Toilet device

Abstract

The present specification provides a technique that allows for flushing washing water over a wide range of a toilet bowl. This toilet device may comprise: a toilet bowl communicating with a drain passage; a water discharge passage including a first water discharge port and a second water discharge port for discharging washing water flowing from an upper end part of the toilet bowl to the toilet bowl, and a third water discharge port for discharging the washing water toward the drain passage; and a pump for boosting the washing water to feed the washing water from the water discharge passage including the first water discharge port, the second water discharge port, and the third water discharge port, to the toilet bowl.

Description

Toilet equipment

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet apparatus.

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a toilet device that includes a switching mechanism that switches the flow path through which flushing water supplied from a water supply unit flows between a jet flushing flow path and a rim flushing flow path, and a pump that pressurizes the flushing water.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-087481

[0004] When excrement is excreted into the toilet bowl, there is a possibility that at least one of the excrement and water droplets will splash onto the surface of the toilet bowl.

[0005] This specification provides a technology that allows flush water to flow over a wide area of ​​the toilet bowl.

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet bowl that communicates with a drainage flow path, a water discharge flow path that includes a first water discharge port and a second water discharge port that discharge flush water that flows from the upper end of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl, and a third water discharge port that discharges the flush water toward the drainage flow path, and a pump that pressurizes the flush water and sends the flush water from the water discharge flow path that includes the first water discharge port, the second water discharge port, and the third water discharge port into the toilet bowl.

[0007] 8 shows a perspective view of a toilet apparatus according to a first embodiment; a cross-sectional view of the toilet body and toilet seat taken at a cross-section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center in the left-right direction; a structural block diagram of a discharge unit according to an embodiment; a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and upper rim taken at cross-section IV-IV in FIG. 2; a side view of the discharge unit according to a first embodiment; a plan view of the discharge unit according to a first embodiment; a rear view of the switching valve according to a first embodiment; a plan view of the switching valve according to a first embodiment; a cross-sectional view taken at cross-section IX-IX in FIG. 8; a cross-sectional view taken at cross-section XX in FIG. 8; a flowchart of a flushing process according to a first embodiment; an exploded perspective view of a reservoir according to a first embodiment; a cross-sectional view taken at cross-section XIII-XIII in FIG. 12; a perspective view of a toilet apparatus according to a second embodiment; a cross-sectional view of the toilet body and toilet seat taken at a cross-section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center in the left-right direction; a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl and upper rim taken at cross-section III-III in FIG. 2; a structural block diagram of a discharge unit according to a second embodiment; a side view of a discharge unit according to a second embodiment. 10 is a plan view of a discharge section of a second embodiment. FIG 11 is a flowchart of a seated cleaning determination process executed by a control section of the toilet apparatus.

[0008] (Configuration of the toilet apparatus 10 of the first embodiment) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet apparatus 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet apparatus 10 is fixed to the floor when in use. The toilet apparatus 10 may also be, for example, a so-called wall-hung flush toilet that is fixed to a wall.

[0009] The toilet apparatus 10 comprises a toilet bowl section 12, a toilet seat 14, a functional section 16, a reservoir 18 (see FIG. 2), a water supply valve 19, a water discharge section 40 (see FIG. 3), a control section 100, and a seating sensor 90. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of a toilet bowl 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet bowl section 12 comprises a toilet body 20 and an upper rim section 30. The toilet body 20 is made of ceramic. The toilet body 20 comprises a toilet bowl 22 that receives waste. A reservoir 18 is housed in the toilet body 20 at its lower end. The reservoir 18 stores flush water for cleaning the toilet bowl 22. Water is supplied to the reservoir 18 from a clean water pipe (not shown). The water supply valve 19 switches between communication and cut-off between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 18. The toilet device 10 is equipped with a flush button (not shown) electrically connected to the water discharger 40. When the flush button is operated by a user, a flushing process is executed in which flush water is discharged from the reservoir 18 via the water discharger 40 into the toilet bowl 22. The function unit 16 may have functions such as an opening / closing function that automatically opens and closes the toilet lid (not shown) in accordance with the user's actions, a local cleaning function, a warm air drying function, a deodorizing function, etc.

[0010] In the toilet apparatus 10, the flushing process may be performed by operating a lever arranged on the toilet apparatus 10, in addition to operating the flush button. The flush button may be arranged on a remote controller that is electrically connected to the water discharger 40 either wired or wirelessly. Flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 without any operation by the user. For example, flush water in the reservoir 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 when the sensor no longer detects the user. In the toilet apparatus 10, one of two types of flushing processes, a large flushing process and a small flushing process, is performed in accordance with at least one of the user's operation and settings. For example, the flush button may have multiple buttons that can select either a large flush or a small flush, and one of the two types of flushing processes, a large flushing process and a small flushing process, is performed depending on the button selected by the user.

[0011] The toilet seat 14 is attached to the toilet bowl body 20 so as to be able to open and close. A user sits on the toilet seat 14. The toilet seat 14 has an opening 14a. A seat sensor 90 is disposed on the toilet seat 14. When a user sits on the toilet seat 14, the toilet seat 14 moves downward. The seat sensor 90 detects the up and down movement of the toilet seat 14, thereby detecting whether the user has sat on or left the seat. In a modified example, the seat sensor 90 may be a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like that directly detects the user. Instead of the seat sensor 90, a human presence sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a camera, etc.) that detects the user may also be used.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 14 and the functional unit 16 are aligned will be referred to as the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the side on which the toilet seat 14 is arranged relative to the functional unit 16 will be referred to as the front side of the front-rear direction, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the rear side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the right side, and the front side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the left side. The left and right directions correspond to the left and right as seen by a user facing the toilet device 10. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the side on which the reservoir 18 is arranged relative to the toilet body 20 will be referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the lower side.

[0013] The toilet bowl 22 has a shape that is generally recessed downward. As shown in Figure 2, the toilet bowl 22 has a water reservoir 24 located at the bottom end of the toilet bowl 22. The toilet body 20 has a drain pipe 36 that communicates with the water reservoir 24 and a drain outlet 34 that opens into the water reservoir 24. Water is stored in the water reservoir 24 up to the water level WS. The water level WS coincides with the curved position 36a of the drain pipe 36. In other words, when flush water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 22, the area below the water level WS is referred to as the water reservoir 24.

[0014] The water storage section 24 is connected to a drain pipe 36 through a drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 extends upward from the drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 bends downward at a curved position 36a and continues to extend downward. The drain pipe 36 extends to the outside of the toilet bowl section 12.

[0015] An upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 22, surrounding the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22. The upper rim portion 30 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet body 20. The upper rim portion 30 protrudes inward from the upper edge 22a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 22. The lower surface 30a of the upper rim portion 30 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0016] The toilet bowl 22 has a front surface 23, side surfaces 26, and a rear surface 25 in the area above the water collection section 24. The front surface 23 is a surface located in front of the front edge WS1 of the water surface WS. The side surfaces 26 are surfaces that extend rearward from the rear end of the front surface 23 along both the left and right ends of the water surface WS. The side surfaces 26 extend in the rear direction to a position aligned with the rear edge of the water surface WS. The rear surface 25 is a region that connects the rear ends of the left and right side surfaces 26 along the rear edge WS2 of the water surface WS.

[0017] The front surface 23 has a linear shape 23a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the rear, i.e., the water surface WS, and a curved shape 23b that curves downward from the bottom of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS. In a "downwardly curved curved shape," in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, a line segment representing a plane located between any two points on the curved shape is located below the line connecting those two points. The linear shape 23a extends tangentially to the curved shape 23b. The boundary between the linear shape 23a and the curved shape 23b is smooth and continuous without any steps. The front surface 23 has a curved shape 23b that curves downward in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction at any position in the front-to-rear direction. The front surface 23 is similar in a cross section perpendicular to the left-to-right direction at any position in the left-to-right direction of the toilet bowl 22. The front surface 23 does not have an upwardly bulging shape.

[0018] In a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 22, the portion of the water collecting section 24 located below the front surface 23 has a linear shape that slopes backward as it extends downward.

[0019] The linear shape 23a has a plane that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at any position in the longitudinal direction. The curved shape 23b curves downward from the lower end of the linear shape 23a to the water surface WS in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at any position in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] The side surface 26 has different shapes in the front and rear portions in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The front portion of the side surface 26 has a curved shape that continues from the front surface 23 and curves downward. This curved shape extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. As shown in FIG. 4 , the rear portion of the side surface 26 has a linear shape 26a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the water surface WS, a curved shape 26b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 26a and the water surface WS, and a curved shape 26c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 26b to the water surface WS. The curved shape 26c extends beyond the water surface WS to the water pool 24. The portion having the curved shape 26c is the rear portion, and the portion not having the curved shape 26c is the front portion. The boundary between the front and rear portions may be the position of the drain outlet 34 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the toilet bowl 22 in the left-right direction, the rear surface 25 has a linear shape 25a that slopes downward from the upper edge 22a toward the front, i.e., the water surface WS, a curved shape 25b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 25a and the water surface WF, and a curved shape 25c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 25b to the water surface WS. The linear shape 25a may be parallel to the vertical direction. The rear surface 25 is located behind the rear edge of the opening 14a of the toilet seat 14. This makes the rear surface 25 less visible to the user.

[0022] (Configuration of Water Discharge Unit) Water discharge unit 40 discharges flush water in reservoir 18 into toilet bowl 22. Water discharge unit 40 also discharges foam generated by mixing a surfactant and water into toilet bowl 22. As shown in Figure 3, water discharge unit 40 includes pump 42, connecting pipe 44, check valve 45, switching valve device 46, branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, water discharge nozzles 50, 52, water discharge opening 54, and foam discharge unit 61.

[0023] The pump 42 draws in flush water from the reservoir 18 and pressurizes it. The pump 42 sends the pressurized flush water to a communicating pipe 44. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with the pump 42. The communicating pipe 44 defines a flow path through which the flush water flows. The communicating pipe 44 is in communication with a switching valve device 46 via a check valve 45. The check valve 45 allows flush water to flow from the pump 42 toward the switching valve device 46. The check valve 45 restricts flush water from flowing from the switching valve device 46 toward the pump 42. This makes it possible to prevent flush water from flowing back into the pump 42 via the communicating pipe 44. By arranging the check valve 45 closer to the pump 42 than the switching valve device 46, the number of check valves 45 can be reduced.

[0024] The switching valve device 46 connects the communicating pipe 44 to at least one of the branch pipes 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d. The communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipes 48a, 48b, and 48c are each made of a resin such as a synthetic resin. Synthetic rubber is used in at least one of the connection portions of the branch pipes 48a and 48b between the pump 42 and the water discharge nozzles 50 and 52 to improve liquid-tightness. An upstream portion 48e of the branch pipe 48d extending from the pump 42 is made of the same resin as the branch pipe 48a. Meanwhile, a downstream portion 48f disposed in the toilet body 20 is located downstream of the upstream portion 48e of the branch pipe 48d. The downstream portion 48f is made of ceramic.

[0025] A water discharge nozzle 50 is connected to branch pipe 48a. When communication pipe 44 is connected to branch pipe 48a via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from water discharge nozzle 50 into the toilet bowl 22. A spreader 60 of foam discharge unit 61 is connected to branch pipe 48b. When communication pipe 44 is connected to branch pipe 48b via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. A water discharge nozzle 52 is connected to branch pipe 48c. When communication pipe 44 is connected to branch pipe 48c via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from water discharge nozzle 52 into the toilet bowl 22. A water discharge opening 54 is connected to branch pipe 48d. When communication pipe 44 is connected to branch pipe 48d via switching valve device 46, flush water is discharged from water discharge opening 54 into the toilet bowl 22.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 , the water-spouting nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The water-spouting nozzle 50 is arranged near the top end of the toilet bowl 22. The water-spouting nozzle 50 has an opening 50a that is long in the vertical direction. The water-spouting nozzle 52 is arranged symmetrically with the water-spouting nozzle 50. The water-spouting nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60 are arranged rearward of the front end WS1 of the water surface WS. The water-spouting nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60 are arranged rearward of the rear end WS2 of the water surface WS. The water-spouting nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60 each have an opening that extends in the vertical direction. Flush water discharged from the water-spouting nozzles 50, 52 flows into the toilet bowl 22, which is located below the upper rim portion 30. The upper rim portion 30 is formed from a single flat plate, and flush water does not flow inside.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the water discharge opening 54 opens into the water storage section 24. The water discharge opening 54 opens from the front side towards the drain outlet 34 at the back side. When flush water is discharged from the water discharge opening 54, the flush water from the water discharge opening 54 is discharged towards the drain outlet 34. The flush water in the water storage section 24 is drained into the drain pipe 36 together with the flush water from the water discharge opening 54. Waste in the water storage section 24 and any objects floating in the water in the water storage section 24 are also discharged from the drain pipe 36 to the outside of the toilet body 20.

[0028] Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22 along the upper rim portion 30. The flush water flow path defined by the water discharge nozzle 50 from the branch pipe 48a is called the left rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzle 52 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 22 along the upper rim portion 30. The flush water flow path defined by the water discharge nozzle 52 from the branch pipe 48c is called the right rim flow path. Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 flows downward from near the top. Flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 flows over a wide area of ​​the toilet bowl 22 from the top to the bottom. Flush water discharged from the spreader 60 collides with the spreader 60 from the branch pipe 48b, spreads out in all directions, and is discharged onto the toilet bowl 22. The flush water flow path defined by the spreader 60 from the branch pipe 48b is called the spreader flow path. The flush water discharged from the water discharge opening 54 functions as a so-called jet water discharge, which drains away waste and the like from the water reservoir 24. The flush water flow path defined by the water discharge opening 54 from the branch pipe 48d is called a jet flow path.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the foam discharge unit 61 includes a foam valve 62, an ejector 64, supply pipes 65 and 66, a spreader 60, and a storage reservoir 68. The ejector 64 is in communication with the check valve 45 via the supply pipe 65. A foam valve 62 is disposed in the supply pipe 65. The foam valve 62 switches between a state in which the check valve 45 and the ejector 64 are in communication with each other via the supply pipe 65, and a state in which the supply pipe 65 is blocked, thereby blocking the check valve 45 and the ejector 64. The supply pipes 65 and 66 are made of the same resin as the communication pipe 44.

[0030] A storage reservoir 68 is connected to the ejector 64. A surfactant such as detergent is stored in the storage reservoir 68. A communication pipe 68a extending from the storage reservoir 68 communicates with the ejector 64. A vent pipe 69 (see FIG. 6) communicates with the ejector 64. The vent pipe 69 communicates with the atmosphere. The ejector 64 generates negative pressure within the ejector 64 by reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of flush water supplied from the supply pipe 65. The negative pressure generated in the ejector 64 draws surfactant and air into the ejector 64. This causes the flush water, surfactant, and air to mix and generate foam. A supply pipe 66 communicating the ejector 64 with the spreader 60 is connected downstream of the ejector 64. The foam generated in the ejector 64 passes through the supply pipe 66 and is ejected from the spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. The supply pipe 66 joins with the branch pipe 48b downstream of the ejector 64. A check valve is disposed at the downstream end of the ejector 64 to prevent backflow of cleaning water from the branch pipe 48b to the ejector 64. The supply pipe 66 downstream from the position where the branch pipe 48b joins defines a spreader flow path.

[0031] 5 and 6 show the configuration of each part of the water discharger 40. All parts of the water discharger 40, except for the branch pipe 48d and the water discharge opening 54, are housed in the toilet body 20 at the back of the toilet bowl 22. In the toilet body 20, each part of the water discharger 40 is housed in a small space. In each of FIGS. 5 and 6, some of the configuration has been simplified to prioritize ease of viewing.

[0032] The spreader 60 is attached to the rear surface 25 at the rear side of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 is inserted into a through-hole that penetrates the toilet body 20 and is fixed to the toilet body 20. The spreader 60 protrudes from the rear surface 25 into the inside of the toilet bowl 22. The spreader 60 has one or more outlets in each of the up, down, left, and right directions. The flush water and foam that flow into the spreader 60 from the supply pipe 66 collide with the front portion of the spreader 60 and spread in the up, down, left, and right directions. The colliding flush water and foam are then ejected onto the toilet bowl 22 from the multiple outlets of the spreader 60. This allows the flush water and foam ejected from the spreader 60 to be ejected in multiple directions, including upward, downward, left, and right, from the multiple outlets, making it easier to spread over the surface of the toilet bowl 22.

[0033] The reservoir 18 extends to the right side of the toilet body 20, up to near the top end of the toilet body 20. A water level sensor 17 is located at the top end of the reservoir 18. The water level sensor 17 is equipped with a float that rises above the water surface when the water level in the reservoir 18 reaches a predetermined position, and a sensor unit that detects whether the float is floating or not. A water supply on-off valve 19 is located at the top end of the reservoir 18. The water supply on-off valve 19 switches between connecting and blocking communication between the reservoir 18 and the clean water pipe.

[0034] (Configuration of Switching Valve Device) The configuration of the switching valve device 46 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. The switching valve device 46 includes one inlet pipe 70, a housing 71, four switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78, and four outlet pipes 80, 82, 84, and 86. The inlet pipe 70 has a cylindrical shape extending upward from the lower end of the switching valve device 46. The inlet pipe 70 is connected at its upstream end to the communicating pipe 44 downstream of the check valve 45. The inlet pipe 70 is connected at its downstream side to the housing 71. The four switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78 are arranged in the housing 71.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, an inlet pipe 70 branches into four parts in a housing 71 so as to be connected to four switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78, respectively.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 10, the switching valve 72 includes a primary flow path 72a, a secondary flow path 72b, a diaphragm valve 72d, a spring 72e, a solenoid valve 91, and communication flow paths 72h, 72j, and 72k. The primary flow path 72a is connected to a branch path 70b that branches off from an inlet flow path 70a in an inlet pipe 70. The primary flow path 72a has an annular shape. A secondary flow path 72b is disposed on the inner periphery of the primary flow path 72a. The secondary flow path 72b passes through the inner periphery of the primary flow path 72a and is connected to a discharge flow path 80a in an outlet pipe 80. The outlet pipe 80 extends upward and is connected to a branch pipe 48b.

[0037] The primary flow path 72a and the secondary flow path 72b are blocked by a diaphragm valve 72d. The diaphragm valve 72d has a disk shape that simultaneously blocks the downstream end of the primary flow path 72a and the upstream end of the secondary flow path 72b. A spring 72e presses the diaphragm valve 72d against the downstream end of the primary flow path 72a and the upstream end of the secondary flow path 72b. The spring 72e is a coil spring disposed between the diaphragm valve 72d and a wall surface 72f facing the diaphragm valve 72d. The spring 72e is compressed between the diaphragm valve 72d and the wall surface 72f. The spring 72e biases the diaphragm valve 72d toward the downstream end of the primary flow path 72a and the upstream end of the secondary flow path 72b.

[0038] A back pressure chamber 72S is defined between the diaphragm valve 72d and the wall surface 72f. The back pressure chamber 72S is located on the opposite side of the diaphragm valve 72d from the primary flow path 72a and the secondary flow path 72b. The back pressure chamber 72S is connected to the discharge flow path 80a via the connecting flow paths 72h, 72j, and 72k. A solenoid valve 91 is disposed between the connecting flow paths 72h and 72j. The solenoid valve 91 switches between an open state in which the connecting flow paths 72h and 72j communicate with each other, and a closed state in which the back pressure chamber 72S is blocked from the connecting flow path 72h. The solenoid valve 91 includes a valve element 92, a solenoid unit 94, and a spring (not shown). The valve element 92 is biased upward by the spring to close the connecting flow path 72j. The solenoid unit 94 includes a yoke, a coil, etc. When power is supplied to the coil of the solenoid unit 94, the valve element 92 moves downward. This causes the solenoid valve 91 to transition from a closed state to an open state. While power is not supplied to the coil, the solenoid valve 91 remains closed.

[0039] When the solenoid valve 91 is maintained in a closed state, water is sealed in the back pressure chamber 72S. Flush water pumped out from the pump 42 flows through the primary flow path 72a. When the solenoid valve 91 is maintained in a closed state, even if the pump 42 is driven and the water pressure of the flush water in the primary flow path 72a increases, the diaphragm valve 72d contacts the downstream end of the primary flow path 72a and the upstream end of the secondary flow path 72b, thereby continuing to block the primary flow path 72a from the secondary flow path 72b. When the solenoid valve 91 is switched from the closed state to the open state, the communication flow path 72h communicates with the communication flow path 72j. The back pressure chamber 72S communicates with the discharge flow path 80a via the communication flow paths 72h, 72j, and 72k. As a result, the back pressure chamber 72S is depressurized, the diaphragm valve 72d moves away from the downstream end of the primary flow path 72a and the upstream end of the secondary flow path 72b, and the primary flow path 72a and the secondary flow path 72b are connected. Flush water delivered from the pump 42 flows from the primary flow path 72a to the secondary flow path 72b. The flush water flows from the secondary flow path 72b through the discharge flow path 80a and into the branch pipe 48d. The flush water passes through the branch pipe 48d and is discharged from the spreader 60 into the toilet bowl 22. The switching valve 72 can be said to be a pilot valve device.

[0040] The switching valves 74, 76, and 78 each have a configuration similar to that of the switching valve 72. When power is not supplied to the solenoid valve of the switching valve 74, the switching valve 74 is maintained in a closed state, and the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a are maintained in a blocked state in which they are disconnected. When power is supplied to the solenoid valve of the switching valve 74, the switching valve 74 opens, and the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a are connected via the outflow pipe 82. Similarly, the switching valve 76 is switched between an open state and a closed state by power supply to the solenoid valve, and switches between a blocked state between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b and a connected state via the outflow pipe 84. When power is supplied to the solenoid valve of the switching valve 78, the switching valve 78 is switched between an open state and a closed state by power supply to the solenoid valve, and switches between a blocked state between the connecting pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c and a connected state via the outflow pipe 86.

[0041] The switching valve device 46 switches between communication and cutoff of the flow paths using switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78, which are pilot valve devices. With this configuration, the diaphragm valve 72d can be operated using a smaller actuator than in the case of using a direct-acting valve device having an actuator that directly operates a valve element that switches between communication and cutoff of the primary side flow path 72a and the secondary side flow path 72b. This allows the switching valve device 46 to be made smaller and more energy-efficient.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7 , in the switching valve device 46, among the multiple switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78, the switching valves 72 and 76 are positioned lower than the switching valves 74 and 78. This allows multiple switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78 to be connected to a single inlet pipe 70. The switching valve device 46 can be used with any number of branches by changing the number of switching valves arranged in the switching valve device 46. For example, by not providing the switching valve 78 and blocking the branch of the inlet pipe 70, the switching valve device 46 can be used to switch a flow path that branches into three branches. For example, by providing one or more additional branches to the inlet pipe 70 and connecting additional switching valves, the switching valve device 46 can be used to switch a flow path that branches into five or more branches.

[0043] (Processing by the control unit) As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 100 is housed in the toilet body 20. The control unit 100 is communicatively connected to each of the water level sensor 17, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 17, the water supply on-off valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the functional unit 16, and the seating sensor 90. The control unit 100 is further communicatively connected to operation units operated by the user, such as a flush button and a remote controller.

[0044] The control unit 100 includes a CPU and a memory. The memory has a volatile and a non-volatile storage section. The control unit 100 controls the water level sensor 17, the water supply valve 19, the pump 42, the switching valve device 46, the foam valve 62, the function unit 16, and the seating sensor 90 by the CPU executing processing in accordance with a computer program pre-stored in the memory.

[0045] When flush water is to be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 due to a user operation or the like, the control unit 100 controls the pump 42 and the switching valve device 46 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 22 from the water discharge nozzles 50, 52, the spreader 60, and the water discharge opening 54. Waste within the toilet bowl 22 is expelled to the outside of the toilet body 20 by the flush water. In addition to cleaning the toilet bowl 22 with flush water, the control unit 100 also cleans the toilet bowl 22 with foam.

[0046] After the power of the toilet apparatus 10 is switched on, the control unit 100 continuously executes a flushing process in which flush water is supplied to the toilet bowl 22. As shown in Fig. 11 , in the flushing process, in S12, the control unit 100 determines whether a flushing instruction has been acquired through a user operation or the like. The flushing instruction may be acquired not only through a user operation, but also when, for example, the detection result of the seating sensor 90 changes from a seated state to a non-seated state. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may determine that a flushing instruction has been acquired periodically at predetermined intervals, even without a user operation.

[0047] If a flushing command is acquired (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S14. In S14, the control unit 100 drives the pump 42 at a first rotation speed. Specifically, the control unit 100 supplies a current corresponding to the first rotation speed to the pump 42. In S16, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the right rim flow path is connected. Specifically, the control unit 100 connects the branch pipe 48c and the communication pipe 44, which connects the pump 42 to the water discharge nozzle 52, by supplying power to the solenoid valve of the switching valve 74 of the switching valve device 46. The flow path connecting the communication pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48c via the switching valve device 46 is the right rim flow path. As a result, flush water delivered from the pump 42 passes through the right rim flow path and is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 52.

[0048] In S16, when wash water has been discharged from the water discharge nozzle 52 for a predetermined period (e.g., two seconds), the control unit 100 drives the pump 42 at the second rotation speed in S17. Specifically, the control unit 100 supplies a current corresponding to the second rotation speed to the pump 42. In S18, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the spreader flow path is connected. Specifically, the control unit 100 supplies power to the electromagnetic valve of the switching valve 78 of the switching valve device 46, thereby connecting the communicating pipe 44, which connects the pump 42 to the spreader 60, with the branch pipe 48b. The flow path that connects the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48b via the switching valve device 46 is the spreader flow path. As a result, wash water discharged from the pump 42 passes through the spreader flow path and is discharged from the spreader 60.

[0049] In S18, when flush water has been discharged from the spreader for a predetermined period of time (e.g., two seconds), the control unit 100 drives the pump 42 at the third rotation speed in S19. Specifically, the control unit 100 supplies a current corresponding to the third rotation speed to the pump 42. In S20, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the left rim flow path is connected. Specifically, the control unit 100 supplies power to the solenoid valve of the switching valve 76 of the switching valve device 46, thereby connecting the communicating pipe 44, which connects the pump 42 to the water discharge nozzle 50, with the branch pipe 48a. The flow path that connects the communicating pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48a via the switching valve device 46 is the left rim flow path. As a result, flush water delivered from the pump 42 passes through the left rim flow path and is discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50.

[0050] In S20, when wash water has been discharged from the water discharge nozzle 50 for a predetermined period (e.g., 2 seconds), the control unit 100 supplies a current corresponding to the fourth rotation speed to the pump 42 in S21, thereby driving the pump 42 at the fourth rotation speed.

[0051] In S22, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the jet flow path is connected. Specifically, the control unit 100 connects the branch pipe 48d and the communication pipe 44, which connects the pump 42 to the water discharge opening 54, by supplying power to the solenoid valve 91 of the switching valve 72 of the switching valve device 46. The flow path connecting the communication pipe 44 and the branch pipe 48d via the switching valve device 46 is the jet flow path. As a result, wash water discharged from the pump 42 passes through the jet flow path and is discharged from the water discharge opening 54. When wash water has been discharged from the jet flow path for a predetermined period (e.g., one second) in S22, the control unit 100 supplies a current corresponding to the fifth rotational speed to the pump 42 in S23. As a result, the pump 42 is driven at the fifth rotational speed.

[0052] When water is discharged from the jet flow path, the flush water can flush excrement that has been flushed downward into the toilet bowl during the flushing process into the drain pipe 36. The control unit 100 changes the rotation speed of the pump 42 from the third rotation speed to the fourth rotation speed in S21, and then switches the switching valve device 46 to the jet flow path in S22. This allows a larger amount of water to be discharged from the water discharge opening 54 immediately after switching, compared to a configuration in which the rotation speed is changed after switching to the jet flow path. This allows excrement to be flushed into the drain pipe 36 more quickly. In a modified example, a signal for changing the rotation speed of the pump 42 from the third rotation speed to the fourth rotation speed, i.e., a signal for changing the current value, may be supplied to a circuit for supplying current to the pump 42 in S21, and then a signal for switching to the jet flow path may be supplied to the switching valve device 46 in S22. In this case, the switching valve device 46 may switch to the jet flow path before the rotation speed of the pump 42 is actually changed. With this configuration, waste can be flushed into the drain pipe 36 sooner after switching the flow path, compared to a configuration in which a signal to switch to the jet flow path is supplied first, and then a signal to change the rotation speed of the pump 42 is supplied.

[0053] When wash water is discharged from the jet flow path for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one second) in S23, the control unit 100 supplies a current corresponding to the sixth rotation speed to the pump 42 in S24. As a result, the pump 42 is driven at the sixth rotation speed. In S23, wash water is discharged from the jet flow path for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one second), thereby performing a condensing operation in which the wash water is stored in the water storage section 24. By setting the fifth rotation speed lower than the fourth rotation speed, the water pressure of the wash water discharged from the jet flow path is reduced. The fifth rotation speed is set so that the wash water discharged from the jet flow path does not cause the wash water in the water storage section 24 to exceed the curved position 36a of the drain pipe 36.

[0054] In S26, the control unit 100 switches the switching valve device 46 so that the right rim flow path is connected, just as in S16. In S30, the control unit 100 determines whether flush water has been discharged from the right rim flow path for a preset first period of time. Specifically, it determines whether the first period has elapsed since switching to the right rim flow path in S26. If the first period has elapsed since switching to the right rim flow path, the control unit 100 determines that flush water has been discharged from the right rim flow path for the first period of time, and proceeds to S52.

[0055] If a cleaning instruction is not acquired in S12 (NO in S12), the control unit 100 proceeds to S15. In S15, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to execute the cleaning mode. Specifically, if the user performs an operation to execute the cleaning mode, such as operating a cleaning mode button on the operation device, the control unit 100 determines that the cleaning mode should be executed (YES in S15) and proceeds to S34. If the user does not perform an operation to execute the cleaning mode, such as operating a cleaning mode button on the operation device, the control unit 100 determines that the cleaning mode should not be executed (NO in S15) and returns to S12.

[0056] If the answer is YES in S16, the processes of S34 to S46 are executed. The processes of S34 to S46 are the same as the processes of S14 to S26. That is, wash water is discharged in the following order: water discharge nozzle 52, spreader 60, water discharge nozzle 50, water discharge opening 54, and water discharge nozzle 50.

[0057] In S50, the control unit 100 determines whether flush water has been discharged from the right rim flow path for a preset second period of time. Specifically, it determines whether the second period has elapsed since switching to the right rim flow path in S46. If the second period has elapsed since switching to the right rim flow path, the control unit 100 determines that flush water has been discharged from the right rim flow path for the second period of time and proceeds to S52. The second period is shorter than the first period of time.

[0058] In S52, the control unit 100 stops the pump 42. In S54, the control unit 100 closes the switching valve device 46, and ends the cleaning process.

[0059] When the cleaning mode should be executed (YES in S15), the second period during which water is discharged from the jet flow path is shorter than the first period when the flushing process is executed (YES in S12). This allows the amount of accumulated water to be reduced when the cleaning mode is executed. When the cleaning mode is executed, the accumulated water level WS after the flushing process can be kept low. By lowering the accumulated water level, it becomes easier for the user to clean the toilet bowl 22 using a cleaning brush or the like. After cleaning, the user can raise the accumulated water level WS by executing the flushing process.

[0060] The toilet apparatus 10 is equipped with water discharge nozzles 50, 52 that discharge cleaning water from the upper end of the toilet bowl 22 into the toilet bowl 22, and a spreader 60. This allows cleaning water to be spread over a wide area of ​​the surface of the toilet bowl 22. In a situation where excrement and the like has been scattered over a wide area of ​​the surface of the toilet bowl 22, the scattered excrement and the like can be washed away from the surface of the toilet bowl 22.

[0061] The rotation speed of the pump 42 is highest in the order of the fourth rotation speed, the first rotation speed, the second rotation speed, the third rotation speed, the sixth rotation speed, and the fifth rotation speed. In other words, the rotation speed is highest when discharging water from the jet flow path into the drain pipe 36. This allows for proper discharge of waste and other materials. The first, second, and third rotation speeds, i.e., the rotation speeds for the right rim flow path, the spreader flow path, and the left rim flow path, are determined by the length and shape of the flow paths from the pump 42. The manner in which water is discharged from the right rim flow path and the manner in which water is discharged from the left rim flow path may be symmetrical. The switching of the switching valve device 46 may be performed after the rotation speed of the pump 42 is switched, as in the flushing process of FIG. 11 , or may be performed before the rotation speed of the pump 42 is switched.

[0062] The switching valve device 46 is provided with switching valves 72, 74, 76, and 78 for each flow path, so that the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, the spreader flow path, and the jet flow path can be independently switched between open and closed.

[0063] (Configuration of the Reservoir) As shown in Figure 12, the reservoir 18 is made by assembling a lower member 18a and an upper member 18b. A flange 18c is disposed on the upper edge of the lower member 18a, surrounding the upper edge. A flange 18d is disposed on the lower edge of the upper member 18b, surrounding the lower edge. As shown in Figure 13, the lower member 18a and the upper member 18b are fixed to each other by bringing the flanges 18c and 18d into contact with each other and sandwiching the flanges 18c and 18d from above and below with a fastener 18e. The reservoir 18 may be attached to the toilet apparatus 10 while being housed in a housing that covers the reservoir 18.

[0064] A water intake nozzle 18f, which is connected to the pump 42, is attached to the upper member 18b. The water intake nozzle 18f is molded separately from the upper member 18b. The water intake nozzle 18f has a cylindrical shape. An expanded diameter section 18g is located at the lower end of the water intake nozzle 18f. The expanded diameter section 18g expands the diameter of the space that communicates with the inside of the cylindrical shape of the water intake nozzle 18f. The expanded diameter section 18g makes the opening at the lower end of the water intake nozzle 18f wider than the opening at the upper end. The lower end of the water intake nozzle 18f extends to near the bottom surface of the lower member 18a. This allows the water intake nozzle 18f to take in flush water stored in the reservoir 18 up to near the bottom surface. Because the diameter of the water intake nozzle 18f is expanded at the lower end by the expanded diameter section 18g, it is easy to take in flush water.

[0065] The water intake nozzle 18f has a portion of the expanded diameter section 18g that protrudes downward. The lower member 18a has a step 18h that follows the protruding portion of the expanded diameter section 18g. A convex portion is formed at the upper end of the water intake nozzle 18f. The upper member 18b has a concave portion that corresponds to the convex portion of the water intake nozzle 18f, at the position where the water intake nozzle 18f is attached. The water intake nozzle 18f and the upper member 18b are fitted together by inserting the water intake nozzle 18f into the upper member 18b and rotating it. In this way, the water intake nozzle 18f is attached to the upper member 18b.

[0066] If the water intake nozzle 18f is not properly attached to the upper member 18b, the opening of the water intake nozzle 18f is blocked, preventing it from properly drawing water from the reservoir 18. When the water intake nozzle 18f is not properly attached to the upper member 18b, the water intake nozzle 18f is not properly rotated relative to the upper member 18b. In this case, the lower protruding portion of the expanded diameter portion 18g comes into contact with the step portion 18h of the lower member 18a, preventing the flange 18d of the upper member 18b from coming into contact with the flange 18c of the lower member 18a. As a result, it can be detected that the water intake nozzle 18f is not properly attached to the upper member 18b.

[0067] (Correspondence) The water discharge nozzle 50 is an example of a "first water discharge port." The water discharge nozzle 52 is an example of a "second water discharge port." The water discharge opening 54 is an example of a "third water discharge port." The check valve 45 is an example of a "check valve device," a "first check valve device," a "second check valve device," and a "third check valve device." The switching valve 74 is an example of a "first switching valve device." The switching valve 78 is an example of a "second switching valve device." The switching valve 72 is an example of a "third switching valve device."

[0068] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0069] A first aspect is a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet bowl having a water reservoir below, a water discharge flow path including a first water outlet and a second water outlet that discharge flush water that flows from the upper end of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl, and a third water outlet at least a portion of which is immersed in the water reservoir, and a pump that pressurizes the flush water and sends it out from the water discharge flow path including the first water outlet, the second water outlet, and the third water outlet into the toilet bowl.

[0070] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the toilet device may further include a check valve device arranged in the water discharge flow path between the pump and the third water discharge outlet, which allows the passage of the flushing water from the pump toward the third water discharge outlet and restricts the passage of the flushing water from the third water discharge outlet toward the pump.

[0071] A third aspect is any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the toilet device further comprises a switching valve device arranged in the front water discharge flow path between the pump and the first water discharge outlet, between the pump and the second water discharge outlet, and between the pump and the third water discharge outlet, and the switching valve device may switch between a first communication state that connects the pump and the first water discharge outlet and a first blocking state that blocks the pump and the first water discharge outlet, switch between a second communication state that connects the pump and the second water discharge outlet and a second blocking state that blocks the pump and the second water discharge outlet, and switch between a third communication state that connects the pump and the third water discharge outlet and a third blocking state that blocks the pump and the third water discharge outlet.

[0072] A fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising at least one of: a first valve combination including a first check valve device arranged between the pump and the first water outlet in the water discharge flow path, and a first switching valve device arranged between the first check valve device and the first water outlet; a second valve combination including a second check valve device arranged between the pump and the second water outlet in the water discharge flow path, and a second switching valve device arranged between the second check valve device and the second water outlet; and a third valve combination including a third check valve device arranged between the pump and the third water outlet in the water discharge flow path, and a third switching valve device arranged between the third check valve device and the third water outlet, and in the first valve combination, the first check valve device allows the passage of flush water from the pump towards the first water outlet, and restricts the passage of flush water from the first water outlet towards the pump. In the second valve combination, the second check valve device allows the flush water to pass from the pump toward the second outlet and restricts the flush water to pass from the second outlet toward the pump, and the second switching valve device switches between a second communication state that connects the pump to the second outlet and a second blocking state that blocks the pump from the second outlet. In the third valve combination, the third check valve device allows the flush water to pass from the pump toward the third outlet and restricts the flush water to pass from the third outlet toward the pump, and the third switching valve device switches between a second communication state that connects the pump to the third outlet and a third blocking state that blocks the pump from the third outlet.

[0073] In a fifth aspect, in the third aspect, the switching valve device may be provided with a pilot valve device including a diaphragm valve arranged in the water discharge flow path and an electromagnetic valve that controls the pressure on the back pressure side of the diaphragm valve.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the third and fifth aspects, the toilet device further includes a control unit that controls the pump and the switching valve device, and when the flushing water is to be discharged from the third water outlet, the control unit may supply a signal to operate the pump, and then supply a signal to the switching valve device to switch the switching valve device from the third blocked state to the third connected state.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, in any one of the third, fifth and sixth aspects, the toilet device further includes a control unit that controls the pump and the switching valve device, and the control unit may adjust the amount of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl from the water discharge flow path by controlling the pump and the switching valve device so that the water surface height of the water accumulating at the bottom of the toilet bowl is either a first height or a second height lower than the first height.

[0076] In an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the water discharge flow path has a plurality of water discharge ports including the first water discharge port, the second water discharge port, and the third water discharge port, the pump supplies the flushing water to the toilet bowl from the plurality of water discharge ports, and the toilet device may further switch, for each of the plurality of water discharge ports, between a communication state in the water discharge flow path that connects the pump to the water discharge port and a blocked state that blocks the pump from the water discharge port.

[0077] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the first embodiment described above are listed below.

[0078] (1) The toilet apparatus 10 may be provided with a plurality of switching valve devices arranged in the first rim flow path, the second rim flow path, the spreader flow path, and the jet flow path, respectively, instead of the switching valve device 46. In this case, each switching valve device may be provided with a pilot valve device similar to the switching valve 72.

[0079] (2) The toilet apparatus 10 may be provided with at least two of the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60. In this case, the spreader 60 may be an example of either a "first water discharge port" or a "second water discharge port." In addition to the water discharge nozzles 50, 52 and the spreader 60, the toilet apparatus 10 may be provided with a water discharge port that discharges flush water toward the upper end of the toilet bowl 22. For example, four or more water discharge ports that discharge flush water toward the upper end of the toilet bowl 22 may be provided. Furthermore, for example, the toilet apparatus 10 may be provided with at least one of a discharge port and a discharge nozzle that discharges flush water from the functional unit 16 toward the top of the toilet bowl 22. In this case, the discharge port provided in the functional unit 16 and the discharge port provided in the discharge nozzle extending from the functional unit 16 may be an example of either a "first water discharge port" or a "second water discharge port."

[0080] (3) The position of the water discharge opening 54 does not have to face the drain outlet 34. For example, the water discharge opening 54 may be open to the toilet bowl 22 on one of the left and right sides of the water storage section 24. A portion of the water discharge opening 54 may be located above the water surface WS.

[0081] (Configuration of the Toilet Apparatus 110 of the Second Embodiment) As shown in Figure 14, the toilet apparatus 110 of the second embodiment is a flush toilet. The toilet apparatus 110 is fixed to the floor when in use. The toilet apparatus 110 may also be, for example, a so-called wall-hung flush toilet that is fixed to a wall.

[0082] The toilet apparatus 110 includes a toilet lid 111, a toilet bowl 112, a toilet seat 114, an operating device 115, a functional unit 116, a reservoir 118 (see FIG. 15), an on-off valve 119, a water discharge unit 140 (see FIG. 17), a control unit 200, a seat sensor 190, a toilet lid sensor 111s, and a toilet seat sensor 114s. FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl 112 taken at the center in the left-right direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the toilet bowl 112 includes a toilet body 120 and an upper rim 130. The toilet body 120 is made of ceramic. The toilet body 120 includes a toilet bowl 122 that receives waste. A reservoir 118 is housed in the toilet body 120 at the bottom end of the toilet body 120. The reservoir 118 stores flush water for cleaning the toilet bowl 122. Water is supplied to the reservoir 118 from a clean water pipe (not shown). An on-off valve 119 switches between communication between the clean water pipe and the reservoir 118 and blocking the connection. The functional unit 116 may have functions such as an opening / closing function for automatically opening and closing the toilet lid (not shown) in accordance with the user's movements, a local cleaning function, a warm air drying function, a deodorizing function, etc.

[0083] The operating device 115 is attached to a wall of the toilet room in which the toilet apparatus 110 is placed. In a modified example, the operating device 115 may be a remote controller electrically connected to the water discharger 140 either wired or wirelessly. The operating device 115 is operated by a user to operate the toilet apparatus 110. The operating device 115 includes a large flush button 115a, a small flush button 115b, a seated flush button 115c, and a display 115d. The large flush button 115a is a button that causes the toilet apparatus 110 to receive a command from the user to perform a large flush process that discharges waste and the like from the toilet bowl 122 into a sewer pipe (not shown) connected to the toilet body 120. The small flush button 115b is a button that the toilet apparatus 110 uses to receive instructions from the user to execute a small flush process that supplies less flush water to the toilet bowl 122 than is supplied by the large flush button 115a, and discharges waste and the like from the toilet bowl 122 into a sewer pipe (not shown) connected to the toilet body 120. The large flush button 115a and the small flush button 115b are each electrically connected to the water discharger 140. When the user operates each button 115a, 115b, flush water is discharged from the reservoir 118 via the water discharger 140 into the toilet bowl 122, and a flush process corresponding to the button operated by the user is executed. Below, the large flush process and the small flush process will be referred to as the "normal flush process," and the large flush button 115a and the small flush button 115b will sometimes be referred to as the "normal flush button."

[0084] The seated flush button 115c is a button for causing the control unit 200 to execute the seated flush determination process described below. The seated flush button 115c is electrically connected to the control unit 200. Although not shown, the operating device 115 further includes buttons for operating functional units, such as a flushing function for washing the buttocks of the human body. The display 115d is a liquid crystal display that displays various information related to the toilet device 110 to the user.

[0085] In the toilet apparatus 110, the normal flush process may be performed by operating the normal flush buttons (i.e., the large flush button 115a and the small flush button 115b) or by operating a lever disposed on the toilet apparatus 110. The normal flush process may also be performed without any operation by the user. For example, the normal flush process may be performed when the seat sensor 190 no longer detects a user.

[0086] The toilet lid 111 is attached to the toilet bowl body 120 so that it can be opened and closed. The toilet lid 111 covers the toilet bowl body 120 from above. The toilet lid 111 is electrically connected to a toilet lid sensor 111s, which detects whether the toilet lid 111 is open or not. Figure 14 shows the toilet lid 111 in an open position. The toilet lid 111 is not shown in Figures 15 to 18.

[0087] The toilet seat 114 is attached to the toilet bowl body 120 so as to be able to open and close. A user sits on the toilet seat 114. The toilet seat 114 has an opening 114a. A seat sensor 190 is disposed on the toilet seat 114. When a user sits on the toilet seat 114, the toilet seat 114 moves downward. The seat sensor 190 detects the up and down movement of the toilet seat 114, thereby detecting whether the user has sat on or left the seat. In a modified example, the seat sensor 190 may be a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like that directly detects the user. Instead of the seat sensor 190, a human presence sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a camera, etc.) that detects the user may also be used.

[0088] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 114 and the functional unit 116 are aligned will be referred to as the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the side on which the toilet seat 114 is arranged relative to the functional unit 116 will be referred to as the front side of the front-rear direction, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the rear side of the paper in FIG. 14 will be referred to as the right side, and the front side of the paper in FIG. 14 will be referred to as the left side. The left and right directions correspond to the left and right as seen by a user facing the toilet device 110. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the side on which the reservoir 118 is arranged relative to the toilet body 120 will be referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the lower side.

[0089] The toilet bowl 122 has a shape that is generally recessed downward. As shown in FIG. 15 , the toilet bowl 122 has a water storage section 124 that is located at the bottom of the toilet bowl 122. The toilet body 120 has a drainage channel 136 that communicates with the water storage section 124 and a drain outlet 134 that opens into the water storage section 124. The drainage channel 136 slopes upward as it moves from the bottom of the water storage section 124 to the back. In other words, the drainage channel 136 extends upward from the bottom of the toilet bowl 122. As a result, flush water is stored in the drainage channel 136 before being supplied to the drainage channel 136, and the drainage channel 136 functions as a trap. The rear end 136 a of the drainage channel 136 is connected to a first drain pipe 137. The first drain pipe 137 is made of resin. The first drain pipe 137 curves downward from the rear end 136 a of the drainage channel 136. The lower end of the first drain pipe 137 is connected to a second drain pipe 138. The second drain pipe 138 is connected to a sewer pipe (not shown).

[0090] In the toilet apparatus 110 of this embodiment, after the normal flushing process has been performed and before the seated flushing process is performed, flush water is stored in the water storage section 124 up to the position of the first water surface WS11. In this embodiment, when flush water is not being supplied to the toilet bowl 122, the area below the first water surface WS11 is referred to as the water storage section 124. Furthermore, when the seated flushing process is performed, flush water is stored up to the position of the second water surface WS12.

[0091] An upper rim portion 130 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 122, surrounding the upper edge 122a of the toilet bowl 122. The upper rim portion 130 is disposed at the upper end of the toilet body 120. The upper rim portion 130 protrudes inward from the upper edge 122a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 122. The lower surface 130a of the upper rim portion 130 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0092] The toilet bowl 122 has a front surface 123, a side surface 126, and a rear surface 125. The front surface 123 is the surface of the toilet bowl 122 that is located in front of the front edge of the first water surface WS11. The side surface 126 is the surface of the toilet bowl 122 that extends rearward from the rear end of the front surface 123 along both the left and right ends of the first water surface WS11. The side surface 126 extends in the rear direction of the surface of the toilet bowl 122 to a position aligned with the rear edge of the first water surface WS11. The rear surface 125 is the area of ​​the surface of the toilet bowl 122 that connects the rear ends of the left and right side surfaces 126 along the rear edge of the first water surface WS11.

[0093] The front surface 123 has a linear shape 123a that slopes downward from the upper edge 122a toward the rear, i.e., the first water surface WS11, and a curved shape 123b that curves downward from the bottom of the linear shape 123a toward the first water surface WS11. In a "downwardly curved curved shape," in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, a line segment representing a plane located between any two points on the curved shape is located below the line connecting those two points. The linear shape 123a extends in the tangential direction of the curved shape 123b. The boundary between the linear shape 123a and the curved shape 123b is smooth and continuous without any steps. The front surface 123 has a curved shape 123b that curves downward in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction at any position in the front-to-rear direction. The same is true for the front surface 123 in a cross section perpendicular to the left-to-right direction at any position in the left-to-right direction of the toilet bowl 122. The front surface 123 does not have an upwardly bulging shape.

[0094] In a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction of the toilet bowl 122, the portion located below the front surface 123 has a linear shape that slopes backward as it extends downward.

[0095] The linear shape 123a has a plane that slopes downward from the upper edge 122a toward the first water surface WS11 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at any position in the longitudinal direction. The curved shape 123b curves downward from the lower end of the linear shape 123a to a position midway between the first water surface WS11 and the second water surface WS12 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at any position in the longitudinal direction.

[0096] The side surface 126 has different shapes in the front and rear sections in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The front section of the side surface 126 has a curved shape that continues from the front surface 123 and curves downward. This curved shape extends beyond the first water surface WS11 to the pooling section 124. As shown in FIG. 16 , the rear section of the side surface 126 has a linear shape 126a that slopes downward from the upper edge 122a toward the first water surface WS11, a curved shape 126b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 126a and the first water surface WS11, and a curved shape 126c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 126b to the first water surface WS11. The curved shape 126c extends beyond the first water surface WS11 to the pooling section 124. The portion having the curved shape 126c is the rear portion of the toilet body 120, and the portion not having the curved shape 126c is the front portion of the toilet body 120. The boundary between the front and rear portions of the toilet body 120 may be the position of the drain outlet 134 in the front-rear direction.

[0097] As shown in Figure 15, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the toilet bowl 122 in the left-right direction, the rear surface 125 has a linear shape 125a that slopes downward from the upper edge 122a toward the front, i.e., toward the first water surface WS11; a curved shape 125b that curves downward at an intermediate position between the bottom of the linear shape 125a and the first water surface WS11; and a curved shape 125c that curves upward from the bottom of the curved shape 125b to the first water surface WS11. The linear shape 125a may be parallel to the vertical direction. The rear surface 125 is located behind the rear edge of the opening 114a of the toilet seat 114. This makes the rear surface 125 less visible to the user.

[0098] (Configuration of Water Discharge Unit) Water discharge unit 140 discharges flush water from reservoir 118 into toilet bowl 122. As shown in Figure 17, water discharge unit 140 includes pump 142, connecting pipe 144, check valve 145, switching valve device 146, branch pipes 148a, 148b, 148c, 148d, water discharge nozzles 150, 152, water discharge opening 154, and spreader 160.

[0099] The pump 142 draws in flush water from the reservoir 118 and pressurizes it. The pump 142 sends the pressurized flush water to a communicating pipe 144. The communicating pipe 144 is in communication with the pump 142. The communicating pipe 144 defines a flow path through which the flush water flows. The communicating pipe 144 is in communication with a switching valve device 146 via a check valve 145. The check valve 145 allows flush water to flow from the pump 142 toward the switching valve device 146. The check valve 145 restricts flush water from flowing from the switching valve device 146 toward the pump 142. This makes it possible to prevent flush water from flowing back into the pump 142 via the communicating pipe 144. By arranging the check valve 145 closer to the pump 142 than the switching valve device 146, the number of check valves 145 can be reduced.

[0100] The switching valve device 146 connects the communicating pipe 144 to at least one of the branch pipes 148a, 148b, 148c, and 148d. The communicating pipe 144 and the branch pipes 148a, 148b, and 148c are each made of a resin such as a synthetic resin. Synthetic rubber is used in at least one of the connecting portions of the branch pipes 148a and 148c between the pump 142 and the water discharge nozzles 150 and 152 to enhance liquid-tightness. An upstream portion 148e of the branch pipe 148d extending from the pump 142 is made of the same resin as the branch pipe 148a. Meanwhile, a downstream portion 148f disposed in the toilet body 120 is located downstream of the upstream portion 148e of the branch pipe 148d. The downstream portion 148f is made of ceramic.

[0101] A water discharge nozzle 150 communicates with branch pipe 148a. When communication pipe 144 communicates with branch pipe 148a via switching valve device 146, flush water is discharged from water discharge nozzle 150 into toilet bowl 122. A spreader 160 communicates with branch pipe 148b. When communication pipe 144 communicates with branch pipe 148b via switching valve device 146, flush water is discharged from spreader 160 into toilet bowl 122. A water discharge nozzle 152 communicates with branch pipe 148c. When communication pipe 144 communicates with branch pipe 148c via switching valve device 146, flush water is discharged from water discharge nozzle 152 into toilet bowl 122. A water discharge opening 154 communicates with branch pipe 148d. When the communication pipe 144 is connected to the branch pipe 148 d via the switching valve device 146 , flush water is discharged from the water discharge opening 154 into the toilet bowl 122 .

[0102] As shown in Figure 16, the water discharge nozzles 150, 152 and the spreader 160 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The water discharge nozzle 150 is arranged near the upper end of the toilet bowl 122. The water discharge nozzle 150 has an opening 150a that is long in the vertical direction. The water discharge nozzle 152 is arranged symmetrically with the water discharge nozzle 150. As shown in Figure 15, the front ends of the water discharge nozzles 150, 152 are arranged forward of the rear end of the first water surface WS11. The spreader 160 is arranged further back than the rear end of the first water surface WS11. The water discharge nozzles 150, 152 each have an opening that extends in the vertical direction. The flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzles 150, 152 flows into the toilet bowl 122, which is located below the upper rim portion 130. The upper rim portion 130 is formed from a single flat plate, and washing water does not flow inside.

[0103] As shown in Figure 15, the water discharge opening 154 opens into the water storage section 124. That is, the entire water discharge opening 154 is submerged in the water storage section 124. The water discharge opening 154 opens from the front side toward the drain outlet 134 on the rear side. That is, the water discharge opening 154 faces the drain outlet 134. As shown by arrow F2 in Figure 15, when flush water is discharged from the water discharge opening 154, the flush water from the water discharge opening 154 is discharged toward the drain outlet 134. As shown by arrow F3, the flush water from the water storage section 124, together with the flush water from the water discharge opening 154, is discharged into an external sewer pipe via the drain flow path 136 and each drain pipe 137, 138. Waste in the water storage section 124 and objects floating in the water stored in the water storage section 124 are also discharged from the drain flow path 136 to the outside of the toilet body 120.

[0104] As indicated by arrow F1 in FIG. 19 , flush water discharged from the water-discharging nozzle 150 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 122 along the upper rim 130. The flush water flow path defined by the water-discharging nozzle 150 from the branch pipe 148a is called the first rim flow path. As particularly indicated by arrow F1 in FIG. 15 , flush water discharged from the water-discharging nozzle 152 flows near the top of the toilet bowl 122 along the upper rim 130. The flush water flow path defined by the water-discharging nozzle 152 from the branch pipe 148c is called the second rim flow path. The flush water discharged from the water-discharging nozzles 150, 152 flows downward from near the top. The flush water discharged from the water-discharging nozzles 150, 152 flows over a wide area of ​​the toilet bowl 122, from the top to the bottom. This makes it possible to remove waste, particularly from the side surface 126 and front surface 123 of the toilet bowl 122. As described above, the water discharge nozzle 150 has an opening 150a that is long in the vertical direction, and therefore flush water is discharged from the opening 150a at a relatively high flow rate. As a result, the flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzle 150 flows over the surface of the toilet bowl 122 at a high surface speed and reaches the water pool 124. This ensures that waste adhering to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 is removed reliably. The flush water discharged from the spreader 160 collides with the spreader 160 from the branch pipe 148b, spreads out in all directions, and is discharged into the toilet bowl 122. The flush water flow path defined by the spreader 160 from the branch pipe 148b is called the spreader flow path. The flush water discharged from the water discharge opening 154 functions as a so-called jet water discharge, discharging waste and the like from the water pool 124. The flush water flow path defined by the branch pipe 148d and the water discharge opening 154 is called the jet flow path.

[0105] Figures 18 and 19 show the configuration of each part of the water discharger 140. All parts of the water discharger 140, except for the branch pipe 148d and the water discharge opening 154, are housed in the toilet body 120 at the back side of the toilet bowl 122. In the toilet body 120, each part of the water discharger 140 is housed in a small space. In each of Figures 18 and 19, some of the configuration has been simplified to prioritize ease of viewing.

[0106] The spreader 160 is attached to the rear surface 125 at the rear side of the toilet bowl 122. The spreader 160 is inserted into a through-hole that penetrates the toilet body 120 and is fixed to the toilet body 120. The spreader 160 protrudes from the rear surface 125 into the inside of the toilet bowl 122. The spreader 160 has one or more outlets in each of the up, down, left, and right directions. Flush water that flows into the spreader 160 from the branch pipe 148b collides with the front portion of the spreader 160 and spreads in the up, down, left, and right directions. The colliding flush water is discharged into the toilet bowl 122 from the multiple outlets of the spreader 160. This allows flush water discharged from the spreader 160 to be discharged in multiple directions, including upward, downward, left, and right, from the multiple outlets. This makes it easier to spread the flush water over the surface of the toilet bowl 122.

[0107] The reservoir 118 extends to the right side of the toilet body 120, up to near the top end of the toilet body 120. A water level sensor 117 is located at the top end of the reservoir 118. The water level sensor 117 is equipped with a float that rises above the water surface when the water level in the reservoir 118 reaches a predetermined position, and a sensor unit that detects whether the float is floating or not. An on-off valve 119 is located at the top end of the reservoir 118. The on-off valve 119 switches between connecting and blocking communication between the reservoir 118 and the clean water pipe.

[0108] 14, the control unit 200 is housed in the toilet body 120. The control unit 200 is communicatively connected to each of the water level sensor 117, the on-off valve 119, the pump 142, the switching valve device 146, the functional unit 116, the seat sensor 190, the toilet lid sensor 111s, the toilet seat sensor 114s, and the operation device 115. The control unit 200 controls the water level sensor 117, the on-off valve 119, the pump 142, the switching valve device 146, the functional unit 116, the seat sensor 190, the toilet lid sensor 111s, the toilet seat sensor 114s, and the operation device 115.

[0109] The control unit 200 includes a CPU, memory, and timer 202. The memory has volatile and non-volatile storage sections. The control unit 200 controls the water level sensor 117, on-off valve 119, pump 142, switching valve device 146, function section 116, seating sensor 190, toilet lid sensor 111s, toilet seat sensor 114s, and operation device 115 by the CPU executing processing in accordance with a computer program pre-stored in the memory. The timer 202 measures the elapsed time since the user sat on the toilet seat 114.

[0110] For example, in response to a user pressing the normal flush button on the operating device 115, the control unit 200 controls the pump 142 and the switching valve device 146 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 122 from the water discharge nozzles 150, 152, the spreader 160, and the water discharge opening 154. As a result, waste in the toilet bowl 122 is flushed out of the toilet body 120 by the flush water. As shown in FIG. 15 , when the normal flush process is performed, flush water is stored in the water storage section 124 of the toilet bowl 122 up to the height of the first water surface WS11. The first water surface WS11 is located below the rear end 136a of the drainage channel 136. In other words, the first water surface WS11 is located below the upper end of the drainage channel 136, which functions as a trap. In other words, after the normal flush process is performed, the drainage channel 136 includes an area for storing additional flush water.

[0111] After the user selects the seated flush button 115c on the operating device 115, the control unit 200 executes the seated flush process if the conditions described in Figure 20 are met. In this embodiment, in the seated flush process, the control unit 200 controls the pump 142 and the switching valve device 146 to discharge wash water from the water discharge nozzles 150, 152. In the seated flush process, the control unit 200 does not connect the communication pipe 144 and the branch pipe 148d via the switching valve device 146. In the seated flush process, the control unit 200 does not connect the communication pipe 144 and the branch pipe 148b via the switching valve device 146. In the seated flush process, the discharge of wash water from the water discharge opening 154 and the spreader 160 is restricted. This allows for a reduction in the amount of flush water used in the sitting flush process compared to a configuration in which flush water is supplied to the toilet bowl 122 from the water discharge nozzles 150, 152, the spreader 160, and the water discharge opening 154. In the sitting flush process, flush water is discharged onto the upper part of the surface of the toilet bowl 122 via the first and second rim flow paths (i.e., the water discharge nozzles 150, 152), so that flush water can be supplied to the toilet bowl 122 over a wide area from the upper part of the surface of the toilet bowl 122.

[0112] After the normal flushing process has been performed, the level of the flush water is at the first water level WS11, which is located below the rear end 136a of the drainage channel 136, so when the seated flushing process is performed, the flush water discharged from the water discharge nozzles 150, 152 raises the water level in the water storage section 124. In other words, the volume of flush water in the drainage channel 136 increases due to the seated flushing process. After the seated flushing process has been performed, the level of flush water stored in the toilet bowl 122 is at the second water level WS12, which is located above the first water level WS11. As a result, the next time the normal flushing process is performed, waste and the like in the water storage section 124 can be reliably discharged using the large amount of flush water that has accumulated in the drainage channel 136 up to the second water level WS12.

[0113] (Seating Wash Determination Process) The sitting wash determination process executed by the control unit 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. The control unit 200 executes the process in Fig. 20 when triggered by the selection of the sitting wash button 115c on the operation device 115. This allows the user to select whether or not to perform the sitting wash.

[0114] In S110, the control unit 200 monitors whether the toilet lid 111 is open. Specifically, the control unit 200 determines whether the toilet lid 111 is open based on information received from the toilet lid sensor 111s. If the control unit 200 receives information from the toilet lid sensor 111s indicating that the toilet lid 111 is open (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112.

[0115] In S112, the control unit 200 determines whether the toilet seat 114 is closed. Specifically, the control unit 200 determines whether the toilet seat 114 is open based on information received from the toilet seat sensor 114s. If the control unit 200 receives information from the toilet seat sensor 114s indicating that the toilet seat 114 is closed (YES in S112), the control unit 200 proceeds to S120. If the toilet seat 114 is open even though the toilet lid 111 is open (YES in S110), this may be because, for example, the user is cleaning the toilet bowl 122 with the toilet lid 111 open. If the control unit 200 receives information from the toilet seat sensor 114s in S112 indicating that the toilet seat 114 is not closed (NO in S112), the control unit 200 returns to S110.

[0116] In S120, the control unit 200 determines whether a user is seated on the toilet seat 114. Specifically, the control unit 200 determines whether a user is seated on the toilet seat 114 based on information received from the seat sensor 190. If the control unit 200 receives information from the seat sensor 190 indicating that a user is seated on the toilet seat 114 (YES in S120), the control unit 200 proceeds to S122. If the toilet lid 111 is open (YES in S110) and the toilet seat 114 is closed (YES in S112), but seating is not detected, this may be due to, for example, the toilet lid 111 being opened by mistake, or the sensors 111s and 114s making erroneous detections, etc. If the control unit 200 receives information from the seat sensor 190 indicating that a user is not seated on the toilet seat 114 (NO in S120), the control unit 200 returns to S110.

[0117] In S122, the control unit 200 starts measuring the elapsed time using the timer 202. The longer the time that has passed since waste adhered to the surface of the toilet bowl 122, the more firmly the waste adheres to the surface of the toilet bowl 122. The elapsed time indicates the time that has passed since the user sat on the toilet seat 114. If a long time passes without flush water being supplied to the surface of the toilet bowl 122, the time that waste remains adhered to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 may become longer.

[0118] In S130, the control unit 200 determines whether or not selection of the normal flush button (i.e., either the large flush button 115a or the small flush button 115b) has been accepted. If the control unit 200 has accepted selection of the normal flush button (YES in S130), the process proceeds to S132. If the control unit 200 has not accepted selection of the normal flush button (NO in S130), the process proceeds to S140.

[0119] In S132, the control unit 200 executes the normal flushing process. Specifically, the control unit 200 controls the pump 142 and the switching valve device 146 to supply flush water to the toilet bowl 122 from the water discharge nozzles 150, 152, the spreader 160, and the water discharge opening 154. This causes waste in the toilet bowl 122 to be discharged outside the toilet apparatus 110.

[0120] Next, the control unit 200 resets the timer 202 in S134. When the normal flushing process is performed, it is believed that the waste adhering to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 will be removed by the normal flushing process. By resetting the timer 202 when the normal flushing process is performed, the period of time that waste has been adhering can be measured more accurately than in a configuration in which the measurement of the elapsed period continues even after the normal flushing process is performed. When the control unit 200 completes the process of S134, it returns to S110.

[0121] In S140, the control unit 200 determines whether the elapsed period exceeds a predetermined period. The inventors discovered that if waste remains attached to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 for more than five minutes, the waste adheres more firmly to the surface of the toilet bowl 122. For this reason, in this embodiment, the predetermined period is five minutes. The control unit 200 repeats the processes of S130 and S140 until the elapsed period exceeds five minutes. If the elapsed period exceeds five minutes, the control unit 200 proceeds to S150. The predetermined period is not limited to five minutes, and may be less than or greater than five minutes.

[0122] In S150, the control unit 200 again determines whether a user is seated on the toilet seat 114. If the control unit 200 receives information from the seat sensor 190 in S150 indicating that a user is seated on the toilet seat 114 (YES in S150), the control unit 200 proceeds to S152. If the control unit 200 receives information from the seat sensor 190 in S150 indicating that a user is not seated on the toilet seat 114 (NO in S150), the control unit 200 proceeds to S132 and executes the normal flush process. If the user is not seated on the toilet seat 114 after the elapsed period exceeds five minutes (YES in S140) (NO in S150), it is assumed that the user forgot to select the normal flush button after using the toilet. In the toilet apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the normal flush process is executed in this case, so that the normal flush process is executed reliably even if the user forgot to select the normal flush button.

[0123] In S152, the control unit 200 executes the seated flushing process. As described above, in this embodiment, the seated flushing process is a process in which flushing water is supplied to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 via the water discharge nozzles 150, 152. This prevents waste from adhering to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 for more than five minutes. When S152 ends, the control unit 200 returns to S110. If the user continues to sit on the toilet seat 114 after the seated flushing process has ended and the elapsed time again exceeds five minutes, the control unit 200 executes the seated flushing process again. In other words, as long as the user remains seated, the control unit 200 repeats the seated flushing process every five minutes for a predetermined period of time. This prevents waste from adhering to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 for more than five minutes, even if waste adheres to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 multiple times.

[0124] In this way, the toilet apparatus 110 of this embodiment executes the seated cleaning process in S152 if the elapsed time exceeds five minutes (YES in S140) after the seating sensor 190 detects a user sitting (YES in S120) and if the toilet apparatus 110 detects a user sitting again (YES in S150). This prevents feces from remaining attached to the surface of the toilet bowl 122 while the user is sitting. This prevents feces from firmly adhering to the surface of the toilet bowl 122.

[0125] (Correspondence) The seating sensor 190 is an example of an "acquisition unit." An elapsed period exceeding "five minutes" is an example of a "predetermined condition." Selection of the normal flush button is an example of a "reset condition." The timer 202 is an example of a "timing unit." The seating flush button 115c is an example of an "operation unit." The seating flush process is an example of a "first flush process." The normal flush process is an example of a "second flush process." The water discharge nozzles 150, 152 are an example of a "first flow path." The downstream portion 148f is an example of a "second flow path." The first water surface WS11 is an example of a "first height." The second water surface WS12 is an example of a "second height." S152 is an example of processing executed by the "discharge control unit."

[0126] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0127] A first aspect is a toilet apparatus. The toilet apparatus may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, an acquisition unit that acquires detection information indicating the presence of a person near the toilet body, and a discharge control unit that executes a first flushing process that discharges flush water toward the surface of the toilet bowl when a predetermined condition is satisfied and the detection information is acquired after the detection information is acquired.

[0128] In a second aspect, the toilet apparatus of the first aspect may further include a toilet seat located above the toilet body, and a seat sensor that detects when a user sits on the toilet seat. The detection information may include information indicating that the user is sitting on the toilet seat, which is obtained from the seat sensor.

[0129] In a third aspect, the toilet apparatus of the second aspect may further include a toilet lid that covers the top of the toilet seat, and a toilet lid sensor that detects whether the toilet lid is open. The detection information may include information indicating that the toilet lid is open, obtained from the toilet lid sensor.

[0130] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the toilet apparatus may further include a timer that measures an elapsed period. If the detection information is acquired while the elapsed period is not being measured, the timer may start measuring the elapsed period since the detection information was acquired, and the predetermined condition may include the measured elapsed period exceeding a predetermined period.

[0131] In a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, if a reset condition is met while the elapsed period is being measured, the timing unit may reset the measured elapsed period and measure a new elapsed period.

[0132] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the toilet apparatus may further include an operation unit that accepts an operation by a user, and when a predetermined operation by the user is accepted, the discharge control unit may not execute the first flushing process regardless of whether the predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0133] In a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the toilet device may further include a first flow path that ejects cleaning water onto an upper portion of the surface of the toilet bowl, and in the first cleaning process, the cleaning water may be ejected onto the surface via the first flow path.

[0134] In an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the toilet bowl may have a water reservoir located below it. The toilet apparatus may include a first flow path that discharges flush water onto an upper portion of the toilet bowl, and a second flow path having a discharge port at least partially submerged in the water reservoir. The discharge control unit may be capable of selectively executing the first flushing process and the second flushing process, and in the first flushing process, the flush water may be discharged from the first flow path and the discharge of the flush water from the second flow path may be restricted, and in the second flushing process, the flush water may be discharged from both the first and second flow paths.

[0135] In a ninth aspect, the toilet apparatus of the eighth aspect may further include a drainage channel communicating with the toilet bowl. The drainage channel may extend upward from the bottom of the toilet bowl. After the second flushing process is performed and before the first flushing process is performed, the flush water level may be located at a first height within the drainage channel section, and after the first flushing process is performed, the flush water level may be located at a second height within the drainage channel section that is located higher than the first height.

[0136] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0137] (1) The toilet apparatus 110 does not have to be equipped with a seating sensor 190. In this modification, the toilet apparatus 110 may receive information indicating the presence of a user near the toilet apparatus 110, for example, from an external infrared sensor. In another modification, the toilet apparatus 110 may receive information indicating the presence of a user near the toilet apparatus 110 from a camera installed so as to be able to capture images of the area around the toilet apparatus 110.

[0138] (2) The toilet apparatus 110 may not include the toilet lid sensor 111s. In another variation, the toilet apparatus 110 may not include the toilet seat sensor 114s.

[0139] (3) The predetermined condition is not limited to the elapsed time exceeding "5 minutes." In this variation, the predetermined condition may be that local cleaning of the functional unit 116 has been completed. In another variation, the predetermined condition may be that hot air drying of the functional unit 116 has been completed. In yet another variation, the predetermined condition may be that an operation of the operating device 115 is received from the user. In another variation, the predetermined condition may be that the camera detects the presence of waste on the surface of the toilet bowl 122.

[0140] (4) The control unit 200 may not execute the process of S132. That is, the control unit 200 may not reset the timer 202 even if the normal cleaning button is selected.

[0141] (5) The operation device 115 may not be provided with the seated cleaning button 115c, and the seated cleaning determination process may always be executed. In another modification, the seated cleaning determination process may be executed as a default, and the seated cleaning determination process may be interrupted when the seated cleaning button 115c is selected.

[0142] (6) In the seated flushing process, the control unit 200 may cause the spreader 160 to discharge cleaning water onto the surface of the toilet bowl 122 instead of the water discharge nozzles 150, 152. In another variation, the control unit 200 may cause the water discharge nozzles 150, 152 and the spreader 160 to discharge cleaning water onto the surface of the toilet bowl 122 in the seated flushing process.

[0143] (7) In S152, the control unit 200 may execute a normal flushing process instead of the seated flushing process. In another modification, in the seated flushing process of S152, the control unit 200 may supply flush water to the toilet bowl 122 in an amount that causes the flush water level to rise above the second water level WS12. That is, in this modification, in the seated flushing process, the flush water may be discharged into the sewer pipe via the drainage flow path 136.

[0144] (8) The control unit 200 may store the cleaning water up to the height of the second water surface WS12 even after the normal cleaning process.

[0145] (9) The position of the water discharge opening 154 does not have to face the drain outlet 134. For example, the water discharge opening 154 may be open to the toilet bowl 122 on one of the left and right sides of the water storage section 124. A portion of the water discharge opening 154 may be located above the first water surface WS11.

[0146] The technical elements described in at least one of the specification and drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies exemplified in at least one of the specification and drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

Claims

1. A toilet device comprising: a toilet bowl having a water collection section below; a water discharge flow path including a first water outlet and a second water outlet that discharge flushing water that flows from the upper end of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl, and a third water outlet at least a portion of which is submerged in the water collection section; and a pump that pressurizes the flushing water and sends it out from the water discharge flow path including the first water outlet, the second water outlet and the third water outlet into the toilet bowl.

2. A toilet device as described in claim 1, further comprising a check valve device disposed in the water discharge flow path between the pump and the third water discharge outlet, which allows the passage of the flushing water from the pump toward the third water discharge outlet and restricts the passage of the flushing water from the third water discharge outlet toward the pump.

3. A toilet device as described in any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a switching valve device arranged in the front water discharge flow path between the pump and the first water outlet, between the pump and the second water outlet, and between the pump and the third water outlet, wherein the switching valve device switches between a first communication state that connects the pump and the first water outlet and a first blocking state that blocks the pump and the first water outlet, between a second communication state that connects the pump and the second water outlet and a second blocking state that blocks the pump and the second water outlet, and between a third communication state that connects the pump and the third water outlet and a third blocking state that blocks the pump and the third water outlet.

4. The device further comprises at least one of a first valve combination including a first check valve device arranged between the pump and the first water outlet in the discharge flow path and a first switching valve device arranged between the first check valve device and the first water outlet, a second valve combination including a second check valve device arranged between the pump and the second water outlet in the discharge flow path and a second switching valve device arranged between the second check valve device and the second water outlet, and a third valve combination including a third check valve device arranged between the pump and the third water outlet in the discharge flow path and a third switching valve device arranged between the third check valve device and the third water outlet, wherein in the first valve combination, the first check valve device allows the passage of the flushing water from the pump toward the first water outlet and restricts the passage of the flushing water from the first water outlet toward the pump, the first switching valve device switches between a first communication state that communicates the pump with the first water outlet and a first blocking state that blocks the pump from the first water outlet; in the second valve combination, the second check valve device allows the passage of flush water from the pump toward the second water outlet and restricts the passage of flush water from the second water outlet toward the pump; the second switching valve device switches between a second communication state that communicates the pump with the second water outlet and a second blocking state that blocks the pump from the second water outlet; in the third valve combination, the third check valve device allows the passage of flush water from the pump toward the third water outlet and restricts the passage of flush water from the third water outlet toward the pump; The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third switching valve device switches between a second communication state in which the pump and the third water outlet are connected to each other, and a third blocking state in which the pump and the third water outlet are blocked from each other.

5. A toilet device as described in claim 3, wherein the switching valve device comprises a pilot valve device including a diaphragm valve arranged in the water discharge flow path and a solenoid valve that controls the pressure on the back pressure side of the diaphragm valve.

6. A toilet device as described in claim 3, further comprising a control unit that controls the pump and the switching valve device, wherein the control unit supplies a signal to operate the pump when the flushing water is to be discharged from the third water outlet, and then supplies a signal to the switching valve device to switch the switching valve device from the third blocked state to the third connected state.

7. A toilet device as described in claim 3, further comprising a control unit that controls the pump and the switching valve device, wherein the control unit controls the pump and the switching valve device to adjust the amount of flush water supplied to the toilet bowl from the water discharge flow path so that the water level of the water pooling at the bottom of the toilet bowl is either a first height or a second height lower than the first height.

8. A toilet apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the water discharge flow path has a plurality of water outlets including the first water outlet, the second water outlet and the third water outlet, the pump supplies the flushing water to the toilet bowl from the plurality of water outlets, and the toilet apparatus further comprises a plurality of switching valves for each of the plurality of water outlets, which switch between a connected state in the water discharge flow path that connects the pump to the outlet and a blocked state that blocks the pump from the outlet.

9. A toilet device comprising: a toilet body having a toilet bowl; an acquisition unit that acquires detection information indicating the presence of a person in the vicinity of the toilet body; and a discharge control unit that executes a first flushing process to discharge flushing water toward the surface of the toilet bowl when a predetermined condition is satisfied and the detection information is acquired after the detection information is acquired.

10. The toilet device according to claim 9, further comprising: a toilet seat located above the toilet body; and a seating sensor that detects when a user sits on the toilet seat, and the detection information includes information indicating that the user is sitting on the toilet seat obtained from the seating sensor.

11. The toilet device according to claim 10, further comprising a toilet lid covering the top of the toilet seat and a toilet lid sensor that detects when the toilet lid is open, and the detection information includes information indicating that the toilet lid is open obtained from the toilet lid sensor.

12. The toilet device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a timing unit that measures the elapsed period, wherein if the detection information is acquired while the elapsed period is not being measured, the timing unit begins measuring the elapsed period since the detection information was acquired, and the specified condition includes the measured elapsed period exceeding a specified period.

13. The toilet apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the timer unit resets the measured elapsed period and measures a new elapsed period if a reset condition is satisfied while the elapsed period is being measured.

14. The toilet device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising an operation unit that accepts operations by a user, and when a predetermined operation by the user is accepted, the discharge control unit does not execute the first flushing process regardless of whether the predetermined condition is satisfied.

15. The toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a first flow path that ejects flushing water onto an upper portion of the surface of the toilet bowl, and in the first flushing process, the flushing water is ejected onto the surface via the first flow path.

16. The toilet device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the toilet bowl has a water storage section located below it, the toilet device comprises: a first flow path that ejects flushing water onto an upper portion of the toilet bowl; and a second flow path having an outlet at least a portion of which is submerged in the water storage section, the ejection control section is capable of selectively executing the first flushing process and the second flushing process, and in the first flushing process, the flushing water is ejected from the first flow path and the ejection of the flushing water from the second flow path is restricted, and in the second flushing process, the flushing water is ejected from both the first and second flow paths.

17. The toilet apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a drainage flow path communicating with the toilet bowl, the drainage flow path extending upward from the bottom of the toilet bowl, after the second flushing process is performed and before the first flushing process is performed, the surface of the flushing water is located at a first height in the drainage flow path section, and after the first flushing process is performed, the surface of the flushing water is located at a second height in the drainage flow path section that is higher than the first height.

Images