Toilet seat device and toilet bowl apparatus provided with same

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a toilet seat device that makes it possible to easily clean a drying appliance for drying a toilet seat, and a toilet bowl apparatus provided with the toilet seat device. A toilet seat device (1) is mounted on a toilet bowl body (2) having a bowl (20). The toilet seat device (1) is equipped with: a toilet seat (3); a toilet lid (4) that can be switched between a closed posture for covering the toilet seat (3) and an open posture for exposing the toilet seat (3); and a drying appliance (5) provided to the toilet lid (4). The drying appliance (5) is equipped with a protruding part (50) protruding from the toilet lid (4) so as to be positioned inside the opening (30) at the center of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed posture. The protruding part (50) is provided with an air blowing port (500) that opens toward the toilet seat (3) and through which air passes. A toilet bowl apparatus (100) is equipped with the toilet bowl body (2) and the toilet seat device (1) attached onto the toilet bowl body (2).

Description

Toilet seat device and toilet bowl device including the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat apparatus and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a toilet seat apparatus having a drying device for drying a toilet seat, and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic toilet seat cleaning device. In the automatic toilet seat cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, a cleaning nozzle that moves around along the contour of the toilet seat is provided on a cover (i.e., a toilet lid) that covers the toilet seat. Water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the toilet seat, and then gas is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the toilet seat to dry it.

[0003] In the automatic toilet seat cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, a long pipe connected to the cleaning nozzle extends from the center of the toilet lid to the outer edge. This long pipe is exposed from the toilet lid. Therefore, the drying device, which includes the long pipe and the cleaning nozzle, is easily soiled. As a result, cleaning the drying device is time-consuming.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-246898

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet seat apparatus and a toilet bowl apparatus including the same, in which a drying device that dries the toilet seat can be easily cleaned.

[0006] A toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is mounted on a toilet bowl body. The toilet seat apparatus includes a toilet seat with a central opening, a toilet lid switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that exposes the toilet seat, and a drying device attached to the toilet lid that blows air onto the toilet seat to dry it. The drying device includes a protrusion that protrudes from the toilet lid so as to be positioned inside the opening when the toilet lid is in the closed position, and the protrusion is provided with an air outlet that opens toward the toilet seat and through which the air passes.

[0007] A toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet body having a bowl, and the toilet seat apparatus attached on top of the toilet body.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a toilet seat device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a view showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat when drying. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment, and is a view showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat when drying. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment when drying. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment when drying. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship in a plan view between the toilet seat and a protruding portion of a drying device provided in the toilet seat device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing the internal structure of the drying device according to the first embodiment, and is a view showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat when drying. FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing the internal structure of the drying device according to the first embodiment, and is a view showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat when drying. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure when drying. Fig. 9 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry. Fig. 10 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry. Fig. 11 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) 1. Overview Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway side view schematically illustrating a toilet seat apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, and illustrates the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat 3 during drying. As shown in Fig. 1, the toilet seat apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 is attached to a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat apparatus 1 includes a toilet seat 3 having a central opening 30, a toilet lid 4 that is switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat 3 and an open position that exposes the toilet seat 3, and a drying device 5 that is attached to the toilet lid 4 and blows air onto the toilet seat 3 to dry it. The drying device 5 includes a protrusion 50 that protrudes from the toilet lid 4 so as to be positioned inside the opening 30 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The protrusion 50 includes an air outlet 500 that opens toward the toilet seat 3 and allows air to pass through.

[0010] The toilet apparatus 100 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20 and a toilet seat apparatus 1 attached on top of the toilet body 2.

[0011] In the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the drying device 5 has a protrusion 50 that protrudes from the toilet lid 4 so as to be positioned inside the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. An air outlet 500 is provided in the protrusion 50. Therefore, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the drying device 5 is provided in a compact manner and can be easily cleaned.

[0012] 2. Details The toilet seat apparatus 1 of embodiment 1 and a toilet bowl apparatus 100 including the same will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the toilet seat apparatus 1 of embodiment 1, and also shows the state of the underside of the toilet seat 3 when dry. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of embodiment 1 when dry. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing the state of the underside of the toilet seat of embodiment 1 when dry. Below, the elements of the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 will be described in detail, defining the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 will be described based on the state in which the toilet lid 4 is closed, as shown in the figures.

[0013] 2-1. Toilet Device 100 The toilet device 100 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat device 1 attached on top of the toilet body 2. In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, only the upper end portion of the toilet body 2 is shown schematically.

[0014] (Toilet body 2) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet body 2 has a bowl 20 that receives excrement, a rim 21 that is annular in plan view and extends horizontally from the upper end of the bowl 20, and a skirt 22 that extends downward from the outer periphery of the rim 21 and surrounds the bowl 20. A drain trap is connected to the bottom of the bowl 20. The bowl 20 is connected to a sewer pipe via the drain trap.

[0015] The toilet body 2 is made of resin or ceramic. If the toilet body 2 is made of resin, the toilet body 2 further has a frame that supports the rim 21 from below. The frame is made of, for example, metal.

[0016] The upper surface of the rim 21 forms the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. The toilet seat 3 of the toilet seat device 1 is placed on the upper surface of the rim 21.

[0017] Toilet seat device 1 The toilet seat device 1 is attached to a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat device 1 includes a toilet seat 3, a toilet lid 4, and a drying device 5 that blows air onto the toilet seat 3 to dry it.

[0018] (Toilet seat 3) Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship in a plan view between the toilet seat and the protruding portion of the drying device included in the toilet seat device of embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 5, the toilet seat 3 has an opening 30 in the center and is annular in a plan view. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the toilet seat 3 has an upper surface 31 on which a user sits and a lower surface 32 facing the opposite side to the upper surface 31. A plurality of rubber feet (not shown) are provided on a portion of the lower surface 32.

[0019] As shown in Figure 5, the toilet seat 3 is arranged to rotate about a rotation shaft 33 that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the rear end of the toilet seat 3. The toilet seat apparatus 1 further includes an opening and closing device 7 that opens and closes the toilet seat 3 by rotating the toilet seat 3 about the rotation shaft 33. The opening and closing device 7 is disposed in a functional section 8 located at the rear of the toilet seat apparatus 1. In addition to the opening and closing device 7, the functional section 8 also includes various electrical devices such as a private parts cleansing device, a deodorizing device, and a toilet seat warming device.

[0020] The toilet seat 3 can rotate between a reclined position in which the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is in contact with the upper end surface of the toilet body 2, and an upright position in which the toilet seat 3 is upright relative to the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. When the toilet seat 3 is in the reclined position, the legs of the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 come into contact with the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. Therefore, a gap is formed between the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 when in the reclined position.

[0021] (Toilet Lid 4) The toilet lid 4 is switchable (i.e., movable) between a closed position in which it covers the toilet seat 3 and an open position in which it exposes the toilet seat 3.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet lid 4 has a toilet lid body 40 that covers the toilet seat 3 from above when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, and a peripheral wall 41 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body 40 and covers the toilet seat 3 from the side when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The peripheral wall 41 protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body 40 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. In other words, the peripheral wall 41 protrudes horizontally from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body 40 when the toilet lid 4 is in the open position. The toilet lid body 40 has a surface 400 that faces the toilet seat 3. The peripheral wall 41 has a surface 410 that faces the toilet seat 3. The surface 400 is continuous with the surface 410 via a curved surface 401.

[0023] The toilet lid body 40 has a semi-elliptical shape in a plan view. The peripheral wall portion 41 has a semi-elliptical ring shape in a plan view.

[0024] The toilet lid 4 is arranged to rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the rear end of the toilet lid 4. The rotation axis of the toilet lid 4 is preferably located on the same line as the rotation axis 33 of the toilet seat 3. The toilet lid 4 is rotated by an opening / closing device 7 (see FIG. 5 ), which also rotates the toilet seat 3.

[0025] The toilet lid 4 can rotate between a closed position in which the toilet lid body 40 fits along the top surface of the toilet body 2, and an open position in which the toilet lid body 40 stands upright against the top surface of the toilet body 2. When the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, the toilet lid body 40 fits along the top surface 31 of the toilet seat 3, and the lower end of the peripheral wall 41 contacts the top surface of the toilet body 2. A gasket may be provided at the lower end of the peripheral wall 41.

[0026] The drying device 5 is provided in the center of the toilet lid body 40 in a plan view. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the drying device of the first embodiment, illustrating the state when the upper surface of the toilet seat is being dried.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, a storage space S1 for accommodating part of the drying device 5 is formed inside the center of the toilet lid body 40. The center of the toilet lid body 40 bulges upward more than the surrounding area, thus expanding the storage space S1.

[0028] At least one suction port 402 that opens toward the space outside the toilet lid 4 is provided on the upper surface of the center of the toilet lid body 40. The at least one suction port 402 may include multiple suction ports 402. The storage space S1 is connected to the space outside the toilet lid 4 via the suction port 402.

[0029] 1 and 2, the drying device 5 is attached to the toilet lid 4 and dries the toilet seat 3 by blowing air onto the toilet seat 3. The drying device 5 has a protrusion 50 that protrudes from the toilet lid 4 so as to be positioned inside the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The protrusion 50 is provided with an air outlet 500 that opens toward the toilet seat 3 and through which air passes.

[0030] 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of the drying device of embodiment 1, showing the state during drying of the underside of the toilet seat. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the drying device 5 has a fan unit 51 that blows out air, a case 52 that forms the outer shell of the protrusion 50, and a rotation device 53 that rotates the case 52 in the circumferential direction along the edge of the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3. The air outlet 500 is provided in a part of the outer circumferential surface of the case 52.

[0031] The drying device 5 further has a lifting device 54 that raises and lowers the case 52 in the vertical direction between an upper position (see FIG. 6) where the upper surface of the toilet seat 3 is located in the opening direction of the air outlet 500, and a lower position (see FIG. 7) where the lower surface of the toilet seat 3 is located in the opening direction of the air outlet 500. The drying device 5 further has a heating device 55 that heats the air heading toward the air outlet 500. The drying device 5 further has a support frame 56.

[0032] The support frame 56 is attached so as to be freely slidable up and down in the storage space S1 in the center of the toilet lid body 40. The support frame 56 does not rotate. As shown in Figure 7, the wall of the toilet lid body 40 that surrounds the storage space S1 is provided with guide portions 42 that are protruding strips (i.e., vertical ribs) that extend up and down to guide the sliding movement of the support frame 56.

[0033] 7, the support frame 56 has a cylindrical outer tube portion 560 that forms the outer shell of the support frame 56, a cylindrical inner tube portion 561 that has a bottom and is located inside the outer tube portion 560, and a connecting portion 562 that connects the upper end of the outer tube portion 560 to the upper end of the inner tube portion 561. A locking portion 563 for rotatably mounting the case 52 is provided at the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 560. A long groove (not shown) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube portion 560 to accommodate the guide portion 42.

[0034] The fan unit 51 is a centrifugal blower that draws air in through the suction port 402 of the toilet lid 4 and sends it out toward the air outlet 500. The centrifugal blower's motor 510 is fixed to the bottom of the inner cylinder 561 of the support frame 56 and moves vertically together with the support frame 56. This makes it less likely that the electrical supply wiring 511 connected to the motor 510 will be damaged. The fan unit 51 (i.e., the centrifugal blower) rotates its blades using the motor 510. In this way, air is drawn in through the suction port 402 of the toilet lid 4 and sent out toward the air outlet 500.

[0035] The case 52 has a truncated cone shape. An air outlet 500 is provided on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the case 52 in the circumferential direction. One air outlet 500 is provided in the case 52. The case 52 is provided with a cylindrical locked portion 520 that is locked to a locking portion 563 of the support frame 56. The cylindrical locked portion 520 is an internal gear with teeth arranged on its inner circumferential surface.

[0036] The rotation device 53 includes a motor 530 and a gear 531 attached to the tip of the rotation shaft of the motor 530. The rotation device 53 is disposed between an outer cylinder portion 560 and an inner cylinder portion 561 of the support frame 56, and is fixed to the inner cylinder portion 561.

[0037] The rotation device 53 is arranged so that the gear 531 meshes with the locked portion 520 that constitutes the internal gear of the case 52. When the motor 530 of the rotation device 53 rotates, the case 52 rotates around its central axis L1.

[0038] The lifting device 54 includes a flexible rack 540 that raises and lowers the case 52, a gear 541 around which the flexible rack 540 is wound, and a motor 542 that rotates the gear 541. The lifting device 54 is provided in the storage space S1 in the center of the toilet lid body 40.

[0039] One longitudinal end of the flexible rack 540 is fixed to a portion of the support frame 56 (more specifically, the outer cylinder portion 560 in the first embodiment). The remaining longitudinal portion of the flexible rack 540 is wound around and meshed with the gear 541. By rotating the motor 542 in one direction, the protruding length of the flexible rack 540 from the gear 541 is increased, and the support frame 56 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 7. By rotating the motor 542 in the opposite direction, the protruding length of the flexible rack 540 from the gear 541 is decreased, and the support frame 56 is raised, as shown in FIG. 6. As the support frame 56 rises and falls, the case 52 in which the air outlet 500 is provided rises and falls integrally with the support frame 56.

[0040] The heating device 55 heats the air that is drawn in through the suction port 402 and heads toward the air outlet 500. The heating device 55 is provided in the storage space S1 of the toilet lid body 40, in a portion facing the suction port 402. The heating device 55 is, for example, an electric heating wire. The air drawn in through the suction port 402 is heated to, for example, 30 to 50 degrees by heat exchange with the electric heating wire.

[0041] 2-3. Other It is desirable that the toilet seat device 1 further comprises a toilet seat cleaning device (not shown) that sprays cleaning water toward the toilet seat 3. The toilet seat cleaning device is configured to spray cleaning water onto the upper surface 31 and lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. The toilet seat cleaning device may also be configured to spray cleaning water onto the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the toilet seat 3.

[0042] 2-4. Operation of Toilet Seat Device The toilet seat device 1 and toilet bowl device 100 of the first embodiment operate, for example, as follows.

[0043] When the user has finished using the toilet device 100 and a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 4 moved to the closed position, cleaning water is discharged from the toilet seat cleaning device onto the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3.

[0044] When the toilet seat cleaning device finishes discharging cleaning water, the fan unit 51 of the drying device 5 is driven. In this way, air outside the toilet lid 4 is sucked into the storage space S1 inside the toilet lid 4 through the suction port 402. The air sucked into the storage space S1 is heated by the heating device 55, then passes through the fan unit 51 and is discharged from the air outlet 500.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the drying device 5 first discharges heated air from the air outlet 500 with the case 52 positioned above the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500. As a result, the washing water remaining on the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is dried (i.e., evaporated) by the heated air and removed. At this time, the heated air moves along the surface 400, curved surface 401, and surface 410 of the peripheral wall portion 41 of the toilet lid body 40. As a result, the washing water remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat 3 is also dried and removed.

[0046] After the air has been discharged onto the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 7 , the motor 542 of the lifting device 54 is driven, causing the gear 541 to rotate. This pushes out the flexible rack 540, causing the support frame 56 and case 52 to descend together. As a result, the case 52 moves to a lower position where the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is located in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500, and heated air is discharged from the air outlet 500 toward the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3. This causes the flush water remaining on the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 to be dried (i.e., evaporated) and removed by the heated air. At the same time, the flush water remaining on the upper end surface of the toilet body 2 facing the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is also dried (i.e., evaporated) and removed by the heated air.

[0047] After the air has been discharged onto the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined time, as shown in Figure 6, the motor 542 of the lifting device 54 is driven, causing the gear 541 to rotate in the reverse direction. This causes the flexible rack 540 to be wrapped around the gear 541, and the support frame 56 and the case 52 to rise together. As a result, the case 52 moves in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500 to an upper position where the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is located.

[0048] As described above, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the heated air discharged from the drying device 5 can remove moisture from the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 .

[0049] 2-5. Effects and Effects In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the drying device 5 that blows air onto the toilet seat 3 is provided in the center of the toilet lid 4, so the drying device 5 can be provided compactly and can be easily cleaned.

[0050] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the drying device 5 is provided on the toilet lid 4 so that the case 52 of the drying device 5 is positioned inside the central opening 30 of the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, thereby making effective use of the space within the opening 30 of the toilet seat 3.

[0051] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the lifting device 54 includes a flexible rack 540 that can be deformed to wrap around the gear 541, so the space required for placing the lifting device 54 inside the toilet lid 4 can be reduced compared to when the lifting device 54 includes a rod-shaped rack that meshes with the gear 541.

[0052] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, the case 52 provided with the air outlet 500 can be raised and lowered by the lifting device 54, so that the heated air can be appropriately applied to the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, facilitating drying.

[0053] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, one air outlet 500 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the case 52, and the case 52 is arranged to rotate, so that the size of the fan section 51 required to ensure the amount of airflow from the air outlet 500 can be reduced.

[0054] In the toilet seat device 1 of the first embodiment, the case 52 protruding from the toilet lid 4 is frustum-shaped, so that the outer surface of the case 52 can be easily cleaned.

[0055] In the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1, air outside the toilet lid 4 can be sucked in through the suction port 402 provided in the toilet lid 4 and sprayed onto the toilet seat 3, so there is less moisture in the air compared to when air inside the bowl 20 is used, making it easier to dry the cleaning water remaining on the toilet seat 3.

[0056] The toilet device 100 of the first embodiment includes the toilet seat device 1 described above, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those described above.

[0057] (Embodiment 2) A toilet seat device 1 and a toilet bowl device 100 of embodiment 2 shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 will be described. Figure 8 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry. Figure 9 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the state of the lower surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry. Figure 10 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the upper surface of the toilet seat of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry. Figure 11 is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the state of the lower surface of the toilet seat device of embodiment 2 when it is dry. In the following, with regard to the toilet seat device 1 and the toilet bowl device 100 of embodiment 2, components similar to those of embodiment 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals in the drawings and detailed description will be omitted, and different components will be described in detail.

[0058] The toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment further includes a control device 6 that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat 3. The control device 6 is configured to move the toilet seat 3 to either an upper surface drying position (see FIGS. 8 and 10) in which the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the opening direction of the air outlet 500, or a lower surface drying position (see FIGS. 9 and 11) in which the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the opening direction of the air outlet 500.

[0059] The control device 6 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer whose main component is a microprocessor. The control device 6 is installed in a functional unit 8 (see FIG. 5) located at the rear of the toilet seat device 1. The control device 6 controls an opening / closing device 7 (see FIG. 5) that rotates the toilet seat 3 around a rotation axis 33, thereby moving the toilet seat 3 to the upper surface drying position or the lower surface drying position.

[0060] The drying device 5 of embodiment 2 does not have a lifting device 54 that raises and lowers the case 52. The case 52 is rotatable. The case 52 does not move up and down. The toilet lid body 40 of embodiment 2 has a substantially flat upper surface. The center of the toilet lid body 40 does not bulge upward.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the upper surface drying position is the reclined position where the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is aligned with the upper end surface of the toilet body 2. The lower surface drying position is the position where the toilet seat 3 is slightly elevated from the reclined position. The lower surface drying position is a position between the raised position and the raised position. When the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the lower surface drying position, the toilet seat 3 may be in contact with the toilet lid body 40 or may be positioned away from the toilet lid body 40.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to move the toilet seat 3 to one of the top drying position (i.e., the reclined position), the bottom drying position, or the upright position. The top drying position and the reclined position do not have to be the same position.

[0063] The toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100 of the second embodiment operate, for example, as follows: The cleaning of the toilet seat 3 with cleaning water and the drying of the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] After the air has been discharged onto the upper surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined period of time, the control device 6 controls the rotation device of the toilet seat 3 to move the toilet seat 3 to a bottom drying position where the bottom surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 is positioned in the direction of the opening of the air outlet 500. As a result, the heated air discharged from the air outlet 500 is blown onto the bottom surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, and the washing water remaining on the bottom surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 is dried (i.e., evaporated) by the heated air and removed.

[0065] After the air is continuously discharged onto the underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 for a predetermined period of time, the control device 6 controls the rotation device of the toilet seat 3 to move the toilet seat 3 to a reclined position (i.e., an upper surface drying position).

[0066] In addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment can also achieve the following effects.

[0067] In the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, the drying device 5 does not have the lifting device 54, which allows for a more compact drying device 5. Furthermore, the toilet lid 4 equipped with the drying device 5 can be made lighter, and the toilet lid body 40 can be made thinner.

[0068] In the toilet seat device 1 of the second embodiment, simply by changing the method of controlling the opening and closing of the toilet seat 3, it is possible to direct air from the air outlet 500 to both the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3. As a result, a separate dedicated lifting mechanism is not required, and the toilet seat device 1 can be easily provided in a compact size.

[0069] (Modifications) The following describes modifications of the toilet seat device 1 and toilet bowl device 100 of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2. The modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0070] The drying device 5 does not have to have the rotation device 53. In this case, for example, a plurality of air outlets 500 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction so as to extend over the entire circumferential length of the outer peripheral surface of the case 52.

[0071] The surface 400 of the toilet lid body 40 facing the toilet seat 3 and the surface 410 of the peripheral wall portion 41 facing the toilet seat 3 may be continuous so as to form an angle.

[0072] The case 52 of the drying device 5 of the toilet seat device 1 of embodiment 1 may be provided so as not to be movable up and down. The drying device 5 may be configured to dry only the upper surface 31 of the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32 of the toilet seat 3.

[0073] The lifting device 54 is not limited to the above-described structure, and may be any other lifting mechanism known in the art.

[0074] The drying device 5 may be a device that uses the force of air blown out from the air outlet 500 to move and drop the cleaning water adhering to the surface of the toilet seat 3 (i.e., the upper surface 31 and the lower surface 32).

[0075] The fan section 51 is not limited to a centrifugal blower, but may be a centrifugal fan or an axial flow fan.

[0076] The toilet lid body 40 does not necessarily have to be provided with an intake port 402, and the intake port may be provided in the case 52.

[0077] (Summary) The toilet seat device (1) of the first aspect according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

[0078] That is, the toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment is a toilet seat device (1) that is attached to a toilet body (2) having a bowl (20). The toilet seat device (1) includes a toilet seat (3) having a central opening (30), and a toilet lid (4) that is switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat (3) and an open position that exposes the toilet seat (3). The toilet seat device (1) further includes a drying device (5) that is attached to the toilet lid (4) and blows air onto the toilet seat (3) to dry it. The drying device (5) includes a protrusion (50) that protrudes from the toilet lid (4) so ​​as to be positioned inside the opening (30) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, and the protrusion (50) is provided with an air outlet (500) that opens toward the toilet seat (3) and through which the air passes.

[0079] In the toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment, the drying device (5) is provided with a protrusion (50) that protrudes from the toilet lid (4) so ​​as to be positioned inside the opening (30) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, and an air outlet (500) is provided in this protrusion (50). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment, the drying device (5) can be provided compactly and can be easily cleaned.

[0080] The toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the first aspect.

[0081] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, the drying device (5) includes a fan unit (51) that blows out the air and a case (52) that forms the outer shell of the protrusion (50). The drying device (5) further includes a rotation device (53) that rotates the case (52) in a circumferential direction along the edge of the opening (30) of the toilet seat (3). The air outlet (500) is provided in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the case (52).

[0082] In the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, the opening direction of the air outlet (500) can be changed by rotating the case (52) with the rotation device (53), and the toilet seat (3) can be dried by blowing air around it in the circumferential direction. In the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, the air outlet (500) is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the case (52). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, the size of the fan section (51) required to ensure a constant volume of air discharged from the air outlet (500) can be reduced, making it easier to miniaturize the drying device (5).

[0083] The toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second aspect.

[0084] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the third embodiment, the toilet lid (4) comprises a toilet lid body (40) that covers the toilet seat (3) from above when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The toilet lid (4) further comprises a peripheral wall portion (41) that protrudes from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body (40) and covers the toilet seat (3) from the side when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The surface (400) of the toilet lid body (40) facing the toilet seat (3) is continuous with the surface (410) of the peripheral wall portion (41) facing the toilet seat (3) via a curved surface (401).

[0085] In the toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect, the air blown out from the air outlet (500) of the drying device (5) toward the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) easily flows along the surface (400) of the toilet lid body (40), the curved surface (401), and the surface (410) of the peripheral wall portion (41) in this order. Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect, the air that dries the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) easily dries the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat (3).

[0086] The toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second or third aspect.

[0087] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, the drying device (5) further includes a lifting device (54) that raises and lowers the case (52). The lifting device (54) raises and lowers the case (52) between an upper position where the air outlet (500) faces the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) and a lower position where the air outlet (500) faces the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3).

[0088] According to the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, by raising and lowering the case (52) using the lifting device (54), the air outlet (500) can be made to face each of the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, air from the air outlet (500) can be easily directed to each of the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3), making it easy to efficiently dry the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32).

[0089] The toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the fourth aspect.

[0090] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect, the lifting device (54) comprises a flexible rack (540) that raises and lowers the case (52), a gear (541) around which the flexible rack (540) is wound, and a motor (542) that rotates the gear (541).

[0091] According to the toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect, the case (52) is raised and lowered by the deformable flexible rack (540) wound around the gear (541), so that the lifting device (54) can be easily provided in a compact size.

[0092] The toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0093] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect, the drying device (5) further includes a heating device (55) for heating the air going toward the air outlet (500).

[0094] According to the toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect, the air heated by the heating device (55) can be blown out from the air outlet (500), so that the toilet seat (3) can be dried efficiently.

[0095] The toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of any one of the second to sixth aspects.

[0096] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect, the toilet cover (4) is provided with an intake port (402) that opens toward the space outside the toilet cover (4). The fan section (51) is a centrifugal blower that draws in air from the intake port (402) and sends it toward the air outlet (500).

[0097] The toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect can suck in relatively dry air from the space outside the toilet cover (4) and send it toward the toilet seat (3), making it easy to dry the toilet seat (3).

[0098] The toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect additionally comprises the following configuration in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third, sixth and seventh aspects.

[0099] That is, the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect further includes a control device (6) that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat (3). The control device (6) is configured to move the toilet seat (3) to either an upper surface drying position where the upper surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) faces the air outlet (500) or a lower surface drying position where the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3) faces the air outlet (500).

[0100] In the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, the position of the toilet seat (3) can be adjusted by the control device (6) that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat (3), making it easy to dry the upper surface (31) and the lower surface (32) of the toilet seat (3). Also, in the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, the drying device (5) does not need to have a lifting device (54) that raises and lowers the case (52), making it easy to make the drying device (5) more compact.

[0101] The toilet device (100) of the ninth aspect comprises a toilet body (2) having a bowl (20), and a toilet seat device (1) of any one of the first to eighth aspects attached to the toilet body (2).

[0102] In the toilet bowl apparatus (100) of the ninth aspect, since the toilet seat apparatus (1) is provided, the drying apparatus (5) can be provided compactly and can be easily cleaned.

[0103] While the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Appropriate design modifications are possible within the intended scope of the present disclosure.

[0104] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toilet seat device 2 Toilet body 20 Bowl 21 Rim 22 Skirt 3 Toilet seat 30 Opening 31 Upper surface 32 Lower surface 33 Rotation shaft 4 Toilet lid 40 Toilet lid body 400 Surface 401 Curved surface 402 Intake port 41 Peripheral wall portion 410 Surface 42 Guide portion 5 Drying device 50 Protrusion 500 Air outlet 51 Fan portion 52 Case 520 Locking portion 53 Rotation device 530 Motor 531 Gear 54 Lifting device 540 Flexible rack 541 Gear 542 Motor 55 Heating device 56 Support frame 560 Outer cylinder portion 561 Inner cylinder portion 562 Connecting portion 563 Locking portion 6 Control device 7 Opening and closing device 8 Functional part 100 Toilet device L1 Central axis S1 Storage space

Claims

1. A toilet seat apparatus that is attached to a toilet body having a bowl, comprising: a toilet seat with an opening in the center; a toilet lid that can be switched between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that exposes the toilet seat; and a drying device that is attached to the toilet lid and blows air onto the toilet seat to dry it; wherein the drying device has a protrusion that protrudes from the toilet lid so as to be positioned inside the opening when the toilet lid is in the closed position, and the protrusion has an air outlet that opens toward the toilet seat and allows the air to pass through.

2. A toilet seat device as described in claim 1, wherein the drying device comprises a fan section that blows out the air, a case that forms the outer shell of the protrusion, and a rotating device that rotates the case in a circumferential direction along the edge of the opening of the toilet seat, and the air outlet is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the case.

3. A toilet seat device as described in claim 2, wherein the toilet lid comprises: a toilet lid body that covers the toilet seat from above when the toilet lid is in the closed position; and a peripheral wall portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the toilet lid body and covers the toilet seat from the side when the toilet lid is in the closed position; and the surface of the toilet lid body facing the toilet seat is continuous with the surface of the peripheral wall portion facing the toilet seat via a curved surface.

4. A toilet seat device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the drying device further comprises a lifting device that raises and lowers the case between an upper position where the air outlet faces the upper surface of the toilet seat and a lower position where the air outlet faces the lower surface of the toilet seat.

5. A toilet seat device as described in claim 4, wherein the lifting device comprises: a flexible rack that raises and lowers the case; a gear around which the flexible rack is wound; and a motor that rotates the gear.

6. A toilet seat apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the drying device further comprises a heating device that heats the air directed toward the air outlet.

7. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the toilet lid is provided with an intake port that opens toward the space outside the toilet lid, and the fan unit is a centrifugal blower that draws in the air from the intake port and sends it toward the air outlet.

8. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control device that controls the opening and closing of the toilet seat, the control device being configured to move the toilet seat to either an upper surface drying position in which the upper surface of the toilet seat faces the air outlet, or a lower surface drying position in which the lower surface of the toilet seat faces the air outlet.

9. A toilet apparatus comprising: a toilet body having a bowl; and a toilet seat apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 attached to the toilet body.

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