Toilet apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the temperature of the seating surface due to cold air entering through gaps between the toilet seat and the main part, leading to decreased warmth and potential noise and scratches from contact.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a toilet seat with a heating part and a unique geometry where the upper end surface of the extending portion slopes downward, allowing cold air to escape easily, and the lower end surface of the second portion curves to match the upper end surface, reducing heat loss and minimizing contact noise and scratches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gap is provided between the main part and the toilet seat to suppress extreme application of force, then the reliability is improved, but the temperature of the seating surface decreases due to cold air entering the gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuppression of extreme application of forceVSAvoidseating surface temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of cold air entering the gap into a beneficial design feature by shaping the gap surfaces to guide cold air downward and away from the seating surface. The sloped upper end surface of the extending portion and the corresponding lower end surface of the second portion work together to redirect cold air flow, transforming the temperature loss problem into an aerodynamic guidance solution that maintains seating surface warmth while preserving the protective gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Temperature

If the upper end surface of the extending portion slopes downward to allow cold air to escape, then the temperature maintenance is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating surface temperatureVSAvoidgeometry of extending portion and second portion
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature principles by designing the upper end surface of the extending portion and the lower end surface of the second portion with coordinated sloped geometries. These curved surfaces work together to create a smooth airflow path that guides cold air downward, using geometric form rather than mechanical components to achieve temperature maintenance while avoiding excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Loss of energy

If the lower end surface of the second portion curves to match the upper end surface of the extending portion, then the heat loss is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidsurface matching between extending portion and second portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a matched surface geometry specifically at the interface between the extending portion and the second portion. The upper end surface of the extending portion and the lower end surface of the second portion are designed with corresponding slopes that locally optimize the gap configuration to reduce heat loss, while the rest of the components maintain their standard manufacturing specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively maintains the seating surface temperature, reduces noise and scratches, and enhances the overall design by hiding the gap when viewed from the side, while also allowing for a more efficient use of materials by reinforcing the side portions and thinning the center, thus preventing size increase.

Implementation Method 1

The heating part is incorporated in the toilet seat main body, and heats a seating surface of the toilet seat main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the upper end surface of the extending portion changes to lower a height toward forward and to lower a height toward a side... allowing cold air to escape easily

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3284379B1Toilet apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 TOTO LTD
  • EP3284379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3284379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3284379B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The toilet apparatus includes a main part and a toilet seat. The main part includes a case cover covering a function part and is attached on a toilet bowl. The toilet seat is attached rotatably to the case cover, and shifts between a closed state and an open state. The case cover includes an extending portion. A height becomes low toward forward. The toilet seat includes a toilet seat main body and a heating part. The toilet seat main body includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is positioned in front of the case cover in the closed state. The second portion rises backward from the first portion in the closed state, and overlaps the extending portion. An upper end surface of the extending portion changes to lower a height toward forward and to lower a height toward a side.