Toilet device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a toilet device in which a toilet body and a toilet seat part are integrally provided, wherein dirt does not readily accumulate on a toilet seat lower surface. A toilet device (1) comprises: a toilet body (2) that has a bowl (20); and a toilet seat part (3) that is integrally provided on the toilet body (2). The toilet seat part (3) comprises a toilet seat lower surface (32) that is provided so as to be continuous with an inner surface (200) of the bowl (20), and at least one water discharge part (4) that is provided to the toilet seat lower surface (32) and can discharge washing water toward the toilet seat lower surface (32).

Description

Toilet equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to toilet bowl systems.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a Western-style toilet in which the upper edge of the opening of the toilet body is widened to provide a toilet seat, thereby forming the toilet body and toilet seat as one unit.

[0003] In this Western-style toilet, the toilet body and the toilet seat are formed as one unit, so there is no gap between them, and there is no need to clean dirt that gets into this gap.

[0004] However, because the toilet body and seat are integrally formed, the seat does not rotate relative to the toilet body like a regular toilet. As a result, the underside of the seat is difficult to see, and dirt easily accumulates on the underside of the seat.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-191908

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet apparatus in which the toilet body and toilet seat are integrally formed, and in which dirt is less likely to accumulate on the underside of the toilet seat.

[0007] A toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet body having a bowl, and a toilet seat integrally provided on the toilet body. The toilet seat has a seat underside that is continuous with the inner surface of the bowl, and at least one water discharger that is provided on the seat underside and is capable of discharging cleaning water toward the seat underside.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing a toilet seat provided in the toilet apparatus. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a water discharge portion provided in the toilet seat. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet apparatus at a portion corresponding to line A-A in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 2.

[0009] (One embodiment) 1. Overview Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing a toilet seat 3 provided in the toilet apparatus 1.

[0010] 1 and 2, a toilet apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat 3 provided integrally on the toilet body 2. The toilet seat 3 comprises a toilet seat undersurface 32 provided so as to be continuous with the inner surface 200 of the bowl 20, and at least one water discharge portion 4 provided on the toilet seat undersurface 32 and capable of discharging cleaning water toward the toilet seat undersurface 32.

[0011] In the toilet apparatus 1, the toilet seat underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is continuous with the inner surface 200 of the bowl 20 of the toilet body 2, so there is no gap between the toilet body 2 and the toilet seat 3. Therefore, there is no need to clean this gap. Furthermore, in the toilet apparatus 1, the toilet seat underside 32 is formed integrally with the toilet body 2 and is therefore less visible. The toilet seat underside 32 can be cleaned with cleaning water discharged from the water discharge portion 4 provided on the toilet seat underside 32. Therefore, in the toilet apparatus 1, the toilet body 2 and the toilet seat 3 are formed integrally, and dirt is less likely to accumulate on the toilet seat underside 32.

[0012] 2. Details Next, the toilet device 1 of one embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, each element of the toilet device 1 will be described in detail using the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown in each drawing.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet apparatus 1 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat 3 provided on the toilet body 2 as an integral part of the toilet body 2. As shown in Figure 2, the toilet body 2 further comprises a plurality of water supply channels 6, a plurality of control valves 7 provided in each of the plurality of water supply channels 6, and a control device 8 that controls the opening and closing of the plurality of control valves 7. The toilet apparatus 1 further comprises a toilet lid (not shown) that can cover the toilet seat 3.

[0014] 2-1. Toilet body 2 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet device 1 taken along line A-A in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the toilet body 2 has a bowl 20 that receives excrement and a skirt 21 that covers the bowl 20 from the outside. The bowl 20 is made of synthetic resin. The skirt 21 is also made of synthetic resin.

[0015] The upper ends of the bowl 20 and the skirt 21 are integrally attached to the lower end of the toilet seat 3 by an appropriate fixing method such as welding.

[0016] 2-2. Toilet seat 3 Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the toilet seat 3 has a seat surface 30 that faces upward and supports the user's buttocks, a central opening 31 that is located in the center of the seat surface 30 and above the bowl 20, and a toilet seat underside 32 that faces downward and is located above the bowl 20. The toilet seat 3 further has a protrusion 33 that protrudes downward from the periphery of the central opening 31.

[0017] 4, the toilet seat 3 has an outer part 34 that forms the seat surface 30 (i.e., the upper surface of the toilet seat 3) and the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat 3, and an inner part 35 that is arranged inside the outer part 34 and forms the toilet seat undersurface 32 (i.e., the underside of the toilet seat 3). The toilet seat 3 further has an inner frame material 36 that is attached to the boundary between the outer part 34 and the inner part 35.

[0018] The outer part 34 has an upper wall portion 37 that is annular in plan view, and an outer peripheral wall portion 38 that is also annular in plan view. The upper wall portion 37 constitutes the seat surface 30. A hole 370 that penetrates in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the upper wall portion 37. The outer peripheral wall portion 38 extends linearly downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 37. The outer peripheral wall portion 38 constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the toilet seat portion 3.

[0019] The inner part 35 has an upper inner peripheral wall portion 350 that is annular in plan view and a lower inner peripheral wall portion 351 that is annular in plan view. The upper inner peripheral wall portion 350 extends downward from the inside of the inner peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 37. The lower inner peripheral wall portion 351 extends downward from the lower end of the upper inner peripheral wall portion 350 and curves to protrude outward. The upper inner peripheral wall portion 350 and the lower inner peripheral wall portion 351 are disposed to face the outer peripheral wall portion 38. The surface of the lower inner peripheral wall portion 351 that faces inward (i.e., toward the center of the toilet seat portion 3 in plan view) is the toilet seat underside 32.

[0020] The inner frame material 36 has a main body portion 360 that is annular in plan view, and a flange 361 that extends outward from the upper end of the main body portion 360. The upper wall portion 37 is provided with a recessed step portion 371 into which the flange 361 fits.

[0021] The inner peripheral surface of the main body 360 forms the periphery of the central opening 31. The underside of the main body 360 protrudes downward from the inner peripheral edge (in other words, the upper end) of the toilet seat underside 32. The underside of the main body 360 is formed as an inclined surface that is positioned lower the closer to the central opening 31. The underside of the main body 360 forms the protruding portion 33.

[0022] The inner frame material 36 is attached to the upper end of the inner part 35 so that the flange 361 fits into the recessed step 371 of the upper wall portion 37 and the main body portion 360 fits inside the upper inner peripheral wall portion 350. The flange 361 is fixed to the upper wall portion 37 by an appropriate fixing method such as screws. The boundary portion between the upper wall portion 37 and the upper inner peripheral wall portion 350 is covered and hidden by the inner frame material 36.

[0023] The lower end of the outer peripheral wall 38 is fixed to the upper end of the skirt 21 by an appropriate fixing method such as welding. The lower end of the lower inner peripheral wall 351 is fixed to the upper end of the bowl 20 by an appropriate fixing method such as welding. The lower inner peripheral wall 351 is fixed to the bowl 20 so that the inner surface of the lower inner peripheral wall 351 (i.e., the toilet seat lower surface 32) is continuous with the inner surface 200 of the bowl 20. In this way, the toilet seat 3 is provided integrally with the toilet body 2.

[0024] Generally, a toilet seat can swing open and closed on the toilet body in the same way as a toilet lid, but in the toilet apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the toilet seat 3 is provided integrally with the toilet body 2. In other words, the toilet seat 3 is fixed to the toilet body 2 so that it does not swing on the toilet body 2. Furthermore, there is no gap between the toilet seat 3 and the toilet body 2.

[0025] The toilet seat underside 32 is provided with at least one water discharger 4 that is capable of discharging cleaning water toward the toilet seat underside 32. As shown in Figure 2, the at least one water discharger 4 may include multiple water dischargers 4. The multiple water dischargers 4 are positioned at intervals in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central opening 31.

[0026] The multiple water dischargers 4 include a first water discharger 4a and a second water discharger 4b. The first water discharger 4a and the second water discharger 4b are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the central opening 31. Furthermore, the second water discharger 4b is positioned so as to be located within the discharge range of the wash water discharged from the first water discharger 4a.

[0027] A plurality of water dischargers 4 are provided on the toilet seat underside 32 so as to be arranged in a circular shape when viewed from below. As an example, fourteen water dischargers 4 are provided on the toilet seat underside 32.

[0028] Of the multiple water dischargers 4, one of two circumferentially adjacent water dischargers 4 is the first water discharger 4a and the other is the second water discharger 4b. Therefore, all of the multiple water dischargers 4 are washable. As shown in Figure 4, the multiple water dischargers 4 are provided in the upper part of the lower inner circumferential wall portion 351.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the water discharger 4 provided on the toilet seat 3. As shown in Figure 3, each of the multiple water dischargers 4 includes a bulge 40 that protrudes downward from the toilet seat underside 32, and a water discharge hole 41 that penetrates a part of the bulge 40. Each of the multiple water discharge holes 41 opens toward one side in the circumferential direction (clockwise in Figure 2).

[0030] The bulging portion 40 bulges out so that the amount of protrusion from the toilet seat underside 32 gradually increases from one circumferential end to the other. The amount of protrusion of the bulging portion 40 from the toilet seat underside 32 is greatest at one circumferential end. The water discharge hole 41 is provided at one circumferential end of the bulging portion 40. A flow path is formed inside the bulging portion 40, which is configured to allow flush water to flow. The downstream end of this flow path is connected to the water discharge hole 41.

[0031] 2-3. Other As shown in Figure 2, each of the multiple water dischargers 4 is connected to a single water supply channel 6 that is linked to a flush water supply source 5. The multiple water supply channels 6 are connected to a water pipe, for example, via a stop valve provided on the exterior wall of the toilet device 1.

[0032] The number of the water dischargers 4 is the same as the number of the water supply channels 6. Each of the water supply channels 6 is, for example, a hose. The water supply channels 6 are arranged in the interior space of the toilet seat 3 (i.e., the space surrounded by the upper wall 37, the outer peripheral wall 38, and the inner peripheral wall portions 350 and 351).

[0033] A control valve 7 is provided in each of the plurality of water supply passages 6. Each of the plurality of control valves 7 is electrically connected to a control device 8. The control device 8 controls the opening and closing of each of the plurality of control valves 7. The control valve 7 is, for example, an electric valve whose opening degree can be adjusted, or an electromagnetic valve that can be switched between a fully open state and a fully closed state.

[0034] The control device 8 is configured by a microcomputer, the main component of which is a microprocessor. The control device 8 is configured to control the opening and closing of each of the plurality of control valves 7 when the user is not using the toilet device 1. The control device 8 is provided inside the toilet seat 3 or inside the toilet body 2.

[0035] The control device 8 is capable of performing various controls by executing a program stored in the control device 8. For example, the control device 8 can control the multiple control valves 7 so that all of the multiple control valves 7 are switched to a fully closed state or a fully open state. The control device 8 can control the multiple control valves 7 so that all of the multiple control valves 7 are gradually opened from a fully closed state. The control device 8 can control the multiple control valves 7 so that only some of the multiple control valves 7 are switched to a fully closed state or a fully open state.

[0036] 2-4. Flushing Operation of Toilet Apparatus Next, the flushing operation of the toilet apparatus 1 described above will be explained.

[0037] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the user has finished using the toilet apparatus 1, the control device 8 controls the multiple control valves 7, for example, to switch all of the multiple control valves 7 from a closed state to an open state. As a result, flush water is supplied from the supply source 5 via the multiple water supply passages 6 to each of the multiple water dischargers 4. Next, flush water is discharged from each of the multiple water dischargers 4 towards the toilet seat underside 32. In this way, flush water is discharged onto the toilet seat underside 32 over the entire circumferential length.

[0038] At this time, a portion of the cleaning water ejected from one of the two circumferentially adjacent water ejection sections 4 (more specifically, the first water ejection section 4a) among the multiple water ejection sections 4 is directed at the other water ejection section 4 (more specifically, the second water ejection section 4b).

[0039] Of the cleaning water ejected from each water outlet 4, the cleaning water ejected toward the central opening 31 hits the protrusion 33 that protrudes downward from the periphery of the central opening 31 (more specifically, the underside of the main body 360 of the inner frame material 36) and falls into the bowl 20.

[0040] The control device 8 can also control the multiple control valves 7 so as to gradually open each of the multiple control valves 7. The control device 8 can also control the multiple control valves 7 so as to open only the control valves 7 corresponding to the multiple water dischargers 4 located in the front part of the toilet seat underside 32, and keep the control valves 7 corresponding to the multiple water dischargers 4 located in the rear part of the toilet seat underside 32 closed.

[0041] 2-5. Effects As shown in Figure 4, in the toilet apparatus 1, the toilet seat underside 32 of the toilet seat 3 is continuous with the inner surface 200 of the bowl 20, so there is no gap between the toilet bowl body 2 and the toilet seat 3. Therefore, there is no need to clean this gap. The toilet seat underside 32 is formed integrally with the toilet bowl body 2 and is therefore less visible. Furthermore, because the toilet seat underside 32 can be cleaned by the water discharge portion 4 provided on the toilet seat underside 32, dirt is less likely to accumulate on the toilet seat underside 32.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, when multiple water outlets 4 are provided on the underside of the toilet seat 32 so as to extend over the entire circumferential length of the central opening 31, the underside of the toilet seat 32 can be cleaned with cleaning water over the entire circumferential length.

[0043] When the multiple water outlets 4 are arranged in a line around the central opening 31, and the water outlet holes 41 of each of the multiple water outlets 4 are open to one side in the circumferential direction, each of the multiple water outlets 4 can be cleaned with cleaning water, and the accumulation of dirt on each of the multiple water outlets 4 can be prevented.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, when the toilet device 1 has a protrusion 33 that protrudes downward from the peripheral edge of the central opening 31 of the toilet seat 3, the cleaning water ejected from the multiple water outlets 4 toward the central opening 31 can be prevented from passing through the central opening 31 and reaching the seat surface 30.

[0045] When the control device 8 can control the gradual opening of each of the multiple control valves 7, the initial water pressure of the cleaning water ejected from each of the multiple water outlets 4 increases, preventing the cleaning water from overflowing the protrusion 33 and splashing onto the seat surface 30.

[0046] When the control device 8 can control the opening and closing of only some of the control valves 7, it is possible to wash only the front part of the toilet seat underside 32, which is prone to getting dirty with urine, thereby saving water.

[0047] 3. Modifications Next, we will explain modifications of the above-described toilet device 1. The modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0048] The multiple water dischargers 4 may be arranged so that one water discharger 4 is not positioned within the flush water discharge range of the other water dischargers 4 .

[0049] The water discharge portion 4 may be a nozzle that is a separate member attached to the underside 32 of the toilet seat.

[0050] The water discharge holes 41 of each of the multiple water dischargers 4 may be arranged so that the central opening 31 is not included in the discharge range of wash water discharged from the water discharge holes 41.

[0051] The toilet device 1 may be equipped with a control device that controls the supply and stop of flushing water from the supply source 5, and may be configured so that when flushing water is supplied from the supply source 5, flushing water is ejected from all of the multiple water outlets 4.

[0052] The toilet apparatus 1 may be configured such that the toilet body 2 and the toilet seat 3 are integrally molded. In other words, the inner part 35 and the bowl 20 may be integrally molded, and the outer part 34 and the skirt 21 may be integrally molded.

[0053] The toilet body 2 is not limited to being made of synthetic resin, but may also be made of ceramic.

[0054] (Summary) The toilet device (1) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure has the following configuration.

[0055] That is, the toilet device (1) of the first embodiment comprises a toilet body (2) having a bowl (20), and a toilet seat (3) integrally provided on the toilet body (2). The toilet seat (3) comprises a toilet seat underside (32) provided so as to be continuous with the inner surface (200) of the bowl (20), and at least one water discharge portion (4) provided on the toilet seat underside (32) and capable of discharging cleaning water toward the toilet seat underside (32).

[0056] In the toilet apparatus (1) of the first aspect, the underside (32) of the toilet seat (3) is continuous with the inner surface (200) of the bowl (20) of the toilet body (2), so no gap is created between the toilet body (2) and the toilet seat (3). Therefore, in the toilet apparatus (1) of the first aspect, cleaning of this gap is not necessary. Furthermore, in the toilet apparatus (1) of the first aspect, the underside (32) of the toilet seat is formed integrally with the toilet body (2) and is therefore less visible. In the toilet apparatus (1) of the first aspect, the underside (32) of the toilet seat can be cleaned with flushing water discharged from a water discharge portion (4) provided on the underside (32) of the toilet seat. Therefore, the toilet apparatus (1) of the first aspect is a toilet apparatus (1) in which the toilet body (2) and the toilet seat (3) are formed integrally, and dirt is less likely to accumulate on the underside (32) of the toilet seat.

[0057] The toilet device (1) of the second aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the first aspect.

[0058] That is, in the toilet device (1) of the second aspect, the toilet seat (3) has a central opening (31) located above the bowl (20). At least one water discharger (4) includes a plurality of water dischargers (4) located at intervals in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central opening (31). The plurality of water dischargers (4) include a first water discharger (4a) and a second water discharger (4b). The first water discharger (4a) and the second water discharger (4b) are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the second water discharger (4b) is positioned so as to be located within the discharge range of the flush water discharged from the first water discharger (4a).

[0059] In the toilet bowl apparatus (1) of the second aspect, the flush water discharged from the circumferentially arranged multiple water dischargers (4) makes it easy to clean the underside of the toilet seat (32) in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, in the toilet bowl apparatus (1) of the second aspect, the flush water discharged from the first water discharger (4a) can be used to clean the second water discharger (4b), so dirt is less likely to accumulate on the water dischargers (4).

[0060] The toilet device (1) of the third aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second aspect.

[0061] That is, in the toilet device (1) of the third aspect, each of the plurality of water discharge portions (4) includes a bulging portion (40) that bulges downward from the underside (32) of the toilet seat, and a water discharge hole (41) that penetrates a portion of the bulging portion (40).

[0062] In the toilet device (1) of the third aspect, dirt is less likely to accumulate on each water discharge portion (4) compared to when each water discharge portion (4) is formed as a separate member from the toilet seat portion (3).

[0063] The toilet apparatus (1) of the fourth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second or third aspect.

[0064] That is, in the toilet device (1) of the fourth embodiment, the toilet seat (3) has a protrusion (33) that protrudes downward from the peripheral edge of the central opening (31).

[0065] In the fourth embodiment of the toilet device (1), the cleaning water ejected from the multiple water outlets (4) hits the protrusions (33) and is thereby more likely to fall into the bowl (20), thereby preventing the cleaning water or dirty water from splashing onto the upper surface of the toilet seat (3).

[0066] The toilet apparatus (1) of the fifth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of any one of the second to fourth aspects.

[0067] That is, the toilet device (1) of the fifth aspect further comprises a plurality of water supply channels (6) connecting a flush water supply source and a plurality of water discharge sections (4), a plurality of control valves (7) provided in each of the plurality of water supply channels (6), and a control device (8) that controls the opening and closing of the plurality of control valves (7).

[0068] In the toilet apparatus (1) of the fifth aspect, the control device (8) can control the opening and closing of each of the plurality of control valves (7), thereby enabling switching of the cleaning area on the toilet seat underside (32). Therefore, in the toilet apparatus (1) of the fifth aspect, appropriate cleaning can be performed for each area on the toilet seat underside (32) according to the tendency for dirt to accumulate, thereby enabling water conservation.

[0069] The toilet apparatus (1) of the sixth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the fifth aspect.

[0070] That is, in the toilet apparatus (1) of the sixth aspect, the control device (8) is configured to adjust the opening degree of each of the plurality of control valves (7).

[0071] In the toilet apparatus (1) of the sixth aspect, the control device (8) can control the opening of each of the plurality of control valves (7) to open gradually. As a result, in the toilet apparatus (1) of the sixth aspect, the initial water pressure of the flush water discharged from each of the plurality of water dischargers (4) can be reduced, and the flush water can be prevented from hitting the underside of the toilet seat (32) with force and splashing.

[0072] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate design changes are possible within the intended scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Toilet device 2 Toilet body 20 Bowl 200 Inner surface 21 Skirt 3 Toilet seat 30 Seat surface 31 Central opening 32 Toilet seat underside 33 Protrusion 34 Outer part 35 Inner part 36 Inner frame material 37 Upper wall 370 Hole 371 Concave step 38 Outer wall 350 Upper inner wall 351 Lower inner wall 360 Main body 361 Flange 4 Water discharge section 4a First water discharge section 4b Second water discharge section 40 Bulging section 41 Water discharge hole 5 Supply source 6 Water supply channel 7 Control valve 8 Control device

Claims

1. A toilet apparatus comprising: a toilet body having a bowl; and a toilet seat portion integrally provided on the toilet body, wherein the toilet seat portion comprises: an underside of the toilet seat provided so as to be continuous with the inner surface of the bowl; and at least one water discharge portion provided on the underside of the toilet seat and capable of discharging cleaning water toward the underside of the toilet seat.

2. The toilet device of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat has a central opening located above the bowl, the at least one water discharge section includes a plurality of water discharge sections spaced apart in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central opening, the plurality of water discharge sections include a first water discharge section and a second water discharge section, the first water discharge section and the second water discharge section are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and the second water discharge section is positioned so as to be located within the discharge range of the cleaning water discharged from the first water discharge section.

3. A toilet device as described in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of water discharge sections includes a bulging section that bulges downward from the underside of the toilet seat, and a water discharge hole that penetrates a portion of the bulging section.

4. A toilet apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the toilet seat has a protrusion that protrudes downward from the peripheral edge of the central opening.

5. A toilet device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising: a plurality of water supply passages connecting the flush water supply source and the plurality of water discharge portions; a plurality of control valves provided in each of the plurality of water supply passages; and a control device that controls the opening and closing of the plurality of control valves.

6. The toilet apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control device is configured to adjust the opening degree of each of the plurality of control valves.

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