Plumbing fixtures

Abstract

To provide a water-related device that can achieve both high disinfection performance in the disinfection section and suppression of deterioration in the disinfection section. [Solution] A plumbing fixture comprising an irradiation device that irradiates light, and a sterilization unit that sterilizes by the light irradiated from the irradiation device, wherein the sterilization unit has a direct irradiation unit that is struck by direct light irradiated from the irradiation device, and an indirect irradiation unit that is struck by reflected light irradiated from the irradiation device and reflected from the direct irradiation unit, wherein the direct light has a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum, and the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the direct light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present invention generally relate to water-related devices.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a toilet device that sterilizes a sterilization unit with light irradiated from an irradiation device (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Although the sterilization unit can be sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device, on the other hand, there is a risk that the sterilization unit may be easily deteriorated by the light irradiated from the irradiation device. [[ID=,36]]

[0005] Aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water-related device that can achieve both the sterilization performance of the sterilization unit and the suppression of deterioration of the sterilization unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first invention includes an irradiation device that irradiates light, and a sterilization unit that is sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device. The sterilization unit has a direct irradiation portion irradiated with direct light irradiated from the irradiation device, and an indirect irradiation portion irradiated with reflected light irradiated from the irradiation device and reflected by the direct irradiation portion. The direct light has a peak wavelength at least between 350 nm and 450 nm in terms of spectrum, and the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the total radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the total radiant flux of the direct light. It is a water-related device characterized by this.

[0007] This water-related device divides the sterilization section into a direct irradiation section where light is directly irradiated and an indirect irradiation section where light is indirectly irradiated. Furthermore, at the moment when the direct light is reflected and becomes reflected light, the indirect light is attenuated in components with wavelengths shorter than the peak wavelength of the direct light. As a result, it is possible to sterilize products made of materials that are easily degraded by light without reducing the sterilization performance in the area where light is directly irradiated.

[0008] The second invention is a plumbing device characterized in that, in the first invention, the radiant flux of the reflected light is greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the directly irradiated part.

[0009] This water-based lighting system can suppress degradation in the indirectly irradiated area while minimizing the reduction in radiant flux of reflected light due to absorption in the directly irradiated area.

[0010] The third invention is a plumbing device characterized in that, in the first invention, the direct light has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm, and the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm.

[0011] This water-related device uses a light wavelength range suitable for generating reactive oxygen species when light is irradiated onto porphyrins contained within bacteria, thereby irradiating light that is more suitable for sterilization while suppressing deterioration in the indirectly irradiated area.

[0012] The fourth invention is a water supply device characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the direct irradiation section is made of an inorganic material and the indirect irradiation section is made of an organic material.

[0013] This water-related device makes it possible to achieve sterilization by using inorganic materials that are less affected by degradation due to wavelength ranges for the direct irradiation area, while suppressing degradation of the indirect irradiation area.

[0014] The fifth invention is a plumbing device characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the direct irradiation section is made of ceramic and the indirect irradiation section is made of resin material.

[0015] This plumbing device makes it possible to achieve sterilization while minimizing the effects of wavelength-dependent degradation on the direct irradiation area (using ceramic material) and suppressing resin discoloration in the indirect irradiation area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a water-related device that can achieve both high disinfection performance in the disinfection section and suppression of deterioration of the disinfection section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a toilet device, which is an example of a plumbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of light emitted from the irradiation device. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing enlarged views of the direct and indirect irradiation sections in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This graph shows the relationship between the wavelengths of direct and reflected light and the radiant flux. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is a graph showing the total radiant flux of direct light, and Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the total radiant flux on the short-wavelength side of direct light. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a graph showing the total radiant flux of reflected light, and Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the total radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side of reflected light. [Figure 7] This graph shows the relationship between the sum of the radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 350 nm to less than 400 nm and the sum of the radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 400 nm to 450 nm. [Figure 8] This graph shows the relationship between light absorbed and reflected by the sterilization area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device which is an example of a water circulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of light irradiated from an irradiation device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a direct irradiation portion and an indirect irradiation portion in FIG. 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 1 includes a toilet bowl 2, a sanitary washing device 10 installed on the toilet bowl 2, and an irradiation device 30 that irradiates light (sterilization light) for sterilizing the toilet bowl 2 and the sanitary washing device 10. The toilet device 1 constitutes the water circulation device of the present invention. Note that the water circulation device is not limited to the toilet device 1, and may be various devices that require sterilization in the water circulation of houses and various buildings, such as kitchens, bathrooms, toilet rooms, etc.

[0020] The toilet bowl 2 is a so-called wall-mounted toilet bowl. The toilet bowl 2 has a bowl portion 2a for receiving dirt. The sanitary washing device 10 has a casing 11, a toilet seat 13, and a toilet lid 15. The toilet seat 13 and the toilet lid 15 are each pivotally supported with respect to the casing 11 so as to be rotatable.

[0021] In the present specification, the directions as viewed from a user sitting on the toilet seat 13 with the toilet lid 15 on the back will be described as "up", "down", "front", "back", "right", and "left", respectively.

[0022] The casing 11 has a case plate 11a and a case cover 11b that covers the case plate 11a. Inside the casing 11, a body washing function unit for realizing washing of the "buttocks" etc. of a user sitting on the toilet seat 13, a toilet lid opening / closing function unit for detecting the open / closed state of the toilet lid 15, and a human body detection sensor for detecting a user existing around the toilet device 1 are built in.

[0023] Furthermore, for example, a seating detection sensor (not shown) is provided inside the casing 11 to detect when a user sits on the toilet seat 13. When the seating detection sensor detects a user sitting on the toilet seat 13, the user can operate an operating unit 4, such as a remote control, to extend or retract the local washing nozzle 20, which is part of the body washing function, into the bowl portion 2a of the toilet 2. In Figure 1, the local washing nozzle 20 is shown in the extended state within the bowl portion 2a.

[0024] The irradiation device 30 is installed on the underside 15a of the toilet lid 15. The irradiation device 30 has a light source 31 that emits light. The light emitted from the light source 31 is germicidal light that disinfects bacteria and mold (hereinafter collectively referred to as bacteria) attached to the target (disinfection area).

[0025] The irradiation device 30 has, for example, at least one light source 31. The light source 31 may be one or more. The light source 31 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source 31 is not limited to an LED, but may also be an LD (Laser Diode) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), for example. The irradiation device 30 may also use a cold cathode fluorescent lamp or a hot cathode fluorescent lamp. The irradiation device 30 is connected to a control unit (not shown) provided inside the casing 11, for example, and is turned on and off based on the control of this control unit.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the irradiation device 30 is located above the opening 13a of the toilet seat 13 when the toilet lid 15 is closed. The irradiation device 30 irradiates light toward the bowl portion 2a and the casing 11, for example, when the toilet lid 15 is closed. The bowl portion 2a and the casing 11 constitute the sterilization section of the present invention. The toilet seat 13 and toilet lid 15 may also constitute the sterilization section. In other words, the part that is irradiated with light by the irradiation device 30 is the sterilization section.

[0027] For example, bacteria adhering to the bowl portion 2a and the casing 11 are sterilized by light emitted from the irradiation device 30. This suppresses the growth of bacteria adhering to the bowl portion 2a and the casing 11.

[0028] The sterilization section has a direct irradiation section that is hit by direct light L1 irradiated from the light source 31 of the irradiation device 30, and an indirect irradiation section that is hit by reflected light L2 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 and reflected from the direct irradiation section. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, for example, the bowl section 2a irradiated by direct light L1 is the direct irradiation section. On the other hand, for example, the back surface of the case plate 11a of the casing 11 is the indirect irradiation section that is irradiated by reflected light L2. In Figures 2 and 3, the direct light L1 irradiated directly from the light source 31 of the irradiation device 30 toward the bowl section 2a is shown by a dotted line. On the other hand, the reflected light L2 of the direct light L1 irradiated toward the bowl section 2a is shown by a dashed line.

[0029] Here, the direct irradiation section and the indirect irradiation section are made of different materials. Specifically, the light resistance of the indirect irradiation section is lower than that of the direct irradiation section. In other words, the indirect irradiation section is more susceptible to degradation by the direct light L1 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 than the direct irradiation section. Therefore, in this embodiment, reflected light L2 is directed onto the parts that are prone to degradation.

[0030] The bowl portion 2a is made of ceramic. On the other hand, the case plate 11a is made of resin. In other words, the direct irradiation area is made of ceramic, and the indirect irradiation area is made of resin. Ceramics have higher light resistance than resin. In this embodiment, by making the direct irradiation area out of ceramic, which is less affected by degradation in the wavelength range, and the indirect irradiation area out of resin, sterilization is achieved while suppressing resin discoloration.

[0031] Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelengths of direct and reflected light and the radiant flux.

[0032] As shown by the solid line in Figure 4, the direct light L1 emitted from the irradiation device 30 has a peak wavelength at least between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum. The peak wavelength is the portion where the radiant flux of the light is maximum. In this example, the peak wavelength of the direct light L1 emitted from the irradiation device 30 is 405 nm. Figure 4 shows a graph of the ratio of the peak wavelength at 405 nm to the radiant flux.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4, the reflected light L2 reflected from the direct irradiation section (bowl section 2a) has a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum, similar to the direct light L1. However, the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 is attenuated compared to the direct light L1. In this case, the attenuation of the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 is greater for the short-wavelength radiant flux than for the long-wavelength radiant flux. The boundary between the short-wavelength and long-wavelength radiant fluxes is the peak wavelength of the direct light L1.

[0034] For example, when direct light L1 with a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum is irradiated onto the ceramic bowl portion 2a, reflected light L2 with a wavelength attenuated from the direct light L1 is generated, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the reflected light L2 with such a wavelength is directed onto the case plate 11a, which is made of resin material. Although not shown in Figure 2, the reflected light L2 may also be directed onto components of the device installed on the toilet bowl 2, such as the toilet seat 13 and the toilet lid 15.

[0035] Figure 5(a) is a graph showing the total radiant flux of direct light, and Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the total radiant flux on the short-wavelength side of direct light. Figure 6(a) is a graph showing the total radiant flux of reflected light, and Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the total radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side of reflected light.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5(a), the sum of the radiant flux of direct light L1 is the area S1 within the wavelength. As shown in Figure 5(b), the sum of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side of direct light L1 is the area S2 within the wavelength side that is shorter than the peak wavelength. Therefore, the ratio of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of direct light L1 is S2 / S1.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6(a), the sum of the radiant flux of reflected light L2 is the area S3 within the wavelength. As shown in Figure 6(b), the sum of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side of reflected light L2 is the area S4 within the wavelength side that is shorter than the peak wavelength. Therefore, the ratio of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of reflected light L2 is S4 / S3.

[0038] The ratio of the short-wavelength radiant flux of reflected light L2 to the total radiant flux is smaller than the ratio of the short-wavelength radiant flux of direct light L1 to the total radiant flux (S2 / S1). In this way, the direct irradiation section is configured to generate reflected light L2 with components shorter than the peak wavelength of direct light L1 attenuated. This makes it possible to suppress sterilization and degradation of the indirect irradiation section, which is susceptible to degradation by light, without reducing the sterilization performance of the direct irradiation section where light is directly irradiated.

[0039] Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the sum of the radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 350 nm to less than 400 nm and the sum of the radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 400 nm to 450 nm.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, in direct light L1, the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is the area S5 in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm. Also, the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 450 nm is the area S6 in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 400 nm. Direct light L1 is in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm, and the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm (S5) is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm (S6) (S5 > S6).

[0041] The bacteria possess photosensitizing molecules. These photosensitizing molecules are, for example, porphyrins. Porphyrins have an absorption wavelength range around 350 nm to 450 nm. Therefore, the direct light L1 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm, and it is preferable that the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm.

[0042] This efficiently generates reactive oxygen species, which are produced when light is irradiated onto the porphyrins possessed by bacteria. These reactive oxygen species can then be used to sterilize, kill, or inactivate the bacteria. Furthermore, by setting the wavelength range of the indirect irradiation section, which is made of resin material, to 350 nm to 450 nm, the deterioration of the indirect irradiation section can be suppressed compared to when light with a wavelength of less than 350 nm is irradiated onto the sterilization section.

[0043] Furthermore, the direct light L1 emitted from the irradiation device 30 includes wavelengths of 400 nm or more, which are in the visible light range. Therefore, the user can recognize whether or not the toilet equipment 1 (water-related equipment) has been disinfected by the light emitted from the irradiation device 30.

[0044] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between light absorbed and reflected in the sterilization area. The radiant flux of reflected light L2 reflected from the direct irradiation area is greater than the radiant flux of light absorbed by the direct irradiation area. A portion of the direct light L1 irradiating the direct irradiation area is absorbed by the direct irradiation area. On the other hand, another portion of the direct light L1 irradiating the direct irradiation area is reflected by the direct irradiation area. Here, the direct irradiation area is assumed to be sufficiently thick and not permeable. In this case, the reflected light L2 is the sum of the reflected light L2 reflected from the surface of the direct irradiation area and the reflected light L2 reflected from inside the direct irradiation area. That is, the radiant energy of the reflected light L2 reflected from the direct irradiation area is greater than the radiant energy absorbed by the direct irradiation area. Radiant flux can be calculated, for example, by multiplying the irradiance by the area.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, for example, light around 300 nm is almost completely absorbed inside the direct irradiation area. On the other hand, for light around 350 nm, the proportion of light absorbed by the direct irradiation area is slightly greater than the proportion of light reflected by the direct irradiation area. For light around 360 nm, the proportion of light absorbed by the direct irradiation area and the proportion of light reflected by the direct irradiation area are almost equal. For light between 360 nm and 450 nm, the proportion of light reflected by the direct irradiation area is greater than the proportion of light absorbed by the direct irradiation area.

[0046] Therefore, by increasing the wavelengths of the direct light L1 emitted from the irradiation device 30, for example, in the spectrum between 360 nm and 450 nm, the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 in the light emitted from the irradiation device 30 can be made greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed in the direct irradiation section. This makes it possible to suppress degradation in the indirect irradiation section while reducing the loss due to light absorption in the direct irradiation section.

[0047] In other words, the reflectivity of the directly irradiated area is greater than its absorptivity. For example, by irradiating the directly irradiated area with direct light L1 in the range of 350 nm to 450 nm, based on the material and color of the directly irradiated area, the reflectivity of the sterilization area can be made greater than the absorptivity of the directly irradiated area. To give one example, by making the directly irradiated area (ceramics) white, the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 can be made greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the directly irradiated area.

[0048] In the embodiments described above, the sterilization unit was explained using the example of a case where the direct irradiation unit is made of ceramic and the indirect irradiation unit is made of resin material. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this, and for example, the direct irradiation unit may be made of an inorganic material and the indirect irradiation unit may be made of an organic material. For example, the sterilization unit may have a direct irradiation unit made of a metal material and an indirect irradiation unit made of a resin material. It is possible to achieve sterilization by using an inorganic material for the direct irradiation unit, which is less affected by degradation in the wavelength range, while suppressing the degradation of the indirect irradiation unit.

[0049] Lightfastness increases with the bond energy [kJ / mol] of the substance being irradiated. The minimum bond energy of the main skeleton of the main substance may be greater in the direct irradiation area than in the indirect irradiation area. The direct irradiation area may be an organic material, and the indirect irradiation area may also be an organic material. This allows for sterilization that suppresses degradation of the indirect irradiation area while using an organic material in the direct irradiation area that is less affected by degradation in the wavelength range.

[0050] The embodiment may include the following configurations.

[0051] (Composition 1) A device that emits light, A sterilization unit that is sterilized by light emitted from the aforementioned irradiation device, Equipped with, The aforementioned sterilization unit is, A direct irradiation section that is directly hit by light irradiated from the aforementioned irradiation device, An indirect irradiation section is irradiated by the irradiation device and the reflected light reflected from the direct irradiation section is irradiated onto the indirect irradiation section, It has, The direct light has a peak wavelength in its spectrum between 350 nm and 450 nm. A plumbing device characterized in that the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the direct light. (Configuration 2) The plumbing device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the radiant flux of the reflected light is greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation unit. (Composition 3) The aforementioned direct light has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm. A plumbing device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm. (Composition 4) The aforementioned direct irradiation section is made of an inorganic material, The plumbing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the indirect irradiation section is made of an organic material. (Composition 5) The aforementioned direct irradiation section is made of ceramic, The plumbing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the indirect irradiation section is made of a resin material.

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Modifications made by those skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, arrangement, and installation configuration of each element of a plumbing fixture are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically feasible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Toilet equipment 2 Toilet bowl 2a Bowl section (direct irradiation section) 4 Control section 10. Sanitary cleaning equipment 11 Casing 11a Case plate (indirect irradiation section) 11b Case Cover 13 Toilet Seat 13a opening 15 Toilet lid 15a back side 20 Local Cleansing Nozzles 30 Irradiation device 31 Light source L1 direct light L2 reflected light

Claims

1. A device that emits light, A sterilization unit that is sterilized by light emitted from the aforementioned irradiation device, Equipped with, The aforementioned sterilization unit is, A direct irradiation section that is directly hit by light irradiated from the aforementioned irradiation device, An indirect irradiation section is irradiated by the irradiation device and the reflected light reflected from the direct irradiation section is irradiated onto the indirect irradiation section, It has, The direct light has a peak wavelength in its spectrum between 350 nm and 450 nm. A plumbing device characterized in that the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the direct light.

2. The plumbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiant flux of the reflected light is greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation unit.

3. The aforementioned direct light has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm. The plumbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm.

4. The aforementioned direct irradiation section is made of an inorganic material, The plumbing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indirect irradiation section is made of an organic material.

5. The aforementioned direct irradiation section is made of ceramic, The plumbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indirect irradiation part is made of a resin material.

Images