Wet-area device

Abstract

This wet-area device is characterized by comprising an irradiation device that radiates light, and a sterilization unit that is sterilized by light radiated from the irradiation device. The sterilization unit has a direct irradiation unit that is irradiated with direct light radiated from the irradiation device, and an indirect irradiation unit that is irradiated with reflected light radiated from the irradiation device and reflected by the direct irradiation unit. The direct light has a peak wavelength of 350-450 nm in at least a spectrum. The ratio of the short-wavelength radiant flux to the total radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the short-wavelength radiant flux to the total radiant flux of the direct light.

Description

Water circulation device

[0001] Aspect of the present invention generally relates to a water circulation device.

[0002] There is known a toilet device that sterilizes a sterilization unit with light irradiated from an irradiation device (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6168468

[0004] Although the sterilization unit can be sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device, on the other hand, there is a risk that the sterilization unit may be easily deteriorated by the light irradiated from the irradiation device.

[0005] The aspect of the present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water circulation device that can achieve both the sterilization performance of the sterilization unit and the suppression of deterioration of the sterilization unit.

[0006] The first invention includes an irradiation device that irradiates light, and a sterilization unit that is sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device. The sterilization unit has a direct irradiation portion irradiated with direct light from the irradiation device, and an indirect irradiation portion irradiated with reflected light that is irradiated from the irradiation device and reflected at the direct irradiation portion. The direct light has a peak wavelength at least between 350 nm and 450 nm in terms of spectrum, and the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the total radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the total radiant flux of the direct light. It is a water circulation device characterized by this.

[0007] According to this water circulation device, the sterilization unit is divided into a direct irradiation portion directly irradiated with light and an indirect irradiation portion indirectly irradiated with light. Further, at the timing when the direct light becomes reflected light by reflection, the indirect light is attenuated in a component having a wavelength shorter than the peak wavelength of the direct light. Thereby, without reducing the sterilization performance in the range directly irradiated with light, it is possible to sterilize a product to which a member that is easily deteriorated by light is applied.

[0008] The second invention is the water circulation device according to the first invention, characterized in that the radiant flux of the reflected light is larger than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation portion.

[0009] This water-based lighting system can suppress degradation in the indirectly irradiated area while minimizing the reduction in radiant flux of reflected light due to absorption in the directly irradiated area.

[0010] The third invention is a plumbing device characterized in that, in the first invention, the direct light has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm, and the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm.

[0011] This water-related device uses a light wavelength range suitable for generating reactive oxygen species when light is irradiated onto porphyrins contained within bacteria, thereby irradiating light that is more suitable for sterilization while suppressing deterioration in the indirectly irradiated area.

[0012] The fourth invention is a water supply device characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the direct irradiation section is made of an inorganic material and the indirect irradiation section is made of an organic material.

[0013] This water-related device makes it possible to achieve sterilization by using inorganic materials that are less affected by degradation due to wavelength ranges for the direct irradiation area, while suppressing degradation of the indirect irradiation area.

[0014] The fifth invention is a plumbing device characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the direct irradiation section is made of ceramic and the indirect irradiation section is made of resin material.

[0015] This plumbing device makes it possible to achieve sterilization while minimizing the effects of wavelength-dependent degradation on the direct irradiation area (using ceramic material) and suppressing resin discoloration in the indirect irradiation area.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a water-related device that can achieve both high disinfection performance in the disinfection section and suppression of deterioration of the disinfection section.

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a toilet device, which is an example of a water-related device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of light irradiated from the irradiation device. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the direct irradiation section and the indirect irradiation section in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength of direct and reflected light and the radiant flux. Figure 5(a) is a graph showing the sum of the radiant flux of direct light, and Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the sum of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side of direct light. Figure 6(a) is a graph showing the sum of the radiant flux of reflected light, and Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the sum of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side of reflected light. Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the sum of the radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 350 nm to less than 400 nm and the sum of the radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 400 nm to 450 nm. Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the light absorbed and the light reflected in the sterilization section.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet device, which is an example of a plumbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of light emitted from the irradiation device. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the direct irradiation section and the indirect irradiation section in Figure 2.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet system 1 comprises a toilet bowl 2, a sanitary washing device 10 installed on top of the toilet bowl 2, and an irradiation device 30 that irradiates the toilet bowl 2 and the sanitary washing device 10 with light (germ-killing light) to disinfect them. The toilet system 1 constitutes the water-related equipment of the present invention. Note that the water-related equipment is not limited to the toilet system 1, but may be various devices that require disinfection in water-related areas of houses and various buildings, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.

[0020] Toilet 2 is a so-called seated toilet. Toilet 2 has a bowl portion 2a for receiving waste. The sanitary flushing device 10 has a casing 11, a toilet seat 13, and a toilet lid 15. The toilet seat 13 and the toilet lid 15 are pivotally supported relative to the casing 11.

[0021] In this specification, the directions viewed from the perspective of a user seated on the toilet seat 13 with their back to the toilet lid 15 are described as "up," "down," "front," "back," "right," and "left," respectively.

[0022] The casing 11 has a case plate 11a and a case cover 11b that covers the case plate 11a. Inside the casing 11 are a body washing function unit that washes the buttocks of a user sitting on the toilet seat 13, a toilet lid opening and closing function unit that detects the open and closed state of the toilet lid 15, and a human body detection sensor that detects users present around the toilet device 1.

[0023] Furthermore, for example, a seating detection sensor (not shown) is provided inside the casing 11 to detect when a user sits on the toilet seat 13. When the seating detection sensor detects a user sitting on the toilet seat 13, the user can operate an operating unit 4, such as a remote control, to extend or retract the local washing nozzle 20, which is part of the body washing function, into the bowl portion 2a of the toilet 2. In Figure 1, the local washing nozzle 20 is shown in the extended state within the bowl portion 2a.

[0024] The irradiation device 30 is installed on the underside 15a of the toilet lid 15. The irradiation device 30 has a light source 31 that emits light. The light emitted from the light source 31 is germicidal light that disinfects bacteria and mold (hereinafter collectively referred to as bacteria) attached to the target (disinfection area).

[0025] The irradiation device 30 has, for example, at least one light source 31. There may be one or more light sources 31. The light source 31 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source 31 is not limited to an LED, but may also be an LD (Laser Diode) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), for example. The irradiation device 30 may also use a cold cathode fluorescent lamp or a hot cathode fluorescent lamp. The irradiation device 30 is connected to a control unit (not shown) provided inside the casing 11, for example, and is turned on and off based on the control of this control unit.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the irradiation device 30 is located above the opening 13a of the toilet seat 13 when the toilet lid 15 is closed. The irradiation device 30 irradiates light toward the bowl portion 2a and the casing 11, for example, when the toilet lid 15 is closed. The bowl portion 2a and the casing 11 constitute the sterilization section of the present invention. The toilet seat 13 and toilet lid 15 may also constitute the sterilization section. In other words, the part that is irradiated with light by the irradiation device 30 is the sterilization section.

[0027] For example, bacteria adhering to the bowl portion 2a and the casing 11 are sterilized by light emitted from the irradiation device 30. This suppresses the growth of bacteria adhering to the bowl portion 2a and the casing 11.

[0028] The sterilization section has a direct irradiation section that is hit by direct light L1 irradiated from the light source 31 of the irradiation device 30, and an indirect irradiation section that is hit by reflected light L2 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 and reflected from the direct irradiation section. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, for example, the bowl section 2a that is irradiated by direct light L1 is the direct irradiation section. On the other hand, for example, the back surface of the case plate 11a of the casing 11 is the indirect irradiation section that is irradiated by reflected light L2. In Figures 2 and 3, the direct light L1 irradiated directly from the light source 31 of the irradiation device 30 toward the bowl section 2a is shown by a dotted line. On the other hand, the reflected light L2 of the direct light L1 irradiated toward the bowl section 2a is shown by a dashed line.

[0029] Here, the direct irradiation section and the indirect irradiation section are made of different materials. Specifically, the light resistance of the indirect irradiation section is lower than that of the direct irradiation section. In other words, the indirect irradiation section is more susceptible to deterioration from the direct light L1 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 than the direct irradiation section. Therefore, in this embodiment, reflected light L2 is directed onto the parts that are prone to deterioration.

[0030] The bowl portion 2a is made of ceramic. On the other hand, the case plate 11a is made of resin. In other words, the direct irradiation area is made of ceramic, and the indirect irradiation area is made of resin. Ceramics have higher light resistance than resin. In this embodiment, by making the direct irradiation area out of ceramic, which is less affected by degradation in the wavelength range, and the indirect irradiation area out of resin, sterilization is achieved while suppressing resin discoloration.

[0031] Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelengths of direct and reflected light and the radiant flux.

[0032] As shown by the solid line in Figure 4, the direct light L1 emitted from the irradiation device 30 has a peak wavelength in its spectrum between 350 nm and 450 nm. The peak wavelength is the portion of the light where the radiant flux is maximum. In this example, the peak wavelength of the direct light L1 emitted from the irradiation device 30 is 405 nm. Figure 4 shows a graph of the ratio of the peak wavelength at 405 nm to the radiant flux.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4, the reflected light L2 reflected from the direct irradiation section (bowl section 2a) has a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum, similar to the direct light L1. However, the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 is attenuated compared to the direct light L1. In this case, the attenuation of the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 is greater for the short-wavelength radiant flux than for the long-wavelength radiant flux. The boundary between the short-wavelength and long-wavelength radiant fluxes is the peak wavelength of the direct light L1.

[0034] For example, when direct light L1 with a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum is irradiated onto the ceramic bowl portion 2a, reflected light L2 with a wavelength attenuated from the direct light L1 is generated, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the reflected light L2 with such a wavelength is directed onto the case plate 11a, which is made of resin material. Although not shown in Figure 2, the reflected light L2 may also be directed onto components of devices installed on the toilet bowl 2, such as the toilet seat 13 and toilet lid 15.

[0035] Figure 5(a) is a graph showing the total radiant flux of direct light, and Figure 5(b) is a graph showing the total radiant flux on the short wavelength side of direct light. Figure 6(a) is a graph showing the total radiant flux of reflected light, and Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the total radiant flux on the short wavelength side of reflected light.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5(a), the sum of the radiant flux of direct light L1 is the area S1 within the wavelength. As shown in Figure 5(b), the sum of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side of direct light L1 is the area S2 within the wavelength side that is shorter than the peak wavelength. Therefore, the ratio of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of direct light L1 is S2 / S1.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6(a), the sum of the radiant flux of reflected light L2 is the area S3 within the wavelength. As shown in Figure 6(b), the sum of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side of reflected light L2 is the area S4 within the wavelength side that is shorter than the peak wavelength. Therefore, the ratio of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of reflected light L2 is S4 / S3.

[0038] The ratio of the short-wavelength radiant flux of reflected light L2 to the total radiant flux is smaller than the ratio of the short-wavelength radiant flux of direct light L1 to the total radiant flux (S2 / S1). In this way, the direct irradiation section is configured to generate reflected light L2 with components shorter than the peak wavelength of direct light L1 attenuated. This makes it possible to suppress sterilization and deterioration of the indirect irradiation section, which is susceptible to degradation by light, without reducing the sterilization performance of the direct irradiation section where light is directly irradiated.

[0039] Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the sum of radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 350 nm to less than 400 nm and the sum of radiant flux in the wavelength range of direct light from 400 nm to 450 nm.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, in direct light L1, the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm corresponds to an area S5 of 400 nm to 450 nm. Similarly, the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 450 nm corresponds to an area S6 of 350 nm to 400 nm. Direct light L1 is in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm, and the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm (S5) is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm (S6) (S5 > S6).

[0041] The bacteria possess photosensitizing molecules. The photosensitizing molecules are, for example, porphyrins. Porphyrins have an absorption wavelength range in the vicinity of 350 nm to 450 nm. Therefore, the direct light L1 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 has a wavelength range of 350 nm or more and 450 nm or less, and it is preferable that the radiant flux of the light in the wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 450 nm or less is larger than the radiant flux of the light in the wavelength range of 350 nm or more and less than 400 nm.

[0042] Thereby, the active oxygen generated by irradiating the porphyrin possessed by the bacteria with light is efficiently generated, and the bacteria can be sterilized, killed or inactivated by the active oxygen. In addition, the indirect irradiation part made of a resin material can suppress the deterioration of the indirect irradiation part by setting the wavelength range of the light to 350 nm or more and 450 nm or less, compared with the case where the sterilization part is irradiated with light less than 350 nm.

[0043] In addition, the direct light L1 irradiated from the irradiation device 30 includes a wavelength range of 400 nm or more, which is in the visible light region. Therefore, the user can recognize whether the toilet device 1 (water circulation device) is sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device 30.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the light absorbed and reflected by the sterilization part. The radiant flux of the reflected light L2 reflected by the direct irradiation part is larger than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation part. A part of the direct light L1 irradiated to the direct irradiation part is absorbed by the direct irradiation part. On the other hand, the other part of the direct light L1 irradiated to the direct irradiation part is reflected by the direct irradiation part. Here, it is assumed that the direct irradiation part has a sufficient thickness and there is no transmission. In this case, the reflected light L2 is the total value of the reflected light L2 reflected on the surface of the direct irradiation part and the reflected light L2 reflected inside the direct irradiation part. That is, the radiant energy of the reflected light L2 reflected by the direct irradiation part is larger than the radiant energy absorbed by the direct irradiation part. The radiant flux can be calculated, for example, by multiplying the irradiance by the area.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, for example, light of about 300 nm is almost completely absorbed inside the direct irradiation portion. On the other hand, for light of about 350 nm, the proportion of light absorbed by the direct irradiation portion is slightly larger than the proportion of light reflected by the direct irradiation portion. And for light of about 360 nm, the proportion of light absorbed by the direct irradiation portion is approximately the same as the proportion of light reflected by the direct irradiation portion. For light with a wavelength of 360 nm or more and 450 nm or less, the proportion of reflected light is larger than the proportion of light absorbed by the direct irradiation portion.

[0046] Therefore, by increasing the wavelength of the spectrum of the direct light L1 irradiated from the irradiation device 30, for example, in the range of 360 nm or more and 450 nm or less, in the light irradiated from the irradiation device 30, the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 can be made larger than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation portion. Thereby, while suppressing the deterioration in the indirect irradiation portion, the loss due to the absorption of light in the direct irradiation portion can be reduced.

[0047] That is, the reflectance of the direct irradiation portion is larger than the absorption rate. For example, based on the material and material color of the direct irradiation portion, by irradiating the direct light L1 in the range of 350 nm or more and 450 nm or less, the reflectance of the sterilization portion can be made larger than the absorption rate of the direct irradiation portion. For example, by making the direct irradiation portion (ceramics) white, the radiant flux of the reflected light L2 can be made larger than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation portion.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the direct irradiation portion is ceramics and the indirect irradiation portion is a resin material in the sterilization portion has been described as an example. However, the aspect of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the direct irradiation portion may be an inorganic material and the indirect irradiation portion may be an organic material. For example, in the sterilization portion, the direct irradiation portion may be a metal material and the indirect irradiation portion may be a resin material. It is possible to realize sterilization that suppresses the deterioration of the indirect irradiation portion while making the direct irradiation portion an inorganic material with little influence of deterioration in the wavelength range.

[0049] Lightfastness increases with the bond energy [kJ / mol] of the substance being irradiated. The minimum bond energy of the main skeleton of the main substance may be greater in the direct irradiation area than in the indirect irradiation area. The direct irradiation area may be an organic material, and the indirect irradiation area may also be an organic material. This allows for sterilization that suppresses degradation of the indirect irradiation area while using an organic material in the direct irradiation area that is less affected by degradation in the wavelength range.

[0050] The embodiment may include the following configurations.

[0051] (Configuration 1) A plumbing device comprising: an irradiation device that irradiates light; and a sterilization unit that is sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device, wherein the sterilization unit comprises: a direct irradiation unit that is struck by direct light irradiated from the irradiation device; and an indirect irradiation unit that is struck by reflected light irradiated from the irradiation device and reflected from the direct irradiation unit, wherein the direct light has a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum, and the ratio of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the shorter wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the direct light. (Configuration 2) The plumbing device according to Configuration 1, wherein the radiant flux of the reflected light is greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the direct irradiation unit. (Configuration 3) The plumbing device according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the direct light has a wavelength range of 350 nm and 450 nm, and the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm and 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm and less than 400 nm. (Configuration 4) A plumbing device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the direct irradiation section is made of an inorganic material and the indirect irradiation section is made of an organic material. (Configuration 5) A plumbing device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the direct irradiation section is made of ceramic and the indirect irradiation section is made of a resin material.

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Modifications made by those skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, arrangement, and installation configuration of each element of a plumbing fixture are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically feasible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention.

[0053] 1 Toilet equipment 2 Toilet bowl 2a Bowl section (direct irradiation section) 4 Control section 10 Sanitary cleaning device 11 Casing 11a Case plate (indirect irradiation section) 11b Case cover 13 Toilet seat 13a Opening 15 Toilet lid 15a Underside 20 Local cleaning nozzle 30 Irradiation device 31 Light source L1 Direct light L2 Reflected light

Claims

1. A plumbing fixture comprising: an irradiation device that irradiates light; and a sterilization unit that is sterilized by the light irradiated from the irradiation device, wherein the sterilization unit has a direct irradiation unit that is struck by direct light irradiated from the irradiation device, and an indirect irradiation unit that is struck by reflected light irradiated from the irradiation device and reflected from the direct irradiation unit, wherein the direct light has a peak wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm in its spectrum, and the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the reflected light is smaller than the ratio of the radiant flux on the short wavelength side to the sum of the radiant flux of the direct light.

2. The plumbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiant flux of the reflected light is greater than the radiant flux of the light absorbed by the directly irradiated part.

3. The plumbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the direct light has a wavelength range of 350 nm to 450 nm, and the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm is greater than the radiant flux of light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to less than 400 nm.

4. The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the direct irradiation section is made of an inorganic material and the indirect irradiation section is made of an organic material.

5. The plumbing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the direct irradiation section is made of ceramic and the indirect irradiation section is made of resin material.

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