JP7611766B2 - 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 eject both a straight-line flow of cleansing water and a swirling (spiral) flow of cleansing water from a cleansing nozzle toward the human local area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this device, a flow path for the straight-line flow of cleansing water and a flow path for the swirling flow of cleansing water are provided within the cleansing nozzle, and the cleansing water that has flowed through both flow paths is merged at a junction before being ejected.

Patent No. 4331533

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in order to provide two flow paths extending in the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle, it is necessary to arrange the members and partitions for forming each flow path over the entire axial length of 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 appropriately discharge cleaning water that is a mixture of straight and swirling flows, using a simple configuration that prevents the cleaning nozzle from becoming larger and the cost from increasing.

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 partition wall portion having a bottom wall and a side wall partitioning a predetermined space having a circular cross section, the predetermined space being in communication with the central axis of the discharge port and coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port, from the flow path;
The partition portion has a first inlet formed in the bottom wall for introducing cleaning water into the specified space from below so that the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path flows along the axial direction within the specified space, and a second inlet formed in the side wall for introducing cleaning water into the specified space from the side so that the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path flows along the inner surface of the specified space.

In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, a partition wall that divides a predetermined space with a circular cross section that is coaxially connected to the discharge port is formed in a bottom wall with a first inlet that introduces cleaning water from below so that the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path flows along the axial direction within the predetermined space, and a second inlet wall that introduces cleaning water from the side so that the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path flows along the inner circumferential surface within the predetermined space. Therefore, the cleaning water that has flowed through the flow path and is divided by the partition wall is introduced from the first inlet port of the bottom wall and flows linearly along the axial direction within the predetermined space, and is introduced from the second inlet port of the side wall and flows in a swirling (spiral) shape within the predetermined space, so that cleaning water that is a mixture of a straight flow and a swirling flow can be discharged from the discharge port. This eliminates the need to provide two flow paths, a flow path for a straight flow and a flow path for a swirling flow, separately along the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle, and does not require the provision of space or members for the two flow paths, thereby suppressing the increase in the diameter of the cleaning nozzle and the increase in cost. In addition, the desired cleaning sensation can be achieved by designing the opening area ratio between the first inlet and the second inlet. Therefore, cleaning water that is a mixture of straight flow and swirling flow can be appropriately discharged with a simple configuration.

In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, the partition may be formed so that the opening area of the first inlet is larger than the opening area of the second inlet. In this way, it is possible to provide a mild cleaning sensation by mixing straight flow and swirling flow, while increasing the proportion of straight flow to prevent the cleaning sensation from being impaired.

In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, the partition wall may partition the predetermined space into a cylindrical shape, and the first inlet may be formed in the bottom wall so as to introduce cleaning water coaxially with the discharge port, and the second inlet may be formed in the side wall so as to introduce cleaning water in a tangential direction to the inner circumferential surface. In this way, a configuration that improves the straightness of the straight flow while improving the swirl of the swirling flow can be realized with a simpler configuration.

In the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, two outlets are formed as the outlets, and two flow paths are provided: a first flow path as a water supply pipe that supplies cleaning water to one of the two outlets, and a second flow path that circulates cleaning water between the outer circumferential surface of the first flow path and the inner circumferential surface of the cleaning nozzle to supply cleaning water to the other of the two outlets. The partition wall may partition the specified space from the second flow path, and introduce the cleaning water that has circulated through the second flow path into the specified space from the first inlet and the second inlet. In this way, even when two flow paths, the first flow path and the second flow path, are provided in the cleaning nozzle, there is no need to further divide the second flow path into a straight flow path and a swirling flow path, so that the nozzle can be more reliably prevented from becoming larger in diameter and the cost can be more reliably prevented from increasing.

The personal cleansing device of the present invention is equipped with any one of the cleaning nozzles described above, and therefore achieves the effect of the cleaning nozzle of the present invention, namely, the effect of appropriately discharging cleaning water that is a mixture of a straight flow and a swirling flow, with a simple configuration that suppresses the increase in the diameter of the cleaning nozzle and the increase in cost. This makes it possible to prevent the personal cleansing 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. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the posterior washing nozzle 20. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a head unit 31. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how cleaning water for mild cleaning is discharged.

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 a structural diagram of the posterior washing nozzle 20, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the posterior washing nozzle 20. Fig. 6 is a structural diagram of the head unit 31, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Fig. 7.

The rear washing nozzle 20 of this embodiment is a cylindrical member configured to perform powerful washing and mild washing, with a powerful washing outlet 23 and a mild washing outlet 25 formed at the tip, and a powerful washing flow path 22 and a mild washing flow path 24 extending axially inside. The rear washing nozzle 20 is configured by combining a cylindrical main body 30, a cylindrical head part 31 coaxially attached to the main body 30, and a tip member 32 fitted into the tip (front end) of the head part 31. The powerful washing outlet 23 is formed in the tip member 32, and the mild washing outlet 25 is formed in the head part 31. The tip side of the head part 31 is also formed with a notch 31a cut out to expose the outlet 23.

The rear washing nozzle 20 has a water supply pipe 34 made of resin or metal inside, which extends axially so as to penetrate the central hole of the main body 30 and the central hole 31b of the head 31 (see FIG. 6). This water supply pipe 34 reaches the tip member 32 and constitutes a powerful washing flow path 22 that supplies washing water to the discharge port 23. In addition, the rear washing nozzle 20 forms a space with a circular cross section between the outer surface of the water supply pipe 34 and the inner surface of the rear washing nozzle 20 (the inner surface of the main body 30 and the inner surface 27 of the head 31) as a mild washing flow path 24. In addition, the rear washing nozzle 20 has a water supply connection part 33 with two connection ports 33a at the rear end of the main body 30. Each connection port 33a of the water supply connection part 33 is connected to the other end of a supply hose (not shown) whose one end is connected to a switching valve. One of the connection ports 33a is connected to the powerful cleaning flow path 22 (water supply pipe 34) and supplies cleaning water supplied from the supply hose to the powerful cleaning flow path 22. The other connection port 33a is connected to the mild cleaning flow path 24 and supplies cleaning water supplied from the supply hose to the mild cleaning flow path 24.

A partition wall 35 is provided in the head portion 31 of the posterior cleaning nozzle 20 to partition the mild cleaning flow path 24 into a cylindrical space (predetermined space) 39 that is coaxial with the central axis of the discharge port 25. The partition wall 35 is located at the end of the mild cleaning flow path 24 and has a bottom wall 36 and a side wall 37. As described above, the mild cleaning flow path 24 is formed as a circular flow path (space). Therefore, the side wall 37 becomes a wall that extends in an approximately arc shape in part of the circular shape, and forms part of the end of the mild cleaning flow path 24.

In the partition 35, a circular lower inlet 36a for introducing cleaning water into the cylindrical space 39 from below is formed in the bottom wall 36, and a rectangular side inlet 37a for introducing cleaning water into the cylindrical space 39 from the side is formed in the side wall 37. The lower inlet 36a is formed so as to penetrate the bottom wall 36 along the axial direction of the cylindrical space 39, and in this embodiment, it is formed coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39 (discharge port 25). In addition, the side inlet 37a is formed so as to penetrate the side wall 37 along the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical space 39, and introduces cleaning water from the side along the tangential direction. In this embodiment, the opening area of the lower inlet 36a is formed to be larger than the opening area of the side inlet 37a. For example, the area ratio of the opening areas of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a is formed to be 5:3. Note that this area ratio is an example and is not limited to this. Additionally, the lower inlet 36a may be of another shape, such as a rectangular shape, and the side inlet 37a may be of another shape, such as a circular shape.

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

As shown in the figure, the cleaning water that has flowed through the mild cleaning flow path 24 is divided by the partition wall 35 at the end of the flow path, and is introduced into the cylindrical space 39 from the lower inlet 36a of the bottom wall 36, and is also introduced into the cylindrical space 39 from the side inlet 37a of the side wall 37. As described above, the lower inlet 36a introduces the cleaning water from below coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39 (discharge port 25). Therefore, the cleaning water introduced from the lower inlet 36a becomes a straight flow that flows straight along the axial direction in the cylindrical space 39. In addition, the side inlet 37a introduces the cleaning water from the side along the tangential direction into the cylindrical space 39. Therefore, the cleaning water introduced from the side inlet 37a becomes a swirling flow that flows in a spiral shape along the inner surface of the cylindrical space 39. Then, a mixed flow of the straight flow and the swirling flow is discharged from the discharge port 25 toward the human body part. This allows the user to feel the sensation of being cleaned by pinpoint cleaning using the straight flow and mild cleaning using the swirling flow. Note that the cleaning water that flows through the mild cleaning flow path 24 is once diverted at the partition 35 and then re-merges in the cylindrical space 39, so the cylindrical space 39 is also called a merging chamber (merging space).

In addition, in this embodiment, the area ratio (flow rate ratio) of the lower inlet 36a to the side inlet 37a is 5:3, and the flow rate of the straight flow is greater than the flow rate of the swirling flow, so that a mild cleaning sensation is achieved by mixing the straight flow and the swirling flow, while increasing the ratio of the straight flow and preventing the cleaning sensation from being impaired. Also, by setting the flow rate of the swirling flow to about 3/8 of the flow rate (total flow rate) flowing through the mild cleaning flow path 24, ensuring 1/3 of the total flow rate (within the range of 1/3 to 1/2), a milder cleaning sensation can be provided. This can increase the user's satisfaction when mild cleaning is performed.

The rear washing nozzle 20 of the washing toilet seat device 10 described above divides the washing water flowing through the mild washing flow path 24 at the partition 35 and introduces it into the cylindrical space 39 from the lower inlet 36a of the bottom wall 36 and the side inlet 37a of the side wall 37. The washing water introduced from the lower inlet 36a is made into a straight flow, and the washing water introduced from the side inlet 37a is made into a swirling flow, and these mixed flows are discharged from the discharge port 25. As a result, there is no need to provide separate flow paths for the straight flow and the swirling flow along the axial direction of the rear washing nozzle 20, so that the diameter of the rear washing nozzle 20 and the increase in costs can be suppressed. This also prevents the private parts washing device from becoming larger.

In addition, the opening area of the lower inlet 36a is made larger than that of the side inlet 37a, so that a mild cleaning sensation is achieved by mixing straight flow and swirling flow, while the proportion of straight flow is increased to prevent the cleaning sensation from being impaired.

In addition, a lower inlet 36a is formed in the bottom wall 36 to introduce cleaning water coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39 (discharge port 25), and a side inlet 37a is formed in the side wall 37 to introduce cleaning water in the tangential direction of the cylindrical space 39. This makes it possible to realize a configuration that improves the straightness of the straight flow while improving the swirl of the swirling flow with a simpler configuration.

The posterior washing nozzle 20 has two flow paths, a powerful washing flow path 22 and a mild washing flow path 24, but since there is no need to separate the mild washing flow path 24 into a straight flow path and a swirling flow path, there is no need to provide three flow paths. Therefore, even if the posterior washing nozzle 20 is configured to perform powerful washing and mild washing, it is possible to prevent the nozzle from becoming larger in diameter and the cost from increasing.

The rear washing nozzle 20 can also change the ratio of the flow rate of the straight flow and the swirling flow by changing the design of the opening area ratio of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a, thereby changing the feeling of cleaning.

In the above embodiment, one each of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a is formed, but this is not limited to the above, and either one or both may be formed in multiple numbers. In this case, it is sufficient that the lower inlet is formed to be larger than the side inlet when comparing the total opening area of the multiple inlets. In addition, the lower inlet 36a is not limited to being formed only one coaxially with the central axis of the cylindrical space 39, but one or multiple inlets that introduce cleaning water along the axial direction of the discharge port 25 (to promote the generation of a straight flow) may be formed. In addition, the side inlet 37a is not limited to being formed only one so as to introduce cleaning water in the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical space 39, but one or multiple inlets that introduce cleaning water along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical space 39 (to promote the generation of a swirling flow) may be formed.

In the embodiment, the opening area of the lower inlet 36a is larger than that of the side inlet 37a, but this is not limited thereto, and the opening areas of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a may be approximately the same. Alternatively, the opening area of the side inlet 37a may be larger than that of the lower inlet 36a. Note that multiple types of head units 31 with different opening area ratios of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a may be made detachable from the main body unit 30, and the head unit 31 selected according to the user's preferred cleaning feel may be attached to the main body unit 30 for use.

In the embodiment, the partition wall 35 defines a cylindrical space 39, but this is not limited thereto, and any space having a circular cross section may be defined. For example, an inverted cone-shaped space whose inner diameter increases from the bottom to the top may be defined.

In the embodiment, the powerful cleaning flow path 22 is provided at the center of the posterior cleaning nozzle 20, and the mild cleaning flow path 24 is a flow path with a circular cross section, but this is not limited thereto, and the mild cleaning flow path 24 may be any flow path that allows cleaning water to flow between the outer circumferential surface of the powerful cleaning flow path 22 (water supply pipe 34) and the inner circumferential surface 27 of the posterior cleaning nozzle 20. Alternatively, the mild cleaning flow path 24 may be provided at the center of the posterior cleaning nozzle 20, and the powerful cleaning flow path 22 may be a flow path with a circular cross section.

In the embodiment, one rear washing nozzle 20 is shown to perform both powerful and mild washing, but this 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 mild washing. Depending on the desired washing sensation, it is possible to change the opening area ratio of the lower inlet 36a and the side inlet 37a, and to make design changes such as increasing the ratio of straight flow, so the present invention can be applied not only to mild washing but also to powerful washing. Furthermore, the present invention can 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 25 corresponds to the "discharge port", the mild cleaning flow path 24 corresponds to the "flow path", the rear cleaning nozzle 20 corresponds to the "cleaning nozzle", the partition 35 corresponds to the "partition", the lower inlet 36a corresponds to the "first inlet", the bottom wall 36 corresponds to the "bottom wall", the side inlet 37a corresponds to the "second inlet", and the side wall 37 corresponds to the "side wall". Also, the discharge port 23 corresponds to the "discharge port", the powerful cleaning flow path 22 corresponds to the "first flow path", and the mild cleaning flow path 24 corresponds to the "second flow path".

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 implementing the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of private parts 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 cleaning nozzle, 22 powerful cleaning flow path, 23 outlet, 24 mild cleaning flow path, 25 outlet, 27 inner circumferential surface, 30 main body, 31 head, 31a notch, 31b central hole, 32 tip member, 33 water supply connection part, 33a connection port, 34 water supply pipe, 35 partition wall, 36 bottom wall, 36a lower inlet, 37 side wall, 37a lateral inlet, 39 cylindrical space (predetermined space, merging chamber).

Claims (4)

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 partition wall portion having a bottom wall and a side wall partitioning a predetermined space having a circular cross section, the predetermined space being in communication with the central axis of the discharge port and coaxially with the central axis of the discharge port, from the flow path;
the partition portion has a first inlet formed in the bottom wall for introducing cleaning water into the specified space from below such that the cleaning water having flowed through the flow path flows along the axial direction within the specified space, and a second inlet formed in the side wall for introducing cleaning water into the specified space from the side such that the cleaning water having flowed through the flow path flows along an inner circumferential surface within the specified space ,
As the discharge port, two discharge ports are formed,
The flow paths include a first flow path serving as a water supply pipe for supplying cleaning water to one of the two discharge ports, and a second flow path for circulating cleaning water between an outer circumferential surface of the first flow path and an inner circumferential surface of the cleaning nozzle to supply cleaning water to the other of the two discharge ports,
The partition wall divides the predetermined space from the second flow path, and introduces the cleaning water that has flowed through the second flow path into the predetermined space from the first inlet and the second inlet.
Cleaning nozzle. 2. The cleaning nozzle according to claim 1,
The partition portion is formed so that an opening area of the first inlet is larger than an opening area of the second inlet. 3. The cleaning nozzle according to claim 1,
The partition portion divides the specified space into a cylindrical shape, and the first inlet is formed in the bottom wall so as to introduce cleaning water coaxially with the discharge port, and the second inlet is formed in the side wall so as to introduce cleaning water in a tangential direction to the inner circumferential surface. A private parts washing device comprising the washing nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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