Flush toilet

Abstract

To provide a flush toilet bowl capable of suppressing generation of abnormal noise in washing water flowing through a rim conduit.SOLUTION: A flush toilet bowl comprises a main conduit, a rim conduit, and a communication hole. The main conduit circulates washing water supplied from a water supply source. The rim conduit circulates and discharges the washing water supplied from the main conduit to a rim discharge part opened toward the bowl part. The communication hole communicates the main conduit and the rim conduit. A bottom surface of the communication hole is formed at a position higher than that of a bottom surface of the rim conduit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a flush toilet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a flush toilet that discharges washing water from a rim portion formed at the upper edge of the bowl portion of the toilet body and generates a swirling flow in the bowl portion to wash the bowl portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Specifically, in a flush toilet, the washing water is first supplied to a main water passage formed at the upper part behind the toilet body. Then, the washing water supplied to the main water passage flows into a rim water passage formed along the rim portion, and subsequently, through the rim water passage, it is discharged from a rim water discharge portion opened toward the bowl portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when the washing water flows from the main water passage into the rim water passage and circulates through the rim water passage, for example, it may entrain air that has been retained in the rim water passage before washing. When such washing water is discharged from the rim water passage through the rim water discharge portion, abnormal noises may occur due to the entrained air.

[0006] In particular, when washing water with a relatively high water pressure is supplied from, for example, a flush valve or the like, the washing water flows vigorously through the main water passage and the rim water passage, so it is likely to entrain air, and there is a risk that the generation of abnormal noises becomes prominent. Thus, there is room for improvement in the conventional flush toilet in terms of suppressing the generation of abnormal noises in the washing water flowing through the rim water passage.

[0007] One aspect of the embodiment aims to provide a flushing toilet that can suppress the generation of abnormal noises in the flushing water flowing through the rim water channel.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The flushing toilet according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a main water channel for circulating the flushing water supplied from a water supply source, a rim water channel for circulating the flushing water supplied from the main water channel to an opening rim water discharge part facing the bowl part and discharging the water, and a communication hole for communicating the main water channel and the rim water channel, and the bottom surface of the communication hole is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface of the rim water channel.

[0009] Thereby, the generation of abnormal noises in the flushing water flowing through the rim water channel can be suppressed. That is, due to the above-described positional relationship between the bottom surface of the communication hole and the bottom surface of the rim water channel, for example, at the initial stage of flushing when the flushing water flows from the main water channel through the communication hole into the rim water channel, the flushing water flowing from the communication hole into the rim water channel flows so as to spread downward in the rim water channel.

[0010] Thereby, in the internal space of the rim water channel, the air that has remained since before flushing is in the upper part of the rim water channel, and the flushing water flowing in from the communication hole is in the lower part. That is, in the rim water channel, an air layer is formed in the upper part, a flushing water layer is formed in the lower part, and the air and the flushing water are separated.

[0011] Thereby, in the flushing water flowing through the rim water channel, for example, it becomes difficult to entrain the air that has remained in the rim water channel since before flushing. In other words, it becomes difficult for the air to mix with the flushing water. Further, the flushing water can push out the air remaining in the rim water channel or the like toward the rim water discharge part side by flowing through the rim water channel.

[0012] Thus, by providing the above-described communication holes, the washing water flowing through the rim water guide passage is discharged from the rim water discharge portion in a state where it is difficult to entrain air, so that, for example, the generation of abnormal noises caused by the entrained air can be suppressed.

[0013] Further, the main water guide passage extends such that the downstream end is located behind the bowl portion, and the communication hole is formed on the downstream end side of the main water guide passage.

[0014] Thereby, the generation of abnormal noises in the washing water flowing through the rim water guide passage can be effectively suppressed. That is, the main water guide passage extends to the rear of the bowl portion, and the communication hole is formed on the downstream end side which is the end of the extended portion. Therefore, the washing water flowing through the main water guide passage is rectified before reaching the communication hole. Due to such rectification, the behavior of the washing water passing through the communication hole from the main water guide passage becomes stable, so that when flowing from the communication hole into the rim water guide passage, it flows stably downward toward the lower part of the rim water guide passage. Therefore, the washing water flowing through the rim water guide passage is discharged from the rim water discharge portion in a state where it is more difficult to entrain air, and thus the generation of abnormal noises caused by air can be effectively suppressed.

[0015] Further, the communication hole is formed such that the upper surface is flat.

[0016] Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to widely secure the upper region of the communication hole where air is likely to accumulate. Therefore, for example, the air remaining in the main water guide passage before washing can be smoothly guided from the communication hole to the rim water guide passage and merged with the air remaining in the rim water guide passage at the initial stage of washing. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently discharge the air remaining in the main water guide passage before washing from the rim water discharge portion through the communication hole and the rim water guide passage. Thus, the washing water is less likely to entrain the air in the main water guide passage, and as a result, the generation of abnormal noises caused by air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0017] Further, the communication hole is formed such that the cross-section of the flow path is rectangular.

[0018] This makes it possible to widely secure the lower region of the communication hole as well as the upper region of the communication hole where air is likely to accumulate. Therefore, for example, the cleaning water from the main water channel easily flows into the communication hole at the initial stage of cleaning, and the cleaning water that has flowed into the communication hole easily flows downward toward the lower side of the rim water channel. As a result, the cleaning water flowing through the rim water channel is discharged from the rim water discharge part in a state where it is difficult to entrain air, so that, for example, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the entrained air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0019] The toilet body includes a body portion including at least a part of the bowl portion and a rim main body portion located above the body portion, and the upper surface of the communication hole is formed by the rim main body portion, and the bottom surface of the communication hole is formed by the body portion.

[0020] In this way, since the communication hole is formed by two members, namely the body portion and the rim main body portion, variation in the dimensions of the communication hole can be suppressed, and the communication hole can be formed with high precision. That is, for example, when the communication hole is formed by drilling a hole in one member, variation in the dimensions of the communication hole is likely to occur depending on, for example, the presence or absence of burrs. However, since the communication hole is formed by joining the two members, the body portion and the rim main body portion, as described above, variation in the dimensions of the communication hole is less likely to occur compared to the case of drilling a hole, that is, variation in dimensions can be suppressed, and thus the communication hole can be formed with high precision.

[0021] In addition, when the communication hole is formed with high precision, the behavior of the cleaning water passing through the communication hole can be made more stable, and the cleaning water easily flows downward from the communication hole toward the lower side of the rim water channel. As a result, the cleaning water flowing through the rim water channel is discharged from the rim water discharge part in a state where it is difficult to entrain air, so that, for example, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the entrained air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0022] Further, the side surface of the communication hole is formed by the body portion, and the communication hole is formed such that the bottom surface and the side surface are U-shaped, and the upper surface is flat.

[0023] In this way, since the communication hole is formed by the body portion and the rim body portion having the above-described shape, the communication hole can be easily formed as compared with the case of being formed by, for example, the above-described drilling process.

[0024] Furthermore, the communication hole can suppress dimensional variations at the upper corner formed by, for example, the upper surface and the side surface, and it becomes possible to accurately form the corner of the communication hole. That is, for example, when the communication hole is formed by the above-described drilling process, dimensional variations are likely to occur at the upper corner of the communication hole depending on, for example, the presence or absence of burrs. However, since the communication hole is formed by joining the side surface included in the U-shaped portion of the body portion and the upper surface included in the flat portion of the rim body portion, dimensional variations are less likely to occur at the upper corner of the communication hole compared to the case of, for example, drilling, that is, dimensional variations can be suppressed, and thus the corner can be accurately formed.

[0025] Also, thereby, it becomes possible to surely secure a wide upper region of the communication hole where air is likely to accumulate, and for example, air staying in the main water passage before cleaning can be smoothly guided from the communication hole to the rim water passage and merged with the air staying in the rim water passage at the initial stage of cleaning. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently discharge the air staying in the main water passage before cleaning from the rim water discharge portion through the communication hole and the rim water passage, and thus the cleaning water is less likely to entrain the air in the main water passage, and as a result, the generation of abnormal noise caused by air can be more effectively suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the generation of abnormal noise in the cleaning water flowing through the rim water passage can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the flush toilet disclosed in the present application will be described in detail. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments shown below. Also, the drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the dimensional relationships between elements, the ratios of the elements, etc. may be different from reality. There may also be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings are different from each other.

[0029] <Overall Configuration of the Flush Toilet> First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the flush toilet 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view of the flush toilet 1 according to the embodiment. Also, in FIG. 1, the wall surface 6 and the floor surface 7 are shown in cross section.

[0030] In addition, for the sake of easy understanding of the description, FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including a Z-axis with the vertically upward direction as the positive direction. Such an orthogonal coordinate system may also be shown in other figures. In such an orthogonal coordinate system, the positive direction of the Y-axis is defined as the front, the negative direction of the Y-axis is defined as the rear, the positive direction of the X-axis is defined as the right, and the negative direction of the X-axis is defined as the left. Therefore, in the following description, the X-axis direction may be referred to as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may be referred to as the front-rear direction, and the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0031] In addition, the flushing toilet 1 according to the embodiment is a so-called wall-mounted flushing toilet that is attached to the wall surface 6. Note that the flushing toilet 1 may be a so-called floor-standing flushing toilet installed on the floor surface 7.

[0032] The flushing toilet 1 includes a toilet body 2 and a flush valve 3. The toilet body 2 is made of, for example, pottery. Note that the toilet body 2 may be made of resin or may be manufactured by combining pottery and resin. Also, in FIG. 1, for the sake of simplification of the illustration, the illustration of some members such as the toilet seat provided in the toilet body 2 and the cover covering the toilet seat is omitted. The details of the toilet body 2 will be described later.

[0033] The flush valve 3 is connected to a water pipe (not shown) or the like and functions as a water supply source for supplying washing water to the toilet body 2. For example, when an operation lever (not shown) is operated, the flush valve 3 opens and supplies washing water to the toilet body 2 through the water supply pipe 4. In the flushing toilet 1, the toilet body 2 is washed with the washing water, and the dirt is discharged from the drain pipe 5 together with the washing water.

[0034] Note that, in the above-described flushing toilet 1, an example in which washing water is supplied from the flush valve 3 is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a water storage tank may be placed as a water supply source behind the toilet body 2, and other water supply methods such as a method in which washing water is supplied from the water storage tank to the toilet body 2 may be used.

[0035] <Toilet body> Next, the toilet body 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet body 2 taken along line III-III of FIG. 2.

[0036] The toilet body 2 includes a bowl portion 10, a water guide passage 30, and a drain trap portion 40 (see FIG. 3). The bowl portion 10 includes a waste receiving surface 11 and a rim portion 12. The waste receiving surface 11 is formed in a bowl shape capable of receiving waste.

[0037] The rim portion 12 is formed so as to constitute the upper edge of the bowl portion 10. Further, a rim water discharge portion 32a for discharging washing water is formed in the rim portion 12 when toilet washing is performed. The rim water discharge portion 32a is opened toward the bowl portion 10, for example, near the rear of the left side portion of the rim portion 12. Specifically, when the rim water discharge portion 32a discharges washing water onto the waste receiving surface 11 of the bowl portion 10, it is opened in a direction that generates, for example, a counterclockwise swirling flow (see FIG. 2) on the waste receiving surface 11.

[0038] The water guide passage 30 is a flow path that guides the washing water supplied from the flush valve 3 (see FIG. 1) via the water supply pipe 4 (see FIG. 3) to the bowl portion 10 and the drain trap portion 40. The detailed configuration of the water guide passage 30 will be described later.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the drain trap portion 40 includes an inlet portion 41, an ascending pipe portion 42, and a descending pipe portion 43. The inlet portion 41 is provided so as to be continuous with the bottom of the waste receiving surface 11, and allows the washing water from the bowl portion 10 to flow into the drain trap portion 40. The ascending pipe portion 42 is formed so as to extend obliquely upward from the inlet portion 41. The descending pipe portion 43 is formed so as to extend downward from the ascending pipe portion 42.

[0040] Further, a drain pipe 5 is connected to the lower end of the descending pipe portion 43. Therefore, when toilet washing is performed, the washing water in the bowl portion 10 is drained to the drain pipe 5 through the inlet portion 41, the ascending pipe portion 42, and the descending pipe portion 43 of the drain trap portion 40.

[0041] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the toilet body 2 configured as described above is formed by joining the body portion 21 and the rim body portion 22. The body portion 21 includes at least a part of the bowl portion 10. For example, the body portion 21 includes the dirt receiving surface 11 of the bowl portion 10, the lower part of the rim portion 12, the drain trap portion 40, and the like. The rim body portion 22 is located above the body portion 21 and includes, for example, the upper part of the rim portion 12 (the upper surface 32d of the rim water channel 32 described later). By joining (adhering) the body portion 21 and the rim body portion 22, the toilet body 2 is completed.

[0042] <Configuration of the water channel> Next, the water channel 30 described above will be described in detail with reference thereto. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water channel 30 includes a main water channel 31, a rim water channel 32, and a jet water channel 33.

[0043] The main water channel 31 is a flow path formed in the upper part at the rear of the toilet body 2, and circulates the washing water supplied from the flush valve 3 (see FIG. 1) through the water supply pipe 4 (see arrow A1).

[0044] For example, the upstream end 31a of the main water channel 31 is at the rear of the toilet body 2 and is formed at a position corresponding to the above-described water supply pipe 4. Specifically, a water inlet 23 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed at the upstream end 31a of the main water channel 31, and the water supply pipe 4 is connected thereto. Further, the main water channel 31 extends in the front-rear direction such that the downstream end 31b is located behind the bowl portion 10 (for example, the dirt receiving surface 11). In this specification, "upstream" and "downstream" mean "upstream" and "downstream" in the flow of the washing water.

[0045] In addition, the main water channel 31 is formed such that the bottom surface 31c has a downward slope from the upstream side (upstream end 31a) to the downstream side (downstream end 31b). In the main water channel 31 configured as described above, when the flush valve 3 opens, the washing water flows in through the water supply pipe 4 and the water inlet 23, and the flowing-in washing water is guided to the downstream end 31b side. As shown in FIG. 2, the main water channel 31 branches into the rim water channel 32 and the jet water channel 33 at the downstream end 31b.

[0046] The rim water channel 32 is a channel that allows the cleaning water supplied from the main water channel 31 to flow to the above-described rim water discharge part 32a and be discharged. For example, the rim water channel 32 is formed along the rim part 12 from the rear to the left of the bowl part 10. Also, a rim water discharge part 32a is formed at the downstream end of the rim water channel 32.

[0047] Therefore, the cleaning water flowing in from the main water channel 31 flows through the rim water channel 32 (see arrow A2). Thereafter, the cleaning water is discharged from the rim water discharge part 32a to the dirt receiving surface 11 of the bowl part 10, generating a counterclockwise swirling flow in plan view (see arrow A3), and the dirt receiving surface 11 is cleaned.

[0048] The jet water channel 33 is a channel that allows the cleaning water supplied from the main water channel 31 to flow as cleaning water to be jetted to the drain trap part 40. For example, the jet water channel 33 is communicated with the main water channel 31 via the jet communication hole 35. The jet communication hole 35 is formed near the downstream end 31b of the main water channel 31, specifically, formed below the downstream end 31b. Also, a jet water discharge part 33a is formed at the downstream end of the jet water channel 33. For example, the jet water discharge part 33a is opened toward the inlet part 41 of the drain trap part 40.

[0049] Thereby, the jet water channel 33 can jet the cleaning water supplied from the main water channel 31 via the jet communication hole 35 from the jet water discharge part 33a to the inlet part 41 of the drain trap part 40 with a strong water force (see arrow A4). Due to the cleaning water jetted from this jet water discharge part 33a, a siphon action occurs in the drain trap part 40, and thus the cleaning water is discharged from the drain trap part 40 to the drain pipe 5 together with the dirt.

[0050] By the way, as described above, when the washing water flows from the main water passage 31 into the rim water passage 32 and circulates through the rim water passage 32, for example, it may entrain air that has been retained in the rim water passage 32 since before washing. When such washing water is discharged from the rim water passage 32 through the rim water discharge portion 32a, for example, abnormal noises may occur due to the entrained air bursting or the washing water containing a large amount of air being agitated and flowing, that is, abnormal noises caused by air may occur.

[0051] In particular, the washing water supplied from the flush valve 3 has a relatively high water pressure. Therefore, the washing water will flow vigorously through the main water passage 31 and the rim water passage 32, making it easy to entrain air, and there is a risk that the above-mentioned abnormal noise will become prominent.

[0052] Therefore, in the flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted that can suppress the generation of abnormal noises in the washing water flowing through the rim water passage 32.

[0053] Hereinafter, a detailed description of such a configuration will be given. In the flush toilet 1, a communication hole 34 for the rim is provided. Note that the communication hole 34 for the rim is an example of a communication hole. Hereinafter, the communication hole 34 for the rim may be referred to as the "communication hole 34".

[0054] Here, the communication hole 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 as well. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toilet body 2 provided with the communication hole 34 as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the communication hole 34 in the cross section taken along the line V-V of FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a state in which the rim main body portion 22 is removed from the toilet body 2 for convenience of understanding so that the communication hole 34 can be seen.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the communication hole 34 communicates the main water passage 31 and the rim water passage 32. Specifically, the communication hole 34 communicates the downstream side of the main water passage 31 and the upstream side of the rim water passage 32.

[0056] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface 32c of the rim water channel 32. Specifically, the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 on the upstream side is formed to be higher in the vertical height direction than the bottom surface 32c of the rim water channel 32 on the downstream side. Conversely, the bottom surface 32c of the rim water channel 32 is formed at a position lower than the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 in the vertical height direction.

[0057] Thereby, the generation of abnormal noise in the cleaning water flowing through the rim water channel 32 can be suppressed. That is, due to the above-described positional relationship between the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 and the bottom surface 32c of the rim water channel 32, for example, in the initial stage of cleaning where the cleaning water W flows from the main water channel 31 through the communication hole 34 into the rim water channel 32, the cleaning water W flowing from the communication hole 34 into the rim water channel 32 flows so as to spread downward in the rim water channel 32 (see arrow B1 in FIG. 5).

[0058] Thereby, in the internal space of the rim water channel 32, the air that has been staying since before cleaning is in the upper part of the rim water channel 32, and the cleaning water W flowing in from the communication hole 34 is in the lower part. That is, in the rim water channel 32, an air layer is formed in the upper part, a cleaning water W layer is formed in the lower part, and the air and the cleaning water W are separated.

[0059] Thereby, in the cleaning water W flowing through the rim water channel 32, for example, it becomes difficult to entrain the air that has been staying in the rim water channel 32 since before cleaning. In other words, it becomes difficult for the air to mix into the cleaning water W. Also, the cleaning water W can push out the air staying in the rim water channel 32 or the like toward the rim water discharge part 32a by flowing through the rim water channel 32 (see arrow B2 in FIG. 5).

[0060] Thus, in this embodiment, by providing the communication hole 34 described above, the cleaning water W flowing through the rim water channel 32 is discharged from the rim water discharge part 32a in a state where it is difficult to entrain air, so that, for example, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the entrained air can be suppressed.

[0061] Further, in the present embodiment, even when, for example, washing water with a relatively high water pressure is supplied from the flash valve 3, the washing water W is discharged from the rim water discharge portion 32a in a state where it is difficult to entrain air, and the generation of the above-described abnormal noise can be suppressed.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface 31c of the main water channel 31. Specifically, the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 on the downstream side is formed to be higher in the vertical height direction than the bottom surface 31c of the main water channel 31 on the upstream side. Conversely, the bottom surface 31c of the main water channel 31 is formed at a position lower than the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 in the vertical height direction.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the communication hole 34 is formed on the downstream end 31b side of the main water channel 31. Specifically, the communication hole 34 is formed at a portion on the downstream end 31b side of the left side surface of the main water channel 31. As described above, the main water channel 31 extends such that the downstream end 31b is located behind the bowl portion 10.

[0064] Thereby, the generation of abnormal noise in the washing water flowing through the rim water channel 32 can be effectively suppressed. That is, since the main water channel 31 extends to the rear of the bowl portion 10 and the communication hole 34 is formed on the downstream end 31b side which is the end of the extended portion, the washing water flowing through the main water channel 31 is rectified before reaching the communication hole 34. Due to such rectification, the behavior of the washing water passing through the communication hole 34 from the main water channel 31 becomes stable, so that when flowing into the rim water channel 32 from the communication hole 34, it stably flows downward toward the lower part of the rim water channel 32. Therefore, the washing water W flowing through the rim water channel 32 is discharged from the rim water discharge portion 32a in a state where it is more difficult to entrain air as described above, and thus the generation of abnormal noise caused by air can be effectively suppressed.

[0065] Also, in the main water passage 31, by extending as described above, the air that has been staying in the main water passage 31 since before cleaning can be pushed out with the cleaning water and discharged from the rim water discharge portion 32a through the communication hole 34 and the rim water passage 32. As a result, the cleaning water is discharged from the rim water discharge portion 32a in a state where it is difficult to entrain the air that has been staying in the main water passage 31 since before cleaning, and thus the generation of abnormal noise caused by the air can be effectively suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, for example, even if air is mixed into the cleaning water in the main water passage 31, since the main water passage 31 extends as described above, the air mixed in before the cleaning water reaches the communication hole 34 floats up, making it possible to prevent the air from being easily mixed into the cleaning water. As a result, the cleaning water can smoothly guide the air that has been staying in the main water passage 31 since before cleaning to the rim water passage 32, preventing such air from stagnating in the main water passage 31 and effectively suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0067] In the example of FIG. 5, the communication hole 34 is formed at a position including the center line 32x of the rim water passage 32 (specifically, the center line 32x in the flow direction of the cleaning water), but this is merely an example and is not limiting. That is, for example, the communication hole 34 may be formed at a position not including the center line 32x of the rim water passage 32 (for example, a position above the center line 32x of the rim water passage 32 or a position below the center line 32x).

[0068] Next, the shape of the communication hole 34 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 as well. FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the communication hole 34 in the cross-section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the upper surface 34d is flat. In other words, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the upper surface 34d is a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (XY plane). In other words, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the upper surface 34d is linear in the front cross-sectional view seen from the flow direction of the cleaning water.

[0070] This makes it possible to widely secure, for example, the upper region of the communication hole 34 where air is likely to accumulate. Therefore, for example, the air that has been stagnating in the main water channel 31 since before cleaning can be smoothly guided from the communication hole 34 to the rim water channel, and can be merged with the air stagnating in the rim water channel 32 at the initial stage of cleaning. Therefore, the air that has been stagnating in the main water channel 31 since before cleaning can be efficiently discharged from the rim water discharge part 32a via the communication hole 34 and the rim water channel 32. As a result, the cleaning water is less likely to entrain the air in the main water channel 31, and as a result, the generation of abnormal noise caused by air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0071] Further, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the cross-sectional shape of the flow path is rectangular (square). In other words, the communication hole 34 is formed to be, for example, an opening in the shape of a square column. Therefore, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the bottom surface 34c is a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (XY plane). In other words, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the bottom surface 34c is linear in a front cross-sectional view seen from the flow direction of the cleaning water.

[0072] This makes it possible to widely secure not only the upper region of the communication hole 34 where air is likely to accumulate but also the lower region of the communication hole 34. Therefore, for example, the cleaning water from the main water channel 31 is likely to flow into the communication hole 34 at the initial stage of cleaning, and the cleaning water that has flowed into the communication hole 34 is likely to flow downward into the rim water channel 32. As a result, the cleaning water flowing through the rim water channel 32 is discharged from the rim water discharge part 32a in a state where it is less likely to entrain air, and therefore, for example, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the entrained air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0073] Note that the shape of the communication hole 34 described above is merely an example and is not limited.

[0074] Next, in the toilet body 2, the members constituting the communication hole 34 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper surface 34d of the communication hole 34 is formed by the rim main body part 22. Further, the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 is formed by the body part 21.

[0075] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface 34d of the communication hole 34 is formed by a first wall portion 22a that protrudes downward from the position of the upper surface 32d of the rim water channel 32 in the rim main body portion 22. Further, the bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 is formed by a second wall portion 21a that is located at a position facing the first wall portion 22a in the body portion 21 and protrudes upward from the position of the bottom surface 32c of the rim water channel 32.

[0076] Thus, since the communication hole 34 according to the present embodiment is formed by two members, namely the body portion 21 and the rim main body portion 22, variation in the dimensions of the communication hole 34 can be suppressed, and the communication hole 34 can be formed with high precision. That is, for example, when the communication hole 34 is formed by drilling a hole in one member, dimensional variations in the communication hole 34 are likely to occur depending on, for example, the presence or absence of burrs and the skill of the operator performing the machining operation.

[0077] In contrast, in the present embodiment, for example, since the communication hole 34 is formed by joining two members, namely the body portion 21 and the rim main body portion 22, dimensional variations in the communication hole 34 are less likely to occur compared to the case of drilling a hole, that is, dimensional variations can be suppressed, and thus the communication hole 34 can be formed with high precision.

[0078] Further, when the communication hole 34 is formed with high precision, the behavior of the washing water passing through the communication hole 34 can be made more stable, and the washing water can more easily flow into the lower part of the rim water channel 32 from the communication hole 34. As a result, the washing water flowing through the rim water channel 32 is discharged from the rim water discharge portion 32a in a state where it is less likely to entrain air, and thus, for example, the generation of abnormal noises caused by the entrained air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0079] Continuing the description of the member constituting the communication hole 34, as shown in FIG. 6, the side surface 34e of the communication hole 34 is formed by the body portion 21, similar to the bottom surface 34c. Therefore, the communication hole 34 is formed such that the bottom surface 34c and the side surface 34e are U-shaped in a front cross-sectional view seen from the flow direction of the washing water. Note that the upper surface 34d of the communication hole 34 formed by the rim main body portion 22 is flat as described above.

[0080] Therefore, the communication hole 34 is formed by joining the U-shaped portion (bottom surface 34c and side surface 34e) in the body portion 21 and the flat portion (upper surface 34d) in the rim main body portion 22.

[0081] Thus, since the communication hole 34 is formed by the joining of the body portion 21 and the rim main body portion 22 having the above-described shape, the communication hole 34 can be easily formed as compared with the case of being formed by, for example, the above-described drilling process.

[0082] Furthermore, since the communication hole 34 is formed by the side surface 34e included in the U-shaped portion in the body portion 21 and the upper surface 34d included in the flat portion of the rim main body portion 22, dimensional variations can be suppressed, for example, at the upper corner portion formed by the upper surface 34d and the side surface 34e, and the corner portion of the communication hole 34 can be accurately formed.

[0083] That is, for example, when the communication hole 34 is formed by the above-described drilling process, dimensional variations are likely to occur at the upper corner portion of the communication hole 34 depending on, for example, the presence or absence of burrs.

[0084] In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the communication hole 34 is formed by joining the side surface 34e included in the U-shaped portion in the body portion 21 and the upper surface 34d included in the flat portion of the rim main body portion 22, dimensional variations are less likely to occur at the upper corner portion of the communication hole 34 as compared with, for example, the case of drilling, that is, dimensional variations can be suppressed, and thus the corner portion can be accurately formed.

[0085] This enables, for example, a wide area to be surely secured in the upper region of the communication hole 34 where air is likely to accumulate. Therefore, for example, air remaining in the main water passage 31 before cleaning can be smoothly guided from the communication hole 34 to the rim water passage, and can be merged with the air remaining in the rim water passage 32 at the initial stage of cleaning. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently discharge the air remaining in the main water passage 31 before cleaning from the rim water discharge portion 32a via the communication hole 34 and the rim water passage 32. As a result, the cleaning water is less likely to entrain the air in the main water passage 31, and as a result, the generation of abnormal noise caused by air can be more effectively suppressed.

[0086] As described above, the flushing toilet 1 according to the embodiment includes a main water passage 31, a rim water passage 32, and a communication hole (rim communication hole) 34. The main water passage 31 circulates the cleaning water supplied from a water supply source (for example, the flush valve 3). The rim water passage 32 circulates the cleaning water supplied from the main water passage 31 to the rim water discharge portion 32a opened toward the bowl portion 10 and discharges the water. The communication hole 34 communicates the main water passage 31 and the rim water passage 32. The bottom surface 34c of the communication hole 34 is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface 32c of the rim water passage 32. Thereby, generation of abnormal noise in the cleaning water flowing through the rim water passage 32 can be suppressed.

[0087] <Modification Example> Next, a modification of the shape of the communication hole 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A is a front sectional view of the communication hole 134 according to the first modification example, and FIG. 7B is a front sectional view of the communication hole 234 according to the second modification example.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7A, the communication hole 134 according to the first modification example is formed such that, for example, the cross section of the flow path has an inverted triangular shape. At this time, similar to the embodiment, the upper surface 134d of the communication hole 134 is formed to be flat.

[0089] Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the communication hole 234 according to the second modification example is formed such that, for example, the cross-section of the flow path is semi-circular. At this time, similar to the embodiment, the communication hole 234 is formed such that the upper surface 234d is flat.

[0090] Thus, in the communication holes 134 and 234 according to the first and second modification examples, since the upper surfaces 134d and 234d are formed to be flat, it is possible to widely secure the upper regions of the communication holes 134 and 234 where air easily accumulates, and the same effects as those of the embodiment can be obtained.

[0091] In the above-described first and second modification examples, examples in which the cross-sections of the communication holes 134 and 234 are formed in an inverted triangular shape or a semi-circular shape are shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other shapes may be used.

[0092] Also, in the above-described embodiment and the first and second modification examples, the upper surfaces 34d, 134d, and 234d are formed to be flat, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other shapes such as a curved shape may be used.

[0093] Further effects and modification examples can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, a broader aspect of the present invention is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments described and represented as above. Accordingly, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1 Flushing toilet 2 Toilet body 3 Flush valve 21 Body part 22 Rim main body part 31 Main water conduit 32 Rim water conduit 34 Communication hole

Claims

1. A main water passage for circulating washing water supplied from a water supply source, a rim water passage for circulating the washing water supplied from the main water passage to a rim water discharge part opened toward the bowl part and discharging the water, and a communication hole for communicating the main water passage and the rim water passage are provided, wherein the main water passage extends in the front-rear direction from the upstream side where the washing water is supplied from the water supply source to a wall part located at the rear end of the dirt receiving surface of the bowl part, wherein the communication hole is formed on the side surface of the downstream end side of the main water passage, wherein the bottom surface of the communication hole is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface of the rim water passage, wherein the bottom surface of the rim water passage is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface of the main water passage characterize a water-washed toilet bowl.

2. The communication hole is formed such that the upper surface is flat characterize the water-washed toilet bowl according to claim 1.

3. The communication hole is formed such that the cross-section of the flow path is rectangular characterize the water-washed toilet bowl according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A toilet bowl body formed by joining a body part including at least a part of the bowl part and a rim main body part located above the body part is provided, wherein the upper surface of the communication hole is formed by the rim main body part, wherein the bottom surface of the communication hole is formed by the body part characterize the water-washed toilet bowl according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The side surface of the communication hole is formed by the body part, wherein the communication hole is formed such that the bottom surface and the side surface are U-shaped and the upper surface is flat characterize the water-washed toilet bowl according to claim 4.

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