Toilet seat device and toilet bowl apparatus equipped with same

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a toilet seat device in which limescales hardly occur on the surface of a toilet seat; and a toilet bowl apparatus equipped with the toilet seat device. A toilet seat device (1) comprises a toilet seat (3), a toilet lid (4), a first air outlet (50), a second air outlet (51), an air blower (6), a first flow path (70), a second flow path (71), and a control unit (8). The control unit (8) executes: a first step in which water droplets attached to the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) are moved by causing air blown from the air blower (6) to flow through the first flow path (70) and to be released out from the first air outlet (50) without being released out from the second air outlet (51); and a second step in which the water droplets that have been moved in the first step are further moved by causing air blown from the air blower (6) to flow through the second flow path (71) and to be released out from the second air outlet (51) without being released out from the first air outlet (50).

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 specifically, the present disclosure relates to a toilet seat apparatus having a first air outlet and a second air outlet that open toward 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, a lid that covers the toilet seat is provided with an annular peripheral pipe. The peripheral pipe is provided with a number of holes. In the automatic toilet seat cleaning device, water is sprayed onto the upper surface of the toilet seat from the many holes, and then hot air is sprayed onto the upper surface of the toilet seat from the many holes to dry water droplets on the upper surface of the toilet seat.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a toilet device and a toilet seat unit.

[0004] In the automatic toilet seat cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, hot air is blown out from all of the multiple holes at the same time. Therefore, the air pressure of the hot air blown out from each of the multiple holes is weak, making it difficult to blow water droplets off the surface of the toilet seat. As a result, water droplets tend to remain on the surface of the toilet seat, and a large amount of minerals tend to remain after the water droplets are evaporated by the hot air, making it easy for limescale to form on the surface of the toilet seat.

[0005] Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3140480 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-177012

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet seat device that is less likely to produce water stains on the toilet seat surface, and a toilet bowl device equipped with the same.

[0007] A toilet seat apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is configured to be mounted on a toilet body having a bowl. The toilet seat apparatus includes a toilet seat with a central opening and a toilet lid switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat and an open position that exposes the toilet seat. The toilet seat apparatus also includes first and second air outlets provided on the toilet lid so as to open toward the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position, and an air blower configured to send air to the first and second air outlets. The toilet seat apparatus also includes a first flow path through which the air sent from the air blower flows toward the first air outlet, a second flow path through which the air sent from the air blower flows toward the second air outlet, and a control unit. The control unit performs a first process and a second process while the control unit is operating. In the first step, the air sent from the blower device flows through the first flow path and is released from the first air outlet without being released from the second air outlet, thereby moving water droplets adhering to the surface of the toilet seat. In the second step, the air sent from the blower device flows through the second flow path and is released from the second air outlet without being released from the first air outlet, thereby further moving the water droplets moved in the first step.

[0008] 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.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet bowl apparatus equipped with a toilet seat apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a toilet lid provided in the toilet seat apparatus, illustrating a state in which the toilet lid is in a closed position covering the toilet seat. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a first step executed by a control unit provided in the toilet seat apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a second step executed by the control unit. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing air blowing from a bottom air outlet provided in the toilet seat apparatus. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing air blowing from an inner peripheral air outlet and an outer peripheral air outlet provided in the toilet seat apparatus. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the toilet lid cover has been removed, illustrating a state in which the toilet lid is in a closed position. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the order in which air is blown from a portion (specifically, the left half) of the multiple air outlets provided in the toilet seat apparatus. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the order of airflow for the remaining portions of the multiple air outlets (specifically, the right half portion and the front end portion).

[0010] (One embodiment) 1. Overview Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet bowl apparatus 100 equipped with a toilet seat apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing a first step executed by a control unit 8 provided in the toilet seat apparatus 1 in one embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing a second step executed by the control unit 8 in one embodiment. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the toilet lid 4 with the lid cover 42 removed, showing the toilet lid 4 in a closed position.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , a toilet seat apparatus 1 in one embodiment is configured to be mounted on a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20. The toilet seat apparatus 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 apparatus 1 also includes a first air outlet 50 and a second air outlet 51 provided on the toilet lid 4 so as to open toward the toilet seat 3 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position, and an air blower 6 configured to blow air to the first air outlet 50 and the second air outlet 51. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the toilet seat apparatus 1 also includes a first flow path 70 through which air blown from the air blower 6 flows toward the first air outlet 50, a second flow path 71 through which air blown from the air blower 6 flows toward the second air outlet 51, and a control unit 8 (see FIG. 9 ). The control unit 8 executes a first process and a second process during operation of the control unit 8. As shown in Figure 5, in the first step, the air sent from the blower device 6 flows through the first flow path 70 and is released from the first air outlet 50 without being released from the second air outlet 51, thereby moving water droplets adhering to the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. As shown in Figure 6, in the second step, the air sent from the blower device 6 flows through the second flow path 71 and is released from the second air outlet 51 without being released from the first air outlet 50, thereby further moving the water droplets moved in the first step.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a toilet device 100 in one embodiment includes a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20 , and the toilet seat device 1 mounted on the toilet body 2 .

[0013] In the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the control unit 8 executes the first and second steps, so that the air from the air blowing device 6 can be blown out from the first air outlet 50 and then from the second air outlet 51. As a result, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the wind pressure of the air blown out from the first air outlet 50 and the second air outlet 51 can be made larger than when the air from the air blowing device 6 is blown out from the first air outlet 50 and the second air outlet 51 simultaneously. In the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, the air blown out from the first air outlet 50 moves water droplets on the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3, and then the air blown out from the second air outlet 51 can further move these water droplets. Therefore, in the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100, water droplets on the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can easily collect on the edge of the toilet seat 3 and fall off the toilet seat 3. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1 and the toilet bowl device 100, water droplets are less likely to remain on the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3, and it is easy to prevent water droplets remaining on the surface 31 from drying and causing limescale.

[0014] 2. Details A toilet seat apparatus 1 according to one embodiment and a toilet bowl apparatus 100 including the same will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Below, each element of the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 will be described in detail using the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions shown in each figure. Each element of the toilet seat apparatus 1 and the toilet bowl apparatus 100 will be described based on the state in which the toilet seat 3 and toilet lid 4 are closed.

[0015] 2-1 Toilet Device 100 As shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 100 comprises a toilet body 2 having a bowl 20, and a toilet seat device 1 attached to the toilet body 2.

[0016] (Toilet body 2) 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 (not shown) is connected to the bottom of the bowl 20. The drain trap is located behind the bowl 20. The bowl 20 is connected to a sewer pipe via the drain trap.

[0017] The toilet body 2 is made of resin. The toilet body 2 further has a frame (not shown) that supports the rim 21 from below. The frame is made of, for example, metal.

[0018] The upper surface of the rim 21 constitutes the upper 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.

[0019] The toilet body 2 further includes a pair of left and right side covers 23 that cover the space behind the bowl 20 from the left and right, and a rear cover 24 that covers this space from the rear. The pair of left and right side covers 23 and the rear cover 24 are detachably attached to the frame.

[0020] The air blower device 6 of the toilet seat device 1 is installed in a space covered by the pair of left and right side covers 23 and the rear cover 24. The functional part 9 of the toilet seat device 1 is installed above the space covered by the pair of left and right side covers 23 and the rear cover 24. The functional part 9 is supported from below by the frame.

[0021] 2-2. 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, a plurality of air outlets 5, an air blower 6, a plurality of flow paths 7 (see FIG. 8 ), and a control unit 8. The toilet seat device 1 further includes a functional unit 9.

[0022] (Toilet seat 3) The toilet seat 3 has a circular shape in a plan view and has an opening 30 in the center. The toilet seat 3 has an upper surface 32 on which a user sits, a lower surface 33 facing the opposite side of the upper surface 32, an inner peripheral surface 34 surrounding the opening 30, and an outer peripheral surface 35. The lower surface 33 is provided with a plurality of rubber feet (not shown).

[0023] The toilet seat 3 is attached to the functional unit 9 so as to rotate around a rotation shaft 36 that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the rear end of the toilet seat 3. The functional unit 9 may be provided with an opening and closing device that automatically opens and closes the toilet seat 3 by rotating the toilet seat 3 around the rotation shaft 36. The functional unit 9 may be provided with various electrical devices such as a private parts cleansing device, a deodorizing device, and a toilet seat warming device.

[0024] The toilet seat 3 can be rotated between a reclined position (the position shown in FIG. 1 in detail) in which the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 is aligned with the upper surface of the toilet body 2 (i.e., the upper surface of the rim 21), and an upright position in which the toilet seat 3 is upright relative to the upper surface of the toilet body 2. When the toilet seat 3 is in the reclined position, the legs of the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 abut the upper surface of the toilet body 2. Therefore, a gap is formed between the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper surface of the toilet body 2 when in the reclined position.

[0025] The upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 includes an inclined surface. This inclined surface is inclined so that the more forward the portion, the lower the position. In this embodiment, the entire portion of the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 that is behind the front edge of the opening 30 is an inclined surface. Furthermore, this inclined surface is slightly inclined so that the portion closer to the opening 30 is lower the position. The front end of the upper surface 32 (more specifically, the portion forward of the opening 30) is parallel or nearly parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0026] The rear portion of the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 is slightly inclined so that the front portion is positioned lower than the rear portion of the underside 33. The remaining portion of the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 is parallel or nearly parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0027] (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 (specifically, the position shown in FIG. 1).

[0028] The toilet lid 4 is attached to the functional part 9 so as to rotate around a rotation axis 40 that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the rear end of the toilet lid 4. The toilet lid 4 may be provided so as to rotate automatically by an opening / closing device that rotates the toilet seat 3. The toilet lid 4 is rotatable between a closed position and an open position.

[0029] The toilet lid 4 comprises a lid body 41 provided with a plurality of air outlets 5, and a lid cover 42 that covers the lid body 41.

[0030] 2 is a bottom view of the toilet lid 4, showing the state in which the toilet lid 4 is in a closed position covering the toilet seat 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid body 41 comprises an upper wall portion 410 facing the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, an inner wall portion 411 facing the inner surface 34 of the toilet seat 3, an outer wall portion 412 facing the outer surface 35 of the toilet seat 3, and a central wall portion 413 disposed inside the central opening 30 of the toilet seat 3. The lid body 41 further comprises a flange portion 414 extending outward from the lower end of the outer wall portion 412, and a block-shaped rear wall portion 415 protruding downward from the rear end of the upper wall portion 410.

[0031] The central wall portion 413 has an elliptical shape in a plan view, and the inner peripheral wall portion 411 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge of the central wall portion 413. The inner peripheral wall portion 411 has an elliptical ring shape in a plan view. The upper wall portion 410, which has an elliptical ring shape in a plan view, extends outward from the upper end of the inner peripheral wall portion 411. The outer peripheral wall portion 412 extends downward from the remaining portion of the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 410, excluding the rear end portion. The outer peripheral wall portion 412 has a semi-elliptical ring shape in a plan view. The flange portion 414 has a semi-elliptical ring shape in a plan view. The inner peripheral wall portion 411, the upper wall portion 410, the outer peripheral wall portion 412, and the rear wall portion 415 are arranged to cover the entire circumferential circumference of the toilet seat 3.

[0032] 1 , the lid cover 42 has a cover main body 420 that is semi-elliptical in plan view and faces the central wall portion 413 and the upper wall portion 410, and a cover outer peripheral wall 421 that extends downward from the outer periphery of the cover main body 420 and faces the outer peripheral wall portion 412. The cover outer peripheral wall 421 is fixed to the flange portion 414 by fasteners such as screws. In this way, the lid cover 42 is combined with the lid main body 41.

[0033] The flange portion 414 is arranged so as to abut against the upper surface of the toilet body 2 when the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position. A gap filling member 4140 is attached to the flange portion 414 to fill the gap between the flange portion 414 and the toilet body 2. An example of the gap filling member 4140 is a packing.

[0034] A plurality of air vents 5 are provided in each of the upper wall 410, inner wall 411, outer wall 412, and rear wall 415 of the lid body 41. A plurality of flow paths 7 connecting the plurality of air vents 5 to the air blower 6, and a control unit 8 controlling the opening and closing of each of the plurality of flow paths 7 are provided on the lid body 41.

[0035] 5 and 6 , the multiple air outlets 5 include a first air outlet 50 that opens toward a first portion 31a of the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3, and a second air outlet 51 that opens toward a second portion 31b of the surface 31. The second portion 31b is located downstream of the first portion 31a in the flow direction of air passing through the first air outlet 50. The multiple upper surface air outlets 5a, which will be described later, include the first air outlet 50 and the second air outlet 51.

[0036] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the order in which air is blown from some of the multiple air outlets 5 (more specifically, the multiple air outlets 5 located in the left half of the lid body 41) provided in the toilet seat apparatus 1. Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the order in which air is blown from the remaining multiple air outlets 5 (more specifically, the multiple air outlets 5 located in the right half and front end of the lid body 41). Figures 10 and 11 show the positional relationship between the toilet seat 3 and the multiple air outlets 5 when the toilet seat 3 is in the reclined position and the toilet lid 4 is in the closed position.

[0037] 10 and 11 , each of the multiple air outlets 5 opens toward the toilet seat 3. The multiple air outlets 5 include multiple upper surface air outlets 5a that open toward the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, and multiple lower surface air outlets 5b that open toward the lower surface 33 of the toilet seat 3. The multiple air outlets 5 further include multiple inner surface air outlets 5c that open toward the inner surface 34 of the toilet seat 3, and multiple outer surface air outlets 5d that open toward the outer surface 35 of the toilet seat 3.

[0038] Each of the multiple air outlets 5 is an opening at the downstream end of a nozzle-shaped portion 10 provided in the toilet lid 4. Each of the multiple air outlets 5 is in the shape of an elongated hole. The internal flow path of the nozzle-shaped portion 10 is designed so that the air blowing range of the air blown out from the opening at the downstream end of the nozzle-shaped portion 10 (i.e., the air outlet 5) expands the further downstream from this opening. The nozzle-shaped portion 10 is formed by molding a portion of the toilet lid 4 into a nozzle shape, or by insert-molding a nozzle separate from the toilet lid 4. One flow path 7 is connected to the upstream end of each of the multiple nozzle-shaped portions 10.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, a guide groove 11 is provided in the downstream portion of each of the plurality of air outlets 5 of the toilet lid 4 to guide the air blown out from the air outlets 5. The guide groove 11 is provided in a fan shape.

[0040] 10 and 11, each of the plurality of upper surface air outlets 5a opens toward the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3. The orientation and arrangement of the openings of the plurality of upper surface air outlets 5a are set so that the air blown out from them pushes water droplets on the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 toward the edge of the upper surface 32.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the upper surface air outlets 5a are provided in the upper wall 410, rear wall 415, and front end of the inner wall 411 of the lid body 41 of the toilet lid 4. The multiple upper surface air outlets 5a are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central wall 413.

[0042] A single upper surface air outlet 5a is provided at the top end of the front end of the inner peripheral wall 411, opening to the front (see FIG. 10 ). A plurality of upper surface air outlets 5a (four on each side) are provided at the outer peripheral end of the upper wall 410. The plurality of upper surface air outlets 5a provided in the upper wall 410 open to the front and inner peripheral sides.

[0043] The rear wall 415 is provided with multiple upper surface air outlets 5a (specifically, two on each side) that open to one side in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the rear wall 415 is provided with one upper surface air outlet 5a that opens diagonally forward and leftward, in a portion of the rear wall 415 to the right of the midpoint in the left-right direction, as the upper surface air outlet 5a for the left half of the upper surface 32. The left end of the rear wall 415 is provided with one upper surface air outlet 5a that opens diagonally forward and leftward, as the upper surface air outlet 5a for the right half of the upper surface 32, in a portion of the rear wall 415 to the left of the midpoint in the left-right direction. The right end of the rear wall 415 is provided with one upper surface air outlet 5a that opens diagonally forward and rightward.

[0044] In this embodiment, a total of six upper surface air outlets 5a open toward the right half of the upper surface 32, and a total of six upper surface air outlets 5a open toward the left half of the upper surface 32. The six upper surface air outlets 5a for the right half of the upper surface 32 and the six upper surface air outlets 5a for the left half of the upper surface 32 are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis. The six upper surface air outlets 5a for the right half of the upper surface 32 and the six upper surface air outlets 5a for the left half of the upper surface 32 open in a direction that follows the downward slope of the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3.

[0045] As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 10, the six upper surface air outlets 5a that open toward the left half of the upper surface 32 are positioned and oriented so that the air blowing range of one of two circumferentially adjacent upper surface air outlets 5a is located downstream of the air blowing range of the other upper surface air outlet 5a.

[0046] In other words, the multiple upper surface air outlets 5a include a first air outlet 50 that opens toward a first portion 31a of the surface 31 (more specifically, the upper surface 32) of the toilet seat 3, and a second air outlet 51 that opens toward a second portion 31b of the surface 31. The second portion 31b is located downstream of the first portion 31a in the flow direction of air passing through the first air outlet 50.

[0047] Of any two upper surface air outlets 5a adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, one upper surface air outlet 5a on one side in the circumferential direction (more specifically, the side opposite to the side toward the front end of the upper surface 32 in the circumferential direction) is the first air outlet 50, and the other upper surface air outlet 5a is the second air outlet 51.

[0048] Of the water droplets on the left half of the upper surface 32, some are sent to one side in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 32 (more specifically, the side toward the front end of the upper surface 32) by the air blown from one upper surface air outlet 5a, and the remaining parts are sent toward the opening 30. Of the water droplets that have been sent to one side in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 32 by the air blown from one upper surface air outlet 5a and remain on the upper surface 32, some are sent further to one side in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 32 by the air blown from the next upper surface air outlet 5a, and the remaining parts are sent toward the opening 30.

[0049] Water droplets that have been pushed to the inner peripheral edge of the upper surface 32 are pushed by their own weight or by the air blown from the inner peripheral air outlet 5c, and move downward along the inner peripheral surface 34 of the toilet seat 3, dropping from the lower edge of the inner peripheral surface 34 into the bowl 20. Water droplets that have been pushed to the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface 32 are pushed by their own weight or by the air blown from the outer peripheral air outlet 5d, and move downward along the outer peripheral surface 35 of the toilet seat 3, dropping from the lower edge of the outer peripheral surface 35 onto the rim 21. Water droplets that have been pushed to the front end of the upper surface 32 are pushed by their own weight or by the air blown from the outer peripheral air outlet 5d, and move downward along the outer peripheral surface 35 of the toilet seat 3, dropping from the lower edge of the outer peripheral surface 35 onto the rim 21. Water droplets on the rim 21 are pushed toward the bowl 20 by the air blown from the lower peripheral air outlet 5b, and dropping into the bowl 20.

[0050] 10 and 11 , each of the multiple under-surface air outlets 5b opens toward the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3. Each of the multiple under-surface air outlets 5b is provided to blow air from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3. The opening direction and arrangement of each of the multiple under-surface air outlets 5b are set so that the air blowing out from each of the multiple under-surface air outlets 5b sweeps water droplets adhering to the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 toward the inner periphery or front edge of the underside 33.

[0051] Fig. 7 is a schematic side view showing the state of air blowing from the lower air outlets 5b. As shown in Fig. 7, each of the multiple lower air outlets 5b is provided to blow air to the lower surface 33 of the toilet seat 3 and the upper surface of the toilet body 2 facing the lower surface 33 (i.e., the upper surface of the rim 21).

[0052] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a plurality of lower air outlets 5b are provided at the lower end of the outer peripheral wall 412 and the lower end of the rear wall 415 of the lid body 41 of the toilet lid 4. The plurality of lower air outlets 5b are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central wall 413.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 10, one lower surface air outlet 5b is provided so as to open to the rear side at the front end of the outer peripheral wall portion 412. As shown in Fig. 3, six lower surface air outlets 5b are provided so as to open to the front and inner peripheral sides at each of the right and left halves of the outer peripheral wall portion 412, and one lower surface air outlet 5b is provided so as to open to the inside in the left-right direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2 , the rear wall 415 is provided with a plurality of lower-surface air outlets 5b (specifically, two on each side) that open to one side in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the rear wall 415 is provided with one lower-surface air outlet 5b that opens diagonally forward and leftward, in a portion of the rear wall 415 to the right of the midpoint in the left-right direction, as the lower-surface air outlet 5b for the left half of the lower surface 33. The left end of the rear wall 415 is provided with one lower-surface air outlet 5b that opens diagonally forward and leftward, as the lower-surface air outlet 5b for the right half of the lower surface 33, in a portion of the rear wall 415 to the left of the midpoint in the left-right direction. The right end of the rear wall 415 is provided with one lower-surface air outlet 5b that opens diagonally forward and rightward.

[0055] In this embodiment, a total of nine lower surface air outlets 5b open toward the right half of the lower surface 33, and a total of nine lower surface air outlets 5b open toward the left half of the lower surface 33. The nine lower surface air outlets 5b for the right half of the lower surface 33 and the nine lower surface air outlets 5b for the left half of the lower surface 33 are arranged line-symmetrically.

[0056] The nine lower surface air outlets 5b that open toward the left half of the lower surface 33 are oriented and positioned such that the air outlet range of one of the two circumferentially adjacent lower surface air outlets 5b is located downstream of the air outlet range of the other lower surface air outlet 5b.

[0057] In other words, the multiple lower surface air outlets 5b include a first air outlet 50 that opens toward a first portion 31a of the surface 31 (specifically, the lower surface 33) of the toilet seat 3, and a second air outlet 51 that opens toward a second portion 31b of the surface 31 (specifically, the lower surface 33). The second portion 31b is located downstream of the first portion 31a in the flow direction of air passing through the first air outlet 50.

[0058] Of any two adjacent underside air outlets 5b in the circumferential direction, one underside air outlet 5b on one side in the circumferential direction (more specifically, the side opposite to the side toward the front end of the underside 33 in the circumferential direction) is the first air outlet 50, and the other underside air outlet 5b is the second air outlet 51.

[0059] Of the water droplets on the left half of the lower surface 33, some are sent to one circumferential side of the lower surface 33 (more specifically, to the front end side of the lower surface 33) by the air blown from one lower surface air outlet 5b, and the remaining parts are sent toward the opening 30. Of the water droplets that have been sent to one circumferential side of the lower surface 33 by the air blown from one lower surface air outlet 5b and remain on the lower surface 33, some are further sent to one circumferential side of the lower surface 33 by the air blown from the next lower surface air outlet 5b, and the remaining parts are sent toward the opening 30.

[0060] Water droplets that have been pushed up to the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 33 are dropped into the bowl 20 by their own weight or by the air blown out from the inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c. Water droplets that have been pushed up to the front end of the lower surface 33 are dropped onto the rim 21 by their own weight or by the air blown out from the outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d. Water droplets on the rim 21 are pushed towards the bowl 20 by the air blown out from each of the multiple lower surface air outlets 5b and drop into the bowl 20. Alternatively, water droplets that have been pushed up to the front end of the lower surface 33 are sent towards the opening 30 by the air blown out from one lower surface air outlet 5b at the front end of the outer peripheral wall portion 412 and are dropped into the bowl 20 by their own weight or by the air blown out from the inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c.

[0061] 10 and 11, each of the multiple inner peripheral surface air outlets 5c opens toward the inner peripheral surface 34 of the toilet seat 3. The opening direction and arrangement of each of the multiple inner peripheral surface air outlets 5c are set so that the air blown out from them sweeps water droplets adhering to the inner peripheral surface 34 of the toilet seat 3 toward the front and bottom of the inner peripheral surface 34.

[0062] 8 is a schematic side view showing the state of air blowing from the inner circumferential surface air outlet 5c and the outer circumferential surface air outlet 5d. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c is provided so as to blow air downward rather than horizontally.

[0063] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, multiple inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c are provided in the inner circumferential wall portion 411 of the lid body 41 of the toilet lid 4. The multiple inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central wall portion 413.

[0064] 2, one inner circumferential surface air outlet 5c is provided at the front end of the inner circumferential wall 411, opening downward. Another inner circumferential surface air outlet 5c opening diagonally forward and left is provided at the right side of the midpoint in the left-right direction at the rear end of the inner circumferential wall 411. Another inner circumferential surface air outlet 5c opening diagonally forward and right is provided at the left side of the midpoint in the left-right direction at the rear end of the inner circumferential wall 411.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, four inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c are provided in each of the right and left halves of the inner circumferential wall portion 411 so as to open to the front and bottom.

[0066] In this embodiment, a total of five inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c open toward the right half of the inner circumferential surface 34, and a total of five inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c open toward the left half of the inner circumferential surface 34. The five inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c for the right half of the inner circumferential surface 34 and the five inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c for the left half of the inner circumferential surface 34 are arranged line-symmetrically.

[0067] The water droplets on the left half of the inner circumferential surface 34 are blown to one side of the inner circumferential surface 34 (more specifically, the front end side of the inner circumferential surface 34) by the air blown from each inner circumferential surface air outlet 5c, and then to the lower edge of the inner circumferential surface 34.

[0068] The water droplets that have been pushed to the lower edge of the inner circumferential surface 34 are dropped into the bowl 20 by their own weight or by the air blown out from the inner circumferential surface air outlet 5c. Water droplets on the right half of the inner circumferential surface 34 are also dropped into the bowl 20 in the same manner.

[0069] 10 and 11, each of the multiple outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d opens toward the outer peripheral surface 35 of the toilet seat 3. The opening direction and arrangement of each of the multiple outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d are set so that the air blown out from each of the multiple outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d sweeps water droplets adhering to the outer peripheral surface 35 of the toilet seat 3 toward the front and bottom of the outer peripheral surface 35. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the multiple outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d is arranged to blow air downward rather than horizontally.

[0070] 2 and 3, the outer peripheral air outlets 5d are provided on the outer peripheral wall 412 of the lid body 41 of the toilet lid 4 and on the front end of the upper wall 410. The multiple outer peripheral air outlets 5d are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the central wall 413.

[0071] One outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d is provided at the front end of the upper wall portion 410 so as to open downward (see FIG. 10 ). As shown in FIGS. 3 , 10 , and 11 , five outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d are provided in each of the right and left halves of the outer peripheral wall portion 412 so as to open obliquely downward and forward. The five outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d for the right half of the outer peripheral surface 35 and the five outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d for the left half of the outer peripheral surface 35 are arranged line-symmetrically.

[0072] The water droplets adhering to the left half of the outer peripheral surface 35 are blown to one side of the outer peripheral surface 35 in the circumferential direction (more specifically, the front end side of the outer peripheral surface 35) by the air blown from each outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d, and then to the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 35.

[0073] Water droplets that have been pushed up to the lower edge of outer peripheral surface 35 are dropped onto rim 21 by their own weight or by air blown out from outer peripheral surface outlets 5d. Water droplets on rim 21 are pushed towards bowl 20 by air blown from each of the multiple lower surface outlets 5b and dropped into bowl 20. Water droplets on the right half of outer peripheral surface 35 are dropped into bowl 20 in a similar manner.

[0074] 1 is a device that sends air to the multiple air outlets 5. In this embodiment, the air blower 6 is housed within the toilet body 2, and more specifically, is disposed in a space surrounded by a pair of left and right side covers 23 and a rear cover 24.

[0075] The blower device 6 has an air source 60 such as a centrifugal blower, an axial flow fan, or a centrifugal fan, and an air duct 61. As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the air duct 61 includes a fixed pipe 610 having one longitudinal end connected to the air source 60, and a movable pipe 611 connected to the other longitudinal end of the fixed pipe 610 and capable of moving.

[0076] The other longitudinal end (i.e., the downstream end) of the movable pipe 611 is connected to one of the plurality of flow paths 7. The air source 60 and a portion of the air pipe 61 are housed within the toilet body 2, and the remaining portion of the air pipe 61 is disposed within the toilet seat device 1.

[0077] The toilet seat device 1 does not have a heating means for heating the air sent by the air blower device 6. Therefore, the air from the air blower device 6 is blown out from each of the plurality of air outlets 5 without being heated by the heating means and becoming hot air.

[0078] 9, the plurality of flow paths 7 are provided to connect the plurality of air outlets 5 and the blower 6 (more specifically, the movable pipe 611 of the air outlet duct 61). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of flow paths 7 include a first flow path 70 that connects the blower 6 and the first air outlet 50, and a second flow path 71 that connects the blower 6 and the second air outlet 51.

[0079] 9, the plurality of flow paths 7 are configured by a plurality of connecting pipes 72 that are connected one-to-one to the plurality of air outlets 5. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of connecting pipes 72 is a flexible tube.

[0080] Each of the multiple connecting pipes 72 has one longitudinal end connected to one air outlet 5 and the other longitudinal end connected to a cylindrical tube portion 43 provided on the lid body 41 of the toilet lid 4.

[0081] The tubular portion 43 is provided with a plurality of through holes 430 that penetrate the tubular portion 43 in the radial direction and are spaced equally apart in the circumferential direction. The plurality of through holes 430 is provided over the entire circumferential length of the tubular portion 43. The number of the through holes 430 is the same as the number of the connecting pipes 72, which is the same as the number of the air outlets 5. The other longitudinal ends of the connecting pipes 72 are connected to the through holes 430 in a one-to-one relationship. The size of each of the plurality of through holes 430 is the same as the size of the downstream end opening 6111 of the movable pipe 611 of the air supply pipe 61.

[0082] A plurality of connecting pipes 72 are connected in a predetermined order to the plurality of through holes 430 arranged in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of connecting pipes 72 are connected to the plurality of through holes 430 in the order of the parenthesized symbols shown in Figures 10 and 11 so that air is blown out from the plurality of air outlets 5.

[0083] (Controller 8) The controller 8 shown in FIG. 9 is configured to control the opening and closing of each of the multiple flow paths 7. The controller 8 executes a first step and a second step during operation of the controller 8. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first step, air sent from the blower 6 flows through the first flow path 70 and is released from the first air outlet 50 without being released from the second air outlet 51, thereby moving water droplets adhering to the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. As shown in FIG. 6, in the second step, air sent from the blower 6 flows through the second flow path 71 and is released from the second air outlet 51 without being released from the first air outlet 50, thereby further moving the water droplets moved in the first step. In the first and second steps, water droplets adhering to the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 are mainly moved to the right (i.e., the front side in FIG. 1). The rightward direction in FIGS. 5 and 6 corresponds to the front direction in FIG. 1, and the leftward direction in FIGS. 5 and 6 corresponds to the rearward direction in FIG. 1.

[0084] Controller 8 further executes an inner circumferential surface air-blowing process and an outer circumferential surface air-blowing process while controller 8 is operating. The inner circumferential surface air-blowing process is a process in which air sent from blower device 6 is discharged from inner circumferential surface air-blowing outlet 5c in a state in which it is not discharged from first air-blowing outlet 50, second air-blowing outlet 51, and outer circumferential surface air-blowing outlet 5d, thereby causing water droplets adhering to inner circumferential surface 34 of surface 31 of toilet seat 3 to fall toward bowl 20. The outer circumferential surface air-blowing process is a process in which air sent from blower device 6 is discharged from outer circumferential surface air-blowing outlet 5d in a state in which it is not discharged from first air-blowing outlet 50, second air-blowing outlet 51, and inner circumferential surface air-blowing outlet 5c, thereby causing water droplets adhering to outer circumferential surface 35 of surface 31 of toilet seat 3 to fall.

[0085] In this embodiment, the control unit 8 controls the opening and closing of each of the multiple flow paths 7 so that the multiple flow paths 7 are switched one by one in sequence from a closed state to an open state and then from the open state to a closed state. The blower device 6 further includes a moving device 62 that moves the air duct 61. The control unit 8 controls the moving device 62 to move the air duct 61 so that the air duct 61 is connected to the multiple connecting pipes 72 one by one in sequence. The moving device 62 moves the air duct 61 so that the air duct 61 is connected to the first flow path 70 and the second flow path 71 in sequence. In other words, the control unit 8 controls the moving device 62 in a first step so that the air duct 61 of the blower device 6 is connected to the first flow path 70, and in a second step so that the air duct 61 of the blower device 6 is connected to the second flow path 71.

[0086] The moving device 62 moves the movable pipe 611 so that the movable pipe 611 rotates around one end in the longitudinal direction of the movable pipe 611 of the air supply pipe 61 (more specifically, the end connected to the fixed pipe 610). As a result, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the movable pipe 611 is connected to the multiple connecting pipes 72 one by one in sequence.

[0087] The moving device 62 has a first gear 63, a second gear 64 that meshes with the first gear 63, a motor 65 that rotates the second gear 64, and a cover 66. The first gear 63 is rotatably attached to the inside of the cylindrical portion 43 of the lid main body 41. A movable tube 611 is fixed to the upper surface of the first gear 63.

[0088] The cover 66 is fixed to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 43 with fasteners such as screws. The cover 66 covers and conceals the first gear 63, the second gear 64, and the movable tube 611. The cover 66 rotatably supports a rotation shaft 6110 that protrudes upward from one longitudinal end of the movable tube 611. The control unit 8 controls, for example, the motor 65 to rotate at a constant speed. When the motor 65 rotates at a constant speed, the movable tube 611 rotates at a constant speed.

[0089] When the movable pipe 611 rotates, the downstream end openings 6111 of the movable pipe 611 face and communicate with the plurality of through holes 430 in the tubular portion 43 one by one in sequence. As a result, the plurality of flow paths 7 connected to the plurality of through holes 430 are switched one by one in sequence from a closed state to an open state and from an open state to a closed state, and air from the blower 6 is blown out from the air outlet 5 connected to the flow path 7 in the open state.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the movable pipe 611 rotates, there is a timing when the downstream end opening 6111 faces and communicates with both of the two circumferentially adjacent through holes 430. At this timing, air is blown out from the two air outlets 5 simultaneously.

[0091] However, the connecting pipe 72 constituting the first flow path 70 connected to the first air outlet 50 and the connecting pipe 72 constituting the second flow path 71 connected to the second air outlet 51 are connected to two through holes 430 that are positioned at least one distance apart in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the air sent from the air blower 6 flows through the first flow path 70 and is released from the first air outlet 50 without being released from the second air outlet 51. Thereafter, the air sent from the air blower 6 flows through the second flow path 71 and is released from the second air outlet 51 without being released from the first air outlet 50.

[0092] In this embodiment, the multiple air outlets 5 include at least one upper surface air outlet 5a, at least one outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d, at least one lower surface air outlet 5b, and at least one inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c, which are open toward a portion of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3. The multiple connecting pipes 72 connected to the at least one upper surface air outlet 5a, at least one outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d, at least one lower surface air outlet 5b, and at least one inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c are connected to the multiple through holes 430 so as to be lined up in this order in the circumferential direction.

[0093] Therefore, at least one upper surface air outlet 5a, at least one outer surface air outlet 5d, at least one lower surface air outlet 5b, and at least one inner surface air outlet 5c can blow out air from the blower device 6 in this order.

[0094] For example, the set of air outlets 5 numbered 15 to 19 in Fig. 10 corresponds to at least one upper surface air outlet 5a, at least one outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d, at least one lower surface air outlet 5b, and at least one inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c. Also, the set of air outlets 5 numbered 20 to 23 in Fig. 10 corresponds to at least one upper surface air outlet 5a, at least one outer peripheral surface air outlet 5d, at least one lower surface air outlet 5b, and at least one inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c.

[0095] 2-3. Other The toilet seat device 1 further includes 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 toward each of the upper surface 32 and lower surface 33 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 toward each of the inner circumferential surface 34 and outer circumferential surface 35 of the toilet seat 3.

[0096] 2-4. Operation of Toilet Seat Device The toilet seat device 1 and toilet bowl device 100 described above operate, for example, as follows.

[0097] When the user has finished using the toilet device 100 and a predetermined time has passed since the toilet lid 4 was placed in the closed position, cleaning water is discharged from the toilet seat cleaning device onto the upper surface 32 and the lower surface 33 of the toilet seat 3. At this time, the downstream end opening 6111 of the movable pipe 611 of the air blower pipe 61 is positioned in line with one of the through-holes 430 corresponding to the first air outlet 5 (see Figure 10).

[0098] When the toilet seat cleaning device finishes discharging cleaning water, the air blower 6 is driven, and the air from the air blower 6 passes through the air duct 61, the through hole 430, and one connecting pipe 72 in this order, and is blown out from the first air outlet 5.

[0099] When the blower device 6 starts to operate, the motor 65 of the moving device 62 starts to operate, causing the movable pipe 611 to rotate at a constant speed. As a result, the downstream end opening 6111 of the movable pipe 611 communicates with all of the through holes 430 one by one, starting with the second through hole 430 corresponding to the second air outlet 5, the third through hole 430 corresponding to the third air outlet 5, and so on. As a result, air is blown out from all of the air outlets 5 in the numerical order shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . When air has been blown out from all of the air outlets 5, the blower device 6 stops. The movable pipe 611 is rotated until the downstream end opening 6111 of the movable pipe 611 is aligned with one of the through holes 430 corresponding to the first air outlet 5, and the motor 65 stops operating.

[0100] 2-5. Effects and Benefits In the toilet seat device 1, air from the air blower 6 can be blown out sequentially from the multiple air outlets 5 one by one, which makes it easy to increase the wind pressure of the air blown out from each air outlet 5. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be easily moved, and water droplets are less likely to remain on the surface 31.

[0101] In the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 can be swept away by air from one air outlet 5, and then by air from the next air outlet 5. Also, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the lower surface 33 of the toilet seat 3 can be swept away by air from one air outlet 5, and then by air from the next air outlet 5. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 can easily move to the edge of the upper surface 32 (i.e., the inner peripheral edge or the outer peripheral edge). Also, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the lower surface 33 of the toilet seat 3 can easily move to the edge of the lower surface 33 (i.e., the inner peripheral edge or the outer peripheral edge). Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3 can easily collect and fall at the edge of the upper surface 32, and water droplets are less likely to remain on the upper surface 32. Furthermore, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3 are easily collected on the edge of the underside 33 and allowed to fall, making it difficult for water droplets to remain on the underside 33.

[0102] In the toilet seat device 1, the air from the air blower device 6 is blown out from each air outlet 5 without being heated, so that evaporation of water droplets on the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be suppressed.

[0103] In the toilet seat device 1, at least one upper surface air outlet 5a, at least one outer surface air outlet 5d, at least one lower surface air outlet 5b, and at least one inner surface air outlet 5c, which are open toward a portion of the circumference of the toilet seat 3, blow out air in this order. At least one lower surface air outlet 5b blows air from the outer periphery to the inner periphery onto the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3. At least one outer surface air outlet 5d blows air downward from horizontal. At least one inner surface air outlet 5c blows air downward from horizontal.

[0104] Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on a portion of the surface 31 in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 can be moved from the upper surface 32 to the outer peripheral surface 35, then from the outer peripheral surface 35 to the outer edge of the lower surface 33, and then from the outer edge of the lower surface 33 to the inner peripheral edge. Alternatively, in the toilet seat device 1, water droplets on a portion of the surface 31 in the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3 can be moved from the upper surface 32 to the upper end of the inner peripheral surface 34, and then from the upper end to the lower end of the inner peripheral surface 34. Therefore, in the toilet seat device 1, in a portion of the circumferential direction of the toilet seat 3, water droplets tend to collect on the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 33, i.e., the lower end of the inner peripheral surface 34, and the collected water droplets tend to fall into the bowl 20 due to the weight of the water droplets or by air blown out from the inner peripheral surface air outlet 5c.

[0105] In the toilet seat device 1, air can be blown toward the front side of the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 from each of the multiple upper surface air outlets 5a, the multiple lower surface air outlets 5b, the multiple inner peripheral surface air outlets 5c, and the multiple outer peripheral surface air outlets 5d. Therefore, the number of air outlets 5 required to blow air over the entire surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 can be reduced.

[0106] In the toilet seat device 1, air can be blown out from the plurality of upper surface air outlets 5a in a direction corresponding to the gradient of the upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, so that water droplets on the upper surface 32 can be easily washed away efficiently.

[0107] In the toilet seat device 1, switching of one air outlet 5 connected to the air blower device 6 can be performed by rotating the movable pipe 611 with a motor 65, which makes it easier to keep maintenance costs down compared to when an electric valve or solenoid valve is provided in each of the multiple flow paths 7.

[0108] 3. Modifications Next, a description will be given of modifications of the above-described toilet seat apparatus 1 and toilet bowl apparatus 100. The modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0109] The multiple air outlets 5 may include only the multiple upper surface air outlets 5a and the multiple lower surface air outlets 5b, and may not include one or both of the multiple inner surface air outlets 5c and the multiple outer surface air outlets 5d.

[0110] The multiple lower surface air outlets 5 b do not necessarily have to include the first air outlet 50 and the second air outlet 51 .

[0111] Each of the plurality of inner circumferential surface air outlets 5c may be provided so as to blow air horizontally, and each of the plurality of outer circumferential surface air outlets 5d may be provided so as to blow air horizontally.

[0112] Each of the plurality of underside air outlets 5b may be provided so as to blow air only forward relative to the underside 33 of the toilet seat 3.

[0113] The order of the air outlets 5 that blow out air is not limited to the order shown in Figures 10 and 11. For example, the control unit 8 may control the opening and closing of each of the multiple flow paths 7 so that air is simultaneously blown to the right half of the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3 and to the left half of the surface 31 of the toilet seat 3. The control unit 8 may also control the opening and closing of each of the multiple flow paths 7 so that air is blown in the following order: the entire upper surface 32 of the toilet seat 3, the entire outer peripheral surface 35, the entire lower surface 33, and the entire inner peripheral surface 34.

[0114] The control unit 8 may control the opening and closing of each of the multiple flow paths 7 so as to simultaneously switch two or more of the multiple flow paths 7 from a closed state to an open state and from an open state to a closed state.

[0115] The air blower duct 61 of the air blower 6 and the plurality of flow paths 7 may be directly connected, and the control unit 8 may control an electric valve or an electronic valve provided in each of the plurality of flow paths 7.

[0116] The arrangement and opening direction of the plurality of air outlets 5 are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0117] The air blower 6 does not have to be located inside the toilet body 2, but may be located outside the toilet body 2 or inside the toilet lid 4.

[0118] (Summary) The toilet seat device (1) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure has the following configuration.

[0119] The toilet seat device (1) of the first embodiment is configured to be attached to a toilet body (2) having a bowl (20). The toilet seat device (1) comprises a toilet seat (3) having a central opening (30), a toilet lid (4) switchable between a closed position that covers the toilet seat (3) and an open position that exposes the toilet seat (3), and a first air outlet (50) and a second air outlet (51) provided on the toilet lid (4) so ​​as to open toward the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The toilet seat device (1) further comprises an air blower (6) configured to blow air to the first air outlet (50) and the second air outlet (51). The toilet seat device (1) includes a first flow path (70) through which air sent from the blower device (6) flows toward a first air outlet (50), a second flow path (71) through which air sent from the blower device (6) flows toward a second air outlet (51), and a control unit (8). The control unit (8) executes a first step and a second step while the control unit (8) is operating. The first step is a step in which the air sent from the blower device (6) flows through the first flow path (70) and is released from the first air outlet (50) without being released from the second air outlet (51), thereby moving water droplets attached to the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3). The second step is a step in which the air sent from the blower device (6) flows through the second flow path (71) and is released from the second air outlet (51) without being released from the first air outlet (50), thereby further moving the water droplets moved in the first step.

[0120] In the toilet seat device (1) of the first aspect, the control unit (8) executes the first and second steps, thereby making it possible to blow air from the air blowing device (6) out of the first air outlet (50) and then out of the second air outlet (51). As a result, in the toilet seat device (1) of the first aspect, it is easier to increase the wind pressure of the air blown out of the first air outlet (50) and the wind pressure of the air blown out of the second air outlet (51) compared to when the air from the air blowing device (6) is blown out of the first air outlet (50) and the second air outlet (51) simultaneously. In the toilet seat device (1) of the first aspect, after the air blown out of the first air outlet (50) moves water droplets on the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3), the air blown out of the second air outlet (51) can further move these water droplets. Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the first aspect, water droplets on the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) are likely to collect on the edge of the toilet seat (3) and fall off the toilet seat (3). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the first aspect, water droplets are less likely to remain on the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3), and it is easy to prevent water droplets remaining on the surface (31) from drying and causing limescale.

[0121] The toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the first aspect.

[0122] In the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, the first air outlet (50) opens toward the upper surface (32) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The second air outlet (51) opens toward the upper surface (32) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The water droplets adhering to the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) are water droplets adhering to the upper surface (32) of the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3).

[0123] In the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, air from the first air outlet (50) and air from the second air outlet (51) can be directed sequentially to the upper surface (32), which has a larger area among the surfaces (31) of the toilet seat (3), so that water droplets on the upper surface (32) are easily collected on the edge of the upper surface (32) and allowed to fall. Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the second aspect, water droplets are less likely to remain on the upper surface (32), and water stains are less likely to form on the upper surface (32).

[0124] The toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the second aspect.

[0125] In the toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect, the upper surface (32) of the toilet seat (3) includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward its front portion. The first air outlet (50) opens toward the inclined surface and toward the front when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The second air outlet (51) opens toward the inclined surface and toward the front when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position.

[0126] In the toilet seat device (1) of the third aspect, the downward slope of the upper surface (32) of the toilet seat (3) can be used to move water droplets on the upper surface (32), so that the air from the first air outlet (50) and the air from the second air outlet (51) can more easily move water droplets on the upper surface (32).

[0127] The toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of any one of the first to third aspects.

[0128] The toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect further comprises an inner peripheral surface air outlet (5c) that opens toward the inner peripheral surface (34) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, and an outer peripheral surface air outlet (5d) that opens toward the outer peripheral surface (35) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The air blower (6) is further configured to send air to the inner peripheral surface air outlet (5c) and the outer peripheral surface air outlet (5d). The inner peripheral surface air outlet (5c) opens downward so that the air emitted from the inner peripheral surface air outlet (5c) is emitted downward from the horizontal. The outer peripheral surface air outlet (5d) opens downward so that the air emitted from the outer peripheral surface air outlet (5d) is emitted downward from the horizontal.

[0129] In the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, the air from the inner peripheral surface air outlet (5c) and the air from the outer peripheral surface air outlet (5d) can move water droplets on the inner peripheral surface (34) and the outer peripheral surface (35) of the toilet seat (3) so that they gather at the lower edge, making them easy to drop. In addition, in the toilet seat device (1) of the fourth aspect, the water droplets on the inner peripheral surface (34) and the outer peripheral surface (35) are pushed and moved by the air from the inner peripheral surface air outlet (5c) and the outer peripheral surface air outlet (5d) that is directed downward rather than horizontally, making it easy to prevent the water droplets from moving to the upper surface (32) of the toilet seat (3).

[0130] The toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the fourth aspect.

[0131] In the toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect, the control unit (8) further executes an inner circumferential surface air-blowing process and an outer circumferential surface air-blowing process during operation of the control unit (8). The inner circumferential surface air-blowing process is a process in which air sent from the air blowing device (6) is discharged from the inner circumferential surface air-blowing port (5c) in a state in which it is not discharged from the first air-blowing port (50), the second air-blowing port (51), and the outer circumferential surface air-blowing port (5d), thereby causing water droplets adhering to the inner circumferential surface (34) of the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) to fall toward the bowl (20). The outer circumferential surface air-blowing process is a process in which air sent from the air blowing device (6) is discharged from the outer circumferential surface air-blowing port (5d) in a state in which it is not discharged from the first air-blowing port (50), the second air-blowing port (51), and the inner circumferential surface air-blowing port (5c), thereby causing water droplets adhering to the outer circumferential surface (35) of the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3) to fall.

[0132] In the toilet seat device (1) of the fifth aspect, it is easier to increase the wind pressure of the air blown out from the inner surface air outlet (5c) and the outer surface air outlet (5d) compared to when air from the air blower device (6) is blown out from multiple air outlets simultaneously.

[0133] 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.

[0134] The toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect further includes a lower air outlet (5b) that opens toward the underside (33) of the toilet seat (3) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position. The air blower (6) is further configured to send air to the lower air outlet (5b). The lower air outlet (5b) is arranged to open toward the underside (33) of the toilet seat (3) so that the air emitted from the lower air outlet (5b) is emitted from the outer periphery toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat (3) and flows between the underside (33) of the toilet seat (3) and the upper surface of the toilet body (2) facing the underside (33).

[0135] In the toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect, air from the multiple lower air outlets (5b) can move water droplets on the underside (33) of the toilet seat (3) and on the upper surface of the toilet body (2) toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat (3), making it easier for them to fall into the bowl (20). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the sixth aspect, water droplets are less likely to remain on the underside (33) of the toilet seat (3) and the upper surface of the toilet body (2), and limescale is less likely to form on the underside (33) of the toilet seat (3) and the upper surface of the toilet body (2).

[0136] The toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0137] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect, the air blower device (6) includes an air duct (61) and a moving device (62) that moves the air duct (61). The control unit (8) controls the moving device (62) in a first step to connect the air duct (61) to the first flow path (70), and controls the moving device (62) in a second step to connect the air duct (61) to the second flow path (71).

[0138] In the toilet seat device (1) of the seventh aspect, the control unit (8) controls the moving device (62) to move the air blowing pipe (61) and sequentially connects the first flow path (70) and the second flow path (71), and with this simple mechanism, air can be blown out from the first air outlet (50) and then from the second air outlet (51).

[0139] The toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect additionally comprises the following features in addition to the features of the seventh aspect.

[0140] That is, in the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, in a plan view of the toilet seat device (1) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, the moving device (62) is provided in the center of the toilet seat device (1). In a plan view of the toilet seat device (1) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, the air duct (61) is configured to be rotatable in the center of the toilet seat device (1). In a plan view of the toilet seat device (1) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, the first flow path (70) and the second flow path (71) overlap the toilet seat (3).

[0141] In the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, in a plan view of the toilet seat device (1) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position, the moving device (62) and the rotatable air duct (61) are located in the center of the toilet seat device (1), and the first flow path (70) and the second flow path (71) are located around the center of the toilet seat device (1). Therefore, in the toilet seat device (1) of the eighth aspect, the space inside the central opening (30) of the toilet seat (3) can be easily used as a space for arranging the moving device (62) and the rotatable air duct (61), and the height of the upper surface of the toilet lid (4) when the toilet lid (4) is in the closed position can be easily reduced.

[0142] 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).

[0143] The toilet bowl device (100) of the ninth aspect is equipped with the toilet seat device (1), so that water droplets are less likely to remain on the surface (31) of the toilet seat (3), and it is easy to prevent water droplets remaining on the surface (31) from drying and causing limescale.

[0144] 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.

[0145] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Toilet seat device 2 Toilet body 20 Bowl 21 Rim 22 Skirt 23 Side cover 24 Rear cover 3 Toilet seat 30 Opening 31 Surface 31a First portion 31b Second portion 32 Upper surface 33 Lower surface 34 Inner peripheral surface 35 Outer peripheral surface 36 Rotation shaft 4 Toilet lid 40 Rotation shaft 41 Lid body 410 Upper wall portion 411 Inner peripheral wall portion 412 Outer peripheral wall portion 413 Central wall portion 414 Flange portion 415 Rear wall portion 42 Lid cover 420 Cover body 421 Cover outer peripheral wall 43 Cylinder portion 430 Through hole 5 Air outlet 5a Upper surface air outlet 5b Lower surface air outlet 5c Inner peripheral surface air outlet 5d Outer peripheral surface air outlet 50 First air outlet 51 Second air outlet 6 Air blower 60 Air source 61 Air duct 610 Fixed duct 611 Movable duct 6110 Rotating shaft 6111 Downstream end opening 62 Moving device 63 First gear 64 Second gear 65 Motor 66 Cover 7 Flow path 70 First flow path 71 Second flow path 72 Connecting pipe 8 Control unit 9 Functional unit 10 Nozzle-shaped unit 11 Guide groove 100 Toilet device

Claims

1. A toilet seat device configured to be attached to a toilet body having a bowl, comprising: 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; first and second air outlets provided on the toilet lid so as to open toward the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position; an air blower configured to send air to the first and second air outlets; a first flow path through which the air sent from the air blower flows toward the first air outlet; a second flow path through which the air sent from the air blower flows toward the second air outlet; and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first step of moving water droplets adhering to the surface of the toilet seat while the control unit is operating, by causing the air sent from the air blower to flow through the first flow path and be released from the first air outlet without being released from the second air outlet; a second step in which the air sent from the air blower flows through the second flow path and is released from the second air outlet without being released from the first air outlet, thereby further moving the water droplets moved in the first step.

2. A toilet seat device as described in claim 1, wherein the first air outlet opens toward the upper surface of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position, the second air outlet opens toward the upper surface of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position, and the water droplets adhering to the surface of the toilet seat are water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the surface of the toilet seat.

3. A toilet seat device as described in claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the toilet seat includes an inclined surface that is positioned downward toward its front portion, the first air outlet opens toward the inclined surface and toward the front side when the toilet lid is in the closed position, and the second air outlet opens toward the inclined surface and toward the front side when the toilet lid is in the closed position.

4. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an inner surface air outlet that is arranged to open toward the inner surface of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position; and an outer surface air outlet that is arranged to open toward the outer surface of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position; wherein the air blower is further configured to send the air to the inner surface air outlet and the outer surface air outlet, the inner surface air outlet opening downward so that the air released from the inner surface air outlet is released downward below horizontal, and the outer surface air outlet opening downward so that the air released from the outer surface air outlet is released downward below horizontal.

5. The toilet seat device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit further executes, during operation of the control unit, an inner surface air blowing process in which the air sent from the air blowing device is released from the inner surface air outlet without being released from the first air outlet, the second air outlet, and the outer surface air outlet, thereby causing water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the surface of the toilet seat to fall toward the bowl, and an outer surface air blowing process in which the air sent from the air blowing device is released from the outer surface air outlet without being released from the first air outlet, the second air outlet, and the inner surface air outlet, thereby causing water droplets adhering to the outer surface of the surface of the toilet seat to fall.

6. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a bottom air outlet that opens toward the underside of the toilet seat when the toilet lid is in the closed position, wherein the air blower is further configured to send the air to the bottom air outlet, and wherein the bottom air outlet is configured to open toward the underside of the toilet seat so that the air released from the bottom air outlet is released from the outer periphery toward the inner periphery of the toilet seat and flows between the underside of the toilet seat and the upper surface of the toilet body facing the underside.

7. A toilet seat device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air blowing device comprises an air duct and a moving device that moves the air duct, and the control unit controls the moving device in the first step so that the air duct is connected to the first flow path, and controls the moving device in the second step so that the air duct is connected to the second flow path.

8. A toilet seat device as described in claim 7, wherein, in a plan view of the toilet seat device when the toilet lid is in the closed position, the moving device is provided in the center of the toilet seat device, in a plan view of the toilet seat device when the toilet lid is in the closed position, the air supply pipe is configured to be rotatable in the center of the toilet seat device, and in a plan view of the toilet seat device when the toilet lid is in the closed position, the first flow path and the second flow path overlap the toilet seat.

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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