toilet seat

Abstract

To provide a comfortable toilet seat. [Solution] The toilet seat has a pair of large curvature sections on the front side, where the curvature of the outer circumference is maximum, and an intermediate section interposed between the pair of large curvature sections, and both the large curvature sections and the intermediate section have an inclined surface that slopes downward to the outer edge.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to toilet seats. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional toilet systems, improvements have been made to the shape of the toilet seat in order to improve the user's sitting comfort. Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet seat in which the seat surface is sloped toward the opening of the toilet seat to fit the user's body, and which has a pair of indentations on the seat surface to fit the thighs. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-284988 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] While the toilet seat shape disclosed in Patent Document 1 offers a high degree of fit, it also restricts posture to some extent, which may actually make it less comfortable for some users depending on their preferences. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This disclosure provides a toilet seat having, on the front side, a pair of large curvature sections with the maximum curvature of the outer circumference, and an intermediate section interposed between the pair of large curvature sections, wherein both the large curvature sections and the intermediate section have an inclined surface that slopes downward to the outer circumference end. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a toilet device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a top view of a toilet seat according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A]This is an end view of the side portion of the toilet seat relative to the straight line AA'. [Figure 3B] This is an end view of the large curvature section of the toilet seat related to the straight line BB'. [Figure 3C] This is an end view of the large curvature section of the toilet seat related to the straight line CC'. [Figure 3D] This is an end view of the large curvature section of the toilet seat related to the straight line DD'. [Figure 3E] This is an end view of the intermediate section of the toilet seat relative to the straight line EE'. [Figure 4A] This is an end view of the side portion of the toilet seat relative to the straight line AA'. [Figure 4B] This is an end view of the large curvature section of the toilet seat related to the straight line BB'. [Figure 4C] This is an end view of the large curvature section of the toilet seat related to the straight line CC'. [Figure 4D] This is an end view of the large curvature section of the toilet seat related to the straight line DD'. [Figure 4E] This is an end view of the intermediate section of the toilet seat relative to the straight line EE'. [Figure 5] This is a side view of a toilet unit with the toilet seat and lid in the open position. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the toilet unit with the toilet seat and lid in the closed position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Hereinafter, a toilet device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, when the toilet seat 4 is horizontally positioned on the upper part of the toilet bowl 15, the side with the pair of hinges 45 is referred to as the rear, and the side opposite the pair of hinges 45 is referred to as the front. The left and right directions when facing the rear are referred to as the left-right direction or lateral direction.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 100 is an integrated toilet device including a toilet main body 10, a functional unit 1, a first remote control device 20 that aggregates functions with high usage frequency, a second remote control device 21 that can operate more functions than the first remote control device 20, and a control unit 3. The first remote control device 20 and the second remote control device 21 are arranged on the wall surface of the toilet room where the toilet device 100 is installed, and the second remote control device 21 can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 14 inside the toilet main body 10.

[0009] The toilet main body 10 includes a toilet seat 4, a toilet lid 12, a top cover 13, an accommodation portion 14, and a toilet bowl 15. The toilet main body 10 includes a tank etc. (not shown) in addition to the above.

[0010] The toilet seat 4 is the part where the user sits, is arranged on the annular opening of the toilet bowl 15, and has an annular shape. The toilet lid 12 is a lid that can open and close the openings of the toilet seat 4 and the toilet bowl 15. The top cover 13 is a member that covers the upper part of the functional unit 1. The accommodation portion 14 is a recess formed inside the toilet main body 10 and capable of accommodating the second remote control device 21. The second remote control device 21 with low usage frequency can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 14 except during use. The toilet bowl 15 has an opening upward and a drain opening is formed at the bottom. The toilet bowl 15 is a member made of, for example, pottery.

[0011] The functional unit 1 is placed on the upper rear part of the toilet bowl 15 and includes a toilet cleaning device and a body local cleaning device inside. The functional unit 1 is controlled by a control unit 3 described later, and executes various functions such as, for example, a toilet cleaning function and a body local cleaning function, as well as the opening and closing of the toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 12. The functional unit 1 may have all of these functions, or may have at least one of these functions.

[0012] The toilet device 100 with multiple functions has many functional components inside the functional unit 1, and it is preferable to design the volume of the functional unit 1 to be large. As a conflicting requirement, it is also desired to design the toilet device 100 to be compact. In order to balance the volume of the functional unit 1 and the compact design of the toilet device, a part of the functional unit 1 is also located below the hinge portion 45 of the toilet seat 4.

[0013] The remote control device 2 is a device capable of remotely operating various functions of the toilet device 100. It transmits signals to the functional unit 1 and other remote control devices by communication methods such as infrared communication and BLE (registered trademark), and remotely operates various functions. The remote control device 2 has an operation unit on its outer surface, and also has a control unit and a communication unit. The remote control device 2 may be a dry battery type or a rechargeable battery type. It may also be rechargeable in a wall-mounted state via the bracket 30 or in a state of being housed in the housing unit 14.

[0014] The control unit 3 is housed inside either the functional unit 1 or the toilet main body 10 (not shown). The control unit 3 receives signals transmitted from the first remote control device 20 and the second remote control device 21, and controls the operation of the functional unit 1 based on the received signals.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat 4 is composed of a pair of large curvature portions 41, an intermediate portion 42, a pair of side portions 43, and a rear portion 44, and a hinge portion 45.

[0016] The pair of large curvature portions 41 are portions where the curvature of the outer periphery of the toilet seat 4 is the largest on the front side composed of the pair of large curvature portions 41, the intermediate portion 42, and the pair of side portions 43. The outer periphery of the toilet seat 4 refers to the outer peripheral portion of the annular toilet seat 4 in the top view of the toilet seat 4 as shown in FIG. 2. The intermediate portion 42 is a portion interposed between the pair of large curvature portions 41. The pair of side portions 43 are portions located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion 42 of the pair of large curvature portions 41. The rear portion 44 is a portion located behind the side portion 43.

[0017] The boundary positions between the large curvature portion 41, the intermediate portion 42, and the side portion 43 are positions where the curvature of the outer periphery of the toilet seat 4 changes. That is, the large curvature portion 41 is a portion where the curvature of the outer periphery is the largest on the front side of the toilet seat 4, and the intermediate portion 42 and the side portion 43 are portions having a smaller curvature of the outer periphery than the large curvature portion. The ends of each part are located at the boundary positions.

[0018] The width W1 of the lateral portion 43 is widest on the side of the large curvature portion 41, and the width W1 narrows as it moves toward the rear of the toilet seat 4. The narrowest point is the boundary with the rear portion 44. On the side of the opening of the toilet seat 4, the width W1 of the rear portion 44 widens as it moves toward the rear from the boundary with the lateral portion 43. The width W1 of the toilet seat 4 refers to the width in the direction perpendicular to the curve M that connects the midpoints of the straight lines connecting the inner circumference and outer circumference in a top view of the annular toilet seat 4, and refers to the straight-line distance W1 connecting the inner circumference and outer circumference in that direction in a top view of the toilet seat 4.

[0019] The hinge portion 45 is configured to protrude rearward from both the left and right ends of the rear portion 44. The toilet seat 4 is connected to, for example, the functional unit 1 via a rotating shaft member 47 of an electric motor inserted through a pair of hinge portions 45. As a result, the toilet seat 4 is rotatably mounted to the functional unit 1. Functional components such as a heater for a heated toilet seat function may be housed inside the toilet seat 4.

[0020] The lines AA' to EE' shown in Figure 2 indicate positions corresponding to the end views of the toilet seat 4 shown in Figures 3A to 3E and Figures 4A to 4E. Line AA' corresponds to Figures 3A and 4A, line BB' to Figures 3B and 4B, line CC' to Figures 3C and 4C, line DD' to Figures 3D and 4D, and line EE' to Figures 3E and 4E. Each of these lines is a perpendicular to the curve M formed by connecting the midpoints of the lines connecting the inner and outer circumferences in the top view of the toilet seat 4.

[0021] Line AA' is a straight line that spans the lateral portion 43 and represents a straight line extending to the right from the midpoint A of the front-to-back opening width at the midpoint position of the toilet seat 4 in the left-to-right direction (shown as a dashed line in Figure 2).

[0022] The straight line BB' is a straight line that spans the large curvature section 41, and is a perpendicular line drawn from the side of the large curvature section 41, on the side of the lateral section 43, to the curve M.

[0023] The straight line CC' is a straight line that spans the large curvature section 41, and is a perpendicular line drawn from the center of the range where the curvature of the outer circumference of the toilet seat 4 is maximum, to the curve M.

[0024] The straight line DD' is a straight line that spans the large curvature section 41, and is a perpendicular line drawn from the side of the large curvature section 41 on the side 43 to the curve M.

[0025] Line EE' is a straight line that spans the middle section 42 and extends in the front-to-back direction from point E on the dashed line in Figure 2. Line EE' is the perpendicular line drawn to curve M at this position.

[0026] As shown in the end views of Figures 3A to 3E and Figures 4A to 4E, the large curvature section 41, the intermediate section 42, and the lateral section 43 are formed in an annular end shape by bottom sections 411, 421, 431, side wall sections 412, 422, 432 rising along the inner and outer circumference of the bottom section, top sections 414, 424, 434 formed across both side wall sections 412, 422, 432 on the inner and outer circumference, and curved sections 413, 423, 433 interposed between the side wall sections 412, 422, 432 and the top section 414, 424, 434 and having a constant radius of curvature. Similarly, the entire toilet seat, including the rear section 44 and the hinge section 45, is also constructed with a bottom section, side wall sections, a top section, and curved sections. In the following, except when describing specific parts of the large curvature section 41, the intermediate section 42, and the lateral section 43, the entire toilet seat will be collectively referred to as the bottom section 401, the side walls as collectively as the side wall section 402, the curved sections as collectively as the curved section 403, and the top section as collectively as the top section 404.

[0027] The boundary positions between the curved surface portion 403 and the side wall portion 402 and the top surface portion 404 are the positions where the curvature of the curved surface portion 403 changes, both on the inner and outer sides. The ends of each part are located at the boundary positions.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3B to 3E, the large curvature section 41 and the intermediate section 42 have inclined surfaces 415 and 425 on the top surfaces 414 and 424 that slope downward to the outer periphery. The outer periphery refers to the boundary between the top surfaces 414 and 424 and the curved surfaces 413 and 423. Since both the large curvature section 41 and the intermediate section 42 slope downward to the outer periphery, it reduces physical constraint on the user when seated and reduces pressure on the legs from the toilet seat, thereby improving seating comfort.

[0029] Both the large curvature section 41 and the intermediate section 42 only need to have inclined surfaces 415 and 425 that slope downwards to the outer edge, and the top surfaces 414 and 424 do not need to slope monotonically downwards from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. Considering the stability when the user is seated, the shape may be such that, for example, the midpoint of the line connecting the inner circumference and the outer circumference is the highest point. In this embodiment, the top surfaces 414 and 424 have inclined surfaces 415 and 425 that slope downwards from the center to the outer edge.

[0030] Figures 3A to 3E show the vertical height of the seat, and Figures 4A to 4E show the width W and inclination angle of the seat. In this disclosure, the seat of the toilet seat 4 refers to the portion consisting of the top surface portion 404 and the curved surface portion 403.

[0031] Points O to R shown in Figures 3A to 3E and Figures 4A to 4E indicate the following positions. Subscripts indicate that they relate to the end face of the corresponding character. For example, point O A This indicates that point O is on the end face of the line AA'. Point O... In the end view of the toilet seat 4, this is the midpoint of the width W1 of the toilet seat 4 on the top surface 404. Point P... In the end view of the toilet seat 4, the position of the outer edge of the top surface portion 404. Point Q... In the end view of the toilet seat 4, the lower end position of the curved surface portion 403 on the inner circumference side of the toilet seat 4. Point R... In the end view of the toilet seat 4, this is the lower end position of the curved surface portion 403 on the outer circumference of the toilet seat 4.

[0032] In FIGS. 3A to 3E, A1 to E1 all represent the height from the bottom surface portion 401 of the toilet seat 4 to the point O. A2 to E2 all represent the height from the lower one of the points Q and R to the point P. A3 to E3 all represent the height from the lower one of the points Q and R to the point O.

[0033] In FIGS. 4A to 4E, W A to W E represents the width W of the seating surface corresponding to each end surface. The width W of the seating surface means the straight-line distance W between the points Q and R shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E. The inclination angle θ A from θ E is the inclination angle of the inclined surface portions 415, 425, 435 and represents the angle formed by the straight line OP and the horizontal line.

[0034] The large curvature portion 41 of the toilet seat 4 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D has a small height difference between the point O and the point P and is configured in a substantially planar shape. By reducing the height difference on the top surface portion 414, the stability in the user's sitting state is improved, and the pressure applied to the body such as the thigh portion is dispersed, so the sitting comfort is improved. Specifically, the height difference between the point O and the point P is preferably 5 mm or less.

[0035] The height of the outer peripheral end of the top surface portion 404 of the toilet seat 4 from the bottom surface portion 401 gradually decreases from the large curvature portion 41 toward the intermediate portion 42. The points P B , P C , P D which are the outer peripheral ends related to the B-B' end surface, C-C' end surface, and D-D' end surface of the large curvature portion 41 are higher from the bottom surface than the point P E which is the outer peripheral end of the intermediate portion 42. By forming the outer peripheral end of the intermediate portion 42 lower than the outer peripheral end related to the B-B' end surface of the large curvature portion 41, there is no resistance in front of the toilet seat when the user stands up from the sitting state, and the user can stand up smoothly. The height of the outer peripheral end of the intermediate portion 42 is preferably the lowest among the heights of the outer peripheral ends of the entire toilet seat 4.

[0036] The large curvature section 41 has a portion where the width W of the seat surface is larger than the width of the seat surface of the lateral section 43. For example, the width W of the seat surface at the CC' end face C The width W of the seating surface at the AA' end face of the lateral portion. A It is wider than before. This creates a larger surface area to support the user's thighs, improving stability when seated, resulting in a greater sense of security and improved seating comfort.

[0037] The inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 425 in the intermediate portion 42 is greater than the inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 415 in the large curvature portion 41. As a result, the contact area between the toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 12 is reduced when they are opened and closed simultaneously, improving sliding performance.

[0038] This will be explained in detail below. As shown in Figure 5, the toilet lid 12 has a cushioning portion 121 on the side facing the toilet seat 4. When opening and closing the toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 12, the middle portion 42 of the toilet seat 4 collides with the cushioning portion 121 due to the force of opening and closing. The cushioning portion 121 is formed for the purpose of cushioning the collision between the middle portion 42 and the cushioning portion 121, and is therefore made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0039] The toilet seat 4 and the toilet lid 12 have different pivot points during opening and closing, so their relative positions change between open and closed positions (see Figures 5 and 6). Therefore, when opening and closing both simultaneously, sliding may occur between the intermediate part 42 and the buffer part 121 during the opening and closing operation. Poor sliding performance between the two can lead to scratches on the toilet seat 4 and toilet lid 12, or make opening and closing difficult. In this embodiment, the tip of the intermediate part 42 slopes downward toward the outer circumference, improving the sliding performance between the intermediate part 42 and the buffer part 121, thereby preventing scratches and hindering opening and closing.

[0040] Preferably, the toilet seat 4 has at least one leg portion 46 on its underside that contacts the toilet bowl 15 when the toilet seat 4 is lowered. The leg portion 46 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, so that it can cushion the collision with the toilet bowl 15 when the toilet seat 4 is opened and closed.

[0041] The toilet seat 4 according to one embodiment of this disclosure has been described above. The toilet seat 4 provides the following effects.

[0042] The toilet seat 4 of this embodiment has a pair of large curvature sections 41 on the front side, where the curvature of the outer circumference is maximum, and an intermediate section 42 interposed between the pair of large curvature sections 41. Both the large curvature sections 41 and the intermediate section 42 have inclined surfaces 415 and 425 that slope downward to the outer edge. This reduces physical constraint on the user when seated and reduces the feeling of pressure on the legs from the toilet seat 4, thereby improving seating comfort.

[0043] The large curvature section 41 is configured to be approximately flat. This improves the stability of the user when seated and also improves seating comfort by distributing the pressure on the thighs and other parts of the body.

[0044] The large curvature section 41 and the intermediate section 42 are configured with bottom sections 411 and 421, a pair of side wall sections 412 and 422 rising along the inner and outer circumferences of the bottom sections 411 and 421, top sections 414 and 424 formed across the pair of side wall sections 412 and 422, and curved sections 413 and 423 interposed between the pair of side wall sections 412 and 422 and the top sections 414 and 424. The height of the outer circumference end of the top section 414 in the large curvature section 41 is higher than the height of the outer circumference end of the top section 424 in the intermediate section 42 is higher than the height of the bottom section 421. As a result, when a user stands up from a seated position, there is no resistance in front of the toilet seat, allowing them to stand up smoothly, thus improving comfort.

[0045] The height from the bottom surface 421 at the outer edge of the top surface 424 in the middle section 42 is the lowest height from the bottom surface 401 at the outer edge of the top surface 404 of the entire toilet seat 4. This further improves comfort.

[0046] The seat has a pair of large curvature sections 41, with a pair of lateral sections 43 positioned on the opposite side of the intermediate section 42. The large curvature sections 41 are configured such that the width of the seat surface is greater than the width of the seat surface of the lateral sections 43. This creates a larger area to support the user's thighs, improving stability when seated, thus providing a sense of security and improving seating comfort.

[0047] The inclination of the inclined surface portion 425 in the intermediate portion 42 is greater than the inclination of the inclined surface portion 415 in the large curvature portion 41. This improves the sliding performance of the toilet seat 4 against the toilet lid 12.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above and can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 100...Toilet unit, 1...Functional unit, 10...Toilet body, 12...Toilet lid, 121...Bearing unit, 122...Toilet lid rotation shaft unit, 13...Top cover, 14...Storage unit, 15...Toilet bowl, 2...Remote control unit, 20...First remote control unit, 21...Second remote control unit, 30...Bracket, 3...Control unit, 4...Toilet seat, 41...Large curvature unit, 42...Middle unit, 43...Side unit, 44...Rear unit, 45...Hinge unit, 46...Legs, 47...Toilet seat rotation shaft unit, 401, 411, 421, 431...Bottom unit, 402, 412, 422, 432...Side wall unit, 403, 413, 423, 433...Curved unit, 404, 414, 424, 434...Top unit, 415, 425, 435...Inclined unit

Claims

1. On the front side, it has a pair of large curvature sections where the curvature of the outer circumference is maximum, and an intermediate section interposed between the pair of large curvature sections. The toilet seat has an inclined surface portion that slopes downward to the outer edge, in both the large curvature portion and the intermediate portion.

2. The toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the large curvature portion is configured to be substantially planar.

3. The aforementioned large curvature portion and the aforementioned intermediate portion are It is constructed having a pair of side walls that rise along the inner and outer circumference of the bottom surface, a top surface formed across the pair of side walls, and a curved surface interposed between the pair of side walls and the top surface. The toilet seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height from the bottom surface to the outer peripheral end of the top surface in the large curvature portion is greater than the height from the bottom surface to the outer peripheral end of the top surface in the intermediate portion.

4. The toilet seat according to claim 3, wherein the height of the outer peripheral edge of the top surface in the intermediate portion from the bottom surface is the lowest of the heights of the outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the entire toilet seat from the bottom surface.

5. The pair of large curvature sections have a pair of lateral sections that are located on the opposite side from the intermediate section, The toilet seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the large curvature portion has a portion where the width of the seat surface is greater than the width of the seat surface of the side portion.

6. The toilet seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inclination of the inclined surface in the intermediate portion is greater than the inclination of the inclined surface in the large curvature portion.

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