JP7599262B2 - Cleaning nozzle and local cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning nozzle and a private parts cleaning device.

Conventionally, this type of local cleansing device has been proposed to discharge cleansing water from the outlet of a cleaning nozzle toward the local parts of the human body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this device, two flow paths to the outlet are provided in the cleaning nozzle, and a water chamber is provided at the junction of both flow paths, and air is drawn into the water chamber from an opening open to the atmosphere. When cleansing water is supplied, air bubbles drawn into the water chamber are discharged from the outlet together with the cleansing water, generating low and high flow velocity states and pulsating the cleansing water. This increases the peak load of the cleansing water and improves the feeling of cleaning.

JP 2019-132051 A

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in order to provide two flow paths and a water chamber extending in the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle, it is necessary to place components for forming each flow path and a partition for the water chamber inside the cleaning nozzle. This not only increases the outer diameter of the cleaning nozzle, but also leads to increased costs.

The main objective of the present invention is to increase the peak load of the discharged cleaning water with a simple configuration that suppresses the increase in the diameter of the cleaning nozzle and the increase in costs.

The present invention takes the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main objective.

The cleaning nozzle of the present invention is
A cylindrical cleaning nozzle having an outlet for discharging cleaning water toward a human body part and a flow path for cleaning water formed along an axial direction,
a main flow path that communicates with the flow path and forms a main flow of cleaning water that flows to the discharge port along a central axis of the discharge port;
At least one branch flow path that forms a branch flow branched from the main flow and merges the branch flow into the main flow in a direction intersecting the central axis so as to disturb the flow of the main flow;
The gist of the invention is to provide the following:

The cleaning nozzle of the present invention has at least one branch flow path that forms a branch flow branched off from the main flow and merges the branch flow into the main flow in a direction intersecting the central axis of the outlet so as to disturb the flow of the main flow. Disturbing the flow of the main flow creates an intermittent flow, which increases the pulsation of the cleaning water discharged from the outlet, thereby increasing the peak load of the cleaning water. In addition, there is no need to provide the main flow path and the branch flow path to extend in the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle, and there is no need to secure space or provide members for this purpose, which prevents the cleaning nozzle from becoming larger in diameter and the increase in costs. Therefore, the peak load of the discharged cleaning water can be increased with a simple configuration.

In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, at least one intake hole is formed to suck in air by the ejector effect of the main flow, and the branch flow path may branch off the branch from the main flow on the discharge port side of the intake hole. In this way, the branch containing air bubbles is merged to make it easier to divide the main flow, thereby increasing the pulsation of the cleaning water and further increasing the peak load.

In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, the branch flow path may merge with the main flow path in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the outlet. In this way, the cleaning water from the branch flow path is merged so as to collide with the main flow path, making it easier to divide the flow of the main flow, and therefore the pulsation of the cleaning water can be increased to further increase the peak load.

The cleaning nozzle of the present invention includes an outlet forming member having a cylindrical portion with the outlet formed at the upper end and a through hole formed in the side wall, and a flange portion extending radially outward from the upper end side of the cylindrical portion, and a flow path forming member having a recess that supports the flange portion and accommodates the outlet forming member with a gap between it and the cylindrical portion, and the main flow path is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the recess, and the branch flow path may be formed as a gap between the cylindrical portion and the recess, and the branch flow path may be merged through the through hole. In this way, the branch flow path can be formed with a simple configuration, and an increase in costs can be suppressed.

The private parts washing device of the present invention is equipped with any one of the washing nozzles described above, and therefore achieves the effect of the washing nozzle of the present invention, namely, the effect of increasing the peak load of the washing water discharged, with a simple configuration that suppresses the increase in the diameter of the washing nozzle and the increase in cost. This makes it possible to prevent the private parts washing device from becoming too large.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a toilet 1 to which a cleaning toilet seat device 10 including a private parts cleaning device is attached. 2 is an external perspective view of a head portion 21 of the posterior washing nozzle 20. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head portion 21. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head portion 21. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head portion 21. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head portion 21. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a discharge port forming member 31 and a flow path forming member 41. FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a discharge port forming member 31. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a discharge port forming member 31. FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how cleaning water is discharged. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the load measurement results of the discharged wash water.

Next, we will explain the form for implementing the present invention.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a toilet bowl 1 to which a cleaning toilet seat device 10 including a private parts cleaning device is attached. As shown in Figure 1, the cleaning toilet seat device 10 is attached to the top surface of the toilet bowl 1, and comprises a toilet seat device main body 12, a toilet seat 14 and a toilet lid 16 supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the toilet seat device main body 12, and an operation panel 18 that allows the user to perform various operations. Note that in this embodiment, the left-right direction, front-back direction, and up-down direction are as shown in Figure 1.

The toilet seat device main body 12 is equipped with a washing device including a water supply line for washing water connected to a water supply pipe (tap piping), a water stop valve, a heat exchange unit, a switching valve for switching the flow rate and destination of washing water, and a nozzle unit with a washing nozzle for discharging washing water, all of which are housed in a resin housing. The heat exchange unit has a built-in ceramic heater with a rated output of, for example, about 1200 W, and can instantly heat the washing water. The switching valve is configured as a rotary disk valve driven by, for example, a stepping motor, and can switch the destination of the washing water while adjusting the flow rate of the washing water supplied through the water supply port. The nozzle unit is equipped with a buttocks washing nozzle 20 for buttocks washing and a bidet washing nozzle for bidet washing as washing nozzles, and is configured to move each washing nozzle forward and backward between the storage position and the washing position.

Although not shown, the operation panel 18 is provided with a powerful wash switch for instructing a powerful wash, a mild wash switch for instructing a mild wash, a bidet wash switch for instructing a bidet wash, a wash strength adjustment switch for adjusting the wash strength, a wash position adjustment switch for adjusting the wash position forward or backward, and a stop switch for instructing the wash to stop.

The configuration of the posterior washing nozzle 20 will be described below. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the head portion 21 of the posterior washing nozzle 20, and Figs. 3 to 6 are cross-sectional perspective views of the head portion 21. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the outlet forming member 31 and the flow path forming member 41, Fig. 8 is an external perspective view of the outlet forming member 31, Fig. 9 is a structural diagram of the outlet forming member 31, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 9.

The posterior washing nozzle 20 of this embodiment is a cylindrical member configured to perform powerful washing and mild washing, with a powerful washing outlet 32 and a mild washing outlet 25 formed at the tip. This posterior washing nozzle 20 is configured by combining a cylindrical main body (not shown) in which the flow path of washing water supplied from the switching valve extends in the axial direction, and a cylindrical head part 21 attached coaxially to the main body.

The head part 21 is provided with an outlet forming member 31 in which an outlet 32 (outlet part 33) is formed, and a flow path forming member 41 that houses the outlet forming member 31 and forms a flow path for cleaning water to the outlet forming member 31. In addition, the head part 21 is provided with a water supply pipe (not shown) that extends axially from the main body part to the head part 21 and a flow path 22 that communicates with this water supply pipe as a flow path for powerful cleaning, and the space between the outer circumferential surface of the water supply pipe and the inner circumferential surface of the rear washing nozzle 20 (the inner circumferential surface of the main body part and the inner circumferential surface 27 of the head part 21) is provided as a flow path for mild cleaning. In addition, the head part 21 is provided with an opening 23 that opens (penetrates) in the radial direction so as to communicate with the outlet 32 of the outlet forming member 31. The opening 23 and the outlet 32 may be collectively referred to as an outlet for powerful cleaning.

The outlet forming member 31 has a cylindrical portion 34 that has an outlet 32 at its upper end (one end) and forms an outlet portion 33 as a cylindrical space with an open lower end (other end), and a flange portion 35 that extends radially from the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 34. The outlet portion 33 has an opening at its lower end that communicates with a main flow path 43 described later, and the main flow of cleaning water that flows coaxially with the central axis of the outlet 32 flows in from the main flow path 43. The cylindrical portion 34 is formed with a tapered portion 34a whose outer diameter becomes smaller toward the lower end side, and a through hole 37 that penetrates the side wall in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, i.e., in the radial direction. The through hole 37 may be one or more. A spiral portion 38 extending in a spiral shape is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the side wall of the cylindrical portion 34. The upper end of this spiral portion 38 extends to the vicinity of the through hole 37 (see FIG. 8). The discharge portion 33 is not limited to a cylindrical space, but may be any tubular space, and the cylindrical portion 34 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be any tubular shape.

The flow path forming member 41 is formed with a recess 48 that accommodates the discharge port forming member 31, and is attached to the tip (front end) of the head part 21 with the discharge port forming member 31 accommodated in the recess 48 to seal the tip of the head part 21. This flow path forming member 41 forms a communication flow path 42 that communicates with the flow path 22 of the head part 21, a main flow path 43 that communicates with the communication flow path 42 and extends coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port 32 (discharge part 33), and a branch flow path 47 that branches off from the main flow path 43.

The communicating flow passage 42 is formed so that the inner diameter becomes smaller from the upstream side communicating with the flow passage 22 toward the downstream side communicating with the main flow passage 43, and the downstream end opens upward (to the discharge port 32 side). The main flow passage 43 has a small diameter portion 43a communicating with the end of the communicating flow passage 42, a large diameter portion 43b communicating with the small diameter portion 43a and having a diameter larger than the small diameter portion 43a, and a tapered portion 43c communicating with the large diameter portion 43b and having an inner diameter that becomes larger toward the upper side. The tapered portion 43c is exposed in the recess 48 as a central hole in the bottom surface of the recess 48. In other words, the main flow passage 43 is formed as a central hole communicating with the bottom surface of the recess 48, and forms a main flow of cleaning water that flows coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port 32.

The flow path forming member 41 is also formed with an air introduction path 45 that is open to the atmosphere and can introduce air into the interior. The air introduction path 45 is formed to extend in the radial direction of the main flow path 43 and penetrate the flow path forming member 41, and is connected to the main flow path 43 via two intake holes 46 provided in the side wall that forms the large diameter portion 43b. This air introduction path 45 draws air into the main flow path 43 via the intake holes 46 due to the ejector effect of the main flow in the main flow path 43.

The recess 48 has a support recess 48a that supports the flange portion 35 of the discharge port forming member 31, and a storage recess 48b that is coaxially connected with the support recess 48a and stores the cylindrical portion 34 of the discharge port forming member 31. The storage recess 48b is formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the spiral portion 38, and stores the cylindrical portion 34 with a predetermined gap between it and the side wall of the cylindrical portion 34. In addition, the tapered portion 34a at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 34 is formed at approximately the same angle of inclination as the tapered portion 43c of the main flow path 43 exposed at the bottom surface of the storage recess 48b, and faces each other with a gap. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 34 and the storage recess 48b form a continuous gap that wraps around the tapered portion 43c of the main flow path 43, i.e., the bottom surface of the recess 48 (storage recess 48b), to the outer circumferential surface of the side wall of the cylindrical portion 34.

The branch flow path 47 is formed as a continuous gap between the above-mentioned storage recess 48b and the cylindrical portion 34. The branch flow path 47 allows a branch flow branched from the main flow of the main flow path 43 to flow through the gap and merge with the main flow in the discharge portion 33 from the through hole 37 of the cylindrical portion 34. In addition, the branch flow path 47 in this embodiment branches from the main flow path 43 on the discharge port 32 side rather than the intake hole 46. As described above, since the through hole 37 penetrates the side wall of the cylindrical portion 34 in the radial direction of the discharge portion 33, the branch flowing through the branch flow path 47 flows radially into the discharge portion 33 and merges therewith.

Next, we will explain the operation of the thus configured cleaning toilet seat device 10, particularly when performing a powerful wash with the rear wash nozzle 20. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how cleaning water for a powerful wash is discharged.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning water that flows from the communication flow path 42 to the main flow path 43 (small diameter portion 43a) flows in a straight line toward the discharge portion 33 as a main flow along the central axis of the discharge port 32. In addition, at the point where the inner diameter of the main flow path 43 expands from the small diameter portion 43a to the large diameter portion 43b, a part of the main flow branches into the branch flow path 47, and air is sucked in from the intake hole 46 due to the ejector effect of the main flow. The sucked in air becomes air bubbles and flows together with the cleaning water. Since the intake hole 46 sucks in air from the radial outside, the air bubbles mainly flow through the branch flow path 47. For this reason, although not shown in the figure, the air bubbles move toward the through hole 37 along the lower surface of the spiral portion 38. Then, the branch flowing through the branch flow path 47 flows radially into the discharge portion 33 from the through hole 37 and merges with the main flow inside the discharge portion 33. The main flow flows coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port 32 (discharge section 33), and the branch flowing into the discharge section 33 flows in the radial direction of the discharge section 33, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the discharge port 32 (the flow of the main flow), so the two collide and merge to divide the flow of the main flow. This creates turbulence in the discharge section 33, hindering the continuous flow of the main flow, so the wash water discharged from the discharge port 32 becomes an intermittent flow and pulsates. Furthermore, because air bubbles are mixed in the branch flow, the effect of dividing the main flow is enhanced when the air bubbles rush in (confluence), which makes it easier to promote a change from a continuous flow to an intermittent flow and increases the pulsation.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the load measurement results of the cleaning water being discharged. The load measurement results are obtained by, for example, placing a load measuring meter at a position a predetermined distance away from the discharge port 32 to measure the load of the cleaning water, with the horizontal axis indicating time and the vertical axis indicating the load of the cleaning water. Figure 12(a) shows the measurement results of a comparative example, and Figure 12(b) shows the measurement results of this embodiment. Although not shown, the cleaning nozzle of the comparative example does not have a branch flow path 47 or an intake hole 46, and simply discharges cleaning water supplied from a linear flow path (corresponding to the main flow path 43) as a continuous flow.

In the comparative example of FIG. 12(a), the pulsation of the cleaning water load is small, and the peak load is also small. For this reason, users who prefer a stronger cleaning sensation may not be able to obtain a satisfactory cleaning sensation. On the other hand, in the present embodiment of FIG. 12(b), the pulsation of the cleaning water load is larger than in the comparative example, and the peak load is also larger. For this reason, it is easier to improve the cleaning sensation.

The rear washing nozzle 20 of the washing toilet seat device 10 described above has a main flow path 43 that forms a main flow coaxial with the central axis of the discharge port 32, and a branch flow path 47 that merges a branch branched from the main flow so as to disturb the flow of the main flow. Because turbulence is generated by the merger of the main flow and the branch flow, the discharged washing water can be pulsated to increase the peak load of the washing water. In addition, there is no need to provide the main flow path 43 and the branch flow path 47 along the axial direction of the rear washing nozzle 20, or to provide a device that requires a driving source such as a pulsation generating device such as a pump or an air suction device. Therefore, with a simple configuration that suppresses the increase in the diameter of the rear washing nozzle 20 and the increase in cost, the pulsation of the washing water can be increased and the peak load can be increased.

In addition, the posterior washing nozzle 20 can increase the effect of dividing the main stream by merging the tributary containing air bubbles sucked in from the intake hole 46 with the main stream through the ejector effect, thereby increasing the pulsation of the washing water and further increasing the peak load.

In addition, the posterior washing nozzle 20 can merge the tributary with the main flow in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the outlet 32, enhancing the effect of dividing the main flow, thereby increasing the pulsation of the washing water and further increasing the peak load.

In addition, because the posterior washing nozzle 20 has a branch passage 47 formed as a gap between the cylindrical portion 34 and the recess 48, the branch passage 47 can be formed with a simple structure, minimizing increases in costs.

In the above embodiment, the tributaries are joined to the main stream in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the outlet 32, but this is not limited thereto, and the tributaries may be joined in a direction intersecting the central axis so as to disturb (divide or obstruct) the flow of the main stream. For example, the tributaries may be joined in a direction inclined diagonally upward rather than a direction (angle) perpendicular to the flow of the main stream (the central axis of the outlet 32) going upward, or in a direction inclined diagonally downward (opposite the flow of the main stream), so long as the tributaries are joined in a direction intersecting the central axis. In addition, when multiple tributaries 47 are provided, the angles at which the tributaries of each tributary 47 join the main stream are not limited to being the same, and may be different.

In the embodiment, the branch flow path 47 branches off from the main flow path 43 downstream of the intake hole 46 (discharge port 32 side), but this is not limited thereto, and the branch flow path 47 may branch off from the main flow path 43 upstream of the intake hole 46. In other words, the air bubbles may flow through the main flow without passing through the branch flow path and into the discharge portion 33.

In the embodiment, the intake holes 46 are provided in two locations, but this is not limited thereto, and the number may be one location or three or more locations. Alternatively, the intake holes 46 may not be provided, and the configuration may not actively draw in air (air bubbles). Even with this configuration, it is possible to increase the pulsation and increase the peak load by merging a tributary stream so as to divide the main stream.

In the embodiment, the branch flow path 47 is formed as a gap between the cylindrical portion 34 and the recess 48, but this is not limited thereto, and any configuration may be used as long as the branch flow path 47 is formed so as to branch off from the main flow path 43 and join the discharge portion 33. In addition, while the main flow path 43 is connected to the discharge portion 33, this is not limited thereto, and the main flow path 43 may be directly connected to the discharge port 32.

In the embodiment, one rear washing nozzle 20 is shown to perform both powerful and mild washing, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a washing nozzle for performing powerful washing and a washing nozzle for performing mild washing may be provided separately. In such a case, the present invention can be applied to the washing nozzle for performing powerful washing. Since it is possible to adjust the pulsation of the washing water and the peak load by changing the design of the branch flow rate (cross-sectional area of the branch flow path 47) and the design of the amount of air sucked in from the intake hole 46 (cross-sectional area of the intake hole 46) according to the desired washing sensation, the present invention may be applied not only to powerful washing but also to mild washing. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied not only to rear washing but also to bidet washing.

The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In this embodiment, the discharge port 32 corresponds to the "discharge port", the posterior washing nozzle 20 corresponds to the "washing nozzle", the main flow path 43 corresponds to the "main flow path", and the branch flow path 47 corresponds to the "branch flow path". The intake hole 46 corresponds to the "intake hole". The cylindrical portion 34 corresponds to the "tubular portion", the flange portion 35 corresponds to the "flange portion", the discharge port forming member 31 corresponds to the "discharge port forming member", the recess 48 corresponds to the "recess", and the flow path forming member 41 corresponds to the "flow path forming member".

The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column is not intended to limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since this embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be based on the description in that column, and this embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of toilet seat cleaning devices, etc.

1 toilet bowl, 10 cleaning toilet seat device, 12 toilet seat device main body, 14 toilet seat, 16 toilet lid, 18 operation panel, 20 rear washing nozzle, 21 head portion, 22 flow path, 23 opening, 31 outlet forming member, 32 outlet, 33 outlet portion, 34 cylindrical portion, 34a tapered portion, 35 flange portion, 37 through hole, 38 spiral portion, 41 flow path forming member, 42 connecting flow path, 43 main flow path, 43a small diameter portion, 43b large diameter portion, 43c tapered portion, 45 air introduction path, 46 intake hole, 47 branch flow path, 48 recess, 48a support recess, 48b storage recess.

Claims (3)

A cylindrical cleaning nozzle having an outlet for discharging cleaning water toward a human body part and a flow path for cleaning water formed along an axial direction,
a main flow path that communicates with the flow path and forms a main flow of cleaning water that flows to the discharge port along a central axis of the discharge port;
At least one branch flow path that forms a branch flow branched from the main flow and merges the branch flow into the main flow in a direction intersecting the central axis so as to disturb the flow of the main flow;
a discharge port forming member having a cylindrical portion at an upper end where the discharge port is formed and a through hole is formed in a side wall, and a tapered portion at a lower end where the outer diameter becomes smaller toward the lower end side, and a flange portion extending radially outward from the upper end side of the cylindrical portion;
a flow path forming member which supports the flange portion and has a recess for accommodating the discharge port forming member with a gap between it and the cylindrical portion, the main flow path being formed so as to communicate with the center of a bottom surface of the recess, and a tapered portion which is formed at the center of the bottom surface and faces the tapered portion of the cylindrical portion with a gap and is formed at approximately the same angle of inclination;
Equipped with
At least one intake hole is formed to draw in air by the ejector effect of the mainstream flow,
The branch flow path branches the branch flow from the main flow on the discharge port side of the intake hole, and is formed as a continuous gap between the tapered portion of the cylindrical portion and the tapered portion of the recess and between the side wall of the cylindrical portion and the inner wall of the recess, and causes the branch flow to join through the through hole.
Cleaning nozzle. 2. The cleaning nozzle according to claim 1 ,
The branch flow path merges the branch flow path into the main flow path in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the discharge port. A private parts washing device comprising the washing nozzle according to claim 1 or 2 .

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