U.S. patent application number 15/755546 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-30 for toilet deodorizing method, toilet, and toilet deodorizing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIXIL Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is LIXIL Corporation. Invention is credited to Yasuyuki FURUTANI, Tingjian GONG, Toshihiko KOMATSU, Tomoya SASAKI, Hirokazu SHIMASAKI, Masato WAKABAYASHI, Hiroaki WATANABE.
Application Number | 20180245326 15/755546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58187851 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180245326 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GONG; Tingjian ; et
al. |
August 30, 2018 |
TOILET DEODORIZING METHOD, TOILET, AND TOILET DEODORIZING
DEVICE
Abstract
This toilet deodorizing method includes forming a lateral swirl
flow of air laterally swirling along an inner surface of a toilet
main body and a traversal flow of air traversing the inside of the
toilet main body, by discharging air into the toilet main body of a
toilet through a discharge port and suctioning air in the toilet
main body through a suction port; and deodorizing an odor in the
toilet main body by using a deodorizing cartridge (deodorizing
device) for eliminating an odorous component of air which flows due
to the lateral swirl flow and the traversal flow and is suctioned
through the suction port.
Inventors: |
GONG; Tingjian; (Tokyo,
JP) ; WATANABE; Hiroaki; (Tokyo, JP) ;
KOMATSU; Toshihiko; (Tokyo, JP) ; FURUTANI;
Yasuyuki; (Tokyo, JP) ; WAKABAYASHI; Masato;
(Tokyo, JP) ; SASAKI; Tomoya; (Tokyo, JP) ;
SHIMASAKI; Hirokazu; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LIXIL Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
LIXIL Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
58187851 |
Appl. No.: |
15/755546 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
August 19, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2016/074232 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/307 20130101;
E03D 9/052 20130101; E03D 9/05 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/05 20060101
E03D009/05 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2015 |
JP |
2015-171219 |
Aug 31, 2015 |
JP |
2015-171220 |
Aug 31, 2015 |
JP |
2015-171221 |
Aug 31, 2015 |
JP |
2015-171222 |
Aug 31, 2015 |
JP |
2015-171381 |
Claims
1. A toilet deodorizing method comprising: forming a lateral swirl
flow of air laterally swirling along an inner surface of a toilet
main body and a traversal flow of air traversing an inside of the
toilet main body, by discharging air into the toilet main body of a
toilet through a discharge port and by suctioning air in the toilet
main body through a suction port; and deodorizing the air including
an odor in the toilet main body by using a deodorizing device for
eliminating an odorous component of air which flows due to the
lateral swirl flow and the traversal flow and which is suctioned
through the suction port.
2. The toilet deodorizing method of claim 1, further comprising:
forming at least a plurality of the lateral swirl flows and a
plurality of the traversal flows in the toilet main body by
discharging air into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and by suctioning air in the toilet main body through the
suction port.
3. The toilet deodorizing method of claim 1, further comprising:
forming a vertical swirl flow of air vertically swirling along the
inner surface of the toilet main body by discharging air into the
toilet main body through the discharge port and by suctioning air
in the toilet main body through the suction port.
4. The toilet deodorizing method of claim 1, further comprising:
forming at least the lateral swirl flow and the traversal flow of
air by discharging air through the discharge port such that at
least a part of air becomes a vortex flow.
5. The toilet deodorizing method of claim 1, further comprising:
discharging air treated by the deodorizing device into the toilet
main body through the discharge port and causing the treated air to
circulate.
6. The toilet deodorizing method of claim 1, wherein the lateral
swirl flow is caused to be an air flow stronger than the traversal
flow.
7. The toilet deodorizing method of claim 1, wherein the traversal
flow is caused to join the lateral swirl flow and to be suctioned
through the suction port.
8. A toilet further comprising: a deodorizing device which
deodorizes an air in a toilet main body, wherein the deodorizing
device includes a discharge port that discharges air into the
toilet main body, a suction port that sucks air in the toilet main
body, and a deodorizing device that eliminates an odorous component
of air suctioned through the suction port, and wherein the
deodorizing device is configured to form a lateral swirl flow of
air laterally swirling along an inner surface of the toilet main
body and a traversal flow of air traversing an inside of the toilet
main body, by discharging air into the toilet main body through the
discharge port and by suctioning air in the toilet main body
through the suction port and to suction air, which flows due to the
lateral swirl flow and the traversal flow, through the suction
port.
9. The toilet of claim 8, wherein an air direction adjusting member
is provided in the discharge port, and wherein air to be discharged
through the discharge port flows through the air direction
adjusting member, which includes a lateral swirl flow forming
portion discharging air toward the inner surface of the toilet main
body and forming the lateral swirl flow of air laterally swirling
along the inner surface of the toilet main body, and a traversal
flow forming portion discharging air toward an inner side of the
toilet main body and forming the traversal flow of air traversing
the inside of the toilet main body.
10. The toilet of claim 8, wherein the deodorizing device is
configured to form a vertical swirl flow of air vertically swirling
along the inner surface of the toilet main body by discharging air
into the toilet main body through the discharge port and by
suctioning air in the toilet main body through the suction
port.
11. The toilet according to of claim 8, wherein the deodorizing
device includes a vortex flow generating device in at least the
discharge port and the suction port, and wherein the deodorizing
device is configured to form at least the lateral swirl flow and
the traversal flow of air such that at least a part of the air
becomes a vortex flow by the vortex flow generating device.
12. A toilet deodorizing device comprising: a deodorizing flow
channel through which a suction port and a discharge port are
connected to each other and through which air including an odor
flows; a deodorizer which includes a deodorizing portion that is
provided in the deodorizing flow channel and that deodorizes an
odor from air flowing through; and a bypass passage which is
provided in the deodorizing flow channel and through which air not
passing through the deodorizing portion of the deodorizer
passes.
13. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 12, wherein the bypass
passage is formed on an outer surface of the deodorizer or inside
thereof.
14. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 12, wherein the bypass
passage is formed outside being isolated from the deodorizer.
15. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 12, wherein the
deodorizer includes the deodorizing portion and a cover member
covering the deodorizing portion, and wherein a part of the cover
member is cut out such that the part serves as the bypass
passage.
16. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 15, wherein the cover
member is an elastic member with waterproof.
17. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 12, wherein the suction
port and the discharge port are open in a toilet bowl.
18. A toilet comprising: a deodorizing device which deodorizes an
odor in a toilet bowl having an opening of a toilet main body,
wherein the deodorizing device includes a suction port, a discharge
port, a deodorizing flow channel through which air including an
odor flows by suctioning through the suction port, a deodorizer
which is provided in the deodorizing flow channel and deodorizes
the odor from air flowing through, and an air blower which is
provided in the deodorizing flow channel, and wherein while having
an upper surface of the toilet main body as a reference plane, the
suction port and the discharge port are open in the toilet bowl of
the toilet main body, and at least a part of the suction port and
the discharge port are installed on a side lower than the reference
plane.
19. The toilet of claim 18, wherein the deodorizing device is
configured to discharge air such that the air flows into the
opening of the toilet main body through the discharge port in a
substantially horizontal manner.
20. The toilet of claim 18, wherein a concave portion which is
positioned in a part facing the opening of the toilet main body on
a side lower than the reference plane is formed in the toilet main
body, and wherein the deodorizing flow channel of the deodorizing
device is installed in the concave portion and is positioned on a
side lower than the reference plane, and the discharge port is
installed on a side lower than the reference plane.
21. The toilet of claim 20, wherein a nozzle unit that washes a
private part is installed on an upper side of the deodorizing flow
channel.
22. The toilet according to of claim 18, wherein the suction port
is installed on a side lower than the reference plane.
23. The toilet of claim 20, further comprising: a base in which a
convex portion protruding downward is formed and a concave recess
portion is formed on an upper surface of the convex portion,
wherein the deodorizing device is installed in the concave recess
portion, and wherein the convex portion is fitted in the concave
portion formed in the toilet bowl.
24. A toilet comprising: a deodorizing device which is attached to
a toilet main body, includes a suction port that sucks air into a
deodorizing flow channel formed inside and a discharge port that
discharges air out of the deodorizing flow channel from the
deodorizing flow channel, and is capable of deodorizing an inside
of a toilet bowl of the toilet main body; and a guide portion which
is capable of guiding air above the toilet bowl such that the air
is suctioned through the suction port.
25. The toilet of claim 24, wherein the guide portion is a shutter
which is capable of opening and closing the suction port, and
wherein the shutter is capable of guiding the air above the toilet
bowl such that the air is headed for the suction port in a state
where the suction port is open.
26. The toilet of claim 24, further comprising: a seating sensor
which detects that a user sits on a toilet seat attached to the
toilet main body, wherein the deodorizing device stops being driven
when the seating sensor detects that the user sits on the toilet
seat.
27. The toilet of claim 24, further comprising: an illumination
device which illuminates the inside of the toilet bowl of the
toilet main body, wherein the illumination device illuminates the
inside of the toilet bowl for a time period during which the
deodorizing device is driven.
28. The toilet of claim 24, wherein the deodorizing device has an
ion generating device releasing ions, and air which includes ions
generated by the ion generating device is discharged through the
discharge port.
29. The toilet of claim 28, further comprising: a toilet lid which
is pivotably attached to the toilet main body, wherein air
discharged through the discharge port flows out through a gap which
has a predetermined size and is formed between the toilet main body
and the toilet lid in a state where the toilet lid is closed.
30. The toilet of claim 24, further comprising: a toilet lid which
is pivotably attached to the toilet main body, wherein air
discharged through the discharge port is directed upward from the
toilet bowl in a state where the toilet lid is opened.
31. The toilet of claim 24, wherein the toilet is configured to
cause air discharged through the discharge port to be capable of
being directed toward a region in which air suctioned through the
suction port stays.
32. A toilet deodorizing device which is attached to a toilet main
body and deodorizes air in a toilet bowl of the toilet main body,
the deodorizing device comprising: a deodorizing flow channel which
is formed such that the air of an inside of the toilet bowl is
suctioned through a suction port that is open toward the inside of
the toilet bowl, the suctioned air is deodorized, and the
deodorized air is discharged into the toilet bowl or to an outside;
and a dust collection filter which is installed on the suction port
side of the deodorizing flow channel, wherein the dust collection
filter is attachable and detachable with respect to the deodorizing
flow channel via a dust collection filter attaching and detaching
port that is open toward the inside of the toilet bowl, and wherein
the dust collection filter attaching and detaching port is capable
of being opened and closed by a shutter.
33. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 32, wherein the dust
collection filter has a handgrip which is gripped by a user when
the dust collection filter is attached and detached with respect to
the deodorizing flow channel, and wherein the handgrip has a shape
for being accommodated in a gap formed between the dust collection
filter attaching and detaching port and the shutter closing the
dust collection filter attaching and detaching port.
34. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 32, wherein the
deodorizing flow channel has an engagement portion which is capable
of engaging with an engagement target portion formed in the dust
collection filter.
35. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 32, wherein an
attachment direction with respect to the deodorizing flow channel
is set for the dust collection filter, and wherein the dust
collection filter has a reverse attachment prevention mechanism
that is prevented from being attached in a reverse direction of the
set attachment direction.
36. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 32, further comprising:
an operation member which maintains the shutter in an open state,
wherein when the shutter is maintained in the open state by the
operation member, the dust collection filter is attachable and
detachable with respect to the deodorizing flow channel via the
dust collection filter attaching and detaching port.
37. The toilet deodorizing device of claim 32, wherein the shutter
is capable of being open such that an upper side is open, and
wherein the dust collection filter is attachable and detachable
with respect to the deodorizing flow channel via the dust
collection filter attaching and detaching port in a state where the
shutter is open such that the upper side is open.
38. A toilet in which the toilet deodorizing device of claim 32 is
provided.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a national stage application under 35
USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/074232, filed
Aug. 19, 2016, which claims the priority of Japanese Application
No. 2015-171219, filed Aug. 31, 2015, Japanese Application No.
2015-171220, filed Aug. 31, 2015, Japanese Application No.
2015-171221, filed Aug. 31, 2015, Japanese Application No.
2015-171222, filed Aug. 31, 2015, and Japanese Application No.
2015-171381, filed Aug. 31, 2015, the entire contents of each of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a toilet deodorizing
method, a toilet, and a toilet deodorizing device. Specifically,
the present invention relates to a method of deodorizing an air
including odor in a toilet main body of a toilet, a toilet
including a deodorizing device which deodorizes an air in a toilet
main body, a toilet deodorizing device including a deodorizing
cartridge which is provided in a deodorizing flow channel of the
toilet and adsorbs an air in air flowing in the deodorizing flow
channel, a toilet including a deodorizing device which deodorizes
an air generated in a toilet bowl, a toilet having a deodorizing
device, a toilet deodorizing device being attached to a toilet main
body, and a toilet in which the deodorizing device is provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the related art, there are toilets including a private
part washing device for washing a private part after defecation or
a deodorizing device for suctioning and deodorizing odors during
defecation and after defecation.
[0004] For example, a private part washing device (private part
washing unit) includes a private part washing nozzle which moves
forward/rearward, protrudes, and retracts between the inner side of
a toilet main body, and a cover case and a nozzle cover through a
nozzle opening portion in response to an operation or the like
conducted by means of a remote controller. The private part washing
device is configured to wash a private part as follows. The private
part washing nozzle advances while pressing and tilting a shutter
which opens and closes the nozzle opening portion such that the
shutter is opened. Then, washing water is discharged from a tip end
portion of the private part washing nozzle which has advanced to
the inner side of the toilet main body.
[0005] For example, a deodorizing device (deodorizing unit) is
provided as a unit integrated with the private part washing device
on an upper surface of a rear portion of the toilet main body. The
deodorizing device is configured to suction stagnant air in the
toilet main body through a suction port open toward the toilet main
body, to perform deodorization by eliminating and decomposing
odorous components by using an adsorption-type or
decomposition-type deodorizing cartridge (deodorizing device), and
to expel the air to the outside (for example, refer to Patent
Document 1).
[0006] Meanwhile, due to a positional relationship with the nozzle
opening portion or the like for causing the private part washing
nozzle of the private part washing device to protrude and retract,
there is a certain degree of restriction on the size of the suction
port of the deodorizing device provided in the rear portion of the
toilet main body. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage, for
example, a high-power fan is required in order to suction stagnant
air in the toilet main body.
[0007] On the other hand, the inventors of this application have
invented a deodorizing method and a deodorizing device, which are
already in progress of patent application (Japanese Patent
Application No. 2014-086359). According to the invention, a
discharge port and a suction port of air are provided in a rear
portion of a toilet main body. Air is discharged through the
discharge port such that the air laterally swirls along an inner
side surface of a rim portion of the toilet main body. The air
which has swirled and returned is suctioned through the suction
port such that the air circulates. Then, deodorization is performed
in a circulation process.
[0008] According to the deodorizing method and the deodorizing
device, an air flow is generated above the toilet main body due to
lateral swirling, so that stagnant air can be taken into the
suction port in a manner of being attracted. Therefore, in the
deodorizing method and the deodorizing device, deodorization can be
efficiently performed without using a high-power fan. Accordingly,
it is possible to suppress an odor from rising upward from the
toilet main body and being diffused.
[0009] In the deodorizing method and the deodorizing device of the
inventors of this application, air is discharged onto the inner
side surface of the toilet main body through the discharge port,
and a circulation flow laterally swirling along the rim portion is
formed. Therefore, in the deodorizing method and the deodorizing
device, for example, it is assumed that air on the inner side of a
circulation flow is taken upward when a user stands up from a
toilet seat and an odor is diffused.
[0010] Next, in the related art, flushing-type toilets installed
with a deodorizing device which suctions and deodorizes an odor
during defecation are known. As disclosed in Patent Document 2,
most of such toilet deodorizing devices are each provided as a unit
integrated with a private part washing device on an upper surface
of a rear portion of a toilet bowl, following the low silhouette
trend of toilet. Such a deodorizing device has a suction port open
toward the toilet bowl, suctions stagnant air above the toilet
bowl, deodorizes an odor, and then expels the air to the outside
through a discharge port.
[0011] In the deodorizing device, the suction port and the
discharge port open in the toilet bowl are interlinked with each
other through a deodorizing flow channel such as a deodorizing
duct. A deodorizing cartridge including a deodorizing catalyst and
a deodorizing fan are installed in the deodorizing flow
channel.
[0012] When an odor is generated in the toilet bowl, the
deodorizing device efficiently deodorizes the odor by operating the
deodorizing fan such that air in the toilet bowl flows through the
deodorizing flow channel through the suction port and circulates
while the deodorizing cartridge adsorbs the odor.
[0013] Incidentally, in recent years, miniaturization of private
part washing devices has been in progress, and miniaturization of
deodorizing cartridges provided in a deodorizing flow channel of a
deodorizing device has also been in progress. Accordingly, due to
the dense mesh size of a deodorizing catalyst, resistance of an air
flow passing through the deodorizing catalyst increases and the air
flow speed deteriorates, leading to a flaw of deterioration of
deodorizing efficiency.
[0014] In addition, in the deodorizing device, a suction port open
in a toilet bowl and a discharge port open toward the outside of
the toilet bowl are interlinked with each other through the
deodorizing flow channel such as a deodorizing duct. The
deodorizing cartridge including the deodorizing catalyst and a
deodorizing fan are installed in the deodorizing flow channel.
[0015] When an odor is generated in the toilet bowl, the
deodorizing device efficiently deodorizes the odor by operating the
deodorizing fan such that air in the toilet bowl flows through the
deodorizing flow channel through the suction port and circulates
while the deodorizing cartridge adsorbs the odor.
[0016] However, the suction port and the discharge port of the
deodorizing device are installed on an upper side of an opening of
the toilet bowl. Therefore, both a discharging air flow from the
discharge port and a suctioning air flow to the suction port have
significantly inclined angles, and it is not possible to mention
that a smooth circulation flow channel can be formed between an air
flow in the toilet bowl and the deodorizing device.
[0017] Next, in the related art, a toilet provided with a
deodorizing device deodorizing the inside of a toilet bowl is known
(for example, refer to Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4). In
addition, a toilet provided with a deodorizing device deodorizing a
water closet space is known.
[0018] For example, in the deodorizing device, an odor generated in
the toilet bowl is deodorized by using a deodorant, sterilizing
ions are generated in the deodorized air, the deodorized air having
generated sterilizing ions is released in the toilet bowl or the
water closet space, and then the inside of the toilet bowl or the
water closet space is deodorized.
[0019] When both the deodorizing device deodorizing the inside of a
toilet bowl and the deodorizing device deodorizing a water closet
space are provided in the toilet, there is concern that an
installation space for the devices increases and the structure of
the toilet becomes complicated. Therefore, it is desirable to
deodorize the inside of the toilet bowl and to deodorize the water
closet space by using the same deodorizing device.
[0020] However, in a case of deodorizing the water closet space by
using the deodorizing device deodorizing the inside of the toilet
bowl, since the deodorizing device deodorizing the inside of the
toilet bowl is configured to discharge air for deodorization
downward to the inside of the toilet bowl, it is difficult to
deodorize a position where a user sits or a position where the user
stands, above the toilet bowl.
[0021] Next, in the related art, in a duct (deodorizing flow
channel) of a deodorizing device for deodorizing an odor generated
in a toilet bowl of a toilet main body, a dust collection filter
for collecting dust in air suctioned to the duct is provided on a
suction port side (for example, refer to Patent Document 5). Such a
dust collection filter is configured to be attachable and
detachable with respect to the duct, so that the dust collection
filter can be taken out from the duct and can be cleaned.
[0022] In a case where the dust collection filter is attached and
detached through the inside of the toilet bowl, an attaching and
detaching port of the dust collection filter is provided open in
the toilet bowl. Therefore, there are cases where a spray in the
toilet bowl enters a dust collection filter installation part
through the attaching and detaching port of the dust collection
filter and the dust collection filter becomes unclean due to the
spray.
CITATION LIST
[0023] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model (Registered)
Publication No. 2559914
[0024] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2008-297785
[0025] Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2003-294280
[0026] Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. 2014-36692
[0027] Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent No. 3596217
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In consideration of the foregoing circumstances, a first
object of the present invention is to provide a toilet deodorizing
method and a toilet in which an odor is captured more efficiently
and effectively such that odors during defecation and after
defecation can be deodorized.
[0029] In addition, a second object of the present invention is to
provide a toilet deodorizing device in which deterioration of an
air flow passing through a deodorizer is suppressed such that
deodorization can be efficiently performed.
[0030] In addition, a third object of the present invention is to
provide a toilet including a deodorizing device in which an air
flow is smoothed such that an odor in a toilet bowl can be
efficiently deodorized.
[0031] In addition, a fourth object of the present invention is to
provide a toilet which can deodorize the inside of a toilet bowl
and deodorize a water closet space by using the same deodorizing
device.
[0032] In addition, a fifth object of the present invention is to
provide a toilet deodorizing device and a toilet in which a dust
collection filter can be prevented from being unclean due to a
spray in a toilet bowl.
[0033] In order to achieve the objects described above, the present
invention provides the following means.
[0034] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a
toilet deodorizing method includes forming a lateral swirl flow of
air laterally swirling along an inner surface of a toilet main body
and a traversal flow of air traversing an inside of the toilet main
body, by discharging air into the toilet main body of a toilet
through a discharge port and by suctioning air in the toilet main
body through a suction port; and deodorizing the air including an
odor in the toilet main body by using a deodorizing device for
eliminating an odorous component of air which flows due to the
lateral swirl flow and the traversal flow and which is suctioned
through the suction port.
[0035] According to the toilet deodorizing method, a lateral swirl
flow of air laterally swirling along the inner surface of a rim
portion or the like of the toilet main body is formed by
discharging air into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and suctioning air in the toilet main body through the suction
port. Accordingly, it is possible to attract an odor in the toilet
main body, to suction the odor through the suction port, and to
deodorize the odor suctioned through the suction port by using the
deodorizing device.
[0036] Moreover, according to the toilet deodorizing method, in
addition to a lateral swirl flow of air, a traversal flow of air
traversing the inside of the toilet main body is formed.
Accordingly, it is possible to attract an odor staying in a middle
portion of the toilet main body, that is, on an inner side of the
lateral swirl flow of air along with the traversal flow, to suction
the odor through the suction port, and to deodorize the odor
suctioned through the suction port by using the deodorizing
device.
[0037] As a result, it is possible to capture an odor more
efficiently and effectively and to deodorize odors during
defecation and after defecation. For example, it is possible to
prevent air in the middle portion of the toilet main body from
being taken upward when a user stands up from a toilet seat and to
prevent an odor from being diffused.
[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the
toilet deodorizing method according to the first aspect may further
include forming at least a plurality of the lateral swirl flows and
a plurality of the traversal flows in the toilet main body by
discharging air into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and by suctioning air in the toilet main body through the
suction port.
[0039] According to the toilet deodorizing method, a plurality of
lateral swirl flows of air and/or a plurality of traversal flows of
air are formed in the toilet main body. Accordingly, it is possible
to more effectively capture an odor staying in the middle portion
of the toilet main body and all odors in the toilet main body and
to deodorize the odors.
[0040] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the
toilet deodorizing method according to the first or second aspect
may further include forming a vertical swirl flow of air vertically
swirling along the inner surface of the toilet main body by
discharging air into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and by suctioning air in the toilet main body through the
suction port.
[0041] According to the toilet deodorizing method, a vertical swirl
flow of air vertically swirling along the inner surface of the
toilet main body is formed by discharging air into the toilet main
body through the discharge port and suctioning air in the toilet
main body through the suction port. Accordingly, it is possible to
attract an odor in the toilet main body, to suction the odor
through the suction port, and to deodorize the odor suctioned
through the suction port by using the deodorizing device.
[0042] Due to a vertical swirl (swirl having a swirl axis directed
in a transverse direction) of air, an odor rising upward from the
toilet main body can be efficiently captured. Accordingly, it is
possible to capture an odor more efficiently and effectively and to
deodorize odors during defecation and after defecation. For
example, it is possible to prevent air in the middle portion of the
toilet main body from being taken upward when a user stands up from
a toilet seat and to prevent an odor from being diffused.
[0043] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the
toilet deodorizing method according to any one of the first to
third aspects may further include forming at least the lateral
swirl flow and the traversal flow of air by discharging air through
the discharge port such that at least a part of air becomes a
vortex flow.
[0044] According to the toilet deodorizing method, at least a part
of a lateral swirl flow and/or a traversal flow of air formed in
the toilet main body is a vortex flow. Accordingly, while an
ambient odor in a wide range is dragged in due to the vortex flow,
it is possible to send the odor to the suction port along flows of
the lateral swirl flow and/or the traversal flow of air and to
suction the air.
[0045] Accordingly, it is possible to capture an odor in the toilet
main body more efficiently and effectively and to deodorize odors
during defecation and after defecation. For example, it is possible
to more effectively prevent air in the middle portion of the toilet
main body from being taken upward when a user stands up from a
toilet seat and to more effectively prevent an odor from being
diffused.
[0046] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the
toilet deodorizing method according to any one of the first to
fourth aspects may further include discharging air treated by the
deodorizing device into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and causing the treated air to circulate.
[0047] According to the toilet deodorizing method, air treated by
using the deodorizing device is discharged into the toilet main
body through the discharge port and is caused to circulate. As a
result, it is possible to cause air to circulate using a drive
device such as one air blower by discharging air into the toilet
main body through the discharge port and suctioning the air in the
toilet main body through the suction port. Accordingly, it is
possible to efficiently perform deodorizing treatment.
[0048] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the
toilet deodorizing method according to any one of the first to
fifth aspects, the lateral swirl flow may be caused to be an air
flow stronger than the traversal flow.
[0049] According to the toilet deodorizing method, when a lateral
swirl flow is caused to be an air flow stronger than the traversal
flow, it is possible to prevent a traversal flow from flowing out
of the toilet main body. As a result, it is possible to prevent an
odor from being diffused and to effectively perform deodorizing
treatment.
[0050] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in
the toilet deodorizing method according to any one of the first to
sixth aspects, the traversal flow may be caused to join the lateral
swirl flow and to be suctioned through the suction port.
[0051] According to the toilet deodorizing method, when a traversal
flow is caused to join a lateral swirl flow and to be suctioned
through the suction port, even if a traversal flow for capturing an
odor in the middle portion of the toilet main body is formed in
addition to the lateral swirl flow, it is possible to send an odor
dragged in by the traversal flow to the suction port together with
the lateral swirl flow and to perform deodorizing treatment
effectively and efficiently.
[0052] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a toilet further includes a deodorizing device
which deodorizes an air in a toilet main body. The deodorizing
device includes a discharge port that discharges air into the
toilet main body, a suction port that sucks air in the toilet main
body, and a deodorizing device that eliminates an odorous component
of air suctioned through the suction port. The deodorizing device
is configured to form a lateral swirl flow of air laterally
swirling along an inner surface of the toilet main body and a
traversal flow of air traversing an inside of the toilet main body,
by discharging air into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and by suctioning air in the toilet main body through the
suction port and to suction air, which flows due to the lateral
swirl flow and the traversal flow, through the suction port.
[0053] According to the toilet, a lateral swirl flow of air
laterally swirling along the inner surface of a rim portion or the
like of the toilet main body is formed by discharging air into the
toilet main body through the discharge port and suctioning air in
the toilet main body through the suction port. Accordingly, it is
possible to attract an odor in the toilet main body, to suction the
odor through the suction port, and to deodorize the odor suctioned
through the suction port by using the deodorizing device.
[0054] Moreover, according to the toilet, in addition to a lateral
swirl flow of air, a traversal flow of air traversing the inside of
the toilet main body is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to
attract an odor staying in a middle portion of the toilet main
body, that is, on an inner side of the lateral swirl flow of air
along with the traversal flow, to suction the odor through the
suction port, and to deodorize the odor suctioned through the
suction port by using the deodorizing device.
[0055] As a result, it is possible to capture an odor more
efficiently and effectively and to deodorize odors during
defecation and after defecation. For example, it is possible to
prevent air in the middle portion of the toilet main body from
being taken upward when a user stands up from a toilet seat and to
prevent an odor from being diffused.
[0056] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the
toilet according to the eighth aspect, an air direction adjusting
member may be provided in the discharge port. Air to be discharged
through the discharge port flows through the air direction
adjusting member, the air direction adjusting member may include a
lateral swirl flow forming portion discharging air toward the inner
surface of the toilet main body and forming the lateral swirl flow
of air laterally swirling along the inner surface of the toilet
main body, and a traversal flow forming portion discharging air
toward an inner side of the toilet main body and forming the
traversal flow of air traversing the inside of the toilet main
body.
[0057] According to the toilet, when the air direction adjusting
member including the lateral swirl flow forming portion and the
traversal flow forming portion is provided in the discharge port,
it is possible to discharge air through one discharge port and to
form a lateral swirl flow of air laterally swirling along the inner
surface of the toilet main body and a traversal flow of air
traversing the inside of the toilet main body at the same time.
[0058] In addition, when the sizes (area ratio or the like) of the
lateral swirl flow forming portion and the traversal flow forming
portion are adjusted, it is possible to freely and easily adjust
the flow ratio of the lateral swirl flow and the traversal flow of
air such that an odor in the toilet main body can be preferably
captured and deodorized.
[0059] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the
toilet according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the deodorizing
device may be configured to form a vertical swirl flow of air
vertically swirling along the inner surface of the toilet main body
by discharging air into the toilet main body through the discharge
port and by suctioning air in the toilet main body through the
suction port.
[0060] According to the toilet, a vertical swirl flow of air
vertically swirling along the inner surface of the toilet main body
is formed by discharging air into the toilet main body through the
discharge port and suctioning air in the toilet main body through
the suction port. Accordingly, it is possible to attract an odor in
the toilet main body, to suction the odor through the suction port,
and to deodorize the odor suctioned through the suction port by
using the deodorizing device.
[0061] Due to a vertical swirl (swirl having a swirl axis directed
in a transverse direction) of air, an odor rising upward from the
toilet main body can be efficiently captured. Accordingly, it is
possible to capture an odor more efficiently and effectively and to
deodorize odors during defecation and after defecation. For
example, it is possible to prevent air in the middle portion of the
toilet main body from being taken upward when a user stands up from
a toilet seat and to prevent an odor from being diffused.
[0062] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in
the toilet according to the eighth to tenth aspects, the
deodorizing device may include a vortex flow generating device at
least the discharge port and the suction port. The deodorizing
device may be configured to form at least the lateral swirl flow
and the traversal flow of air such that at least a part of the air
becomes a vortex flow by the vortex flow generating device.
[0063] According to the toilet, at least a part of the lateral
swirl flow and/or the traversal flow of air formed in the toilet
main body is a vortex flow. As a result, while an ambient odor in a
wide range is dragged in due to the vortex flow, it is possible to
send the odor to the suction port along flows of the lateral swirl
flow and/or the traversal flow of air and to suction the air.
[0064] Accordingly, it is possible to capture an odor in the toilet
main body more efficiently and effectively and to deodorize odors
during defecation and after defecation. For example, it is possible
to more efficiently prevent air in the middle portion of the toilet
main body from being taken upward when a user stands up from a
toilet seat and to more efficiently prevent an odor from being
diffused.
[0065] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a
toilet deodorizing device includes a deodorizing flow channel
through which a suction port and a discharge port are connected to
each other and through which air including an odor flows; a
deodorizer which includes a deodorizing portion that is provided in
the deodorizing flow channel and that deodorizes an odor from air
flowing through; and a bypass passage which is provided in the
deodorizing flow channel and through which air not passing through
the deodorizing portion of the deodorizer passes.
[0066] According to the toilet deodorizing device, most of air to
be flowing into the deodorizing flow channel through the suction
port is deodorized via the deodorizing portion of the deodorizer,
and the remaining part of the air passes through the bypass passage
away from the deodorizing portion, so that air resistance is
reduced. Consequently, the flow speed and the flow rate of air
flowing in through the suction port and passing through the
deodorizing flow channel increase. Therefore, it is possible to
improve deodorizing efficiency.
[0067] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet deodorizing device according to the twelfth aspect,
the bypass passage may be formed on an outer surface of the
deodorizer or inside thereof.
[0068] According to the toilet deodorizing device, when the bypass
passage is formed on the outer surface of the deodorizer or inside
thereof, a bypass passage can be easily installed without widening
the deodorizing flow channel. Therefore, it is possible to increase
the flow speed and the flow rate of air flowing in through the
suction port and to perform efficient deodorizing by using the
deodorizer.
[0069] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet deodorizing device according to the twelfth aspect,
the bypass passage may be formed outside being isolated from the
deodorizer.
[0070] According to the toilet deodorizing device, when the bypass
passage is installed outside being isolated from the deodorizer, it
is possible to increase the flow speed and the flow rate of air
flowing in through the suction port and to perform efficient
deodorizing by using the deodorizer, without deteriorating
deodorizing efficiency of the deodorizer used for deodorizing
air.
[0071] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in
the toilet deodorizing device according to the twelfth or
thirteenth aspect, the deodorizer may include the deodorizing
portion and a cover member covering the deodorizing portion. A part
of the cover member may be cut out such that the part serves as the
bypass passage.
[0072] According to the toilet deodorizing device, the bypass
passage is provided by cutting out the cover member of the
deodorizing portion adsorbing an odor included in air. Therefore,
it is possible to form the bypass passage by using a cutout portion
without damaging the deodorizing portion.
[0073] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in
the toilet deodorizing device according to the fifteenth aspect,
the cover member may be an elastic member with waterproof.
[0074] According to the toilet deodorizing device, due to the
waterproof cover member covering the deodorizing portion, it is
possible to prevent moisture from infiltrating into the deodorizing
portion or the cover member. In addition, no water leak occurs
between a case such as a deodorizing duct protecting the
deodorizer, and the cover member.
[0075] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet deodorizing device according to any one of the
twelfth to sixteenth aspects, the suction port and the discharge
port may be open in a toilet bowl.
[0076] According to the toilet deodorizing device, the suction port
and the discharge port of the deodorizing flow channel are open in
the toilet bowl. Therefore, a stagnant odor in the toilet bowl is
caused to flow in at a high speed together with air through the
suction port and is adsorbed by the deodorizer, and the air is
discharged into the toilet bowl at a high speed, so that a swirl
flow channel is formed in the toilet bowl. As a result, a
high-speed circulation flow channel is formed between the swirl
flow channel and the deodorizing flow channel in the deodorizing
device, and it is possible to efficiently collect an odor and to
carry out ventilation.
[0077] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention,
a toilet includes a deodorizing device which deodorizes an odor in
a toilet bowl having an opening of a toilet main body. The
deodorizing device includes a suction port, a discharge port, a
deodorizing flow channel through which air including an odor flows
by suctioning through the suction port, a deodorizer which is
provided in the deodorizing flow channel and deodorizes the odor
from air flowing through, and an air blower which is provided in
the deodorizing flow channel. While having an upper surface of the
toilet main body as a reference plane, the suction port and the
discharge port are open in the toilet bowl of the toilet main body,
and at least a part of the suction port and the discharge port are
installed on a side lower than the reference plane.
[0078] According to the toilet, while having the upper surface of
the toilet bowl as the reference plane, at least a part of the
suction port and the discharge port is installed on a side lower
than the reference plane. Therefore, the suction port and the
discharge port are installed in the opening of the toilet bowl. As
a result, it is possible to cause an air flow to efficiently
circulate between the deodorizing flow channel of the deodorizing
device and the inside of the opening of the toilet bowl via the
suction port and the discharge port, and it is possible to
efficiently deodorize and collect an odor included in an air flow
by using the deodorizing device.
[0079] The discharge port may be the discharge port of the
deodorizing flow channel and, for example, may be a discharge port
or the like of a different member such as a warm air drying
unit.
[0080] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet according to the eighteenth aspect, the deodorizing
device may be configured to discharge air such that the air flows
into the opening of the toilet main body through the discharge port
in a substantially horizontal manner.
[0081] According to the toilet, when at least a part of the suction
port and the discharge port of air in the deodorizing device is set
to a level equal to or lower the reference plane, it is possible to
regulate discharging air discharged into the toilet bowl through
the discharge port such that the discharging air flows in the
opening of the toilet bowl in a substantially horizontal manner.
Accordingly, an air flow flowing in the toilet bowl is introduced
while its vertical movement is suppressed when flowing into the
suction port.
[0082] According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in
the toilet according to the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, a
concave portion which is positioned in a part facing the opening of
the toilet main body on a side lower than the reference plane may
be formed in the toilet main body. The deodorizing flow channel of
the deodorizing device may be installed in the concave portion and
may be positioned on a side lower than the reference plane, and the
discharge port may be installed on a side lower than the reference
plane.
[0083] According to the toilet, when the deodorizing flow channel
is installed in the concave portion of the toilet bowl, the
deodorizing flow channel can be positioned on a side lower than the
reference plane. Therefore, since an air flow flowing in the
deodorizing flow channel on a side lower than the reference plane
does not vertically move, it is possible to reduce a pressure
loss.
[0084] According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet according to the twentieth aspect, a nozzle unit that
washes a private part may be installed on an upper side of the
deodorizing flow channel.
[0085] According to the toilet, when the deodorizing flow channel
of the deodorizing device is installed on a lower side and the
nozzle unit is arranged above thereof, it is possible to shorten
the deodorizing flow channel and to reduce a pressure loss.
[0086] According to a twenty-second aspect of the present
invention, in the toilet according to any one of the eighteenth to
twenty-first aspects, the suction port may be installed on a side
lower than the reference plane.
[0087] According to the toilet, when the suction port is installed
on a side lower than the reference plane, an air flow which is
discharged through the discharge port and swirls in the toilet bowl
can entangle a stagnant odor in the toilet bowl and can be guided
to the suction port. As a result, it is possible to improve
circulation efficiency of an air flow and deodorizing efficiency of
an odor.
[0088] According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention,
the toilet according to the twentieth aspect may further include a
base in which a convex portion protruding downward is formed and a
concave recess portion is formed on an upper surface of the convex
portion. The deodorizing device may be installed in the concave
recess portion. The convex portion may be fitted in the concave
portion formed in the toilet bowl.
[0089] According to the toilet, when the deodorizing device is
installed in the concave recess portion of the convex portion of
the base protruding downward and the convex portion is fitted in
the concave portion formed in a circumferential edge portion of the
opening of the toilet bowl, it is possible to install the
deodorizing device on a side lower than the reference plane in the
toilet bowl.
[0090] According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present
invention, a toilet includes a deodorizing device which is attached
to a toilet main body, includes a suction port that sucks air into
a deodorizing flow channel formed inside and a discharge port that
discharges air out of the deodorizing flow channel from the
deodorizing flow channel, and is capable of deodorizing an inside
of a toilet bowl of the toilet main body; and a guide portion which
is capable of guiding air above the toilet bowl such that the air
is suctioned through the suction port.
[0091] According to the toilet, when the guide portion is provided,
air above the toilet bowl can be suctioned to the deodorizing flow
channel of the deodorizing device. Therefore, it is possible to
deodorize a space (water closet space) above the toilet bowl.
Accordingly, it is possible to deodorize the inside of the toilet
bowl and to deodorize the water closet space by using the same
deodorizing device.
[0092] According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the guide
portion may be a shutter which is capable of opening and closing
the suction port. The shutter may be capable of guiding the air
above the toilet bowl such that the air is headed for the suction
port in a state where the suction port is open.
[0093] According to the toilet, even though a mechanism for causing
the suction port of the deodorizing device to be directed upward or
a dedicated component for introducing air above the toilet bowl
into the suction port is not provided, it is possible to suction
air above the toilet bowl to the deodorizing flow channel.
[0094] According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention,
the toilet according to the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspect
may further include a seating sensor which detects that a user sits
on a toilet seat attached to the toilet main body. The deodorizing
device may stop being driven when the seating sensor detects that
the user sits on the toilet seat.
[0095] According to the toilet, it is possible to prevent the
deodorizing device from being driven when a user is sitting on the
toilet seat. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a user sitting
on the toilet seat from being in contact with air coming out
through the discharge port.
[0096] According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present
invention, the toilet according to any one of the twenty-fourth to
twenty-sixth aspects may further include an illumination device
which illuminates the inside of the toilet bowl of the toilet main
body. The illumination device may illuminate the inside of the
toilet bowl for a time period during which the deodorizing device
is driven.
[0097] According to the toilet, it is possible to check whether or
not the deodorizing device is driven by visually recognizing
whether or not the inside of the toilet bowl is illuminated.
[0098] According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present
invention, in the toilet according to any one of the twenty-fourth
to twenty-seventh aspects, the deodorizing device may have an ion
generating device releasing ions and air which includes ions
generated by the ion generating device is discharged through the
discharge port.
[0099] According to the toilet, it is possible to not only
deodorize but also to efficiently sterilize the water closet space
by utilizing ions.
[0100] According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention,
the toilet according to the twenty-eighth aspect may further
include a toilet lid which is pivotably attached to the toilet main
body. Air discharged through the discharge port may flow out
through a gap which has a predetermined size and is formed between
the toilet main body and the toilet lid in a state where the toilet
lid is closed.
[0101] According to the toilet, the inside of the toilet bowl can
be efficiently sterilized and deodorized. Furthermore, air for
sterilizing and deodorizing can be released to the water closet
space through the gap which has a predetermined size and is formed
between the toilet main body and the toilet lid. Therefore, it is
possible to efficiently sterilize and deodorize a side surface of
the toilet, the floor on which the toilet is installed, and the
like.
[0102] According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention,
the toilet according to any one of the twenty-fourth to
twenty-eighth aspects may further include a toilet lid which is
pivotably attached to the toilet main body. Air discharged through
the discharge port may be directed upward from in a state where the
toilet lid is opened.
[0103] According to the toilet, it is possible to release air
discharged through the discharge port to a space above the toilet
bowl (water closet space) in a wider range without bringing the air
into contact with the toilet lid.
[0104] According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet according to any one of the twenty-fourth to
twenty-eighth aspects, the toilet may be configured to cause air
discharged through the discharge port to be capable of being
directed toward a region in which air suctioned through the suction
port stays.
[0105] According to the toilet, it is possible to deodorize air
staying in a desired region.
[0106] According to a thirty-second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a toilet deodorizing device which is
attached to a toilet main body and deodorizes air in a toilet bowl
of the toilet main body. The deodorizing device includes a
deodorizing flow channel which is formed such that the air of an
inside of the toilet bowl is suctioned through a suction port that
is open toward the inside of the toilet bowl, the suctioned air is
deodorized, and the deodorized air is discharged into the toilet
bowl or to an outside; and a dust collection filter which is
installed on the suction port side of the deodorizing flow channel.
The dust collection filter is attachable and detachable with
respect to the deodorizing flow channel via a dust collection
filter attaching and detaching port that is open toward the inside
of the toilet bowl. The dust collection filter attaching and
detaching port is capable of being opened and closed by a
shutter.
[0107] According to the toilet deodorizing device, the dust
collection filter attaching and detaching port is able to be opened
and closed by the shutter. Accordingly, a spray in the toilet can
be prevented from entering a dust collection filter installation
part via the dust collection filter attaching and detaching port by
causing the shutter to be in a closed state when a user is using
the toilet. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dust
collection filter from being unclean due to a spray in the toilet
bowl.
[0108] According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet deodorizing device according to the thirty-second
aspect, the dust collection filter may have a handgrip which is
gripped by a user when the dust collection filter is attached and
detached with respect to the deodorizing flow channel. The handgrip
may have a shape for being accommodated in a gap formed between the
dust collection filter attaching and detaching port and the shutter
closing the dust collection filter attaching and detaching
port.
[0109] According to the toilet deodorizing device, a user can
easily attach and detach the dust collection filter with respect to
the deodorizing flow channel by causing the shutter to lie open and
gripping the handgrip of the dust collection filter. In addition,
since the handgrip has a shape for being accommodated in the gap
formed between the dust collection filter attaching and detaching
port and the shutter closing the dust collection filter attaching
and detaching port, it is possible to configure the handgrip not to
interfere with the shutter.
[0110] According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present
invention, in the toilet deodorizing device according to the
thirty-second or thirty-third aspect, the deodorizing flow channel
may have an engagement target portion which is capable of engaging
with an engagement portion formed in the dust collection
filter.
[0111] According to the toilet deodorizing device, when the
engagement target portion engages with the engagement portion, it
is possible to install the dust collection filter in a dust
collection filter attachment part of the deodorizing flow
channel.
[0112] According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention,
in the toilet deodorizing device according to any one of the
thirty-second to thirty-fourth aspects, an attachment direction
with respect to the deodorizing flow channel may be set for the
dust collection filter. The dust collection filter may have a
reverse attachment prevention mechanism that is prevented from
being attached in a reverse direction of the set attachment
direction.
[0113] According to the toilet deodorizing device, it is possible
to attach the dust collection filter to the dust collection filter
attachment part of the deodorizing flow channel in a correct
direction.
[0114] According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention,
the toilet deodorizing device according to any one of the
thirty-second to thirty-fifth aspects may further include an
operation member which maintains the shutter in an open state. When
the shutter is maintained in the open state by the operation
member, the dust collection filter may be attachable and detachable
with respect to the deodorizing flow channel via the dust
collection filter attaching and detaching port.
[0115] According to the toilet deodorizing device, since the
shutter is maintained in an open state by the operation member,
there is no need for a user to hold the shutter to be in the open
state. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach and detach the
dust collection filter with respect to the dust collection filter
attachment part of the deodorizing flow channel.
[0116] According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present
invention, in the toilet deodorizing device according to any one of
the thirty-second to thirty-sixth aspects, the shutter may be
configured to be capable of being open such that an upper side is
open. The dust collection filter may be configured to be attachable
and detachable with respect to the deodorizing flow channel via the
dust collection filter attaching and detaching port in a state
where the shutter is open such that the upper side is open.
[0117] According to the toilet deodorizing device, since the dust
collection filter can be attached and detached through the upper
side of the shutter, it is possible to easily attach and detach the
dust collection filter with respect to the dust collection filter
attachment part of the deodorizing flow channel.
[0118] According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a toilet in which the toilet
deodorizing device according to any one of the thirty-second to
thirty-seventh aspects is provided.
[0119] According to the toilet, the dust collection filter
attaching and detaching port is able to be opened and closed by the
shutter. Accordingly, a spray in the toilet stool can be prevented
from entering the dust collection filter installation part via the
dust collection filter attaching and detaching port by causing the
shutter to be in a closed state when a user is using the toilet
stool. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dust collection
filter from being unclean due to a spray in the toilet bowl.
[0120] According to each of the first to seventh aspects of the
present invention described above, in the toilet deodorizing
method, it is possible to capture an odor more efficiently and
effectively and to deodorize odors during defecation and after
defecation.
[0121] According to each of the eighth to eleventh aspects of the
present invention described above, in the toilet, it is possible to
capture an odor more efficiently and effectively and to deodorize
odors during defecation and after defecation.
[0122] According to each of the twelfth to seventeenth aspects of
the present invention described above, in the toilet deodorizing
device, since the bypass passage is provided in the deodorizer, a
part air including an odor expected to pass through the deodorizer
can flow in the bypass passage, so that air resistance is reduced.
The air flow and the air quantity flowing in the deodorizing flow
channel through the suction port can increase. As a result, it is
possible for the deodorizer to efficiently deodorize an odor.
[0123] Therefore, even if the deodorizer is miniaturized, it is
possible to improve deodorizing efficiency by causing air including
an odor to circulate at a higher speed.
[0124] According to each of the eighteenth to twenty-third aspects
of the present invention described above, in the toilet, at least a
part of the suction port and the discharge port of the deodorizing
device is on a side lower than the reference plane. Therefore, it
is possible to cause an air flow to efficiently circulate between
the deodorizing flow channel from the suction port to the discharge
port of the deodorizing device and the inside of the opening of the
toilet bowl, and it is possible to efficiently deodorize and
collect an odor included in air by using the deodorizing
device.
[0125] According to each of the twenty-fourth to thirty-first
aspects of the present invention described above, in the toilet, it
is possible to deodorize the inside of the toilet bowl and to
deodorize the water closet space by using the same deodorizing
device.
[0126] According to each of the thirty-second to thirty-seventh
aspects of the present invention described above, in the toilet
deodorizing device, it is possible to prevent the dust collection
filter from being unclean due to a spray in the toilet bowl.
[0127] According to the thirty-eighth aspect of the present
invention described above, in the toilet, it is possible to prevent
the dust collection filter from being unclean due to a spray in the
toilet bowl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0128] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toilet according to
an embodiment A1 of the present invention.
[0129] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the toilet and a toilet
deodorizing method according to the embodiment A1 of the present
invention.
[0130] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a discharge port and a
suction port of a deodorizing device of the toilet according to the
embodiment A1 of the present invention.
[0131] FIG. 4 is a view showing the discharge port of the
deodorizing device of the toilet according to the embodiment A1 of
the present invention.
[0132] FIG. 5 is a view showing the toilet deodorizing method
according to the embodiment A1 of the present invention, and the
view shows a state where a lateral swirl flow and a traversal flow
of air are formed in a toilet main body.
[0133] FIG. 6 is a view showing the toilet deodorizing method
according to the embodiment A1 of the present invention, and the
view shows a state where a lateral swirl flow and a traversal flow
of air are formed in the toilet main body.
[0134] FIG. 7 is a view showing the toilet deodorizing method
according to the embodiment A1 of the present invention, and the
view shows a state where a lateral swirl flow and a traversal flow
of air are formed in the toilet main body.
[0135] FIG. 8 is a view showing the toilet deodorizing method
according to the embodiment A1 of the present invention, and the
view shows a state where a lateral swirl flow and a traversal flow
of air are formed in the toilet main body.
[0136] FIG. 9 is a view showing a toilet deodorizing method
according to an embodiment A2 of the present invention, and the
view shows a state where a vertical swirl flow of air is formed in
the toilet main body.
[0137] FIG. 10 is a view showing a toilet deodorizing method
according to an embodiment A3 of the present invention, and the
view shows a state where a vortex flow of air is formed in the
toilet main body.
[0138] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toilet of an embodiment
B1 of the present invention.
[0139] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a state where a toilet lid,
a toilet seat, and a cover of a private part washing device are
removed from the toilet of the embodiment B1 of the present
invention shown in FIG. 11.
[0140] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main section showing a
deodorizing unit and a nozzle unit in the private part washing
device of the embodiment B1 of the present invention shown in FIG.
12.
[0141] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a toilet main body of
the toilet of the embodiment B1 of the present invention.
[0142] FIG. 15A is a front view of a main section of a wide-width
portion excluding an opening portion, and the view shows a suction
port and a discharge port of the wide-width portion of the
deodorizing unit according to the embodiment B1 of the present
invention shown in FIG. 13.
[0143] FIG. 15B is a front view of a main section of the wide-width
portion in which the opening portion is installed, and the view
shows the suction port and the discharge port of the wide-width
portion of the deodorizing unit according to the embodiment B1 of
the present invention shown in FIG. 13.
[0144] FIG. 15C is an enlarged view of the discharge port of the
embodiment B1 of the present invention in FIG. 15B.
[0145] FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of the deodorizing unit
according to the embodiment B1 of the present invention shown in
FIG. 15A.
[0146] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a deodorizing cartridge of
the embodiment B1 of the present invention.
[0147] FIG. 18 is a plan view of a main section of the toilet
showing a circulation flow channel of air including a deodorizing
flow channel in the deodorizing unit and a swirl flow channel in a
toilet bowl according to the embodiment B1 of the present
invention.
[0148] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a toilet according to an
embodiment C1 of the present invention.
[0149] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a state where a toilet lid,
a toilet seat, and a cover of a private part washing device are
removed from the toilet according to the embodiment C1 of the
present invention shown in FIG. 19.
[0150] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a main section showing a
deodorizing unit and a nozzle unit on a base in the private part
washing device of the embodiment C1 of the present invention shown
in FIG. 20.
[0151] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a toilet main body of
the toilet according to the embodiment C1 of the present
invention.
[0152] FIG. 23A is a front view of a main section of a wide-width
portion excluding an opening portion, and the view shows a suction
port and a discharge port of the wide-width portion of the
deodorizing unit of the embodiment C1 of the present invention
shown in FIG. 21.
[0153] FIG. 23B is a front view of a main section of the wide-width
portion in which the opening portion is installed, and the view
shows the suction port and the discharge port of the wide-width
portion of the deodorizing unit of the embodiment C1 of the present
invention shown in FIG. 21.
[0154] FIG. 24 is a plan view of a main section of the deodorizing
unit of the embodiment C1 of the present invention shown in FIG.
23A.
[0155] FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a
deodorizing cartridge and the nozzle unit provided in a concave
recess portion on an upper surface side of a convex portion of the
base which is fitted in a concave portion of a toilet bowl of the
embodiment C1 of the present invention.
[0156] FIG. 26 is a plan view of a main section of the toilet
showing a circulation flow channel of air including a deodorizing
flow channel in the deodorizing unit and a swirl flow channel in
the toilet bowl of the toilet main body of the embodiment C1 of the
present invention.
[0157] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing an example of a toilet
stool according to an embodiment D1 of the present invention.
[0158] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the inside of a
functional section of the embodiment D1 of the present
invention.
[0159] FIG. 29 is a view describing the rear side of a toilet seat
of the embodiment D1 of the present invention.
[0160] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the functional section
in which a shutter of the embodiment D1 of the present invention is
in an upwardly open state.
[0161] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the functional section
in which the shutter of the embodiment D1 of the present invention
is in a downwardly open state.
[0162] FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a
sterilizing/deodorizing device of the embodiment D1 of the present
invention.
[0163] FIG. 33 is a side view showing the toilet stool of the
embodiment D1 of the present invention in a state where the toilet
lid is opened.
[0164] FIG. 34 is a side view showing the toilet stool of the
embodiment D1 of the present invention in a state where the toilet
lid is closed.
[0165] FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing an example of a toilet
stool according to an embodiment E1 of the present invention.
[0166] FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the inside of a
functional section of the embodiment E1 of the present
invention.
[0167] FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a deodorizing flow
channel and a shutter in an upwardly open state of the embodiment
E1 of the present invention.
[0168] FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing the deodorizing flow
channel and the shutter in a downwardly open state of the
embodiment E1 of the present invention.
[0169] FIG. 39 is a view describing a sterilizing/deodorizing
device according to the embodiment E1 of the present invention.
[0170] FIG. 40A is a front view of a dust collection filter of the
embodiment E1 of the present invention.
[0171] FIG. 40B is a side view of the dust collection filter of the
embodiment E1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 40A.
[0172] FIG. 41 is a perspective view describing an installation
position of the dust collection filter of the embodiment E1 of the
present invention.
[0173] FIG. 42 is a view showing a situation where the dust
collection filter of the embodiment E1 of the present invention is
installed in the deodorizing flow channel.
[0174] FIG. 43 is a view showing a situation where the dust
collection filter of the embodiment E1 of the present invention is
reversely installed in the deodorizing flow channel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0175] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, a toilet
deodorizing method and a toilet according to an embodiment A1 of
the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment
A1, a flush toilet will be described as the toilet according to the
present invention, but the toilet according to the present
invention is not necessarily limited to the flush toilet.
[0176] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flush toilet (toilet) 1A of the
present embodiment A1 is configured to include a toilet main body
11, a washing mechanism section 12, and a toilet seat portion
13.
[0177] The washing mechanism section 12 is provided on a rear
portion side of the toilet main body 11. For example, the washing
mechanism section 12 detects an operation of a user conducted by
means of a remote controller and causes washing water to discharge
in the toilet main body 11. The toilet seat portion 13 is
configured by a toilet seat 13a and a toilet lid 13b.
[0178] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the flush toilet 1A
includes a private part washing device 14 for washing a private
part after defecation.
[0179] The toilet main body 11 is formed to include a bowl portion
11a (toilet bowl) and a rim portion 11b.
[0180] The rim portion 11b is provided in an upper portion of the
bowl portion 11a, protrudes to an inner side of the toilet main
body 11, and forms an outer circumferential edge.
[0181] The washing mechanism section 12 is integrally provided on
the rear portion side of the toilet main body 11 in an
attachable/detachable manner and is provided to be accommodated in
a cover case 16. In addition, the washing mechanism section 12
includes a control valve which controls opening and closing of a
washing water flow channel, for example, by means of a remote
controller, and an opening-closing valve such as a magnetic valve.
The washing mechanism section 12 is configured to be capable of
switching between rim water-discharging in which washing water
flows in the rim portion 11b of the toilet main body 11 and jet
water-discharging in which washing water flows in a water sealing
portion 11d of the toilet main body 11, and controlling the
discharging water flow rate, by using the opening-closing
valve.
[0182] The cover case 16 is configured to include a base (base
plate) 16a and a cover (outer shell body) 16b.
[0183] The base 16a is installed on the upper surface of the rear
portion of the toilet main body 11. The cover 16b is assembled in
the base 16a and forms an accommodation space.
[0184] The toilet seat portion 13 configured by the toilet seat 13a
and the toilet lid 13b is connected to the cover case 16 in an
attachable/detachable manner. The toilet seat portion 13 is
provided so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis O1
(upward/downward direction) extending in a transverse direction
T1.
[0185] The private part washing device 14 is provided to be
accommodated in the cover case 16 together with the washing
mechanism section 12. The private part washing device 14 includes
private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 and a shutter 110.
[0186] For example, the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18
advance into the toilet main body 11 in response to an operation
conducted by means of the remote controller. The shutter 110 opens
and closes a nozzle opening portion 19 provided in the cover case
16. The shutter 110 is configured to open the nozzle opening
portion 19 in response to a motion of the private part washing
nozzles 17 and 18 advancing into the toilet main body 11 at the
time of washing a private part and to close the nozzle opening
portion 19 when the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 retreat
into the cover case 16. The shutter 110 is provided in order to
prevent a spray or the like of filth and washing water from
splashing over the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 or
entering the inside.
[0187] According to the present embodiment A1, in the private part
washing device 14 at the time of washing a private part, when the
private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 advance to the inner side of
the toilet main body 11 in response to an operation or the like
conducted by means of the remote controller, tip end portions of
the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 press the rear surface
side of the shutter 110, and the shutter 110 pivots and is then
opened. The private part washing device 14 has a configuration in
which washing water discharges from the tip end portions of the
private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 which have advanced to the
inner side of the toilet main body 11, so that private parts are
washed. The private part washing device 14 has a configuration in
which when the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 retreat after
private parts are washed, the pressed state of the shutter 110 is
canceled, the shutter 110 pivots automatically, and the nozzle
opening portion 19 is closed.
[0188] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the private part
washing device 14 of the present embodiment A1 is configured to
include a nozzle unit 111, a warm water supply unit, and a warm air
drying unit (warm air drying device) 112.
[0189] The nozzle unit 111 is provided in the middle of the base
16a of the cover case 16. The warm water supply unit supplies warm
water for washing a private part to the nozzle unit 111. The warm
air drying unit 112 is provided to dry private parts after washing
by means of warm air.
[0190] In addition, in the present embodiment A1, the private part
washing device 14 includes a deodorizing unit (deodorizing device)
113 which suctions and deodorizes air during defecation and after
defecation.
[0191] The nozzle unit 111 includes a pair of private part washing
nozzles (twin nozzles) 17 and 18, that is, an anus washing nozzle
and a bidet nozzle, and a nozzle cover internally including the
pair of private part washing nozzles 17 and 18. The pair of private
part washing nozzles 17 and 18 of the present embodiment A1 is
gradually inclined downward to the front and is arranged while
having axial directions directed in the same direction and being in
parallel to each other. Each of the private part washing nozzles 17
and 18 includes a discharging hole 116 which is provided in the tip
end portion positioned downward and discharges washing water. Each
of the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 is configured to
cause washing water which has been supplied from the rear end side
and has flowed through the inside to be discharged through the
discharging hole 116 in a predetermined direction.
[0192] In addition, the pair of private part washing nozzles 17 and
18 is individually formed in a substantially cylindrical rod shape.
The pair of private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 is provided in
the middle of a front surface of the base 16a so as to freely move
forward and rearward in the axial direction (forward/rearward
direction T2) with respect to the nozzle opening portion 19. The
pair of private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 individually
advances forward from the nozzle opening portion 19 at the time of
washing, protrudes to the inner side of the toilet main body 11,
and retreats into the nozzle cover and the cover case 16 through
the nozzle opening portion 19 after washing, thereby being held
therein.
[0193] In description of the present embodiment A1, the
forward/rearward direction T2 includes substantially frontward and
rearward directions.
[0194] The warm water supply unit is connected to each of the
private part washing nozzles 17 and 18 of the nozzle unit 111 via
piping. The warm water supply unit is configured to be driven based
on a motion command from a control board and to supply warm water
as washing water, which has been adjusted to a predetermined
temperature, to the private part washing nozzles 17 and 18.
[0195] The warm air drying unit 112 includes a warm air generating
device 112a and a warm air duct 112b. The warm air drying unit 112
is provided to be connected to a discharge port 117 through which
the warm air duct 112b is open alongside the nozzle opening portion
19.
[0196] The warm air generating device 112a includes a fan and a
heater 112c. The fan is provided in the middle of the warm air duct
112b. The heater 112c is provided close to the discharge port 117
side of the fan of the warm air duct 112b. The warm air generating
device 112a has a configuration in which air (outside air)
suctioned by driving the fan flows through the warm air duct 112b,
the outside air is heated to a predetermined temperature by means
of the heater 112c, and the heated air is discharged forward in a
predetermined direction and to a predetermined position through the
discharge port 117.
[0197] Meanwhile, the deodorizing unit 113 of the present
embodiment A1 is configured to include a deodorizing duct 113a, a
fan (air blower) 113b, a deodorizing cartridge (deodorizing device)
113c, and a sterilizing unit.
[0198] The fan 113b is provided in the middle of the deodorizing
duct 113a. The deodorizing cartridge 113c is arranged inside the
deodorizing duct 113a and is arranged closer to the upstream side
of the deodorizing duct 113a than the fan 113b. The sterilizing
unit is arranged closer to a downstream side than the fan 113b.
[0199] The deodorizing duct 113a is provided such that one end on
the upstream side is connected to a suction port 118 which is open
alongside the nozzle opening portion 19 and the other end on the
downstream side is connected to the downstream side of the heater
112c of the warm air duct 112b. That is, in the present embodiment
A1, the downstream side of the warm air duct 112b and the
downstream side of the deodorizing duct 113a serve as a common
passage, and the warm air duct 112b and the deodorizing duct 113a
are configured to share the discharge port 117.
[0200] In addition, a damper 119 for switching passages and
regulating air volume is provided in a connection portion between
the deodorizing duct 113a and the warm air duct 112b. The opening
ratios of the warm air duct 112b and the deodorizing duct 113a are
configured to be capable of being regulated in accordance with a
control angle of the damper 119.
[0201] For example, the deodorizing cartridge 113c includes an
adsorption-type deodorant such as activated carbon and eliminates
an odor included in air passing through by means of the deodorant.
There is no need to particularly limit the deodorant as long as the
deodorant is capable of deodorization. For example, the deodorant
may be a catalyst or a decomposition-type deodorant such as a
photocatalyst which decomposes a substance by emitting a ray of
light such as an ultraviolet ray.
[0202] For example, it is preferable that the sterilizing unit
generates sterilizing ions, suppresses propagation of floating
fungi, performs sterilization, generates positive ions and negative
ions by ionizing air, and inactivating floating fungi by
surrounding the floating fungi due to the positive ions and the
negative ions.
[0203] In addition, in the present embodiment A1, as shown in FIG.
4, an air direction adjusting member 120 is attached to the
discharge port 117 for discharging air which has passed through the
deodorizing duct 113a. The air direction adjusting member 120
divides the discharge port 117 into an upper portion and a lower
portion having a border in a substantial middle in the
upward/downward direction. Furthermore, the air direction adjusting
member 120 is formed to include air direction plates in the upper
portion and the lower portion having directions different from each
other such that air passing through the upper portion and the lower
portion blows in directions different from each other.
[0204] In the air direction adjusting member 120 of the present
embodiment A1, a lateral swirl flow forming portion 121 is provided
in the upper portion and a traversal flow forming portion 122 is
provided in the lower portion.
[0205] The lateral swirl flow forming portion 121 is provided to
cause air discharged through the discharge port 117 to flow
through, to discharge air toward the inner surface of the toilet
main body 11, and to form a lateral swirl flow R1 of air laterally
swirling along an inner surface of the toilet main body 11. The
traversal flow forming portion 122 is provided to discharge air
toward the inner side of the toilet main body 11 and to form a
traversal flow R2 of air traversing the inside of the toilet main
body 11.
[0206] Next, description will be given regarding a deodorizing
method during defecation and after defecation, in the flush toilet
1A of the present embodiment A1 having the configuration described
above. Operational effects of the deodorizing method of the flush
toilet 1A, and the flush toilet 1A of the present embodiment A1
will be described.
[0207] First, when a user sits on a toilet seat, it is detected by
a sensor (detecting device), and a detection signal is sent to a
control device (control means). The control device controls driving
of the fan 113b of the deodorizing unit 113 and controls such that
air in the toilet main body 11 is suctioned through the suction
port 118, odorous components are eliminated and decomposed by the
deodorizing cartridge 113c while the air suctioned through the
suction port 118 flows through the deodorizing duct 113a, and the
treated air is discharged through the discharge port 117.
[0208] As shown in FIG. 4, in the flush toilet 1A of the present
embodiment A1, the air direction adjusting member 120 is provided
in the discharge port 117. In the deodorizing method of the flush
toilet 1A, and the flush toilet 1A of the present embodiment A1,
the air direction adjusting member 120 is configured to discharge
air passing through the lateral swirl flow forming portion 121 on
the upper portion side, toward the rim portion 11b of the toilet
main body 11 and to discharge air passing through the traversal
flow forming portion 122 on the lower portion side, toward a
substantial center of the toilet main body on the inner side above
the water sealing portion 11d of the toilet main body 11.
[0209] The rim portion 11b includes an overhanging portion which is
formed on the upper portion thereof, protrudes to the inner side of
the toilet main body 11, and continuously leads from the rear
portion side of the toilet main body 11 to a front portion side in
an annular state. Therefore, air discharged toward the rim portion
11b of the toilet main body 11 first flows through from the rear
portion side to the front portion side of the toilet main body 11
along one of the right and left sides of the rim portion 11b. The
air flows through from the front portion side to the rear portion
side along the other of the right and left sides and is suctioned
through the suction port 118. Then, the air is treated by the
deodorizing cartridge 113c in the deodorizing duct 113a and is
discharged again through the discharge port 117.
[0210] In this manner, when the lateral swirl flow R1 of a lateral
swirl flowing along the rim portion 11b in an annular state is
formed, an odor generated in the toilet main body 11 is dragged
into the lateral swirl flow R1 and is sequentially subjected to
deodorizing treatment by the deodorizing cartridge 113c. In
addition, since the lateral swirl flow R1 is formed, an odor can be
inhibited from flowing out of the toilet main body 11.
[0211] In addition, in the present embodiment A1, air passing
through the traversal flow forming portion 122 on the lower portion
side of the air direction adjusting member 120 is discharged toward
the inner side of the toilet main body 11. This air flows so as to
traverse the inside surrounded by the lateral swirl flow R1, that
is, the inside of the toilet main body 11 in a substantially linear
manner. Accordingly, the traversal flow R2 joins the lateral swirl
flow R1 while attracting an odor of the inside surrounded by the
lateral swirl flow R1, that is, in a middle part of the toilet main
body 11.
[0212] The lateral swirl flow R1 is formed by air discharged
through the discharge port 117. Accordingly, an odor generated in
the toilet main body 11 is dragged in the lateral swirl flow R1 and
is sequentially subjected to deodorizing treatment. Moreover, an
odor staying in the middle part of the toilet main body 11, in
which dragging force of the lateral swirl flow R1 is weakened, is
dragged into the traversal flow R2, is transferred, is caused to
join and ride on the lateral swirl flow R1, and is able to be
sequentially subjected to deodorizing treatment.
[0213] Thus, in the deodorizing method of the flush toilet 1A, and
the flush toilet 1A of the present embodiment A1, the lateral swirl
flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 can be formed due to air
discharged through the discharge port 117, and an odor in a center
part of the lateral swirl flow R1 of air, that is, in a middle part
of the toilet main body 11 can be transferred by the traversal flow
R2 and can ride on the lateral swirl flow R1. As a result, in the
deodorizing method of the flush toilet 1A, and the flush toilet 1A
of the present embodiment A1, it is possible to restrain an odor
from staying and stagnating in a middle part of the toilet main
body 11 and to efficiently perform deodorization.
[0214] In this manner, since deodorization is performed using both
the lateral swirl flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 and an odor can
be restrained from staying and stagnating in a middle part of the
toilet main body 11, it is possible to prevent an odor in the
toilet main body 11 from rising upward from the toilet main body 11
and being diffused not only during defecation but also when a user
stands up after defecation.
[0215] In addition, since the traversal flow R2 is formed on the
inner side of the lateral swirl flow R1, the traversal flow R2 acts
as a lid, so that an odor in a middle part of the toilet main body
11 can be restrained from rising upward.
[0216] Consequently, according to the deodorizing method of the
flush toilet 1A, and the flush toilet 1A of the present embodiment
A1, it is possible to efficiently and effectively capture an odor
and to effectively deodorize an air during defecation and after
defecation compared to those in the related art.
[0217] In addition, air discharged through the discharge port 117
is suctioned through the suction port 118, is subjected to
deodorizing treatment by the deodorizing cartridge 113c, and is
discharged through the discharge port 117 again, thereby
circulating. Therefore, when treatment is performed using the
deodorizing cartridge 113c, circulating air can be subjected to
deodorizing treatment multiple times. Therefore, odorous components
are not necessarily subjected to deodorizing treatment by using a
high-performance deodorant with high efficiency close to 100%. The
odorous components can be suitably treated through multiple times
of circulation using a low-performance deodorant. Accordingly, it
is possible to achieve cost reduction in the deodorizing unit
113.
[0218] In addition, the air direction adjusting member 120, in
which air passing through the lower portion side is discharged
toward the rim portion 11b of the toilet main body 11 and air
passing through the upper portion side is discharged toward the
inner side of the toilet main body 11 such that the air traverses
the inner side thereof, is provided in one discharge port 117. As a
result, the lateral swirl flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 of air
can be formed.
[0219] That is, since air is discharged through one discharge port
117, the lateral swirl flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 of air can
be formed at the same time.
[0220] Furthermore, for example, it is possible to easily adjust
the flow rate of air discharged through each of the parts in the
upper portion and the lower portion of the air direction adjusting
member 120 by replacing the air direction adjusting member 120 with
an air direction adjusting member 120 in which the sizes (area
ratio or the like) of the lateral swirl flow forming portion 121 in
the upper portion and the traversal flow forming portion 122 in the
lower portion are different from each other. Accordingly, the flow
rates of the lateral swirl flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 can be
easily adjusted. Due to this adjustment, deodorization can be
performed by efficiently forming the lateral swirl flow R1 and
causing the traversal flow R2 to attract an odor in the toilet main
body 11 and to join the lateral swirl flow R1.
[0221] In addition, the air direction adjusting member 120 may be a
variable-type member in which the direction of an adjustment
portion (vane portion) can be changed. In this case, the direction
of discharging air can be suitably changed, so that the lateral
swirl flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 can be formed such that
deodorizing treatment can be effectively performed.
[0222] In addition, in a case of a configuration in which a motion
of a user standing up from the toilet seat is detected, driving of
the fan 113b of the deodorizing unit 113 is controlled by the
control device which has received the detection result, and the
output of the fan 113b is raised as soon as the motion of the user
standing up from the toilet seat is detected, so that stronger
discharging and suctioning of air are performed, it is possible to
more effectively prevent an odor from rising upward from the inside
of the toilet main body 11 and being diffused following the
standing-up motion of a user.
[0223] Furthermore, when an air flow of the lateral swirl flow R1
is caused to be stronger than an air flow of the traversal flow R2,
it is possible to prevent the traversal flow R2 from flowing out of
the toilet main body 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent an
odor from being diffused and to effectively perform deodorizing
treatment.
[0224] In addition, when the traversal flow R2 is caused to join
the lateral swirl flow R1 and to be suctioned through the suction
port 118, even if the traversal flow R2 for capturing an odor in
the middle portion of the toilet main body 11 is formed in addition
to the lateral swirl flow R1, it is possible to send an odor
dragged in by the traversal flow R2 to the suction port 118
together with the lateral swirl flow R1 and to perform deodorizing
treatment effectively and efficiently.
[0225] Hereinabove, the embodiment A1 for the toilet deodorizing
method and the toilet according to the present invention has been
described. However, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment A1 and can be suitably changed within a range not
departing from the gist thereof.
[0226] For example, in the present embodiment A1, the lateral swirl
flow R1 and the traversal flow R2 can be formed through one
discharge port 117 at the same time. However, as shown in FIG. 5,
another discharge port 117 for discharging air and forming the
traversal flow R2 may be separately provided from the discharge
port 117 forming the lateral swirl flow R1.
[0227] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the suction port 118
suctioning the traversal flow R2 may be provided separately from
the suction port 118 for the lateral swirl flow R1.
[0228] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of
discharge ports 117 and/or a plurality of suction ports 118 may be
provided. In addition, a plurality of lateral swirl flows R1 of air
may be formed on the inner side of the toilet main body 11 by
discharging and suctioning air through the plurality of discharge
ports 117 and/or the plurality of suction ports 118.
[0229] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, due to one air flow
(continuous dotted line in the drawing, an air flow indicated with
arrows) formed by discharging and suctioning air through the
plurality of discharge ports 117 and/or the plurality of suction
ports 118, the lateral swirl flow R1 flowing along the inner
surface of the toilet main body 11 and the traversal flow R2
traversing the inner side of the toilet main body 11 may be
sequentially formed. In other words, the present embodiment A1 may
employ a configuration in which one air flow formed by discharging
and suctioning air through the plurality of discharge ports 117
and/or the plurality of suction ports 118 changes from the lateral
swirl flow R1 to the traversal flow R2 and from the traversal flow
R2 to the lateral swirl flow R1.
[0230] Furthermore, positions for providing the discharge port 117
and the suction port 118 are not particularly limited as long as
air in the toilet main body 11 can be suctioned and deodorizing
treatment can be performed. For example, the discharge port 117 and
the suction port 118 may be formed in the toilet main body 11, may
be formed on the front portion side of the toilet main body 11, or
may be formed in the toilet seat 13a or the toilet lid 13b.
[0231] In addition, the inside of the hollow toilet main body 11,
or the inner side of the toilet seat 13a or the toilet lid 13b may
serve as a flow channel for air, and the deodorizing cartridge
(deodorizing device) 113c may be provided inside the hollow toilet
main body 11 or on the inner side of the toilet seat 13a or the
toilet lid 13b.
[0232] In addition, the present embodiment A1 may employ a
configuration in which the plurality of discharge ports 117 or the
plurality of suction ports 118 are provided at predetermined
intervals in a circumferential direction of the hollow toilet main
body 11, the toilet seat 13a, or the toilet lid 13b, such that
deodorization is performed by discharging air to the inner side of
the toilet main body 11 in multiple directions (radial directions
or the like) and suctioning air in multiple directions.
[0233] Furthermore, he present embodiment A1 may employ a
configuration in which an air flow of the lateral swirl flow R1 or
the traversal flow R2 is formed due to suctioning force of
suctioning air through the suction port 118, instead of forming an
air flow of the lateral swirl flow R1 or the traversal flow R2 due
to discharging force of discharging air through the discharge port
117. In addition, as a matter of course, an air flow may be formed
by using both discharging force and suctioning force.
[0234] Even in a case of such a configuration, an odor in the
middle portion of the toilet main body 11 can be efficiently
deodorized, so that it is possible to achieve operational effects
similar to those of the present embodiment A1.
[0235] In addition, a plurality of lateral swirl flows R1 or a
plurality of traversal flows R2 may be formed in an upward/downward
direction T3.
[0236] For example, when a plurality of traversal flows R2 are
formed vertically, an upper traversal flow R2 can capture an odor
which rising upward without being captured by the traversal flow
R2. Accordingly, it is possible to more efficiently prevent an odor
from being diffused. In addition, due to an upper traversal flow R2
acting as a lid, an odor can be efficiently captured by a lower
traversal flow R2 and can be deodorized.
[0237] In addition, the present embodiment A1 has presented an
example in which air circulates such that air discharged through
the discharge port 117 of the deodorizing unit 113 is caused to
swirl, is suctioned through the suction port 118, is subjected to
deodorizing treatment by the deodorizing cartridge 113c, and is
then discharged through the discharge port 117 again. Moreover, the
present embodiment A1 may employ a configuration in which air
discharged through the discharge port 117 of the deodorizing unit
113 is caused to swirl, the lateral swirl flow R1 which has
captured an odor is suctioned through the suction port 118, the air
is subjected to deodorizing treatment by the deodorizing cartridge
113c, and the air is then discharged to the outside. That is, air
does not necessarily have to circulate.
[0238] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a toilet deodorizing method
and a toilet according to an embodiment A2 of the present invention
will be described. Similar to the embodiment A1, the present
embodiment A2 relates to means and a method in which deodorization
is performed by discharging air into a toilet main body through a
discharge port and suctioning air in the toilet main body through a
suction port. Thus, in the present embodiment A2, the same
reference signs are applied to configurations similar to those of
the embodiment A1, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0239] In the embodiment A1, air is discharged through the
discharge port 117 of the deodorizing unit 113, the air is caused
to laterally swirl along the rim portion 11b of the toilet main
body 11, and the air is suctioned through the suction port 118,
thereby circulating. On the other hand, in the flush toilet 1A of
the present embodiment A2, as shown in FIG. 9, air circulates due
to a vertical swirl from the rim portion 11b side to the water
sealing portion 11d side and from the water sealing portion 11d
side to the rim portion 11b side.
[0240] Specifically, in the present embodiment A2, the discharge
port 117 and the suction port 118 are arranged on the rear portion
side of the toilet main body 11. In the present embodiment A2, air
is discharged toward the inner surface of the toilet main body 11
on the front portion side through the discharge port 117, and a
traversal flow of air headed for the front portion side from the
rear portion side is formed on the upper portion side in the toilet
main body 11.
[0241] In addition, for example, an air inducing surface 11c, which
is gradually inclined to the front side toward the lower side from
above and is inclined to the rear side toward the further lower
side in a smoothly connected manner, is formed in an upper portion
on the inner surface of the toilet main body 11 on the front
portion side.
[0242] Accordingly, in the present embodiment A2, a linear flow of
air discharged through the discharge port 117 comes into contact
with the upper portion side of the air inducing surface 11c and
flows downward along the air inducing surface 11c, and air flows on
the lower side in the toilet main body 11 from the front portion
side toward the rear portion side. As soon as the air arrives at
the rear portion side of the toilet main body 11, the air rises
upward and is suctioned through the suction port 118.
[0243] Thus, in the deodorizing method of the flush toilet 1A, and
the flush toilet 1A of the present embodiment A2, a vertical swirl
flow R3 can be formed by discharging air to the inner side of the
toilet main body 11 through the discharge port 117 and suctioning
air in the toilet main body 11 through the suction port 118. It is
possible to deodorize an odor in the toilet main body 11 by forming
the vertical swirl flow R3 of air in this manner. Therefore, in the
deodorizing method of the flush toilet 1A, and the flush toilet 1A
of the present embodiment A2, it is possible to achieve operational
effects similar to those of the deodorizing method of the flush
toilet 1A, and the flush toilet 1A of the embodiment A1.
[0244] In addition, in the present embodiment A2, the vertical
swirl flow R3 of air is formed and a linear flow of air is formed
in an upper side of the toilet main body 11. Accordingly, a linear
flow of the air acts as a lid, so that it is possible to prevent an
odor from rising upward and being diffused from the inside of the
toilet main body 11. In addition, since an odor rising upward from
the inside of the toilet main body 11 can be effectively captured
by a linear flow of air, it is possible to effectively and
efficiently perform deodorization.
[0245] Hereinabove, the embodiment A2 for the toilet deodorizing
method and the toilet according to the present invention has been
described. However, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment A2 and can be suitably changed within a range not
departing from the gist thereof.
[0246] The vertical swirl flow R3 of the present embodiment A2 may
be formed in combination with the configuration disclosed in the
embodiment A1, or by suitably and selectively applying the
configuration of the embodiment A1 and the configuration of a
modification example.
[0247] For example, the number of vertical swirl flows R3, the air
flow direction of the vertical swirl flow R3, the forming position
of the vertical swirl flow R3, and the like are not necessarily
have to be limited to those of the present embodiment A2.
[0248] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a toilet deodorizing method
and a toilet according to an embodiment A3 of the present invention
will be described.
[0249] Similar to the embodiments A1 and A2, the present embodiment
A3 relates to means and a method in which deodorization is
performed by discharging air into a toilet main body through a
discharge port and suctioning air in the toilet main body through a
suction port. Thus, in the present embodiment A3, the same
reference signs are applied to configurations similar to those of
the embodiments A1 and A2, and descriptions thereof are
omitted.
[0250] In the present embodiment A3, disposition and the like of
the discharge port 117 for discharging air and the suction port 118
for suctioning air in the deodorizing unit 113 are similar to those
of the configuration of the embodiment A1, the configuration of the
embodiment A2, and the configurations of modification examples
thereof. In the present embodiment A3, the lateral swirl flow R1,
the traversal flow R2, and a plurality of lateral swirl flows R1
and traversal flows R2 of the embodiment A1, and the vertical swirl
flow R3 of the embodiment A2 are formed by discharging air through
the discharge port 117 and suctioning air into the suction port
118.
[0251] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment A3, as shown in FIG.
10, when the lateral swirl flow R1, the traversal flow R2, the
vertical swirl flow R3, and the like are formed, at least a part
there of includes a vortex flow R4.
[0252] For example, vortex flow generating means such as a tube
including a spiral passage on an inner side is provided in the
discharge port 117 and/or the suction port 118 of the deodorizing
unit 113. That is, when air passes through the vortex flow
generating means, swirling force acts on the air. A lateral vortex
flow R4 having a vortex axis directed in the flow direction
(transverse direction) is formed on the front side in the air flow
direction (discharging direction) through the discharge port 117
and/or is formed on the rear side in the air flow direction
(suctioning direction) through the suction port 118.
[0253] Accordingly, while the lateral vortex flow R4 having the
vortex axis directed in the transverse direction is formed in the
toilet main body 11, air flows as the lateral swirl flow R1, the
traversal flow R2, or the vertical swirl flow R3 of the embodiment
A1 or the embodiment A2. Since the lateral vortex flow R4 is formed
in at least a part of the lateral swirl flow R1, the traversal flow
R2, or the vertical swirl flow R3, an odor in the toilet main body
11 is efficiently is dragged into the lateral vortex flow R4, as
well as the lateral swirl flow R1, the traversal flow R2, and the
vertical swirl flow R3. Accordingly, an odor in the toilet main
body 11 is suctioned through the suction port 118 and is
sequentially subjected to deodorizing treatment.
[0254] Thus, in this case, since an air flow including the lateral
vortex flow R4 flows in the toilet main body 11, many ambient odors
are dragged therein compared to a linear flow, and an odor in the
toilet main body 11 can be efficiently captured. Then, the air flow
is suctioned through the suction port 118 and is treated by the
deodorizing cartridge 113c. Therefore, it is possible to perform
efficient deodorization.
[0255] In addition, for example, an obstacle (vortex flow
generating device) such as a columnar rod is installed in the
discharge port 117 while its axial direction is directed in the
upward/downward direction or the transverse direction (horizontal
direction). When air to be discharged through the discharge port
117 is brought into contact with the obstacle and is discharged
into the toilet main body 11, a Karman vortex (vortex flow R4) is
formed on the downstream side of the obstacle in the air flow
direction. If an obstacle such as a cylindrical rod is formed in
the discharge port while its axial direction is directed in the
upward/downward direction, a Karman vortex of which the vortex axis
is directed in the upward/downward direction is formed. If an
obstacle such as a cylindrical rod is formed in the discharge port
while its axial direction is directed in the transverse direction
(horizontal direction), a Karman vortex of which the vortex axis is
directed in the transverse direction is formed.
[0256] Since an air flow including such a vortex flow R4 (Karman
vortex) flows in the toilet main body 11, many ambient odors are
dragged therein compared to a linear flow, and an odor in the
toilet main body 11 is efficiently captured. Accordingly, the air
flow is suctioned through the suction port 118 and is treated by
the deodorizing cartridge 113c. Therefore, it is possible to
perform efficient deodorization.
[0257] Hereinabove, the embodiment A3 for the toilet deodorizing
method and the toilet according to the present invention has been
described. However, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment A3 and can be suitably changed within a range not
departing from the gist thereof.
[0258] The vortex flow R4 of the present embodiment A3 may be
formed in combination with the configurations disclosed in the
embodiments A1 and A2, or by suitably and selectively applying the
configurations of the embodiments A1 and A2 and the configuration
of the modification example.
[0259] In addition, the present embodiment may employ a
configuration in which an odor is captured by forming the vortex
flow R4 in a part on a side of the discharge port 117 or the
suction port 118.
[0260] Next, a toilet deodorizing device according to an embodiment
B1 of the present invention will be described based on the
accompanying drawings.
[0261] FIGS. 11 to 18 illustrate a deodorizing unit (deodorizing
device) 213 of a toilet 21 according to the embodiment B1 of the
present invention.
[0262] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the flushing-type toilet 21
including a private part washing device 23 of the embodiment B1.
The toilet 21 includes the private part washing device 23 in the
rear portion on the upper surface of a toilet main body 22. The
private part washing device 23 is included in a case 25 housing
various functional components for private part washing, warm air
drying, and deodorizing. A toilet seat 27 and a toilet lid 28
installed on the toilet main body 22 are attached to a cover 26
provided in the case 25 so as to be capable of being individually
opened and closed.
[0263] In FIG. 12, the toilet main body 22 has a toilet bowl 210
receiving filth, and a drain pipe portion (not shown). The drain
pipe portion extends downward from a bottom portion of the toilet
bowl 210. A rim water passage 225, a drop flow channel, and the
like are formed in an upper inner wall in the toilet bowl 210. The
rim water passage 225 is formed in order to generate a swirl flow
of washing water. The drop flow channel is formed in order to form
a flow for dropping a swirl flow toward the drain pipe portion.
[0264] The private part washing device 23 is installed on a base
211 arranged at the rear portion on an upper surface 210b forming
an opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210. The private part washing
device 23 includes a nozzle unit 212, the deodorizing unit 213, a
warm air drying unit 214, and the like. The nozzle unit 212
includes a private part washing nozzle (described below). The
deodorizing unit 213 is provided in order to deodorize an odor
generated in the toilet bowl 210. The warm air drying unit 214 is
provided in order to dry a private part after washing with warm
air. Furthermore, the private part washing device 23 includes a
warm water supply unit 215, a control unit, a power supply board,
and the like. The warm water supply unit 215 is provided in order
to supply warm water to the nozzle unit 212. The control unit is
provided in order to control driving of each of the units.
[0265] In the private part washing device 23 shown in FIGS. 12 and
13, the nozzle unit 212 is installed in the middle of the base 211
on a tip end side facing the opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210.
In the nozzle unit 212, as a pair of private part washing nozzles,
a first washing nozzle 216 and a second washing nozzle 217 are
arranged in parallel and are installed obliquely downward. The
first washing nozzle 216 is a nozzle for anus washing. The second
washing nozzle 217 is a washing nozzle for bidet. Each of the first
and second washing nozzles 216 and 217 has a discharging hole for
discharging washing water, in the tip end portion positioned
below.
[0266] The first and second washing nozzles 216 and 217 are
interlinked with the warm water supply unit 215 installed in the
base 211, via piping. The warm water supply unit 215 selectively
supplies warm water, which has been adjusted to a set temperature,
to the first and second washing nozzles 216 and 217 upon a command
of the control unit (not shown).
[0267] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13, 15A, 15B, and 15C, a
wide-width portion 221 extending downward and having a wide width
is provided in the middle of the base 211 on the front surface
facing the opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210. A pair of opening
portions 218 is provided in the middle of the wide-width portion
221. The first and second washing nozzles 216 and 217 can
respectively protrude forward through the opening portions 218 of
the wide-width portion 221. A suction port 219 for sucking air
including an odor and a discharge port 220 for discharging
deodorized air are formed on both sides of the opening portions 218
in the wide-width portion 221.
[0268] In addition, a shutter 222 that operates an opening-closing
operation over the pair of opening portions 218, and the suction
port 219 and the discharge port 220 on the right and left sides of
the pair of opening portions 218 is provided on the front surface
side of the wide-width portion 221. The shutter 222 exhibits a
substantially rectangular plate shape. The shutter 222 is held such
that its rear surface is pulled to the wide-width portion 221 side
by a spring housed in a tube portion (not shown). The shutter 222
is configured to be pivotable upward and downward by the first
washing nozzle 216 and the second washing nozzle 217.
[0269] That is, in a case where the first washing nozzle 216
protrudes downward, one projection portion (not shown) formed on
the rear surface of the shutter 222 is pushed and the inner surface
of the shutter 222 pivots upward, so that the shutter 222 is in an
upwardly open state. In a case where the second washing nozzle 217
protrudes downward, the other projection portion (not shown) formed
on the rear surface of the shutter 222 is pushed and the inner
surface of the shutter 222 pivots downward, so that the shutter 222
is in a downwardly open state.
[0270] At the time of washing by the first washing nozzle 216, the
second washing nozzle 217 protrudes downward and the shutter 222 is
in a downwardly open state. Then, in a state where the first
washing nozzle 216 has moved forward beyond the shutter 222,
washing is performed by the first washing nozzle 216. In addition,
in a case where washing is performed by the second washing nozzle
217, the second washing nozzle 217 protrudes downward and the
shutter 222 is in a downwardly open state. Furthermore, in a state
where the second washing nozzle 217 has moved forward beyond the
shutter 222, washing is performed.
[0271] In addition, the base 211 for mounting the private part
washing device 23 has a substantially flat plate shape. However, a
convex portion 223 which has a convex curve shape forming a
convexity downward throughout a part from the wide-width portion
221 to the tip end side of the base 211 is formed in the middle of
its tip end side.
[0272] Meanwhile, in the toilet main body 22 shown in FIG. 14, the
upper surface 210b of the toilet bowl 210 has a flat surface shape.
On the upper surface 210b of the toilet bowl 210, an edge part of a
mount portion 210c for mounting the base 211 facing the opening
210a forms a concave portion 224 which is recessed downward by a
predetermined range. When the base 211 is installed on the mount
portion 210c of the toilet bowl 210, the convex portion 223
including the wide-width portion 221 of the base 211 sits on and is
fitted in the concave portion 224.
[0273] In FIGS. 15A to 15C, the mount portion 210c of the toilet
main body 22 is included in the upper surface 210b and forms the
same plane. This plane is indicated as a reference plane 2L called
"ceramic zero surface". In the wide-width portion 221 of the base
211, the pair of opening portions 218 through which the first and
second washing nozzles 216 and 217 penetrate and move forward and
rearward, and the suction port 219 and the discharge port 220 on
both sides thereof are positioned on a side lower than the
reference plane 2L in their entirety or a part of height
portions.
[0274] In addition, in the opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210, the
rim water passage 225 is formed along a lower circumferential
surface of the circumferential edge portion of the upper surface
210b. The rim water passage 225 is a grooved rim-shaped passage
formed to circle around along an inner side surface of the toilet
bowl 210. The rim water passage 225 generates a swirl flow of
washing water for washing the toilet bowl 210.
[0275] In FIGS. 15B and 15C, for example, in the discharge port
220, openings are formed vertically in two rows (or may be formed
in the right/left direction) as an upper discharge port 220a and a
lower discharge port 220b. Ribs 230 are formed in each of the upper
discharge port 220a and the lower discharge port 220b, having
directions different from each other.
[0276] Air discharged through the upper discharge port 220a forms a
swirl flow as a rim-shaped passage along the inner side surface in
the opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210. Air discharged through the
lower discharge port 220b is discharged in a direction obliquely
intersecting the inside of the opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210,
thereby forming a traversal flow. Air discharged through the lower
discharge port 220b joins a swirl flow from the upper discharge
port 220a on the inner side surface of the toilet bowl 210 facing
the discharge port 220. Air directions of a swirl flow and a
traversal flow can be regulated by using the ribs 230 installed in
the upper discharge port 220a and the lower discharge port 220b.
Therefore, the directions of the upper discharge port 220a and the
lower discharge port 220b may be reversely set.
[0277] As shown in FIG. 13, on the convex portion 223 in the middle
of the base 211 on the tip end side, the deodorizing unit 213 is
installed on a side lower than the nozzle unit 212. As shown in
FIG. 16, the deodorizing unit 213 includes a deodorizing duct 226,
a fan 227, a deodorizing cartridge 228, and a sterilizing unit
229.
[0278] The suction port 219 and the discharge port 220 formed in
the wide-width portion 221 are interlinked with each other through
the deodorizing duct 226. For example, the deodorizing duct 226 is
formed to be a deodorizing duct 226 having a substantially U-shape
or a substantially laid U-shape. The fan 227 is provided in the
middle of the deodorizing duct 226 as an air blower. The
deodorizing cartridge 228 is installed on the upstream side of the
fan 227. The sterilizing unit 229 is installed on the downstream
side of the fan 227.
[0279] The deodorizing duct 226 is a passage of an air flow
configuring a deodorizing flow channel. The suction port 219
provided at an upstream end of the deodorizing duct 226 faces the
opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210 and suctions air including an
odor.
[0280] In FIG. 16, as a deodorizer, for example, the deodorizing
cartridge 228 is installed in the middle part of a flow channel of
the deodorizing duct 226 of the deodorizing unit 213. The
deodorizing cartridge 228 is internally equipped with a deodorizing
catalyst and includes a deodorizing portion 231 which eliminates an
odor included in passing air. In the present embodiment B1, as
shown in FIG. 17, the deodorizing cartridge 228 includes the
deodorizing portion 231 and a cover member 232.
[0281] The deodorizing portion 231 is configured by an
adsorption-type deodorant having activated carbon or the like as a
catalyst. The cover member 232 covers an outer circumferential
surface of the deodorizing portion 231 and is formed to be a thin
layer configured by an elastic member, for example, a sponge having
waterproof property and elastic property.
[0282] A suitable shape can be employed for the deodorizing portion
231. For example, the deodorizing portion 231 has a pentagonal
prism shape formed by obliquely cutting off one corner portion of a
quadrangular prism shape and internally houses a deodorant such as
activated carbon. Otherwise, the deodorizing portion 231 may employ
a decomposition-type deodorant as a deodorant of a different type
such as a photocatalyst having a function of decomposing a
substance by emitting an ultraviolet ray. The deodorizing portion
231 has the outer circumferential surface or the inner surface
formed in a meshed state in order to ensure ventilation. For
example, the sponge of the cover member 232 is a closed-cell-type
belt-like member having high waterproof property. The sponge of the
cover member 232 is wound around the side surface of the
deodorizing portion 231.
[0283] Moreover, the deodorizing cartridge 228 has a cutout portion
233 formed by cutting off a part of the cover member 232, for
example, a part of the deodorizing portion 231 on the upper surface
side. Otherwise, the cutout portion 233 may be formed on the side
surface or the bottom surface of the cover member 232. The cutout
portion 233 configures a bypass passage in which inflow air
bypasses the deodorizing portion 231 and flows to the downstream
side. In the present embodiment B1, the cutout portion 233 is
formed by cutting off the cover member 232 such as a sponge along
the air flow direction as much as a predetermined range of the
thickness.
[0284] Therefore, most of air flowing in the deodorizing duct 226
passes through the deodorizing portion 231 and is deodorized by the
deodorizing cartridge 228. Then, a part thereof passes the cover
member 232, and another part thereof passes through the bypass
passage of the cutout portion 233 and flows to the downstream side.
Since a part of air flowing in the deodorizing duct 226 passes
through the bypass passage of the cutout portion 233, ventilation
property of the deodorizing cartridge 228 is improved. As a result,
it is possible to increase the air speed and the air volume of air
flowing in through the suction port 219 and flowing in the
deodorizing duct 226.
[0285] In addition, the sterilizing unit 229 generates sterilizing
ions, suppresses propagation of floating fungi, and performs
sterilization. Specifically, the sterilizing unit 229 ionizes air,
generates positive ions and negative ions, takes in floating fungi
by means of the positive ions and the negative ions, and
inactivates the floating fungi.
[0286] In addition, in the deodorizing duct 226 shown in FIG. 16, a
filter 234 capable of moving forward and rearward is installed on
the upstream side of the deodorizing cartridge 228. The filter 234
is configured to be capable of collecting dust such as foreign
substances, that is, fine particles and the like flowing in
together with air through the suction port 219. The filter 234 is
attachable and detachable through the wide-width portion 221 in a
state where the shutter 222 is removed.
[0287] The deodorizing unit 213 having the deodorizing duct 226
configuring the deodorizing flow channel and the deodorizing
cartridge 228 are installed in the convex portion 223 of the base
211 and is installed on a side lower than the reference plane 2L.
The wide-width portion 221 includes the suction port 219 and the
discharge port 220. The wide-width portion 221 protrudes from the
convex portion 223 in the middle of the base 211 on the tip end
side and faces the inside of the opening 210a of the toilet bowl
210. In addition, the fan 227 and the sterilizing unit 229 are
installed on a side upper than a reference plane 2L.
[0288] In addition, the suction port 219 formed in the wide-width
portion 221 of the base 211 is open to a side lower than the upper
surface 210b of the toilet bowl 210, that is, a side lower than the
reference plane 2L. A part of the discharge port 220 formed in the
wide-width portion 221 of the base 211 is open to a side lower than
the reference plane. It is preferable that at least a part of the
upper discharge port 220a is positioned on a side lower than the
reference plane 2L in the discharge port 220.
[0289] In regard to suctioning of air through the suction port 219
in the deodorizing unit 213, deodorization is performed by
suctioning stagnant air including an odor in the lower portion of
the toilet bowl 210 into the deodorizing duct 226. Air to be
discharged through the discharge port 220 after deodorization is
discharged in a substantially horizontal direction, swirls along
the rim water passage 225 in the toilet bowl 210 and is guided to
the suction port 219 again.
[0290] Therefore, the deodorizing flow channel in the deodorizing
duct 226 and the swirl flow channel of air in the toilet bowl 210
form a circulation flow channel in which air circulates
repetitively. In the private part washing device 23 shown in FIG.
13, the nozzle unit 212 is installed in the upper portions of the
deodorizing duct 226 and the deodorizing cartridge 228 in the
deodorizing unit 213 in an oblique direction.
[0291] In addition, the warm air drying unit 214 is installed at a
position adjacent to the deodorizing unit 213.
[0292] The warm air drying unit 214 includes a warm air generating
device 235 and a warm air duct 238. The warm air generating device
235 includes an air blowing fan 236 and a heater 237. The air
blowing fan 236 is provided on the upstream side of the warm air
duct 238. The heater 237 is arranged in the warm air duct 238. The
warm air duct 238 communicates with a warm air blowing port formed
in the upper portion of the suction port 219 for air formed in the
wide-width portion 221.
[0293] The warm air drying unit 214 has a configuration in which
warm air of the warm air generating device 235 warmed by the heater
237 flows through the warm air duct 238 and is discharged through a
warm air blowing port 241. Accordingly, a private part is dried.
The warm air drying unit 214 may be configured to communicate with
the discharge port 220 of the wide-width portion 221 such that
generated warm air is discharged through thereof.
[0294] The deodorizing unit 213 of the toilet 21 according to the
present embodiment B1 has a configuration as described above. Next,
a deodorizing method performed by the deodorizing unit 213 will be
described.
[0295] At the time of deodorizing the toilet 21, the shutter 222 is
in a downwardly open state by causing the second washing nozzle 217
to protrude downward. Thereafter, the first washing nozzle 216 is
driven to protrude obliquely downward via the opening portions 218
of the wide-width portion 221 so that the first washing nozzle 216
protrudes beyond the shutter 222, and the fan 227 of the
deodorizing unit 213 is driven. In this case, since the shutter 222
is in a downwardly open state in which the inner surface is
directed downward, an air flow including an odor is regulated to
flow in through the suction port 219 without going upward.
[0296] The deodorizing duct 226 and the deodorizing cartridge 228
of the deodorizing unit 213 are installed in the convex portion 223
directed downward from the base 211 and are positioned on a side
lower than the reference plane 2L together with the suction port
219. A part of the discharge port 220 is positioned on a side lower
than the reference plane 2L. In addition, air discharged through
the discharge port 220 due to the driven fan 227 is set such that
the air is discharged in the horizontal direction toward the rim
water passage 225 formed in the upper portion on the inner
surface.
[0297] As shown in FIG. 18, air discharged through the upper
discharge port 220a of the discharge port 220 at the time of
deodorization laterally swirls as a swirl flow along the rim water
passage 225 in the toilet bowl 210 and returns to the private part
washing device 23 side. That is, a swirl flow channel is formed in
the toilet bowl 210 as indicated with the dotted line. Meanwhile,
air discharged through the lower discharge port 220b of the
discharge port 220 is discharged as a traversal flow traversing
toward the middle part in the opening 210a of the toilet bowl 210,
joins a swirl flow from the upper discharge port 220a on the inner
side surface of the toilet bowl 210 facing the discharge port 220,
forms a swirl flow, and is then headed for the suction port 219.
Accordingly, an odor in the toilet bowl 210 can be thoroughly
collected.
[0298] The suction port 219 is positioned in the lower portion of
the reference plane 2L. Therefore, air swirling in the toilet bowl
210 entangles a stagnant odor in the toilet bowl 210 and is
directly guided to the suction port 219. An air flow including an
odor flows in the deodorizing duct 226 due to sucking force of the
fan 227 in the deodorizing unit 213.
[0299] As shown in FIG. 16, most of air flowing in the deodorizing
duct 226 and including an odor flows in the deodorizing portion 231
covered with the cover member 232 in the deodorizing cartridge 228,
so that the odor is adsorbed and the air receives flow resistance.
In addition, a part of the air flows in the bypass passage
configured by the cutout portion 233 of the deodorizing cartridge
228, so that the part of the air flows to the downstream side at a
high speed without receiving flow resistance by the deodorizing
cartridge 228.
[0300] Accordingly, it is possible to increase the air speed of the
entire air flow flowing into the deodorizing duct 226 through the
suction port 219. Therefore, it is possible to increase the
circulation speed of air which can be deodorized by the deodorizing
cartridge 228 in the deodorizing duct 226, and it is also possible
to increase the discharge flow rate of air through the discharge
port 220. As a result, a swirl flow in the rim water passage 225 of
the toilet bowl 210 can also be increased in speed.
[0301] In this manner, the circulation flow speed of air in the
deodorizing duct 226 in the deodorizing unit 213 and the swirl flow
speed in the rim water passage 225 of the toilet bowl 210 can be
increased, an odor can be deodorized faster by the deodorizing
cartridge 228, and the ventilation rate of odors in the toilet 21
and the water closet space around thereof can be improved.
[0302] In a case of deodorizing the entire water closet space, it
is possible to perform deodorization around the toilet 21 by
causing the toilet lid 28 to be in an open state and causing the
shutter 222 to be in an upward open state such that its inner
surface is directed upward.
[0303] As described above, in the deodorizing unit 213 of the
toilet 21 according to the present embodiment B1, since the bypass
passage configured by the cutout portion 233 is formed in a part of
the deodorizing cartridge 228, the flow rate of air flowing in the
suction port 219 and the discharge port 220 increases so that the
air circulates at a high speed. Therefore, it is possible to
improve adsorption efficiency of an odor in the deodorizing
cartridge 228.
[0304] In addition, the air flow speed and the air volume in the
deodorizing duct 226 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to
improve the ventilation efficiency not only in the toilet bowl 210
but also in the water closet space around the toilet bowl 210.
[0305] Furthermore, air resistance of the deodorizing cartridge 228
in the deodorizing unit 213 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible
to efficiently perform deodorization even if the mesh size of the
deodorizing portion 231 is reduced or the deodorizing cartridge 228
is miniaturized.
[0306] In addition, the suction port 219, the discharge port 220,
and the deodorizing duct 226 of the deodorizing unit 213 are
positioned in the concave portion 224 of the toilet bowl 210.
Therefore, it is possible to efficiently collect an odor and to
carry out ventilation by causing a stagnant odor in the toilet bowl
210 to flow in together with air at a high speed through the
suction port 219 and adsorbing the odor by the deodorizing
cartridge 228.
[0307] The deodorizing unit 213 of the toilet 21 according to the
present invention is not limited to the embodiment B1 described
above, and suitable changes, replacements, and the like can be made
within a range not departing from the gist of the present
invention. Hereinafter, modification examples and the like of the
present invention will be described. However, the same reference
signs are used for components, members, and the like which are the
same as or similar to those described in the embodiment B1, and
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0308] For example, in the deodorizing unit 213 described above,
the bypass passage is realized by forming the cutout portion 233
made by cutting off a part of the cover member 232 which covers the
deodorizing portion 231 of the deodorizing cartridge 228. However,
the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For
example, in place of the cutout portion 233 formed in the cover
member 232 of the deodorizing cartridge 228, a tubular or hollow
passage may be formed in the deodorizing portion 231 or the cover
member 232. Otherwise, without cutting off the deodorizing
cartridge 228, a bypass passage for an air flow may be formed
outside the deodorizing cartridge 228 in a manner of being
bifurcated from the deodorizing duct 226 in front of or behind the
deodorizing cartridge 228 and being isolated.
[0309] Even in these cases, the air speed of an air flow in front
of or behind the deodorizing cartridge 228 increases, and the air
flow speed and the flow rate passing through the suction port 219
and the discharge port 220 increase. Therefore, the air flow speed
and the flow rate passing through the inside of the deodorizing
cartridge 228 increase, and efficiency of deodorizing and adsorbing
an odor is improved.
[0310] In the embodiment B1 described above, in the deodorizing
unit 213, the wide-width portion 221 widened downward in width and
the convex portion 223 protruding downward are formed in a middle
portion of the base 211 on the tip end side. The deodorizing duct
226 and the deodorizing cartridge 228 are installed in the convex
portion 223 and are arranged in the concave portion 224 at a level
equal to or lower than the reference plane 2L. On the other hand,
the deodorizing duct 226, and the suction port 219 and the
discharge port 220 interlinked therewith are not necessarily
installed at a level equal to or lower than the reference plane
2L.
[0311] For example, the embodiment B1 may employ a configuration in
which a part of each of the suction port 219, the discharge port
220, the deodorizing duct 226, and the deodorizing cartridge 228 is
installed at a level equal to or lower than the reference plane 2L.
Otherwise, the base 211 may be formed to have a flat plate shape in
its entirety, and the deodorizing unit 213 may be installed on this
base 211, that is, above the reference plane 2L.
[0312] In addition, in the embodiment B1, the deodorizing cartridge
228 is formed with the deodorizing portion 231 and the cover member
232. However, the cover member 232 does not have to be provided in
the deodorizing cartridge 228, and the deodorizing portion 231 may
be directly installed in the deodorizing duct 226 with no gap.
[0313] In the embodiment B1, the discharge port 220 is divided into
the upper discharge port 220a and the lower discharge port 220b, so
that the discharging direction of air is split into two. However,
any one discharge port may be employed. In this case, it is
preferable that air flows along the rim water passage 225.
[0314] The deodorizer is not limited to the deodorizing cartridge
228. It is not necessary to mention that various types of
deodorizers can be installed as a deodorizer such as a
non-cartridge-type deodorizer and a mount-type deodorizer with
respect to the deodorizing duct 226. In addition, the deodorizing
unit 213 configures the deodorizing device.
[0315] In addition, the embodiment B1 may be combined with the
configuration disclosed in at least one of the embodiments A1 to
A3, or the configuration of at least one of the embodiments A1 to
A3 and the configuration of a modification example may be applied
suitably and selectively.
[0316] Next, a deodorizing device of a flushing-type toilet
(toilet) according to an embodiment C1 of the present invention
will be described based on the accompanying drawings.
[0317] FIGS. 19 to 26 illustrate a deodorizing unit 313 as a
deodorizing device of a flushing-type toilet 31 according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0318] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the flushing-type toilet 31
including a private part washing device 33 of the embodiment. The
toilet 31 includes the private part washing device 33 in the rear
portion on the upper surface of a toilet main body 32. The private
part washing device 33 is included in a case 35 housing various
functional components for private part washing, warm air drying,
and deodorizing. A toilet seat 37 and a valve lid 38 installed on
the toilet main body 32 are attached to a cover 36 provided in the
case 35 so as to be capable of being individually opened and
closed.
[0319] In FIG. 20, the toilet main body 32 has a toilet bowl 310
receiving filth, and a drain pipe portion (not shown). The drain
pipe portion extends downward from a bottom portion of the toilet
bowl 310. A rim water passage 325, a drop flow channel, and the
like are formed in an upper inner wall in the toilet bowl 310. The
rim water passage 325 is formed in order to generate a swirl flow
of washing water. The drop flow channel is formed in order to form
a flow for dropping a swirl flow toward the drain pipe portion.
[0320] The private part washing device 33 is installed on a base
311 arranged in the rear portion on an upper surface 310b forming
an opening 310a of the toilet bowl 310. The private part washing
device 33 includes a nozzle unit 312, the deodorizing unit 313, a
warm air drying unit 314, and the like. The nozzle unit 312
includes a private part washing nozzle (described below). The
deodorizing unit 313 is provided in order to deodorize an odor
generated in the toilet bowl 310. The warm air drying unit 314 is
provided in order to dry a private part after washing with warm
air. Furthermore, the private part washing device 33 includes a
warm water supply unit 315, a control unit, a power supply board,
and the like. The warm water supply unit 315 is provided in order
to supply warm water to the nozzle unit 312. The control unit is
provided in order to control driving of each of the units.
[0321] In the private part washing device 33 shown in FIGS. 20 and
21, the nozzle unit 312 is installed in the middle of the base 311
on a tip end side facing the opening 310a of the toilet bowl 310 in
the toilet main body 32. In the nozzle unit 312, as a pair of
private part washing nozzles, a first washing nozzle 316 and a
second washing nozzle 317 are arranged in parallel and are
installed obliquely downward. The first washing nozzle 316 is a
nozzle for anus washing, and the second washing nozzle 317 is a
washing nozzle for bidet. Each of the first and second washing
nozzles 316 and 317 has a discharging hole for discharging washing
water, in the tip end portion positioned below.
[0322] The first and second washing nozzles 316 and 317 are
interlinked with the warm water supply unit 315 installed in the
base 311, via piping. The warm water supply unit 315 selectively
supplies warm water, which has been adjusted to a set temperature,
to the first and second washing nozzles 316 and 317 upon a command
of the control unit (not shown).
[0323] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 21, 23A, and 23B, a
wide-width portion 321 extending downward and having a wide width
is provided in the middle of the base 311 on the front surface
facing the opening 310a of the toilet bowl 310. A pair of opening
portions 318 is provided in the middle of the wide-width portion
321. The first and second washing nozzles 316 and 317 can
respectively protrude forward through the opening portions 318 of
the wide-width portion 321. A suction port 319 for sucking air
including an odor and a discharge port 320 for discharging
deodorized air are formed on both sides of the pair of opening
portions 318 in the wide-width portion 321.
[0324] In addition, a shutter 322 for conducting an opening-closing
operation over the pair of opening portions 318, and the suction
port 319 and the discharge port 320 on the right and left sides of
the pair of opening portions 318 is provided on the front surface
side of the wide-width portion 321 (refer to FIG. 21). The shutter
322 exhibits a substantially rectangular plate shape. The shutter
322 is held such that its rear surface is pulled to the wide-width
portion 321 side by a spring housed in a tube portion (not shown).
The shutter 322 is configured to be pivotable upward and downward
by the first washing nozzle 316 and the second washing nozzle
317.
[0325] That is, in a case where the first washing nozzle 316
protrudes downward, one projection portion (not shown) formed on
the rear surface of the shutter 322 is pushed and the inner surface
of the shutter 322 pivots upward, so that the shutter 322 is in an
upwardly open state. In a case where the second washing nozzle 317
protrudes downward, the other projection portion (not shown) formed
on the rear surface of the shutter 322 is pushed and the inner
surface of the shutter 322 pivots downward, so that the shutter 322
is in a downwardly open state.
[0326] At the time of washing by the first washing nozzle 316, the
second washing nozzle 317 protrudes downward and the shutter 322 is
in a downwardly open state. Then, in a state where the first
washing nozzle 316 has moved forward beyond the shutter 322,
washing is performed by the first washing nozzle 316. In addition,
in a case where washing is performed by the second washing nozzle
317, the second washing nozzle 317 protrudes downward and the
shutter 322 is in a downwardly open state. Furthermore, in a state
where the second washing nozzle 317 has moved forward beyond the
shutter 322, washing is performed.
[0327] In addition, the base 311 for mounting the private part
washing device 33 has a substantially flat plate shape. However, a
convex portion 323 which has a predetermined range and a convex
curve shape forming a convexity downward throughout a part from the
wide-width portion 321 to the tip end side of the base 311 is
formed in the middle of its tip end side. Therefore, a concave
recess portion 323a is formed on the upper surface side of the
convex portion 323.
[0328] Meanwhile, in the toilet main body 32 shown in FIG. 22, the
upper surface 310b of the toilet bowl 310 has a flat surface shape.
On the upper surface 310b of the toilet bowl 310, a concave portion
324, which is recessed downward by a predetermined range, is formed
in a circumferential edge portion of a mount portion 310c for
mounting the base 311 facing the opening 310a. When the base 311 is
installed on the mount portion 310c of the toilet bowl 310, the
convex portion 323 of the base 311 sits on the concave portion 324,
and the concave portion 324 and the convex portion 323 are fitted
together.
[0329] In FIGS. 23A and 23B, the mount portion 310c of the toilet
main body 32 is included in the upper surface 310b and forms the
same plane. This plane is indicated as a reference plane 3L called
"ceramic zero surface". Moreover, in the wide-width portion 321 of
the base 311, the pair of opening portions 318 through which the
first and second washing nozzles 316 and 317 penetrate and move
forward and rearward, and the suction port 319 and the discharge
port 320 on both sides thereof are positioned on a side lower than
the reference plane 3L in their entirety or a part of height
portions.
[0330] FIG. 23A shows the wide-width portion 321 excluding a frame
portion which has the pair of opening portions 318. FIG. 23B shows
a state where the frame portion of the opening portions 318 is
installed in the wide-width portion 321. In the example shown in
FIGS. 23A and 23B, the suction port 319 is at a level equal to or
lower than the reference plane 3L in its entirety, and the
discharge port 320 is at a level equal to or lower than the
reference plane 3L except for a part.
[0331] In addition, in the opening 310a of the toilet bowl 310
shown in FIG. 22, the rim water passage 325 is formed along a lower
circumferential surface of the circumferential edge portion of the
upper surface 310b. The rim water passage 325 is a grooved
rim-shaped passage formed to circle around along an inner side
surface of the toilet bowl 310. The rim water passage 325 generates
a swirl flow of washing water for washing the toilet bowl 310.
[0332] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 25, in the concave recess portion
323a on the upper surface of the convex portion 323 in the middle
of the base 311 on the tip end side, the deodorizing unit 313 is
installed on a side lower than the nozzle unit 312. As shown in
FIG. 24, the deodorizing unit 313 includes a deodorizing duct 326,
a fan 327, a deodorizing cartridge 328, and a sterilizing unit 329.
The suction port 319 and the discharge port 320 formed in the
wide-width portion 321 are interlinked with each other through the
deodorizing duct 326. For example, the deodorizing duct 326 is
formed to have a substantially U-shape or a substantially laid
U-shape. The fan 327 is provided in the middle of the deodorizing
duct 326 as an air blower. The deodorizing cartridge 328 is a
deodorizer and is installed on the upstream side of the fan 327.
The sterilizing unit 329 is installed on the downstream side of the
fan 327.
[0333] The deodorizing duct 326 is a passage of an air flow
configuring a deodorizing flow channel. In the deodorizing duct
326, the suction port 319 provided at its upstream end faces the
opening 310a of the toilet bowl 310 and suctions air including an
odor.
[0334] In FIG. 24, the deodorizing cartridge 328 is installed in
the middle part of the flow channel of the deodorizing duct 326 of
the deodorizing unit 313. The deodorizing cartridge 328 is
internally equipped with the deodorizing catalyst and includes a
deodorizing portion 331 which eliminates an odor included in
passing air. In the present embodiment, the deodorizing cartridge
328 includes the deodorizing portion 331 and a cover member 332.
The deodorizing portion 331 is an adsorption-type deodorant having
activated carbon or the like as a catalyst. The cover member 332
covers an outer circumferential surface of the deodorizing portion
331 and is formed to be a thin layer constituted of a sponge, for
example, having waterproof property and elastic property.
[0335] The deodorizing portion 331 internally houses a deodorant
such as activated carbon. Otherwise, a decomposition-type deodorant
may be employed as a deodorant of a different type such as a
photocatalyst having a function of decomposing a substance by
emitting an ultraviolet ray. The deodorizing portion 331 has the
outer circumferential surface or the inner surface formed in a
meshed state in order to ensure ventilation. For example, the
sponge of the cover member 332 is a closed-cell-type belt-like
member having high waterproof property and is wound around the side
surface of the deodorizing portion 331.
[0336] Moreover, the deodorizing cartridge 328 has a cutout portion
333 formed by cutting off a part of the cover member 332, for
example, a part of the deodorizing portion 331 on the upper surface
side. Otherwise, the cutout portion 333 may be formed on the side
surface or the bottom surface of the cover member 332. The cutout
portion 333 configures a bypass passage in which inflow air
bypasses the deodorizing portion 331 and flows to the downstream
side. The cutout portion 333 is formed by cutting off the cover
member 332 along the air flow direction as much as a predetermined
range of the thickness.
[0337] Therefore, most of air flowing in the deodorizing duct 326
passes through the deodorizing portion 331 and is deodorized by the
deodorizing cartridge 328. Then, a part thereof passes through the
bypass passage of the cutout portion 333 and flows to the
downstream side. Since a part of air flowing in the deodorizing
cartridge 328 passes through the bypass passage of the cutout
portion 333, ventilation property of the deodorizing cartridge 328
is improved. As a result, it is possible to increase the air speed
and the air volume of air flowing in through the suction port 319
and flowing in the deodorizing duct 326.
[0338] Otherwise, the entire quantity of an air flow may pass
through the deodorizing portion 331 or the cover member 332 of the
deodorizing cartridge 328 without providing a bypass passage such
as the cutout portion 333 in the deodorizing cartridge 328.
[0339] In addition, the sterilizing unit 329 generates sterilizing
ions, suppresses propagation of floating fungi, and performs
sterilization. Specifically, the sterilizing unit 329 ionizes air,
generates positive ions and negative ions, takes in floating fungi
by means of the positive ions and the negative ions, and
inactivates the floating fungi.
[0340] In addition, in the deodorizing duct 326 shown in FIG. 24,
an attachable/detachable filter 334 is installed on the upstream
side of the deodorizing cartridge 328. The filter 334 is configured
to be capable of collecting dust such as foreign substances, that
is, fine particles and the like flowing in together with air
through the suction port 319. The filter 334 is attachable and
detachable through the wide-width portion 321 in a state where the
shutter 322 is removed.
[0341] The deodorizing unit 313 having the deodorizing duct 326
configuring the deodorizing flow channel and the deodorizing
cartridge 328 are installed in the concave recess portion 323a on
the upper surface of the convex portion 323 of the base 311 and is
installed on a side lower than the reference plane 3L. The fan 327
and the sterilizing unit 329 are installed on a side upper than the
reference plane 3L.
[0342] In regard to suctioning of air through the suction port 319
in the deodorizing unit 313, deodorization is performed by
suctioning stagnant air including an odor in the lower portion of
the toilet bowl 310 into the deodorizing duct 326. Air to be
discharged through the discharge port 320 is discharged in a
substantially horizontal direction, swirls in a substantially
horizontal direction along the rim water passage 325 in the toilet
bowl 310, and is guided to the suction port 319 again.
[0343] Therefore, the deodorizing flow channel in the deodorizing
duct 326 and the swirl flow channel of air in the toilet bowl 310
form a circulation flow channel in which air circulates
repetitively. In the private part washing device 33 shown in FIGS.
21 and 25, the nozzle unit 312 is installed in the upper portions
of the deodorizing duct 326 and the deodorizing cartridge 328 in
the deodorizing unit 313.
[0344] In FIG. 21, the warm air drying unit 314 is installed at a
position adjacent to the deodorizing unit 313. The warm air drying
unit 314 includes a warm air generating device 335 and the warm air
duct 338. The warm air generating device 335 includes an air
blowing fan 336 and a heater 337. The air blowing fan 336 is
provided on the upstream side of the warm air duct 338. The heater
337 is arranged in the warm air duct 338. The warm air duct 338
communicates with a warm air blowing port 341 formed in the upper
portion of the suction port 319 for air formed in the wide-width
portion 321 (refer to FIG. 23B).
[0345] The warm air drying unit 314 has a configuration in which
warm air of the warm air generating device 335 warmed by the heater
337 flows through the warm air duct 338 and is discharged through
the warm air blowing port 341. Accordingly, a private part is
dried. The warm air drying unit 314 may communicate with the
discharge port 320 such that generated warm air is discharged via
the warm air duct 338. Otherwise, the discharge port 320 may be
formed as a discharge port of the warm air duct 338.
[0346] The deodorizing unit 313 of the toilet 21 according to the
present embodiment C1 has a configuration as described above. Next,
a deodorizing method performed by the deodorizing unit 313 will be
described.
[0347] At the time of deodorizing the toilet 31, the shutter 322 is
in a downwardly open state by causing the second washing nozzle 317
to protrude downward. Thereafter, the first washing nozzle 316 is
driven to protrude obliquely downward via the opening portions 318
of the wide-width portion 321 so that the first washing nozzle 316
protrudes beyond the shutter 322, and the fan 327 of the
deodorizing unit 313 is driven. In this case, since the shutter 322
is in a downwardly open state in which the inner surface is
directed downward, an air flow including an odor is regulated to
flow in through the suction port 319 without going upward.
[0348] The deodorizing duct 326 and the deodorizing cartridge 328
of the deodorizing unit 313 are installed in the concave recess
portion 323a on the upper surface of the convex portion 323 of the
base 311 and are positioned on a side lower than the reference
plane 3L together with the suction port 319. A part of the
discharge port 320 is positioned on a side lower than the reference
plane 3L. Air discharged through the discharge port 320 due to the
driven fan 327 is set such that the air is discharged in the
horizontal direction toward the rim water passage 325 formed in the
upper portion on the inner surface.
[0349] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, air discharged through the
discharge port 320 in the horizontal direction at the time of
deodorization laterally swirls along the rim water passage 325 in
the toilet bowl 310 and returns to the private part washing device
33 side. That is, a swirl flow channel is formed in the toilet bowl
310 as indicated with the dotted line. The suction port 319 is
positioned in the lower portion of the reference plane 3L.
Therefore, air horizontally swirling in the toilet bowl 310
entangles a stagnant odor in the toilet bowl 310 and is directly
guided to the suction port 319 without being displaced in the
upward/downward direction. An air flow including an odor flows in
the deodorizing duct 326 due to sucking force of the fan 327 in the
deodorizing unit 313.
[0350] As shown in FIG. 24, most of air flowing in the deodorizing
duct 326 and including an odor flows in the deodorizing portion 331
covered with the cover member 332 in the deodorizing cartridge 328,
so that the odor is adsorbed. In addition, a part of the air flows
in the bypass passage constituted of the cutout portion 333 of the
deodorizing cartridge 328, so that the part of the air flows to the
downstream side at a high speed without receiving flow resistance
by the deodorizing cartridge 328.
[0351] Accordingly, it is possible to increase the air speed of the
entire air flow flowing into the deodorizing duct 326 through the
suction port 319. Therefore, it is possible to increase the
circulation speed of air which can be deodorized by the deodorizing
cartridge 328 in the deodorizing duct 326, and it is also possible
to increase the discharge flow rate of air through the discharge
port 320. As a result, a swirl flow in the rim water passage 325 in
the toilet bowl 310 can also be increased in speed.
[0352] In a case where the bypass passage of the cutout portion 333
is not provided in the deodorizing cartridge 328, the entire
quantity of an air flow passes through the deodorizing portion 331
or the cover member 332, thereby being deodorized.
[0353] In this manner, the circulation flow speed of air in the
deodorizing duct 326 in the deodorizing unit 313 and the swirl flow
speed along the rim water passage 325 in the toilet bowl 310 can be
increased, an odor can be deodorized faster by the deodorizing
cartridge 328, and the ventilation rate of odors in the toilet 31
and the water closet space around thereof can be improved.
[0354] As described above, in the deodorizing unit 313 of the
toilet 31 according to the present embodiment C1, the deodorizing
duct 326 and the deodorizing cartridge 328 are installed in the
concave recess portion 323a of the convex portion 323 protruding
downward from the base 311 and are positioned on a side lower than
the reference plane 3L. The suction port 319 and a part of the
discharge port 320 are also positioned on a side lower than the
reference plane 3L. Therefore, an air flow discharged through the
discharge port 320 flows out in the horizontal direction and swirls
along the rim water passage 325 in the opening 310a of the toilet
bowl 310. Thus, it is possible to improve the circulation speed and
efficiency of an air flow.
[0355] Moreover, an air flow discharged through the discharge port
320 entangles a stagnant odor in the toilet bowl 310 and is
directly guided to the suction port 319 without being displaced in
the upward/downward direction. Accordingly, a pressure loss of the
air flow can be reduced and performance of suctioning an odor can
be improved.
[0356] An air flow swirling in the toilet bowl 310 along the rim
water passage 325 in the opening 310a efficiently entangles a
stagnant odor in the toilet bowl 310 and flows into the suction
port 319 of the deodorizing unit 313, thereby circulating.
Therefore, an odor in the toilet bowl 310 can be efficiently
collected by the deodorizing cartridge 328, and leakage of an odor
can be reduced.
[0357] Furthermore, in the present embodiment C1, since the
deodorizing duct 326 and the deodorizing cartridge 328 configuring
the deodorizing flow channel of the deodorizing unit 313 is
installed in the concave recess portion 323a of the base 311 and
the convex portion 323 protruding downward is installed in the
concave portion 324 on the upper surface 310b of the toilet bowl
310, the deodorizing flow channel can be shortened. Moreover, since
the nozzle unit 312 is installed on the upper portion of the
deodorizing duct 326, the private part washing device 33 can be
miniature, thereby contributing to space saving.
[0358] In addition, since the bypass passage of the cutout portion
333 is provided in the deodorizing cartridge 328 of the deodorizing
unit 313, the air speed and the air volume in the deodorizing duct
326 can be increased. In this regard as well, deodorizing
efficiency can be improved.
[0359] The flushing-type toilet 31 including the deodorizing unit
313 according to the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment C1 described above, and suitable changes, replacements,
and the like can be made within a range not departing from the gist
of the present invention. Hereinafter, modification examples and
the like of the present invention will be described. However, the
same reference signs are used for components, members, and the like
which are the same as or similar to those described in the
embodiment C1, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0360] For example, in the embodiment C1 described above, a part of
the discharge port 320 provided in the wide-width portion 321 is
installed on a side lower than the reference plane 3L. However,
similar to the suction port 319, its entirety may be positioned on
a side lower than the reference plane 3L. In this case, it is
possible to further horizontally discharge air on the rim water
passage 325 in the toilet bowl 310 through the discharge port 320.
Therefore, discharging air flowing in the circulation flow channel
can more smoothly circulate to the suction port 319.
[0361] Otherwise, a part of each of the deodorizing duct 326, the
deodorizing cartridge 328, and the suction port 319 may be
installed on a side lower than the reference plane 3L. In this case
as well, a part of a discharging air flow of air at the discharge
port 320 or a suctioning air flow of air including an odor at the
suction port 319 is horizontal and the inclined angle of the
remaining part is small. Therefore, it is possible to improve
circulation efficiency of an air flow in the toilet bowl 310 and to
improve suctioning of an odor and deodorizing efficiency, compared
to technologies in the related art.
[0362] In addition, in the embodiment C1 described above, the
discharge port 320 is configured to be a discharge port formed in
the deodorizing flow channel. However, in place thereof, for
example, the discharge port 320 may be configured to be a discharge
port for a different member such as a discharge port of the warm
air duct 338 of the warm air drying unit 314.
[0363] In addition, the embodiment C1 may be combined with the
configuration disclosed in at least one of the embodiments A1 to A3
and B1, or the configuration of at least one of the embodiments A1
to A3 and B1 and the configuration of a modification example may be
applied suitably and selectively.
[0364] Next, a toilet stool according to an embodiment D1 of the
present invention will be described based on FIGS. 27 to 34.
[0365] As shown in FIG. 27, a toilet stool (toilet) 41 according to
the present embodiment D1 is a flushing-type toilet. The toilet
stool 41 includes a toilet main body 42, a functional section 43, a
toilet seat 44, and a toilet lid 45. The toilet main body 42 is
connected to drain piping (not shown) which is installed on a floor
surface 412 of a water closet space 411 and extends downward. The
functional section 43 is attached to the toilet main body 42. The
toilet seat 44 and the toilet lid 45 are pivotably attached to the
toilet main body 42 via the functional section 43.
[0366] As shown in FIG. 28, the functional section 43 indicates
various function devices and various functional components such as
a private part washing device 46, a sterilizing/deodorizing device
(deodorizing device) 47, and an illumination device 48 illuminating
the inside of a toilet bowl 421 of the toilet main body 42; a
control unit (not shown) controlling driving of the various
function devices and the various functional components; an electric
power unit (not shown) supplying electric power to the various
function devices, the various functional components, and the
control unit; and a case 49 accommodating thereof.
[0367] A side on which the functional section 43 of the toilet
stool 41 is provided will be referred to as a rear side in a
forward/rearward direction, and a side on which the toilet seat 44
is provided will be referred to as a front side in the
forward/rearward direction. In addition, the horizontal direction
orthogonal to the forward/rearward direction will be referred to as
a width direction.
[0368] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 29, the toilet seat 44 has a body
portion 441 and four protruding portions 442, 442, and so on (refer
to FIG. 29). The body portion 441 has a predetermined thickness in
a height direction and is formed to have an annular shape in a
plane view in a laid posture when a user sits on (hereinafter, will
be referred to as a laid posture). The four protruding portions 442
protrude downward from a lower surface 441a of the body portion
441. As shown in FIG. 27, in the toilet seat 44, a part in the
vicinity of a rear end portion 441b in a laid posture is attached
to the toilet main body 42 via the functional section 43. The
toilet seat 44 is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis 443
extending in the width direction in the vicinity of the rear end
portion 441b.
[0369] As shown in FIG. 29, the four protruding portions 442 are
arranged in a manner of two each at an interval in the width
direction and two each at an interval in the forward/rearward
direction in a laid posture. As shown in FIG. 27, when the toilet
seat 44 is in a laid posture, the four protruding portions 442,
442, and so on (refer to FIG. 29) abuts on an upper surface 42a of
the toilet main body 42, and a gap d1 having a predetermined size
is formed between the lower surface 441a of the body portion 441
and the upper surface 42a of the toilet main body 42.
[0370] In addition, in the body portion 441, an inclination portion
444 is formed entirely in the width direction on the entire lower
surface 441a in the vicinity of the rear end portion 441b in a laid
posture. The inclination portion 444 is formed on an inclination
surface gradually headed for the upper side toward the rear side. A
horizontal portion 445 (substantially horizontal surface) is formed
on the front side of the inclination portion 444 of the body
portion 441 in a laid posture. The inclination portion 444 and the
horizontal portion 445 are connected to each other at a corner
portion 446.
[0371] As shown in FIG. 27, the toilet lid 45 is formed to have a
shape covering an upper surface 441c and side surfaces 441d of the
body portion 441 of the toilet seat 44 in a laid posture. The state
where the toilet lid 45 covers the toilet seat 44 will be referred
to as a state where the toilet lid 45 is closed, and a state where
the toilet seat 44 is exposed will be referred to as a state where
the toilet lid 45 is opened.
[0372] In the toilet lid 45, a part in the vicinity of a lower end
portion 45a in an opened state (rear end portion in a closed state)
is attached to the rear portion side of the toilet main body 42 via
the functional section 43. The toilet lid 45 is configured to
pivotable about a pivot axis 451 extending in the width direction
in the vicinity of the lower end portion 45a.
[0373] In a state where the toilet lid 45 is closed, the lower end
portion of the toilet lid 45 and the upper surface 42a of the
toilet main body 42 are separated from each other.
[0374] In the present embodiment D1, the toilet lid 45 is
configured to be capable of being manually opened and closed by a
user and to be capable of being automatically opened and closed in
accordance with control of the control unit.
[0375] As shown in FIG. 30, the private part washing device 46 has
a nozzle unit 461, a warm water supply unit 462, and a warm air
drying unit 463. The nozzle unit 461 has a pair of private part
washing nozzles 4611 and 4612. The warm water supply unit 462 is
provided in order to supply warm water to the nozzle unit 461. The
warm air drying unit 463 is driven at the time of warm air
drying.
[0376] The nozzle unit 461 is arranged in a substantial middle
portion of the functional section 43 in the width direction. In the
pair of private part washing nozzles 4611 and 4612, one is
configured to serve as a first nozzle 4611 for anus washing and the
other is configured to serve as a second nozzle 4612 for bidet. The
first nozzle 4611 and the second nozzle 4612 are adjacent to each
other in the width direction. The first nozzle 4611 is arranged on
one side in the width direction and the second nozzle 4612 is
arranged on the other side in the width direction.
[0377] Each of the first nozzle 4611 and the second nozzle 4612 is
formed to have a shape extending in an inclination direction
gradually downward to the front. Each of the first nozzle 4611 and
the second nozzle 4612 is supported by a support portion 4613
provided in the case 49. The first nozzle 4611 and the second
nozzle 4612 are supported by the support portion 4613 so as to be
individually movable forward and rearward in the inclination
direction gradually downward to the front. For example, the support
portion 4613 is configured to include a rack-and-pinion mechanism
and a motor which is connected to a pinion of the rack-and-pinion
mechanism.
[0378] The inclination direction in which the first nozzle 4611 and
the second nozzle 4612 extend and move forward and rearward will be
referred to as a moving direction of the nozzle. In the moving
direction of the nozzle, a side to which the first nozzle 4611 and
the second nozzle 4612 move forward to the front and the lower side
will be referred to as the front side, and a side to which the
first nozzle 4611 and the second nozzle 4612 move rearward to the
rear and the upper side will be referred to as the rear side.
[0379] On a front surface 49a of the case 49, a first
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491a and a second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491b are formed in a
substantial middle portion in the width direction, while being
adjacent to each other in the width direction. The first nozzle
4611 moving forward and rearward passes through the first
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491a. The second nozzle 4612
moving forward and rearward passes through the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491b.
[0380] In addition, a discharge port 491c and a suction port 491d
are formed on the front surface 49a of the case while being
adjacent to one side of the first forward/rearward nozzle movement
port 491a in the width direction. The discharge port 491c is
configured to discharge warm air from the warm air drying unit 463.
The suction port 491d is provided in order to suction air into the
deodorizing flow channel formed in the sterilizing/deodorizing
device 47. A discharge port 491e is formed on the front surface 49a
of the case while being adjacent to the other side of the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491b in the width direction.
The discharge port 491e is configured to discharge air for
performing sterilization and deodorization by the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47. The first forward/rearward
nozzle movement port 491a, the second forward/rearward nozzle
movement port 491b, the discharge port 491c of the warm air drying
unit 463, and the suction port 491d and the discharge port 491e of
the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 are open obliquely downward
from the functional section 43 side to the inside of the toilet
bowl 421.
[0381] On the front surface 49a of the case 49, a region in which
the first forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491a, the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491b, the discharge port 491c
of the warm air drying unit 463, and the suction port 491d and the
discharge port 491e of the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 are
formed will be referred to as an opening forming portion 491.
[0382] A shutter 492 for the opening forming portion 491 switching
between a covered state (refer to FIG. 28) and an exposed state
(refer to FIGS. 30 and 31) is provided on the front surface 49a of
the case 49. The shutter 492 is configured to be capable of opening
and closing the opening forming portion 491 in accordance with any
one of the first nozzle 4611 and the second nozzle 4612 moving
forward and rearward.
[0383] The shutter 492 extends in the width direction and is formed
to have a plate shape having a size to the extent that the opening
forming portion 491 of the case 49 can be blocked. The shutter 492
is supported by a pair of support tools 493 and 493 provided on the
front surface 49a of the case 49. The pair of support tools 493 and
493 is attached to a surface (surface on a side facing the opening
forming portion 491 of the case 49) 492a on the inner side of the
shutter 492 at an interval in the width direction. In the present
embodiment D1, the shutter 492 is attached so as to be attachable
and detachable with respect to the pair of support tools 493 and
493. The pair of support tools 493 and 493 supports the shutter 492
so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis 494 extending in the
width direction in an intermediate portion of the shutter 492 in
the height direction.
[0384] Two protrusion portions 495 and 496 are formed on the
surface 492a on the inner side of the shutter 492. One of the two
protrusion portions 495 and 496 serves as a first protrusion
portion 495 and the other serves as a second protrusion portion
496. The first protrusion portion 495 is formed at a position of
facing the tip end portion of the first nozzle 4611 in a state
where the shutter 492 covers the opening forming portion 491. In
the first protrusion portion 495, the tip end portion is arranged
above a pivot axis 494. The second protrusion portion 496 is formed
at a position of facing the tip end portion of the second nozzle
4612 in a state where the shutter 492 covers the opening forming
portion 491. In the second protrusion portion 496, the tip end
portion is arranged on a side lower than the pivot axis 494.
[0385] In a state where the shutter 492 covers the opening forming
portion 491, when the first nozzle 4611 moves to the front side in
the moving direction of the nozzle, the tip end portion of the
first nozzle 4611 presses the shutter 492 to the front side in a
state of being abutting on the tip end portion of the first
protrusion portion 495 on a side upper than the pivot axis 494.
Accordingly, the shutter 492 pivots about the pivot axis 494. As
shown in FIG. 30, the shutter 492 is in a posture in which a
surface 492a on the inner side is directed in an obliquely upward
direction to the upper side and the rear side, and a surface 492b
on the outer side is directed in an obliquely downward direction to
the lower side and the front side. The shutter 492 in this posture
is in an opened state (upwardly lying open state) where the upper
side is open.
[0386] The shutter 492 in an upwardly open state is arranged below
the first forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491a, the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491b, the discharge port 491c
of the warm air drying unit 463, and the suction port 491d and the
discharge port 491e of the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47.
[0387] On the other hand, in a state where the shutter 492 covers
the opening forming portion 491, when the second nozzle 4612 moves
to the front side in the moving direction of the nozzle, the tip
end portion of the second nozzle 4612 presses the shutter 492 to
the front side in a state of abutting on the tip end portion of the
second protrusion portion 496 on a side lower than the pivot axis
494. Accordingly, the shutter 492 pivots about the pivot axis 494.
As shown in FIG. 31, the shutter 492 is in a posture in which the
surface 492a on the inner side is directed in an obliquely downward
direction to the lower side and the rear side, and the surface 492b
on the outer side is directed in an obliquely upward direction to
the upper side and the front side. The shutter 492 in this posture
is in an opened state (downwardly open state) where the lower side
is open.
[0388] The shutter 492 in a downwardly open state is arranged above
the first forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491a, the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 491b, the discharge port 491c
of the warm air drying unit 463, and the suction port 491d and the
discharge port 491e of the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47.
[0389] In a case where washing is performed by the first nozzle
4611, the second nozzle 4612 moves to the front side in the moving
direction of the nozzle such that the shutter 492 is in a
downwardly open state, and then the first nozzle 4611 moves to the
front side. At this time, the tip end part of the first nozzle 4611
moves forward beyond the shutter 492 from the lower side of the
shutter 492. When the shutter 492 is in a downwardly open state and
the tip end part of the first nozzle 4611 is in a state of being
arranged on the front side of the shutter 492, washing is performed
by the first nozzle 4611.
[0390] In a case where washing is performed by the second nozzle
4612, the second nozzle 4612 moves to the front side in the moving
direction of the nozzle such that the shutter 492 is in a
downwardly open state. Furthermore, the second nozzle 4612 moves
forward in the moving direction of the nozzle. When the shutter 492
is in a downwardly open state and the tip end part of the second
nozzle 4612 is in a state of being arranged on the front side of
the shutter 492, washing is performed by the second nozzle
4612.
[0391] In this manner, washing is performed when the shutter 492 is
in a downwardly open state and the surface 492a on the inner side
of the shutter 492 is in a state of being directed downward.
Therefore, there is a low possibility that a spray generated at the
time of washing adheres to the surface 492a on the inner side of
the shutter 492. As a result, when the shutter 492 is closed after
washing, it is possible to prevent or suppress a spray from
entering the inside of the case 49.
[0392] As shown in FIG. 30, the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47
is arranged so as to surround the nozzle unit 461 of the private
part washing device 46 in a substantial middle portion of the
functional section 43 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 32,
the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 has a duct 471, a
sterilizing/deodorizing fan 472, a deodorizing cartridge 473, and a
sterilizing unit 474. The duct 471 is arranged so as to surround
the nozzle unit 461 (refer to FIG. 30). The fan 472 is provided in
the middle of the duct 471. The deodorizing cartridge 473 is
arranged on the upstream side of the fan 472. The sterilizing unit
474 is provided on the downstream side of the fan 472. The duct 471
configures a deodorizing flow channel of the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47.
[0393] The duct 471 is configured to suck air through the suction
port 491d formed on the front surface 49a of the opening forming
portion 491 of the case 49 and to discharge air, which has passed
through the duct 471, to the outside through the discharge port
491e. In the present embodiment D1, the suction port 491d and the
discharge port 491e are arranged on the upper portion side of the
toilet main body 42 and are open obliquely downward to the inside
of the toilet bowl 421. The duct 471 is configured to suction air
below the suction port 491d and discharge air, which has passed
through the duct 471, to the front side through the discharge port
491e in a substantially horizontal manner.
[0394] When the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 is driven, if the
shutter 492 is in an upwardly open state as shown in FIG. 30, the
shutter 492 is arranged below the suction port 491d. Therefore, air
below the shutter 492 is not suctioned to the duct 471 through the
suction port 491d, and air above the shutter 492 (air above the
toilet bowl 421) is suctioned to the duct 471 through the suction
port 491d.
[0395] In addition, if the shutter 492 is in an upwardly open
state, the shutter 492 is arranged below the discharge port 491e.
Therefore, air 4A2 discharged through the discharge port 491e comes
into contact with the surface 492a on the inner side of the shutter
492 and is guided so as to be headed for the upper side.
Accordingly, in a case where the toilet lid 45 is opened, the air
4A2 discharged through the discharge port 491e is released to a
space above the toilet seat 44.
[0396] In this manner, in an upwardly open state, the shutter 492
configures a guide portion which guides air above the toilet bowl
421 such that the air is introduced to the suction port 491d and
guides air discharged through the discharge port 491e such that the
air is directed upward from the toilet bowl 421. In FIG. 33, the
bowl surface in the toilet bowl 421 is indicated with the dotted
line.
[0397] In addition, the shutter 492 in an upwardly open state is in
a posture in which the surface 492a on the inner side is directed
in an obliquely upward direction to the upper side and the rear
side. Therefore, air above the toilet bowl 421 is likely to be
introduced to the suction port 491d along the surface 492a on the
inner side of the shutter 492, and air discharged through the
discharge port 491e can be efficiently guided so as to be directed
upward from the toilet bowl 421 along the surface 492a on the inner
side of the shutter 492.
[0398] Furthermore, in the present embodiment D1, the surface 492a
on the inner side of the shutter 492 is formed into a curved
surface on which an intermediate portion in the height direction is
recessed to the surface 492b side on the outer side from the upper
end portion and the lower end. Therefore, in the present embodiment
D1, compared to a case where the surface 492a on the inner side of
the shutter 492 is formed into a flat surface, air above the toilet
bowl 421 is more likely to be introduced to the suction port 491d
along the surface 492a on the inner side of the shutter 492, and
air discharged through the discharge port 491e can be more
efficiently guided so as to be directed upward from the toilet bowl
421 along the surface 492a on the inner side of the shutter
492.
[0399] On the other hand, if the shutter 492 is in a downwardly
open state as shown in FIG. 31, the shutter 492 is arranged above
the suction port 491d. Therefore, air in the toilet bowl 421 below
the shutter 492 is suctioned to the duct 471 through the suction
port 491d.
[0400] In addition, if the shutter 492 is in a downwardly open
state, the shutter 492 is arranged above the discharge port 491e.
Therefore, air discharged through the discharge port 491e is
released to the inside of the toilet bowl 421 (refer to FIG. 28) in
a substantially horizontal direction to the front side, without
coming into contact with the shutter 492.
[0401] In this manner, when the shutter 492 is in a downwardly open
state, air in the toilet bowl 421 is suctioned through the suction
port 491d, and air discharged through the discharge port 491e is
released to the inside of the toilet bowl 421.
[0402] In addition, in the present embodiment D1, when the shutter
492 is in a downwardly open state, air in the toilet bowl 421 below
the shutter 492 is more likely to be suctioned through the suction
port 491d than air above the shutter 492, and air discharged
through the discharge port 491e is more likely to be directed
toward the inside of the toilet bowl 421 below the shutter 492 than
that above the shutter 492.
[0403] Air in the toilet bowl 421 may be introduced to the suction
port 491d along the surface 492a on the inner side of the shutter
492 in a downwardly open state, and air discharged through the
discharge port 491e may be directed toward the inside of the toilet
bowl 421 along the surface 492a on the inner side of the shutter
492.
[0404] The deodorizing cartridge 473 is internally equipped with a
deodorizing catalyst and has a function of eliminating an odor
included in air passing through. As the deodorizing cartridge 473,
for example, an adsorption-type deodorant which employs activated
carbon or the like as a catalyst, or a decomposition-type deodorant
such as a photocatalyst which decomposes a substance by emitting a
ray of light such as an ultraviolet is used.
[0405] The sterilizing unit 474 has a function of generating
sterilizing ions, suppressing propagation of floating fungi, and
performing sterilization. Specifically, the sterilizing unit 474
ionizes air, generates positive ions and negative ions, surrounds
floating fungi by means of the positive ions and the negative ions,
and inactivates the floating fungi.
[0406] Such a sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 deodorizes air
suctioned to the duct 471 through the suction port 491d by causing
the air to pass through the deodorizing cartridge 473, generates
positive ions and negative ions by using the sterilizing unit 474,
and discharges the air through the discharge port 491e.
[0407] As shown in FIG. 29, the illumination device 48 has LEDs 481
and 481 serving as a pair of light sources respectively provided on
both sides in the width direction of the opening forming portion
491 on the front surface 49a of the case 49. The pair of LEDs 481
and 481 is arranged at positions such that light can be emitted to
the inclination portion 444 of the body portion 441 of the toilet
seat 44 in a lying state as shown in FIG. 29, the corner portion
446, and the protruding portion 442 formed on the rear portion side
of the toilet seat 44.
[0408] As shown in FIG. 33, the pair of LEDs 481 and 481 is
configured to emit light 4L such that the light 4L comes into
contact with each of the inclination portion 444 of the toilet seat
44 in a lying state, the corner portion 446, and the protruding
portion 442, is reflected so as to be headed for the inside of the
toilet bowl 421, and illuminates the inside of the toilet bowl
421.
[0409] In the present embodiment D1, when the water closet space
411 is sterilized and deodorized by the sterilizing/deodorizing
device 47, the illumination device 48 illuminates the inside of the
toilet bowl 421. In addition, as shown in FIG. 33, since the gap d1
having a predetermined size is formed between the lower surface
441a of the body portion 441 of the toilet seat 44 in a lying state
and the upper surface 42a of the toilet main body 42, light emitted
to the inside of the toilet bowl 421 leaks out through this gap d1.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 34, if the toilet lid 45 is closed,
light which has leaked through the gap d1 between the toilet seat
44 and the upper surface 42a of the toilet main body 42 leaks out
of the toilet stool 41 through a gap d2 having a predetermined size
formed between the toilet lid 45 and the upper surface 42a of the
toilet main body 42. Therefore, even in a state where the toilet
lid 45 is closed, a user can visually recognize light illuminating
the inside of the toilet bowl 421 through the gap d2 between the
toilet lid 45 and the upper surface 42a of the toilet main body
42.
[0410] In addition, first to third sensors (not shown) are provided
in the toilet stool 41 according to the present embodiment D1. The
first sensor detects that a user sits on the toilet seat 44. The
second sensor detects that a user is present in front of the toilet
stool 41. The third sensor detects that the toilet lid 45 is in an
opened state.
[0411] These first to third sensors are each configured to transmit
a detection signal to the control unit. In addition, a timer which
can set a drive starting time and a driving time period of the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 is provided in the toilet stool
41 according to the present embodiment D1.
[0412] Subsequently, a method of sterilizing and deodorizing the
water closet space 411 by the toilet stool 41 according to the
present embodiment D1 will be described.
[0413] Control of performing sterilization and deodorization of the
water closet space 411 will be referred to as control over
sterilizing and deodorizing the water closet space 411, and control
of stopping this control over sterilizing and deodorizing the water
closet space 411 will be referred to as control of stopping
sterilizing and deodorizing the water closet space 411.
[0414] First, when control over sterilizing and deodorizing the
water closet space 411 starts, the LEDs 481 and 481 of the
illumination device 48 are lit, and the inside of the toilet bowl
421 is illuminated.
[0415] Subsequently, the first nozzle 4611 moves forward and the
shutter 492 is in an upwardly open state.
[0416] Subsequently, the fan 472 of the sterilizing/deodorizing
device 47 starts to be driven, and the sterilizing unit 474 starts
to be driven. Accordingly, air suctioned to the duct 471 through
the suction port 491d passes through the deodorizing cartridge 473
and is deodorized, and sterilizing ions generated by the
sterilizing unit 474 are released in the deodorized air. Then, air
which is deodorized and in which sterilizing ions are released is
discharged through the discharge port 491e.
[0417] When the shutter 492 is in an upwardly open state, air above
the toilet bowl 421 is introduced to the suction port 491d, and air
which is discharged through the discharge port 491e and performs
sterilization and deodorization comes into contact with the shutter
492 and is directed upward from the toilet bowl 421.
[0418] At this time, if the toilet lid 45 is in an opened state,
air of the water closet space 411 above the toilet seat 44 is
suctioned to the duct 471 through the suction port 491d. Air
discharged through the discharge port 491e and performs
sterilization and deodorization is released to the water closet
space 411 above the toilet seat 44 through the opening of the body
portion 441 of the toilet seat 44.
[0419] On the other hand, if the toilet lid 45 is in a closed
state, air below the toilet lid 45 is suctioned to the duct 471
through the suction port 491d. Air discharged through the discharge
port 491e and performs sterilization and deodorization is released
to the water closet space 411 through the gap d1 having a
predetermined size formed between the toilet seat 44 and the upper
surface 42a of the toilet main body 42, and the gap d2 having a
predetermined size formed between the toilet lid 45 and the upper
surface 42a of the toilet main body 42.
[0420] If control over sterilizing and deodorizing the water closet
space 411 ends and control of stopping sterilizing and deodorizing
the water closet space 411 starts, the fan 472 of the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 stops being driven, the
sterilizing unit 474 stops being driven, and the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 stops being driven.
[0421] Subsequently, the first nozzle 4611 moves rearward and the
shutter 492 in an upwardly open state is in a closed state.
[0422] Subsequently, the LEDs 481 and 481 of the illumination
device 48 are turned off, and the inside of the toilet bowl 421 is
in a state of not being illuminated.
[0423] Accordingly, sterilization and deodorization of the water
closet space 411 end.
[0424] In a case where the inside of the toilet bowl 421 is
sterilized and deodorized, the shutter 492 is in a downwardly open
state. Accordingly, air in the toilet bowl 421 is introduced to the
suction port 491d, and air which has passed through the duct 471
for performing sterilization and deodorization is discharged to the
inside of the toilet bowl 421 through the discharge port 491e
without coming into contact with the shutter 492. In the present
embodiment D1, in a case where the inside of the toilet bowl 421 is
sterilized and deodorized, the LEDs 481 and 481 of the illumination
device 48 are set not to be lit.
[0425] In addition, in a case where the water closet space 411 is
sterilized and deodorized, compared to a case where the inside of
the toilet bowl 421 is sterilized and deodorized, an output to the
fan 472 is increased, and the suctioning quantity of air to the
duct 471 and the discharging quantity of air from the duct 471 are
increased. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently perform
sterilization and deodorization of the water closet space 411 which
is a space wider than the inside of the toilet bowl 421.
[0426] Subsequently, control of performing the method of
sterilizing and deodorizing the water closet space 411 will be
described.
[0427] In the present embodiment D1, a control unit (not shown) is
configured to be capable of controlling sterilization and
deodorization of the water closet space 411 in one control mode
selected among three control modes, that is, first to third control
modes.
[0428] In the first control mode, when it is recognized by a signal
from a timer that it has become a drive starting time set in
advance, control of driving sterilization and deodorization of the
water closet space 411 starts. When it is recognized that by a
signal from the timer that a predetermined time period set in
advance has elapsed, control of driving sterilization and
deodorization of the water closet space 411 stops. For example, the
drive starting time is set to a time zone in which frequency of use
of the toilet stool 41 is low, such as at night.
[0429] In the first control mode, when any of the first sensor and
the second sensor has detected a user at the drive starting time,
control of driving sterilization and deodorization of the water
closet space 411 does not start. At a time point of a state where
both the first sensor and the second sensor have detected no user,
control of driving sterilization and deodorization of the water
closet space 411 starts. In addition, in the first control mode, at
the drive starting time, when a closed state of the toilet lid 45
is detected by the third sensor, the toilet lid 45 is automatically
in an opened state so that the toilet lid 45 is in a state of being
opened, and then control of driving sterilization and deodorization
of the water closet space 411 starts.
[0430] In the first control mode, during control of driving
sterilization and deodorization of the water closet space 411, when
any of the first sensor and the second sensor has detected a user,
driving of sterilization and deodorization of the water closet
space 411 stops. In addition, in the first control mode, during
control of driving sterilization and deodorization of the water
closet space 411, when a closed state of the toilet lid 45 is
detected by the third sensor, driving of sterilization and
deodorization of the water closet space 411 stops.
[0431] In the second control mode, control of driving sterilization
and deodorization of the water closet space 411 is performed in a
state where the toilet lid 45 is closed. In the second control
mode, control similar to that in the first control mode is
performed except for the opened/closed state of the toilet lid
45.
[0432] Therefore, in the second control mode, at the drive starting
time, when a closed state of the toilet lid 45 cannot be detected
by the third sensor, the toilet lid 45 is automatically in a closed
state, and then control of driving sterilization and deodorization
of the water closet space 411 starts.
[0433] In the second control mode, during control of driving
sterilization and deodorization of the water closet space 411, in a
case of a state where the toilet lid 45 is in an opened state and a
closed state of the toilet lid 45 cannot be detected by the third
sensor, control of driving sterilization and deodorization of the
water closet space 411 may stop or does not have to stop. In
addition, in the second control mode, the shutter 492 may be set to
be in a downwardly open state.
[0434] In the third control mode, a user arbitrarily starts and
stops control of driving sterilization and deodorization of the
water closet space 411. For example, a switch (not shown) for
starting and stopping control of driving sterilization and
deodorization of the water closet space 411 is provided in the
toilet stool 41 or the water closet space 411. When a user operates
this switch, control of driving sterilization and deodorization of
the water closet space 411 starts or stops.
[0435] In the present embodiment D1, control over sterilizing and
deodorizing the inside of the toilet bowl 421 for sterilizing and
deodorizing the inside of the toilet bowl 421 and control of
stopping sterilizing and deodorizing the inside of the toilet bowl
421 are performed similar to control over sterilizing and
deodorizing the water closet space 411 and control of stopping
sterilizing and deodorizing the inside of the toilet bowl 421 in a
time period not overlapping the time period in which control over
sterilizing and deodorizing the water closet space 411 is
performed.
[0436] Next, operations and effects of the toilet stool according
to the present embodiment D1 described above will be described by
using the drawings.
[0437] The toilet stool 41 according to the present embodiment D1
described above is capable of suctioning air in the toilet bowl 421
to the duct 471 of the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 through
the suction port 491d and is capable of causing air which has been
discharged through the discharge port 491e for performing
sterilization and deodorization to be directed toward the inside of
the toilet bowl 421. Accordingly, the inside of the toilet bowl 421
can be sterilized and deodorized. In addition, the toilet stool 41
is capable of suctioning air of the water closet space 411 above
the toilet bowl 421 to the duct 471 of the sterilizing/deodorizing
device 47 through the suction port 491d and is capable of causing
air which has been discharged through the discharge port 491e of
the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 for performing sterilization
and deodorization to be directed upward from the toilet bowl 421.
Accordingly, the water closet space 411 can be sterilized and
deodorized.
[0438] Accordingly, sterilization and deodorization of the inside
of the toilet bowl 421, and sterilization and deodorization of the
water closet space can be performed by using the same
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47.
[0439] In addition, in the toilet stool 41 according to the present
embodiment D1, the shutter 492 capable of opening and closing the
suction port 491d and the discharge port 491e of the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 is provided. When the shutter 492
is in an upwardly open state, air above the toilet bowl 421 is
guided so as to be introduced to the suction port 491d, and air
discharged through the discharge port 491e is guided so as to be
directed upward from the toilet bowl 421. Accordingly, even though
a mechanism for causing the suction port 491d and the discharge
port 491e to be directed upward is not provide in the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47, or even though a dedicated
component for introducing air above the toilet main body 42 to the
suction port 491d or a dedicated component for causing air
discharged through the discharge port 491e to be directed upward is
not provided, the water closet space 411 can be sterilized and
deodorized.
[0440] In addition, in the toilet stool 41 according to the present
embodiment D1, in a state where the toilet lid 45 is closed, air
discharged through the discharge port 491e flows out through the
gap d2 between the toilet lid 45 and the upper surface 42a of the
toilet main body 42. Accordingly, air for performing sterilization
and deodorization can be released to the water closet space 411
through the gap d2 between the toilet lid 45 and the upper surface
42a of the toilet main body 42. As a result, the side surface of
the toilet stool 41 or a floor on which the toilet stool 41 is
installed can be sterilized and deodorized.
[0441] In addition, in the toilet stool 41 according to the present
embodiment D1, in a state where the toilet lid 45 is opened, air
discharged through the discharge port 491e is directed upward from
the toilet bowl 421. Accordingly, air for performing sterilization
and deodorization can be released to a space above the toilet bowl
421 in a wider range, without coming into contact with the toilet
lid 45.
[0442] In addition, in the toilet stool 41 according to the present
embodiment D1, a seating sensor which detects that a user sits on
the toilet seat 44 is provided. When the seating sensor detects
that a user sits on the toilet seat 44, the sterilizing/deodorizing
device 47 stops being driven. Accordingly, it is possible to
prevent a user sitting on the toilet seat 44 from being in contact
with air for performing sterilization and deodorization.
[0443] In addition, in the toilet stool 41 according to the present
embodiment D1, the illumination device 48 which illuminates the
inside of the toilet bowl 421 is provided. In a time period during
which the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 is driven, the
illumination device 48 illuminates the inside of the toilet bowl
421. Accordingly, a user can check for whether or not the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 is driven, by visually
recognizing whether or not the inside of the toilet bowl 421 is
illuminated.
[0444] In addition, the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 has an
ion generating device for releasing ions and discharges air
including ions generated by the ion generating device, through the
discharge port 491e. Accordingly, the water closet space 411 can be
efficiently sterilized by utilizing ions.
[0445] Hereinabove, the embodiment D 1 for the toilet stool
according to the present invention has been described. However, the
present invention is not limited to the embodiment D1 and can be
suitably changed within a range not departing from the gist
thereof.
[0446] For example, in the embodiment D1, the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 which performs sterilization and
deodorization is provided. However, in place of the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47, a deodorizing device performing
only deodorization may be performed.
[0447] In addition, in the embodiment D1, the water closet space
411 can be sterilized and deodorized in both an opened state and a
closed state of the toilet lid 45. However, the embodiment may be
configured to sterilize and deodorize the water closet space 411 in
any one of the states.
[0448] In addition, in the embodiment D1, the toilet lid 45 is
provided in the toilet stool 41. However, when no toilet lid 45 is
provided and the water closet space 411 is sterilized and
deodorized, the embodiment may be configured to release air to a
space above the toilet main body 42.
[0449] In addition, in the embodiment D1, the shutter 492
configures the guide portion which guides air above the toilet bowl
421 such that the air is suctioned through the suction port 491d.
However, the guide portion may be configured by using a mechanism
or a member other than the shutter 492. For example, a mechanism
for switching the suction port 491d to be opened to the upper side,
or a member such as a louver for guiding air above the toilet bowl
421 to be suctioned to the suction port 491d may configure the
guide portion. In addition, the form of the shutter 492 may be a
form other than those described above.
[0450] In addition, a region in which air suctioned through the
suction port 491d stays or a direction in which air discharged
through the discharge port 491e is directed may be suitably set as
long as the suction port 491d can suction air above the toilet bowl
421.
[0451] In addition, in the embodiment D1, the first to third
sensors are provided. However, these do not have to be provided,
and any one or two thereof may be provided. In addition, without
taking detection of these sensors into consideration, the
embodiment may be configured to sterilize and deodorize the water
closet space 411.
[0452] In addition, in the embodiment D1, the illumination device
48 which illuminates the inside of the toilet bowl 421 is provided.
However, the illumination device 48 does not have to be provided.
In addition, when the water closet space 411 is sterilized and
deodorized, the inside of the toilet bowl 421 does not have to be
illuminated by the illumination device 48. In addition, the form of
the illumination device 48 may be a form other than those described
above.
[0453] In addition, in the embodiment D1, the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 has the sterilizing unit 474
which generates ions for performing sterilization, and
sterilization is performed by air in which ions are released.
However, the embodiment may be configured to perform sterilization
by a method other those described above. In addition, the form of
the sterilizing/deodorizing device 47 may be a form other than
those described above.
[0454] In addition, the embodiment D1 may be combined with the
configuration disclosed in at least one of the embodiments A1 to
A3, B1, and C1, or the configuration of at least one of the
embodiments A1 to A3, B1, and C1 and the configuration of a
modification example may be applied suitably and selectively.
[0455] Next, a deodorizing device and a toilet stool according to
an embodiment E1 of the present invention will be described based
on FIGS. 35 to 44.
[0456] As shown in FIG. 35, a toilet stool (toilet) 51 according to
the present embodiment E1 is a flushing-type toilet. The toilet
stool 51 has a toilet main body 52, a functional section 53, a
toilet seat 54, and a toilet lid 55. The toilet main body 52 is
connected to drain piping (not shown) which is installed on a floor
surface 512 of a water closet space 511 and extends downward. The
functional section 53 is attached to the toilet main body 52. The
toilet seat 54 and the toilet lid 55 are pivotably attached to the
toilet main body 52 via the functional section 53.
[0457] As shown in FIG. 36, the functional section 53 indicates
various function devices and various functional components such as
a private part washing device 56, a sterilizing/deodorizing device
(deodorizing device) 57 sterilizing and deodorizing air in a toilet
bowl 521 of the toilet main body 52, and an illumination device 58
illuminating the inside of the toilet bowl 521; a control unit (not
shown) controlling driving of the various function devices and the
various functional components; an electric power unit (not shown)
supplying electric power to the various function devices, the
various functional components, and the control unit; and a case 59
accommodating thereof.
[0458] A side on which the functional section 53 of the toilet
stool 51 is provided will be referred to as a rear side in the
forward/rearward direction, and a side on which the toilet seat 54
is provided will be referred to as a front side in the
forward/rearward direction. In addition, the horizontal direction
orthogonal to the forward/rearward direction will be referred to as
the width direction.
[0459] As shown in FIG. 37, the private part washing device 56 has
a nozzle unit 561, a warm water supply unit 562, and a warm air
drying unit 563. The nozzle unit 561 has a pair of private part
washing nozzles 5611 and 5612. The warm water supply unit 562 is
provided in order to supply warm water to the nozzle unit 561. The
warm air drying unit 563 is driven at the time of warm air
drying.
[0460] The nozzle unit 561 is arranged in a substantial middle
portion of the functional section 53 in the width direction. In the
pair of private part washing nozzles 5611 and 5612, one is
configured to serve as a first nozzle 5611 for anus washing and the
other is configured to serve as a second nozzle 5612 for bidet. The
first nozzle 5611 and the second nozzle 5612 are adjacent to each
other in the width direction. The first nozzle 5611 is arranged on
one side in the width direction and the second nozzle 5612 is
arranged on the other side in the width direction.
[0461] Each of the first nozzle 5611 and the second nozzle 5612 is
formed to have a shape extending in the inclination direction
gradually downward to the front. Each of the first nozzle 5611 and
the second nozzle 5612 is supported by a support portion 5613
provided in the case 59 so as to be individually movable forward
and rearward in the inclination direction gradually downward. For
example, the support portion 5613 is configured to include a
rack-and-pinion mechanism and a motor which is connected to a
pinion of the rack-and-pinion mechanism.
[0462] The inclination direction in which the first nozzle 5611 and
the second nozzle 5612 extend and move forward and rearward will be
referred to as the moving direction of the nozzle. In the moving
direction of the nozzle, a side to which the first nozzle 5611 and
the second nozzle 5612 move forward to the front and the lower side
will be referred to as the front side, and a side to which the
first nozzle 5611 and the second nozzle 5612 move rearward to the
rear and the upper side will be referred to as the rear side.
[0463] On a front surface 59a of the case 59, a first
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591a and a second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591b are formed in a
substantial middle portion in the width direction, while being
adjacent to each other in the width direction. The first
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591a moving forward and
rearward passes through the first nozzle 5611. The second nozzle
5612 moving forward and rearward passes through the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591b.
[0464] In addition, a dust collection filter attaching and
detaching port 591f for attaching and detaching a dust collection
filter 575 of the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 is formed on
the front surface 59a of the case while being adjacent to one side
of the first forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591a in the
width direction. On the front surface 59a of the case, a discharge
port 591c discharging warm air from the warm air drying unit 563
while being adjacent to further one side of the dust collection
filter attaching and detaching port 591f in the width direction,
and a suction port 591d for suctioning air in the toilet bowl 521
(refer to FIG. 36) to the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 are
formed. A discharge port 591e discharging air for
sterilizing/deodorizing from the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57
is formed on the front surface 59a of the case while being adjacent
to the other side of the second forward/rearward nozzle movement
port 591b in the width direction.
[0465] The dust collection filter attaching and detaching port
591f, the first forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591a, the
second forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591b, the discharge
port 591c of the warm air drying unit 563, and the suction port
591d and the discharge port 591e of the sterilizing/deodorizing
device 57 are open obliquely downward from the functional section
53 side to the inside of the toilet bowl 521.
[0466] On the front surface 59a of the case 59, a region in which
the dust collection filter attaching and detaching port 591f, the
first forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591a, the second
forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591b, the discharge port 591c
of the warm air drying unit 563, and the suction port 591d and the
discharge port 591e of the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 are
formed will be referred to as an opening forming portion 591.
[0467] A shutter 592 for the opening forming portion 591 switching
between a covered state (refer to FIG. 36) and an exposed state
(refer to FIGS. 37 and 38) is provided on the front surface 59a of
the case 59. The shutter 592 is configured to be capable of opening
and closing the opening forming portion 591 in accordance with any
one of the first nozzle 5611 and the second nozzle 5612 moving
forward and rearward.
[0468] The shutter 592 extends in the width direction and is formed
to have a plate shape having a size to the extent that the opening
forming portion 591 of the case 59 can be blocked. The shutter 592
is supported by a pair of support tools 593 and 593 provided on the
front surface 59a of the case 59. The pair of support tools 593 and
593 is attached to a surface (surface on a side facing the opening
forming portion 591 of the case 59) 592a on the inner side of the
shutter 592 at an interval in the width direction. In the present
embodiment E1, the shutter 592 is attached so as to be attachable
and detachable with respect to the pair of support tools 593 and
593. The pair of support tools 593 and 593 supports the shutter 592
so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis 594 extending in the
width direction in an intermediate portion of the shutter 592 in
the height direction.
[0469] Two projection portions 595 and 596 are formed on the
surface 592a on the inner side of the shutter 592. One of the two
projection portions 595 and 596 serves as a first protrusion
portion 595 and the other serves as a second protrusion portion
596. The first protrusion portion 595 is formed at a position of
facing the tip end portion of the first nozzle 5611 in a state
where the shutter 592 covers the opening forming portion 591. In
the first protrusion portion 595, the tip end portion is arranged
above a pivot axis 594. In addition, the second protrusion portion
596 is formed at a position of facing the tip end portion of the
second nozzle 5612 in a state where the shutter 592 covers the
opening forming portion 591. In the second protrusion portion 596,
the tip end portion is arranged on a side lower than the pivot axis
594.
[0470] In a state where the shutter 592 covers the opening forming
portion 591, when the first nozzle 5611 moves to the front side in
the moving direction of the nozzle, the tip end portion of the
first nozzle 5611 presses the shutter 592 to the front side in a
state of abutting on the tip end portion of the first protrusion
portion 595 on a side upper than the pivot axis 594. Accordingly,
as shown in FIG. 37, the shutter 592 is in an opened state
(upwardly open state) in which the shutter 592 pivots about the
pivot axis 594 and the upper side is open such that the surface
592a on the inner side is directed to the upper side and a surface
592b on the outer side is directed to the lower side.
[0471] On the other hand, in a state where the shutter 592 covers
the opening forming portion 591, when the second nozzle 5612 moves
to the front side in the moving direction of the nozzle, the tip
end portion of the second nozzle 5612 presses the shutter 592 to
the front side in a state of abutting on the tip end portion of the
second protrusion portion 596 on a side lower than the pivot axis
594. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 38, the shutter 592 is in an
opened state (downwardly lying open state) in which the shutter 592
pivots about the pivot axis 594 and the lower side is open such
that the surface 592a on the inner side is directed to the lower
side and the surface 592b on the outer side is directed to the
upper side.
[0472] The first nozzle 5611 and the second nozzle 5612 have a
function of washing a private part and also play a role as an
operation member which maintains the shutter 592 in an upwardly
open state or a downwardly open state.
[0473] In a case where washing is performed by the first nozzle
5611, the second nozzle 5612 moves to the front side in the moving
direction of the nozzle such that the shutter 592 is in a
downwardly open state, and then the first nozzle 5611 moves to the
front side. At this time, the tip end part of the first nozzle 5611
moves forward beyond the shutter 592 from the lower side of the
shutter 592. When the shutter 592 is in a downwardly open state and
the tip end part of the first nozzle 5611 is in a state of being
arranged on the front side of the shutter 592, washing is performed
by the first nozzle 5611.
[0474] In a case where washing is performed by the second nozzle
5612, the second nozzle 5612 moves to the front side in the moving
direction of the nozzle such that the shutter 592 is in a
downwardly open state. Furthermore, the second nozzle 5612 moves
forward in the moving direction of the nozzle. When the shutter 592
is in a downwardly open state and the tip end part of the second
nozzle 5612 is in a state of being arranged on the front side of
the shutter 592, washing is performed by the second nozzle
5612.
[0475] In this manner, washing is performed when the shutter 592 is
in a downwardly open state and the surface 592a on the inner side
of the shutter 592 is in a state of being directed downward.
Therefore, there is a low possibility that a spray generated at the
time of washing adheres to the surface 592a on the inner side of
the shutter 592. As a result, when the shutter 592 is closed after
washing, it is possible to prevent or suppress a spray from
entering the inside of the case 59.
[0476] As shown in FIG. 37, the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57
is arranged so as to surround the nozzle unit 561 of the private
part washing device 56 in a substantial middle portion of the
functional section 53 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 39,
the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 has a duct 571, a
sterilizing/deodorizing fan 572, a deodorizing cartridge 573, a
sterilizing unit 574, and the dust collection filter 575. The duct
571 is arranged so as to surround the nozzle unit 561 (refer to
FIG. 37). The fan 572 is provided in the middle of the duct 571.
The deodorizing cartridge 573 is arranged on the upstream side of
the fan 572. The sterilizing unit 574 is provided on the downstream
side of the fan 572. The dust collection filter 575 is provided on
the upstream side (suction port 591d side) of the deodorizing
cartridge 573.
[0477] The duct 571 is configured to suck air in the toilet bowl
521 (refer to FIG. 36) through the suction port 591d formed on the
front surface 59a of the opening forming portion 591 of the case 59
and to discharge air, which has passed through the duct 571,
through the discharge port 591e. In the present embodiment E1, the
suction port 591d and the discharge port 591e are arranged on the
upper portion side of the toilet main body 52 and are open
obliquely downward to the inside of the toilet bowl 521. Therefore,
the duct 571 is configured to suction air in the toilet bowl 521
and discharge air, which has passed through the duct 571, to the
inside of the toilet bowl 521.
[0478] In addition, a dust collection filter attachment portion
5711 for attaching the dust collection filter 575 is provided in
the duct 571.
[0479] The dust collection filter attachment portion 5711
communicates with the inside of the toilet bowl 521 via the dust
collection filter attaching and detaching port 591f The dust
collection filter 575 is attached and detached with respect to the
dust collection filter attachment portion 5711 via the dust
collection filter attaching and detaching port 591f from the inside
of the toilet bowl 521. The dust collection filter attachment
portion 5711 will be described below.
[0480] The deodorizing cartridge 573 is internally equipped with a
deodorizing catalyst has a function of eliminating an odor included
in air pass through. As the deodorizing cartridge 573, for example,
an adsorption-type deodorant which employs activated carbon or the
like as a catalyst, or a decomposition-type deodorant such as a
photocatalyst which decomposes a substance by emitting a ray of
light such as an ultraviolet is used.
[0481] The sterilizing unit 574 has a function of generating
sterilizing ions, suppressing propagation of floating fungi, and
performing sterilization. Specifically, the sterilizing unit 574
ionizes air, generates positive ions and negative ions, surrounds
floating fungi by means of the positive ions and the negative ions,
and inactivates the floating fungi.
[0482] As shown in FIGS. 40A and 40B, the dust collection filter
575 is formed to have a plate shape. The dust collection filter 575
has a dust collecting portion 5751, a handgrip 5752, and an
interlink portion 5753. A mesh 5751a is formed in the dust
collecting portion 5751. The handgrip 5752 is configured to be
gripped by a user. The dust collecting portion 5751 and the
handgrip 5752 are interlinked with each other by the interlink
portion 5753. In the present embodiment E1, when the dust
collection filter 575 is installed in the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711 of the duct 571, a plate surface becomes a
substantially vertical surface, thereby taking a posture in which
the dust collecting portion 5751 is arranged on the rear side, the
handgrip 5752 is arranged on the front side, and the interlink
portion 5753 is arranged between the dust collecting portion 5751
and the handgrip 5752. For example, the dust collecting portion
5751, the interlink portion 5753, and the handgrip 5752 are
integrally formed while having a resin or the like as a
material.
[0483] The dust collecting portion 5751 is formed to have a
substantially rectangular shape in which the plate surface is
elongated in the forward/rearward direction. The dust collecting
portion 5751 is configured to collect wastes or dust in air by
causing air suctioned to the duct 571 to pass through the mesh
5751a. On a surface 5751b on the downstream side of the duct 571 of
the dust collecting portion 5751, a protruding portion 5754
protruding from the surface 5751b is formed in the vicinity of the
rear end portion.
[0484] A rear edge portion of the interlink portion 5753 extends in
a substantially vertical manner. A front end portion of the
interlink portion 5753 extends in an oblique direction gradually
rearward from the upper side to the lower side. An upper engagement
target portion 5755 protruding upward is formed in the upper end
portion of the interlink portion 5753. A lower engagement target
portion 5756 protruding downward is formed in the lower end portion
of the interlink portion 5753.
[0485] An upper opening portion 5757 penetrating the dust
collection filter 575 in the width direction is formed below the
upper engagement target portion 5755 in the vicinity of the upper
end portion of the interlink portion 5753. The upper opening
portion 5757 is formed to have a shape which is longer in the
forward/rearward direction than in the height direction. A part in
the vicinity of the upper end portion of the interlink portion 5753
is elastically deformable such that the upper opening portion 5757
is squashed in the height direction by external force.
[0486] A lower opening portion 5758 penetrating the dust collection
filter 575 in the width direction is formed above the lower
engagement target portion 5756 in the vicinity of the lower end
portion of the interlink portion 5753. The lower opening portion
5758 is formed to have a shape which is longer in the
forward/rearward direction than in the height direction. A part in
the vicinity of the lower end portion of the interlink portion 5753
is elastically deformable such that the lower opening portion 5758
is squashed in the height direction by external force.
[0487] The handgrip 5752 is provided continuously with the
interlink portion 5753 on the front side of the interlink portion
5753. The rear end portion of the handgrip 5752 extends in an
oblique direction gradually rearward from the upper side to the
lower side along the front end portion of the interlink portion
5753. The front end portion of the handgrip 5752 is formed to have
an R-shape protruding to the front side.
[0488] As shown in FIGS. 39 and 41, the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711 is formed between the suction port 591d of
the duct 571 and the deodorizing cartridge 573 (refer to FIG. 39).
A part in the duct 571, in which the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711 is provided, is formed such that air flows
in the width direction.
[0489] The dust collection filter attachment portion 5711 is formed
between a first lower plate portion 5712 and a second lower plate
portion 5713. The first lower plate portion 5712 and the second
lower plate portion 5713 each protrude upward from a lower surface
571a of the duct 571 and are arranged at an interval in the width
direction.
[0490] The first lower plate portion 5712 is arranged on the
suction port 591d side of the dust collection filter attachment
portion 5711. The first lower plate portion 5712 is formed to have
a shape of overlapping a part in the vicinity of the lower edge
portion of the dust collecting portion 5751 of the dust collection
filter 575 (refer to FIGS. 40A and 40B) attached to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711, in the width
direction.
[0491] The second lower plate portion 5713 is arranged on the
deodorizing cartridge 573 side of the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711. The second lower plate portion 5713 is
formed to have a shape of overlapping a part in the vicinity of the
lower edge portion of the dust collecting portion 5751 of the dust
collection filter 575 attached to the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711, in the width direction.
[0492] In addition, a first rear plate portion 5714 and a second
rear plate portion 5715 which protrude to the front side and are
arranged at an interval in the width direction are provided on a
rear surface 571b of the duct 571.
[0493] The lower end portion of the first rear plate portion 5714
continuously leads to the first lower plate portion 5712. The first
rear plate portion 5714 is formed throughout the substantially
entire duct 571 in the height direction. The first rear plate
portion 5714 is arranged on the suction port 591d side of the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711. The first rear plate
portion 5714 is formed to have a shape of overlapping a part in the
vicinity of the rear edge portion of the dust collecting portion
5751 of the dust collection filter 575 attached to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711, in the width
direction.
[0494] The lower end portion of the second rear plate portion 5715
continuously leads to the second lower plate portion 5713. The
second rear plate portion 5715 is formed on a side lower than an
intermediate portion of the duct 571 in the height direction. The
second rear plate portion 5715 is arranged on the deodorizing
cartridge 573 side of the dust collection filter attachment portion
5711. The second rear plate portion 5715 is formed to have a shape
of overlapping a part in the vicinity of the rear edge portion of
the dust collecting portion 5751 of the dust collection filter 575
attached to the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711, in
the width direction.
[0495] As shown in FIG. 42, the dust collection filter 575 is
attached to the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711 in a
direction in which the surface 5751b having the protruding portion
5754 formed thereon faces the second lower plate portion 5713 and
the second rear plate portion 5715. In the dust collection filter
575 attached to the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711,
the rear end portion 575a abuts on or approaches the rear surface
571b of the duct 571, and the protruding portion 5754 formed in the
dust collecting portion 5751 is configured to be arranged in the
upper portion of the second rear plate portion 5715.
[0496] At this time, as shown in FIG. 43, when the dust collection
filter 575 is intended to be attached to the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711 in a direction in which the surface having
the protruding portion 5754 formed thereon faces the first lower
plate portion 5712 and the first rear plate portion 5714, the
protruding portion 5754 of the dust collection filter 575 comes
into contact with the front end portion of the first rear plate
portion 5714. Accordingly, a rear end portion 575a of the dust
collection filter 575 is separated from the rear surface 571b of
the duct 571. As a result, the dust collection filter 575 is set so
as not to be capable of being attached to the dust collection
filter attachment portion 5711.
[0497] As shown in FIG. 42, in the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711, an upper engagement portion 5759 having a
concave portion shape recessed on the upper side is formed on an
upper surface 571c of the duct 571, and a lower engagement portion
5760 having a concave portion shape recessed on the lower side is
formed on the lower surface 571a of the duct 571.
[0498] The upper engagement portion 5759 is arranged at a position
facing the upper engagement target portion 5755 of the dust
collection filter 575 attached to the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711. The lower engagement portion 5760 is
arranged at a position facing the lower engagement target portion
5756 of the dust collection filter 575 attached to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711.
[0499] When the dust collection filter 575 is attached to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711, the upper engagement
target portion 5755 enters the upper engagement portion 5759 and is
engaged, and the lower engagement target portion 5756 enters the
lower engagement portion 5760 and is engaged.
[0500] In addition, when the dust collection filter 575 is attached
to the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711, the handgrip
5752 is arranged so as to protrude to the inside of the toilet bowl
521 (refer to FIG. 36) beyond the dust collection filter attaching
and detaching port 591f (opening forming portion 591 of the case
59). The handgrip 5752 is formed to have a shape which is
accommodated in a gap 597 between the surface 592a on the inner
side of the shutter 592 and the opening forming portion 591 of the
case 59, in a state where the shutter 592 is closed. In the present
embodiment E1, the surface 592a on the inner side of the shutter
592 in a closed state is formed into a curved surface on which the
intermediate portion in the height direction is recessed toward the
inside of the toilet bowl 521 from the upper end portion and the
lower end portion. When the shutter 592 is in a closed state, the
R-shaped front end portion of the handgrip 5752 is arranged on the
inner side of the curved surface of the surface 592a on the inner
side of the shutter 592.
[0501] When the dust collection filter 575 is attached to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711, the shutter 592 is first
in an upwardly open state and the dust collection filter attaching
and detaching port 591f is exposed. Subsequently, the handgrip 5752
of the dust collection filter 575 is gripped, and the dust
collection filter 575 is inserted into the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711 via the dust collection filter attaching
and detaching port 591f.
[0502] At this time, in the dust collection filter 575, the upper
engagement target portion 5755 of the interlink portion 5753 comes
into contact with the dust collection filter attaching and
detaching port 591f and the upper surface 571c of the duct 571, and
the upper end portion side of the interlink portion 5753 is
elastically deformed such that the upper opening portion 5757 is
squashed. In addition, in the dust collection filter 575, the lower
engagement target portion 5756 of the interlink portion 5753 comes
into contact with the dust collection filter attaching and
detaching port 591f and the lower surface 571a of the duct 571, and
the lower end portion side of the interlink portion 5753 is
elastically deformed such that the lower opening portion 5758 is
squashed.
[0503] When the protruding portion 5754 of the dust collection
filter 575 is arranged on the second rear plate portion 5715 and
the dust collection filter 575 is inserted to the correct position,
the upper engagement target portion 5755 enters the upper
engagement portion 5759 and is engaged with the dust collection
filter attachment portion 5711, and the lower engagement target
portion 5756 enters the lower engagement portion 5760 and is
engaged with the dust collection filter attachment portion
5711.
[0504] When the dust collection filter 575 is removed from the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711, the shutter 592 is first
in an upwardly open state and the dust collection filter attaching
and detaching port 591f is exposed. Subsequently, the handgrip 5752
of the dust collection filter 575 is gripped, and the dust
collection filter 575 is pulled and removed from the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711 via the dust collection
filter attaching and detaching port 591f.
[0505] In this manner, the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 is
configured to collect dust by using the dust collection filter 575
from air sucked to the duct 571 through the suction port 591d and
performs deodorization by causing the air to pass through the
deodorizing cartridge 573. Furthermore, the air is caused to be air
including positive ions and negative ions by the sterilizing unit
574 and is discharged through the discharge port 591e.
[0506] Next, operations and effects of the deodorizing device and
the toilet stool described above will be described by using the
drawings.
[0507] In the present embodiment E1 described above, the dust
collection filter attaching and detaching port 591f can be opened
and closed by the shutter 592. Accordingly, when a user uses the
toilet stool 51, the shutter 592 is in a closed state, so that it
is possible to prevent a spray from entering the dust collection
filter attachment portion 5711 via the dust collection filter
attaching and detaching port 591f. As a result, it is possible to
prevent the dust collection filter 575 from being unclean due to a
spray.
[0508] In addition, the handgrip 5752 is provided in the dust
collection filter 575. Accordingly, when the shutter 592 is open
and the handgrip 5752 of the dust collection filter 575 is gripped,
a user can easily attach and detach the dust collection filter 575
with respect to the dust collection filter attachment portion
5711.
[0509] In addition, when the dust collection filter 575 is attached
to the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711, the upper
engagement target portion 5755 enters the upper engagement portion
5759 and is engaged, and the lower engagement target portion 5756
enters the lower engagement portion 5760 and is engaged.
Accordingly, the dust collection filter 575 can be installed in the
dust collection filter attachment portion 5711. In addition, it is
possible to prevent position aberration of the dust collection
filter 575 in the dust collection filter attachment portion
5711.
[0510] In addition, the dust collection filter 575 has a set
attachment direction with respect to the dust collection filter
attachment portion 5711 and has a configuration in which the
protruding portion 5754 of the dust collection filter 575 is
arranged on the second rear plate portion 5715. Accordingly, the
dust collection filter 575 can be attached to the dust collection
filter attachment portion 5711 in the correct direction.
[0511] In addition, when the dust collection filter 575 is attached
and detached with respect to the dust collection filter attachment
portion 5711 after the shutter 592 is in an upwardly open state,
the dust collection filter 575 can be attached and detached with
respect to the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711 from
the upper side of the shutter 592. Therefore, the dust collection
filter 575 can be easily attached and detached with respect to the
dust collection filter attachment portion 5711.
[0512] In addition, when the shutter 592 is in an upwardly open
state, the surface 592b on the outer side of the shutter 592 which
often becomes unclean due to a spray becomes a lower side, thereby
being less likely to be touched by a user. Therefore, it is
possible to prevent a user from touching a spray on the surface
592b on the outer side of the shutter 592.
[0513] Hereinabove, the embodiment E1 for the deodorizing device
and the toilet stool according to the present invention has been
described. However, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment E1 and can be suitably changed within a range not
departing from the gist thereof.
[0514] For example, in the embodiment E1, the handgrip 5752 is
provided in the dust collection filter 575. However, the handgrip
5752 does not have to be provided as long as a user can attach and
detach the dust collection filter 575 with respect to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711.
[0515] In addition, in the configuration of the embodiment E1, the
upper engagement target portion 5755 and the lower engagement
target portion 5756 are formed in the dust collection filter 575,
the upper engagement portion 5759 and the lower engagement portion
5760 are formed in the duct 571, the upper engagement target
portion 5755 is engaged with the upper engagement portion 5759, and
the lower engagement target portion 5756 is engaged with the lower
engagement portion 5760. On the other hand, the dust collection
filter 575 does not have to be engaged with the duct 571. In
addition, the form of engagement of the dust collection filter 575
in the duct 571 may be a form other than those described above. For
example, any one of the upper engagement target portion 5755 and
the lower engagement target portion 5756 may be provided in the
dust collection filter 575, and corresponding one of the upper
engagement portion 5759 and the lower engagement portion 5760 may
be provided in the duct 571.
[0516] In addition, in the embodiment E1, the dust collection
filter 575 is formed to have a plate shape and is installed in a
direction in which the plate surface becomes a substantially
vertical surface, the form of the dust collection filter 575 or the
direction for installation may be suitably set.
[0517] In addition, in the embodiment E1, the protruding portion
5754 is formed in the dust collection filter 575, and a reverse
attachment prevention mechanism for the dust collection filter 575
is provided such that when the dust collection filter 575 is in the
correct direction, the protruding portion 5754 is arranged on the
second rear plate portion 5715 and is attached to the dust
collection filter attachment portion 5711, and when the dust
collection filter 575 is in the reverse direction, the protruding
portion 5754 comes into contact with the first rear plate portion
5714 and is prohibited from being attached to the dust collection
filter attachment portion 5711. On the other hand, the reverse
attachment prevention mechanism for the dust collection filter 575
does not have to be provided.
[0518] In addition, a reverse attachment prevention mechanism for
the dust collection filter 575 in a different form may be provided.
For example, a fitting portion may be formed in the duct 571 such
that the dust collection filter 575 is fitted in a case of the
correct direction and the dust collection filter 575 is not fitted
in a case of the reverse direction.
[0519] In addition, in the embodiment E1, the shutter 592 has a
form of being in both the open states, that is, an upwardly open
state and a downwardly open state. On the other hand, the shutter
592 may have a form of being in only a downwardly open state. In
this case, the shutter 592 is in a downwardly open state and the
dust collection filter 575 is attached and detached with respect to
the dust collection filter attachment portion 5711. In addition,
the mechanism of opening and closing the shutter 592 may be a form
other than those described above.
[0520] In addition, in the embodiment E1, the shutter 592 is
maintained in an upwardly open state or a downwardly open state by
any one of the first nozzle 5611 and the second nozzle 5612 moving
forward and rearward. On the other hand, the shutter 592 may be
maintained in an upwardly open state or a downwardly open state by
an operation member other than the first nozzle 5611 and the second
nozzle 5612. In addition, the shutter 592 may be configured to be
directly gripped by a user and to be maintained in an upwardly open
state or a downwardly open state.
[0521] In addition, in the embodiment E1, the shutter 592 is
configured to be capable of opening and closing the opening forming
portion 591 in which the dust collection filter attaching and
detaching port 591f, the first forward/rearward nozzle movement
port 591a, the second forward/rearward nozzle movement port 591b,
the discharge port 591c of the warm air drying unit 563, and the
suction port 591d and the discharge port 591e of the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 are formed. On the other hand,
the shutter 592 needs only to be configured to be capable of
opening and closing at least the dust collection filter attaching
and detaching port 591f.
[0522] In addition, in the embodiment E1, the
sterilizing/deodorizing device 57 is provided. However, in place of
the sterilizing/deodorizing device 57, a deodorizing device
performing only deodorization may be performed.
[0523] In addition, the embodiment E1 may be combined with the
configuration disclosed in at least one of the embodiments A1 to
A3, B1, C1, and D1, or the configuration of at least one of the
embodiments A1 to A3, B1, C1, and D1 and the configuration of a
modification example may be applied suitably and selectively.
[0524] Hereinabove, each of the embodiments of the present
invention has been described. However, the technical scope of the
present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described
above, and it is possible to change the combination of the
constitution elements and to add or delete various changes with
respect to each of the constitution elements in each of the
embodiments within a range not departing from the gist of the
present invention. The present invention is not limited to the
descriptions above but is only limited to the accompanying
Claims.
[0525] According to the toilet deodorizing method and the toilet
described above, it is possible to provide a toilet deodorizing
method and a toilet in which an odor is captured more efficiently
and effectively such that odors during defecation and after
defecation can be deodorized.
[0526] According to the toilet deodorizing device described above,
it is possible to provide a toilet deodorizing device in which
deterioration of an air flow passing through a deodorizer is
suppressed such that deodorization can be efficiently
performed.
[0527] According to the toilet described above, it is possible to
provide a toilet including a deodorizing device in which an air
flow is smoothed such that an odor in a toilet bowl can be
efficiently deodorized.
[0528] According to the toilet described above, it is possible to
provide a toilet which can deodorize the inside of a toilet bowl
and deodorize a water closet space by using the same deodorizing
device.
[0529] According to the toilet described above, it is possible to
provide a deodorizing device and a toilet in which a dust
collection filter can be prevented from being unclean due to a
spray in a toilet bowl.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0530] 11 TOILET MAIN BODY [0531] 11a BOWL PORTION [0532] 11b RIM
PORTION [0533] 12 WASHING MECHANISM SECTION [0534] 13 TOILET SEAT
PORTION [0535] 13a TOILET SEAT [0536] 13b TOILET LID [0537] 14
PRIVATE PART WASHING DEVICE [0538] 16 COVER CASE [0539] 16a BASE
(BASE PLATE) [0540] 17 ONE PRIVATE PART WASHING NOZZLE (ANUS
WASHING NOZZLE) [0541] 18 OTHER PRIVATE PART WASHING NOZZLE (BIDET
NOZZLE) [0542] 19 NOZZLE OPENING PORTION [0543] 110 SHUTTER [0544]
111 NOZZLE UNIT [0545] 112 WARM AIR DRYING UNIT (WARM AIR DRYING
DEVICE) [0546] 112a WARM AIR GENERATING DEVICE [0547] 112b WARM AIR
DUCT [0548] 113 DEODORIZING UNIT (DEODORIZING DEVICE) [0549] 113a
DEODORIZING DUCT [0550] 113b FAN (AIR BLOWER) [0551] 113c
DEODORIZING CARTRIDGE (DEODORIZING DEVICE) [0552] 116 DISCHARGING
HOLE [0553] 117 DISCHARGE PORT [0554] 118 SUCTION PORT [0555] 119
DAMPER [0556] 120 AIR DIRECTION ADJUSTING MEMBER [0557] 121 LATERAL
SWIRL FLOW FORMING PORTION [0558] 122 TRAVERSAL FLOW FORMING
PORTION [0559] 1A FLUSH TOILET (TOILET) [0560] O1 PIVOT AXIS [0561]
R1 LATERAL SWIRL FLOW [0562] R2 TRAVERSAL FLOW [0563] R3 VERTICAL
SWIRL FLOW [0564] R4 VORTEX FLOW [0565] T1 TRANSVERSE DIRECTION
[0566] T2 FORWARD/REARWARD DIRECTION [0567] T3 UPWARD/DOWNWARD
DIRECTION [0568] 21 TOILET [0569] 210 TOILET BOWL [0570] 212 NOZZLE
UNIT [0571] 213 DEODORIZING UNIT (DEODORIZING DEVICE) [0572] 216
FIRST WASHING NOZZLE [0573] 217 SECOND WASHING NOZZLE [0574] 219
SUCTION PORT [0575] 220 DISCHARGE PORT [0576] 221 WIDE-WIDTH
PORTION [0577] 226 DEODORIZING DUCT [0578] 227 FAN [0579] 228
DEODORIZING CARTRIDGE [0580] 229 STERILIZING UNIT [0581] 231
DEODORIZING PORTION [0582] 232 COVER MEMBER [0583] 233 CUTOUT
PORTION [0584] 31 TOILET [0585] 310 TOILET BOWL [0586] 310a OPENING
[0587] 310b TOP SURFACE [0588] 311 BASE [0589] 312 NOZZLE UNIT
[0590] 313 DEODORIZING UNIT (DEODORIZING DEVICE) [0591] 316 FIRST
WASHING NOZZLE [0592] 317 SECOND WASHING NOZZLE [0593] 319 SUCTION
PORT [0594] 320 DISCHARGE PORT [0595] 321 WIDE-WIDTH PORTION [0596]
323 CONVEX PORTION [0597] 324 CONCAVE PORTION [0598] 326
DEODORIZING DUCT [0599] 327 FAN [0600] 328 DEODORIZING CARTRIDGE
[0601] 331 DEODORIZING PORTION [0602] 3L REFERENCE PLANE [0603] 41
TOILET STOOL (TOILET) [0604] 42 TOILET MAIN BODY [0605] 43
FUNCTIONAL SECTION [0606] 44 TOILET SEAT [0607] 45 TOILET LID
[0608] 47 STERILIZING/DEODORIZING DEVICE (DEODORIZING DEVICE)
[0609] 48 ILLUMINATION DEVICE [0610] 411 WATER CLOSET SPACE [0611]
421 TOILET BOWL [0612] 491d SUCTION PORT [0613] 491e DISCHARGE PORT
[0614] 492 SHUTTER (GUIDE PORTION) [0615] d2 GAP [0616] 51 TOILET
STOOL [0617] 52 TOILET MAIN BODY [0618] 53 FUNCTIONAL SECTION
[0619] 57 STERILIZING/DEODORIZING DEVICE (DEODORIZING DEVICE)
[0620] 521 TOILET BOWL [0621] 571 DUCT (DEODORIZING FLOW CHANNEL)
[0622] 575 DUST COLLECTION FILTER [0623] 591d SUCTION PORT [0624]
591f DUST COLLECTION FILTER ATTACHING AND DETACHING PORT [0625] 592
SHUTTER [0626] 597 GAP [0627] 5752 HANDGRIP [0628] 5754 PROTRUDING
PORTION (REVERSE ATTACHMENT PREVENTION MECHANISM) [0629] 5755 UPPER
ENGAGEMENT TARGET PORTION [0630] 5756 LOWER ENGAGEMENT TARGET
PORTION [0631] 5759 UPPER ENGAGEMENT PORTION [0632] 5760 LOWER
ENGAGEMENT PORTION
* * * * *