Wastewater recycling toilet system

Abstract

To provide a wastewater recycling toilet system that can reduce the amount of wastewater removal work required in the wastewater treatment area. The wastewater recycling toilet system S comprises a circulation unit C including a toilet 10, a processing unit 20 for processing wastewater from the toilet 10, and a pump 60 for supplying treated water generated by the wastewater treatment in the processing unit 20 to the toilet 10 as flushing water; a surplus water tank 40 for storing excess water in the circulation unit C; a water level gauge 40a capable of detecting the water level in the surplus water tank 40; a flushing line D that connects the surplus water tank 40 to the sewer via the processing unit 20 and flushes the inside of the processing unit 20; and valves V1, V2, and V3 that can be opened and closed to limit the amount of water flowing in the flushing line D, with valves V1, V2, and V3 being able to be opened and closed based on detection by the water level gauge 40a.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet system for reusing drained water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a toilet system for purifying and reusing toilet drainage has been known. As an example showing this type of technology, Patent Document 1 can be cited. In Patent Document 1, a first unit having a source of sewage, and a second unit having at least one of a septic tank, a solid-liquid separation tank, and an oil separation tank for the purpose of water purification, which temporarily treats the received sewage, and a sewage inlet, and a third unit having a primary water receiving tank, an intermediate treatment tank, a storage treatment tank, a circulation treatment tank, a concentrated drainage impurity storage tank, and a sterile drainage tank is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is an upper limit to the amount of drainage that can be processed by a toilet system for reusing drained water. If the amount of drainage exceeds the amount that can be processed, it becomes difficult to perform sufficient treatment, and a pumping operation within the drainage treatment section is required. The pumping operation requires costs such as labor costs and working hours, and also has problems such as the use of the toilet being restricted during the operation and malodors being generated during the pumping operation. There has been a demand for a technology to reduce the amount of pumping work.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet system for reusing drained water that can reduce the amount of pumping work in the drainage treatment section.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The wastewater recycling toilet system according to the present invention comprises a toilet, a circulation unit including a processing unit for processing wastewater from the toilet, a water supply unit for supplying treated water generated by the wastewater processing of the processing unit to the toilet as flushing water, a surplus water tank for storing excess water in the circulation unit, a detection unit capable of detecting the water level in the surplus water tank, a flushing line for connecting the surplus water tank to the sewer via the processing unit and flushing the inside of the processing unit, and a valve capable of limiting the amount of water flowing in the flushing line by opening and closing, wherein the valve can be opened and closed based on detection by the detection unit.

[0007] (1) The wastewater reuse toilet system can reduce the amount of work required to pump out the wastewater treatment area.

[0008] (2) The wastewater recycling toilet system described in (1) further comprises a control unit capable of controlling the opening and closing operation of the valve, wherein the detection unit is a sensor, and the control unit controls the opening and closing operation of the valve based on the detection result from the detection unit.

[0009] (2) The wastewater reuse toilet system has a simpler system configuration and can reduce the amount of work required to pump out wastewater from the wastewater treatment area.

[0010] (3) The wastewater recycling toilet system described in (1) further comprises an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the valve, the detection unit having a float floating in the water in the excess water tank, and the opening and closing mechanism opens and closes the valve in conjunction with the movement of the float.

[0011] (3) The wastewater reuse toilet system uses mechanical control to regulate the opening and closing of the valve, thus more reliably reducing the amount of wastewater removal work required in the wastewater treatment area.

[0012] (4) The wastewater reuse toilet system described in any one of (1) to (3) further comprises a rainwater tank for storing rainwater and a rainwater tank detection unit capable of detecting the water level of the rainwater tank, the flushing line can further connect the rainwater tank and the sewer via the processing unit, and the valve can be opened and closed based on the detection operation of the rainwater tank detection unit.

[0013] The wastewater recycling toilet system in (4) can more reliably reduce the amount of work required to pump out the wastewater treatment unit because it can circulate water to the sewer system via the treatment unit at a higher frequency, thereby flushing out the treatment unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of a wastewater recycling toilet system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the cleaning control within the processing unit by a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] <Wastewater Reuse Toilet System> The following describes a wastewater recycling toilet system S according to one embodiment of the present invention, using Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 1, the arrows displayed between the blocks indicate the flow of water. Also in Figure 1, the dotted lines displayed between the blocks indicate that they are connected in a communicative manner.

[0016] The wastewater reuse toilet system S is a system that utilizes water within the system, purifies the water after use, and recycles and reuses the water. The wastewater reuse toilet system S includes a toilet 10, a processing unit 20, a middle water tank 30, a surplus water tank 40, a control device 50, a pump 60, a pump 70, a rainwater tank 80, a circulation channel C1, a circulation channel C2, a circulation channel C3, a surplus water channel F1, a cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit, a cleaning channel F3 within the processing unit, and a cleaning channel F4 within the processing unit, and valves VC, V1, V2, and V3.

[0017] The toilet 10, the processing unit 20, the intermediate water tank 30, the pump 60 as the water supply unit, the circulation channels C1, C2, and C3 described later, and the valve VC function as the circulation unit C. In other words, the circulation unit C includes the processing unit 20, the pump 60, and the circulation channels C1, C2, and C3 described later.

[0018] The cleaning line D connects the surplus water tank 40 to the sewer via the processing unit 20, circulates the surplus water stored in the surplus water tank 40 into the processing unit 20, washes away the dirt and the like accumulated in the processing unit 20, and discharges it to the sewer for cleaning. That is, the cleaning line D includes the in-processing unit cleaning channel F2 and the in-processing unit cleaning channel F4.

[0019] Also, the cleaning line D may further connect the rainwater tank 80 and the sewer via the processing unit 20. That is, the cleaning line D may include the in-processing unit cleaning channel F3. In this case, the cleaning line D connects the rainwater tank 80 to the sewer via the processing unit 20, circulates the rainwater stored in the rainwater tank 80 into the processing unit 20, washes away the dirt and the like accumulated in the processing unit 20, and discharges it to the sewer. Details of the in-processing unit cleaning channel F2, the in-processing unit cleaning channel F3, and the in-processing unit cleaning channel F4 will be described later.

[0020] The toilet 10 is a known toilet. The toilet 10 may be disposed in an individual room.

[0021] The processing unit 20 is a configuration for treating the wastewater from the toilet 10. The processing unit 20 may have, for example, a sedimentation separation chamber, an aeration treatment chamber, a first shell contact aeration chamber, a second shell contact aeration chamber, a sedimentation filtration chamber, and an activated carbon adsorption chamber.

[0022] In the sedimentation separation chamber, the solid content in the sewage is separated. In the aeration treatment chamber, the separated water derived from the sedimentation separation chamber is aeration-treated. In the first and second shell contact aeration chambers, the treated water derived from the aeration treatment chamber is further aeration-treated. In the sedimentation filtration chamber, the treated water derived from the second shell contact aeration chamber is sedimentation-filtered. In the activated carbon adsorption chamber, the supernatant treated water derived from the sedimentation filtration chamber is decolorized.

[0023] The middle water tank 30 is a tank in which the water after the treatment by the treatment unit 20 is stored. The treated water stored in the middle water tank 30 is sucked by the pump 60 and sent to the toilet 10 through the circulation channel C3.

[0024] Also, in the drain water reuse toilet system S, since the amount of water increases by the amount of urine due to use in the toilet 10, the water circulating throughout the system increases. Therefore, as the toilet 10 of the drain water reuse toilet system S is used and the drain water is treated by the treatment unit 20, the water stored in the middle water tank 30 increases.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the end of the surplus water flow path F1 to the surplus tank communicates with the upper part of the inner surface of the middle water tank 30, and the treated water in the middle water tank 30 starts to flow into the surplus water flow path F1 when its water level rises to the height of the communication port, and flows into the surplus water tank 40 through the surplus water flow path F1.

[0026] In addition, a water level gauge may be provided in the middle water tank 30 and a pump may be provided in the middle of the surplus water flow path F1, and based on the detection result of the water level gauge, the pump may suck the treated water stored in the middle water tank 30 and flow it into the surplus water tank 40 through the surplus water flow path F1.

[0027] The surplus water tank 40 is a tank that stores surplus water in the circulation unit C. The surplus water tank 40 has a water level gauge 40a as a detection unit capable of detecting the water level of the surplus water tank 40 inside. Examples of the water level gauge 40a include an electrode type water level gauge and a float type water level gauge. Note that the surplus water tank 40 may have a float floating in the water in the surplus water tank 40 as a detection unit capable of detecting the water level of the surplus water tank 40 inside, and mechanically detect the water level of the surplus water tank 40 by the floating and sinking of the float. In this case, the surplus water tank 40 may further have an opening and closing mechanism capable of opening and closing the valves V1 and V3 in conjunction with the movement of the float.

[0028] The control device 50 is a configuration for controlling various operations of the drain water reuse toilet system S. The details of the control device 50 will be described later.

[0029] Pump 60 is a known pump installed in the circulation channel C3 and is used to send treated water, which is generated by the wastewater treatment of the processing unit 20 and stored in the reclaimed water tank 30, to the toilet 10 as flushing water.

[0030] Pump 70 is a known pump located in the cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit and is used to send excess water stored in the excess water tank 40 to the sewer via the processing unit 20. Alternatively, pump 70 may be located on the processing unit 20 side of the intermediate part of the cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit, beyond the connection point with the cleaning channel F3 within the processing unit, and may send rainwater stored in the rainwater tank 80 to the sewer via the processing unit 20.

[0031] The rainwater tank 80 is a tank for storing rainwater. The rainwater tank 80 has a water level gauge 80a as a rainwater tank detection unit capable of detecting the water level in the rainwater tank 80. Examples of water level gauges 80a include electrode-type water level gauges and float-type water level gauges. Alternatively, the rainwater tank 80 may have a float floating in the water inside the rainwater tank 80 as a detection unit capable of detecting the water level in the rainwater tank 80, and the water level in the rainwater tank 80 may be mechanically detected by the rise and fall of the float. In this case, the rainwater tank 80 may further have an opening and closing mechanism that can open and close valves V2 and V3 in conjunction with the movement of the float.

[0032] In either case, the aforementioned washing line D is configured to further connect the rainwater tank 80 and the sewer via the processing unit 20, and valves V2 and V3 are configured to be openable and closable based on detection by the water level gauge 80a.

[0033] Circulation channels C1, C2, and C3 are channels for circulating the circulating water in the circulation section C of the wastewater reuse toilet system S. Circulation channel C1 connects the toilet 10 and the processing section 20. Therefore, wastewater discharged from the toilet 10 flows to the processing section 20 via circulation channel C1.

[0034] The circulation channel C2 connects the processing unit 20 and the reclaimed water tank 30. Therefore, the treated water from the processing unit 20 flows to the reclaimed water tank 30 via the circulation channel C2. A valve VC is also provided in the circulation channel C2. By opening and closing the valve VC, the flow of treated water from the processing unit 20 to the reclaimed water tank 30 can be restricted.

[0035] The circulation channel C3 connects the reclaimed water tank 30 and the toilet 10. Therefore, the treated water stored in the reclaimed water tank 30 can be circulated to the toilet 10 via the circulation channel C3. A pump 60 is provided in the circulation channel C3, and the treated water stored in the reclaimed water tank 30 is drawn in by the pump 60 and circulated to the toilet 10 via the circulation channel C3. The circulation channels C1, C2, and C3 are composed of piping such as known pipes, for example.

[0036] The surplus water channel F1 is a channel for circulating surplus water from the middle tank 30 to the surplus water tank 40. Therefore, the surplus water channel F1 connects the middle tank 30 and the surplus water tank 40. As a result, surplus water from the middle tank 30 can circulate to the surplus water tank 40 via the surplus water channel F1. The surplus water channel F1 is a known pipe or other type of piping.

[0037] The cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit is a channel for circulating excess water stored in the excess water tank 40 to the processing unit 20 to clean the inside of the processing unit 20.

[0038] The cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit connects the excess water tank 40 and the processing unit 20. Therefore, the excess water stored in the excess water tank 40 can flow to the processing unit 20.

[0039] The internal cleaning channel F3 of the processing unit is a channel for circulating rainwater stored in the rainwater tank 80 to the processing unit 20 to clean the inside of the processing unit 20. The internal cleaning channel F3 connects the rainwater tank 80 to a portion of the internal cleaning channel F2, which is connected to the processing unit 20. Therefore, rainwater stored in the rainwater tank 80 can circulate to the processing unit 20 via the internal cleaning channel F3 and the internal cleaning channel F2.

[0040] The in-processor flushing channel F4 is a channel for distributing wastewater that has flowed through the processing unit 20 and washed away sewage and other contaminants within the processing unit 20 to the sewer system. The in-processor flushing channel F4 connects the processing unit 20 to the sewer system. Therefore, the wastewater that has flowed through the processing unit 20 and washed away sewage and other contaminants within the processing unit 20 can be distributed to the sewer system.

[0041] Valve VC is a known valve capable of restricting the flow rate of water in the circulation section C by opening and closing it. Valve VC may be an electrically operated valve or a valve that is opened and closed mechanically by an opening and closing mechanism described later. Valves V1, V2, and V3 are known valves capable of restricting the flow rate of water in the cleaning line D described later by opening and closing them. Valves V1, V2, and V3 may be electrically operated valves or a valve that is opened and closed mechanically by an opening and closing mechanism described later.

[0042] <Control device> Next, the details of the control device 50 will be explained using Figures 2 and 3. An example of the hardware configuration of the control device 50 will be explained using Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the control device 50 includes a processor 500, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 501, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 502, a bus 503, an input / output interface 504, an input unit 505, an output unit 506, an auxiliary storage device 507, a communication unit 508, and a power supply 509.

[0043] The processor 500 is the central part of the computer that performs calculations and control processes necessary for the operation of the control device 50, and performs various calculations and processes. The processor 500 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), SoC (System on a Chip), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, the processor 500 may be a combination of several of these. Furthermore, the processor 500 may also be a combination of these with hardware accelerators, etc.

[0044] The processor 500 controls various parts of the control device 50 to realize various functions of the control device 50 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in ROM 501 or RAM 502, etc. The processor 500 executes processing based on the program. Note that some or all of the program may be incorporated into the circuit of the processor 500.

[0045] The processor 500, ROM 501, and RAM 502 are interconnected via a bus 503. An input / output interface 504 is also connected to this bus 503. An input unit 505, an output unit 506, an auxiliary storage device 507, a communication unit 508, and a power supply 509 are connected to the input / output interface 504.

[0046] The input unit 505 and output unit 506 are user interfaces electrically connected to the input / output interface 504 by wire or wireless connection. The input unit 505 consists of, for example, operation buttons, and inputs various information such as control commands to the wastewater recycling toilet system S in response to user instructions and operations. The output unit 506 consists of a display for displaying images and a speaker for amplifying sound, and outputs images and sound. The output unit 506 may also display the amount of water stored in the surplus water tank 40 of the toilet or the amount of water stored in the rainwater tank 80 of the wastewater recycling toilet system S. In this case, management by the administrator of the wastewater recycling toilet system S can be made easier.

[0047] The auxiliary storage device 507 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The auxiliary storage device 507 stores various information such as programs and setting values ​​related to various processes. For example, the auxiliary storage device 507 stores various information such as judgment criterion information and programs. The judgment criterion information is information indicating the amount of water stored in the surplus water tank 40 when it is determined that the surplus water in the surplus water tank 40 should be distributed to the sewer system via the processing unit 20. The judgment criterion information may also be information indicating the amount of water stored in the rainwater tank 80 when it is determined that the rainwater in the rainwater tank 80 should be distributed to the sewer system via the processing unit 20.

[0048] The communication unit 508 is a device for the processor 500 to communicate with the water level gauge 40a, water level gauge 80a, valve VC, valve V1, valve V2, valve V3, pump 60, and pump 70 of the wastewater reuse toilet system S via a network (not shown).

[0049] The power supply 509 is connected to an external power source, for example, and supplies power to the control device 50. However, the configuration of the power supply 509 is not limited to this; the power supply 509 may also have a battery and be configured to supply power to various parts of the control device 50.

[0050] Next, the functional configuration of the control device 50 will be explained using Figure 3. The control unit 510, which is the functional configuration of the control device 50 that performs various controls of the control device 50, is realized by the processor 500 that performs arithmetic processing executing programs stored in ROM 501, RAM 502, auxiliary storage device 507, etc.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 510 of this embodiment includes a water level information acquisition unit (water level information acquisition function) 511, a judgment criterion information acquisition unit (judgment criterion information acquisition function) 512, a judgment unit (judgment function) 513, a valve opening / closing control unit (valve opening / closing control function) 514, and a pump control unit (pump control function) 515.

[0052] The water level information acquisition unit 511 performs the process of acquiring the detection result obtained by the water level gauge 40a of the surplus water tank 40 and the detection result obtained by the water level gauge 80a of the rainwater tank 80.

[0053] The judgment criteria information acquisition unit 512 executes a process to acquire the judgment criteria information stored in the auxiliary storage device 507. The judgment criteria information is information for determining whether or not to perform the cleaning process. For example, the judgment criteria information is the water level of the surplus water tank 40 when the cleaning process is to be performed. Alternatively, the judgment criteria information may be the water level of the rainwater tank 80 when the cleaning process is to be performed.

[0054] The determination unit 513 determines whether or not to perform cleaning processing within the processing unit 20 using the cleaning line D. When the water level in the surplus water tank 40 exceeds the above-mentioned determination criteria information, the determination unit 513 determines to perform cleaning processing within the processing unit 20 using the surplus water stored in the surplus water tank 40 via the cleaning line D. Furthermore, if the determination criteria information includes information on the water level of the rainwater tank 80 when cleaning processing is to be performed, when the water level in the rainwater tank 80 exceeds the determination criteria information, the determination unit 513 determines to perform cleaning processing within the processing unit 20 using the rainwater stored in the rainwater tank 80 via the cleaning line D.

[0055] The valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls the opening and closing operations of valves VC, V1, V2, and V3. For example, when circulating water is to flow through the circulation unit C, the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls valve VC to open while controlling valves V1, V2, and V3 to close. Also, when circulating at least one of the surplus water from the surplus water tank 40 and the rainwater from the rainwater tank 80 through the cleaning channel F2 in the processing unit, and discharging sewage and other waste from the processing unit 20 to the sewer, the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls valve VC to close while controlling valves V1, V2, and V3 to open.

[0056] The pump control unit 515 controls the suction operation of pumps 60 and 70. For example, when circulating water through the circulation unit C, the pump control unit 515 controls pump 60 to start its suction operation while simultaneously controlling pump 70 to stop its suction operation. Also, when circulating at least one of the surplus water from the surplus water tank 40 and the rainwater from the rainwater tank 80 through the cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit to discharge sewage and other waste from the processing unit 20 into the sewer, the pump control unit 515 controls pump 60 to stop its suction operation while simultaneously controlling pump 70 to start its suction operation.

[0057] <In-processor cleaning control> Next, the in-processor flushing control performed by the control unit 510 of the wastewater recycling toilet system S according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. In the in-processor flushing control according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the processor 500 functions as follows: water level information acquisition unit 511, judgment criterion information acquisition unit 512, judgment unit 513, valve opening / closing control unit 514, and pump control unit 515. The in-processor flushing control performed by the control unit 510 starts when the wastewater recycling toilet system S is activated.

[0058] First, the water level information acquisition unit 511 performs a process to acquire the detection result from the water level gauge 40a of the surplus water tank 40 (step S10). In step S10, the water level information acquisition unit 511 may also perform a process to acquire the detection result from the water level gauge 80a of the rainwater tank 80. Next, the judgment criterion information acquisition unit 512 acquires the judgment criterion information stored in the auxiliary storage device 507 (step S11).

[0059] Next, the determination unit 513 determines whether the water level in the surplus water tank 40 is above a predetermined water level based on the water level information and the determination criteria information (step S12). In step S12, the determination unit 513 may also determine whether the water level in the rainwater tank 80 is above a predetermined water level based on the water level information and the determination criteria information.

[0060] If it is determined that the water level in the surplus water tank 40 is not above a predetermined level (step S12: NO), the control unit 510 proceeds to step S18. Furthermore, if it is determined whether the water level in the rainwater tank 80 is above a predetermined level, and it is determined that the water level in the rainwater tank 80 is also not above a predetermined level, the control unit 510 proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if it is determined whether the water level in the rainwater tank 80 is above a predetermined level, and it is determined that the water level in the rainwater tank 80 is above a predetermined level, the control unit 510 may proceed to step S13.

[0061] If it is determined that the water level in the surplus water tank 40 is above a predetermined level (step S12: YES), the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls the opening and closing of valves VC, V1, V2, and V3 in order to start cleaning in the processing unit 20 (step S13). Specifically, the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls valve VC in the processing unit 20 to close. If it is determined that the water level in the surplus water tank 40 is above a predetermined level, the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls valves V1 and V3 in the cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit in the cleaning line D to open. If it is determined that the water level in the rainwater tank 80 is above a predetermined level, the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls valves V2 and V3 in the cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit in the cleaning line D to open.

[0062] Next, the pump control unit 515 starts controlling pumps 60 and 70 to begin cleaning within the processing unit 20 (step S14). Specifically, the pump control unit 515 controls pump 60 to stop its suction operation and pump 70 to start its suction operation so that at least one of the excess water from the excess water tank 40 and the rainwater from the rainwater tank 80 flows into the cleaning channel F2 within the processing unit (step S14).

[0063] Next, the control unit 510 checks whether a predetermined timing has been reached (step S15). The predetermined timing may be, for example, a predetermined time interval. Alternatively, when the processing unit 20 is being cleaned with excess water from the excess water tank 40, the predetermined timing may be the timing when the water level gauge 40a of the excess water tank 40 falls below a predetermined water level. Alternatively, when the processing unit 20 is being cleaned with rainwater from the rainwater tank 80, the predetermined timing may be the timing when the water level gauge 80a of the rainwater tank 80 falls below a predetermined water level.

[0064] If the predetermined timing has not been reached (step S15: NO), the control unit 510 repeats the process until the predetermined timing is reached. If the predetermined timing is reached (step S15: YES), the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls the opening and closing of valves VC, V1, V2, and V3 in order to complete the cleaning in the processing unit 20 (step S16). Specifically, the valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls the valves V1, V2, and V3 in the cleaning flow path F2 within the processing unit in the cleaning line D to close whichever is open. The valve opening / closing control unit 514 controls the valve VC in the processing unit 20 to open.

[0065] Next, the pump control unit 515 controls the operation of pumps 60 and 70 to complete the cleaning of the processing unit 20 (step S17). Specifically, the pump control unit 515 controls pump 60 to start its suction operation and pump 70 to stop its suction operation in order to circulate circulating water through the circulation unit C. At this point, the cleaning of the processing unit 20 is completed.

[0066] Next, the control unit 510 checks whether an operation to stop the wastewater recycling toilet system S has been input to the input unit 505 (step S18). If no operation to stop the wastewater recycling toilet system S has been input to the input unit 505 (step S18: NO), the control unit 510 proceeds to step S10 and repeats the above process until an operation to stop the wastewater recycling toilet system S has been input to the input unit 505. If an operation to stop the wastewater recycling toilet system S has been input to the input unit 505 (step S18: YES), the control unit 510 terminates the cleaning control within the processing unit.

[0067] The wastewater recycling toilet system S according to the embodiment described above provides the following benefits. Public toilets employing wastewater recycling toilet systems that purify and reuse toilet wastewater are known. Because wastewater recycling toilet systems can effectively utilize water, they are environmentally friendly and can be used independently of infrastructure such as water and sewage systems, making them disaster-resistant systems that can be used even when infrastructure is damaged.

[0068] Incidentally, wastewater recycling toilet systems have a limit to the amount of wastewater they can process. If this limit is exceeded, the toilet may become unusable unless pumping or other maintenance is performed. Therefore, it is necessary to set toilet capacity and maintenance plans based on the expected number of users.

[0069] When the maximum amount of wastewater that can be processed is exceeded, the wastewater recycling toilet system uses a vacuum truck to empty the pre-treatment section (septic tank section) at predetermined intervals. This incurs labor and costs for the emptying process, and the use of the wastewater recycling toilet system is restricted during the emptying process. Furthermore, the emptying process generates foul odors, which can lead to complaints from residents and businesses located near the wastewater recycling toilet system. In addition, if the wastewater recycling toilet system is installed in a rural area far from the dispatching source of the vacuum trucks, the start of the emptying process may be delayed, potentially delaying the resumption of use.

[0070] The wastewater reuse toilet system includes a toilet, a pre-treatment unit for processing wastewater after flushing, a circulation unit including a reuse unit for reusing the treated wastewater from the pre-treatment unit as flushing water, a surplus tank for storing excess water in the circulation unit, a flushing line connecting the surplus tank to the sewer via the pre-treatment unit, a detection unit for detecting the water level in the surplus tank, and a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the valve in the drainage line based on the amount of water in the surplus tank detected by the detection unit. This allows for the use of surplus water to flush the treatment unit while reducing the effort and cost of pumping out wastewater, as well as restrictions on use and complaints about foul odors associated with the operation.

[0071] [Differentiation] In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning line D had a valve V1 for the excess water tank 40 and a valve V2 for the rainwater tank 80, but it is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning line D may have a valve common to both the excess water tank 40 and the rainwater tank 80 instead of valves V1 and V2.

[0072] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can take various other embodiments, and furthermore, various modifications such as omissions and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Toilets 20 Processing Units 40 surplus tanks 40a Water level gauge (detection unit) 60 Pump (water supply unit) C circulation section D Washing Line V1 valve V2 valve V3 valve S Wastewater Reuse Toilet System

Claims

1. Toilet and A circulation unit including a processing unit for processing wastewater from the toilet, a reclaimed water tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of treated water generated by the wastewater processing of the processing unit, and a water supply unit for supplying the treated water stored in the reclaimed water tank to the toilet as flushing water, A surplus water tank for storing excess water that exceeds a predetermined amount from the water stored in the intermediate water tank of the circulation unit, A detection unit capable of detecting the water level in the surplus water tank, A washing line that connects the surplus water tank to the sewer via the processing unit and cleans the inside of the processing unit, It includes a valve that can be opened and closed to limit the amount of water flowing through the washing line, The aforementioned valve is a wastewater reuse toilet system that can be opened and closed based on detection by the detection unit.

2. The system further comprises a control unit capable of controlling the opening and closing operation of the valve, The detection unit is a sensor, The wastewater recycling toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the opening and closing operation of the valve based on the detection result from the detection unit.

3. The system further includes an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the aforementioned valve, The detection unit has a float suspended in the water in the excess water tank. The wastewater recycling toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing mechanism opens and closes the valve in conjunction with the movement of the float.

4. A rainwater tank for storing rainwater, The system further comprises a rainwater tank detection unit capable of detecting the water level in the rainwater tank, The aforementioned washing line can be further connected to the rainwater tank and the sewer via the processing unit, The wastewater reuse toilet system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve can be opened and closed based on the detection operation by the rainwater tank detection unit.

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