 5 is not limited to this, and for example, the light source device 5 may be positioned below the opening 212 of the bowl portion 21, or below the bottom portion 215 of the bowl portion 21.

[0032] The light source device 5 includes, for example, a light-emitting element made of an LED. The light emitted from the light source device 5 enters a relay light guide member 7 positioned between the light source device 5 and the light guide member 6. The relay light guide member 7 is composed of, for example, a light guide rod extending vertically. The relay light guide member 7 is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source device 5 to the light guide member 6. Preferably, the relay light guide member 7 is housed inside the toilet bowl body 2 so that it is not visible from the outside.

[0033] (Light guide member) The light guide member 6 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 44 of the lower cover 4. As shown in Figure 2, the light guide member 6 is composed of a U-shaped light guide rod and is attached to the bottom surface 44 of the lower cover 4 so as to be exposed to the outside.

[0034] The light guide member 6 includes a rod-shaped first portion 61 positioned along the front edge of the bottom surface 44 of the lower cover 4, a rod-shaped second portion 62 positioned along the left side edge of the bottom surface 44 of the lower cover 4, and a rod-shaped third portion 63 positioned along the right side edge of the bottom surface 44 of the lower cover 4.

[0035] The first part 61 has a curved shape that bulges forward. The second part 62 and the third part 63 have a linear shape that extends in the front-to-back direction. The second part 62 and the third part 63 are parallel to each other. The first part 61, the second part 62, and the third part 63 are connected in a series.

[0036] (Effects and Benefits) In the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, when light emitted from the light source device 5 enters the light guide member 6 via the relay light guide member 7, the entire light guide member 6 emits light, broadly illuminating the floor surface S1. Since the light guide member 6 is arranged along the outer edge of the bottom surface 44 of the lower cover 4, the light emitted from the light guide member 6 can efficiently illuminate the floor surface S1 around the toilet device 1, and the user can get the feeling that the toilet device 1 is floating above the floor surface S1 (hereinafter referred to as "floating feeling").

[0037] Furthermore, in the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the light source device 5 is housed on the side of the toilet body 2, so there is no need to perform wiring work for the light source device 5 at the construction site, simplifying on-site work.

[0038] In addition, in the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment, the light guide member 6 is provided on the lower cover 4, and the lower cover 4 is detachable from the toilet body 2. Therefore, by removing the lower cover 4 from the toilet body 2, the light guide member 6 can be removed from the toilet body 2 together with the lower cover 4. As a result, the replacement of the light guide member 6 can be easily performed.

[0039] 2. Second Embodiment The toilet device 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. For components of the toilet device 1 of the second embodiment that are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0040] The toilet device 1 of the second embodiment includes the same toilet body 2, support frame 3, lower cover 4, light source device 5, light guide member 6, and relay light guide member 7 as in the first embodiment. However, in the toilet device 1 of the second embodiment, the light guide member 6 is provided on the toilet body 2 instead of the lower cover 4.

[0041] The light guide member 6 is attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet bowl body 2 so as to be exposed to the outside. Preferably, the light guide member 6 is attached to the portion of the bottom 26 of the toilet bowl body 2 that is above the bottom surface. The light guide member 6 is composed of, for example, a U-shaped light guide rod.

[0042] In the toilet device 1 of the second embodiment, when light emitted from the light source device 5 enters the light guide member 6 via the relay light guide member 7, the entire light guide member 6 emits light, broadly illuminating the floor surface S1. Since the light guide member 6 is positioned on the outer circumference of the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, the light emitted from the light guide member 6 can efficiently illuminate the floor surface S1 around the toilet device 1, allowing the user to feel a sense of floating relative to the toilet device 1.

[0043] In the toilet device 1 of the second embodiment, the light source device 5 is housed in the toilet body 2, so there is no need to perform wiring work for the light source device 5 at the construction site, simplifying on-site work.

[0044] In the toilet device 1 of the second embodiment, the lower cover 4 is not essential. The support frame 3 only needs to be able to support the toilet body 2 at a position away from the floor surface S1, and does not need to be configured to support the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2 from below.

[0045] 3. Variant The embodiments described above are merely one of many embodiments of this disclosure. These embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as they achieve the objectives of this disclosure.

[0046] The following describes modifications of the above embodiment. In the description of the modifications, components similar to those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The various modifications listed below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0047] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the entire lower cover 4 is positioned with a space above the floor surface S1, but only a part of the lower cover 4 may be positioned with a space above the floor surface S1.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a modified version of the toilet device 1 of the first embodiment. In this modified version, a portion of the lower cover 4 constitutes a portion 42 that is located above the floor surface S1. That is, with the lower cover 4 attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, only a portion of the lower cover 4 is located above the floor surface S1. The other portion 49 of the lower cover 4 protrudes downward from portion 42. The support frame 8 that supports the toilet body 2 is covered by the other portion 49 of the lower cover 4. The light guide member 6 is attached to the bottom surface of the portion 42 of the lower cover 4 that is located above the floor surface S1.

[0049] In this modified example, when light emitted from the light source device 5 enters the light guide member 6 via the relay light guide member 7, the entire light guide member 6 emits light, broadly illuminating the floor surface S1. Since the lower cover 4 is detachable from the toilet body 2, the light guide member 6 can be easily replaced by removing the lower cover 4 from the toilet body 2.

[0050] A configuration similar to the modified lower cover 4 shown in Figure 4 can also be adopted in the toilet device 1 of the second embodiment.

[0051] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the light source device 5 is housed in the toilet body 2, but the light source device 5 may also be housed in the lower cover 4. In this case, it is possible to direct the light emitted from the light source device 5 into the light guide member 6 without passing through the relay light guide member 7.

[0052] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the lower cover 4 is detachable from the toilet body 2, but the lower cover 4 may also be fixed to the toilet body 2 in a way that prevents it from being detached.

[0053] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the light guide member 6 is rod-shaped (that is, the light guide member 6 is composed of a light guide rod), but the light guide member 6 may also have other shapes such as a plate shape. Similarly, the intermediate light guide member 7 is rod-shaped (that is, the intermediate light guide member 7 is composed of a light guide rod), but the intermediate light guide member 7 may also have other shapes such as a plate shape.

[0054] The toilet device 1 in the first and second embodiments is provided with one light guide member 6, but multiple light guide members 6 may be provided. In this case, it is possible to make multiple light guide members 6 emit light by directing the light emitted from the light source device 5 into each of the multiple light guide members 6 via a relay light guide member. The arrangement of the multiple light guide members 6 can be selected as appropriate; for example, they may be arranged vertically or horizontally.

[0055] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the light source device 5 is used solely to illuminate the light guide member 6, but it is also possible to use the light source device 5 for other lighting purposes. For example, the light source device 5 may be used for lighting inside the bowl portion 21, or for lighting behind the toilet device 1.

[0056] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, the toilet body 2 is made of resin, but the material of the toilet body 2 is not particularly limited, and for example, the toilet body 2 may be made of ceramic.

[0057] In the toilet device 1 of the first and second embodiments, a method of draining water in conjunction with the operation of the movable trap 23 (a so-called turn-trap method) is employed, but a method of draining water through a fixed trap may also be employed.

[0058] 4. Summary As described based on the above embodiments and modifications, the toilet device (1) of the first embodiment comprises a toilet body (2) having a bottom (26) and supported such that the bottom (26) is located away from the floor surface (S1), a lower cover (4) attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2), a light source device (5), and a light guide member (6) provided on the lower cover (4). The lower cover (4), when attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2), includes a portion (42) that is located above the floor surface (S1). The light guide member (6) is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device (5).

[0059] In this embodiment, instead of directly illuminating the floor surface (S1) with light emitted from the light source device (5), the floor surface (S1) can be broadly illuminated using a light guide member (6) that emits light from the light source device (5). Therefore, it is possible to broadly illuminate the floor surface (S1) without being affected by whether or not there is an obstruction between the toilet bowl body (2) and the floor surface (S1).

[0060] In the toilet device (1) of the second embodiment, the light source device (5) is housed in the toilet body (2) as in the first embodiment.

[0061] According to this embodiment, there is no need to perform wiring work for the light source device (5) at the installation site of the toilet device (1), thus simplifying on-site work.

[0062] In the third embodiment of the toilet device (1), in the first or second embodiment, the lower cover (4) is attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2) and is positioned to protrude below the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2).

[0063] According to this embodiment, the light guide member (6) can be positioned below the toilet bowl body (2).

[0064] In the toilet device (1) of the fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments, the lower cover (4) is detachably attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2).

[0065] According to this embodiment, the light guide member (6) can be easily replaced by removing the light guide member (6) together with the lower cover (4) from the toilet bowl body (2).

[0066] The toilet device (1) of the fifth embodiment comprises a toilet body (2) having a bottom (26) and supported such that the bottom (26) is located away from the floor surface (S1), a light source device (5) housed in the toilet body (2), and a light guide member (6) provided on the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2). The light guide member (6) is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device (5).

[0067] In this embodiment, instead of directly illuminating the floor surface (S1) with light emitted from the light source device (5), the floor surface (S1) can be broadly illuminated using a light guide member (6) that emits light from the light source device (5). Therefore, it is possible to broadly illuminate the floor surface (S1) without being affected by whether or not there is an obstruction between the toilet bowl body (2) and the floor surface (S1).

[0068] In the sixth embodiment of the toilet device (1), in any one of the first to fifth embodiments, an intermediate light guide member (7) is further provided, which is positioned between the light source device (5) and the light guide member (6). The intermediate light guide member (7) is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source device (5) to the light guide member (6).

[0069] According to this embodiment, the light source device (5) and the light guide member (6) can be placed far apart from each other, increasing the degree of freedom in the placement of the light source device (5) and the light guide member (6). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1 Toilet equipment 2 Toilet bowl 26 Bottom 4. Bottom cover 42 parts 5 Light source device 6. Light guide member 7. Light guide member for relay S1 Floor surface

Claims

1. A toilet bowl body having a bottom, the bottom being supported so as to be positioned away from the floor surface, The lower cover attached to the bottom of the toilet bowl body, Light source device, The lower cover includes a light guide member, The lower cover, when attached to the bottom of the toilet bowl body, includes a portion that is positioned above the floor surface with a space between them. The light guide member is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device. Toilet equipment.

2. The light source device is housed in the toilet bowl body. Toilet device according to claim 1.

3. The lower cover, when attached to the bottom of the toilet bowl body, is positioned to protrude below the bottom of the toilet bowl body. A toilet device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The lower cover is detachably attached to the bottom of the toilet bowl body. A toilet device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A toilet bowl body having a bottom, the bottom being supported so as to be positioned away from the floor surface, The light source device housed in the toilet bowl body, The toilet bowl body comprises a light guide member provided at the bottom, The light guide member is configured to emit light when emitted from the light source device. Toilet equipment.

6. The device further comprises a relay light guide member disposed between the light source device and the light guide member, The relay light guide member is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source device to the light guide member. A toilet device according to claim 1 or 5.

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