Drainage device

The drainage device addresses the issue of splashing and incomplete cleaning in existing systems by using a cover member to deflect cleaning water and a water seal forming member to ensure thorough cleaning of the drain trap surfaces.

JP2026114069APending Publication Date: 2026-07-08MARUICHI VALVE CO LTD +1

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MARUICHI VALVE CO LTD
Filing Date
2024-12-26
Publication Date
2026-07-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing drainage devices for kitchen sinks risk splashing of cleaning water, and they fail to effectively clean the inner surfaces of drain traps.

Method used

A drainage device with a drain trap body, a water seal forming member, a nozzle for cleaning water, and a cover member that shields the storage space, deflecting cleaning water back into the storage space to prevent splashing and effectively clean the inner surfaces.

Benefits of technology

Prevents cleaning water from splashing out of the inlet and ensures thorough cleaning of the drain trap surfaces, enhancing the device's efficiency and effectiveness.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention provides a drainage device that can prevent cleaning water from splashing out of the inlet of the drain trap body. [Solution] The drainage device 4 comprises a drain trap body 48 having an inlet 84 into which drainage flows, a storage space 86 capable of temporarily storing the drainage that has flowed in from the inlet 84, a water seal cylinder portion 80 rising from the bottom of the storage space 86 toward the inlet 84, and an outlet 82 through which drainage flows out; a water seal forming member 50 positioned to cover the water seal cylinder portion 80 and forming a water seal with the drainage stored in the storage space 86; a spray nozzle 88 for spraying cleaning water for cleaning the water seal forming member 50 toward the inside of the drain trap body 48; and a cover member 52 positioned to shield the storage space 86 in a plan view.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drainage device for draining wastewater from, for example, a kitchen sink to a sewer.

Background Art

[0002] A drainage device for draining wastewater from a kitchen sink to a sewer is known. As one such drainage device, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that is formed on the bottom surface of a sink and has a function of cleaning a recess for accommodating a wire basket. In the drainage device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cleaning water jetted from a supply pipe swirls and flows along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the recess. The swirling flow of the cleaning water removes dirt adhering to the inner peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the recess.

[0003] Also, as another one of the above-described drainage devices, Patent Document 2 discloses a device that has a function of cleaning the inside of a drainage pipe connected to a sink. In the drainage device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the cleaning water discharged from a discharge port is discharged into the drainage pipe, thereby removing dirt adhering to the inside of the drainage pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the drainage devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, there is a risk that the cleaning water may splash out of the drainage device.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a drainage device that can prevent cleaning water from splashing out of the inlet of the drain trap body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A drainage device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a drainage trap body having an inlet into which drainage flows in, a storage space capable of temporarily storing the drainage flowing in from the inlet, a water seal cylinder portion rising from the bottom of the storage space toward the inlet, and an outlet portion through which drainage flows out; a water seal forming member disposed to cover the water seal cylinder portion and forming a water seal with the drainage stored in the storage space; a nozzle for spraying cleaning water for cleaning the water seal forming member toward the inside of the drainage trap body; and a cover member disposed to shield the storage space in a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a drainage device can prevent cleaning water from splashing out of the inlet of the drain trap body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the cleaning system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a drainage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view showing a drainage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device according to the embodiment, shown along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device according to the embodiment, shown by the VV line. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a water seal forming member, a cover member, and a pair of guide parts of a drainage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a water-blocking forming member, a cover member, and a pair of guide portions of the drainage device according to the embodiment, as viewed from an angle different from Fig. 6. [Figure 8] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device according to the embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 4. [Figure 9] Fig. is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the cleaning system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Fig. is a diagram for explaining the first cleaning step in the cleaning system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Fig. is a diagram for explaining the first cleaning step in the cleaning system according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Fig. is a diagram for explaining the second cleaning step in the cleaning system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Fig. is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device according to Modification Example 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 14] Fig. is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device according to Modification Example 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 15] Fig. is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device according to Modification Example 3 of the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] (Knowledge on which the present disclosure is based) The present inventors have found that the following problems occur with respect to the drainage device described in the "Background Art" section.

[0011] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the drain trap is of the S-shaped tube type and is connected to the bottom of the recess. However, Patent Document 1 does not at all consider cleaning the drain trap with the cleaning water jetted from the supply pipe.

[0012] In addition, in Patent Document 2, the washing water discharged from the discharge port flows out to the discharge port extending laterally of the drain trap after washing the outer peripheral surface of the drain trap. Therefore, since the washing water discharged from the discharge port does not flow through the inside of the drain trap, the inside of the drain trap cannot be washed with the washing water.

[0013] As described above, in the conventional drainage device, it has been difficult to wash the S-shaped pipe type and straight pipe type drain traps with washing water. Therefore, the present inventors focused on the bowl-shaped drain trap (water seal forming member) and devised a drainage device capable of washing the water seal forming member with washing water.

[0014] (Technology 1) A drain trap main body having an inflow portion into which drainage flows, a storage space capable of temporarily storing the drainage flowing in from the inflow portion, a water seal cylinder portion rising from the bottom of the storage space toward the inflow portion, and an outflow portion through which the drainage flows out; a water seal forming member disposed so as to cover the water seal cylinder portion and forming a water seal with the drainage stored in the storage space; a jet port for jetting washing water for washing the water seal forming member toward the inside of the drain trap main body; and a cover member disposed so as to shield the storage space in a plan view.

[0015] According to Technology 1, since the cover member is disposed so as to shield the storage space in a plan view, among the washing water jetted from the jet port, the washing water scattered toward the inflow portion of the drain trap main body can be rebounded toward the storage space by the cover member. As a result, it is possible to suppress the washing water from jumping out of the inflow portion of the drain trap main body to the outside. In addition, since the drainage flowing in from the inflow portion falls onto the upper end portion of the water seal forming member along the cover member, it is possible to suppress the dirt from sticking to the upper end portion of the water seal forming member.

[0016] (Technology 2) The drainage device according to Technical 1, wherein the cover member (i) has a wall portion that prevents the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle from flying out of the inlet when the cleaning water hits it, and / or (ii) has a wall portion that blocks the upward movement of the cleaning water when the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle rises along the inner surface of the drain trap body due to centrifugal force.

[0017] According to Technology 2, by causing the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle to collide with the wall of the cover member, the cleaning water can be effectively deflected back into the storage space by the cover member. Furthermore, when the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle rises along the inner surface of the drain trap body due to centrifugal force, the wall of the cover member can block the rise of the cleaning water, thereby suppressing the overflow of the cleaning water.

[0018] (Technology 3) The drainage device according to Technical Reference 2, wherein the wall portion faces the storage space and has a tapered surface that inclins toward the water seal forming member as it extends radially inward.

[0019] According to Technology 3, by causing the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle to collide with the tapered surface of the wall, the cleaning water can be more effectively deflected back into the storage space by the cover member.

[0020] (Technology 4) The drainage device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 3, wherein the cover member is connected to the upper end of the water seal forming member.

[0021] According to Technology 4, the configuration of the drainage system can be simplified.

[0022] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, those not described in the independent claim representing the highest-level concept will be described as optional components.

[0024] (Embodiment) [1. Overall configuration of the cleaning system] First, the overall configuration of the cleaning system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the cleaning system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the cleaning system 2 comprises a drainage device 4, a solenoid valve 6, a vacuum breaker 8, a switch 10, a sensor 12, and a control unit 14. The cleaning system 2 is a system for cleaning the inside of the drainage device 4 with cleaning water and is arranged around the sink 18 of the kitchen 16. In this specification, cleaning water refers to tap water that flows from the water supply pipe 36 (described later) into the branch pipe 32 (described later).

[0026] The drainage device 4 is a drainage pipe for draining wastewater from the drain opening 20 formed in the bottom surface of the sink 18 into the sewer system, and is equipped with a bowl-shaped drain trap. The drainage device 4 is located below the drain opening 20 of the sink 18. A drain plate 22 is also located at the upper end of the drainage device 4.

[0027] Furthermore, below the drain opening 20 of the sink 18, a recess 26 is formed for detachably housing a mesh basket 24 for collecting debris. The mesh basket 24 is positioned opposite the upper surface of the drain plate 22. An opening 27 for attaching the drain device 4 is formed at the bottom of the recess 26. In addition, a cover plate 28 is detachably positioned in the drain opening 20 of the sink 18 to cover the mesh basket 24 from above. A gap is formed between the inner circumference of the drain opening 20 and the outer circumference of the cover plate 28 for drainage.

[0028] Furthermore, a nozzle 30 is connected to the outer surface of the drainage device 4, communicating with the inside of the drainage device 4. A branch pipe 32 is connected to the nozzle 30. The branch pipe 32 is a flow path branched from the water supply pipe 36 that supplies tap water to the faucet 34 of the kitchen 16. A portion of the branch pipe 32 extends above the overflow surface 38 of the sink 18. Shut-off valves 40 and 42 are provided on the branch pipe 32 and the water supply pipe 36, respectively.

[0029] The solenoid valve 6 is located in the branch pipe 32 and opens and closes the branch pipe 32 based on a control signal from the control unit 14. When the solenoid valve 6 opens the branch pipe 32, a portion of the tap water flowing through the water supply pipe 36 flows into the branch pipe 32, and a portion of this tap water is supplied from the branch pipe 32 to the nozzle 30 as cleaning water. As a result, the cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzle 30 into the drainage device 4. On the other hand, when the solenoid valve 6 closes the branch pipe 32, the supply of cleaning water from the branch pipe 32 to the nozzle 30 is stopped. As a result, the spraying of cleaning water from the nozzle 30 into the drainage device 4 is stopped.

[0030] The vacuum breaker 8 is positioned above the overflow surface 38 of the sink 18. When negative pressure is generated on the water supply side (water supply pipe 36), the vacuum breaker 8 prevents wastewater (drainage) from the drainage device 4 from flowing back to the water supply side by opening a portion of the branch pipe 32 that extends above the overflow surface 38 of the sink 18 to the atmosphere.

[0031] Switch 10 is located on the vacuum breaker 8 and is operated by the user. When the user turns on switch 10, the control unit 14 executes the cleaning mode. Switch 10 also has a display unit, such as a light-emitting diode. When switch 10 receives an error signal (described later) from sensor 12, it lights up to notify the user of an abnormal flow rate in the branch pipe 32. In this embodiment, the vacuum breaker 8 and switch 10 are configured as a single unit, but the system is not limited to this, and the vacuum breaker 8 and switch 10 may be configured as separate units.

[0032] Sensor 12 is a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of cleaning water in the branch pipe 32. When the branch pipe 32 is open by the solenoid valve 6, sensor 12 outputs an error signal to switch 10 if (i) the flow rate of cleaning water exceeds the upper limit, or (ii) the flow rate of cleaning water falls below the lower limit. Also, when the branch pipe 32 is closed by the solenoid valve 6, sensor 12 outputs an error signal to switch 10 if it detects a cleaning water flow rate (>0).

[0033] When the user turns on the switch 10, the control unit 14 outputs a control signal to the solenoid valve 6 to execute a cleaning mode in which the inside of the drainage device 4 is cleaned with cleaning water. Specifically, the control unit 14 executes the cleaning mode by controlling the solenoid valve 6 to alternately repeat a spraying period in which cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzle 30 into the inside of the drainage device 4 and a spray stop period in which the spraying of cleaning water from the nozzle 30 is stopped.

[0034] [2. Configuration of the drainage system] Next, the configuration of the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 8. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment, taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment, taken along line VV in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the water seal forming member 50, cover member 52, and pair of guide parts 54, 56 of the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the water seal forming member 50, cover member 52, and pair of guide parts 54, 56 of the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment, taken from a different angle than in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4 according to the embodiment, taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 4.

[0035] In Figures 1 to 4, the upward direction within the page will be referred to as "up," and the downward direction within the page will be referred to as "down."

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the drainage device 4 comprises a first flange member 44, a second flange member 46, a drain trap body 48, a water seal forming member 50, a cover member 52, and a pair of guide parts 54 and 56. In this embodiment, the nozzle 30 is configured separately from the drainage device 4, but the device is not limited to this, and the drainage device 4 may include the nozzle 30 as a component.

[0037] The first flange member 44 has a flange body portion 58 and a flange portion 60. The flange body portion 58 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the outer diameter of the flange body portion 58 is smaller than the inner diameter of the main body portion 76 (described later) of the drain trap body 48. A drain plate 22 is detachably arranged in the opening at the upper end of the flange body portion 58. A male threaded portion 62 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the flange body portion 58. The male threaded portion 62 is formed around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the flange body portion 58. In addition, a projection 64 is formed on the inner circumferential surface at the upper end of the flange body portion 58, projecting radially inward. The flange portion 60 protrudes in an annular shape radially outward from the peripheral edge of the opening at the upper end of the flange body portion 58.

[0038] The second flange member 46 has a flange body portion 66, a flange portion 68, and a flange portion 70. The flange body portion 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the outer diameter of the flange body portion 66 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the main body portion 76 of the drain trap body 48. A female thread portion 72 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the flange body portion 66. The female thread portion 72 is formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the flange body portion 66. The flange portion 68 protrudes in an annular shape radially outward from the peripheral edge of the opening at the upper end of the flange body portion 66. The flange portion 70 protrudes in an annular shape radially outward from the peripheral edge of the opening at the lower end of the flange body portion 66.

[0039] When attaching the drain trap body 48 to the opening 27 of the recess 26 of the sink 18 (see Figure 1), first, the second flange member 46 is brought close to the opening 27 from below the sink 18, and the flange portion 68 of the second flange member 46 is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the opening 27 from below. At this time, an annular spacer 73 (see Figures 2 and 4) may be interposed between the peripheral edge of the opening 27 and the flange portion 68 of the second flange member 46. Next, the flange body portion 58 of the first flange member 44 is inserted through the opening 27 into the interior of the flange body portion 66 of the second flange member 46, and the first flange member 44 is rotated in a predetermined direction relative to the second flange member 46, thereby fastening the male threaded portion 62 of the first flange member 44 and the female threaded portion 72 of the second flange member 46.

[0040] By fastening the male threaded portion 62 of the first flange member 44 with the female threaded portion 72 of the second flange member 46 in this manner, the flange portion 60 of the first flange member 44 comes into contact with the periphery of the opening 27 from above. As a result, the periphery of the opening 27 is sandwiched from above and below between the flange portion 60 of the first flange member 44 and the flange portion 68 of the second flange member 46. Next, the drain trap body 48 is brought close to the second flange member 46 from below, and the flange portion 78 (described later) of the drain trap body 48 comes into contact with the flange portion 70 of the second flange member 46. Finally, by fastening the flange portion 78 of the drain trap body 48 and the flange portion 70 of the second flange member 46 with a lock nut 74, the drain trap body 48 is attached to the opening 27 via the first flange member 44 and the second flange member 46.

[0041] The drain trap body 48 has a main body portion 76, a flange portion 78, a water seal cylinder portion 80, and an outlet portion 82.

[0042] The main body 76 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends vertically. A circular opening, an inlet 84, is formed at the upper end of the main body 76. Drainage from the drain 20 of the sink 18 flows into the inlet 84. Inside the main body 76, a storage space 86 is formed that can temporarily store the drainage that flows in from the inlet 84. In addition, as shown in Figure 5, the main body 76 has a nozzle 88 that penetrates the side wall of the main body 76.

[0043] The flange portion 78 protrudes in an annular shape radially outward from the outer circumferential surface at the upper end of the main body portion 76. The outer diameter of the flange portion 78 is approximately the same as that of the flange portion 70 of the second flange member 46. As described above, the flange portion 78 is fastened to the flange portion 70 of the second flange member 46 by a lock nut 74.

[0044] The water seal cylinder portion 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape and rises from the bottom of the storage space 86 (i.e., the lower end of the main body portion 76) toward the inlet portion 84.

[0045] The outlet section 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends laterally from the lower end of the main body section 76. The inside of the outlet section 82 is in communication with the inside of the water seal section 80. A drain pipe for guiding wastewater to the sewer is detachably connected to the tip of the outlet section 82. A portion of the wastewater (water seal) stored in the storage space 86 of the main body section 76 is pushed out from the water seal section 80 to the outlet section 82 by wastewater flowing in from the inlet section 84 (or cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88).

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the nozzle 30 is connected to the outer surface of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48. The inside of the nozzle 30 is in communication with the inside of the main body 76 through a spray port 88 formed in the main body 76. As described above, a branch pipe 32 (see Figure 1) is connected to the nozzle 30. The inner diameter of the spray port 88 is smaller than the inner diameter of the nozzle 30. The axial direction of the spray port 88 extends approximately parallel and linearly with respect to the axial direction of the nozzle 30.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the water seal forming member 50 is a bowl-shaped drain trap and is formed in a covered cylindrical shape. That is, the upper end of the water seal forming member 50 is closed, and the lower end of the water seal forming member 50 is open. The inner diameter of the water seal forming member 50 is larger than the outer diameter of the water seal cylinder portion 80 of the drain trap body 48. The water seal forming member 50 is positioned to cover the water seal cylinder portion 80 of the drain trap body 48 from above. That is, the water seal forming member 50 is positioned between the body portion 76 and the water seal cylinder portion 80.

[0048] A portion of the wastewater flowing in from the inlet 84 of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48 is temporarily stored as a water seal in the storage space 86 of the main body 76. At this time, a water seal is formed when a portion of the storage space 86 is filled with wastewater on the outside and inside of the water seal forming member 50, thereby suppressing the backflow of odors into the room from the drain pipe connected to the outlet 82 and the entry of insects.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the cover member 52 is formed in an annular shape and is connected to the upper end of the water seal forming member 50 via a pair of guide portions 54 and 56. That is, the cover member 52 is positioned above the water seal forming member 50. The cover member 52 is integrally formed with the pair of guide portions 54 and 56 and the water seal forming member 50. The upper and lower ends of the cover member 52 are open, and drainage from the drain port 20 (see Figure 1) flows into the storage space 86 through the upper and lower ends of the cover member 52. A pair of substantially triangular plate-shaped handles 90 and 92 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cover member 52. A groove 94 is formed on the outer circumferential surface at the upper end of the cover member 52. The groove 94 extends along the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the cover member 52.

[0050] Furthermore, the cover member 52 has a wall portion 96 that (i) prevents the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 from flying out of the inlet 84 due to collision with the cleaning water, and / or (ii) blocks the upward movement of the cleaning water when the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 rises along the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion 76 due to centrifugal force. The outer circumferential surface of the wall portion 96 has a tapered surface 98 that faces the storage space 86 and is inclined toward the water seal forming member 50 as it extends radially inward.

[0051] When attaching the cover member 52 to the first flange member 44, the user hooks their fingers into the pair of handles 90, 92 and rotates the cover member 52 in a predetermined direction relative to the first flange member 44, thereby engaging the groove 94 of the cover member 52 with the projection 64 of the first flange member 44. As a result, the cover member 52 is positioned inside the first flange member 44 so as to shield the storage space 86 in a plan view (i.e., viewed from the axial direction of the main body portion 76 of the drain trap body 48). Furthermore, as described above, the water seal forming member 50 is positioned to cover the water seal cylinder portion 80 of the drain trap body 48 from above.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, each of the pair of guide portions 54 and 56 is formed in a substantially plate shape and extends upward from the upper end of the water seal forming member 50. That is, the pair of guide portions 54 and 56 are formed on the water seal forming member 50. The height position of each of the pair of guide portions 54 and 56 is approximately the same as the height position of the spray nozzle 88. This suppresses the attenuation of the force of the spray of cleaning water from the spray nozzle 88 and effectively guides the swirling flow. In this specification, the height position refers to the position in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the main body portion 76 of the drain trap body 48.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8, the pair of guide sections 54 and 56 each have planar guide surfaces 100 and 102. Each of the guide surfaces 100 and 102 is a surface that guides the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48 by causing the cleaning water to collide with it. The guide surfaces 100 and 102 of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56 are positioned approximately point-symmetric with respect to the diameter center of the water seal forming member 50 in a plan view. In addition, the guide surfaces 100 and 102 of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56 are (i) positioned approximately parallel to and opposite each other in a plan view, and (ii) inclined with respect to a straight line 104 that passes through the diameter center of the water seal forming member 50 and also passes through the guide surfaces 100 and 102 of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56.

[0054] Furthermore, if the guide surfaces 100 and 102 of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56 are (iii) arranged substantially parallel to and opposite each other in a plan view, and (iv) perpendicular to a straight line 104 that passes through the diameter center of the water seal forming member 50 and passes through the guide surfaces 100 and 102 of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56, then the size of each of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56 needs to be increased in order to cause the cleaning water to collide with the guide surfaces 100 and 102. In contrast, in this embodiment, by having the configurations of (i) and (ii) above, even if the size of each of the pair of guide sections 54 and 56 is reduced, the cleaning water can be caused to collide with the guide surfaces 100 and 102 and efficiently guided toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48.

[0055] In this embodiment, the diameter center of the water seal forming member 50 coincides with the diameter center C of the main body portion 76 of the drain trap body 48. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the diameter center of the water seal forming member 50 may be eccentric from the diameter center C of the main body portion 76 of the drain trap body 48.

[0056] [3. Operation of the cleaning system] Next, the operation of the cleaning system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 9 to 12. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the cleaning system 2 according to the embodiment. Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the first cleaning step in the cleaning system 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the second cleaning step in the cleaning system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, when the user turns on switch 10 (S101), the control unit 14 starts the cleaning mode (S102).

[0058] In cleaning mode, first, the control unit 14 opens the branch pipe 32 by controlling the solenoid valve 6 (S103). As a result, cleaning water from the branch pipe 32 is supplied to the nozzle 30, and the cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzle 88 (i.e., from the nozzle 30) into the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48 (S104). At this time, a first cleaning step is performed in which the inside of the main body 76 is cleaned (local cleaning and overall cleaning) by the force of the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 for the duration of the spraying period in which the cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzle 88.

[0059] As shown in Figure 10, in the first cleaning step, a portion of the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 collides with the inner circumferential surface of the main body 76, forming a swirling flow along the inner circumferential surface of the main body 76. This swirling flow of cleaning water removes dirt adhering to the outer circumferential surface of the water seal forming member 50 and dirt adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the main body 76.

[0060] Furthermore, in the first cleaning step, some of the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 collides with the guide surface 102 of the guide section 56, and is guided toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48. In addition, some of the cleaning water that forms a swirling flow along the inner circumferential surface of the main body 76 collides with the guide surface 100 of the guide section 54, and is guided toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48. The cleaning water guided toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48 in this way removes the dirt adhering to the upper end of the water seal forming member 50.

[0061] Furthermore, in the first cleaning step, the swirling flow of the cleaning water used to clean the water seal forming member 50 and the main body 76 pushes the water seal stored in the storage space 86 through the swirling flow and flows out from the water seal cylinder 80. As a result, dirt adhering to the inner surface of the water seal forming member 50, and dirt adhering to the outer and inner surfaces of the water seal cylinder 80 are also removed by the swirling flow of the cleaning water.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in the first cleaning step, the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 that splashes upward collides with the tapered surface 98 of the wall portion 96 of the cover member 52 and bounces downward. This prevents the cleaning water from splashing out of the inlet 84 of the drain trap body 48.

[0063] Furthermore, during the first cleaning process (injection period), the control unit 14 counts the elapsed time from the start of the spraying of the cleaning water and determines whether a first time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the spraying of the cleaning water (S105). If the first time has not elapsed since the start of the spraying of the cleaning water (NO in S105), the process returns to step S104 described above, and the control unit 14 continues to execute the first cleaning process.

[0064] On the other hand, if a first time has elapsed since the start of the spraying of the cleaning water (YES in S105), the control unit 14 terminates the first cleaning process. After the termination of the first cleaning process, the control unit 14 closes the branch pipe 32 by controlling the solenoid valve 6 (S106). This stops the spraying of cleaning water from the spray port 88 (i.e., from the nozzle 30) (S107). At this time, during the spray stop period when the spraying of cleaning water from the spray port 88 is stopped, a second cleaning process is performed in which the inside of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48 is cleaned (overall cleaning) by the swirling flow of cleaning water generated inside the main body 76.

[0065] As shown in Figure 12, in the second cleaning step, the swirling flow of cleaning water formed along the inner circumferential surface of the main body 76 removes dirt adhering to the outer circumferential surface of the water seal forming member 50 and dirt adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the main body 76. In addition, the cleaning water guided toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 of the drain trap body 48 in the first cleaning step described above forms a swirling flow of cleaning water inside the pair of guide parts 54 and 56. This swirling flow of cleaning water formed inside the pair of guide parts 54 and 56 removes dirt adhering to the upper end of the water seal forming member 50.

[0066] Furthermore, in the second cleaning step, the swirling flow of the cleaning water used to clean the water seal forming member 50 and the main body 76 pushes the water seal stored in the storage space 86 while swirling, causing it to flow out from the water seal cylinder 80. As a result, in addition to the cleaning performed by the swirling action of the cleaning water sprayed in the first cleaning step, the water seal that was originally stored in the storage space 86 is also cleaned by the swirling force applied by the cleaning water. Consequently, dirt adhering to the inner surface of the water seal forming member 50, and dirt adhering to the outer and inner surfaces of the water seal cylinder 80 are removed.

[0067] Furthermore, during the second cleaning process (spray stop period), the control unit 14 counts the elapsed time since the spraying of the cleaning water stopped and determines whether a second period (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the spraying of the cleaning water stopped (S108). If the second period has not elapsed since the spraying of the cleaning water stopped (NO in S108), the process returns to step S107 described above, and the control unit 14 continues to execute the second cleaning process.

[0068] On the other hand, if a second period of time has elapsed since the spraying of the cleaning water stopped (YES in S108), the control unit 14 terminates the second cleaning process. After the completion of the second cleaning process, the control unit 14 determines whether the first cleaning process and the second cleaning process have been repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) as one set (S109). If the first cleaning process and the second cleaning process have not been repeated a predetermined number of times (NO in S109), the control unit 14 returns to step S103 described above and executes the first cleaning process and the second cleaning process again in that order (S103~S108). It is preferable that the control unit 14 controls the solenoid valve 6 to restart the first cleaning process before the swirling flow of cleaning water generated inside the main body 76 stops (disappears) after the completion of the second cleaning process.

[0069] As described above, the control unit 14 repeatedly alternately executes the first cleaning process (injection period) and the second cleaning process (injection stop period). This causes the cleaning water to be intermittently injected from the nozzle 88 into the interior of the main body 76.

[0070] If the first and second cleaning steps are repeated a predetermined number of times (YES in S109), the control unit 14 terminates the cleaning mode (S110). After that, the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 is terminated.

[0071] [4. Effects] In this embodiment, the cover member 52 is positioned to shield the storage space 86 in a plan view, so that the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 88 that splashes towards the inlet 84 of the drain trap body 48 is deflected back towards the storage space 86 by the cover member 52. As a result, it is possible to suppress the cleaning water from splashing out of the inlet 84 of the drain trap body 48. In addition, as the wastewater flowing in from the inlet 84 flows along the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 96 of the cover member 52 and falls to the upper end of the water seal forming member 50, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of dirt on the upper end of the water seal forming member 50.

[0072] [5. Experiment] An experiment was conducted to evaluate the cleaning function of the drainage device 4 described above. In this experiment, a water-sealing member (model) made of transparent resin was used, and cleaning water was sprayed onto the water-sealing member to which a green coloring agent had been applied. This spraying period and the spraying stop period were repeated multiple times, with each set being considered one set. The water discharge time (spraying time), the number of times required for cleaning, and the operating time required to complete cleaning were then compared.

[0073] The experiment revealed that the shorter the water discharge time, the shorter the operating time required to complete the cleaning. Specifically, when the water discharge time was 30 seconds, the operating time was 120 seconds, while when the discharge time was 5 seconds, the operating time was 110 seconds, a reduction of about 10%.

[0074] This confirms that intermittently spraying cleaning water for short periods is more effective than continuously spraying it for a long period of time.

[0075] [6. Various variations] [6-1. Variation 1] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4A according to the first modified embodiment. Note that Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4A taken from the cross-section corresponding to line VIII-VIII in Figure 4. In this modified embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the drainage device 4 according to the above embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] As shown in Figure 13, in the drainage device 4A according to Modification 1, the shapes of the pair of guide parts 54A and 56A differ from those of the above embodiment. Specifically, each of the pair of guide parts 54A and 56A is formed in a substantially arc shape in plan view. As a result, the guide surface 100A of guide part 54A and the guide surface 102A of guide part 56A are formed in a substantially arc-shaped concave form. Even with this shape, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0077] [6-2. Variation 2] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4B according to the second modified embodiment. Note that Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4B taken from the cross-section corresponding to line VIII-VIII in Figure 4. In this modified embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the drainage device 4 according to the above embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0078] As shown in Figure 14, in the drainage device 4B according to Modification 2, the shapes of the pair of guide parts 54B and 56B differ from those of the above embodiment. Specifically, each of the pair of guide parts 54B and 56B is formed in a substantially V-shape in plan view. As a result, the guide surface 100B of guide part 54B and the guide surface 102B of guide part 56B are formed in a concave shape that is bent in a substantially V-shape. Even with this shape, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0079] [6-3. Modified Example 3] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4C according to the third modified embodiment. Note that Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the drainage device 4C taken from the cross-section corresponding to line VIII-VIII in Figure 4. In this modified embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the drainage device 4 according to the above embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0080] As shown in Figure 15, in the drainage device 4C according to the modified example 3, the function of the nozzle 30C differs from that of the above embodiment. Specifically, the nozzle 30C has the function of alternately switching the direction of the spray of cleaning water from the spray port 88 between a direction that moves straight along the axial direction of the spray port 88 (indicated by the solid arrow in Figure 15) and a direction that moves from the spray port 88 toward the diameter center C of the main body 76 (indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 15).

[0081] Alternatively, the nozzle 30C may have the function of simultaneously spraying cleaning water from the nozzle 88 in two directions: one in a direction that moves straight along the axial direction of the nozzle 88, and another in a direction that moves from the nozzle 88 toward the radial center C of the main body 76.

[0082] Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0083] (Other variations, etc.) Although drainage devices according to one or more embodiments have been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, various modifications that a person skilled in the art can conceive of may be applied to the above embodiments, or forms constructed by combining components from different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more embodiments.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first time for spraying the cleaning solution in the first cleaning step was set to 5 seconds, but it is not limited to this, and the first time may be any time of 3 seconds or more. Also, in the above embodiment, the second time for stopping the spraying of the cleaning solution in the second cleaning step was set to 5 seconds, but it is not limited to this, and the second time may be any time of 3 seconds or more. [Industrial applicability]

[0085] The present invention can be applied, for example, to drainage devices for discharging wastewater from a kitchen sink into the sewer system. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 2. Cleaning System 4,4A,4B,4C Drainage device 6. Solenoid valve 8. Vacuum breaker 10 switches 12 sensors 14 Control Unit 16 Kitchen 18 sinks 20 Drain 22 Drain Plate 24 mesh basket 26 recesses 27 Opening 28 Blind Plate 30,30C nozzle 32 Branch piping 34 Faucets 36 Water supply piping 38 Overflow surface 40,42 Water stop valve 44 First flange member 46 Second flange member 48 Drain trap body 50 Water seal forming member 52 Cover component 54, 54A, 54B, 56, 56A, 56B Guide section 58,66 Flange body 60, 68 Flange section 62 Male threaded section 64 Protrusion 70, 78 Tsuba (guard) 72 Female thread section 73 Spacers 74 Lock Nuts 76 Main body 80 Water seal cylinder section 82 Outlet 84 Inlet 86 Storage space 88 Nozzle 90, 92 Handle 94 Groove 96 Wall 98 Tapered surface 100, 100A, 100B, 102, 102A, 102B Guide surface 104 straight lines C-Curve Center

Claims

1. A drain trap body having an inlet into which wastewater flows, a storage space capable of temporarily storing the wastewater that has flowed in from the inlet, a water seal cylinder rising from the bottom of the storage space toward the inlet, and an outlet from which wastewater flows out, A water-sealing member is positioned to cover the water-sealing cylinder portion and forms a water seal with the drainage stored in the storage space, A nozzle for spraying cleaning water for cleaning the water seal forming member toward the inside of the drain trap body, The system comprises a cover member positioned to shield the storage space in a plan view. Drainage equipment.

2. The cover member has (i) a wall portion that prevents the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle from flying out of the inlet when it collides with the nozzle, and / or (ii) a wall portion that blocks the upward movement of the cleaning water when the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle rises along the inner surface of the drain trap body due to centrifugal force. The drainage device according to claim 1.

3. The wall portion has a tapered surface that faces the storage space and inclins toward the water seal forming member as it extends radially inward. The drainage device according to claim 2.

4. The cover member is connected to the upper end of the water seal forming member. A drainage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.