Toilet seat device

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device capable of causing mist to land on a toilet seat surface efficiently.SOLUTION: A toilet seat device includes: a toilet seat part having a toilet seat surface on which a user sits, a toilet seat reverse surface located on a reverse side of the toilet seat surface, and an opening penetrating between the toilet seat surface and the toilet seat reverse surface; a spray device disposed below the toilet seat surface for spraying mist; a blower for generating air flow inside a toilet bowl by blowing air toward the inside of the toilet bowl; and a control device having a toilet seat surface mist mode for causing the mist to land on the toilet seat surface by controlling the spray device and the blower. In executing the toilet seat surface mist mode, the control device controls the blower so that a flow rate from the opening to the toilet seat surface is higher than a flow rate between the toilet seat reverse surface and a top face of a rim part of the toilet bowl in a state that the toilet seat part is closed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Aspects of the present invention generally relate to toilet seat apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a toilet seat device known that can suppress the growth of bacteria and dirt in the bowl of the toilet by discharging cleaning water (sterilizing water) such as hypochlorous acid water, which has oxidative decomposition and bleaching properties, into the bowl of the toilet (for example, Patent Document 1). There is also a toilet seat device with a mist cleaning function that cleans every corner of the toilet by turning ozone water, electrolytic sterilizing water, or high-temperature water into a mist of about 0.1 to 50 μm and delivering this mist to not only the bowl but also the toilet seat, toilet lid, and rim of the toilet by airflow (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5029930 [Patent Document 2] JP 2007-138605 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cleanliness of a toilet seat apparatus can be maintained by spraying a mist (cleaning water) onto the toilet bowl and toilet seat. However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the spray device for spraying the mist is installed below the toilet seat, so there is a risk that it may be difficult to land the mist on the surface of the toilet seat on which the user sits and sterilize it.

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, and has an object to provide a toilet seat device that can efficiently land mist on the toilet seat surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention is a toilet seat device comprising a toilet seat portion having a toilet seat surface on which a user sits, a toilet seat back surface located behind the toilet seat surface, and an opening that penetrates between the toilet seat surface and the toilet seat back surface, a spray device positioned below the toilet seat surface and spraying a mist, an air blower device that generates an airflow inside the toilet bowl by blowing air toward the inside of the toilet bowl, and a control device having a toilet seat surface mist mode that causes the mist to land on the toilet seat surface by controlling the spray device and the air blower, wherein the control device, when executing the toilet seat surface mist mode, controls the air blower so that the flow speed flowing from the opening toward the toilet seat surface is higher than the flow speed flowing between the toilet seat back surface and the upper surface of the rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat portion is closed.

[0007] According to this toilet seat device, by using an airflow from the opening of the toilet seat toward the toilet seat surface, it is possible to land mist on the toilet seat surface from a spray device located below the toilet seat surface. Also, since the airflow with a high flow rate flows from the opening of the toilet seat toward the toilet seat surface side, it is possible to land a large amount of mist on the toilet seat surface. Also, since the airflow with a low flow rate is controlled to flow between the underside of the toilet seat and the upper surface of the rim of the toilet bowl, it is possible to prevent a large amount of mist from landing on the underside of the toilet seat and not reaching the toilet seat surface.

[0008] A second invention is a toilet seat device according to the first invention, characterized in that the inner wall of the toilet bowl has an opening projection portion in which the opening of the toilet seat portion is projected downward, and when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the blower device so that the main stream of the airflow blown from the blower device is directed toward the opening projection portion.

[0009] According to this toilet seat device, by colliding the air current with the projection of the opening of the toilet bowl to form an ascending air current, a large volume of air current can flow from the opening of the toilet seat toward the surface of the toilet seat, thereby allowing the mist to land efficiently on the surface of the toilet seat.

[0010] A third invention is a toilet seat device according to the first or second invention, characterized in that, when executing the toilet seat surface mist mode, the control device controls the blower device to blow a straight-line airflow from the blower device toward the inner wall of the toilet bowl, and to form an ascending airflow that rises toward the surface of the toilet seat after the straight-line airflow collides with the inner wall of the toilet bowl, and at least a portion of the mist sprayed from the sprayer interferes with the ascending airflow without interfering with the straight-line airflow.

[0011] Since the straight air current collides with the inner wall of the toilet bowl, the mist riding on the straight air current is likely to adhere to the inner wall of the toilet bowl, making it difficult for the mist to reach the surface of the toilet seat. However, with this toilet seat device, at least a portion of the mist is made to interfere with the ascending air current without interfering with the straight air current, so most of the mist can be delivered to the surface of the toilet seat without coming into contact with the inner wall of the toilet bowl.

[0012] A fourth invention is a toilet seat device according to the third invention, characterized in that, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the direction of the straight-line airflow blown from the blower device to be downward relative to the spray direction of the mist sprayed from the spray device.

[0013] According to this toilet seat device, the straight air current is located below the spray direction of the mist, so interference between the mist and the straight air current can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of mist riding on the straight air current can be reduced, and the mist can be efficiently carried on the rising air current.

[0014] The fifth invention is a toilet seat device according to the fourth invention, characterized in that the spray device and the air blowing device are provided in a main body placed behind the toilet bowl, and the main body has an air outlet located below the surface of the toilet seat for sending air from the air blowing device toward the inside of the toilet bowl, and an outlet located below the surface of the toilet seat for releasing the mist sprayed from the spray device toward the inside of the toilet bowl, and the air outlet and the outlet are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction.

[0015] According to this toilet seat device, the air outlet and the discharge outlet are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction, so that even if the air outlet and the discharge outlet are arranged at the same height, it is possible to reduce interference between the mist discharged from the discharge outlet and the straight airflow sent out from the air outlet.

[0016] A sixth invention is a toilet seat device according to the fifth invention, characterized in that the toilet seat device is provided with a nozzle for cleaning the private parts of a user seated on the surface of the toilet seat, the air outlet being arranged on one side of the nozzle in the left-right direction, and the exhaust outlet being arranged on the other side of the nozzle in the left-right direction.

[0017] According to this toilet seat device, the distance between the air outlet and the discharge outlet is increased, which further reduces interference of the mist with the linear airflow.

[0018] A seventh invention is a toilet seat device according to any one of the third to sixth inventions, characterized in that when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the blower device so that the rising air current swirls inside the toilet bowl when viewed from above.

[0019] According to this toilet seat device, by swirling the rising air current, the mist can be caused to land over a wide area on the surface of the toilet seat.

[0020] The eighth invention is a toilet seat device according to the seventh invention, characterized in that the air blowing device has an airflow direction changing unit that changes the blowing direction of the airflow, and the control device, when executing the toilet seat surface mist mode, controls the airflow direction changing unit to switch between a state in which the rising air current swirls inside the toilet bowl in a first swirl direction when viewed from above, and a state in which the rising air current swirls inside the toilet bowl in a second swirl direction that is opposite to the first swirl direction.

[0021] According to this toilet seat device, by reversing the swirling air current inside the toilet bowl, the mist can be made to land efficiently over a wide area on both sides of the toilet seat surface.

[0022] A 9th invention is a toilet seat device according to the 8th invention, characterized in that the control device has a local drying mode in which the air direction changing unit directs the blowing direction of the straight-line airflow toward the center of the toilet bowl.

[0023] According to this toilet seat device, the toilet seat device serves both as an air blower for spraying mist onto the toilet seat surface and as an air blower for drying private parts, so the toilet seat device can be made smaller than when separate air blowers are provided for each, and the cost of the toilet seat device can also be reduced.

[0024] A tenth invention is a toilet seat device according to the ninth invention, characterized in that the blower device has an air blowing section that changes the air volume, and the control device controls the air blowing section so that the air volume in the toilet seat surface mist mode is smaller than the air volume in the spot drying mode.

[0025] According to this toilet seat device, the air volume of the blower can be increased to improve spot drying performance. Also, if the same air volume is used in the toilet seat surface mist mode as in spot drying, the airflow that collides with the inner wall of the toilet bowl rises along the inner wall of the toilet bowl, and more air flows between the back surface of the toilet seat and the top surface of the rim. Therefore, when executing the toilet seat surface mist mode, the air volume is set to be smaller than the air volume in the spot drying mode, making it easier to create an ascending air current that heads toward the toilet seat surface.

[0026] An eleventh invention is a toilet seat device according to any one of the seventh to tenth inventions, characterized in that the spray device has a motor and a spray section formed in a plate shape and rotated by the motor, and when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the motor to switch between a state in which the spray section rotates in a first rotation direction and a state in which the spray section rotates in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0027] According to this toilet seat device, mist is sprayed on both the left and right sides of the toilet seat surface by reversing the rotation of the spray part, which allows the mist to land efficiently over a wide range on both sides of the toilet seat surface. Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the aspects of the present invention, mist can be efficiently deposited on the toilet seat surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet device in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow AA. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a toilet seat device. [Figure 4] 4(a) to 4(e) are plan and perspective views showing the main body of the toilet seat device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an airflow direction changing portion of the air blower device. [Figure 6] 4(c) is a cross-sectional view of the main body and the spray device as viewed from the direction of the arrow BB. FIG. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are schematic diagrams showing the state of air flow speed in the toilet seat surface mist mode. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the airflow and the mist when the mist lands on the right side of the toilet seat surface. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the airflow and the mist when the mist lands on the left side of the toilet seat surface. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which mist is entrained on an air current in a first swirling direction. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the mist is entrained in the air current in the second swirling direction. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which mist is entrained on a straight air current. [Figure 13] 13(a) and 13(b) are schematic diagrams showing modified examples of the airflow direction changing section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet device in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow AA.

[0031] The toilet apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a Western-style seated toilet bowl (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, simply referred to as "toilet bowl 100") and a toilet seat apparatus 10. The toilet bowl 100 has a concave bowl portion 101 that receives waste. The toilet seat apparatus 10 is installed on the upper part of the toilet bowl 100.

[0032] The toilet seat device 10 comprises a main body 12 placed behind the toilet bowl 100, a toilet seat 14 rotatably supported by the main body 12, a spray device 60 having a spray unit 62 that sprays mist M onto at least one of the interior of the toilet bowl 100 and the toilet seat 14, and a control device 70 that controls the spray device 60. A toilet lid 16 rotatably supported by the main body 12 is provided on the rear side of the toilet seat 14.

[0033] The toilet seat portion 14 has a toilet seat surface 14a on which a user sits, a toilet seat back surface 14b located on the back side of the toilet seat surface 14a, and an opening 14c penetrating between the toilet seat surface 14a and the toilet seat back surface 14b. The toilet seat surface 14a faces the toilet lid 16 when the toilet lid 16 is closed. The toilet seat back surface 14b faces the upper surface 103 of the rim portion 102 when the toilet seat portion 14 is closed (lowered). The opening 14c is located in the center of the toilet seat portion 14 and penetrates to the bowl portion 101. The state in FIG. 1 shows the toilet seat portion 14 in a closed state and the toilet lid 16 in an open state (raised state). When closed, the toilet lid 16 covers the toilet seat surface 14a of the toilet seat portion 14 from above.

[0034] The main body 12 is provided with a seating detection sensor 20 that detects that a user has sat on the toilet seat 14. The main body 12 also includes a body washing function unit 58 that washes the body parts (such as the buttocks) of the user who is seated on the toilet seat 14. When the seating detection sensor 20 detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat 14, and the user operates a manual operation unit 24 such as a remote control, the washing nozzle (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, simply referred to as "nozzle 58a") of the body washing function unit 58 can be advanced into the bowl 101 of the toilet 100. Note that the toilet seat device 10 shown in FIG. 1 shows a state in which the nozzle 58a is advanced into the bowl 101. The main body 12 also includes an air blower 31 and a spray device 60. The front wall 12a of the main body 12 is provided with an air outlet 120 that sends air from the air blowing device 31 toward the inside of the toilet 100, and a discharge outlet 124 that releases the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60 toward the inside of the toilet 100, spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0035] The nozzle 58a has one or more water outlets at its tip. The nozzle 58a can spray water from the water outlets at its tip to clean the private parts (such as the buttocks) of a user seated on the toilet seat 14 (toilet seat surface 14a). In this specification, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left side," and "right side" are each the direction seen from the perspective of a user sitting on the toilet seat 14 with their back to the open toilet lid 16.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet bowl 100 has a rim portion 102 provided on top of the bowl portion 101. The rim portion 102 is an annular portion that forms the upper edge of the toilet bowl 100. The rim portion 102 has an upper surface 103 and an inner wall surface 104. The upper surface 103 faces the toilet seat underside surface 14b of the toilet seat portion 14 when closed.

[0037] The inner wall of the toilet bowl 100 (bowl portion 101) has an opening projection portion 101a. The opening projection portion 101a is a portion of the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100 where the opening 14c of the toilet seat portion 14 is projected downward. In other words, the opening projection portion 101a is a portion of the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100 that can be seen through the opening 14c in a plan view seen from above. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening projection portion 101a is located below the rim portion 102 on the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100. The opening projection portion 101a is bowl-shaped with a curved surface, and water is stored below it.

[0038] For example, when a user operates the toilet flushing function using a switch provided on the manual operation unit 24 (remote control) or stands up from the toilet seat 14, a toilet flushing operation (an operation for discharging waste from within the bowl portion 101 and cleaning the surface of the bowl portion 101) is performed. In the toilet flushing operation, flushing water is supplied into the bowl portion 101.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the toilet seat device. Figure 3 also shows the main components of the waterway system and electrical system. The seating detection sensor 20 can detect whether or not a user is seated on the toilet seat portion 14. The seating detection sensor 20 detects whether a user is sitting or leaving the seat. The seating detection sensor 20 can be a microwave sensor, a distance measuring sensor (infrared light projecting sensor), an ultrasonic sensor, a tact switch, a capacitance switch (touch sensor), or a distortion sensor.

[0040] When using contact sensors such as a tact switch, electrostatic sensor, and strain sensor, these contact sensors are provided on the toilet seat 14. When a user sits on the toilet seat 14, the tact switch is pressed down by the user's weight. Alternatively, the user comes into contact with the electrostatic sensor. Alternatively, pressure is applied to the strain sensor by the user's weight. The user's sitting can be detected by electrical signals from these sensors.

[0041] The human body detection sensor 22 can detect a user in front of the toilet bowl 100, i.e., a user who is in a position away from the toilet seat 14 toward the front. In other words, the human body detection sensor 22 can detect a user who has entered the toilet room and is approaching the toilet seat 14. For example, a pyroelectric sensor, a microwave sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a distance measuring sensor (infrared light projecting sensor) can be used as such a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor 22 may detect a user who has just opened the door of the toilet room and entered the room, or a user who is about to enter the toilet room, i.e., a user who is in front of the door about to enter the toilet room. For example, when a microwave sensor is used, it is possible to detect the presence of a user through the door of the toilet room.

[0042] The manual operation unit 24 is an operation unit for the user to spray sterilizing water at any timing, for example. The manual operation unit 24 is a remote control having a switch or a button, and when the user operates the manual operation unit 24, operation information (signal) instructing the user to spray sterilizing water is sent to the control device 70. The control device 70 controls the sterilizing device 54, the spray device 60, and the air blower device 31 based on the operation information. This allows the user to spray sterilizing water by operating the manual operation unit 24. The manual operation unit 24 may also have switches, buttons, etc. for the user to operate each function of the toilet seat device 10 in addition to spraying sterilizing water. When an operation corresponding to each function is performed, the operation information is sent to the control device 70, and the control device 70 controls the operation of each part of the toilet seat device 10 based on the operation information.

[0043] Also provided inside main body 12 are toilet seat motor 26, toilet lid motor 28, toilet seat heater 30, air blower 31, hot air heater 34, and air direction change unit 36. Based on commands from control device 70, toilet seat motor 26 electrically rotates toilet seat 14 to open and close. Based on commands from control device 70, toilet lid motor 28 electrically rotates toilet lid 16 to open and close.

[0044] The toilet seat heater 30 is provided, for example, inside the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat heater 30 has, for example, an annular metal member provided around the periphery of an opening 14c formed in the center of the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat heater 30 heats the toilet seat 14 by being energized based on a command from the control device 70. For example, a tubing heater, a sheath heater, a halogen heater, a carbon heater, or the like may be used as the toilet seat heater 30. The metal member is made of, for example, aluminum or copper. The metal member may have various shapes, such as a sheet shape, a wire shape, or a mesh shape.

[0045] The blower 31 blows air toward the inside of the toilet bowl 100, thereby generating an airflow inside the toilet bowl 100. The blower 31 is controlled by the control device 70. The blower 31 has an air blowing section 32, a hot air heater 34, and an airflow changing section 36. The air blowing section 32 is, for example, a fan provided inside the main body section 12. The air blowing section 32 operates based on a command from the control device 70. The air blowing section 32 can blow air toward the inside of the toilet bowl 100 (inside the bowl section 101) by, for example, rotating a blade in accordance with the rotation of a motor. The air blowing section 32 sends the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60 to the toilet bowl 100 and the toilet seat section 14 by carrying the mist M on the wind. The air blowing section 32 is an airflow changing section that can change the airflow (airflow speed) by, for example, controlling the rotation of a motor.

[0046] When the local area drying mode is executed, the air blower 31 blows air to the local areas of the user sitting on the toilet seat 14, thereby drying the local areas of the user. The hot air heater 34 warms the air sent to the outside of the main body 12 by the air blower 32. This allows hot air to be sent toward the local areas of the user, thereby drying the local areas.

[0047] The airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​changes the direction of the airflow sent from the main body 12 toward the inside of the toilet bowl 100. The airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​changes the airflow (wind direction) flowing inside the toilet bowl 100, thereby causing the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60 to land on the intended part of the toilet bowl 100 or the toilet seat 14. In addition, when drying the private parts of the user, the airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​directs the airflow direction toward the center of the toilet bowl 100. The specific configuration of the airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​will be described later.

[0048] In the waterway system, the toilet seat device 10 has pipes 40 to 43, an electromagnetic valve 50, a vacuum breaker 52, a sterilization device 54, a switching valve 56, a nozzle 58a, a nozzle cleaning chamber 58c, and a spray device 60. These are arranged inside the main body 12.

[0049] The pipe 40 is for guiding water supplied from a water supply source (not shown), such as a waterworks or a water tank, to the spray device 60, the nozzle 58a, etc. An electromagnetic valve 50 is provided upstream of the pipe 40. The electromagnetic valve 50 is an electromagnetic valve that can be opened and closed, and controls the supply of water based on a command from a control device 70 provided inside the main body 12.

[0050] A vacuum breaker 52 is provided downstream of the solenoid valve 50 on the pipeline 40. The vacuum breaker 52 has, for example, a flow path for flowing water, an intake port for taking air into the flow path, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the intake port. The valve mechanism closes the intake port when water is flowing through the flow path, and opens the intake port when the water flow stops to take air into the flow path. That is, the vacuum breaker 52 takes in air when there is no water flow in the pipeline 40. For example, a float valve is used as the valve mechanism. The vacuum breaker 52 takes in air into the pipeline 40 as described above, thereby promoting drainage of water from, for example, a portion of the pipeline 40 downstream of the vacuum breaker 52. The vacuum breaker 52 promotes drainage of water from, for example, the nozzle 58a and the spray device 60.

[0051] A sterilization device 54 that generates sterilized water is provided downstream of the vacuum breaker 52 on the pipeline 40. The sterilization device 54 generates sterilized water containing, for example, hypochlorous acid. The sterilization device 54 can be, for example, an electrolytic cell unit. The electrolytic cell unit electrolyzes tap water flowing through a space (flow path) between an anode plate (not shown) and a cathode plate (not shown) by controlling the current from the control device 70. The sterilized water is not limited to one that contains hypochlorous acid. The sterilized water may be, for example, a solution containing metal ions such as silver ions or copper ions, a solution containing electrolytic chlorine or ozone, acidic water or alkaline water, etc. The sterilization device 54 is not limited to an electrolytic cell, and may be any configuration that can generate sterilized water.

[0052] A changeover valve 56 is provided on the pipe 40 downstream of the sterilization device 54. A nozzle 58a and a nozzle cleaning chamber 58c of the body cleansing function unit 58, and a spray device 60 are provided downstream of the changeover valve 56. The pipe 40 is branched by the changeover valve 56 into a pipe 41 that guides water to the nozzle 58a, a pipe 42 that guides water to the nozzle cleaning chamber 58c, and a pipe 43 that guides water to the spray device 60. The changeover valve 56 controls the opening and closing of each of the pipes 41, 42, and 43 based on a command from the control device 70. That is, the changeover valve 56 controls the supply of water to the nozzle 58a, the nozzle cleaning chamber 58c, and the spray device 60. The changeover valve 56 also changes the flow rate of water supplied downstream.

[0053] The body washing function unit 58 has a nozzle 58a, a nozzle motor 58b, a nozzle washing chamber 58c, and a nozzle damper 58d. When not in use, the nozzle 58a is located behind the nozzle damper 58d and stored in the main body 12. When washing the human private parts, the nozzle 58a receives a driving force from the nozzle motor 58b, presses the nozzle damper 58d that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 12, and advances into the bowl part 101 of the toilet 100. The nozzle motor 58b is driven based on a command from the control device 70. When the nozzle 58a advances forward from the main body 12, it discharges water from the water outlet to wash the human private parts. The nozzle washing chamber 58c washes the outer peripheral surface (body) of the nozzle 58a by spraying sterilized water or tap water from the water outlet provided therein.

[0054] The spray device 60 has a spray section 62 that sprays mist M onto at least one of the inside of the toilet bowl 100 (bowl section 101) and the toilet seat section 14. The spray device 60 turns tap water or sterilized water generated by the sterilization device 54 into a mist, and sprays the mist M from the spray section 62 through the outlet 124 onto the bowl section 101, the rim section 102, and the toilet seat section 14. In other words, the spray device 60 causes the mist M of sterilized water or the mist M of tap water to land on the bowl section 101, the rim section 102, and the toilet seat section 14. The specific configuration of the spray device 60 will be described later. In this specification, "landing water" refers to water (sterilized water or tap water) adhering to the surface of an object.

[0055] The control device 70 uses a circuit that receives power from a power supply circuit (not shown). The control device 70 includes an integrated circuit such as a microcomputer. The control device 70 controls the toilet seat motor 26, the toilet lid motor 28, the toilet seat heater 30, the blower 31, the solenoid valve 50, the vacuum breaker 52, the sterilization device 54, the switching valve 56, the nozzle motor 58b, and the spray device 60 based on detection information from the human body detection sensor 22 or the seating detection sensor 20 that detects the user and operation information from the manual operation unit 24.

[0056] The control device 70 receives detection information from the human body detection sensor 22 (a signal indicating the presence or absence of a user) and detection information from the seat detection sensor 20 (a signal indicating the presence or absence of a user sitting), and controls the operation of each part of the toilet seat device 10 based on the received detection information. The control device 70 also executes a local drying mode for drying the local parts (buttocks, etc.) of the user sitting on the toilet seat 14, for example, based on operation information from the manual operation unit 24. When executing the local drying mode, the control device 70 directs the blowing direction of the straight airflow toward the center of the toilet bowl 100 using the air direction changing unit 36.

[0057] The control device 70 executes a mist mode in which a mist M of tap water or sterilized water is sprayed into the toilet bowl 100 (bowl portion 101) and onto the toilet seat portion 14. The mist mode is executed, for example, before or after a user uses the toilet device 1. The mist mode is also executed at predetermined time intervals or by learning and controlling a time period when the toilet device 1 is not in use. The mist mode may also be executed based on operation information from the manual operation unit 24.

[0058] Here, the control device 70 executes a toilet seat surface mist mode in which the mist M lands on the toilet seat surface 14a. In this case, the control device 70 controls the blower device 31 and the spray device 60 to control the landing position of the mist M. Specific control of the toilet seat surface mist mode by the control device 70 will be described later.

[0059] 4(a) to 4(e) are plan and perspective views showing the main body of the toilet seat device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an airflow direction changing section of the air blower. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the spray device 60, the nozzle damper 58d, and the air blowing damper 36a are located at the rear upper part of the bowl part 101 when the toilet seat device 10 is installed on the upper part of the toilet bowl 100. FIG. 4(b) shows an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4(a). In FIG. 4(b), the front wall part 122 of the main body part 12 located in front of the spray device 60 is broken away to show the spray device 60 and the storage room 121 in which the spray part 62 is housed. FIG. 4(c) to FIG. 4(e) are enlarged perspective views showing the periphery of the spray device 60, the nozzle damper 58d, and the air blowing damper 36a.

[0060] The nozzle damper 58d is rotatably supported on the front wall 12a of the main body 12. The nozzle damper 58d (nozzle 58a) is located between the discharge port 124 and the air outlet 120. The nozzle 58a is located behind the nozzle damper 58d when retracted inside the main body 12. When washing a private part of the human body, the nozzle 58a comes into contact with the nozzle damper 58d, rotates the nozzle damper 58d to open it, and advances from inside the main body 12.

[0061] The air blowing damper 36a is located to the left of the nozzle damper 58d, and is rotatably supported on the front wall 12a of the main body 12. The air blowing damper 36a constitutes a part of the airflow direction changing section 36. The air blowing section 32, the hot air heater 34, and the louver 36c of the airflow direction changing section 36 are arranged behind the air blowing damper 36a.

[0062] The air blower damper 36a covers the air blower 120 of the main body 12. That is, the air blower 120 is disposed on one side (left side) of the nozzle 58a (nozzle damper 58d) in the left-right direction. The air blower 120 is located below the toilet seat surface 14a and blows air from the air blowing device 31 toward the inside of the toilet bowl 100. That is, the air blower 120 is located between the toilet bowl 100 and the toilet seat 14 on the rear side of the toilet bowl 100. The air blown from the air blower 32 is blown from the air blower 120 into the toilet bowl 100 with the air direction controlled by the air direction changing unit 36.

[0063] FIG. 4(c) shows a state in which the blower 31 is stopped, and FIG. 4(d) and FIG. 4(e) show a state in which the blower 31 is operating and blowing air into the bowl portion 101. As shown in FIG. 4(c), when the blower 31 is stopped, the blower damper 36a is closed. As shown in FIG. 4(d), when the blower 32 is operated, the blower damper 36a rotates and opens due to the pressure of the air (wind pressure) sent from the blower 32. As a result, the blower 31 blows air from the upper rear portion of the bowl portion 101 toward the lower front portion of the bowl portion 101, for example, as shown by arrow C. When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, air is blown in the direction of arrow C.

[0064] In the state of FIG. 4(e), the amount of air sent by the blower 32 is larger (or the air speed is higher) than in the state of FIG. 4(d). In this case, the blower damper 36a rotates further to open compared to the state of FIG. 4(d). As a result, the blower device 31 blows air from the upper rear portion of the bowl portion 101 toward the upper front portion of the bowl portion 101, for example, as indicated by arrow D. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(d), when the amount of air sent by the blower 32 is small, air is sent from the blower port 120 into the bowl portion 101 at a large angle with respect to the horizontal plane. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(e), when the amount of air sent by the blower 32 is large, air is sent into the bowl portion 101 at a smaller angle with respect to the horizontal plane (an angle closer to the horizontal plane) than when the amount of air sent is small.

[0065] In this way, the direction of the wind sent from the blower 32 is changed in the up-down direction by the blower damper 36a of the wind direction changing unit 36. That is, the control device 70 controls the up-down wind direction according to the air volume (wind speed) of the blower 31 (blower 32). In this case, the main stream of the airflow (the part with the fastest flow speed) is made parallel to the horizontal plane or obliquely downward by the blower damper 36a, even if the air volume sent from the blower 32 is the greatest.

[0066] When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device 70 reduces the air volume and blows the main stream of air diagonally downward relative to the horizontal plane. This causes a straight airflow to be blown from the air outlet 120 toward the inner wall of the toilet 100 (more specifically, the opening projection 101a). In this case, the opening projection 101a is a surface facing upward (toward the opening 14c). This allows the straight airflow to collide (reflect) with the opening projection 101a of the toilet 100, generating an ascending airflow toward the opening 14c of the toilet seat 14.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a louver 36c that can be rotated by a motor 36b is provided behind the air blower damper 36a. The motor 36b and the louver 36c change the left-right direction of air in the bowl portion 101, and constitute a part of the airflow direction changing unit 36. The control device 70 drives the motor 36b to change the direction of the louver 36c, thereby controlling the left-right direction of air blown from the air outlet 120 into the bowl portion 101. In FIG. 5, the louver 36c is tilted to the right in order to blow air to the right side of the toilet bowl 100. This causes air to flow along the inner surface of the toilet bowl 100, so that a clockwise or counterclockwise swirling flow can be created inside the toilet bowl 100.

[0068] When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device 70 changes the orientation of the louvers 36c to rotate the main airflow inside the toilet 100 (bowl portion 101) in a top view. Then, by carrying the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60 on the airflow generated by the air blown from the blower device 31, it is possible to control the range on which the mist M lands and the amount of the mist M that lands in each range.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main body and the spray device in FIG. 4(c) as viewed from the direction of the arrow BB. The main body 12 is provided with a storage chamber 121 in which the spray unit 62 of the spray device 60 is stored. The storage chamber 121 has a front wall 122 that covers the front of the spray unit 62, a bottom wall 123 that covers the bottom of the spray unit 62, and an outlet 124 provided between the front wall 122 and the bottom wall 123. The storage chamber 121 is a space that is surrounded in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions except for the outlet 124, and water W (tap water or sterilized water generated by the sterilization device 54) is supplied inside.

[0070] The front wall portion 122 constitutes a part of the front wall 12a of the main body portion 12. The bottom wall portion 123 constitutes a part of the bottom wall 12b of the main body portion 12. The front wall portion 122 and the bottom wall portion 123 may be provided integrally with the main body portion 12, or may be provided separately from the main body portion 12.

[0071] The outlet 124 is provided between the front wall 122 and the bottom wall 123. The outlet 124 is located between the lower end 122a of the front wall 122 and the front end 123a of the bottom wall 123, and communicates between the inside of the bowl 101 and the storage chamber 121. That is, the outlet 124 is located below the toilet seat surface 14a and releases the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60 toward the inside of the toilet 100. Since the front wall 122 covers the entire front side of the spray device 60, for example, even if urine or wastewater splashed from the bowl 101 enters the storage chamber 121 through the outlet 124, it is possible to prevent the spray device 60 from being sprayed.

[0072] The outlet 124 is open even when the mist M is not being sprayed. In other words, the outlet 124 is not blocked by an openable / closable cover or the like, and always communicates between the inside of the toilet 100 and the storage chamber 121. This improves the breathability of the storage chamber 121, allowing the remaining water in the storage chamber 121 to be dried efficiently and preventing the formation of scale in the storage chamber 121.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the outlet 124 is located at the lower end of the main body 12, and is disposed on the other side (right side) of the nozzle 58a (nozzle damper 58d) in the left-right direction. That is, the blowing port 120 and the outlet 124 are disposed apart in the left-right direction. In this case, the nozzle damper 58d (58a) is disposed between the blowing port 120 and the outlet 124. As a result, a predetermined interval is provided between the blowing port 120 and the outlet 124. Therefore, it is possible to suppress immediate interference between the wind blown out from the blowing port 120 and the mist M discharged from the outlet 124.

[0074] 4, the outlet 124 has a horizontally elongated slit shape that is longer in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) than in the vertical direction (up and down direction). This makes it difficult for urine or wastewater that flows from the upper side to the lower side (the outlet 124 side) on the front surface 122b of the front wall portion 122 to infiltrate into the storage chamber 121 from the outlet 124.

[0075] 6, bottom wall portion 123 has upper surface 123b inclined downward toward discharge port 124. This allows water W supplied into storage chamber 121 to flow along upper surface 123b of bottom wall portion 123 and be discharged from discharge port 124 into bowl portion 101. This reduces the amount of water remaining on upper surface 123b of bottom wall portion 123, thereby suppressing the growth of scale and bacteria in storage chamber 121.

[0076] The spray device 60 is provided inside the main body 12. When the toilet seat device 10 is installed on the top of the toilet bowl 100, the spray device 60 is disposed below the toilet seat 14 and sprays a mist M into the toilet bowl 100. Here, the state in which the spray device 60 is disposed below the toilet seat 14 means that at least a part of the spray device 60 (the spray unit 62 in this example) is below the toilet seat 14. As a result, the mist M of tap water or disinfecting water is sprayed into the toilet bowl 100 from below the toilet seat 14.

[0077] The spray device 60 has a motor 61 and a spray unit 62 formed in a plate shape and rotated by the motor 61. The rotation of the motor 61 is controlled by a control device 70. The spray unit 62 is formed as a circular disk and disposed in the storage chamber 121. That is, the periphery of the spray unit 62 is surrounded.

[0078] A water supply port 43a of the pipe 43 is provided above the spray unit 62. Water W (tap water or sterilized water generated by the sterilization device 54) is supplied from the water supply port 43a to an upper surface 62a of the spray unit 62. When the motor 61 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the spray unit 62, causing the spray unit 62 to rotate. When the water W is supplied while the spray unit 62 is rotating, the spray unit 62 sprays the water W in a mist form. In other words, the spray device 60 is of a rotary atomization type that generates mist M by the rotation of the spray unit 62.

[0079] The number of water supply ports 43a of the pipe 43 is not limited to one, and may be multiple. Fig. 6 shows a case where one water supply port 43a is provided. For example, by arranging multiple water supply ports 43a at approximately equal intervals along the outer periphery of the spray unit 62, it is possible to suppress bias in the particle size and flow rate of the mist M around the spray device 60 and perform uniform spraying.

[0080] When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the spray device 60 sprays the mist M above the straight air current sent out from the air outlet 120. This allows the mist M to be carried by the rising air current generated inside the toilet bowl 100, and to land efficiently on the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0081] In the spray device 60, the rotation direction of the motor 61 is controlled by the control device 70. That is, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device 70 controls the motor 61 to switch between a state in which the spray unit 62 rotates in a first rotation direction (e.g., clockwise) and a state in which the spray unit 62 rotates in a second rotation direction (e.g., counterclockwise) that is opposite to the first rotation direction. In this case, the control device 70 controls the rotation direction of the motor 61 in accordance with the wind direction of the blower device 31, thereby allowing the mist M to be efficiently carried by the ascending air current.

[0082] 6, the spray unit 62 has, for example, a conical shape and has an inclined surface 62b that inclines downward from the upper end side to the lower end side (radially outward) of an upper surface 62a onto which water W is dripped (supplied). The inclined surface 62b of the spray unit 62 is inclined toward the discharge port 124 on the front wall portion 122 side. The spray unit 62 sprays mist M from a radially outer end portion 62c of the inclined surface 62b.

[0083] As a result, the water W dropped onto the upper surface 62a of the rotating spray unit 62 spreads out in a film shape on the spray unit 62 by centrifugal force and is emitted from the end 62c. That is, the spray unit 62 sprays the mist M radially when viewed from above (in a plan view). In addition, the spray unit 62 has an inclined surface 62b, so that the mist M is sprayed diagonally downward relative to the horizontal plane. That is, the water W dropped onto the upper surface 62a of the spray unit 62 is sprayed radially (horizontally elongated) from the end 62c toward the outlet 124.

[0084] Here, the water W splits while remaining in a film shape from the end 62c of the spray unit 62 toward the discharge port 124, or splits after becoming thread-like, and then becomes fine particles (mist M). The particle size and ejection speed of the mist M can be controlled by the rotation speed of the spray unit 62, i.e., the rotation speed of the motor 61. In this case, the particle size of the mist M becomes smaller as the rotation speed increases. The rotation speed of the motor 61 is set by experiments, simulations, etc. based on the shape, size, etc. of the spray unit 62. The particle size of the mist M can also be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the water W supplied to the spray device 60 from the water supply port 43a of the pipe 43.

[0085] The particle size is the particle size of the particles present in the air before landing on the bowl 101 and the toilet seat 14, for example, the Sauter mean particle size (total volume / total surface area). The mist M refers to a particle size ranging from 10 micrometers (μm) to 300 μm. If the particle size of the mist M is less than 10 μm, it will take a long time to wet the target areas such as the bowl 101, the rim 102, and the toilet seat 14. In addition, when using disinfecting water containing hypochlorous acid, if the particle size of the mist M is less than 10 μm, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mist M is likely to attenuate, and the disinfecting performance is likely to decrease. On the other hand, if the particle size of the mist M is greater than 300 μm, the mist M is difficult to diffuse, making it difficult to spray the mist M over a wide area.

[0086] The toilet seat device 10 according to this embodiment has the configuration described above, and next, the operation of the toilet seat surface mist mode executed by the control device 70 will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state of air flow speed in the toilet seat surface mist mode. Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the toilet device as seen from the side, and Fig. 7(b) is a plan view of the toilet device as seen from above.

[0087] The control device 70 drives the spray unit 62 to spray mist M while water W is being supplied from the pipe 43 (water supply unit) to the upper surface 62a of the spray unit 62. In this manner, the cleanliness of the toilet seat device 10 can be maintained by spraying the mist M onto the inside of the toilet bowl 100 and the toilet seat 14. However, if the spray device that sprays the mist is installed below the toilet seat, it may be difficult to land the mist on the surface of the toilet seat on which the user sits and sterilize it. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the spray device is installed below the toilet seat, a toilet seat surface mist mode is executed to effectively land the mist M on the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0088] The control device 70 executes a toilet seat surface mist mode in which mist M lands on the toilet seat surface 14a by controlling the spray device 60 and the air blower 31. In this toilet seat surface mist mode, mist M of disinfecting water is sprayed from the spray device 60. The control device 70 causes the mist M to land on the toilet seat surface 14a by carrying the mist M on the wind blown out from the air blower 31, while preventing the mist M from landing on the toilet seat back surface 14b.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 7, in the toilet seat surface mist mode, the airflow inside the toilet bowl 100 is divided into an airflow that flows outward from the opening 14c of the toilet seat 14, and an airflow that flows outward from between the rim portion 102 and the toilet seat 14. In this case, the flow velocity V1 of the airflow that flows outward from the opening 14c of the toilet seat 14 is higher than the flow velocity V2 of the airflow that flows outward from between the rim portion 102 and the toilet seat 14. In other words, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device 70 controls the air blower 31 so that the flow velocity V1 flowing from the opening 14c toward the toilet seat surface 14a is higher than the flow velocity V2 flowing between the toilet seat back surface 14b and the upper surface 103 of the rim portion 102 of the toilet bowl 100 with the toilet seat 14 closed (V1>V2).

[0090] In this case, the flow velocity V1 can be measured at a position X on the same plane as the toilet seat surface 14a, a distance L1 (e.g., L1 = 10 mm) rearward from the tip of the inner circumference of the opening 14c. The flow velocity V2 can be measured at a position Y on the front end side of the toilet seat 14, a distance L2 (e.g., L2 = 20 mm) forward from the gap S between the top surface 103 of the rim 102 and the toilet seat back surface 14b.

[0091] The air blown out from the blower section 32 of the blower device 31 is blown out from the blower opening 120 of the main body 12 toward the inside of the toilet bowl 100. In this case, the blower opening 120 is located at approximately the same height as the gap S between the rim section 102 and the toilet seat section 14. Therefore, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the air volume of the blower section 32 is reduced and the blower damper 36a is opened slightly. More specifically, the control device 70 controls the blower section 32 so that the air volume in the toilet seat surface mist mode is smaller than the air volume in the spot drying mode.

[0092] 7(a), a straight airflow C1 is blown out from the air outlet 120 obliquely downward at a large angle with respect to the horizontal plane. That is, in the toilet seat surface mist mode, the straight airflow C1 is blown out from the air outlet 120 toward the opening projection 101a on the inner wall of the toilet 100. Then, after colliding with the opening projection 101a (the inner wall of the toilet 100), the straight airflow C1 blown out from the air outlet 120 forms an updraft C2 that rises toward the toilet seat surface 14a (opening 14c).

[0093] Next, the control device 70 sprays the mist M of sterilized water generated by the sterilization device 54 from the spray device 60 toward the inside of the toilet bowl 100. In this case, the spray device 60 sprays the mist M parallel to or diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal plane. At least a part of the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60 interferes with the ascending air current C2 without interfering with the straight air current C1. In other words, when executing the toilet seat surface mist mode, the control device 70 controls the blowing direction of the straight air current C1 blown from the blower device 31 so that it is directed downward relative to the spraying direction of the mist M sprayed from the spray device 60.

[0094] In the toilet seat surface mist mode, the motor 61 of the spray device 60 is rotated at high speed. This causes the mist M with small particle size to be sprayed at a high flow rate from the spray section 62 of the spray device 60. The outlet 124 from which the mist M is sprayed and the air outlet 120 from which the straight airflow is sent out are located on both the left and right sides of the nozzle damper 58d.

[0095] As a result, the mist M is sprayed toward the front of the toilet bowl 100 while minimizing interference with the straight air current C1, and can be carried by the rising air current C2 at the tip side of the toilet bowl 100. The rising air current C2 containing the mist M is then guided to the toilet seat surface 14a from the opening 14c of the toilet seat 14, and the mist M can land on the toilet seat surface 14a. In other words, if the mist M is carried by the straight air current C1, a lot of the mist M will land on the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100. Therefore, in the toilet seat surface mist mode, the mist M is carried by the rising air current C2, so that the mist M can efficiently land on the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0096] Next, a case where the mist M is spread over the entire toilet seat surface 14a to sterilize the entire toilet seat surface 14a will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the airflow and the mist when the mist lands on the right side of the toilet seat surface. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the airflow and the mist when the mist lands on the left side of the toilet seat surface. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the mist is entrained on the air current in the first swirl direction. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the mist is entrained on the air current in the second swirling direction. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which mist is entrained on an air current moving in a straight direction.

[0097] When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device 70 controls the blower device 31 so that the ascending air current C2 swirls inside the toilet bowl 100 in a top view. Specifically, the control device 70 controls the airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​to switch between a state in which the ascending air current C2 swirls inside the toilet bowl 100 in a first swirl direction in a top view and a state in which the ascending air current C2 swirls inside the toilet bowl 100 in a second swirl direction that is the opposite direction to the first swirl direction. As shown in Figs. 8, 10, and 12, the first swirl direction can be a direction in which the ascending air current C2 swirls clockwise inside the toilet bowl 100. Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11, the second swirl direction can be a direction in which the ascending air current C2 swirls counterclockwise inside the toilet bowl 100. The first swirl direction may be counterclockwise and the second swirl direction may be clockwise.

[0098] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, to generate an ascending air current C21 in the first swirling direction (clockwise), the motor 36b of the airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​is operated to tilt the louver 36c to the left. This causes a straight air current C11 to be sent out from the air outlet 120 of the main body 12 toward the left side (left inner surface) of the toilet bowl 100. This straight air current C11 is reflected by the inner wall (opening projection portion 101a) of the toilet bowl 100, generating an ascending air current C21 that flows toward the right front end side. This ascending air current C21 in the first swirling direction passes through the opening 14c of the toilet seat 14 to the right part 140 side of the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0099] In this case, the control device 70 operates the motor 61 so that the spray unit 62 of the spray device 60 rotates in the first rotation direction (clockwise). As a result, the mist M is radially sprayed from the outlet 124 of the storage chamber 121 in the same direction as the first swirling direction of the ascending air current C21. This allows the mist M to be efficiently carried by the ascending air current C21 swirling in the first swirling direction. As a result, the mist M carried by the ascending air current C21 in the first swirling direction can be delivered to the right portion 140 of the toilet seat surface 14a. Therefore, the mist M can be efficiently landed on the right portion 140 of the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0100] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, in order to generate an ascending air current C22 in the second swirling direction (counterclockwise), the motor 36b of the airflow direction changing unit 36 ​​is operated to tilt the louver 36c to the right. As a result, a straight air current C12 is sent out from the air outlet 120 of the main body 12 toward the right side (right inner surface) of the toilet bowl 100. This straight air current C12 is reflected by the inner wall (opening projection portion 101a) of the toilet bowl 100, generating an ascending air current C22 that flows toward the left front end side. This ascending air current C22 in the second swirling direction passes through the opening 14c of the toilet seat 14 to the left side portion 141 of the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0101] In this case, the control device 70 operates the motor 61 so that the spray unit 62 of the spray device 60 rotates in the second rotation direction (counterclockwise). As a result, the mist M is radially sprayed from the outlet 124 of the storage chamber 121 in the same direction as the second swirling direction of the ascending air current C22. This allows the mist M to be efficiently carried by the ascending air current C22 swirling in the second swirling direction. As a result, the mist M carried by the ascending air current C22 in the second swirling direction can be delivered to the left portion 141 of the toilet seat surface 14a. Therefore, the mist M can be efficiently landed on the left portion 141 of the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0102] 12, when the louvers 36c of the airflow direction changing section 36 are not tilted to the left or right, a straight air current C13 flows in a straight direction from the air outlet 120 toward the front end of the toilet 100. In this case, since the air outlet 120 is located toward the left side in the left-right direction, an updraft C23 in a first swirling direction (clockwise) is generated.

[0103] In this case, by rotating the spray unit 62 of the spray device 60 in the first rotation direction, the mist M can be efficiently carried by the ascending air current C23. Then, by carrying the mist M on the ascending air current C23, the mist M can be efficiently landed on the front end portion 142 of the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0104] Thus, the toilet seat device 10 according to the present embodiment executes a toilet seat surface mist mode that efficiently lands the mist M on the toilet seat surface 14a. In this toilet seat surface mist mode, by using the airflow (upward airflow C2) from the opening 14c of the toilet seat portion 14 toward the toilet seat surface 14a, the mist M can be landed on the toilet seat surface 14a from the spray device 60 located below the toilet seat surface 14a. In addition, since the airflow with a high flow rate flows from the opening 14c of the toilet seat portion 14 toward the toilet seat surface 14a, a large amount of the mist M can be landed on the toilet seat surface 14a. In addition, since the airflow with a low flow rate is controlled to flow between the toilet seat back surface 14b and the upper surface 103 of the rim portion 102 of the toilet bowl 100, it is possible to prevent a large amount of the mist M from landing on the toilet seat back surface 14b and not reaching the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0105] In the toilet seat surface mist mode, the blower 31 is controlled so that the main stream of the airflow blown from the blower 31 is directed toward the opening projection portion 101a. This makes it possible to generate an ascending air current C2 from inside the toilet bowl 100 toward the opening 14c. Then, by carrying the mist M on this ascending air current C2, the mist M can be made to land on the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0106] That is, the straight air current C1 sent out from the air outlet 120 collides with the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100, and the mist M riding on the straight air current C1 easily adheres to the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100, making it difficult for the mist M to reach the toilet seat surface 14a. However, according to this toilet seat device 10, at least a portion of the mist M is made to interfere with the ascending air current C2 without interfering with the straight air current C1, so most of the mist M can be delivered to the toilet seat surface 14a without coming into contact with the inner wall of the toilet bowl 100.

[0107] In addition, since the straight air current C1 is located below the spray direction of the mist M, it is possible to reduce interference between the mist M and the straight air current C1. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of mist M riding on the straight air current C1 and efficiently carry the mist M on the ascending air current C2.

[0108] Furthermore, by providing a nozzle 58a (nozzle damper 58d) between the blower port 120 from which the straight airflow C1 is blown out and the discharge port 124 from which the mist M is sprayed, a predetermined distance is provided between the blower port 120 and the discharge port 124. This makes it possible to reduce interference between the mist M sprayed from the discharge port 124 and the straight airflow C1 blown out from the blower port 120 immediately afterwards.

[0109] In addition, by controlling the blower 31 and the sprayer 60, the mist M can be landed on the entire toilet seat surface 14a, improving the hygiene of the toilet seat device 10. That is, the control device 70 controls the blower 31 to generate an ascending air current C2 in a first swirling direction and a second swirling direction. The control device 70 then controls the sprayer 60 so that the mist M efficiently rides on the ascending air current C2. For example, the control device 70 can easily make the mist M ride on the ascending air current C2 generated in the toilet bowl 100 by controlling the direction of the ascending air current C2 sent out from the blower 31 and the direction of the mist M sprayed from the sprayer 60 to be the same. This allows the mist M to land on a wide area of ​​the toilet seat surface 14a.

[0110] 13(a) and 13(b) are schematic diagrams showing modified examples of the airflow changer. In the above embodiment, the case where the airflow is blown in one direction by the louvers 36c to change the direction of the ascending air current C2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 13(a), the airflow changer 360 may be able to blow air in multiple directions (for example, two directions of the arrows C14 and C15). In this case, the airflow volume in each of the multiple directions may be adjustable. Also, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 13(b), the airflow changer 361 may change the direction of the airflow by utilizing the Coanda effect. In this case, when the airflow volume is large, the airflow is blown in the direction of the arrow C16, and when the airflow volume is small, the airflow is blown in the direction of the arrow C17. Also, a sub-flow path may be formed in the airflow path to change the direction of the airflow, or a self-oscillating fluid element or the like may be used to change the direction of the airflow.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, the spray device 60 is a rotary atomization type that rotates the spray unit 62 onto which water W is dropped to generate the mist M. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an ultrasonic atomization device may be used as the spray device, for example. The ultrasonic atomization device turns the liquid into a mist by irradiating the liquid with ultrasonic waves. Also, for example, a two-fluid nozzle may be used as the spray device. The two-fluid nozzle turns the liquid into a mist by injecting both gas and liquid. The direction of the mist sprayed from the spray device may be controlled, for example, by changing the orientation of the spray device itself.

[0112] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. With respect to the above-mentioned embodiments, designs modified by a person skilled in the art as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, installation form, etc. of each element of a toilet bowl, toilet seat device, etc. are not limited to those exemplified, and can be modified as appropriate. In addition, each element of each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and combinations of these are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 toilet device, 10 toilet seat device, 12 main body, 12a front wall, 12b bottom wall, 14 toilet seat, 14a toilet seat surface, 14b toilet seat back, 14c opening, 16 toilet lid, 20 seating detection sensor, 22 human body detection sensor, 24 manual operation unit, 26 toilet seat motor, 28 toilet lid motor, 30 toilet seat heater, 31 air blower, 32 air blower unit, 34 warm air heater, 36 air direction change unit, 36a air blower damper, 36b motor, 36c louver, 40, 41, 42, 43 pipe, 43a water supply port, 50 solenoid valve, 52 vacuum breaker, 54 sterilization device, 56 switching valve, 58 Body cleansing function section, 58a nozzle, 58b nozzle motor, 58c nozzle cleaning chamber, 58d nozzle damper, 60 spray device, 61 motor, 62 spray section, 62a upper surface, 62b inclined surface, 62c end section, 70 control device, 100 toilet, 101 bowl section, 101a opening projection section, 102 rim section, 103 upper surface, 104 inner wall surface, 120 air outlet, 121 storage chamber, 122 front wall section, 122a lower end, 122b front surface, 123 bottom wall section, 123a front end, 123b upper surface, 124 outlet, 140 right side section, 141 left side section, 142 front end section, 360 Wind direction changer, 361 Wind direction changer, C1 Straight air current, C2 Updraft, M Mist, S Gap, W Water, V1 Flow velocity, V2 Flow velocity

Claims

1. A toilet seat portion having a toilet seat surface on which a user sits, a toilet seat back surface located on the back side of the toilet seat surface, and an opening penetrating between the toilet seat surface and the toilet seat back surface; A spray device that is disposed below the surface of the toilet seat and sprays a mist; a blower device that blows air toward the inside of the toilet bowl to generate an airflow inside the toilet bowl; a control device having a toilet seat surface mist mode for controlling the spray device and the air blower to land the mist on the toilet seat surface; Equipped with When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the air blower so that the flow rate from the opening toward the toilet seat surface is higher than the flow rate between the toilet seat back surface and the upper surface of the toilet rim when the toilet seat is closed. When the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the air blower to blow a straight air current from the air blower toward an inner wall of the toilet bowl, and to form an ascending air current that rises toward the toilet seat surface after the straight air current collides with the inner wall of the toilet bowl, At least a part of the mist sprayed from the spray device interferes with the ascending air current without interfering with the straight air current, The toilet seat device is characterized in that, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the direction of the straight-line airflow blown from the blower device to be downward relative to the spray direction of the mist sprayed from the spray device.

2. The inner wall of the toilet bowl has an opening projection portion in which the opening of the toilet seat portion is projected downward, The toilet seat device according to claim 1, wherein, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the air blower device so that a mainstream of the airflow blown from the air blower device is directed toward the opening projection portion.

3. The spray device and the blower device are provided in a main body placed behind the toilet bowl, The main body portion is an air outlet located below the surface of the toilet seat and configured to blow air from the air blowing device toward the inside of the toilet bowl; an outlet located below the surface of the toilet seat and configured to release the mist sprayed from the spray device toward the inside of the toilet bowl; having 3. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blower opening and the exhaust opening are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

4. A nozzle is provided for washing the private parts of a user seated on the surface of the toilet seat, The air outlet is disposed on one side of the nozzle in a left-right direction, The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the discharge port is disposed on the other side of the nozzle in the left-right direction.

5. The toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the blower device so that the ascending air current swirls inside the toilet bowl when viewed from above.

6. The air blowing device has an airflow direction changing unit that changes the blowing direction of the airflow, The toilet seat device described in claim 5, characterized in that, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the air direction changing unit to switch between a state in which the rising air current swirls inside the toilet bowl in a first swirl direction when viewed from above, and a state in which the rising air current swirls inside the toilet bowl in a second swirl direction that is opposite to the first swirl direction.

7. 7. The toilet seat apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control device has a local drying mode in which the airflow direction changing unit changes the blowing direction of the straight airflow toward the center of the toilet bowl.

8. The air blowing device has an air blowing unit that changes the air volume, The toilet seat device according to claim 7, wherein the control device controls the air blower so that the air volume in the toilet seat surface mist mode is smaller than the air volume in the spot drying mode.

9. The spray device has a motor and a spray unit formed in a plate shape and rotated by the motor, The toilet seat device described in any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, when the toilet seat surface mist mode is executed, the control device controls the motor to switch between a state in which the spray unit rotates in a first rotation direction and a state in which the spray unit rotates in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction.

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