Ceramic washbasin

Abstract

To provide a washbasin that can reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during the drying and firing processes of the ceramic molding. [Solution] The washbasin 1 of the present invention has a bowl portion 4, a bottom portion 6 that forms the bottom surface of the bowl portion, and a mounting portion 10 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom portion and is formed in the circumferential direction and is placed on a base 8 during drying or firing of the ceramic molding. The mounting portion, when viewed from the front, has a first straight portion 12 that extends horizontally from left to right with a first width d1, a second straight portion 14 that extends horizontally from front to back with a second width d2, and a corner portion 16 that bends from the first straight portion to the second straight portion with a third width d3. When viewed from the bottom, the first radius of curvature r1 of the inner edge of the corner portion is greater than the second radius of curvature r2 of the outer edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washbasin, and particularly to a washbasin made of pottery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as washbasins made of pottery, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known. First, in the conventional washbasin described in Patent Document 1, a recess is provided at the boundary between the washbowl portion and its peripheral portion, and this recess can disperse stress and suppress stress concentration. Furthermore, in the conventional washbasin described in Patent Document 2, on the lower surface side of the bowl portion, when the connecting portion connecting the outer surface of the bowl portion and the inner surface of the placement portion shrinks during firing in pottery manufacturing or when the connecting portion shrinks due to heat shock, the connecting portion can reduce the stress applied to the connection location between the curved portion of the bowl portion and the connecting portion. As a result, the washbasin can suppress the occurrence of breakage or the like due to stress concentration during firing at the connection location between the curved portion of the bowl portion and the connecting portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional washbasins described in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a problem that during the drying and firing processes of the ceramic manufacturing process, stress is applied to the ceramic due to shrinkage, etc., which can cause stress concentration at specific points in the ceramic, potentially leading to damage such as cracks or breaks. Therefore, damage such as cracks and breaks caused by stress concentration and shrinkage leads to a decrease in yield, making it a pressing issue to control the manufacturing costs of ceramics.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above and the issues that have been requested in recent years, and aims to provide a washbasin that can reliably prevent the occurrence of cracks and breaks due to shrinkage of the ceramic itself during the drying and firing of the ceramic molding process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a ceramic washbasin comprising a bowl portion, a bottom portion forming the bottom surface of the bowl portion, and a mounting portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom portion and is formed circumferentially, and is placed on a base during drying or firing of the ceramic molding, wherein the mounting portion, when viewed from the front, comprises a first straight portion extending horizontally from left to right with a first width, a second straight portion extending horizontally from front to back with a second width, and a corner portion that bends from the first straight portion to the second straight portion with a third width, wherein, when viewed from the bottom, the first radius of curvature of the inner edge of the corner portion is larger than the second radius of curvature of the outer edge. In the present invention configured as described above, the bottom surface forming the bottom surface of the bowl portion is provided with a mounting portion that protrudes downward from its lower surface and is formed circumferentially, and is placed on a base during drying or firing of the ceramic molding. In a view from the bottom surface, the first radius of curvature of the inner edge of the corner of this mounting portion is larger than the second radius of curvature of the outer edge, which suppresses stress concentration at specific points in the ceramic due to shrinkage during ceramic molding, and prevents the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0007] In the present invention, preferably, the second width is set to be smaller than the first width. In the present invention configured in this way, the second width of the second straight section extending horizontally in the front-to-back direction of the mounting section is set to be smaller than the first width of the first straight section extending horizontally in the left-to-right direction. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress stress concentration at specific points in the ceramic due to shrinkage during ceramic molding, as well as the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0008] In the present invention, preferably, the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature are set to gradually change from the base end side of the mounting portion toward the mounting surface. In the present invention configured in this way, the first radius of curvature of the inner edge and the second radius of curvature of the outer edge at the corner of the mounting portion are set to gradually change from the base end of the mounting portion toward the mounting surface. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress stress concentration at specific points in the ceramic due to shrinkage during ceramic molding, as well as the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0009] In the present invention, preferably, in a bottom view, the first point of contact of the minimum radius of curvature of the inner edge and the second point of contact of the minimum radius of curvature of the outer edge of the corner are located on substantially a straight line in the same radial direction. In the present invention configured in this way, when viewed from the bottom of the corner of the mounting portion, the first point of contact of the minimum radius of curvature of the inner edge and the second point of contact of the minimum radius of curvature of the outer edge are located on an almost straight line in the same radial direction. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress stress concentration at specific points in the ceramic due to shrinkage during ceramic molding, as well as the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The ceramic washbasin of the present invention reliably prevents the occurrence of cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during the drying and firing processes of the ceramic molding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a ceramic washbasin according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which it is placed on a base during the drying process or firing process of ceramic molding. [Figure 2] This is a partially enlarged bottom view showing an enlarged portion of the mounting area of ​​a ceramic washbasin according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic rear view of a ceramic washbasin according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a partially enlarged rear perspective view of the back portion of a ceramic washbasin according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 5] This is a rear perspective view of a ceramic washbasin according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a diagonal rearward angle. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged rear view showing an enlarged portion of the recessed area of ​​a ceramic washbasin according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] First, a ceramic washbasin according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a ceramic washbasin according to this embodiment, showing the state in which it is placed on a base during the drying process or firing process of the ceramic molding. As shown in Fig. 1, the washbasin 1 made of pottery according to this embodiment includes a washbasin body 2 formed of pottery. This washbasin body 2 includes a bowl portion 4, a bottom portion 6 forming the bottom surface of this bowl portion 4, and a placement portion 10 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of this bottom portion 6 and is formed in the circumferential direction and is placed on a base 8 in a kiln space or a drying space K during drying or firing of pottery forming. In addition, the "pottery" in this specification includes general sanitary pottery materials such as porcelain and ceramics.

[0013] Next, Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged bottom view showing an enlarged view of the placement portion 10 of the washbasin 1 made of pottery according to this embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the placement portion 10 is configured such that its bottom surface (placement surface S) is grounded to a base 8 disposed in a kiln space or a drying space K during the drying process or the firing process in pottery forming. Regarding the posture of the washbasin body 2 disposed on the base 8 during the drying process or the firing process in pottery forming, the posture may be such that portions other than the placement portion 10 of the washbasin body 2 are disposed on the base 8.

[0014] Next, a schematic overview of the manufacturing process of the washbasin body 2 in the washbasin 1 made of pottery according to this embodiment will be briefly described. In the pottery forming process of the washbasin body 2, there are a pouring process of pouring slurry into a mold formed of plaster or resin to form the shape of pottery, a body building process of building up the formed body on the mold, a mud discharging process of discharging the excess slurry inside the formed body after building it up on the mold, an earth tightening process of reducing the moisture of the formed body to improve the shape retention and demolding properties, a demolding process of demolding the formed body, a drying process of drying the formed body after the demolding process, a glazing process of glazing the formed body after the drying process, and a firing process of firing the formed body after the glazing process, etc.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the mounting section 10, when viewed from the front side F of the washbasin body 2, comprises a first straight section 12 extending horizontally from left to right with a first width (second short side width) d1, a second straight section 14 extending horizontally from front to back with a second width (second short side width) d2, and a corner section 16 that bends from the first straight section 12 to the second straight section 14 with a third width d3. Furthermore, the second width d2 of the second straight section 14 is set to be smaller than the first width d1 of the first straight section 12 (d2 <d1)。 Furthermore, in the bottom view of the corner 16 in Figure 2, the first radius of curvature r1 of the inner edge 18 is set to be larger than the second radius of curvature r2 of the outer edge 20 (r1 > r2).

[0016] Furthermore, the first radius of curvature r1 and the second radius of curvature r2 of the corner portion 16 are set to gradually change from the base end B of the mounting portion 10 toward the mounting surface S. Furthermore, in the bottom view of Figure 2, the corner portion 16 has a first point of contact P1 of the first minimum radius of curvature r3 on its inner edge 18 and a second point of contact P2 of the second minimum radius of curvature r4 on its outer edge 20, both located on approximately a straight line L1 in the same radial direction. In other words, in the bottom view of Figure 2, the center O1 of the first minimum radius of curvature r3 and the center O2 of the second minimum radius of curvature r4, as well as the first tangency P1 and the second tangency P2, are all located on a single, nearly straight line L1.

[0017] Next, the operation of the ceramic washbasin 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Generally, sanitary ware such as ceramic washbasins are produced by a series of ceramic molding processes, including a pouring process, a porcelain coating process, a sludge removal process, a clay compaction process, a demolding process, a drying process, a glazing process, and a firing process. The sludge is coated in a mold, dried for a predetermined time, and then fired at a predetermined temperature. During each process, the self-weight F0 (see Figure 1) generated by the ceramics causes a force equilibrium position due to the ceramics' unique shape, and reaction forces F1 and F2 (see Figure 1) are generated due to friction caused by contact between the base 8 and the mounting surface S when the sanitary ware shrinks C (see Figure 1) within the kiln space or drying space K. Furthermore, these reaction forces F1 and F2 remain as residual stresses within the ceramic even after drying and firing. This effect tends to concentrate in areas with relatively small radii of curvature at the corners 16 of the mounting portion 10 of the washbasin body 2, leading to cracks as the ceramic cools down, which is one of the reasons for the decrease in the yield of good products. However, in the ceramic washbasin 1 according to the embodiment described above, the bottom surface portion 6 that forms the bottom surface of the bowl portion 4 is provided with a mounting portion 10 that protrudes downward from its lower surface and is formed in the circumferential direction, and is placed on the base 8 during drying or firing of the ceramic molding. Furthermore, in the bottom view of Figure 2, the first radius of curvature r1 of the inner edge 18 of the corner portion 10 is set to be larger than the second radius of curvature r2 of the outer edge 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress stress concentration in specific areas of the ceramic due to shrinkage during ceramic molding, as well as the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the ceramic washbasin 1 of this embodiment, the second width d2 of the second straight section 14 extending horizontally in the front-to-back direction of the mounting section 10 is set to be smaller than the first width d1 of the first straight section 12 extending horizontally in the left-to-right direction (d2 <d1)。 This effectively suppresses stress concentration and reaction forces that can occur in specific areas of the ceramic due to shrinkage C during ceramic molding. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0019] Furthermore, in the ceramic washbasin 1 according to this embodiment, the first radius of curvature r1 of the inner edge 18 and the second radius of curvature r2 of the outer edge 20 at the corner 16 of the mounting portion 10 are set to gradually change from the base end B of the mounting portion 10 toward the mounting surface 22. This effectively suppresses stress concentration in specific areas of the ceramic due to shrinkage during molding, as well as the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the ceramic washbasin 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, in a bottom view of the corner 16 of the mounting portion 10, the first contact point P1 of the inner edge 18 with a minimum radius of curvature r3 and the second contact point P2 of the outer edge 20 with a minimum radius of curvature r4 are located on an almost straight line L1 in the same radial direction. This effectively suppresses stress concentration at specific points in the ceramic due to shrinkage during ceramic molding, as well as the influence of reaction forces. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent cracks and breaks caused by shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing.

[0021] Next, with reference to Figure 3, a ceramic washbasin 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic rear view of a ceramic washbasin according to this embodiment. Here, in the ceramic washbasin 100 of this embodiment shown in Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those of the ceramic washbasin 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, and their descriptions are omitted. As shown in Figure 3, in the ceramic washbasin 100 of this embodiment, when the washbasin body 102 is placed on the base 8 in the kiln space or drying space K during the drying or firing process in ceramic molding, it is possible for the back portion 104 of the washbasin body 102 to be in contact with the base 8, and it is also possible for a part of the bottom portion 106 of the washbasin body 102 (bottom mounting portion 106a) to be in contact with the base 8 (see Figure 3).

[0022] Furthermore, the back portion 104 of the washbasin body 2 is provided with multiple (two or more) round holes 108, 108 and a rear mounting portion 110 that is in contact with the base 8 in a position where the back portion 104 of the washbasin body 2 is facing downwards. Here, each of the round holes 108 is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the back, which helps to suppress the occurrence of cracks and breaks caused by the shrinkage of the ceramic itself during the drying and firing processes.

[0023] Furthermore, in the rear mounting section 110, the curved sections 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d, which are generally bent, have a radius of curvature of at least 10 mm when viewed from the rear, thereby suppressing the occurrence of cracks and breaks such as those caused by the shrinkage of the ceramic itself during the drying and firing processes. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the washbasin body 2 is provided with corners 112, 112 on both the left and right sides of its bottom surface 106. Each corner 112, 112 has a radius of curvature of at least 20 mm when viewed from the back, which helps to suppress the occurrence of cracks and breaks caused by the shrinkage of the ceramic itself during the drying and firing processes.

[0024] According to the ceramic washbasin 100 of this embodiment described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of cracks and breaks such as cooling cracks caused by the shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing of the ceramic molding.

[0025] Next, with reference to Figure 4, a ceramic washbasin 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged rear perspective view of the ceramic washbasin according to this embodiment, viewed from a diagonal downward angle. As shown in Figure 4, the ceramic washbasin 200 of this embodiment includes a bowl portion 204 of the washbasin body 2, a bottom portion 206 that forms the bottom surface 204a of the bowl portion 204, and a back portion 208 formed on the back side of the bottom portion 206. Furthermore, the bottom surface 206 has a connecting surface 210 that connects the bottom surface 204a of the bowl portion 204 to the back surface 208. This connecting surface 210 includes a horizontal surface 212, a bent surface 214 that bends diagonally upward and inward in the left-right direction from the horizontal surface 212 to the washbasin body 2, and an inclined surface 216 that extends diagonally upward from the bent surface 214. Furthermore, in the curved surface 214, the radius of curvature of the connection portion 214a between the bowl portion 204 and the bottom surface 204a, that is, the base portion of the bottom surface 206 where the bowl portion 204 attaches to the bottom surface 204a, as viewed from the rear, is set to 23 mm or more.

[0026] According to the ceramic washbasin 200 of this embodiment described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of cracks and breaks such as cooling cracks caused by the shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing of the ceramic molding.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 5, a ceramic washbasin 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the ceramic washbasin according to this embodiment, seen from a diagonal rearward angle. As shown in Figure 5, the ceramic washbasin 300 of this embodiment is provided with two recesses 306 and 308 (upper recess 306 and lower recess 308) located vertically in the center of the left-right direction on the back surface 304 of the washbasin body 302. Next, each recess 306, 308 is provided with upper edge protrusions 306a, 308a and lower edge protrusions 306b, 308b that project toward the rear side from their upper and lower edges, respectively. Furthermore, each upper edge projection 306a, 308a is formed to extend in the left-right direction and then bend downward from both ends. Furthermore, each of the lower edge protrusions 306b and 308b is also formed to extend in the left-right direction and then bend upward from both ends. As a result, the upper edge protrusions 306a, 308a and lower edge protrusions 306b, 308b of each recess 306, 308 function as mounting parts that allow the washbasin body 302 to be placed on a base (not shown) in the kiln space or drying space K during the drying or firing process in ceramic molding, with the back surface 304 of the washbasin body 302 facing downwards.

[0028] According to the ceramic washbasin 300 of this embodiment described above, the upper edge protrusions 306a, 308a and the lower edge protrusions 306b, 308b reliably prevent the occurrence of cracks and breaks due to shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing of the ceramic molding.

[0029] Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, a ceramic washbasin 400 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is a magnified rear view of the recessed portion of a ceramic washbasin according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the ceramic washbasin 400 of this embodiment is provided with two recesses 406 and 408 (upper recess 406 and lower recess 408) arranged vertically in the center of the back portion 404 of the washbasin body 402 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, each recess 406, 408 is provided with upper edge protrusions 406a, 408a and lower edge protrusions 406b, 408b, respectively, that project toward the rear side from their upper and lower edges. As a result, the upper edge protrusions 406a, 408a and lower edge protrusions 406b, 408b of each recess 406, 408 function as mounting parts that can make contact with the base (not shown) in a position where the back surface 304 of the washbasin body 302 is facing downwards when the washbasin body 402 is placed on the base (not shown) in the kiln space or drying space K during the drying or firing process in ceramic molding. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the upper recess 406 has a rounded, almost semi-circular shape in the concave curved surface 406c when viewed in cross-sectional view, which allows it to withstand the shrinkage load during drying and firing of the ceramic molding. Incidentally, the lower recess 408, like the upper recess 406, has a rounded, almost semi-circular shape in its side cross-sectional view.

[0030] According to the ceramic washbasin 400 of this embodiment described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of cracks and breaks such as cooling cracks caused by the shrinkage of the ceramic itself during drying and firing of the ceramic molding. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1. Ceramic washbasin according to the first embodiment of the present invention 2. Washbasin 4 Bowl section 6. Bottom of the bowl section 8 bases 10 Mounting section 12 1st straight section 14 2nd straight section 16 Corner 18. Inner edge of corner 20 Outer edge of the corner 22 Corner mounting surface 100 Ceramic washbasin according to a second embodiment of the present invention 102 Washbasin 104 Back of the washbasin 106 Bottom of the washbasin 106a Bottom mounting section 108 round holes 110 Rear side mounting section 110a curved section 110b Curve 110c curved section 110d curved section 112 corners 200 Ceramic washbasin according to the third embodiment of the present invention 202 Washbasin 204 The bowl portion of the washbasin 206 Bottom of the washbasin 208 Back part 210 Connection surface 212 Horizontal plane 214 Curved surface 214a Connection portion of the bowl section to the bottom surface on the curved surface 216 Slope 300 Ceramic washbasin according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention 302 Washbasin 304 Back of the washbasin 306 Upper recess 306a Upper edge protrusion 306b Lower edge protrusion 308 Lower recess 308a Upper edge protrusion 308b Lower edge protrusion 400 Ceramic washbasin according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention 402 Washbasin body 404 Back of the washbasin 406 Upper recess 406a Upper edge protrusion 406b Lower edge protrusion 406c concave curved surface 408 Lower recess 408a Upper edge protrusion 408b Lower edge protrusion B Proximal side C Contraction force d1 First width of the first straight section d2 Second width of the second straight section d3 Third width of the corner F Front side F0 Self-weight F1 reaction force F2 reaction force K Kiln interior space or drying space L1 straight line O1 Center of the first minimum radius of curvature O2: Center of the second minimum radius of curvature P1 First contact point P2 2nd contact r1 1st radius of curvature r2 Second radius of curvature S Bottom surface of the mounting section, mounting surface

Claims

1. It is a ceramic washbasin, The bowl part, The bottom portion that forms the bottom surface of this bowl section, It has a mounting portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom portion and is formed in the circumferential direction, and is placed on the base during drying or firing of the ceramic molding, The above-described mounting portion, when viewed from the front, comprises a first straight section extending horizontally from left to right with a first width, a second straight section extending horizontally from front to back with a second width, and a corner section that bends from the first straight section to the second straight section with a third width. The above-mentioned corner is characterized in that, when viewed from the bottom, the first radius of curvature of its inner edge is greater than the second radius of curvature of its outer edge.

2. The ceramic washbasin according to claim 1, wherein the second width is set to be smaller than the first width.

3. The ceramic washbasin according to claim 1, wherein the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature are set to gradually change from the base end of the mounting portion toward the mounting surface.

4. The sanitary ware according to claim 1, wherein, in a view from the bottom, the first point of contact of the minimum radius of curvature of the inner edge and the second point of contact of the minimum radius of curvature of the outer edge are located on substantially a straight line in the same radial direction.

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