U.S. patent application number 16/457355 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-02 for toilet bowl device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIXIL Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is LIXIL Corporation. Invention is credited to Takaomi ASAI, Tomohisa ASHIDA, Takumi DOMAE, Kouji FUKUYA, Sho ITO, Yu KUROKI, Reo SEIKE.
Application Number | 20200002928 16/457355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69028680 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200002928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KUROKI; Yu ; et al. |
January 2, 2020 |
TOILET BOWL DEVICE
Abstract
To provide a toilet bowl device allowing bubbles to be
discharged with ease even in a case where a bowl is supplied with
the bubbles. In a toilet bowl device, a control unit executes a
pre-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to a bowl
via a jet discharge port and a pre-rim washing step for bubbles of
supplying wash water to the bowl via a rim discharge port after the
pre-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated in a case where
bubbles are present on a stored water surface.
Inventors: |
KUROKI; Yu; (Tokyo, JP)
; DOMAE; Takumi; (Tokyo, JP) ; ASHIDA;
Tomohisa; (Tokyo, JP) ; ITO; Sho; (Tokyo,
JP) ; FUKUYA; Kouji; (Tokyo, JP) ; SEIKE;
Reo; (Tokyo, JP) ; ASAI; Takaomi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LIXIL Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
LIXIL Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
69028680 |
Appl. No.: |
16/457355 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 2201/40 20130101;
E03D 9/005 20130101; E03D 2201/30 20130101; E03D 9/00 20130101;
E03D 5/00 20130101; E03D 11/08 20130101; E03D 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03D 5/00 20060101
E03D005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 28, 2018 |
JP |
2018-122920 |
Claims
1. A toilet bowl device comprising: a bowl having a rim discharge
port in an upper portion of the bowl and having a jet discharge
port in a bottom portion of the bowl; a rim wash water supply
device supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port;
a jet wash water supply device supplying wash water to the bowl via
the jet discharge port; a drain trap provided on a toilet bowl
drain path from the bottom portion of the bowl to a drain pipe and
determining a height of a stored water surface of wash water
collected in the bottom portion of the bowl by performing water
sealing on the toilet bowl drain path; and a control unit
controlling the rim wash water supply device and the jet wash water
supply device, wherein, in a case where bubbles are present on the
stored water surface, the control unit executes a pre jet washing
step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet
discharge port and a pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying
wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-jet
washing step for bubbles is initiated.
2. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case
where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control
unit supplies wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port to
an extent that the toilet bowl drain path is torn in the pre-jet
washing step for bubbles.
3. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case
where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control
unit executes the pre-rim washing step for bubbles before the
pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated.
4. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein, in a case
where the control unit performs the control in a standard mode in
which washing is performed with bubbleless wash water, the control
unit executes a standard mode pre-rim washing step of supplying
wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port, a standard mode
jet washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet
discharge port after the standard mode pre-rim washing step is
initiated, and a standard mode post-rim washing step of supplying
wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the
standard mode pre-rim washing step is terminated and the standard
mode jet washing step is initiated, and the pre-rim washing step
for bubbles is longer in time than the standard mode pre-rim
washing step.
5. The toilet bowl device according to claim 1, wherein a post-jet
washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via
the jet discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for bubbles
is terminated and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is initiated
and a post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to
the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-rim washing step
for bubbles is terminated and the post-jet washing step for bubbles
is initiated are further executed.
6. The toilet bowl device according to claim 5, wherein, in a case
where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control
unit causes the stored water surface to be coated with bubbles by
the post-rim washing step for bubbles being executed after a height
of the stored water surface is lowered by the post-jet washing step
for bubbles being executed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2018-122920, filed Jun. 28, 2018, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a toilet bowl device
supplying bubbles to a bowl.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A toilet bowl device is known in the related art. The toilet
bowl device is provided with a rim discharge port formed in the
upper portion of a bowl and a jet discharge port formed in the
bottom portion of the bowl (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In this toilet bowl device, a pre-rim washing step of discharging
wash water from the rim discharge port is performed first. A jet
washing step of discharging washing water from the jet discharge
port is executed after the pre-rim washing step is terminated. By
the jet washing step being performed after the pre-rim washing step
as described above, sufficient washing is possible even at a low
water supply pressure.
[0004] A toilet bowl device supplying bubbles to a bowl is known
apart from the toilet bowl device described above, (see, for
example, Patent Document 2). The bubbles supplied to the bowl are
mainly to wash the bowl and suppress liquid splashing during male
urination in a standing state.
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
Publication No. 2009-030405
[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
Publication No. 2017-048567
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a case where bubbles are supplied to the bowl with
respect to the toilet bowl device in which the pre-rim washing step
and the jet washing step are sequentially performed, the bubbles
may stay in the bowl without being sufficiently discharged.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view
of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is
to provide a toilet bowl device allowing bubbles to be discharged
with ease and reliability even in a case where a bowl is supplied
with the bubbles.
[0009] (1) In order to achieve the above object, the present
disclosure provides a toilet bowl device (such as a toilet bowl
device 1 to be described later) including a bowl (such as a bowl 6
to be described later) having a rim discharge port (such as a rim
discharge port 8 to be described later) in an upper portion of the
bowl and having a jet discharge port (such as a jet discharge port
10 to be described later) in a bottom portion of the bowl, a rim
wash water supply device (such as a washing device 3 to be
described later) supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim
discharge port, a jet wash water supply device (such as the washing
device 3 to be described later) supplying wash water to the bowl
via the jet discharge port, a drain trap (such as a drain trap 7 to
be described later) provided on a toilet bowl drain path (such as a
toilet bowl drain path 13 to be described later) from the bottom
portion of the bowl to a drain pipe and determining a height of a
stored water surface (such as a stored water surface WL1 to be
described later) of wash water collected in the bottom portion of
the bowl by performing water sealing on the toilet bowl drain path,
and a control unit (such as a control unit 5 to be described later)
controlling the rim wash water supply device and the jet wash water
supply device. In a case where bubbles are present on the stored
water surface, the control unit executes a pre-jet washing step for
bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge
port and a pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water
to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-jet washing
step for bubbles is initiated.
[0010] (2) In the toilet bowl device of (1), in a case where
bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit
can supply wash water to the bowl via the jet discharge port to an
extent that the toilet bowl drain path is torn in the pre-jet
washing step for bubbles.
[0011] (3) In the toilet bowl device of (1) or (2), in a case where
bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control unit
can execute the pre-rim washing step for bubbles before the pre-jet
washing step for bubbles is terminated.
[0012] (4) In the toilet bowl device of any one of (1) to (3), in a
case where the control unit performs the control in a standard mode
in which washing is performed with bubbleless wash water, the
control unit can execute a standard mode pre-rim washing step of
supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port, a
standard mode jet washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl
via the jet discharge port after the standard mode pre-rim washing
step is initiated, and a standard mode post-rim washing step of
supplying wash water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after
the standard mode pre-rim washing step is terminated and the
standard mode jet washing step is initiated, and the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles is longer in time than the standard mode
pre-rim washing step.
[0013] (5) In the toilet bowl device of any one of (1) to (4), in a
case where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the
control unit can cause the stored water surface to be coated with
bubbles by the post-rim washing step for bubbles being executed
after a height of the stored water surface is lowered by the
post-jet washing step for bubbles being executed.
[0014] (6) In the toilet bowl device of any one of (1) to (5), a
post-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the
bowl via the jet discharge port after the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles is terminated and the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is
initiated and a post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash
water to the bowl via the rim discharge port after the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles is terminated and the post-jet washing
step for bubbles is initiated are further executed.
[0015] According to a toilet bowl device of embodiments of the
present invention, it is possible to provide a toilet bowl device
allowing bubbles to be discharged with ease and reliability even in
a case where a bowl is supplied with the bubbles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toilet bowl device according to
some embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet
bowl device according to some embodiments as viewed in the arrow
A-A direction in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the
standard-mode operation of the toilet bowl device according to some
embodiments; and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation
of the toilet bowl device according to some embodiments in a case
where bubbles are present on a stored water surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0022] A toilet bowl device 1 according to some embodiments will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view of
the toilet bowl device 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional
view of the toilet bowl device 1 as viewed in the arrow A-A
direction in FIG. 1.
[0023] The toilet bowl device 1 is provided with a toilet bowl main
body 2, a washing device 3, and a control unit 5.
[0024] The toilet bowl main body 2 is provided with a bowl 6
receiving filth, a drain trap 7, and a toilet seat (not
illustrated) and a toilet lid (not illustrated) opening and closing
with respect to the bowl 6. The drain trap 7 is provided from the
bottom portion of the bowl 6 to a toilet bowl drain path 13
connected to a drain pipe (not illustrated) via a connecting pipe
14. An ascending flow path 13A and a descending flow path 13B
constitute the toilet bowl drain path 13. Formed in the upper
portion of the bowl 6 are a rim discharge port 8 through which wash
water is discharged and a rim flow water path 9 generating a
swirling wash water flow along the peripheral edge thereof. A jet
discharge port 10 for wash water discharge is formed in the bottom
portion of the bowl 6. The drain trap 7 determines the height of a
stored water surface WL1 of the wash water collected in the bottom
portion of the bowl 6 by performing water sealing on the toilet
bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the
drain pipe (not illustrated).
[0025] By a user operating a washing switch (not illustrated), the
washing device 3 is controlled by the control unit 5 (described
later), is operated, and washes the bowl 6. Specifically, the
washing device 3 functions as a rim wash water supply device
supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 and
functions as a jet wash water supply device supplying wash water to
the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 (hereinafter, also
referred to as rim water discharge and jet water discharge). In the
standard mode of the washing device 3, the washing device 3
supplies bubbleless wash water. In the bubble mode of the washing
device 3, the washing device 3 causes bubbles to be present on the
stored water surface in the bowl 6.
[0026] Examples of the bubble mode include the followings. Firstly,
the bubbles discharged to the bowl 6 may flow into the stored
water. Specifically, the examples include a case where the inside
of the bowl 6 is washed with bubble-containing water discharged and
caused to, for example, swirl in the bowl 6 and a case where
bubble-containing water is discharged and bubbles are collected in
the stored water (in this case, swirling or the like in the bowl 6
is optional). As for the bubble-containing water, there are cases
where bubbles are mixed in the wash water and bubbles are
discharged by means of a non-wash water path.
[0027] Secondly, bubbles may be generated in the stored water. For
example, a drug or the like may be directly supplied into the
stored water via the jet discharge port 10 or the like for the
bubble generation in the stored water. A state where bubbles are
present in the bowl 6 can be formed in this case as well.
[0028] In some embodiments, such as the first case described above,
the washing device 3 is provided with an ejector (not illustrated)
generating bubbles by supplying and mixing the drug and air into
and in the wash water. In some embodiments, the washing device 3
requires no ejector, such as in the second case described above.
The drug may be any drug capable of generating bubbles. Examples of
the drug include ion water and a liquid containing a fragrance, an
antibacterial agent, a disinfectant, an antifungal agent, or the
like.
[0029] The control unit 5 controls the washing device 3. The
control of the washing device 3 by the control unit 5 will be
described in detail later.
[0030] The toilet bowl device 1 is provided with a remote
controller (not illustrated) as an operation unit for executing
various types of control by the control unit 5. The remote
controller is attached to, for example, a wall surface of a toilet
room where the toilet bowl device 1 is installed. The remote
controller of some embodiments is provided with a bubble mode
switch and the like as well as a local washing switch for local
washing and (large and small) washing switches for toilet bowl
washing.
[0031] Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode include the
following. Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode in the case
of washing of the inside of the bowl 6 by means of
bubble-containing water discharge include a user entering the room,
a user pressing the bubble mode switch, the toilet seat/toilet lid
opening, a user sitting down, a user standing up from the seat, the
toilet seat/toilet lid closing, and a user leaving the room.
[0032] Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode in the case of
bubble collection in the stored water by means of bubble-containing
water discharge include a user entering the room, a user pressing
the bubble mode switch, the toilet seat/toilet lid opening, and a
user sitting down.
[0033] Examples of the trigger of the bubble mode in the case of
bubble generation in the stored water include a user entering the
room, a user pressing the bubble mode switch, the toilet
seat/toilet lid opening, and a user sitting down.
[0034] Next, the operation of the toilet bowl device 1 by the
control unit 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the
standard-mode operation of the toilet bowl device 1 according to
some embodiments. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of
the operation of the toilet bowl device 1 according to some
embodiments in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water
surface (specifically, after the operation of the bubble mode
described above is executed).
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 executes a
standard mode pre-rim washing step, a standard mode jet washing
step, and a standard mode post-rim washing step in a case where the
control unit 5 performs control processing in the standard mode in
which washing is performed by means of bubbleless wash water.
[0036] In Step S100, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode
pre-rim washing step. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8. Then, the
processing proceeds to Step S110.
[0037] In Step S110, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode
jet washing step. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the
standard mode pre-rim washing step is initiated. Then, the
processing proceeds to Step S110.
[0038] In Step S120, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode
post-rim washing step. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the
standard mode pre-rim washing step is terminated and the standard
mode jet washing step is initiated. This processing is terminated
as a result.
[0039] Usually in this standard mode, the same processing time is
set for the standard mode jet washing step and the standard mode
post-rim washing step and the processing time for the standard mode
pre-rim washing step is set to half of the processing time.
[0040] In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water
surface, the control unit 5 executes a pre-jet washing step for
bubbles, a pre-rim washing step for bubbles, a post-jet washing
step for bubbles, and a post-rim washing step for bubbles as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The execution of the post-rim washing step
for bubbles is optional.
[0041] In Step S200, the control unit 5 executes the pre-jet
washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied toward the toilet bowl drain path 13 or the drain trap 7
via the jet discharge port 10. In the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles, it is preferable to discharge the wash water from the jet
discharge port 10 to the extent that the toilet bowl drain path 13
from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is torn.
Specifically, it is preferable to supply the wash water via the jet
discharge port 10 until the upper surface of the bubbles on the
stored water surface is disposed below a sealing water line SWL
illustrated in FIG. 2. As a result, discharge of the bubbles in the
bowl 6, the filth on the bubbles, toilet paper, and the like is
promoted. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S210.
[0042] In Step S210, the control unit 5 executes the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the
pre-jet washing step for bubbles is initiated. The processing time
is longer in this step than in the standard mode pre-rim washing
step. Preferably, the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is performed
before the pre jet washing step for bubbles is terminated.
[0043] In this manner, the rim water discharge is performed in the
middle of the jet water discharge, and thus bubbles can be
discharged to the toilet bowl drain path 13 by means of the jet
water discharge while the bubbles on the wall surface of the bowl 6
are dropped from above. Possible as a result is an efficient flow
of the bubbles on the wall surface of the bowl 6. Once only the jet
water discharge is performed first, bubbles adhere to and remain on
the wall surface of the bowl 6. An advance flow of the rim water
discharge usually causes the stored water surface to rise and
bubbles to float. Then, the bubbles remain in the bowl 6 even after
a subsequent jet water discharge flow. In some embodiments, the rim
water discharge is performed with the stored water lowered after
bubbles are discharged to the toilet bowl drain path 13 by means of
the jet water discharge, and thus a reliable flow of the bubbles on
the wall surface of the bowl 6 can be achieved. Then, the
processing proceeds to Step S220.
[0044] In Step S220, the control unit 5 executes the post-jet
washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the
pre-jet washing step for bubbles is terminated and the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles is initiated. As a result, the bubbles
remaining in the bowl 6 are reliably discharged. Then, the
processing proceeds to Step S230.
[0045] In Step S230, the control unit 5 executes the post-rim
washing step for bubbles. Specifically, in this step, wash water is
supplied to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the
pre-rim washing step for bubbles is terminated and the post-jet
washing step for bubbles is initiated. This processing is
terminated as a result.
[0046] In the processing of this operation in FIG. 4, it is
preferable that the processing time of the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles is set to 1.5 to 2.0 seconds or so, the processing time of
the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is set to 4.0 seconds or so,
the processing time of the post-jet washing step for bubbles is set
to 2.2 seconds or so, and the processing time of the post-rim
washing step for bubbles is set to 4.0 seconds or so. The
processing time of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is set to
be longer than the processing time of the standard mode pre-rim
washing step. For example, the processing time of the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles is set to twice the processing time of the
standard mode pre-rim washing step. As a result, the inside of the
bowl 6 is sufficiently washed, the toilet bowl drain path 13 torn
as a result of the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is quickly
covered with water, and sealing water is obtained.
[0047] Next, the operation in the bubble mode of the toilet bowl
device 1 will be described in more detail.
[0048] After a user operates the washing switch (in a case where
the bubble mode is selected by the bubble mode switch), the control
unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and executes the pre jet
washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via
the jet discharge port 10. By the pre-jet washing step for bubbles
being performed, the stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is
disturbed. As a result, the bubbles covering the stored water
surface WL1 and the toilet paper on the bubbles become wet and
discharge is promoted. Odor return from the drain pipe does not
occur in a case where the pre-jet washing step for bubbles is
executed such that the water sealing of the toilet bowl drain path
13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is
maintained. The bubbles covering the stored water surface WL1 are
reliably discharged from the bowl 6 in a case where the pre-jet
washing step for bubbles is executed such that the toilet bowl
drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain
pipe is torn.
[0049] After the initiation of the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles, the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and
executes the pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash
water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8. By the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles being executed, the stored water surface
WL1 in the bowl 6 is raised to the original height. As a result,
the next post-jet washing step for bubbles can be executed. The
bubbles adhering to the wall surface of the bowl 6 can be reliably
dropped in a case where the pre-rim washing step for bubbles is
executed before the termination of the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles. In this case, odor return from the drain pipe does not
occur even in the event of tearing of the toilet bowl drain path 13
from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe (not
illustrated).
[0050] After the initiation of the pre-rim washing step for
bubbles, the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and
executes the post-jet washing step for bubbles of supplying wash
water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10. By the post-jet
washing step for bubbles being executed, the excrement and the
toilet paper in the bowl 6 are reliably discharged from the bowl 6.
In addition, the stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 descends by
the post-jet washing step for bubbles being executed.
[0051] After the initiation of the post-jet washing step for
bubbles, the control unit 5 controls the washing device 3 and
executes the post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash
water to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8. The stored water
surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is coated with bubbles by the post-rim
washing step for bubbles being executed. The wash water is supplied
such that the stored water surface WL1 is lower in the case of the
operation in the bubble mode than in the case of the operation in
the standard mode. As a result, the stored water surface WL1 at the
next cleaning is low, and thus bubble and toilet paper discharge is
promoted.
[0052] The toilet bowl device 1 described above is provided with
the bowl 6 having the rim discharge port 8 in the upper portion of
the bowl 6 and having the jet discharge port 10 in the bottom
portion of the bowl 6, the washing device 3 supplying wash water to
the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 and supplying wash water to
the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10, the drain trap 7 provided
on the toilet bowl drain path 13 from the bottom portion of the
bowl 6 to the drain pipe (not illustrated) and determining the
height of the stored water surface WL1 of the wash water collected
in the bottom portion of the bowl 6 by performing water sealing on
the toilet bowl drain path 13, and the control unit 5 controlling
the washing device 3.
[0053] The toilet bowl device 1 according to some embodiments
described in detail above has the following effects. In a case
where bubbles are present on the stored water surface, the control
unit 5 in the toilet bowl device 1 according to the some
embodiments executes the pre-jet washing step for bubbles of
supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10,
the pre-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water to the
bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the initiation of the
pre-jet washing step for bubbles, the post-jet washing step for
bubbles of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge
port 10 after the termination of the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles and the initiation of the pre-rim washing step for bubbles,
and the post-rim washing step for bubbles of supplying wash water
to the bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the termination of
the pre-rim washing step for bubbles and the initiation of the
post-jet washing step for bubbles. As a result, bubbles can be
discharged with ease and reliability even in a case where the bowl
6 is supplied with the bubbles. As a result, the filth, the toilet
paper, or the like that is on the bubbles can be discharged with
ease and reliability.
[0054] In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water
surface, the control unit 5 executes the pre jet washing step for
bubbles. As a result, the toilet bowl drain path from the bottom
portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe is torn and the bubbles
covering the stored water surface WL1 can be discharged from the
bowl 6 with more ease and reliability.
[0055] In a case where bubbles are present on the stored water
surface, the control unit 5 executes the pre-rim washing step for
bubbles before the termination of the pre-jet washing step for
bubbles. As a result, the bubbles adhering to the wall surface of
the bowl 6 can be reliably dropped and the bubbles covering the
stored water surface WL1 can be discharged from the bowl 6 with
more ease and reliability. Odor return from the drain pipe does not
occur even in the event of tearing of the toilet bowl drain path 13
from the bottom portion of the bowl 6 to the drain pipe. In other
words, odor return can be prevented.
[0056] In a case where the control unit 5 performs control in the
standard mode in which washing is performed by means of bubbleless
wash water, the control unit 5 executes the standard mode pre-rim
washing step of supplying wash water to the bowl 6 via the rim
discharge port 8, the standard mode jet washing step of supplying
wash water to the bowl 6 via the jet discharge port 10 after the
initiation of the standard mode pre-rim washing step, and the
standard mode post-rim washing step of supplying wash water to the
bowl 6 via the rim discharge port 8 after the termination of the
standard mode pre-rim washing step and the initiation of the
standard mode jet washing step. The processing time of the pre-rim
washing step for bubbles is set to be longer than the processing
time of the standard mode pre-rim washing step. As a result, the
stored water surface WL1 in the bowl 6 is reliably returned to the
original height and the next post-jet washing step for bubbles can
be reliably executed.
[0057] Although some embodiments of the toilet bowl device 1 of the
present invention have been described above, the present invention
is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be
appropriately changed.
[0058] In some embodiments, the pre-jet washing step for bubbles,
the pre-rim washing step for bubbles, the post-jet washing step for
bubbles, and the post-rim washing step for bubbles are sequentially
executed in a case where bubbles are present on the stored water
surface. In some embodiments, a rim washing step may be further
executed prior to the pre-jet washing step for bubbles. In other
words, the pre-rim washing step for bubbles, the pre-jet washing
step for bubbles, a mid-rim washing step for bubbles, the post-jet
washing step for bubbles, and the post-rim washing step for bubbles
may be sequentially executed. In this case, the pre-rim washing for
bubbles may continue to flow during the pre jet washing for
bubbles.
* * * * *