U.S. patent application number 17/043644 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-21 for toilet device and toilet seat unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIXIL Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is LIXIL Corporation. Invention is credited to Tsunaki ITOU, Kazuki KOGA, Tomoya SASAKI, Hirokazu SHIMASAKI, Atsushi WAKAMATSU, Hiroaki WATANABE.
Application Number | 20210015315 17/043644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005133757 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210015315 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOGA; Kazuki ; et
al. |
January 21, 2021 |
TOILET DEVICE AND TOILET SEAT UNIT
Abstract
A toilet device is configured to be capable of performing toilet
seat reverse face washing, in which a cleaning liquid is supplied
onto a reverse face of a toilet seat and the reverse face is
washed. When the toilet seat is placed in a non-closed state, the
toilet device does not perform the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
Inventors: |
KOGA; Kazuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; WATANABE; Hiroaki; (Tokyo, JP) ;
SHIMASAKI; Hirokazu; (Tokyo, JP) ; SASAKI;
Tomoya; (Tokyo, JP) ; ITOU; Tsunaki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; WAKAMATSU; Atsushi; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LIXIL Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
LIXIL Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005133757 |
Appl. No.: |
17/043644 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
March 15, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2019/010797 |
371 Date: |
September 29, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/302
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 13/30 20060101
A47K013/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2018 |
JP |
2018-068538 |
Mar 30, 2018 |
JP |
2018-068540 |
Mar 30, 2018 |
JP |
2018-068541 |
Claims
1. A toilet device configured to be capable of performing toilet
seat reverse face washing, in which a cleaning liquid is supplied
onto a reverse face of a toilet seat and the reverse face is
washed, wherein when the toilet seat is placed in a non-closed
state, the toilet seat reverse face washing is not performed.
2. The toilet device of claim 1, comprising a control unit that
controls the toilet seat reverse face washing, wherein when the
toilet seat is placed in a non-closed state, the control unit does
not allow the toilet seat reverse face washing to be performed.
3. The toilet device of claim 2, further comprising a human
detecting sensor that detects a user, wherein upon detection of a
user by the human detecting sensor during toilet seat reverse face
washing, the control unit stops the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
4. The toilet device of claim 2, further comprising a sitting
detecting sensor that detects sitting of a user on the toilet seat,
wherein upon detection of sitting of a user on the toilet seat by
the sitting detecting sensor during toilet seat reverse face
washing, the control unit stops the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
5. The toilet device of claim 2, further comprising an opening and
closing detecting sensor that detects open and closed states of the
toilet seat, wherein upon detection of the toilet seat placed in a
non-closed state during toilet seat reverse face washing, the
control unit stops the toilet seat reverse face washing.
6. The toilet device of claim 1, further comprising a biasing
device that biases the toilet seat in a closing direction during
toilet seat reverse face washing.
7. The toilet device of claim 6, wherein the biasing device is a
motor used to open and close the toilet seat, and during toilet
seat reverse face washing, the control unit rotates a rotating
shaft of the motor in a rotating direction in which the rotating
shaft is rotated to close the toilet seat.
8. The toilet device of claim 1, further comprising a lock
mechanism that locks the toilet seat in the closed state during
toilet seat reverse face washing.
9. A toilet seat unit configured to be capable of performing toilet
seat reverse face washing, in which a cleaning liquid is supplied
onto a reverse face of the toilet seat unit and the reverse face is
washed, wherein when the toilet seat unit is placed in a non-closed
state, the toilet seat reverse face washing is not performed.
10. The toilet device of claim 1, comprising: a toilet body
including a toilet bowl; a seal member that is sandwiched between
the toilet body and the toilet seat when the toilet seat is placed
in the closed state; and a pressing mechanism that presses the
toilet seat onto the toilet body.
11. The toilet device of claim 10, wherein the seal member is
formed into a ring shape, and the seal member is sandwiched between
the toilet body and the toilet seat over the entire circumference
when the toilet seat is placed in the closed state.
12. The toilet device of claim 10, wherein the pressing mechanism
comprises a motor used to open and close the toilet seat and
presses the toilet seat onto the toilet body by continuously
rotating a motor shaft of the motor in a rotating direction in
which the motor shaft is rotated to close the toilet seat.
13. The toilet device of claim 10, wherein the pressing mechanism
comprises a lock mechanism that locks the toilet seat in the state
of being pressed onto the toilet body.
14. The toilet device of claim 10, wherein the toilet body includes
an outer side upper surface, and an inner side upper surface
positioned on the inner side and the lower side with respect to the
outer side upper surface, and the seal member is provided between
the inner side upper surface and the toilet seat.
15. The toilet device of claim 10, further comprising a toilet seat
reverse face washing mechanism that supplies a cleaning liquid onto
the reverse face of the toilet seat to wash the reverse face,
wherein the pressing mechanism presses the toilet seat onto the
toilet body while at least one of the toilet body or the reverse
face of the toilet seat is washed.
16. The toilet device of claim 1, comprising a drying device that
dries the reverse face of the toilet seat, wherein the drying
device performs drying of the reverse face of the toilet seat when
the toilet seat is placed in a closed state.
17. The toilet device of claim 16, further comprising: a toilet
body including a toilet bowl; a seal member that is sandwiched
between the toilet body and the toilet seat when the toilet seat is
placed in the closed state; and a pressing mechanism that presses
the toilet seat onto the toilet body while the drying device dries
the reverse face of the toilet seat.
18. The toilet device of claim 17, wherein the seal member is
formed into a ring shape, and the seal member is sandwiched between
the toilet body and the toilet seat over the entire circumference
when the toilet seat is placed in the closed state.
19. The toilet device of claim 16, wherein the drying device blows
a gas onto the reverse face of the toilet seat.
20. The toilet device of claim 16, wherein the drying device sends
warm air to the reverse face of the toilet seat.
21. The toilet device of claim 16, further comprising a toilet seat
reverse face washing mechanism that supplies a cleaning liquid onto
the reverse face of the toilet seat to wash the reverse face,
wherein the drying device performs drying of the reverse face of
the toilet seat after the reverse face of the toilet seat is
washed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a national stage application under 35
USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2019/010797, filed
Mar. 15, 2019, which claims the priority of Japanese Application
No. 2018-068538, filed Mar. 30, 2018, Japanese Application No.
2018-068540, filed Mar. 30, 2018, and Japanese Application No.
2018-068541, filed Mar. 30, 2018, the entire contents of each of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a toilet device and a
toilet seat unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] There has been previously proposed a toilet device in which
the reverse face of the toilet seat can be washed with wash water.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a toilet device in which
wash water can be discharged through a discharge outlet, provided
on the toilet seat, such as to spread on the reverse face of the
toilet seat.
[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2002-54216
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In terms of preventing leakage of wash water to the outside
in toilet seat reverse face washing, in which the reverse face of
the toilet seat is washed, there has been room for improvement in
known toilet devices.
[0006] A purpose of one aspect of the present disclosure is to
provide a toilet device in which leakage of wash water used for
toilet seat reverse face washing to the outside can be prevented
more accurately.
[0007] When the reverse face of the toilet seat is washed or when
the inside of the toilet bowl in the toilet body is flushed with a
strong flow, the wash water may leak outside through a gap between
the toilet body and the toilet seat.
[0008] A purpose of one aspect of the present disclosure is to
provide a toilet device in which leakage of wash water used for
toilet seat reverse face washing or toilet flushing to the outside
can be prevented more accurately.
[0009] In terms of keeping the toilet device clean, there has been
room for improvement in the known toilet device described in Patent
Literature 1.
[0010] A purpose of one aspect of the present disclosure is to
provide a toilet device that can be kept cleaner.
[0011] A toilet device of one aspect of the present disclosure is
configured to be capable of performing toilet seat reverse face
washing, in which a cleaning liquid is supplied onto a reverse face
of a toilet seat and the reverse face is washed. When the toilet
seat is placed in a non-closed state, the toilet seat reverse face
washing is not performed.
[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a toilet
seat unit. The toilet seat unit is configured to be capable of
performing toilet seat reverse face washing, in which a cleaning
liquid is supplied onto a reverse face of the toilet seat unit and
the reverse face is washed. When the toilet seat unit is placed in
a non-closed state, the toilet seat reverse face washing is not
performed.
[0013] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure also relates to
a toilet device. The toilet device includes: a toilet body
including a toilet bowl; a toilet seat; a seal member that is
sandwiched between the toilet body and the toilet seat when the
toilet seat is placed in the closed state; and a pressing mechanism
that presses the toilet seat onto the toilet body.
[0014] Still yet another aspect of the present disclosure also
relates to a toilet device. The toilet device includes a toilet
seat, and a drying device that dries the reverse face of the toilet
seat. The drying device performs drying of the reverse face of the
toilet seat when the toilet seat is placed in a closed state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] Some embodiments will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant
to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are
numbered alike in several Figures, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet system in which a
toilet device of an embodiment is employed according to some
embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet seat unit and a box
shown in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the toilet seat unit and the box
shown in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a magnified sectional view that shows the toilet
device of FIG. 1 partially magnified according to some
embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram that shows a control system of the
toilet system shown in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the toilet device according to some
embodiments;
[0022] FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views that each show a seal
member and the vicinity thereof according to some embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the toilet device according to
some embodiments; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the toilet device according to
some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0025] Like reference characters denote like or corresponding
constituting elements and members in each drawing, and repetitive
description will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the dimensions of
a member may be appropriately enlarged or reduced in each drawing
in order to facilitate understanding. Further, in each drawing,
part of a member less important in describing embodiments may be
omitted. In the present specification, "upper", "lower", "left",
and "right" means those viewed from a user who uses the bathroom
vanity. Also, "front" and "rear" respectively means the closer side
and the farther side viewed from the user.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet system in which a
toilet device 10 of an embodiment is employed. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view of a toilet seat unit 16 and a box 20. A toilet
system 1 includes the toilet device 10 installed within a toilet
room (stall), and a remote control device 8 installed on a wall
surface of the toilet room. The remote control device 8 includes
multiple input units 8a and a display unit 8b. The input units 8a
may include buttons used for a start operation and a stop operation
for toilet seat reverse face washing, and buttons used to open and
close a toilet seat 22 (described later), for example.
[0027] The toilet device 10 includes a toilet body 14, the toilet
seat unit 16, and the box 20. The toilet body 14 includes a toilet
bowl 12 of a substantial funnel shape for receiving waste, and an
outer circumferential wall part 13 that surrounds an outer
circumferential side of the toilet bowl 12 and a toilet drainage,
not illustrated, such as to hide them. The box 20 is provided in an
upper side of a rear part of the toilet body 14. The box 20
accommodates various components.
[0028] The toilet seat unit 16 includes the toilet seat 22, a
toilet lid 24, a shutter 38, and a toilet seat opening and closing
motor 40. In the description regarding the toilet seat unit 16,
directions are expressed based on the toilet seat 22 placed in a
closed state.
[0029] The toilet seat 22 is rotatably attached to the box 20 via a
hinge mechanism, which is not illustrated. The toilet seat 22 as a
whole is formed into a ring shape and has a center opening part 32
through which waste of the sitting user is brought in. Also, the
toilet seat 22 is formed to be hollow and accommodates at least one
functional component therein. Each functional component is provided
to implement a certain function and is used in association with the
toilet body 14. In this example, three functional components of a
bidet device 26, a drying device 28, and a deodorizing device 30
are accommodated in the rear of the center opening part 32.
[0030] On the reverse face of the toilet seat 22, an opening part
36 is formed in the rear of the center opening part 32, and the
opening part 36 communicates with the inside and the outside of the
toilet seat 22. The shutter 38 is configured to be capable of
opening and closing the opening part 36. When the bidet device 26,
drying device 28, or deodorizing device 30 is operated, the opening
part 36 is placed in an open state.
[0031] The bidet device 26 washes the genital area of a user
sitting on the toilet seat 22. The deodorizing device 30 absorbs
and removes odors produced in the toilet bowl 12.
[0032] The drying device 28 suctions gas (air) by means of a fan
(not illustrated), heats the suctioned air by means of a heater
(not illustrated), and blows out the heated air as dry air. The
drying device 28 blows dry air to dry the genital area of the user.
The drying device 28 also blows dry air onto the reverse face of
the toilet seat after the toilet seat reverse face washing, so as
to dry the reverse face of the toilet seat, as will be described
later.
[0033] The toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 is accommodated
in the toilet seat 22. With the rotation of a rotating shaft 40a of
the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40, the toilet seat 22 is
opened and closed. In the following, a state in which the toilet
seat 22 is laid over the toilet bowl 12 of the toilet body 14 will
be referred to as the "closed state". FIG. 1 shows a state in which
the toilet seat 22 is placed in the closed state.
[0034] As with the toilet seat 22, the toilet lid 24 is rotatably
attached to the box 20 via a hinge mechanism, which is not
illustrated. The toilet lid 24 is driven by a toilet lid opening
and closing motor, which is not illustrated, to be opened and
closed.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the toilet seat unit 16 and the
box 20. The toilet device 10 further includes a toilet seat reverse
face washing mechanism 42 for washing the reverse face 22a of the
toilet seat 22 with a cleaning liquid, and a seal member 60 for
restraining leakage of the cleaning liquid.
[0036] The toilet seat reverse face washing mechanism 42 includes
at least one discharge part 46 (five discharge parts 46 in this
example) from which the cleaning liquid can be discharged such as
to spread on the reverse face 22a of the toilet seat 22, a liquid
supply line 48 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the discharge
part 46, and an on-off valve 50 provided midway along the liquid
supply line and capable of opening and closing the liquid supply
line 48. The on-off valve 50 may be a solenoid valve, for example,
and opens and closes based on a control instruction from a control
unit 70 (described later). The liquid supply line 48 is constituted
by a hose or the like disposed within the box 20 and the toilet
seat 22. The liquid supply line 48 includes a common line 48a, and
at least one branch line 48b that branches off from the common line
48a and connects to a discharge part 46.
[0037] In the present embodiment, each discharge part 46 is formed
on the reverse face 22a of the toilet seat 22 to be integral with
the toilet seat 22. Each discharge part 46 includes an inflow port
(not illustrated) connected with a branch line 48b, a discharge
outlet 46a through which the cleaning liquid is discharged, and a
communicating hole (not illustrated) that communicates with the
inflow port and the discharge outlet 46a.
[0038] When the on-off valve 50 opens the liquid supply line 48,
the cleaning liquid is supplied through the liquid supply line 48
to each discharge part 46, so that the cleaning liquid is
discharged through the discharge outlet 46a of each discharge part
46 such as to spread on the reverse face 22a of the toilet seat 22.
Accordingly, the reverse face 22a of the toilet seat 22 is washed.
When the on-off valve 50 closes the liquid supply line, the supply
of the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply line 48 to each
discharge part 46 is stopped, so that discharge of the cleaning
liquid from each discharge part 46 is stopped.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a magnified sectional view that shows the toilet
device 10 partially magnified. The sectional view of the toilet
seat 22 shown by FIG. 4 corresponds to a sectional view taken along
line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 3 will now be
referred to. The seal member 60 is an elastic body, such as rubber.
The seal member 60 is fixed to the reverse face 22a of the toilet
seat 22 with an adhesive, for example. The seal member 60 is
provided on the outer side with respect to each discharge part 46,
i.e., provided opposite to the center opening part 32 with respect
to each discharge part 46. When the toilet seat 22 is placed in the
closed state, the seal member 60 is sandwiched between the toilet
seat 22 and the toilet bowl 12 such as to restrain the leakage of
the cleaning liquid from between the toilet seat 22 and the toilet
bowl 12 to the outside during the toilet seat reverse face washing.
The seal member 60 may suitably be formed into a ring shape, as
shown in FIG. 3, and is fixed to the reverse face 22a of the toilet
seat 22 such as to surround the center opening part 32 and all the
discharge parts 46. When the toilet seat 22 is placed in the closed
state, the seal member 60 is sandwiched between the toilet seat 22
and the toilet bowl 12 over the entire circumference.
[0040] Because of manufacturing errors, for example, a surface of
the toilet bowl 12 or the toilet seat 22 in contact with the seal
member 60 may be sometimes not flat. In this case, only placing the
toilet seat 22 in the closed state may cause a gap between the seal
member 60 and the toilet seat 22, a gap between the seal member 60
and the toilet bowl 12, or both, so that the cleaning liquid could
leak out through the gap. Accordingly, at least during the toilet
seat reverse face washing, the toilet seat 22 is pressed (or
biased) onto the toilet bowl 12 to increase the adhesion between
the seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and between the seal
member 60 and the toilet bowl 12. Therefore, the gaps between the
seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and between the seal member
60 and the toilet bowl 12 can be reduced. In the present
embodiment, the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 is
continuously rotated in the direction of closing the toilet seat 22
during the toilet seat reverse face washing, as will be described
later. This can maintain the state of the toilet seat 22 pressed
onto the toilet bowl 12.
[0041] The toilet seat 22 is generally made of resin, and the
toilet bowl 12 is generally made of ceramic. The processing
accuracy of ceramic is lower than that of resin, so that
manufacturing errors of the toilet bowl 12 may be relatively
larger. Also, when the seal member 60 is fixed to the toilet seat
22 with an adhesive or the like, the seal member 60 may be fixed
such as not to cause a gap between the seal member 60 and the
toilet seat 22. In the present embodiment, the hardness of the seal
member 60 and the pressing force for pressing the toilet seat 22
onto the toilet bowl 12 are determined so that the seal member 60
is crushed by at least a tolerance of the toilet bowl 12 (3 mm to 7
mm, for example) so as to increase the adhesion between the seal
member 60 and the toilet bowl 12, or to reduce the gap between the
seal member 60 and the toilet bowl 12. The hardness of the seal
member 60 and the pressing force may be determined through
experiments.
[0042] In some embodiments, the seal member 60 may be fixed to an
upper surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12. Also in this case, the
seal member 60 may suitably be formed into a ring shape and
provided such as to surround all the discharge parts 46 and to be
sandwiched between the toilet seat 22 and the toilet bowl 12 over
the entire circumference when the toilet seat 22 is placed in the
closed state.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a block diagram that shows a control system of the
toilet system 1. Each block shown therein can be implemented by an
element such as a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer or by
a mechanism in terms of hardware, and by a computer program or the
like in terms of software. FIG. 5 illustrates functional blocks
implemented by the cooperation of those components. Therefore, it
would be understood by those skilled in the art, who have found the
present specification, that these functional blocks may be
implemented in a variety of forms by combinations of hardware and
software.
[0044] The toilet device 10 further includes a human detecting
sensor 52, a contact detecting sensor (sitting detecting sensor)
54, an opening and closing detecting sensor 56, and a control unit
70.
[0045] The human detecting sensor 52 detects a human (user) present
within a predetermined detection range without contact. In the
present embodiment, the human detecting sensor 52 is configured to
detect a user present within a toilet room (stall). The human
detecting sensor 52 is provided at a position where a human can be
detected irrespective of the open and closed states of the toilet
seat 22 and the toilet lid 24. The human detecting sensor 52
transmits the detection result to the control unit 70.
[0046] The contact detecting sensor 54 may be an electrostatic
sensor, for example, and detects contact of a user with the toilet
seat 22. More specifically, when a user sits on the toilet seat 22
and the buttocks of the user touches the toilet seat 22, the
contact detecting sensor 54 detects the contact (sitting). Also,
when the user touches a hand to the toilet seat 22 to put the
toilet seat 22 up, the contact detecting sensor 54 detects the
contact. The contact detecting sensor 54 transmits the detection
result to the control unit 70.
[0047] The opening and closing detecting sensor 56 may be an angle
sensor, for example, and detects opening and closing of the toilet
seat 22. The opening and closing detecting sensor 56 transmits the
detection result to the control unit 70.
[0048] The control unit 70 includes a communication unit 72, an
operation control unit 74, and a storage unit 76. The communication
unit 72 receives a radio signal transmitted from the remote control
device 8 and identifies the user's operation performed on the
toilet device 10.
[0049] The operation control unit 74 controls the start and stop of
the toilet seat reverse face washing performed by the toilet seat
reverse face washing mechanism 42. The operation control unit 74
also controls the drying of the reverse of the toilet seat
performed by the drying device 28 after the toilet seat reverse
face washing. In the following, a specific description will be
given.
[0050] The control for starting the toilet seat reverse face
washing will be described. When the toilet seat 22 is placed in the
closed state and when one of the following start conditions A1-A4
is satisfied, for example, the operation control unit 74 starts the
toilet seat reverse face washing. More specifically, first, the
operation control unit 74 continuously rotates the rotating shaft
40a of the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 in the rotating
direction in which the rotating shaft 40a is rotated to close the
toilet seat 22. Accordingly, the toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the
toilet bowl 12, so that the adhesion between the seal member 60 and
the toilet seat 22 and between the seal member 60 and the toilet
bowl 12 is increased. In this state, the operation control unit 74
allows the on-off valve 50 to open the liquid supply line 48. With
regard to A2-A4, a start condition to be employed may be selected
by the user.
[0051] A1. A user has performed an operation for starting the
toilet seat reverse face washing on the remote control device.
[0052] A2. A start time of the toilet seat reverse face washing
scheduled in advance has arrived.
[0053] A schedule for performing the toilet seat reverse face
washing is stored in advance in the storage unit 76. The operation
control unit 74 regularly refers to the storage unit 76 and, when a
scheduled date and time has arrived, the operation control unit 74
starts the toilet seat reverse face washing. The toilet seat
reverse face washing may be scheduled to be performed once a day at
a fixed time, to be performed once a week at a fixed time, or to be
performed at a fixed time on a particular day of the week, for
example.
[0054] A3. A predetermined period of time has elapsed after the
last toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0055] For example, based on the start time of the toilet seat
reverse face washing, when a predetermined period of time (an hour,
three hours, or five hours, for example) has elapsed after the last
toilet seat reverse face washing, the operation control unit 74 may
perform the toilet seat reverse face washing. In this case, the
predetermined period of time is stored in advance in the storage
unit 76. The execution time (the start time, for example) of the
last toilet seat reverse face washing is also stored in the storage
unit 76. The operation control unit 74 regularly refers to the
storage unit 76 and, when the predetermined period of time has
elapsed from the start time of the last toilet seat reverse face
washing, the operation control unit 74 starts the toilet seat
reverse face washing. Upon the start of the toilet seat reverse
face washing, the operation control unit 74 updates the execution
time (the start time) stored in the storage unit 76 to the latest
execution time.
[0056] A4. The number of uses of the toilet device 10 after the
last toilet seat reverse face washing has reached a predetermined
number of times.
[0057] The operation control unit 74 counts the number of uses of
the toilet device 10, regarding the number of times of toilet
flushing as the number of uses of the toilet device 10. The toilet
flushing means supplying flush water into the toilet bowl 12 to
discharge waste and flush the toilet bowl 12. The number of uses of
the toilet device 10 is stored in the storage unit 76. Each time
the toilet flushing is performed, the operation control unit 74
increments by one the number of uses stored in the storage unit 76.
When the number of uses has reached a predetermined number of
times, the operation control unit 74 starts the toilet seat reverse
face washing and clears the number of uses stored in the storage
unit 76 to zero. For example, when the predetermined number of
times is one, the toilet seat reverse face washing is performed
after each use of the toilet device 10; when the predetermined
number of times is ten, the toilet seat reverse face washing is
performed each time after the toilet device 10 is used ten
times.
[0058] Even if one of the start conditions A1-A4 is satisfied, when
the toilet seat 22 is placed in the open state, the operation
control unit 74 may skip the toilet seat reverse face washing.
Alternatively, the operation control unit 74 may control the toilet
seat opening and closing motor 40 to place the toilet seat 22 in
the closed state and then start the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
[0059] Also, when a user has performed an operation for starting
the toilet seat reverse face washing on the remote control device,
it is considered that the user stays in the toilet room immediately
thereafter. In this case, when one of the start conditions A1-A4 is
satisfied but the toilet seat 22 is placed in the open state, the
user may be notified to close the toilet seat 22. The notification
may be provided by means of sound, or may be provided via the
display unit 8b of the remote control device 8.
[0060] The control for stopping the toilet seat reverse face
washing will now be described. When one of the following stop
conditions B1-B6 is satisfied, the operation control unit 74 stops
the toilet seat reverse face washing. Specifically, the operation
control unit 74 allows the on-off valve 50 to close the liquid
supply line 48 first. The operation control unit 74 then stops the
rotation of the rotating shaft 40a of the toilet seat opening and
closing motor 40. The operation control unit 74 may suitably stop
the rotation of the rotating shaft 40a of the toilet seat opening
and closing motor 40 when a predetermined period of time has
elapsed after the on-off valve 50 has been closed. The
predetermined period of time is set to the time required before the
cleaning liquid that has passed through the on-off valve 50
certainly flows out of the liquid supply line 48. With regard to
B4-B6, a stop condition to be employed may be selected by the
user.
[0061] B1. The toilet seat reverse face washing has been performed
for a predetermined washing time.
[0062] B2. A user has performed an operation for stopping the
toilet seat reverse face washing on the remote control device.
[0063] B3. A user has performed an operation for placing the toilet
seat 22 in the open state on the remote control device.
[0064] The operation control unit 74 stops the toilet seat reverse
face washing before controlling the toilet seat opening and closing
motor 40 to put the toilet seat 22 up. The operation control unit
74 allows the toilet seat 22 to be put up when a predetermined
time, required before the discharge from each discharge part 46
certainly stops, has elapsed after the on-off valve 50 has been
closed.
[0065] B4. The human detecting sensor 52 has detected a human.
[0066] If a user is present within the toilet room, the cleaning
liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing might be
scattered around from the center opening part 32 or the like and
may splash on the user. Also, although the toilet seat 22 is
pressed onto the toilet bowl 12 by means of the toilet seat opening
and closing motor 40 during the toilet seat reverse face washing,
the toilet seat 22 can be put up if the user applies relatively
large force thereto. This may cause splashing around of the
cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing.
Accordingly, when the human detecting sensor 52 has detected a
human, i.e., when a user has entered the toilet room (stall), the
operation control unit 74 stops the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
[0067] When a user has operated the remote control device in the
toilet room to start the toilet seat reverse face washing, even
though the human detecting sensor 52 has detected the user, the
toilet seat reverse face washing is not stopped. However, even when
the toilet seat reverse face washing has been started by such an
operation on the remote control device, when the human detecting
sensor 52 has detected a human after a predetermined period of time
has elapsed from the start of the toilet seat reverse face washing,
the toilet seat reverse face washing may be stopped because another
user, different from the user who has started the toilet seat
reverse face washing, may enter the toilet room.
[0068] B5. The contact detecting sensor 54 has detected contact of
a user with the toilet seat 22.
[0069] If a user sits on the toilet seat 22 during the toilet seat
reverse face washing, the cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat
reverse face washing might be scattered around from the center
opening part 32 or the like and may splash on the sitting user.
Also, as described previously, even during the toilet seat reverse
face washing, the toilet seat 22 can be put up if a user applies
relatively large force thereto, which may cause splashing around of
the cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing.
Accordingly, when the contact detecting sensor 54 has detected
contact of a user with the toilet seat 22, the operation control
unit 74 stops the toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0070] B6. The opening and closing detecting sensor 56 has detected
the toilet seat 22 placed in a non-closed state.
[0071] As described previously, even during the toilet seat reverse
face washing, the toilet seat 22 can be put up if a user applies
relatively large force thereto, which may cause splashing around of
the cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing.
Accordingly, when the opening and closing detecting sensor 56 has
detected the toilet seat 22 placed in a non-closed state, the
operation control unit 74 stops the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
[0072] There will now be described the drying control after the
toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0073] After the toilet seat reverse face washing performed by the
toilet seat reverse face washing mechanism 42 is stopped, when the
toilet seat 22 is placed in the closed state, the operation control
unit 74 allows the drying device 28 to perform toilet seat reverse
drying. More specifically, the drying device 28 blows dry air onto
the reverse face of the toilet seat 22. This allows relatively
large droplets to drop into the toilet bowl 12. Also, the wind
pressure of the dry air collects the cleaning liquid adhering to
the reverse face of the toilet seat 22 toward the downstream side
of the dry air. The cleaning liquid thus collected forms relatively
large droplets, which will receive the dry air and drop into the
toilet bowl 12. Also, the drying device 28 blows (sends) warm air
as the dry air onto the reverse face of the toilet seat 22. This
volatilizes the cleaning liquid adhering to the reverse face of the
toilet seat 22. The flow rate, temperature, and blowing time of the
dry air may be determined through experiments.
[0074] The effects provided by the present embodiment will now be
described. In the present embodiment, the toilet seat reverse face
washing is not performed when the toilet seat 22 is placed in a
non-closed state, thereby preventing the cleaning liquid discharged
from the discharge parts 46 from splashing around the toilet device
10 during the toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0075] Also, in the present embodiment, when the human detecting
sensor 52 has detected a user, i.e., when it has detected a user
entering the toilet room (stall), during the toilet seat reverse
face washing, the toilet seat reverse face washing is stopped. This
can prevent the cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse
face washing from splashing on the user. This can also prevent the
situation where the user puts the toilet seat 22 up during the
toilet seat reverse face washing and the cleaning liquid splashes
around the toilet device 10.
[0076] Also, in the present embodiment, when the contact detecting
sensor (sitting detecting sensor) 54 has detected contact of a user
with the toilet seat 22 during the toilet seat reverse face
washing, the toilet seat reverse face washing is stopped. For
example, when a user sits on the toilet seat 22, the toilet seat
reverse face washing is stopped. This can prevent the situation
where the cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face
washing splashes on the user sitting on the toilet seat 22 and
displeases the user. Also, when a user touches the toilet seat 22
to put it up, the toilet seat reverse face washing is stopped, for
example. This can prevent the situation where the user puts the
toilet seat 22 up during the toilet seat reverse face washing and
the cleaning liquid splashes around the toilet device 10.
[0077] Also, in the present embodiment, when the opening and
closing detecting sensor 56 has detected the toilet seat 22 placed
in a non-closed state during the toilet seat reverse face washing,
the toilet seat reverse face washing is stopped. Accordingly, if a
user puts the toilet seat 22 up, the toilet seat reverse face
washing will be stopped, thereby preventing the cleaning liquid
from splashing around the toilet device 10.
[0078] Also, in the present embodiment, during the toilet seat
reverse face washing, the toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet
bowl 12, or, in other words, the toilet seat 22 is biased in the
closing direction. Accordingly, the toilet seat 22 cannot be easily
put up, preventing the situation where a user puts the toilet seat
22 up during the toilet seat reverse face washing and the cleaning
liquid splashes around the toilet device 10. Also, the adhesion
between the seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and between the
seal member 60 and the toilet bowl 12 can be increased, thereby
preventing the leakage of the cleaning liquid used for the toilet
seat reverse face washing from between the toilet seat 22 and the
toilet bowl 12.
[0079] Also, in the present embodiment, the toilet seat 22 is
biased by the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 in the
closing direction. Accordingly, the toilet seat 22 can be biased in
the closing direction, without separately providing a dedicated
mechanism for the biasing.
[0080] Also, in the present embodiment, the seal member 60 may
suitably be formed into a ring shape and sandwiched between the
toilet seat 22 and the toilet bowl 12 over the entire
circumference. This can more certainly prevent the leakage of the
cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing from
between the toilet seat 22 and the toilet bowl 12.
[0081] Also, in the present embodiment, the drying device 28 dries
the reverse face of the toilet seat 22 after the toilet seat
reverse face washing. This can restrain the growth of mold and
unwanted bacteria caused by the cleaning liquid (moisture) adhering
to the reverse face of the toilet seat 22, thereby keeping the
toilet device 10 clean.
[0082] Also, in the present embodiment, to dry the reverse face of
the toilet seat 22, dry air is blown onto the reverse face of the
toilet seat 22. Accordingly, relatively large droplets of the
cleaning liquid adhering to the reverse face of the toilet seat 22
drop into the toilet bowl 12. Also, the wind pressure of the dry
air collects the cleaning liquid adhering to the reverse face of
the toilet seat 22 toward the downstream side of the dry air. The
cleaning liquid thus collected forms relatively large droplets,
which will receive the dry air and drop into the toilet bowl 12. As
a result, the reverse face of the toilet seat 22 can be dried.
[0083] Also, in the present embodiment, to dry the reverse face of
the toilet seat 22, warm air, as the dry air, is blown onto the
reverse face of the toilet seat 22. This volatilizes the cleaning
liquid adhering to the reverse face of the toilet seat 22, so that
the reverse face of the toilet seat 22 can be dried.
[0084] The toilet device 10 of some embodiments has been described.
The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative
only, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
various modifications to a combination of constituting elements
could be developed and that such modifications also fall within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0085] FIG. 6 is a side view of the toilet device 10 of some
embodiments. In some embodiments, a lock mechanism prevents the
toilet seat 22 being put up during the toilet seat reverse face
washing. Also, the toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet bowl
12 by means of the lock mechanism such that the adhesion between
the seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and between the seal
member 60 and the toilet bowl 12 is increased. In the following,
the toilet device 10 will be described mainly for the differences
from that of the embodiments previously described herein.
[0086] The toilet device 10 includes the toilet body 14, the toilet
seat unit 16, a box (not illustrated), a toilet seat reverse face
washing mechanism (not illustrated), a seal member (not
illustrated), and a lock mechanism 80.
[0087] The lock mechanism 80 is provided in the rear of the toilet
seat unit 16. The lock mechanism 80 includes a lock pin 82 and a
drive device 84. The lock pin 82 is a rod-like member extending in
a longitudinal direction and is fixed to the toilet body 14 via the
drive device 84. The drive device 84 is controlled by the operation
control unit 74 of the control unit 70 to move the lock pin 82
forward and backward. On the toilet seat 22, a hole 22b into which
the lock pin 82 can be inserted is formed. When the lock pin 82 is
inserted into the hole 22b of the toilet seat 22, the toilet seat
22 is locked in the closed state. When the lock pin 82 is removed
from the hole 22b of the toilet seat 22, the lock of the toilet
seat 22 is released. FIG. 6 shows the state where the lock pin 82
is inserted into the hole 22b of the toilet seat 22, and the toilet
seat 22 is locked in the closed state.
[0088] As is the case of some embodiments described above, the
operation control unit 74 starts the toilet seat reverse face
washing when the toilet seat 22 is placed in the closed state and
when one of the start conditions A1-A4 is satisfied. More
specifically, first, the operation control unit 74 continuously
rotates the rotating shaft 40a of the toilet seat opening and
closing motor 40 in the rotating direction in which the rotating
shaft 40a is rotated to close the toilet seat 22. Accordingly, the
toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet bowl 12, so that the
adhesion between the seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and
between the seal member 60 and the toilet bowl 12 is increased. In
this state, the operation control unit 74 controls the drive device
84 of the lock mechanism 80 to insert the lock pin 82 into the hole
22b, so as to lock the toilet seat 22 in the closed state. The
operation control unit 74 then stops the rotation of the rotating
shaft 40a of the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40. Since
the toilet seat 22 is kept pressed onto the toilet bowl 12 by the
lock mechanism 80, even when the rotation of the rotating shaft 40a
of the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 is stopped, the
adhesion between the seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and
between the seal member 60 and the toilet bowl 12 can be kept
increased. The operation control unit 74 then allows the on-off
valve 50 to open the liquid supply line 48.
[0089] As is the case of some embodiments described above, the
operation control unit 74 stops the toilet seat reverse face
washing when one of the stop conditions B1-B6 is satisfied.
Specifically, the operation control unit 74 allows the on-off valve
50 to close the liquid supply line 48. The operation control unit
74 then removes the lock pin 82 from the hole 22b to release the
lock of the toilet seat 22.
[0090] With the toilet device 10, effects similar to those provided
by the toilet device 10 of some embodiments described above can be
obtained. In addition, with the toilet device 10, the toilet seat
22 cannot be put up during the toilet seat reverse face washing,
thereby preventing the situation where a user puts the toilet seat
22 up during the toilet seat reverse face washing and the cleaning
liquid splashes around.
[0091] Wherein some embodiments, the rotating shaft 40a of the
toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 is continuously rotated
during the toilet seat reverse face washing such as to bias the
toilet seat 22 in the closing direction. However, if the purpose is
only to prevent the toilet seat 22 being put up, the toilet seat 22
may be biased in the closing direction only when the human
detecting sensor 52 has detected a human during the toilet seat
reverse face washing, i.e., only when a user is present in the
toilet room during the toilet seat reverse face washing. Also, the
rotating shaft 40a of the toilet seat opening and closing motor 40
may be continuously rotated at a relatively low rotational
frequency when the human detecting sensor 52 has not detected a
human, and the rotating shaft 40a may be continuously rotated at a
relatively high rotational frequency when the human detecting
sensor 52 has detected a human.
[0092] Also, the aforementioned describes the case where the toilet
seat 22 is locked by the lock mechanism 80 such as not to be put up
during the toilet seat reverse face washing. However, if the
purpose is only to prevent the toilet seat 22 being put up, the
toilet seat 22 may be locked such as not to be put up only when the
human detecting sensor 52 has detected a human during the toilet
seat reverse face washing, i.e., only when a user is present in the
toilet room during the toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0093] Although the operation control unit 74 may not consider the
open and closed states of the toilet lid 24 for the toilet seat
reverse face washing in some embodiments described above, the open
and closed states of the toilet lid 24 may be included in the start
conditions and the stop conditions for the toilet seat reverse face
washing. More specifically, even when the toilet seat 22 is placed
in the closed state, when the toilet lid 24 is placed in a
non-closed state, the operation control unit 74 may be set not to
start the toilet seat reverse face washing. In other words, when
both the toilet seat 22 and the toilet lid 24 are placed in the
closed state and when one of the aforementioned start conditions
A1-A4 is satisfied, the operation control unit 74 may start the
toilet seat reverse face washing. Also, when the toilet lid 24 is
placed in a non-closed state during the toilet seat reverse face
washing, even though the toilet seat 22 is placed in the closed
state, the operation control unit 74 may stop the toilet seat
reverse face washing. In these cases, even if the cleaning liquid
used for the toilet seat reverse face washing splashes out through
the center opening part 32 of the toilet seat 22, for example, the
toilet lid 24 can receive the cleaning liquid. This can prevent the
cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing from
splashing out of the toilet device 10, thereby keeping the toilet
room clean.
[0094] Although some embodiments described above do not
particularly refer to, with regard to the structure of the seal
member 60, various embodiments can be considered. FIGS. 7A and 7B
are sectional views that each show the seal member 60 and the
vicinity thereof in some embodiments. Each of FIGS. 7A and 7B shows
a state before the toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet bowl
12.
[0095] The seal member 60 shown in FIG. 7A is formed such that the
toilet bowl 12 side thereof, which is not fixed, becomes narrower
as the distance from the toilet seat 22 is larger. In this case,
the toilet bowl 12 side of the seal member 60 can be deformed
easily, so that, when the seal member 60 is sandwiched between the
toilet seat 22 and the toilet bowl 12, the adhesion therebetween is
increased.
[0096] The seal member 60 shown in FIG. 7B is made of rubber, and
includes a first portion 60a located on the toilet seat 22 side,
which is fixed, and having relatively high hardness (such as
hardness of 60 degrees or higher), and a second portion 60b located
on the toilet bowl 12 side and having relatively low hardness (such
as hardness of 30 degrees or lower). The first portion 60a and the
second portion 60b are integrally formed by two-color molding. In
this case, the first portion 60a having high hardness receives the
weight of the toilet seat 22 and the user such that the toilet seat
22 is not in direct contact with the toilet bowl 12. The second
portion 60b having low hardness is largely deformed to adhere to
the toilet bowl 12.
[0097] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the toilet device in some
embodiments. FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 4. In the reverse face 22a
of the toilet seat 22, an inner side portion 22a2 is located on the
inner side with respect to an outer side portion 22a1 that faces
the upper surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12, and the inner side
portion 22a2 is formed to be an inclined surface that is inclined
with respect to a horizontal plane. In the example of FIG. 8, the
cross section of the inner side portion 22a has an inverted
U-shape. In some embodiments, when the dry air is blown, the
cleaning liquid adhering to the inner side portion 22a2 flows along
the inclined surface to drop into the toilet bowl 12. Thus, the
cleaning liquid drops easily.
[0098] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the toilet device in some
embodiments. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the
toilet bowl 12 includes an outer side upper surface 12a1, and an
inner side upper surface 12a2 positioned on the inner side and the
lower side with respect to the outer side upper surface 12a1. The
outer side upper surface 12a1 and the inner side upper surface 12a2
are connected via a connection wall 12b. When the toilet seat 22 is
placed at the closed position, the seal member 60 is sandwiched
between the reverse face 22a of the toilet seat 22 and the inner
side upper surface 12a2. In this case, even if the cleaning liquid
leaks outside the seal member 60, the cleaning liquid can be
blocked by the connection wall 12b. Therefore, in some embodiments,
leakage of the cleaning liquid can be restrained more
certainly.
[0099] Although some embodiments do not particularly refer to, for
the toilet seat reverse face washing performed by the toilet seat
reverse face washing mechanism 42, multiple washing modes with
different washing conditions may be prepared. For example, for the
toilet seat reverse face washing performed by the toilet seat
reverse face washing mechanism 42, there may be multiple washing
modes that differ from one another in at least one of the following
conditions: [0100] Washing time (or cleaning liquid discharging
time) [0101] Total flow volume of discharge through all the
discharge outlets 46a [0102] Temperature of cleaning liquid [0103]
Kind of cleaning liquid (such as water, and water containing a
detergent)
[0104] For example, for the toilet seat reverse face washing
performed by the toilet seat reverse face washing mechanism 42,
there may be a first washing mode, a second washing mode in which
the washing time is longer and the discharge flow volume is greater
than in the first washing mode, and a third washing mode in which
the washing time is longer and the cleaning liquid temperature is
higher than in the second washing mode.
[0105] The total discharge flow volume may be adjusted by
increasing or decreasing the flow volume of discharge through each
discharge outlet 46a, or may be adjusted by increasing or
decreasing the number of discharge outlets 46a used for
discharge.
[0106] Each of the multiple washing modes may be suitably selected
and used based on, for example, one of or a combination of the
following conditions: [0107] Predetermined schedule [0108] The
number of uses of the toilet device 10 after the last toilet seat
reverse face washing [0109] Whether the user has urinated or
defecated [0110] Operation performed on the remote control device
8
[0111] For example, the operation control unit 74 may perform the
toilet seat reverse face washing in the first washing mode after
each use of the toilet device 10, may perform the toilet seat
reverse face washing in the second washing mode once a day at a
fixed time, and may perform the toilet seat reverse face washing in
the third washing mode once a week at a fixed time.
[0112] Also, for example, the operation control unit 74 may perform
the toilet seat reverse face washing in the first washing mode when
the number of uses of the toilet device 10 after the last toilet
seat reverse face washing has reached 10 times, and may perform the
toilet seat reverse face washing in the second washing mode when
the number of uses has reached 30 times.
[0113] Also, for example, the operation control unit 74 may perform
the toilet seat reverse face washing in the first washing mode
after urination, and may perform the toilet seat reverse face
washing in the second washing mode after defecation. The operation
control unit 74 may determine whether the user has urinated or
defecated based on the time for which the user has sat on the
toilet seat 22, i.e., the time detected by the contact detecting
sensor 54, for example.
[0114] The washing mode to be performed can be selected on the
remote control device 8, and, when an operation for starting the
toilet seat reverse face washing is performed on the remote control
device, the operation control unit 74 may perform the toilet seat
reverse face washing in the selected washing mode.
[0115] In some embodiments, when the toilet seat 22 is placed in a
non-closed state, the toilet seat reverse face washing is not
performed, by control by the control unit 70 (i.e., electrical
control). However, such control may be mechanically implemented.
More specifically, the on-off valve 50 may be a mechanical valve,
for example, and may be configured such that, when the toilet seat
22 is placed in a non-closed state, the on-off valve 50 is
mechanically closed in conjunction therewith.
[0116] In some embodiments, the contact detecting sensor 54
implements the function of the sitting detecting sensor. However,
the configuration is not limited thereto, and the toilet device 10
may include a sitting detecting sensor, instead of or separately
from the contact detecting sensor 54. The sitting detecting sensor
may detect sitting based on the distance to the user. Also, the
sitting detecting sensor may include a switch provided on the
reverse face of the toilet seat 22 and may detect sitting when a
user sits on the toilet seat 22 and the switch is pressed.
[0117] Some embodiments described above describe the case where the
toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet bowl 12 during the toilet
seat reverse face washing so as to increase the adhesion between
the seal member 60 and the toilet seat 22 and between the seal
member 60 and the toilet bowl 12. However, the operation is not
limited thereto, and the toilet seat 22 may be pressed onto the
toilet bowl 12 during the toilet flushing, for example. More
specifically, when a user performs an operation for staring the
toilet flushing on the remote control device 8, the operation
control unit 74 may continuously rotate the toilet seat opening and
closing motor 40 in the direction of closing the toilet seat 22 for
a predetermined period of time (the time required before the toilet
flushing is certainly finished), for example. Accordingly, the
toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet bowl 12.
[0118] Although some embodiments described above do not
particularly refer to, the toilet seat reverse drying may be
performed in the state where the toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the
toilet bowl 12 to increase the adhesion between the seal member 60
and the toilet seat 22 and between the seal member 60 and the
toilet bowl 12. More specifically, when the toilet seat reverse
face washing by the toilet seat reverse face washing mechanism 42
is stopped, the operation control unit 74 may continue rotating the
toilet seat opening and closing motor 40 in the direction of
closing the toilet seat 22 for a predetermined period of time, for
example. Accordingly, the toilet seat 22 is pressed onto the toilet
bowl 12. The state of the toilet seat 22 being pressed onto the
toilet bowl 12 may be maintained from the start of the toilet seat
reverse face washing till the end of the toilet seat reverse
drying. The operation control unit 74 allows the drying device 28
to perform the toilet seat reverse drying while the toilet seat 22
is pressed onto the toilet bowl 12. In some embodiments, the
configuration can prevent leakage of the cleaning liquid blown by
the dry air from the drying device 28, from between the toilet seat
and the toilet body.
[0119] Although some embodiments describe the case where the toilet
seat reverse drying is performed after the toilet seat reverse face
washing, the operation is not limited thereto. For example, the
toilet seat reverse drying may be performed after the toilet
flushing. The operation control unit 74 may start the toilet seat
reverse drying when a predetermined period of time (the time
required before the toilet flushing is certainly finished) has
elapsed after the toilet flushing has started, for example.
[0120] In some embodiments, the toilet seat unit 16 may include a
toilet seat reverse face washing mechanism 42 and may have a
function to control the toilet seat reverse face washing mechanism
42 among the functions of the control unit 70. Thus, the toilet
seat unit 16 may be configured to be capable of performing the
toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0121] When the disclosure embodied by some embodiments set forth
above are generalized, the following technical ideas are
derived.
[0122] A toilet device of one aspect of the present disclosure is
configured to be capable of performing toilet seat reverse face
washing, in which a cleaning liquid is supplied onto a reverse face
of a toilet seat and the reverse face is washed. When the toilet
seat is placed in a non-closed state, the toilet seat reverse face
washing is not performed.
[0123] The toilet device may include a control unit that controls
the toilet seat reverse face washing. When the toilet seat is
placed in a non-closed state, the control unit does not allow the
toilet seat reverse face washing to be performed.
[0124] The toilet device may include a human detecting sensor that
detects a user. Upon detection of a user by the human detecting
sensor during toilet seat reverse face washing, the control unit
may stop the toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0125] The toilet device may include a sitting detecting sensor
that detects sitting of a user on the toilet seat. Upon detection
of sitting of a user on the toilet seat by the sitting detecting
sensor during toilet seat reverse face washing, the control unit
may stop the toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0126] The toilet device may include an opening and closing
detecting sensor that detects open and closed states of the toilet
seat. Upon detection of the toilet seat placed in a non-closed
state during toilet seat reverse face washing, the control unit may
stop the toilet seat reverse face washing.
[0127] In these aspects, the situation can be prevented in which
the cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing
splashes around the toilet device.
[0128] The toilet device may include a biasing means that biases
the toilet seat in a closing direction during toilet seat reverse
face washing.
[0129] The biasing means may be a motor used to open and close the
toilet seat. During toilet seat reverse face washing, the control
unit may rotate a rotating shaft of the motor in a rotating
direction in which the rotating shaft is rotated to close the
toilet seat.
[0130] The toilet device may include a lock mechanism that locks
the toilet seat in the closed state during toilet seat reverse face
washing.
[0131] In these aspects, the situation can be prevented in which
the toilet seat is put up during the toilet seat reverse face
washing.
[0132] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a toilet
seat unit. The toilet seat unit is configured to be capable of
performing toilet seat reverse face washing, in which a cleaning
liquid is supplied onto a reverse face of the toilet seat unit and
the reverse face is washed. When the toilet seat unit is placed in
a non-closed state, the toilet seat reverse face washing is not
performed.
[0133] In this aspect, the situation can be prevented in which the
cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing
splashes around the toilet seat unit.
[0134] A toilet device of yet another aspect of the present
disclosure includes: a toilet body including a toilet bowl; a
toilet seat; a seal member that is sandwiched between the toilet
body and the toilet seat when the toilet seat is placed in the
closed state; and a pressing mechanism that presses the toilet seat
onto the toilet body. In this aspect, the adhesion between the seal
member and the toilet seat and between the seal member and the
toilet body can be increased, thereby preventing the leakage of the
cleaning liquid used for the toilet seat reverse face washing or
the toilet flushing from between the toilet seat and the toilet
body, for example.
[0135] The seal member may be formed into a ring shape and
sandwiched between the toilet body and the toilet seat over the
entire circumference when the toilet seat is placed in the closed
state. In this aspect, leakage of the cleaning liquid used for the
toilet seat reverse face washing or the toilet flushing from
between the toilet seat and the toilet body can be prevented more
certainly, for example.
[0136] The pressing mechanism may include a motor used to open and
close the toilet seat and may press the toilet seat onto the toilet
body by continuously rotating a motor shaft of the motor in a
rotating direction in which the motor shaft is rotated to close the
toilet seat. In this aspect, the toilet seat can be pressed onto
the toilet body without separately providing a dedicated
mechanism.
[0137] The pressing mechanism may include a lock mechanism that
locks the toilet seat in the state of being pressed onto the toilet
body.
[0138] The toilet body may include an outer side upper surface, and
an inner side upper surface positioned on the inner side and the
lower side with respect to the outer side upper surface. The seal
member may be provided between the inner side upper surface and the
toilet seat. In this case, even if the cleaning liquid leaks
outside the seal member, the cleaning liquid can be blocked by the
step part of the toilet body. Therefore, in this aspect, leakage of
the cleaning liquid can be prevented more certainly.
[0139] The toilet device may include a toilet seat reverse face
washing mechanism that supplies a cleaning liquid onto the reverse
face of the toilet seat to wash the reverse face. The pressing
mechanism may press the toilet seat onto the toilet body while the
toilet body or the reverse face of the toilet seat is washed.
[0140] A toilet device of still yet another aspect of the present
invention includes a toilet seat, and a drying device that dries
the reverse face of the toilet seat. The drying device performs
drying of the reverse face of the toilet seat when the toilet seat
is placed in a closed state.
[0141] The toilet device may include a seal member that is
sandwiched between the toilet body and the toilet seat when the
toilet seat is placed in the closed state, and a pressing mechanism
that presses the toilet seat onto the toilet body while the drying
device dries the reverse face of the toilet seat.
[0142] The seal member may be formed into a ring shape and
sandwiched between the toilet body and the toilet seat over the
entire circumference when the toilet seat is placed in the closed
state.
[0143] In this aspect, the situation can be prevented in which the
cleaning liquid adhering to the reverse face of the toilet seat
leaks out from between the toilet seat and the toilet body during
the drying by the drying device.
[0144] The drying device may blow a gas onto the reverse face of
the toilet seat.
[0145] The drying device may send warm air to the reverse face of
the toilet seat.
[0146] The toilet device may include a toilet seat reverse face
washing mechanism that supplies a cleaning liquid onto the reverse
face of the toilet seat to wash the reverse face. The drying device
may perform drying of the reverse face of the toilet seat after the
reverse face of the toilet seat is washed.
[0147] In these aspects, the growth of mold and unwanted bacteria
caused by the cleaning liquid (moisture) adhering to the reverse
face of the toilet seat can be restrained, thereby keeping the
toilet device clean.
[0148] The present disclosure is applicable to toilet devices.
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