Cleaning nozzle and local cleaning device

Abstract

To provide a washing nozzle that can appropriately discharge washing water, in which a straight flow and a swirl flow are mixed, with a simple configuration that suppresses an increase in a diameter of the washing nozzle and an increase in cost.SOLUTION: A cylindrical washing nozzle having a discharge port for discharging washing water toward a human body private part and having a flow channel for the washing water formed along an axial direction comprises a partition wall part that has a bottom wall and side walls that partition a predetermined space with a circular cross section that communicates coaxially with a central axis of the discharge port with respect to the flow channel. The partition wall part has a first introduction port, in the bottom wall, for introducing the washing water into the predetermined space from below so that the washing water flowing through the flow channel flows in the predetermined space along the axial direction, and a second introduction port, in the side wall, for introducing the washing water into the predetermined space from the side so that the washing water flowing through the flow channel flows along an inner peripheral surface of the predetermined space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning nozzle and a private parts cleaning device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of local cleansing device, a device has been proposed that discharges a straight-line flow of cleansing water and a swirling (spiral) flow of cleansing water from a cleansing nozzle toward the human local parts (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this device, a flow path for the straight-line flow of cleansing water and a flow path for the swirling flow of cleansing water are provided in the cleansing nozzle, and the cleansing water that has flowed through both flow paths is merged at a junction before being discharged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4331533 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in order to provide two flow paths extending in the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle, it is necessary to arrange members and partitions for forming each flow path over the entire axial length of the cleaning nozzle, which not only increases the outer diameter of the cleaning nozzle but also increases costs.

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to appropriately discharge cleaning water that is a mixture of a straight flow and a swirling flow, using a simple configuration that suppresses increases in the diameter of the cleaning nozzle and costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main object, the present invention adopts the following means.

[0007] The cleaning nozzle of the present invention is A cylindrical cleaning nozzle having an outlet for discharging cleaning water toward a human body part and a flow path for cleaning water formed along an axial direction, a partition wall portion having a bottom wall and a side wall partitioning a predetermined space having a circular cross section, the predetermined space being in communication with the central axis of the discharge port and coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port, from the flow path; The partition portion has a first inlet formed in the bottom wall for introducing cleaning water into the predetermined space from below so that the cleaning water having flowed through the flow path flows along the axial direction within the predetermined space, and a second inlet formed in the side wall for introducing cleaning water into the predetermined space from the side so that the cleaning water having flowed through the flow path flows along an inner circumferential surface within the predetermined space. The gist of the present invention is as follows.

[0008] In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, a partition wall section that divides a predetermined space with a circular cross section and that communicates coaxially with the discharge port has a first inlet formed in the bottom wall for introducing cleaning water from below so that the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path flows in the axial direction within the predetermined space, and a second inlet formed in the side wall for introducing cleaning water from the side so that the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path flows along the inner circumferential surface within the predetermined space. Therefore, the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path and is divided by the partition wall section is introduced from the first inlet in the bottom wall and flows linearly in the axial direction within the predetermined space, and is introduced from the second inlet in the side wall and flows in a swirling (spiral) shape within the predetermined space along the inner circumferential surface, so that cleaning water that is a mixture of a straight flow and a swirling flow can be discharged from the discharge port. This eliminates the need to provide two flow paths, a flow path for a straight flow and a flow path for a swirling flow, separately along the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle, and does not require the need to secure space for the two flow paths or provide members, thereby preventing the cleaning nozzle from becoming larger in diameter and increasing costs. In addition, the desired cleaning sensation can be achieved by designing the opening area ratio between the first inlet and the second inlet. Therefore, the cleaning water that is a mixture of a straight flow and a swirling flow can be appropriately discharged with a simple configuration.

[0009] In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, the partition may be formed so that the opening area of ​​the first inlet is larger than the opening area of ​​the second inlet. In this way, a mild cleaning feeling can be achieved by mixing straight flow and swirling flow, while preventing the cleaning feeling from being impaired by increasing the ratio of straight flow.

[0010] In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, the partition may partition the predetermined space into a cylindrical shape, and the first inlet may be formed in the bottom wall so as to introduce cleaning water coaxially with the discharge port, and the second inlet may be formed in the side wall so as to introduce cleaning water in a tangential direction to the inner circumferential surface. In this way, a configuration that improves the straightness of a straight flow and improves the swirlability of a swirling flow can be realized with a simpler configuration.

[0011] In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, two outlets are formed as the outlets, and two flow paths are provided: a first flow path as a water supply pipe for supplying cleaning water to one of the two outlets, and a second flow path for circulating cleaning water between an outer circumferential surface of the first flow path and an inner circumferential surface of the cleaning nozzle to supply cleaning water to the other of the two outlets, and the partition wall may partition the predetermined space from the second flow path, and introduce the cleaning water that has circulated through the second flow path into the predetermined space from the first inlet and the second inlet. In this way, even when two flow paths, the first flow path and the second flow path, are provided in the cleaning nozzle, there is no need to further divide the second flow path into a straight flow path and a swirling flow path, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the nozzle from becoming larger in diameter and the cost from increasing.

[0012] The personal cleansing device of the present invention includes any one of the above-mentioned cleaning nozzles, and thus achieves the effect of the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, that is, the effect of appropriately discharging cleaning water that is a mixture of a straight flow and a swirling flow, with a simple configuration that suppresses an increase in the diameter of the cleaning nozzle and an increase in cost. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the personal cleansing device from becoming large. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a toilet 1 to which a cleaning toilet seat device 10 including a private part cleaning device is attached. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the posterior washing nozzle 20. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a head unit 31. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along line B-B. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how cleaning water for mild cleaning is discharged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a toilet bowl 1 to which a cleaning toilet seat device 10 including a private parts cleaning device is attached. As shown in Fig. 1, the cleaning toilet seat device 10 is attached to the upper surface of the toilet bowl 1, and comprises a toilet seat device main body 12, a toilet seat 14 and a toilet lid 16 supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet seat device main body 12, and an operation panel 18 that allows the user to perform various operations. Note that in this embodiment, the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and up-down direction are as shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] The toilet seat device main body 12 is equipped with a washing device including a water supply line for washing water connected to a water supply pipe (tap piping), a water stop valve, a heat exchange unit, a switching valve for switching the flow rate and destination of washing water, and a nozzle unit having a washing nozzle for discharging washing water, and these are housed in a resin housing. The heat exchange unit has a built-in ceramic heater with a rated output of, for example, about 1200 W, and can instantly heat the washing water. The switching valve is configured as a rotary disk valve driven by, for example, a stepping motor, and can switch the destination of the washing water while adjusting the flow rate of the washing water supplied through the water supply port. The nozzle unit is equipped with a buttock washing nozzle 20 for buttock washing and a bidet washing nozzle for bidet washing as washing nozzles, and is configured to move each washing nozzle forward and backward between a storage position and a washing position.

[0017] The operation panel 18 is provided with a powerful wash switch for instructing a powerful wash, which is a strong rear wash, a mild wash switch for instructing a mild wash, which is a weaker rear wash, a bidet wash switch for instructing a bidet wash, a wash strength adjustment switch for adjusting the wash strength, a wash position adjustment switch for adjusting the wash position forward or backward, and a stop switch for instructing the wash to stop.

[0018] The configuration of the posterior washing nozzle 20 will be described below. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the posterior washing nozzle 20, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20. Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of the head unit 31, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 7.

[0019] The posterior washing nozzle 20 of this embodiment is a cylindrical member configured to perform powerful washing and mild washing, and has a powerful washing outlet 23 and a mild washing outlet 25 formed at the tip side, and a powerful washing flow path 22 and a mild washing flow path 24 are provided inside so as to extend in the axial direction. The posterior washing nozzle 20 is configured by combining a cylindrical main body 30, a cylindrical head part 31 coaxially attached to the main body 30, and a tip member 32 fitted into the tip (front end) of the head part 31. The powerful washing outlet 23 is formed in the tip member 32, and the mild washing outlet 25 is formed in the head part 31. The tip side of the head part 31 is formed with a notch 31a cut out to expose the outlet 23.

[0020] The posterior washing nozzle 20 is provided with a water supply pipe 34 made of resin or metal, etc., which extends in the axial direction so as to penetrate the central hole of the main body 30 and the central hole 31b of the head 31 (see FIG. 6). This water supply pipe 34 reaches the tip member 32 and constitutes a powerful washing flow path 22 that supplies washing water to the discharge port 23. The posterior washing nozzle 20 forms a space with an annular cross section between the outer circumferential surface of the water supply pipe 34 and the inner circumferential surface of the posterior washing nozzle 20 (the inner circumferential surface of the main body 30 and the inner circumferential surface 27 of the head 31) as a mild washing flow path 24. The posterior washing nozzle 20 is provided with a water supply connection part 33 having two connection ports 33a at the rear end of the main body 30. Each connection port 33a of the water supply connection part 33 is connected to one end of a supply hose (not shown) connected to a switching valve at the other end. One of the connection ports 33a communicates with the powerful cleaning flow path 22 (water supply pipe 34) and supplies cleaning water supplied from the supply hose to the powerful cleaning flow path 22. The other connection port 33a communicates with the mild cleaning flow path 24 and supplies cleaning water supplied from the supply hose to the mild cleaning flow path 24.

[0021] A partition wall 35 is provided in the head portion 31 of the posterior washing nozzle 20 to partition the mild washing flow path 24 into a cylindrical space (predetermined space) 39 that is coaxially connected to the central axis of the discharge port 25. The partition wall 35 is located at the flow path end of the mild washing flow path 24, and has a bottom wall 36 and a side wall 37. As described above, the mild washing flow path 24 is formed as an annular flow path (space). Therefore, the side wall 37 becomes a wall that extends in a substantially arc shape in part of the annular shape, and forms part of the flow path end of the mild washing flow path 24.

[0022] In the partition 35, a circular lower inlet 36a for introducing cleaning water into the cylindrical space 39 from below is formed in the bottom wall 36, and a rectangular side inlet 37a for introducing cleaning water into the cylindrical space 39 from the side is formed in the side wall 37. The lower inlet 36a is formed so as to penetrate the bottom wall 36 along the axial direction of the cylindrical space 39, and in this embodiment, it is formed coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39 (discharge port 25). In addition, the side inlet 37a is formed so as to penetrate the side wall 37 along the tangential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical space 39, and introduces cleaning water from the side along the tangential direction. In this embodiment, the opening area of ​​the lower inlet 36a is formed to be larger than the opening area of ​​the side inlet 37a. For example, the area ratio of the opening areas of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a is formed to be 5:3. Note that this area ratio is an example and is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the lower inlet 36a may have another shape, such as a rectangle, and the side inlet 37a may have another shape, such as a circle.

[0023] Next, the operation of the thus configured cleaning toilet seat device 10 will be described, particularly when performing mild cleaning with the rear cleaning nozzle 20. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how cleaning water for mild cleaning is discharged.

[0024] As shown in the figure, the cleaning water that has flowed through the mild cleaning flow path 24 is divided at the partition wall 35 at the end of the flow path, and is introduced into the cylindrical space 39 from the lower inlet 36a of the bottom wall 36, and is also introduced into the cylindrical space 39 from the side inlet 37a of the side wall 37. As described above, the lower inlet 36a introduces the cleaning water from below coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39 (discharge port 25). Therefore, the cleaning water introduced from the lower inlet 36a becomes a straight flow that flows straight along the axial direction in the cylindrical space 39. In addition, the side inlet 37a introduces the cleaning water from the side into the cylindrical space 39 along the tangential direction. Therefore, the cleaning water introduced from the side inlet 37a becomes a swirling flow that flows in a spiral shape along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical space 39. Then, a mixed flow of the straight flow and the swirling flow is discharged from the discharge port 25 toward the human body part. Therefore, the user can feel the pinpoint cleaning by the straight flow and the mild cleaning by the swirling flow. Note that the cleaning water that flows through the mild cleaning flow path 24 is once divided by the partition wall 35 and then re-merges in the cylindrical space 39, so the cylindrical space 39 is also called a merging chamber (merging space).

[0025] In this embodiment, the area ratio (flow rate ratio) of the lower inlet 36a to the side inlet 37a is 5:3, and the flow rate of the straight flow is greater than the flow rate of the swirling flow, so that the straight flow and the swirling flow are mixed to provide a mild cleaning feel, while increasing the ratio of the straight flow to prevent the cleaning feel from being impaired. In addition, the flow rate of the swirling flow is set to about 3 / 8 of the flow rate (total flow rate) through the mild cleaning flow path 24, ensuring 1 / 3 of the total flow rate (within the range of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2), so that a milder cleaning feel can be provided. This can increase the user's satisfaction when mild cleaning is performed.

[0026] The posterior washing nozzle 20 of the cleaning toilet seat device 10 described above divides the washing water flowing through the mild washing flow path 24 at the partition part 35, and introduces it into the cylindrical space 39 from the lower inlet 36a of the bottom wall 36 and the side inlet 37a of the side wall 37. The washing water introduced from the lower inlet 36a is made into a straight flow, and the washing water introduced from the side inlet 37a is made into a swirling flow, and the mixed flow is discharged from the discharge port 25. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a flow path for the straight flow and a flow path for the swirling flow separately along the axial direction of the posterior washing nozzle 20, so that the diameter of the posterior washing nozzle 20 and the cost increase can be suppressed. Therefore, the size of the private parts washing device can be prevented from increasing.

[0027] In addition, since the opening area of ​​the lower inlet 36a is made larger than that of the side inlet 37a, a mild cleaning sensation is achieved by mixing straight flow and swirling flow, while the proportion of straight flow is increased to prevent the cleaning sensation from being impaired.

[0028] In addition, one downward inlet 36a is formed in the bottom wall 36 for introducing cleaning water coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39 (discharge port 25), and one lateral inlet 37a is formed in the side wall 37 for introducing cleaning water in the tangential direction of the cylindrical space 39, so that a configuration which improves the straightness of the straight flow while improving the swirling property of the swirling flow can be realized with a simpler configuration.

[0029] In addition, the posterior washing nozzle 20 is provided with two flow paths, the powerful washing flow path 22 and the mild washing flow path 24, but since there is no need to divide the mild washing flow path 24 into a straight flow path and a swirling flow path, there is no need to provide three flow paths. Therefore, even if the posterior washing nozzle 20 is configured to perform both powerful washing and mild washing, it is possible to prevent the nozzle from becoming larger in diameter and the costs from increasing.

[0030] In addition, the posterior washing nozzle 20 can change the flow rate ratio of the straight flow and the swirling flow by changing the design ratio of the opening area of ​​the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a, thereby changing the feeling of washing.

[0031] In the above-mentioned embodiment, one each of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a is formed, but this is not limited thereto, and either one or both may be formed in multiple numbers. In this case, it is sufficient that the lower inlet is formed to be larger than the side inlet when comparing the total opening area of ​​the multiple inlets. In addition, the lower inlet 36a is not limited to being formed only one coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39, and it is sufficient that one or more inlet ports are formed to introduce the cleaning water along the axial direction of the discharge port 25 (so as to promote the generation of a straight flow). In addition, the side inlet 37a is not limited to being formed only one so as to introduce the cleaning water in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical space 39, and it is sufficient that one or more inlet ports are formed to introduce the cleaning water along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical space 39 (so as to promote the generation of a swirling flow).

[0032] In the embodiment, the opening area of ​​the lower inlet 36a is larger than that of the side inlet 37a, but this is not limited thereto, and the opening areas of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a may be substantially the same. Alternatively, the opening area of ​​the side inlet 37a may be larger than that of the lower inlet 36a. Note that a plurality of types of head parts 31 having different ratios of the opening areas of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a may be made detachable from the main body part 30, and the head part 31 selected according to the cleaning feeling preferred by the user may be attached to the main body part 30 and used.

[0033] In the embodiment, the partition wall 35 defines the cylindrical space 39, but the present invention is not limited to this and may define any space having a circular cross section. For example, the partition wall 35 may define an inverted cone-shaped space whose inner diameter increases from the bottom to the top.

[0034] In the embodiment, the powerful washing flow path 22 is provided at the center of the posterior washing nozzle 20, and the mild washing flow path 24 is a flow path with a circular cross section, but this is not limited thereto, and the mild washing flow path 24 may be any flow path that allows washing water to flow between the outer circumferential surface of the powerful washing flow path 22 (water supply pipe 34) and the inner circumferential surface 27 of the posterior washing nozzle 20. Alternatively, the mild washing flow path 24 may be provided at the center of the posterior washing nozzle 20, and the powerful washing flow path 22 may be a flow path with a circular cross section.

[0035] In the embodiment, one rear washing nozzle 20 is shown to perform both powerful and mild washing, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a washing nozzle for performing powerful washing and a washing nozzle for performing mild washing may be provided separately. In such a case, the present invention may be applied to the washing nozzle for performing mild washing. Since the design can be modified to change the opening area ratio of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a according to the desired washing sensation, for example, to increase the ratio of straight flow, the present invention may be applied not only to mild washing but also to powerful washing. The present invention may also be applied to bidet washing, not limited to rear washing.

[0036] The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problems will be described below. In this embodiment, the outlet 25 corresponds to the "outlet", the mild cleaning flow path 24 corresponds to the "flow path", the rear cleaning nozzle 20 corresponds to the "cleaning nozzle", the partition 35 corresponds to the "partition", the lower inlet 36a corresponds to the "first inlet", the bottom wall 36 corresponds to the "bottom wall", the side inlet 37a corresponds to the "second inlet", and the side wall 37 corresponds to the "side wall". Also, the outlet 23 corresponds to the "outlet", the powerful cleaning flow path 22 corresponds to the "first flow path", and the mild cleaning flow path 24 corresponds to the "second flow path".

[0037] Note that the correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since this embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the mode for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be made based on the description in that column, and this embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

[0038] Although the above describes the form for carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and it is of course possible to carry out the present invention in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of local cleansing devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 toilet bowl, 10 cleaning toilet seat device, 12 toilet seat device main body, 14 toilet seat, 16 toilet lid, 18 operation panel, 20 rear cleaning nozzle, 22 powerful cleaning flow path, 23 outlet, 24 mild cleaning flow path, 25 outlet, 27 inner circumferential surface, 30 main body portion, 31 head portion, 31a cutout portion, 31b central hole, 32 tip member, 33 water supply connection portion, 33a connection port, 34 water supply pipe, 35 partition portion, 36 bottom wall, 36a lower inlet, 37 side wall, 37a lateral inlet, 39 cylindrical space (predetermined space, merging chamber).

Claims

1. A cylindrical cleaning nozzle having an outlet for discharging cleaning water toward a human body part and a flow path for cleaning water formed along an axial direction, a partition wall portion having a bottom wall and a side wall partitioning a predetermined space having a circular cross section, the predetermined space being in communication with the central axis of the discharge port and coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port, from the flow path; the partition portion has a first inlet formed in the bottom wall for introducing cleaning water into the specified space from below such that the cleaning water having flowed through the flow path flows along the axial direction within the specified space, and a second inlet formed in the side wall for introducing cleaning water into the specified space from the side such that the cleaning water having flowed through the flow path flows along an inner circumferential surface within the specified space, As the discharge port, two discharge ports are formed, The flow paths include a first flow path serving as a water supply pipe for supplying cleaning water to one of the two discharge ports, and a second flow path for circulating cleaning water between an outer circumferential surface of the first flow path and an inner circumferential surface of the cleaning nozzle to supply cleaning water to the other of the two discharge ports, The partition wall divides the predetermined space from the second flow path, and introduces the cleaning water that has flowed through the second flow path into the predetermined space from the first inlet and the second inlet. Cleaning nozzle.

2. 2. The cleaning nozzle according to claim 1, The partition portion is formed so that an opening area of ​​the first inlet is larger than an opening area of ​​the second inlet. Cleaning nozzle.

3. 3. The cleaning nozzle according to claim 1, The partition wall defines the predetermined space in a cylindrical shape, and the first inlet is formed in the bottom wall so as to introduce cleaning water coaxially with the discharge port, and the second inlet is formed in the side wall so as to introduce cleaning water in a tangential direction to the inner circumferential surface. Cleaning nozzle.

4. A private parts washing device comprising the washing nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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