U.S. patent application number 10/436293 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-18 for sanitary device.
This patent application is currently assigned to AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hayashi, Koichi, Torii, Masahiro.
Application Number | 20030229938 10/436293 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29699097 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030229938 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayashi, Koichi ; et
al. |
December 18, 2003 |
Sanitary device
Abstract
The deodorization device of a sanitary device includes a case
fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl, and a passage having a
inlet hole and an outlet hole disposed in the case, a deodorant
located in the inlet hole side in the passage, an electric fan
located in the outlet hole side in the passage to face the outlet
hole. When the electric fan is operated, the unpleasant odor gas is
absorbed from the inlet hole and is removed the unpleasant odor by
the deodorant. The odor free gas is discharged from the outlet
hole.
Inventors: |
Hayashi, Koichi;
(Nishikamo-gun, JP) ; Torii, Masahiro;
(Hekinan-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Kariya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
29699097 |
Appl. No.: |
10/436293 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/08 20130101; E03D
9/052 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/216 |
International
Class: |
E03D 009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2002 |
JP |
2002-137298 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A deodorization device of a sanitary device comprising: a case
fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl, the case being defined
therein with a passage having an inlet hole and an outlet hole, a
deodorant positioned in the inlet .hole side in the passage, and an
electric fan positioned in the outlet hole side in the passage to
face the outlet hole, wherein the deodorant turns an odor gas
absorbed from the inlet hole into an odor free gas and the odor
free gas is discharged from the outlet hole into the toilet bowl by
an operation of the electric fan.
2. A deodorization device of a sanitary device according to claim
1, wherein the passage includes a first passage between the
electric fan and the deodorant, a second passage between the
electric fan and outlet hole and the second passage is
cylindrically shaped, so that the odor free gas can flow into the
toilet bowl without generating any turbulence.
3. A deodorization device of a sanitary device according to claim
2, wherein one end of the outlet hole faces the electric fan and
the other end of the outlet hole exposed to the inside of the
toilet bowl.
4. A deodorization device of a sanitary device according to claim
1, wherein the outlet hole is positioned vertically with respect to
the toilet bowl and the other end of the outlet hole is positioned
at lower side of the case.
Description
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 with respect to Japanese Patent Application No.
2002-137298 filed on May 13, 2002, the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sanitary device. More
especially, the present invention pertains to a deodorization
device of a sanitary device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Generally, a sanitary device for washing an anus and/or the
private parts comprises a deodorization device for removing an
unpleasant odor produced from bodily wastes. A known deodorization
device of the sanitary device is provided with a case fixed at a
rear part of a toilet bowl. The case includes a passage having an
inlet hole and outlet hole, a deodorant located in the inlet hole
side in the passage, and an electric fan located in the outlet hole
side in the passage. The passage is usually formed into an L-shape
or crank shape. When the electric fan is operated, the unpleasant
odor gas is absorbed from the inlet hole and is removed by the
deodorant, and then the odor free gas is discharged from the outlet
hole. The electric fan is disposed in a vertical direction in the
case. The outlet hole is formed in the bottom of the case. The odor
free gas is delivered by the electric fan and is discharged from
the outlet hole through the L-shaped or crank shaped passage.
[0004] However, because the passage for sending the odor free gas
to an outside is L-shaped or crank shaped, the odor free gas
collides with a corner of the Passage. This causes a turbulent flow
of the odor free gas. This results in reducing the efficiency of
the electric fan.
SUMARRY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a deodorization device of a sanitary device which avoids
the above described problems.
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention the deodorization
device of the sanitary device comprises a case fixed at a rear part
of a toilet bowl. The case includes a passage having an inlet hole
and an outlet hole, a deodorant located in the inlet hole side in
the passage, and an electric fan located in the outlet hole side in
the passage to face the outlet hole. When the electric fan is
operated, the unpleasant odor gas is sucked from the inlet hole and
is removed by the deodorant. The odor free gas is discharged from
the outlet hole.
BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary device seen from
one side, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but seen from
the other side;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control mechanism of the
sanitary device of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from one side showing an
inside of the case of the sanitary device of FIG, 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from the other side
showing the inside of the case of the sanitary device of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a hose of the sanitary
device supported by the case;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of
main parts of deodorization device of the sanitary device; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an electric fan
disposed in the deodorization device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An embodiment of a sanitary device according to the present
invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG.
8.
[0016] A sanitary device 10 provided with a case 14 fixed at an
upper portion of a rear side of a toilet bowl 12. The case 14 has a
first control mechanism 20, a second control mechanism 30, an
electro magnetic valve 40, a hot water tank 50 for keeping the hot
water heated by a heater 52 and a nozzle mechanism 60.
[0017] The electromagnetic valve 40 is placed inside the case 14
and is positioned at one side thereof (left side as viewed in FIG.
5). The valve 40 is connected with a water supply source 70 through
a hose 42 and also is connected with the hot water tank 50 through
a hose 44. When the electromagnetic valve 40 is opened by an
operation of the first control mechanism, the hot water in the hot
water tank 50 is supplied to a nozzle 62 for washing buttocks (a
nozzle 64 for washing pubic part as a bidet) through a switching
valve 66. The nozzle for washing buttocks (the nozzle for washing
pubic part as a bidet) is extended into the toilet bowl 12. The hot
water sprayed form the nozzle 62 (nozzle 64) to the buttocks (pubic
part) of the use. Depending on an operation of the switching valve
66, the hot water is supplied to either the nozzle 62 or the nozzle
64.
[0018] The hot water tank 50 is disposed at the other side of the
inside of the case 14. The hot water in the hot water tank 50 is
heated by the heater 52. A temperature of the water is always
detected by a temperature sensor 54. The temperature signal
detected by the sensor 54 is sent to a CPU 32 of the second control
mechanism 30. When the water temperature reaches a predetermined
temperature, the CPU 32 turns a triac 34 ON. When the triac 34 is
ON, the heater 52 is conducted through an electric power source 90
to keep the water to the predetermined temperature.
[0019] As described above, the hot water tank 50 is fluidically
connected to the water supply source 70 through the hose 44, the
electro magnetic valve 40 and the hose 42. A pipe 72 is disposed
between the water supply source 70 and the hose 42. One end of the
pipe 72 is connected to the water supply source 70, and the other
end of the pipe 72 is connected to one end 42a of the hose 42 in
orthogonal manner. The hose 42 supplies water from the water supply
source to the hot water tank 50. In other wards, the hose 42 serves
as a water supply source for the hot water tank 50. As shown in
FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the pipe 72 and the end 42a of the hose
42 is placed at a left side of the case 14.
[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a drain port 100 is formed at the
right side of the hot water tank 50. The drain port 100 is
connected with an end of an inverse L-shaped drain pipe 110
provided with a valve (not shown). The other end of the drain pipe
110 is extended form a bottom wall of the case 14 to the a floor
and is positioned in a predetermined height from the floor in order
to place in a bucket at a bottom of the other end of the drain pipe
110 (not shown). After the bucket placed under the other end of the
drain pipe 110, water inside the hot water tank 50 is discharged by
opening the valve. The other end of the drain pipe 110 is placed at
the right side of the case 14 and the case 14 is placed at the
opposite side of the pipe 72 for supplying water. Thus, the water
is discharged smoothly without interferences between the bucket and
the pipe 72 for supplying water and an electric wire. (not
shown)
[0021] The hot water tank 50 is formed by two parts, a part 50 A
and a part 50B. The part 50A of the hot water tank 50 is provided
with an opening flange 50X and also the other part 50B of the hot
water tank 50 is provided with an opening flange 50Y. These flanges
are integrated by welding respective opening flanges 50X and 50Y.
The surface enclosed by the connected opening flanges 50X and 50 Y
is extended in a vertical direction relative to the case. The parts
of 50A, 50B forming the hot water tank 50 is formed by molding.
Thus, when an entire shape of the opening flange 50X (50Y) is
viewed from a front direction of the water tank 50, the enclosed
area of the opening flange 50X (50Y) becomes the largest.
Accordingly if the outer shape of the front portion 50A (the rear
portion 50B) of the hot water tank 50 is fitted to an inner shape
of the case 14 and shapes of the other components in the case 14, a
dead-space between the outer shape of the front portion 50 A (the
rear portion 50 B) and the inner shape of the case 14 can be
reduced.
[0022] The CPU 32 of the second control device 30, a triac 34 and
other components, such as an electric device 36 are fixed on a
board 38 housed in a board case 80. The triac 34 and the electronic
device 36 are bridged by a cooling plate 82. The cooling plate 82
is formed in a horseshoe shape. The hose 44 connecting the electro
magnetic valve 40 with the hot water tank 50 is extended through
the in side of the case 14. The hose 44 is retained at the
horseshoe portion of the cooling plate 82. The triac 34, the CPU
32, and the other electronic device 36 are heated to 60.degree. C.
and 40.degree. C. respectively. Water supplied to the hot water
tank 50 is heated by the generated heat from the triac 34, the CPU
32 and the electronic device 36. Water supplied into the hot water
tank 50 has been heated to a predetermined temperature, and
accordingly the water to be sprayed from the nozzle 62 (or 64) has
enough temperature which will not make a user feel uncomfortable.
Also negative effect due to dew condensation on electronic devices
resulting from a difference in temperature between the inside and
outside of the hose 44 can be avoided.
[0023] Finally, a deodorization device 200 will be explained with
reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The deodorization device
200 provides with a passage 202. The passage 202 is formed between
a cover 204 detachably fixed on a left side of a base plate 142 of
the case 14 and the base plate 142. The cover 204 is formed with an
inlet hole 206 exposed to the inside the toilet bowl, and the inlet
hole 206 is provided with a detachable cartridge type deodorant
208. A number of holes 144 are formed at the left side of the base
plate 142 and the holes 144 communicate with the inside of the
toilet bowl 12. These holes 144 serve as the outlet hole of the
passage 202. Pedestals 222 have pins 220 at each tip end. The
pedestals 222 enclosing the outlet hole 144 are formed integrally
with the base plate 142 at the left side. Holes 234 formed in the
body 232 of the electric fan 230 are mounted on the pedestals
through pins 220. Consequently, the electric fan 230 is placed on
pins 220 with keeping the height of the pedestals 222 in
parallel.
[0024] The deodorization device 200 is provided with passage 202
fixed on the case 14. The deodorization device 200 includes inlet
hole 206 and outlet hole 144, the deodorant 208 is places on the
inlet hole 206 side in the passage 202. The electric fan 230 is
placed on the outlet hole side in the passage 202 to face the
outlet hole 144. A space between the electric fan 230 and the
deodorant 208 serves as a passage 202A, and a space between the
electric fan 230 and the outlet hole 144 serves as a second passage
202 B..
[0025] After washing a human body part by the operation of the
above described nozzle mechanism 60, the electric fan is activated
by a deodorization switch (not shown). The unpleasant odor gas is
absorbed from inlet hole 206 and the gas is turned to be odor free
by the deodorant 208. The odor free gas is discharged from the
outlet hole 114 to the inside of the toilet bowl.
[0026] In the deodorization device 200, the gas flow route is as
follows: the unpleasant odor gas flows from the inlet hole 206 and
unpleasant odor is removed by the deodorant 208 provided in the
hole 206. The odor free gas then flows form the first passage 202A
to the second passage 202B by the operation of the electric fan 230
and then the odor free gas is discharged from the outlet hole 144
to the inside of the toilet bowl. The second passage 202B is
cylindrically shaped without having any bending portion, so that
the gas can flow smoothly. The electric fan would not receive any
excess load. The outlet hole 144 communicates with inside of the
toilet bowl, thus the noise of the electric fan 230 is transmitted
to the inside of the toile bowl through the outlet hole 144.
Therefore the noise would not leak to the toilet space.
[0027] In addition, the outlet hole 144 can be formed at a side
portion of the case 14. In such a case, the electric fan 230 is
placed in passage 222 to face the outlet hole 144.
[0028] The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation
of the present invention have been described in the foregoing
specification. However, the invention which is intended to be
protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents
employed, without departing from the sprit of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be
embraced thereby.
* * * * *