Toilet bowl device

Abstract

Provided is a toilet bowl device capable of illuminating a floor surface without providing a toilet bowl body with a light source device. A toilet bowl device (1) comprises a toilet bowl body (2), a lower cover (4), and a light source device (5). The toilet bowl body (2) comprises a bottom portion (26), and is supported so that the bottom portion (26) is positioned away from a floor surface (S1). The lower cover (4) is attached to the bottom portion (26) of the toilet bowl body (2). The light source device (5) is housed in the lower cover (4). The lower cover (4) includes a portion (42) positioned above the floor surface (S1) with a space therebetween. The portion (42) of the lower cover (4) is provided with a light passage portion (44) through which a light emitted from the light source device (5) passes toward the floor surface (S1).

Description

Toilet equipment

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

[0002] A toilet apparatus is known in the art that includes a toilet body that is supported at a position above and spaced apart from the floor of a toilet room, etc. In this disclosure, the state in which the toilet body is supported at a position above and spaced apart from the floor of a toilet room, etc. is referred to as a "floating state."

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that in this type of toilet device, a light source device for illuminating the floor surface is provided in the toilet body.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-79056

[0005] In the conventional toilet apparatus described above, the light source device must be provided on the toilet body, which places restrictions on the structure of the toilet body. Also, in the conventional toilet apparatus described above, the toilet body must be provided with a concave-convex structure for installing the light source device, which creates problems with the cleanability of the toilet body.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a toilet apparatus that can illuminate the floor surface without providing a light source device on the toilet body.

[0007] A toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet body having a bottom supported so that the bottom is positioned away from a floor, a lower cover attached to the bottom of the toilet body, and a light source device housed in the lower cover. The lower cover includes a portion that is positioned above the floor when attached to the bottom of the toilet body and is spaced apart. The portion of the lower cover is provided with a light passing portion that allows light emitted from the light source device to pass toward the floor.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a side view of a toilet apparatus according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a lower cover provided in the toilet apparatus. 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 side view of a modified example of the toilet apparatus. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a lower cover provided in another modified example of the toilet apparatus.

[0009] 1. One Embodiment A toilet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, each diagram illustrating the following embodiment is a schematic diagram, and the dimensions and shapes of each component in the diagram do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions and shapes.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a toilet apparatus 1 according to one embodiment. The toilet apparatus 1 comprises a toilet body 2, a support frame 3, a lower cover 4, and a light source device 5 (see Figures 3 and 4). The support frame 3 supports the toilet body 2. The lower cover 4 is removably attached to the toilet body 2. The light source device 5 is attached to the lower cover 4.

[0011] (Toilet body) The toilet body 2 is also called a seat-type toilet. The toilet body 2 is made of resin. In this disclosure, the up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are defined relative to a user seated on the toilet body 2. The up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are each perpendicular to the other two directions.

[0012] The toilet body 2 includes a bowl portion 21, a drain pipe 22, a movable trap 23, an attachment device 24, a skirt portion 25, and a bottom portion 26.

[0013] Bowl portion 21 has an opening 212 that opens upward and a bottom portion 215. Opening 212 is the uppermost portion of bowl portion 21. Bottom portion 215 is the lowermost portion of bowl portion 21.

[0014] The drain pipe 22 extends rearward from the bottom 215 of the bowl portion 21. A movable trap 23 is connected to the drain pipe 22.

[0015] The movable trap 23 is mainly composed of a flexible bellows portion. The movable trap 23 has an upstream end 231 and a downstream end 233. The upstream end 231 of the movable trap 23 is connected to the downstream end opening of the drain pipe 22. The downstream end 233 of the movable trap 23 is displaced up and down by a motor (not shown) attached to the toilet body 2.

[0016] When the downstream end 233 is positioned upward, the movable trap 23 is in a water-sealing position. When the downstream end 233 is positioned downward, the movable trap 23 is in a water-draining position. The position of the movable trap 23 can be changed between the water-sealing position and the water-draining position.

[0017] The attachment device 24 is provided at the rear upper part of the toilet device 1. An upper cover 241 forming the outer shell of the attachment device 24 houses various devices (not shown) used in the toilet device 1. The various devices may include, for example, all or part of a discharge nozzle, a sanitary washing device, and a deodorizing device. The water discharge nozzle is a nozzle that discharges cleaning water toward the inside of the bowl portion 21. The sanitary washing device is a device that discharges cleaning water for washing the user's private parts. The deodorizing device is a device that deodorizes the inside of the bowl portion 21. It is also preferable that the various devices include further devices.

[0018] The skirt portion 25 constitutes the main part of the outer shell of the toilet body 2. The skirt portion 25 has a U-shaped horizontal cross section that opens to the rear. The skirt portion 25 is positioned so as to surround the front and both sides of the bowl portion 21.

[0019] The bottom 26 constitutes the lowest part of the outer shell of the toilet body 2. The bottom 26 is located lower than the skirt portion 25. The bottom 26 has a bottom surface that faces vertically downward. In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the bottom surface of the bottom 26 is located at a distance above the floor surface S1. In other words, in one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2 is not placed on the floor surface S1, but the toilet body 2 is supported in a floating state with the bottom 26 located away from the floor surface S1.

[0020] The toilet body 2 further includes a toilet seat 27 and a toilet lid 28.

[0021] The toilet seat 27 is rotatably attached to the upper cover 241 that forms the outer shell of the attachment device 24. The toilet seat 27 is rotatable around an imaginary central axis that extends in the left-right direction. Similarly, the toilet lid 28 is rotatably attached to the upper cover 241 that forms the outer shell of the attachment device 24. The toilet lid 28 is rotatable around an imaginary central axis that extends in the left-right direction.

[0022] (Support Frame) The support frame 3 supports the toilet body 2 in the floating state described above. The support frame 3 is configured to support the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2 from below.

[0023] The support frame 3 includes a stand portion 31 fixed to the floor surface S1, and an extension portion 35 extending forward from the stand portion 31. The extension portion 35 is fixed to the bottom portion 26 of the toilet body 2, and supports the bottom portion 26 from below.

[0024] In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the stand portion 31 is covered by a lining 9 installed at the rear of the toilet apparatus 1. The height of the lining 9 is preferably set lower than the toilet apparatus 1.

[0025] (Lower Cover) The lower cover 4 is removably attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2. The lower cover 4 is fixed to the bottom 26 using, for example, screws (not shown), but may also be removably fixed to the bottom 26 using other means.

[0026] 1, when attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, the lower cover 4 is positioned so as to protrude below the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2. In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, a portion of the support frame 3 (more specifically, the extension 35 of the support frame 3) is covered with the lower cover 4.

[0027] The lower cover 4 includes a portion 42 that is positioned above the floor surface S1 with a space therebetween when attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2.

[0028] In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the entire lower cover 4 constitutes the portion 42. In other words, in one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, when the lower cover 4 is attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, the entire lower cover 4 is positioned above the floor surface S1 with a space therebetween.

[0029] The portion 42 of the lower cover 4 (in one embodiment, the entire lower cover 4) includes a light-transmitting portion 44 and a light-non-transmitting portion 46. In other words, a part of the portion 42 is configured with the light-transmitting portion 44, and the portion of the portion 42 excluding the light-transmitting portion 44 is configured with the light-non-transmitting portion 46.

[0030] The light passing portion 44 is configured to allow light emitted from the light source device 5 to pass through toward the floor surface S1. The light passing portion 44 is provided in the front half of the lower cover 4, and more specifically, in the front end portion of the lower cover 4. The light passing portion 44 is provided in the middle portion in the left-right direction of the front end portion of the lower cover 4 (see FIG. 2).

[0031] In the toilet apparatus 1 of one embodiment, the light passing portion 44 includes a light transmitting member 45 that is provided to transmit light. The light transmitting member 45 is, for example, a transparent or translucent resin member.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the light-transmitting member 45 includes a first portion 451 having a first light-emitting surface 451A and a second portion 452 having a second light-emitting surface 452A. The first portion 451 and the second portion 452 are positioned adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The first light-emitting surface 451A and the second light-emitting surface 452A face in different directions and are positioned adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Specifically, the first light-emitting surface 451A faces diagonally downward and forward, and the second light-emitting surface 452A faces downward. In other words, the light-transmitting member 45 includes multiple light-emitting surfaces 451A, 452A facing in different directions. The light-transmitting member 45 may include only one of the first light-emitting surface 451A and the second light-emitting surface 452A.

[0033] The light-impermeable portion 46 is configured to prevent light emitted from the light source device 5 from passing toward the floor surface S1. The light-impermeable portion 46 is configured of a light-impermeable member 47 that does not transmit light. The light-impermeable member 47 is, for example, an opaque resin member that forms the main body of the lower cover 4. An exit window 472 that penetrates vertically is formed in the light-impermeable member 47, and the light-transmitting member 45 is fitted into the exit window 472. The exit window 472 is provided in the front half of the lower cover 4, and more specifically, in the front end portion of the lower cover 4. The exit window 472 is provided in the left-right middle portion of the front end portion of the lower cover 4.

[0034] (Light Source Device) The light source device 5 is housed in the lower cover 4 so as to be able to emit light toward the light passing portion 44 (i.e., the light transmitting member 45). When the lower cover 4 is attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, the light source device 5 is covered by the lower cover 4.

[0035] In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the light source device 5 is attached to the lower cover 4 so as to be removable integrally with the lower cover 4. More specifically, the light source device 5 is combined integrally with the light transmitting member 45. The light transmitting member 45 is attached to the lower cover 4 so as to fit into the exit window 472. In this way, the light source device 5 is attached to the lower cover 4 together with the light transmitting member 45.

[0036] The light source device 5 includes a first light source unit 51 and a second light source unit 52. The first light source unit 51 and the second light source unit 52 are positioned side by side in the left-right direction. Each of the first light source unit 51 and the second light source unit 52 includes, for example, an LED element.

[0037] The first light source unit 51 is configured to emit light toward the first portion 451 of the light-transmitting member 45. The light emitted from the first light source unit 51 toward the first portion 451 is irradiated diagonally downward and forward through the first emission surface 451A. The second light source unit 52 is configured to emit light toward the second portion 452 of the light-transmitting member 45. The light emitted from the second light source unit 52 toward the second portion 452 is irradiated downward through the second emission surface 452A. In other words, the light source device 5 includes multiple light source units 51, 52 that emit light in different directions. The light source device 5 may include only one of the first light source unit 51 and the second light source unit 52.

[0038] (Effects) In the toilet device 1 of the embodiment described above, the light source device 5 for illuminating the floor surface S1 is not provided in the toilet body 2 as in the conventional technology, but is provided in the lower cover 4 which is separate from the toilet body 2.

[0039] In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the floor surface S1 can be illuminated without providing a light source device 5 on the toilet body 2. This eliminates the constraints on the structure of the toilet body 2 as in conventional technology, increasing the degree of freedom in designing the toilet body 2. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, no uneven structure for installing the light source device 5 is provided on the toilet body 2, making the toilet body 2 easier to clean.

[0040] Additionally, in one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, by removing the lower cover 4 from the toilet body 2, the light source device 5 can be removed from the toilet body 2 together with the lower cover 4. Therefore, if a malfunction or the like occurs in the light source device 5, the light source device 5 can be easily replaced by removing the light source device 5 from the toilet body 2 together with the lower cover 4.

[0041] 2. Modifications The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0042] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. In the description of the modifications, the same components as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. The various modifications listed below can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0043] In one embodiment of the toilet apparatus 1, the entire lower cover 4 is configured with a portion 42 that is spaced above the floor surface S1. Alternatively, only a portion of the lower cover 4 may be configured with a portion 42 that is spaced above the floor surface S1.

[0044] For example, in the modified example shown in Figure 5, only a portion of the lower cover 4 forms a portion 42 that is positioned above the floor surface S1 with a space therebetween. In other words, when the lower cover 4 is attached to the bottom 26 of the toilet body 2, only a portion of the lower cover 4 is positioned above the floor surface S1 with a space therebetween.

[0045] 5, another portion 49 of the lower cover 4 protrudes downward from the portion 42. The support frame 8 that supports the toilet body 2 is covered by the other portion 49 of the lower cover 4. The light transmitting portion 44 is provided in the portion 42 of the lower cover 4.

[0046] In the toilet device 1 of one embodiment, the light emitted from the light source device 5 is irradiated downward and diagonally downward and forward through the light passing portion 44, but may be irradiated in other directions.

[0047] For example, in the modified example shown in Figure 6, light emitted from the light source device 5 is irradiated diagonally downward and rearward through the light passing portion 44. In this modified example, the light transmitting member 45 constituting the light passing portion 44 includes a third portion 453 having a third emission surface 453A facing diagonally downward and rearward. The light source device 5 includes a third light source unit 53 arranged to irradiate light onto the third portion 453 of the light transmitting member 45. The light irradiated diagonally downward and rearward illuminates the floor surface S1. This effectively provides the user with the sensation that the toilet body 2 is floating above the floor surface S1 (hereinafter referred to as the "floating sensation").

[0048] In one embodiment of the toilet device 1, the light passing portion 44 is formed of a light-transmitting member 45. Alternatively, the light passing portion 44 may be formed of a through-hole. In this case, light emitted from the light source device 5 is irradiated onto the floor surface S1 through a through-hole formed in the lower cover 4. The light passing portion 44 may also be formed of a thin portion of the lower cover 4. In this case, the lower cover 4 made of synthetic resin includes a thick portion and a thin portion. The thick portion of the lower cover 4 forms the light non-passing portion 46, and the thin portion of the lower cover 4 forms the light passing portion 44. Light emitted from the light source device 5 is irradiated onto the floor surface S1 through the thin portion of the lower cover 4.

[0049] In the toilet device 1 of one embodiment, the toilet body 2 is made of resin, but the material of the toilet body 2 is not particularly limited, and for example, the toilet body 2 may be made of ceramic.

[0050] In one embodiment, the toilet device 1 employs a system in which drainage is performed in conjunction with the operation of the movable trap 23 (a so-called turn trap system). However, it is also possible to employ a system in which drainage is performed through a fixed trap.

[0051] 3. Summary As explained based on the above embodiment and modified examples, the toilet apparatus (1) of the first aspect comprises a toilet body (2) having a bottom (26) and supported so that the bottom (26) is positioned away from a floor surface (S1), a lower cover (4) attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2), and a light source device (5) housed in the lower cover (4). The lower cover (4) includes a portion (42) that is positioned above the floor surface (S1) with a space therebetween when attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2). The portion (42) of the lower cover (4) is provided with a light passing portion (44) that allows light emitted from the light source device (5) to pass toward the floor surface (S1).

[0052] According to this aspect, the light source device (5), which can illuminate the floor surface (S1) and create the feeling that the toilet body (2) is floating, is provided on the lower cover (4) separate from the toilet body (2). This eliminates restrictions on the structure of the toilet body (2) due to the installation of the light source device (5), increasing the design freedom of the toilet body (2). In addition, since a concave-convex structure for installing the light source device (5) is not provided on the toilet body (2), the toilet body (2) is easier to clean.

[0053] In the toilet device (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the light passing portion (44) includes a light transmitting member (45) provided to transmit light.

[0054] According to this aspect, the light irradiated onto the floor surface (S1) through the light-transmitting member (45) can create the impression that the toilet body (2) is floating.

[0055] In the toilet apparatus (1) of the third aspect, in the second aspect, the light transmitting member (45) includes a plurality of light emitting surfaces (451A, 452A, 453A) facing in different directions from each other.

[0056] According to this aspect, light can be emitted in a plurality of directions through the light transmitting member (45).

[0057] In the toilet device (1) of the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the plurality of exit surfaces (451A, 452A, 453A) include at least one of a first exit surface (451A) facing diagonally forward and a second exit surface (452A) facing downward.

[0058] According to this aspect, light can be irradiated through the light transmitting member (45) in at least one of a diagonally forward direction and a downward direction.

[0059] In the toilet device (1) of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light source device (5) includes a plurality of light source parts (51, 52, 53) that emit light in different directions from each other.

[0060] According to this aspect, light can be emitted from the light source device (5) in a plurality of directions.

[0061] In the toilet device (1) of the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the light source device (5) includes at least one of a first light source unit (51) arranged to emit light diagonally forward and a second light source unit (52) arranged to emit light downward.

[0062] According to this aspect, the light source device (5) can emit light in at least one of a diagonally forward direction and a downward direction.

[0063] In the toilet device (1) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the portion (42) of the lower cover (4) includes, in addition to the light-transmitting portion (44), a light-impermeable portion (46) that is provided to prevent light from passing through.

[0064] According to this aspect, the structure covered by the lower cover (4) can be hidden in the area other than the light transmitting portion (44).

[0065] In the toilet device (1) of the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the lower cover (4) is detachable from the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2). The light source device (5) is attached to the lower cover (4) so ​​as to be detachable integrally with the lower cover (4).

[0066] According to this aspect, when the light source device (5) malfunctions, the light source device (5) can be easily replaced by removing the light source device (5) together with the lower cover (4) from the toilet body (2).

[0067] In the toilet device (1) of the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the lower cover (4) is positioned so as to protrude downward from the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2) when attached to the bottom (26) of the toilet body (2).

[0068] According to this aspect, the space below the toilet body (2) can be used to install a light source device (5) for illuminating the floor surface (S1).

[0069] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Toilet device 2 Toilet body 26 Bottom 4 Lower cover 42 Part 44 Light passing portion 45 Light transmitting member 451A First light emitting surface 452A Second light emitting surface 453A Third light emitting surface 46 Light non-passing portion 5 Light source device 51 First light source portion 52 Second light source portion 53 Third light source portion S1 Floor surface

Claims

1. A toilet device comprising: a toilet body having a bottom, the bottom supported so that it is positioned away from the floor; a lower cover attached to the bottom of the toilet body; and a light source device housed in the lower cover, wherein the lower cover includes a portion that is positioned above the floor when attached to the bottom of the toilet body, and the portion of the lower cover is provided with a light passing portion that allows light emitted from the light source device to pass toward the floor.

2. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the light passing portion includes a light transmitting member that is provided to transmit light.

3. The toilet device according to claim 2, wherein the light-transmitting member includes a plurality of light-emitting surfaces facing in different directions.

4. The toilet apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of emission surfaces include at least one of a first emission surface facing diagonally forward and a second emission surface facing downward.

5. A toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light source device includes a plurality of light source parts that emit light in different directions.

6. The toilet device according to claim 5, wherein the light source device includes at least one of a first light source unit arranged to emit light diagonally forward and a second light source unit arranged to emit light downward.

7. A toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the portion of the lower cover includes, in addition to the light-transmitting portion, a light-impermeable portion that is provided to prevent light from passing therethrough.

8. A toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lower cover is detachable from the bottom of the toilet body, and the light source device is attached to the lower cover so as to be detachable integrally with the lower cover.

9. A toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower cover is positioned so as to protrude below the bottom of the toilet body when attached to the bottom of the toilet body.

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