U.S. patent application number 11/909498 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for portable toilet device.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAX CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Masahiko Hashimoto, Toshio Hiranuma, Toshiya Ishida, Keijiro Murayama, Kazuhiro Sakakibara, Toshio Shioya, Shigenori Yamaguchi.
Application Number | 20090077731 11/909498 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37053485 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090077731 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hiranuma; Toshio ; et
al. |
March 26, 2009 |
PORTABLE TOILET DEVICE
Abstract
This is a portable toilet device. Broken excrement may be
certainly drained. Means (40) for breaking the excrement having
crushing blades is installed in the stagnant portion (18) of the
body (20) of the toilet device, means (200) for sending the broken
excrement by compression, which sends compressed air into the
stagnant portion (18), and a lid for open and closure that closes
the stagnant portion (18) tightly are provided. When treating the
excrement after bowel movement, the lid for open and closure is
closed and then, by driving the means for breaking the excrement,
the excrement is stirred and broken into fragments with the
stagnant portion being tightly closed. After breaking the excrement
into fragments, compressed air is jetted into the stagnant portion
so that a liquid mixture formed by breaking the excrement into
fragments can be sent by compression toward a side of drain hose
(14). Since the drain hose is connected to an existing toilet
device of an existing toilet facility or the like, this liquid
mixture can be certainly drained to a side of the existing toilet
device if the broken excrement is sent by compression.
Inventors: |
Hiranuma; Toshio; (Saitama,
JP) ; Sakakibara; Kazuhiro; (Okayama, JP) ;
Hashimoto; Masahiko; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Yamaguchi;
Shigenori; (Yamanashi, JP) ; Ishida; Toshiya;
(Saitama, JP) ; Murayama; Keijiro; (Tochigi,
JP) ; Shioya; Toshio; (Chiba, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH-HILL AND BEDELL, P.C.
16100 NW CORNELL ROAD, SUITE 220
BEAVERTON
OR
97006
US
|
Assignee: |
MAX CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37053485 |
Appl. No.: |
11/909498 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 27, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/306990 |
371 Date: |
September 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 1/006 20130101;
E03D 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/319 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/10 20060101
E03D009/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2005 |
JP |
2005096504 |
May 17, 2005 |
JP |
2005144704 |
Sep 22, 2005 |
JP |
2005276367 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A portable toilet device wherein the device comprises: a body
of the device containing a water-supplying nozzle that flushes
rinse water near an opening, and a drain opening that is
communicated with a stagnant portion provided at a bottom thereof,
means for breaking the excrement, which is installed at the
stagnant portion of the body of the device, means for sending the
broken excrement by compression, which is provided on an upside of
the stagnant portion; and a lid for open and closure that closes
the stagnant portion tightly, which is provided on an upside of the
means for sending the broken excrement by compression.
16. The portable toilet device according to claim 15 wherein as the
means for breaking the excrement, rotational typed means for
breaking the excrement or means for sending compressed air by
compression is used.
17. The portable toilet device according to claim 16 wherein the
rotational typed means for breaking the excrement includes a motor
and crushing blades that are attached to the motor; and a part or
whole of the crushing blades is immersed under a surface of trap
water that is trapped in the stagnant portion.
18. The portable toilet device according to claim 16 wherein the
means for breaking the excrement, which uses the means for sending
compressed air by compression, breaks the excrement by a jet stream
by the compressed air with the excrement being stirred.
19. The portable toilet device according to claim 18 wherein a
crashing portion for allowing the trapped excrement to crash is
further attached to a wall surface of the stagnant portion; and the
excrement is crashed by crashing to the crashing portion with the
excrement being stirred by the jet stream from the means for
sending the broken excrement by compression.
20. The portable toilet device according to claim 19 wherein the
crashing portion is constituted of plural projections.
21. The portable toilet device according to claim 18 wherein a
water-supply tank is provided to jet rinse water and air into the
stagnant portion; a jet of the means for sending the broken
excrement by compression is provided to face the closed space and
the other jet thereof is connected to the water-supply tank; and
when the excrement crashes, the compressed air is jetted into the
stagnant portion at the same time of jetting the rinse water from
the water-supply tank.
22. The portable toilet device according to claim 15 wherein the
lid for open and closure includes slidable type one and open/close
type one.
23. The portable toilet device according to claim 22 wherein the
lid for open and closure of slidable type is advanced and retreated
by an electromagnetic solenoid or rotation gears.
24. The portable toilet device according to claim 15 wherein the
lid for open and closure is positioned inside the body of the
toilet device so that it can have a smaller area than that of the
opening of the toilet device while the stagnant portion is closed
tightly.
25. The portable toilet device according to claim 15 wherein the
body of the toilet device has a reducing size portion having a
diameter smaller than that of the opening thereof between the
opening and the means for sending the broken excrement by
compression; and the lid for opening and closure is attached to a
lower side of the reducing size portion by means of a hinge
mechanism and the lid is urged toward the reducing size portion so
that a rim of the lid for opening and closure comes into contact
with an edge of the reducing size portion.
26. The portable toilet device according to claim 15 wherein an
on-off valve mechanism is provided at a side of a drain opening;
and after the lid for open and closure is tightly closed with the
on-off valve mechanism is closed, the means for sending the broken
excrement by compression starts its operation and the on-off valve
mechanism is opened after internal pressure within the closed space
is increased to a pressure more than a predetermined pressure.
27. The portable toilet device according to claim 26 wherein a
rinse-water-jetting mechanism for jetting rinse water into the
space closed by the lid for open and closure is provided; and the
rinse-water-jetting mechanism jets the rinse water after the on-off
valve mechanism is opened.
28. The portable toilet device according to claim 15 wherein a
drain switch is provided; and a drain-processing mode is provided
in which water within the stagnant portion is drained by
manipulating the drain switch to drive the means for sending the
broken excrement by compression.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a portable toilet device and it
particularly relates to a portable toilet device that is available
indoors. It, more particularly, relates to such that can certainly
treat any excrement and the like with preventing the excrement from
being spilt by providing within a body of the toilet device means
for performing breaking-processing (stirring-processing) on the
excrement and sending the broken excrement by compression, and a
lid for open and closure, which prevents the excrement from being
spilt and sending the excrement by compression efficiently.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A portable toilet device for an aged person who is necessary
for any care or a handicapped person who has any difficulty of
going to an existing toilet in his or her house has been developed
(see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2004-308404).
[0003] This portable toilet device is designed to become a
chair-type one in order to be able to be installed indoors so that
bowel movement can be done with sitting on the chair. The portable
toilet device is provided with a water-supplying hose that flushes
rinse water into the toilet device, a drain hose for drain, which
drains the excrement, and means for sending the excrement by
compression.
[0004] By the way, although technology disclosed in the
above-mentioned patent document has related to such the technology
that the excrement can be drained from the toilet device by sending
the excrement by compression, the excrement can be stagnant halfway
through the drain hose when insufficient pressure for sending it by
compression is supplied because the excrement is sent by
compression as it is, so that any insanitation may occur.
[0005] Thus, this invention has solved such the conventional
problem and provides a portable toilet device that is available
indoors, which can certainly treat any excrement and the like with
preventing the excrement from being spilt by particularly providing
a lid for open and closure, which prevents the excrement from being
spilt, with performing breaking-processing on the excrement, and by
performing drain-processing on the broken excrement with sending it
by compression.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a portable
toilet device according to this invention, which is claimed in
claim 1, is characterized in that the device comprises a body of
the device containing a water-supplying nozzle that flushes rinse
water near an opening, and a drain opening that is communicated
with a stagnant portion provided at a bottom thereof, means for
breaking the excrement, which is installed at the stagnant portion
of the body of the device, means for sending the broken excrement
by compression, which is provided on an upside of the stagnant
portion, and a lid for open and closure that closes the stagnant
portion tightly, which is provided on an upside of the means for
sending the broken excrement by compression.
[0007] The stagnant portion of the body of the device is provided
with the means for breaking the excrement. It is conceivable that
the means for breaking the excrement includes breaking/stirring
type one and the other type one (such as breaking the excrement
into fragments by a jet stream). Whatever happen, this means forces
the excrement to be broken. The lid for open and closure is
provided on an upside of the stagnant portion. It is conceivable
that the lid for open and closure includes slidable type one and
open/close type one. In course of the breaking process, the upside
of the stagnant portion is closed by the lid for open and closure.
Therefore, this prevents the excrement that is being broken into
fragments from being spilt toward an opening side of the body of
the toilet device.
[0008] The means for sending the broken excrement by compression is
driven before or after the breaking process has been completed so
that internal pressure in a closed space formed by the stagnant
portion and the lid for open and closure can be increased. When the
internal pressure reaches to a predetermined one, an
electromagnetic valve is opened at a side of the drain opening.
This enables the broken excrement to be sent toward a side of an
existing toilet device, thereby preventing the excrement from being
remained in a drain pipe connected to the existing toilet
device.
[0009] Thus, according to this invention, the broken excrement and
the like can be certainly drained with preventing the excrement
from being spilt.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view for showing an important
portion of an embodiment of a portable toilet device according to
the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram for showing a configuration of a
water-supplying hose;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram for showing a configuration of a drain
hose;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view for showing an important
portion of an embodiment of a check valve;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a connection example of
the water-supplying hose and the drain hose using the existing
toilet;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a plane view for showing an embodiment of a lid
body constituting a lid for open and closure;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view for showing an open
condition of the lid body;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schismatic diagram for showing an embodiment of
a control system for a portable toilet device according to the
invention;
[0018] FIGS. 9A through 9K are wave form charts for operation
description;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view for showing an important
portion of another installed example of means for breaking that is
available for the invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a sketch for showing an application example of a
portable toilet device according to the invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in
FIG. 1 for showing an important portion of another embodiment of a
lid for open and closure;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view for showing an opened
condition of the lid for open and closure in FIG. 12;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a schismatic diagram for showing an embodiment of
a control system that is applicable for a portable toilet device
shown in FIG. 12;
[0024] FIGS. 15A through 15E are timing charts for a processing
operation example;
[0025] FIGS. 16A through 16C are timing charts for another
processing operation example;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in
FIG. 1 for showing another embodiment of means for breaking and a
lid for open and closure;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view for showing an opened
condition of the lid for open and closure in FIG. 17;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a schismatic diagram for showing an embodiment of
a control system that is applicable for a portable toilet device
shown in FIG. 17;
[0029] FIGS. 20A through 20F are timing charts for a processing
operation example;
[0030] FIGS. 21A through 21F are timing charts for another
processing operation example;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in
FIG. 17 for showing another example in FIG. 17;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of an embodiment of means for attaching the
water-supplying hose and the drain hose that are attached to a
nursing facility;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of an embodiment of means for attaching the drain
hose (No. 1);
[0034] FIG. 25 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of another embodiment of means for attaching the
drain hose (No. 2);
[0035] FIG. 26 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of further embodiment of means for attaching the
drain hose (No. 3);
[0036] FIG. 27 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of other embodiment of means for attaching the
drain hose (No. 4);
[0037] FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view for showing an important
portion in an attached condition of the drain hose;
[0038] FIG. 29 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of still further embodiment of means for
attaching the drain hose (No. 5);
[0039] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
attachment of the drain hose;
[0040] FIG. 31 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of still another embodiment of means for
attaching the drain hose (No. 6);
[0041] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
attachment of the drain hose;
[0042] FIG. 33 is a diagram for showing a configuration of an
important portion of still other embodiment of means for attaching
the drain hose (No. 7);
[0043] FIG. 34 is a perspective view for showing an embodiment of
means for attaching the drain hose;
[0044] FIG. 35 is a perspective view for showing an important
portion of an attaching example of the drain hose when this
invention is applied to a toilet of Japanese style;
[0045] FIG. 36 is a perspective view for showing an embodiment of
means for attaching the drain hose for use of this time;
[0046] FIG. 37 is a horizontally cross sectional view for showing
an important portion of further embodiment of a portable toilet
device according to the invention;
[0047] FIG. 38 is a horizontally cross sectional view for showing
an important portion of still further embodiment of a portable
toilet device according to the invention;
[0048] FIG. 39 is a plane view of a bed, to which this invention is
applied, for showing an embodiment thereof; and
[0049] FIG. 40 is a cross sectional view for showing an important
portion thereof.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0050] The following will describe preferred embodiments of the
portable toilet device according to the invention more detailed
with reference to drawings. The portable toilet device according to
the invention is particularly suitable for a portable toilet
equipped with a so-called shower toilet having any buttock-washing
function. Any description on the shower toilet equipment will be
omitted in the following description. In the embodiments, the
portable toilet device is applied to a toilet of western type.
Embodiment 1
[0051] FIG. 11 relates to an application example of this invention.
In this example, a toilet facility 3 is set facing a corridor 2 in
a house 1. In the toilet facility 3, a toilet device 4 and a
water-supply tank 5 are installed. Along the corridor 2, in this
example, a room 6 is positioned as a bedroom in which, for example,
a bed 7 is set.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view for showing an important
portion of an embodiment of a portable toilet device 10 according
to the invention. The portable toilet device 10 has a body 20 of
the toilet device. The body 20 of the toilet device has a profiled
configuration of a funnel almost like that of a normal
water-washing toilet device (of western style), but has a whole
configuration of box. The body 20 of the toilet device may be not
only formed as a box but also formed as, for example, chair-type
one equipped with armrests. In order to save the weight of the body
20 of the toilet device, in this example, plastic molded body is
used as the body 20 of the toilet device. Any other materials such
as ceramics may be used to be molded. A seat 21 is mounted on the
body 20 of the toilet device at a side of its upper opening and a
cover 23 is provided for closing the seat 21 and the upper
opening.
[0053] A stagnant portion 18 of trap water and the excrement is
formed at a bottom of the body 20 of the toilet device. A drain
portion 22 having a profiled configuration turned down at ends
thereof, which is communicated with the stagnant portion 18, is
provided and a drain hose 14 is connected to a drain opening 27.
Thus, in this embodiment, a connection portion 26 is formed on a
rear surface portion 20b of the body 20 of the toilet device and an
electromagnetic valve 24 acting as on-off valve is mounted near the
connection portion 26 inside the body 20 of the toilet device. It
is conceivable that a configuration of the drain portion 22
communicated with the stagnant portion 18 includes configurations
of P type, U type, bowl type and the like in addition to the shown
configuration. All of these configurations cause similar
effects.
[0054] The electromagnetic valve 24 is controlled so that it opens
only when the trap water including the excrement in the stagnant
portion 18 is drained out of the toilet device and it closes when
the toilet device is not used. This is because the water is
prevented from leaking. Simultaneously, this is also because the
excrement can be efficiently drained based on a pressure by an air
compressor 200, which will be described later.
[0055] A water-supplying nozzle 28 for rinse water is provided on a
wall surface 18a, on a side of the drain portion, of the body 20 of
the toilet device near an upper portion thereof. A connecting pipe
30 is arranged between a connection portion 34, which is provided
on the rear surface portion 20b of the body, and the
water-supplying nozzle 28 and an electromagnetic valve 32 is
arranged near the connection portion 34. This is because this
electromagnetic valve 32 may control any water supply from a
water-supplying hose 12 connected to the connection portion 34. A
leak-proof rubber tube 29 is inserted between the water-supplying
nozzle 28 and the wall surface 18a, so that water is prevented from
leaking to a side of a back-side space 20a of the body 20 of the
toilet device.
[0056] Means 40 for breaking the excrement is installed at a bottom
of the stagnant portion 18. The means 40 breaks into fragments the
excrement and toilet paper, which are totally referred to as "the
excrement", stagnated in the stagnant portion 18, various kinds of
the configurations of which are conceivable. Stirred (rotational)
typed means, jet-stream typed means or the like is conceivable and
in the jet-stream typed means, the excrement and the like is
efficiently broken into fragments by means of cooperation with any
breaking portion. Any liquid mixture broken by the means 40 for
breaking the excrement is mixed with the trap water and
drained.
[0057] The means 40 for breaking the excrement, which is shown in
FIG. 1, is illustrated as the stirred typed means. In this
embodiment, a motor 42 and crushing blades 44 constitute the means
40 for breaking the excrement, which is installed within the
stagnant portion 18.
[0058] In FIG. 1, only the crushing blades 44 of them is so
installed as to meet in the stagnant portion 18. Accordingly, the
motor 42 is positioned on a side of an outside wall 19 of the
bottom of the stagnant portion 18, and is attached and fixed to the
body 20 of the toilet device by means of supporting members such as
bolts and nuts. A rotating shaft of the motor 42 is attached to the
bottom of the stagnant portion 18 in a hermetic manner against
water. The motor 42 may be fixed to a bottom plate 20c of the body
20 of the toilet device, not to the side of the outside wall of the
bottom of the stagnant portion 18.
[0059] A control unit 50 constituted of CPU and the like is
arranged on the bottom plate 20c. Any driving of the
above-mentioned electromagnetic valve 24 for drain, electromagnetic
valve 32 for water supply, motor 42 and the like is controlled by
the control unit 50 only during a predetermined period of time and
at a predetermined timing. A power switch 52 for the control unit
50 is arranged on the rear surface portion 20b of the body, and an
open/close detection switch 55 for the cover 23 is arranged on an
upper surface of the body and under a lower surface of the cover
23.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows an example of the water-supplying hose 12 and
FIG. 3 shows an example of the drain hose 14. When an end 12a of
the water-supplying hose 12 is an end that is connected to a side
of a water supply pipe and the other end 12b thereof is an end that
is connected to the portable toilet device 10, the ends 12a, 12b
are respectively provided with connection portions 60A, 60B, each
of which has a check valve.
[0061] Similarly, of the drain hose 14, an end 14a and the other
end 14b are respectively provided with connection portions 62A,
62B, each of which has a check valve. In this moment, the end 14a
is an end that is connected to a side of the portable toilet device
10, but the other end 14b is an end that is connected to a side of
the drain pipe or the like.
[0062] Since the water-supplying hose 12 is used for rinse water
supplied to the body 20 of the toilet device, a vinyl hose having a
small diameter or the like may be used. Since the drain hose 14
enables any liquid mixture (fragments) formed by breaking the
excrement and the like to be flown therein, a vinyl hose or the
like having a larger diameter than that of the water-supplying hose
12 may be used. This is because liquid mixture with the rinse
water, not solidified excrement, is treated. FIG. 3 shows a case
where the vinyl hose 14 having a larger diameter than that of the
water-supplying hose 12 is used.
[0063] If diameters of the water-supplying hose 12 and the drain
hose 14 are so selected as to be become the diameters described
above, rudimentary mistake in connection manipulation such that the
water-supplying hose 12 is used as a drain hose or the drain hose
14 is accidentally connected as a water-supplying hose may be
certainly prevented because of difference in their diameters. Of
course, not only in a case where hoses having different diameters
are used but also in a case where hoses having same diameter are
used, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, any marked names such as
"Water-supplying Hose" and "Drain Hose" are stamped on a surface of
each of the hoses, so that any accidental connection may be
certainly prevented. Anti-standardization for shapes or forms of
metal connection fittings in the connection portions enables any
accidental connection to be prevented. The water-supplying hose and
the drain hose are colored with different colors so that such the
different colors enable any accidental connection to be also
prevented.
[0064] The connection portions 60 (62), each of which has a check
valve, form a hollow valve operation room 64 with a rectangular
profile inside a body 63, as shown in FIG. 4, and a ball member 65
acting as valve action and a push spring 66 urging against it are
provided in the room, thereby enabling the valve to be opened by an
action of water pressure in a direction of an arrow "a". This
prevents backflows from both of the sides of portable toilet device
and the water supply pipe.
[0065] On the other hands, when the other connection portions 60B
(62B) of the connection portions 60 (62) are connected to a side of
the portable toilet device and a side of drain pipe of the existing
toilet device, for example, their internal valves are opened to
become any communicate condition in a case where the connection
portions 60 (62) are connected if projection members, not shown,
each retreating the ball member 65 of the check valve against the
push spring 66, are respectively provided in the side of portable
toilet device and the side of the drain pipe, or when they are not
connected, their internal valves are closed to prevent liquid in
each of the hoses from leaking to outside.
[0066] Therefore, even if the connection portion 60A is detached
while the connection portion 60A of the water-supplying hose 12 is
connected to the water supply pipe and the connection portion 60B
thereof is connected to the side of the body 20 of the toilet
device, any liquid in the hose is not leaked; and even if the other
connection portion 60B is detached, any liquid in the hose is not
leaked. Similarly, even if the used drain hose 14 is detached, any
waste liquid in the hose is not leaked to outside.
[0067] FIG. 5 shows an outline of an existing toilet facility 3.
FIG. 5 illustrates an existing toilet device 4 that is equipped
with a shower toilet 80. In this embodiment, a diverging pipe 84 is
connected to a water pipe (water supply pipe) 82 and a first
diverging port 86 is provided to the diverging pipe 84 at a side of
the water pipe 82, and is connected with a hose 87 for the shower
toilet. A second diverging port 88 is provided thereto nearer the
end thereof than the first diverging port, and is connected with a
hose 89 for the rinse water.
[0068] In this embodiment, the diverging pipe 84 having such the
diverging configuration is used. A check valve 90 is arranged
between the first and second diverging ports 86, 88 and a
connection portion 92 for connecting the water-supplying hose 12 is
provided at a tail end of the diverging pipe 84. The connection
portion 60A provided at a tip end of the water-supplying hose 12 is
connected to this connection portion 92.
[0069] Thus, arranging the new diverging pipe 84 and attaching the
water-supplying hose 12 thereto enables the rinse water to be
supplied to the portable toilet device 10. It is because if an
error such that water from the hose 89 and the water-supplying hose
12 flows backward should happen, the water to be supplied to a side
of the shower toilet is prevented from being mixed with the water
flown backward, to arrange the check valve 90 between the first and
second diverging ports 86, 88.
[0070] A tank 96 filled with a sterilizing solution is further able
to be inserted to a connection portion for the sterilizing solution
at the tail end portion of the diverging pipe 84. Using the
sterilizing solution enables any sanitary conditions in not only
the existing toilet facility 3 but also the portable toilet device
10 to be improved. The drain hose 14 may be also washed at the same
time. The pour-water tank 96 has not always to be provided but may
be suitably provided at need.
[0071] The drain hose 14 may be arranged as to drain the waste
water and the like directly to the drain pipe, for example, the
drain pipe in the existing toilet facility 3 but, in a simple case,
the drain hose 14 extends to the toilet device 4 and the waste
water and the like pour directly into the toilet device 4.
Alternatively, a drain outlet for drain is provided in the toilet
device 4 and the drain hose 14 is connected to it so that the waste
water and the like can pour into the toilet device 4 therethrough.
An embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is an embodiment in which it is
connected to a connection hole bored in the toilet device 4. In
this moment, this is accomplished by reforming a body 108 of the
toilet device and connecting the connection potion 60B of the drain
hose 14 to the connection hole.
[0072] Thus, by utilizing the existing toilet facility 3, it is
possible to supply water to the portable toilet device 10 and drain
from the portable toilet device 10 if a simple work to attach only
the diverging pipe 84 is carried out.
[0073] The portable toilet device 10 according to the invention
further has the following configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, means
200 for sending the broken excrement by compression, which sends
prescribed compressed air to the stagnant portion 18, and a
lid-opening and closing mechanism 210, which closes the stagnant
portion 18 tightly, are provided at a desired position of the body
20 of the toilet device behind the stagnant portion 18, upper than
the stagnant portion 18 and lower than the water-supplying nozzle
28.
[0074] The means 200 may be constituted of an air compressor and a
sending pipe 204 of the air compressor 200 extends through the wall
surface 18a into the side of the stagnant portion 18 via attaching
means 206. The attaching means 206 is positioned at a position
upper than a surface of trap water in the stagnant portion 18. The
air compressor 200 is fixed on an attaching plate 202 provided in
the back-side space 20a of the body 20 of the toilet device.
Similarly, in order to demonstrate the same function as the means
200 to supply prescribed compressed air to the stagnant portion 18,
it is possible to take the compressed air therein from outside of
the body of the portable toilet device and to demonstrate the same
faculty.
[0075] The lid-opening and closing mechanism 210 exists in a
position upper than the means 200 for sending the broken excrement
by compression, and positioned away from the means 200 by a small
amount of allowed distance. The lid-opening and closing mechanism
210 shown in FIG. 1 is constituted of a lid body 212 (lid for open
and closure) that closes the stagnant portion 18 tightly, and a
open/close driving portion 213 that opens or closes the stagnant
portion 18 by means of advancing or retreating the lid body 212, or
the like.
[0076] As how to open and close the lid body 212, slidable type one
and open/close (rotational) type one to open and close it upwardly
or downwardly by an angle of more than 90 degrees as one example
are conceivable, so that the open/close driving portion 213 may
have different configurations depending on the slidable type one or
the rotational type one.
[0077] The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment in which the
slidable type one is configured. In this embodiment, an
electromagnetic solenoid 218 is used as the open/close driving
portion 213 and a tip end of a piston (rod) 216 that is advanced or
retreated in the electromagnetic solenoid 218 is attached to a
connection portion 214. The connection portion 214 is a part of the
lid body 212 as described above.
[0078] The lid body 212 has a form of plane that corresponding to
an internal circumference form of the stagnant portion 18, as an
example thereof shown in FIG. 6, in which it has a form like an
egg, apple or a strawberry. In this embodiment, an antibacterial
coated plastic molding one is used.
[0079] In this example, the lid body 212 and the connection portion
214 are cast together so that a part of the lid body 212 can be
formed as the connection portion 214. The connection portion 214
has a rectangular form. A tip end of the above-mentioned piston 216
is fit and fixed by means of press fit to an opposite side of the
connection portion 214. The piston 216 is an operation column rod
that is advanced and retreated inside the electromagnetic solenoid
218 by turning the electromagnetic solenoid 218 on electricity. In
addition thereto, a combination of an air cylinder and gears or the
like can perform the same advanced and retreated movement for open
and closure.
[0080] FIG. 1 shows a condition such that the lid body 212 is
closed as the lid for open and closure and by the lid body 212, an
interior of the stagnant portion 18 is closed tightly. On the other
hands, FIG. 7 shows a condition such that the lid body 212 is
retreated to open the stagnant portion 18.
[0081] Such the advanced and retreated movement for the lid body
212 is performed by turning the electromagnetic solenoid 218 on or
off and its stroke is detected by a first switch 222 that is
positioned at the electromagnetic solenoid 218 on its side of the
lid body 212 and a second switch 224 that is positioned at the body
20 of the toilet device on its side of the wall surface 18a.
Attaching the connection portion 214 to the first or second switch
222, 224 enables a stroke termination of the lid body 212 to be
detected.
[0082] Slide and connection of the lid body 212 toward an upper
surface of the stagnant portion 18 causes an interior of the
stagnant portion 18 to be closed tightly. It is not necessary to
close the interior of the stagnant portion 18 tightly to the full.
Under this closed condition of the lid, if the air compressor 200
is driven, compressed air is sent into the stagnant portion 18 so
that any pushing pressure can be applied to the trap water and any
broken matters in the stagnant portion 18 can be sent to a side of
the drain hose 14 by compression. It is to be noted herein that the
broken matters indicate to a liquid mixture of the broken excrement
and the trap water.
[0083] Since the stagnant portion 18 is thus closed tightly by the
lid body 212, the compressed air affects the side of stagnant
portion 18 effectively. Since the broken excrement becomes liquid
mixture, the liquid mixture can be easily drained together with
rinse water through the drain hose 14 when the compressed air
affects the stagnant portion 18.
[0084] Thus, the liquid mixture is prevented from being remained in
the drain hose 14. The liquid mixture is sent by compression while
the stagnant portion 18 is closed tightly so that a relatively
small-sized compressor may be used as the air compressor used as
the means 200 for sending by compression. Using the lid-opening and
closing mechanism 210 enables the excrement to be prevented from
being spilt into the body 20 of the toilet device when breaking the
excrement into fragments, so that no unhygienic environment may
occur in the body 20 of the toilet device.
[0085] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a control system for the
portable toilet device 10. In addition to the above-mentioned power
switch 52, a detection switch 55 for open and closure and the first
and second switches 222, 224 are provided and their on/off signals
are supplied to the control unit 50.
[0086] The power switch 52 is turned on when the portable toilet
device 10 is installed. On the other hand, the detection switch 55
for open and closure is a switch that is turned on/off in
connection with the open and closure of the cover 23 for closing an
upper portion of the seat 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, in
this embodiment, the detection switch 55 for open and closure is
mounted on a lower surface of the cover 23 so that it can be
opposed to the cover 23. The first and second switches 222, 224 are
switches that are turned on/off based on the stroke of the lid body
212.
[0087] Any control signals from the control unit 50 constituted of
CPU control each driving state of the above-mentioned
electromagnetic valve 24 for drain, electromagnetic valve 32 for
water supply, motor 42 for breaking, air compressor 200, and
electromagnetic solenoid 218.
[0088] FIGS. 9A through 9K show an example of such the control
timing. In a case of this portable toilet device 10, it is supposed
that the lid body 212 as the lid for open and closure is closed
when the toilet is not used.
[0089] The portable toilet device 10 is used by opening the cover
23. Open manipulation of the cover 23 is detected by the detection
switch 55 (detection sensor switch or the like) for open and
closure (FIGS. 9A and 9B). When the cover 23 is opened, the
electromagnetic solenoid 218 is turned on so that the lid body 212
can be opened (FIG. 9C). The stroke Tx of the lid body 212 is
detected by the first switch 222 and when the first switch 222 is
turned on, the electromagnetic solenoid 218 is turned off (FIG.
9D).
[0090] The lid body 212 is opened so that the toilet device can be
used and when bowel movement and/or urination are finished and the
cover 23 is closed, the detection switch 55 for open and closure
detects it to close the lid body 212. Alternatively, when an
electric signal by a manual switch notifies the control unit that
bowel movement and/or urination have been finished, the lid body
212 is closed. The stroke Tx of the lid body 212 in a closure
direction thereof is detected by the second switch 224 (FIG.
9E).
[0091] When the lid body 212 is closed so that an interior of the
stagnant portion 18 is closed tightly, the motor 42 for breaking is
now activated to start the breaking process in the stagnant portion
18 (FIG. 9F). A period of breaking process time Ta is selected so
as to able to break the excrement and toilet paper suitably into
fragments. As such the period of time, 20 seconds or less, for
example, 20 seconds or less are selected.
[0092] The breaking process is performed during only a
predetermined period of time Ta and then, the air compressor 200 is
turned on to send the compressed air into the stagnant portion 18;
and the electromagnetic valve 24 for drain is opened to create a
drain passage (FIGS. 9H and 9I) with a small amount of delay
(.DELTA.Tb) starting from when the air compressor 200 is turned on.
Thus, the electromagnetic valve 24 is turned on with a small amount
of delay starting from when the air compressor 200 is turned on, so
that interior pressure of the stagnant portion 18 can be increased.
If the electromagnetic valve 24 is opened while the interior
pressure of the stagnant portion 18 is increased, the liquid
mixture in the stagnant portion 18 is sent by compression toward a
side of the drain hose 14 by sending the compressed air and
supplying rinse water. Such the sending process is performed over a
predetermined period of time Tb.
[0093] As the predetermined period of time Tb, a relatively longer
period of time, for example, about 10 through 30 seconds are
normally selected so that any liquid mixture may not be remained in
the drain hose 14, though there may be differences in connection
with lengths of the set drain hose 14.
[0094] When the predetermined period of time Tb has been elapsed,
it is now moved to the open operation of the lid body 212 (FIG.
9C). When such the open operation is performed and the open
position of the lid body 212 is detected by the first switch 222,
the upper portion of the stagnant portion 18 is opened. After
opening the upper portion of the stagnant portion 18, the
electromagnetic valve 32 for water supply is activated to supply
the rinse water into the stagnant portion 18 during a predetermined
period of time Tc (FIG. 9G). The predetermined period of time Tc is
selected so as to become a period of water-supplying time when the
trap water in the stagnant portion 18 reaches a predetermined
amount thereof. It is herein to be noted that an amount of water
storage until a surface of the trap water exceeds a bending portion
of the drain portion 22 is referred to as "the predetermined
amount".
[0095] When the water supply into the stagnant portion 18 has been
completed, the lid body 212 is closed so that it can be returned to
its initial state (FIGS. 9C and 9D). Such the operation timing of
each component is controlled based on on/off signals from a
plurality of switches and periods of times set by software inside
the control unit 50. Water supply and drain are respectively
repeated so that clean washing can be further attained.
[0096] By setting such the operation timings, breaking the
excrement into fragments, the drain process, and the trap process
of the trap water may be accomplished. It is to be noted that any
drain switch, not shown, may be provided for opening the
electromagnetic valve 24 to drain the trap water by manually
operating it in order to be made suitable when the portable toilet
device 10 is carried or the like.
[0097] The above-mentioned open/close timings and the like of the
electromagnetic valves and the like are only their examples.
Alteration may be suitably added thereto. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 9J and 9K, a period of pressured time .DELTA.Tb is set to
longer one .DELTA.Tb' and after it has been suitably pressured,
sending-by-compression process is performed during a period of time
Tb'.
[0098] FIG. 10 shows another installed example of the means 40 for
breaking. In this embodiment, an attaching cap 67 having a
predetermined depth and diameter is provided at a side of the
bottom of the stagnant portion 18 with it being in one united body
with the stagnant portion 18. The motor 42 for breaking is fit and
fixed into the attaching cap 67 through vibration-proofing rubber
material 69 and the like. The attaching cap 67 is covered by a
cover plate 68 made of rubber, plastic members or the like so that
the attaching cap 67 can be closed in a hermetic manner against
water.
[0099] In order to realize that the attaching cap 67 can be closed
in a hermetic manner against water, a bottom of the stagnant
portion 18 that is contacted with the cover plate 68 is recessed
somewhat and the cover plate 68 is fixed to the bottom of the
stagnant portion 18 by means of screws 70 and the like. Thus, the
means 40 for breaking can be also attached. It is to be noted that
although it has been described that the motor 42 and the crushing
blades 44 constitutes the means 40 for breaking, a screw, a blade,
or a cylindrical roller with projections on its circumference or
the like may be configured instead of the crushing blades and a
configuration in which a rotational shaft of the motor is arranged
horizontally may be configured.
Embodiment 2
[0100] The following will describe another embodiment (embodiment
2) of the portable toilet device 10 according to the invention with
reference to FIG. 12 and later figures. Description on components
being common to those shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted and in this
embodiment, the lid body is configured so as to be rotatable.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 12, at an upper of the stagnant portion 18
in the body 20 of the toilet device, a reducing size portion 260 is
provided at a slightly upper side of an attached position of the
means 200 for sending-by-compression. The reducing size portion 260
is configured so as to be a ring-shaped flange portion which
extends inwardly by a predetermined length. The above-mentioned
sending pipe 204 is positioned between the trap water in the
stagnant portion 18 and the reducing size portion 260.
[0102] The reducing size portion 260 is so designed as to be wholly
inclined somewhat toward a side of the drain portion 22, as clearly
shown in FIG. 12. A rotatable lid-opening and closing mechanism
250, which can close an interior of the stagnant portion 18 tightly
by closing this reducing size portion 260, is provided under a
lower surface of the reducing size portion 260.
[0103] The lid-opening and closing mechanism 250 has a lid body 252
and an end of the lid body 252, a right end thereof in a shown
embodiment, is provided as a rotation axis portion 214 for
rotational type; the rotation axis portion 214 is pivoted rotatably
on the body 20 of the toilet device so that the rotation axis
portion 214 can be positioned under a lower surface portion 232 of
the reducing size portion 260. This pivoted portion is pivoted
under the body 20 of the toilet device in a hermetic manner against
water.
[0104] The lid body 252 is urged so that its periphery can come
into contact with a lower rim 264 of the reducing size portion 260.
The lid body 252 has a form like along that of the lower rim 264
and a spring 256 for urging is twisted between the rotation axis
portion 254 and a wall surface of the lower surface portion 232,
thereby enabling the lid body 252 to be come into contact with the
lower rim 264 normally to close the interior of the stagnant
portion 18 tightly.
[0105] Herein, since the reducing size portion 260 is provided so
as to be inclined somewhat toward the drain portion 22 as described
above, the lid body 252 itself constituting the lid-opening and
closing mechanism 250 is also attached so as to be inclined toward
the drain portion 22. Thus, when the lid body 252 is attached in an
inclined manner, any excrement dropped on an upper surface of the
lid body 252 can be dropped dawn into the stagnant portion 18 (see
FIG. 13).
[0106] The lid-opening and closing mechanism 250 is thus configured
so as to be rotated so that any driving mechanism as shown in FIG.
1 is not necessary, thereby reducing the costs thereof.
[0107] A tip end of the above-mentioned washing hose 240 is
attached inside the stagnant portion 18 with an angle being able to
jet rinse water into both of a side of rear surface of the lid body
252 and a part of the periphery of the stagnant portion 18. In this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, it is attached and fixed in a
hermetic manner against liquid to a portion thereof near and under
the rotation axis portion 254 of the lid body 252. Even if being
thus configured, any processing similar to that shown in FIG. 1 can
be performed.
[0108] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a control system in the
portable toilet device 10 shown in FIG. 12. The following
description is partially overlapped with the description of FIG. 8
and later. In this embodiment, an open/close switch 55 and a drain
switch 244 are provided in addition to the power switch 52 and
their on-off signals are supplied to the control unit 50. The drain
switch 244 is positioned further back than the cover 23. This is
because it has less frequency in use.
[0109] In an example of control timing of FIGS. 15A through 15E,
open manipulation of the cover 23 is detected by the open/close
detection switch 55 (FIG. 15A). Bowel movement is carried out while
the cover is opened. When the excrement drops down onto the lid
body 212, the lid body 212 is opened by excrement's weight and the
excrement is dropped into the trap water in the stagnant portion 18
(see FIG. 13). When the excrement is dropped, the lid body 212 is
automatically closed. This is because the lid body 212 is always
urged toward a side of the reducing size portion 230.
[0110] After the bowel movement has been finished, the cover is
closed (FIG. 15A). If it is determined that the cover is closed,
any excrement is broken into fragments for a period of time Ta
(FIG. 15B). It is to be noted that instead of closure operation of
the cover 23, a start switch corresponding to the open/close switch
55 may be operated by any manual operation to start such the
breaking operation. The period of time Ta for breaking operation is
set to a period of time when the excrement and toilet paper may be
suitably broken into fragments. It is normally set to a period of
time of 20 seconds or less, preferably about 5 through 10.
[0111] When the breaking operation has been finished, an air
compressor 200 is driven to send compressed air into an interior of
the stagnant portion 18 which is then pressed (FIG. 15E). A period
of time Tb for pressing process is set to a period of time when
internal pressure in the stagnant portion 18 is increased up to a
predetermined value (for example, 2 atmospheric pressures). The
predetermined value of the internal pressure means a pressure such
that the liquid mixture is certainly sent by compression and
drained to the existing toilet device 4 through the drain hose 14.
A period of time Tb that is a predetermined value of the internal
pressure is actually set in advance and this period of time Tb is
counted.
[0112] When the period of time Tb has been elapsed, the
electromagnetic valve 24 for drain is driven while the air
compressor 200 is driven, namely, the compressed air is sent to the
interior of the stagnant portion 18 (FIG. 15D). When the
electromagnetic valve 24 for drain is driven to open the drain
opening 27, the trap water (liquid mixture) in the stagnant portion
18 is sent at once by the compressed air toward a side of the drain
hose 14. Since the drain hose 14 is connected with the existing
toilet device 4, the excrement broken into fragments by means 40
for breaking the excrement is drained to a side of the existing
toilet device 4.
[0113] A period of time Tc for sending-by-compression is normally
set to a period of relatively longer time, for example, about 10
through 30 seconds, in order to prevent the liquid mixture from
being remained in the drain hose 14, though there may be a
difference in a set length of the drain hose 14.
[0114] When the period of time Tc has been elapsed, the
electromagnetic valve 24 for drain is turned off and driving of the
air compressor stops (FIGS. 15D, 15E). This enables the drain
opening 27 to be closed. The electromagnetic valve 32 for
water-supply is then activated to start the water supply to the
stagnant portion 18 (FIG. 15C). A period of time Td for is set to a
period of water supply time when the trap water in the stagnant
portion 18 reaches a predetermined amount. It is to be noted that
the predetermined amount means water supplies up to an amount where
a surface of the trap water exceeds a bend portion of the drain
portion 22. When the water supply to the stagnant portion 18 has
been completed, its standby condition therefor occurs.
[0115] It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, an
electromagnetic valve 33 for washing is also driven with
synchronization with the operation of the electromagnetic valve 32
for water-supply, as shown in FIG. 15C. If the electromagnetic
valve 33 operates, water is supplied into the stagnant portion 18
through the washing hose 240; the water is concretely jet toward a
rear surface of the lid body 212 and a wall surface of the stagnant
portion 18. Since, by means of this jet by the rinse water, the
rear surface of the lid body 212 and the wall surface of the
stagnant portion 18 are washed, the lid body 212 and the stagnant
portion 18 can be always kept clean.
[0116] Such the washing process may be performed before the water
supply to the stagnant portion 18, namely, after the liquid mixture
has been sent by compression and drained, not simultaneous
execution of the water supply to the stagnant portion 18 and the
washing of the lid body 212 and the like, to send and/or drain the
rinse water therefor at the same time. Therefore, the water supply
to the stagnant portion 18 is then performed after the
electromagnetic valve 24 has been closed.
[0117] If the portable toilet device 10 is moved or removed, it is
preferable to drain the trap water from the stagnant portion 18.
Such the drain processing is separately performed from the
above-mentioned drain process. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 16A
through 16C, the drain switch 244 is turned on, so that the air
compressor 200 is activated (FIGS. 16A, 16B). The start of the air
compressor 200 enables the interior of the stagnant portion 18 to
be pressed (FIG. 16C). After the press process over a period of
time Tf has been finished, the electromagnetic valve 24 for drain
is driven so that the drain opening can be opened for a
predetermined period of time Tg by driving the electromagnetic
valve 24 for drain (FIG. 16B).
[0118] This sending-by-compression enables the trap water to be
drained from the stagnant portion 18. The electromagnetic valve 24
for drain is closed with a small amount of delay (.DELTA.Tf)
starting from when the driving of the air compressor 200 stops.
This causes any drain processing of the trap water to be completed.
It is to be noted that the period of time Tf may be set to the
above-mentioned period of time Tb and the period of time Tg may be
set to the period of time Tc.
Embodiment 3
[0119] FIG. 17 and later figures show further embodiment
(embodiment 3) of the portable toilet device 10. The embodiment 3
uses the same lid-opening and closing mechanism as that of the
embodiment 2 but has a different configuration of the means for
breaking the excrement therefrom. The means for breaking the
excrement in the embodiment 3 uses a jet stream from the means 200
for sending-by-compression and in this embodiment, in addition to
this jet stream, a crashing portion for allowing the excrement to
crash with the excrement being stirred by the jet stream is
provided in the stagnant portion 18. In the portable toilet device
10, the description of components being common to the
above-mentioned components will be omitted.
[0120] The means 200 for sending-by-compression is utilized for
crashing process of the excrement and the like in addition to
sending the excrement and the like by compression. An air
compressor of small size is used as the means 200 for
sending-by-compression. The means 200 for sending-by-compression is
attached and fixed to a predetermined position inside the body 20
of the toilet device.
[0121] The sending pipe 204 is connected to the means 200 for
sending-by-compression and a jet outlet 206 is fixed at a position
of the stagnant portion 18, which is positioned upper than a
surface of the trap water in the stagnant portion 18, with the jet
outlet being exposed on the side of the stagnant portion 18. In
this embodiment, the jet outlet 206 is attached and fixed with it
being inclined somewhat, so that the jet outlet 206 can face toward
a side of the surface of the trap water.
[0122] The diverging pipe is used as the sending pipe 204 and a jet
outlet 207a of a diverging branch pipe 207 is positioned at a side
of the bottom of the stagnant portion 18 with the jet outlet being
exposed therein. The jet outlet 207a is attached and fixed with it
being inclined somewhat, so that the jet outlet 207a can face
toward a side of the wall surface of the stagnant portion 18, not
face just above in the stagnant portion 18. This is because the
excrement can easily crash to the wall surface of the stagnant
portion 18 with the excrement being stirred by the jet stream based
on the compressed air jetted from the jet outlet 207a.
[0123] The excrement drops into the stagnant portion 18 when an
opening/closing lid 252 is opened by its weight, as shown in FIG.
18. Since the jet stream by the compressed air from the means 200
for sending-by-compression is jetted into the stagnant portion 18,
the dropped excrement is broken into fragments by striking the
dropped excrement directly to this jet stream. Since the jet stream
crushes the excrement to the wall surface of the stagnant portion
18, the excrement is further crushed by an impact of this
crush.
[0124] In order to enhance crushing power to the excrement by the
jet stream, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a crushing portion
270 is further attached to a side wall of the stagnant portion 18
in which the trap water is accumulated.
[0125] The crushing portion 270 is constituted of a plurality of
projections 272 and in this embodiment, the plurality of
projections 272 is so configured as to be regularly formed as
several lines. It is preferable that the projections have a sharp
pinnacle form to make the excrement easy to crash when the
excrement is run crash into these projections 272.
[0126] Numbers, length, thickness, set line number and the like of
the projections 272 constituting the crushing portion 270 are
optional. Their material is also optional but plastic mold articles
are preferable therefor. This is because, if they are plastic mold
articles, the crushing portion 270 is produced at a low price and
its attachment to the wall surface of the stagnant portion 18 is
also performed by utilizing a binder or the like so that any
execution can be easily carried out.
[0127] Thus, it is possible to perform any crashing process
effectively on the excrement by utilizing the jet stream using the
means 200 for sending-by-compression and then allowing the
excrement and the like to crash utilizing the means 200 for
sending-by-compression and the crushing portion 270, particularly
utilizing the crushing portion 270.
[0128] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of an important portion in a
control unit 50 that is provided in the portable toilet device 10.
A power switch 52, an open/close detection switch 55, and a washing
button 274 are respectively arranged, and their on-off signals are
supplied to the control unit 50 constituted of CPU.
[0129] Any control signals from the control unit 50 control each
driving state on the above-mentioned electromagnetic valve 24 for
drain, electromagnetic valve 32 for water-supply, and air
compressor 200 as the means for sending-by-compression.
[0130] FIGS. 20A through 20F show each example of such the control
timing. Open manipulation of the cover 23 is detected by the
detection switch 55 for open and closure (FIGS. 20A and 20B). Bowel
movement is carried out while the cover 23 is opened. When the
excrement such as solid body waste is dropped down onto the lid
body 252, the lid body 212 is opened by excrement's weight and the
excrement is then dropped into the trap water in the stagnant
portion 18 (see FIG. 18). When the excrement is dropped, the lid
body 212 is automatically closed. This is because the lid body 212
is always urged toward a side of the reducing size portion 260.
[0131] The detection switch 55 for open and closure is provided in
connection with the washing button 274, which will be next
described. This is because it is prevented from performing any
washing process even if the washing button 274 is manipulated
before the cover 23 is opened. Thus, this detection for open and
closure may be provided as occasion demands.
[0132] After the bowel movement has been finished, the cover is
closed; the washing button 273 is then pushed down (FIG. 20C). If
it is determined that this washing operation is detected, the
compressor 200 is driven to send the compressed air to the stagnant
portion 18 and any breaking process starts (FIG. 20D).
[0133] The compressed air is respectively supplied to an upper
space into the stagnant portion 18 and the trap water
simultaneously. The excrement exposed on a surface of the trap
water is attached to plural projections 272 by compression with the
excrement being first dropped into the trap water by pressure of
the compressed air sent into the upper space. The jet stream by the
compressed air sent into the trap water causes any water current,
by which the trap water is flown round in the stagnant portion
18.
[0134] Since a jet direction of the compressed air is set so that
the compressed air is jetted toward a side of the wall of the
stagnant portion 18, the excrement crashes to an inner wall of the
stagnant portion 18 by means of the water current by the compressed
air. There are plural projections 272 in this inner wall so that
the excrement crashes to the projections 272. The trap water is
flown round, so that the excrement is flown with it crashing to the
projections 272 over and over. Such the flow allows the excrement
to be broken into fragments. Since the excrement contains moisture
from the trap water, it easily crumbles.
[0135] Therefore, sending the compressed air to the stagnant
portion 18 for a predetermined period of time Ta starting from a
point of crash-starting time t1 enables the excrement to be broken
into fragments, as shown in FIGS. 20A through 20F. This period of
crash-processing time Ta is set to a period of time when the
excrement can suitably crash and if it is set to a period of time,
30 seconds thought one minute, the excrement can be suitably broken
into fragments.
[0136] Since the tightly closed upper space in the stagnant portion
18 is almost closed by the opening/closing lid 252 so that an
electromagnetic valve 24 at a side of the drain opening 27 is
closed for a period of the breaking process time (points of time t1
through t2), as shown in FIG. 20F, the stagnant portion 18 is kept
high in its internal pressure by continuing to supply the
compressed air into the stagnant portion 18.
[0137] The control unit 50 counts a period of time from the point
of time t1 when the washing button 274 is manipulated so that when
the period of crash-processing time Ta has been elapsed at (point
of time t2), the process then shifts to the washing process
automatically (FIG. 20E). Supplying rinse water enables the washing
process to be carried out and, in this moment, a control signal
form the control unit 50 enables the electromagnetic valve 32 to be
opened. The electromagnetic valve 24 is also controlled at the same
time of the washing process to release the drain opening 27.
[0138] When the drain opening 27 is released, any internal pressure
(about 2 atmospheric pressures) in the stagnant portion 18 enables
the broken excrement (broken mixture) to be drained (sent by
compression) to a side of the drain hose 14 once together with the
trap water that has been trapped and rinse water that is newly
supplied from a side of the water-supplying nozzle 28 (FIG. 20F).
Thus, the washing process and the drain process proceed
simultaneously.
[0139] While the washing process goes on for the period of time Tb
starting from the point of time t2 up to the point of time t4, the
drain process is assigned to a shorter period of time Tc than the
predetermined period of time Tb by Td (FIG. 20F). Thus, the
electromagnetic valve 24 at the side of the drain opening 27 is
closed, in order to complete the drain process at a point of time
t3 when it is advanced more than the point of time t4 by Td. Even
when the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed, the washing process
has not yet completed, thereby continuing to supply the rinse water
the stagnant portion 18. The electromagnetic valve 32 is first
closed at the point of time t4 to stop the supply of rinse water.
Therefore, for the period of time Td, a trap process of the rinse
water is performed to the stagnant portion 18. When this trap
process is completed, the toilet device can be used again.
[0140] Although in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20A through 20F,
the process has been shifted to the washing and draining process
mode for performing the washing and drain processes after the
breaking process mode for sending the compressed air has been
completed, both of the breaking process mode and the washing and
draining process mode can proceed at almost same time.
[0141] In this embodiment, the breaking process mode starts
preceding the washing and draining process mode somewhat. It is
because the breaking (crashing) effect to the excrement can be
enhanced if the compressed air is previously sent to precede the
breaking process mode.
[0142] Although in FIG. 17, the jet outlet 207a of the diverging
branch pipe 207 has been positioned at the bottom of the stagnant
portion 18, it can be positioned at a position under the jet outlet
206 and the surface of the trap water with it facing the opposite
projections 272.
Embodiment 4
[0143] FIG. 22 shows an additional embodiment of the portable
toilet device 10 according to the invention, in which water current
and water pressure are actively-utilized as the means for breaking
the excrement, in addition to the compressed air.
[0144] Thus, a base 292 is set inside the toilet device 20 and a
water-supply tank 290 is fitted on the base 292 as shown in FIG.
22. The water-supplying hose 12 supplies rinse water to the
water-supply tank 290 via an electromagnetic valve 288 and the
compressed air from compressor 200 is guided thereto through the
diverging branch pipe 207. A jet outlet 294a of a connection pipe
294 connected to the water-supply tank 290 is attached to the
bottom of the stagnant portion 18 with it facing the side wall of
the stagnant portion 18. The other configurations are similar to
those shown in FIG. 17.
[0145] When the water-supply tank 290 is thus newly provided to
discharge the rinse water together with the compressed air from the
bottom of the stagnant portion 18 into the trap water, the trap
water is made as high-speed water current so as to crash to the
side water of the stagnant portion 18. Since there is crashing
means 270 in the side water of the stagnant portion 18, the
excrement crashes to this crashing means 270, so that the excrement
is flown round in the stagnant portion 18 together with the trap
water in cooperation with a spray of the compressed air, the water
current and water pressure of the trap water while the excrement
crashes to the projections 272, thereby enabling the excrement to
be effectively broken into fragments at a short time.
[0146] Breaking and draining processes shown in FIG. 22 are based
on those shown in FIG. 20. In this embodiment, the compressed air
is controlled so that it can be supplied into the trap water for a
period of time of the breaking process and the rinse water is
controlled so that it can be supplied in only the washing and
draining process mode by using the electromagnetic valve 288. Of
course, if the breaking process and the washing and draining
processes are performed at almost same time, the electromagnetic
valves 32 and 288 can be used in common.
Embodiment 5
[0147] FIG. 23 is an example of piping when taking an aging society
into consideration. Aged people more than 65 years old would occupy
a considerably large proportion in a population after several years
are elapsed. If so, it is expected that persons utilizing a
nursing-care facility would be increased. It is expected that in
order to reduce a burden of care workers, plural beds 96 are
prepared in a care room 94. In this moment, it must figure out a
good way that they can relieve themselves in this care room 94.
[0148] In such a case, if it is supposed that the room can include
six care-receivers, the beds 96 are arranged as shown in FIG. 23.
At the middle thereof, a main pipe 98a for water supply and a main
pipe 98b for drain, which are used for the portable toilet device,
are arranged on its floor.
[0149] FIG. 23 is an example of piping in which one portable toilet
device 10 is set beside one bed 96, not portable toilet device 10
is shared. Accordingly, each portable toilet device 10 is set near
the bed 96. Connecting portions 199,102 are provided on respective
positions of the main pipes 98a, 98b that are near a set position
of the portable toilet device 10. A water-supplying hose 12 that is
connected to each of the portable toilet devices 10 is connected to
each of the connection portions 100; and a drain hose 14 that is
connected to each of the portable toilet devices 10 is connected to
each of the connection portions 102.
[0150] This enables plural users to be treated. It is to be noted
that though in this case, of course, a diameter of the drain hose
14 having a small diameter can be used.
Embodiment 6
[0151] FIG. 24 is a connection embodiment in which the drain hose
14 that is connected to the portable toilet devices 10 is connected
to an existing toilet device 4. In this embodiment, the existing
toilet device 4 is modified so that their connection can be
realized.
[0152] In this moment, a main body 108 of the existing toilet
device 4 is modified. In FIG. 24, although a drain pipe 110 is
connected to the main body 108 of the toilet device, a drain outlet
112 is also provided at an upper side than a stagnant portion
thereof, in the main body 108 of the toilet device, so that to a
connection portion 114 installed on a rear surface thereof, a
connection portion 62B of the drain hose 14 is connected. The
outlet may be connected to the trap portion that is positioned
lower.
[0153] It is to be noted that if the existing toilet device 4 is
thus modified, any liquid mixture may be remained in the drain hose
14 when the existing toilet device 4 is set at a higher position in
a case where the portable toilet device 10 and the existing toilet
device 4 are set with a difference of altitude. If, however, the
above-mentioned air compressor 200 is provided and the liquid
mixture is sent by compression by means of its compressed air, this
prevents this liquid mixture from being remained in the drain hose
14.
Embodiment 7
[0154] FIG. 25 is a modification of FIG. 24. In FIG. 25, in
addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 24, a trapping lid 116
that traps an upper portion of the stagnant portion is further
provided and it is configured so that the trapping lid 116 can be
closed in connection with the drain process of the portable toilet
device 10.
[0155] Thus, this trapping lid 116 is preferably trapped in an
electric powered manner and is controlled so as to be opened or
closed simultaneously as the electromagnetic valve 24 for drain in
the portable toilet device 10 is operated. If the trapping lid 116
is configured so as to be slidable as shown in FIG. 25, the
trapping lid 116 can be opened or closed by means of an
electromagnetic solenoid 117. An opening/closing mechanism by gears
may be used instead of the electromagnetic solenoid 117. The
trapping lid 116 can be controlled so as to be trapped (opened or
closed) simultaneously as an electromagnetic valve 32 for water
supply, not the electromagnetic valve 24 for drain, is
operated.
[0156] If a system such that the trapping lid 116 is opened or
closed, not being slid, to have an angle of 90 degrees or more, as
one example, is employed, a shaft-driving mechanism is provided for
a rotation shaft of the trapping lid 116 and its rotation is
controlled simultaneously as the electromagnetic valve 24 is
operated. A system that can open or close it simultaneously as a
cover (an outer cover for closure of the toilet seat) provided on
the main body 108 of the toilet device, not cooperation with the
electromagnetic valve 24, may be employed.
[0157] Since the trapping lid 116 must be opened or closed even if
the existing toilet device 4 is used, the trapping lid 116 may be
configured so that if the existing toilet device 4 is equipped with
a toilet seat with shower toilet, an opening/closing detection
switch, not shown, is provided on the toilet seat with shower
toilet and the trapping lid 116 is controlled by using a control
signal based on its switch manipulation.
Embodiment 8
[0158] FIG. 26 and later are embodiments in which the drain hose 14
is attached to the existing toilet device 4. In FIG. 26, a toilet
seat 118 set on the existing toilet device 4 is modified so that
the drain hose 14 can be guided into the main body 108 of the
toilet device.
[0159] In FIG. 26, a hole 119 for holding the drain hose is formed
so that it can be passed through a part of a left portion 118a of
the toilet seat 118 above and below, and by inserting a tip end of
the drain hose 14 therethrough, it is designed as to be connected
to the existing toilet device 4.
[0160] In this case, a connection portion to be connected to a
connection portion 62B provided on the drain hose 14 is installed
in the hole 119. Further, if the existing toilet device 4 is used,
the drain hose 14 must be detached therefrom.
Embodiment 9
[0161] FIG. 27 is a modification of FIG. 26. In an embodiment shown
in FIG. 27, an attaching and fixing member 120 for the drain hose
14 is integral with a side of a lower surface of the left portion
118a of the toilet seat, and it is attached and fixed by using a
space formed between the main body 108 and the toilet seat 118.
[0162] A piping such that a tip end of the drain hose 14 can
reaches the stagnant portion is approval and a piping such that a
tip end of the drain hose 14 can has a length enough to extend
slightly from the toilet seat 108 is also approval. Since the drain
pipe 14 has a small diameter, it can be attached and fixed by using
the space formed between the main body 108 and the toilet seat
118.
[0163] In this moment, as shown in FIG. 28, the attaching and
fixing member 120 is configured to have a profiled hollow grip
(inserting) portion with an opened lower end. Such the
configuration enables the existing toilet device 4 and the portable
toilet device 10 to be used simultaneously.
Embodiment 10
[0164] FIG. 29 is a modification of FIG. 27. In this embodiment,
the attaching and fixing member 120 for the drain hose 14 is
configured so that it can be separated from the toilet seat 118 and
as shown in FIG. 30, a holding portion 122 for allowing it to be
held to the toilet seat 118 and a grip portion 124 that extending
downward from the holding portion 122 toward a lower surface
thereof are provided so that the grip portion 124 can grip the
drain hose 14. Such the configuration can also realize the same
effect as that shown in FIG. 27.
Embodiment 11
[0165] FIG. 31 is a modification of any of FIGS. 27 and 29. In this
embodiment, the attaching and fixing member 120 for the drain hose
14 is configured so that it can be separated from the toilet seat
118 and as shown in FIG. 31, it is fixed to the main body 108 of
the toilet device. Thus, a holding portion 122 for allowing it to
be held to the main body 108 of the toilet device and a hollow grip
portion 124 that extending upward from the holding portion 122
toward an upper surface thereof are provided so that the grip
portion 124 can grip the drain hose 14. Therefore, such the
configuration can realize the same effects as those shown in FIGS.
27 and 29.
Embodiment 12
[0166] FIG. 33 shows still further embodiment for attachment of the
drain hose 14. In this embodiment, as the attaching and fixing
member 120 for the drain hose 14, an elastic member, as shown in
FIG. 34, configured to have a shape realizing by deforming a funnel
is used. An outer surface thereof has a shape corresponding to an
outer surface of the stagnant portion. Plural slits 132 are formed
on a funnel-shaped open end thereof (at an opposite side of the
stagnant portion) to keep its elasticity and by inserting it into a
side of the stagnant portion with its open end being held, the
attaching and fixing member 120 can be installed with it being
attached tightly to a periphery of the stagnant portion.
[0167] An attachment 128 for the drain hose 14 is integral with a
portion of the attaching and fixing member 120, which faces a side
of the drain portion 110 when inserting it, and at forward end
thereof, an attachment portion 128a that is folded at 90 degrees or
more in a shown condition, is provided. The attachment portion 128a
is provided with a grip (inserting) portion 134 having an open end.
A large opening 130 is formed on the surface thereof facing the
drain portion 110.
[0168] The attaching and fixing member 120 thus configured is
inserted into the stagnant portion of the main body of the toilet
device so that the opening 130 can face the drain portion 110. Such
the insertion enables the attaching and fixing member 120 to be
fixed to the stagnant portion with them being tightly attached to
each other. The forward end of the drain hose 14 is then attached
and fixed to the grip portion 134 of the attachment portion 128a as
shown in FIG. 33, thereby enabling the drain hose 14 to be set with
it facing the stagnant portion.
[0169] It is to be noted that if the attaching and fixing member
120 has not enough elasticity, pipe member for enlargement by which
an inner hollow portion of the attaching and fixing member 120 is
enlarged may be used. By inserting such the pipe member into this
inner hollow portion, it is possible to attach and fix almost whole
of the attaching and fixing member 120, the inner hollow portion of
which has been enlarged, to an internal circumference of the
stagnant portion tightly.
Embodiment 13
[0170] FIG. 35 is an embodiment for the attachment of the drain
hose 14 when the existing toilet device is Japanese style one. In
this embodiment, as the attaching and fixing member 120, in order
to allow it to be fitted to Japanese toilet device 180 as shown in
FIG. 36, a holding portion 136 having both of bending ends to some
extent is provided and an attaching portion 138 of the drain hose
14 is provided at the middle of this holding portion 136. The
attaching portion 138 has a configuration of hollow grip.
[0171] The attaching and fixing member 120 is fitted and fixed to
Japanese toilet device 180 by expanding (widening) both ends of the
holding portion 136 and utilizing its elastic force. Using such the
attaching and fixing member 120 enables the drain hose 14 to be
attached and fixed with it facing the stagnant portion.
[0172] The attaching portion 138 of the drain hose 14 may be
provided at not only the middle of this holding portion 136 but
also a side of any of the ends of the holding portion 136 with it
being shifted to any of right and left.
Embodiment 14
[0173] FIG. 37 provides a sanitary portable toilet device 10. In
this embodiment, a tank 142 containing an antiseptic solution fully
is provided on a wall surface 18a of the body 20 of the toilet
device at an upper position thereof than the stagnant portion
18.
[0174] Since the air compressor 200 is provided at an upper
position of the stagnant portion 18 as shown in FIG. 1, it is
configured in a case shown in FIG. 37 so as to be arranged in
parallel with the air compressor 200. Accordingly, an inlet 140 for
the antiseptic solution is provided on the wall surface 18a near
the air compressor 200.
[0175] Means for forcing, not shown, the tank 142, is operated for
a period of predetermined time Tb when the toilet is used,
specifically to link the drain timing of the liquid mixture. This
enables a predetermined antiseptic solution to be sent to the
stagnant portion 18 by forcing the tank 142 only when using the
toilet.
[0176] Thus, a portion of the body 20 of the toilet device near the
stagnant portion 18 is always antisepticised by the antiseptic
solution so that it can be sanitary. By dropping the antiseptic
solution thereinto, the drain hose 14 is also antisepticised at the
same time, thereby enabling any much sanitary portable toilet
device to be provided.
Embodiment 15
[0177] FIG. 38 is an embodiment of the portable toilet device 10
with deodorization ability. In this embodiment, similar to FIG. 37,
means for deodorizing is provided to be arranged in parallel with
the air compressor 200. Accordingly, an inhalation port 150 is
provided on a wall surface 18a of the body 20 of the toilet device
at an upper position thereof than the stagnant portion 18 so that
it can be arranged in parallel with the air compressor 200, and a
ventilation fan 152 acting as the means for deodorizing, which is
provided in a casing 153, is attached to the inhalation port 150.
An exhaust pipe 154 is connected to a back side of the inhalation
port 150, thereby exhausting air to outside.
[0178] The ventilation fan 152 is driven in rotation at least when
using the toilet. Thus, air within the body 20 of the toilet device
can be inhaled and exhausted to outside so that any smell from the
excrement can be efficiently exhausted to outside. Accordingly, any
smell from the excrement is prevented from being drifted in a room,
thereby allowing any comfortable environment to be realized.
Embodiment 16
[0179] FIG. 39 shows an embodiment in which a bed is equipped with
the portable toilet device 10 according to the invention.
Therefore, a mattress 164 is put down over an upper surface of a
frame 162 of the bed 160, as shown in FIG. 40. At the middle of the
mattress 164a, an opening 164a having a predetermined diameter is
formed and a cover 166 for open and closure is prepared to cover
the opening. Accordingly, the cover 166 for open and closure
constitutes the mattress 164.
[0180] On the other hand, a hole 168 having a smaller diameter than
that of the opening 164a is also formed on the frame 162 opposite
to the opening 164a, and shutters 170 for operating to shut the
hole to link each other are provided.
[0181] The portable toilet device 10 is attached and fixed to a
side of the lower surface of the frame 162 so that it can close the
hole 168.
[0182] When the portable toilet device 10 is used while a patient
lies down in the bed 160, the cover 166 constituting the mattress
is opened and the shatters (electric-power shutters) 170 for open
and closure are also opened. This causes the portable toilet device
10 to be ready for use. Preferably, if an incline of the frame 162
can alter by electric power, the portable toilet device 10 is easy
to be used by inclining the frame 162.
[0183] The shutters 170 for open and closure are configured as
shown in diagram so as to use a pair of shutter plates that can be
opened or shut back and forth and make them opened and shut to link
each other. Alternatively, it can be configured so as to use one
shutter plate that can be opened or shut by rotating it by more
than 90 degrees on the same plane.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0184] This invention is preferably applicable to a nursing-care
assisted appliance for any nursing-care facilities, home-based care
or the like.
* * * * *