JP7766862B2 - Toilet equipment - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to toilet devices.

In toilet devices equipped with features such as a heated seat or warm water flushing function, power is supplied to the functional components inside the casing from a power source such as a household power supply via a power line. In addition, such toilet devices are equipped with an earth wire (ground wire) for safety in the event of a power leak.

The earth wire is arranged to extend from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing through an opening in the casing. A bushing is provided at the opening of the casing to prevent water, dust, etc. from entering the inside of the casing. The earth wire is fixed to the casing (opening) by this bushing. The tip of the earth wire is also fixed to a terminal block provided inside the casing. To prevent the earth wire from breaking if it is pulled from outside the casing, the earth wire is arranged so that there is an excess length between the bushing and the terminal block.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-113460

In recent years, there has been a demand for smaller, more multifunctional toilet devices. In order to make the casing smaller while still being able to house a variety of functional parts, it is necessary to position the ground wire inside the casing in an appropriate location and make effective use of the space inside the casing.

This aspect of the present invention was developed in recognition of this problem, and aims to provide a toilet device that allows the earth wire inside the casing to be positioned in an appropriate location.

The first invention is a toilet device comprising: a casing with an opening; an earth wire extending from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing through the opening; a bushing provided in the opening to secure the earth wire; and a terminal block provided inside the casing to secure one end of the earth wire. The earth wire has a first portion extending from the bushing to above or to the side of the terminal block, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the terminal block. The second portion has a first region extending from the first portion to the opposite side of the bushing, a folded region folded back from the first region toward the bushing, and a second region extending from the folded region toward the bushing.

With this toilet device, the earth wire is arranged so that it passes from the bushing above or to the side of the terminal block and then folds back on itself at a position opposite the bushing across the terminal block. This allows the second portion of the earth wire, which is the excess length, to be stored on the opposite side of the terminal block from the bushing. This allows the earth wire to be positioned in an appropriate location inside the casing, making more effective use of the space inside the casing than, for example, if the earth wire is not folded back.

The second invention is a toilet device according to the first invention, characterized in that the casing has a side wall portion, and the first and second portions are not located between the terminal block and the side wall portion.

With this toilet device, the first and second parts are not positioned between the terminal block and the side wall, which prevents the first and second parts from becoming pinched in the casing when the casing is closed. This improves the ease of assembly of the toilet device.

The third invention is a toilet device according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the vertical position of the first area is different from the vertical position of the second area.

With this toilet device, the vertical position of the first area is different from the vertical position of the second area, which prevents the earth wire from spreading out laterally inside the casing in the direction from the bushing toward the terminal block, allowing for more effective use of the space inside the casing.

The fourth invention is a toilet device according to any one of the first to third inventions, characterized in that the first area and the second area intersect.

With this toilet device, the first and second regions intersect, allowing the excess length stored in the same space to be longer than when the first and second regions do not intersect. This reduces the risk of the earth wire breaking, improving the safety of the toilet device.

The fifth invention is a toilet device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, characterized in that the earth wire has a terminal portion provided at the tip of the second portion and connected to the terminal block, and the terminal portion is connected to the terminal block so that the second portion extends on the side opposite the bush portion.

With this toilet device, the terminal section is connected to the terminal block so that the second section extends away from the bush section. This prevents the earth wire from spreading out laterally inside the casing in the direction from the bush section toward the terminal block, making more effective use of the space inside the casing.

A sixth invention is a toilet device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, further comprising: a first power line that passes through the opening and extends from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing and is fixed to the bushing; a second power line that passes through the opening and extends from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing and is fixed to the bushing; and a fixing portion that is provided inside the casing and fixes the first power line and the second power line, wherein the sum of the lengths of the first and second portions is longer than the length of the first power line from the bushing to the fixing portion and is longer than the length of the second power line from the bushing to the fixing portion.

With this toilet device, the total length of the first and second parts is longer than the length from the bushing to the fixed part of the first power line, and is also longer than the length from the bushing to the fixed part of the second power line. This prevents the ground line from breaking before the first or second power line when the ground line, first power line, and second power line are pulled simultaneously. This increases the safety of the toilet device.

The seventh invention is a toilet device according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, characterized in that the casing has a storage section that stores the folded-back area, and the storage section opens upward.

This toilet device allows for more effective use of the space inside the casing by providing a storage compartment that houses the folded-back region of the second section. Furthermore, the storage compartment opens upward, making it easier to release excess wire when the earth wire is pulled. This reduces the risk of the earth wire breaking, improving the safety of the toilet device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a toilet device is provided that allows the earth wire inside the casing to be positioned in an appropriate location.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a toilet device according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a toilet device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the toilet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a bushing of the toilet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the toilet device according to the embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a toilet device according to an embodiment. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the length of the first and second power supply wires and the length of the earth wire of the toilet device according to the embodiment. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, similar components will be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a toilet device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of the toilet device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows the main configuration of the water channel system and the main configuration of the electrical system together.
1, the toilet device 100 according to the embodiment includes a Western-style seated toilet bowl (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, simply referred to as the "toilet bowl") 90, a casing 10, a toilet seat 92, and a toilet lid 94. The casing 10 is provided on the rear of the toilet bowl 90. The toilet seat 92 and the toilet lid 94 are each pivotally supported on the casing 10 so as to be able to open and close freely.

In the following description of the embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "right side," and "left side" are used, and these directions are those seen from the perspective of a user sitting on the toilet seat 92, as shown in Figure 1.

The casing 10 has a case plate 11 (see Figure 3) that is placed on the rear of the toilet bowl 90, and a case cover 12 that covers the top of the case plate 11. The casing 10 houses various functional parts within the space enclosed by the case plate 11 and the case cover 12.

The casing 10 houses a warm water cleaning function unit that cleans, for example, the bottom of a user sitting on the toilet seat 92. The warm water cleaning function unit includes, for example, a nozzle 80, a flow path 81, a solenoid valve 82, a heat exchanger 83, a flow rate switching valve 84, a flow path switching valve 85, a nozzle motor 86, and a nozzle cleaning chamber 87 (see Figure 2).

The nozzle 80 has an outlet 80a at its tip. The nozzle 80 ejects cleaning water supplied from a water supply source WS, such as a tap or water tank, from the outlet 80a to clean the bottom and other areas of the user sitting on the toilet seat 92.

A solenoid valve 82 is provided upstream of the flow path 81 connecting the water supply source WS and the nozzle 80. The solenoid valve 82 is an openable and closable electromagnetic valve that controls the water supply based on commands from the control unit 70. In other words, the solenoid valve 82 switches between supplying water from the water supply source WS to the nozzle 80 and stopping the water supply.

A heat exchanger 83 is provided downstream of the solenoid valve 82. The heat exchanger 83 uses a heater to heat the water supplied from the water supply source WS, for example, to a specified temperature. The heat exchanger 83 converts the water supplied from the water supply source WS into hot water at a set temperature.

Downstream of the heat exchanger 83 are provided a flow rate switching valve 84 that adjusts the flow rate, and a flow path switching valve 85 that opens and closes the water supply to the nozzle 80 and nozzle cleaning chamber 87 and switches the water supply destination. The flow rate switching valve 84 adjusts the flow rate of water flowing to the nozzle 80. The flow path switching valve 85 can switch the water supply destination (the connection destination of the flow path) to either the nozzle 80 or the nozzle cleaning chamber 87. The flow rate switching valve 84 and flow path switching valve 85 may be provided as a single unit.

A nozzle 80 is provided downstream of the flow rate switching valve 84 and the flow path switching valve 85. The nozzle 80 receives driving force from a nozzle motor 86 and can advance into the bowl of the toilet 90 or retreat into the casing 10. In other words, the nozzle motor 86 can move the nozzle 80 forward and backward based on commands from the control unit 70.

The nozzle cleaning chamber 87 can sterilize or clean the outer surface (body) of the nozzle 80 by spraying sterilizing water or water from a water outlet (not shown) installed inside. Alternatively, the nozzle cleaning chamber 87 can sterilize or clean the outlet 80a of the nozzle 80 when it is stored.

The casing 10 also includes an electric opening/closing function unit that electrically opens and closes the toilet seat 92 and toilet lid 94. The electric opening/closing function unit includes, for example, an opening/closing motor 96 for opening and closing the toilet seat 92 and toilet lid 94 (see Figure 2).

The toilet seat 92 also includes a built-in heated toilet seat function unit that warms the toilet seat 92. The heated toilet seat function unit includes, for example, a toilet seat heater 98 (see Figure 2).

The control unit 70 receives power from the power supply PS via the power circuit 71 and controls the operation of the solenoid valve 82, heat exchanger 83, flow rate switching valve 84, flow path switching valve 85, nozzle motor 86, opening/closing motor 96, and toilet seat heater 98 based on signals from the operation unit 72 and other components.

The power supply PS is, for example, an AC power supply. The power supply PS is, for example, a commercial power supply of AC 100V (effective value). The power supply circuit 71 converts the AC power supplied from the power supply PS into DC power and supplies the converted DC power to the control unit 70.

The toilet device 100 has a power cord 20 for supplying power from the power supply PS to the inside of the casing 10. The power cord 20 has a first power line 31, a second power line 32, and an earth line 40.

The first power line 31 and the second power line 32 connect the power supply PS and the power supply circuit 71. The first power line 31 is, for example, the live side power line (L line), and the second power line 32 is, for example, the neutral side power line (N line).

The earth wire 40 connects the power supply PS to the terminal block 45. The terminal block 45 is located inside the casing 10 and secures one end (tip) of the earth wire 40.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the toilet device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the periphery of the bushing of the toilet device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the toilet device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the toilet device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the region R1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A2 shown in FIG.
3 to 6 show a state in which the case cover 12 of the casing 10 is removed. Also, in Fig. 3 to 6, parts other than those related to the power supply and earth are omitted.

As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the casing 10 has an opening 13. The opening 13 is a hole that penetrates the casing 10 and is located at the boundary between the outside and the inside of the casing 10 when the casing 10 is closed (i.e., when the case plate 11 is covered by the case cover 12). In this example, the opening 13 penetrates in the front-to-rear direction, and the power cord 20 extends rearward from the opening 13.

The power cord 20 has an insulating covering member (sheath) 21. The covering member 21 covers the first power line 31, the second power line 32, and the ground line 40 while they are bundled together. A bushing portion 22 is provided at the tip of the power cord 20. Note that in this specification, the end closest to the power supply PS is referred to as the "base end" and the end farthest from the power supply PS is referred to as the "tip end." The bushing portion 22 is formed integrally with the covering member 21.

The bushing portion 22 engages with the opening 13 of the casing 10. This secures the bushing portion 22 to the opening 13. The first power supply wire 31, the second power supply wire 32, and the ground wire 40 are not bundled beyond the bushing portion 22, but extend to the opposite side of the bushing portion 22. In this way, the first power supply wire 31, the second power supply wire 32, and the ground wire 40 pass through the opening 13, extending from the outside of the casing 10 to the inside of the casing 10, and are secured to the casing 10 (opening 13) via the bushing portion 22.

Inside the casing 10, the earth wire 40 extends from the bushing 22 to the terminal block 45. In this example, the terminal block 45 is located in front of the bushing 22.

The earth wire 40 has a first portion 41 and a second portion 42. The first portion 41 is a portion that extends from the bushing portion 22 to above or to the side of the terminal block 45. The second portion 42 is a portion that extends from the first portion 41 to the terminal block 45. The second portion 42 is, for example, an excess portion of the earth wire 40. The first portion 41 is, for example, a portion of the earth wire 40 other than the excess portion.

In this example, the earth wire 40 passes above the terminal block 45. A portion of the first portion 41 (a portion of the second portion 42) is located above the terminal block 45. That is, a portion of the first portion 41 (a portion of the second portion 42) overlaps the terminal block 45 in the vertical direction. In an embodiment, the earth wire 40 may pass to the side of the terminal block 45. A portion of the first portion 41 (a portion of the second portion 42) may be located to the side of the terminal block 45. That is, a portion of the first portion 41 (a portion of the second portion 42) may overlap the terminal block 45 in the horizontal direction.

When the earth wire 40 passes along the side of the terminal block 45, it is preferable that the first part 41 and the second part 42 are not located between the terminal block 45 and the side wall 14 of the casing 10. In other words, when the earth wire 40 passes along the side of the terminal block 45, it is preferable that the earth wire 40 passes on the opposite side of the terminal block 45 from the side wall 14 of the casing 10. In other words, when the earth wire 40 passes along the side of the terminal block 45, it is preferable that the terminal block 45 be located between the earth wire 40 and the side wall 14 of the casing 10.

The second portion 42 has a first region 42a, a folded region 42b, and a second region 42c. The first region 42a is connected to the first portion 41 and extends from the first portion 41 on the side opposite the bushing portion 22. The folded region 42b is connected to the first region 42a and is folded back from the first region 42a toward the bushing portion 22. The second region 42c is connected to the folded region 42b and extends from the folded region 42b toward the bushing portion 22.

In this way, inside the casing 10, the earth wire 40 passes from the bushing portion 22 above or to the side of the terminal block 45 (first portion 41), extends across the terminal block 45 to the opposite side of the bushing portion 22 (first region 42a of the second portion 42), folds back (folded region 42b of the second portion 42), extends toward the bushing portion 22 (second region 42c of the second portion 42), and is connected to the terminal block 45.

The vertical position of the first region 42a is preferably different from the vertical position of the second region 42c. It is preferable that at least a portion of the first region 42a is located above or below the second region 42c in a side view.

It is preferable that the first region 42a and the second region 42c intersect. It is preferable that the first region 42a and the second region 42c intersect in a side view. The first region 42a and the second region 42c may intersect, for example, in a plan view.

A terminal portion 43 connected to the terminal block 45 is provided at the tip of the second portion 42. The terminal portion 43 is connected to the terminal block 45 so that the second portion 42 extends on the opposite side from the bush portion 22. In other words, the connection portion between the second portion 42 and the terminal portion 43 is located on the opposite side of the terminal block 45 from the bush portion 22. In this example, the terminal portion 43 is connected to the terminal block 45 so that the second portion 42 extends forward from the terminal block 45. In other words, in this example, the connection portion between the second portion 42 and the terminal portion 43 is located in front of the terminal block 45.

In this example, the second region 42c is connected to the terminal block 45 via the terminal portion 43. That is, in this example, the terminal portion 43 is provided at the tip of the second region 42c. In the embodiment, the second region 42c does not have to be connected to the terminal block 45. The second portion 42 may have, for example, another region located between the second region 42c and the terminal portion 43. The other region may include, for example, another folded region that is folded back from the second region 42c to the side opposite the bushing portion 22, or a region that extends from the other folded region to the side opposite the bushing portion 22. That is, the second portion 42 may have, for example, multiple folded regions.

The casing 10 is provided with a storage section 15 that stores a portion of the earth wire 40. The storage section 15 stores, for example, a portion of the first region 42a, the folded region 42b, and a portion of the second region 42c of the second portion 42 of the earth wire 40.

The storage section 15 has a front surface 15a and a side surface 15b. The front surface 15a is located in front of the terminal block 45. The side surface 15b faces the side wall 14 of the casing 10. The storage section 15 stores the folded region 42b and other components in the space surrounded by the front surface 15a, the side surface 15b, and the side wall 14 of the casing 10. The storage section 15 is open upward.

Inside the casing 10, the first power line 31 and the second power line 32 each extend from the bushing portion 22 to the fixing portion 35. The fixing portion 35 is provided inside the casing 10 and fixes the first power line 31 and the second power line 32. The fixing portion 35 holds, for example, the middle portions of the first power line 31 and the second power line 32 extending from the bushing portion 22 to the power circuit 71. In this example, the fixing portion 35 is located on the opposite side of the side portion 14 of the casing 10 across the first portion 41 of the ground wire 40.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the lengths of the first and second power supply wires and the length of the earth wire of the toilet device according to the embodiment.
7 , the sum of the length L1 of the first portion 41 and the length L2 of the second portion 42 is longer than, for example, the length L3 from the bushing portion 22 to the fixed portion 35 of the first power line 31 (L1+L2>L3). Also, the sum of the length L1 of the first portion 41 and the length L2 of the second portion 42 is longer than, for example, the length L4 from the bushing portion 22 to the fixed portion 35 of the second power line 32 (L1+L2>L4).

In this example, length L3 is the same as length L4. Length L3 may be different from length L4. Also, in this example, length L1 is shorter than length L3 and shorter than length L4. Length L1 may be longer than length L3. Length L1 may be longer than length L4. Also, in this example, length L2 is shorter than length L1. Length L2 may be the same as length L1 or may be longer than length L1.

The following describes the effects of the toilet device 100 according to the embodiment.
In recent years, there has been a demand for smaller and more multifunctional toilet devices. In order to reduce the size of the casing while accommodating various functional parts inside, it is necessary to place the ground wire inside the casing in an appropriate location and effectively utilize the space inside the casing.

In contrast, with the toilet device 100 according to this embodiment, the earth wire 40 is arranged so that it passes from the bushing portion 22 above or to the side of the terminal block 45 and then folds back at a position opposite the bushing portion 22 across the terminal block 45. This allows the second portion 42, which is the excess length of the earth wire 40, to be stored at a position opposite the bushing portion 22 across the terminal block 45. This allows the earth wire 40 to be positioned in an appropriate location inside the casing 10, making more effective use of the space inside the casing 10, compared to when the earth wire 40 is not folded back, for example.

Furthermore, by ensuring that the first part 41 and the second part 42 are not positioned between the terminal block 45 and the side wall portion 14, it is possible to prevent the first part 41 or the second part 42 from being pinched in the casing 10 when closing the casing 10. This improves the ease of assembly of the toilet device 100.

Furthermore, by making the vertical position of the first region 42a different from the vertical position of the second region 42c, it is possible to prevent the earth wire 40 from spreading laterally inside the casing 10 in the direction from the bush portion 22 toward the terminal block 45, thereby enabling more effective use of the space inside the casing 10.

Furthermore, by intersecting the first region 42a and the second region 42c, the length of the excess length stored in the same space can be made longer than when the first region 42a and the second region 42c do not intersect. This makes it possible to prevent breakage of the earth wire 40 and improve the safety of the toilet device 100.

Furthermore, by connecting the terminal portion 43 to the terminal block 45 so that the second portion 42 extends on the opposite side from the bush portion 22, the earth wire 40 inside the casing 10 can be prevented from spreading laterally in the direction from the bush portion 22 toward the terminal block 45, allowing for more effective use of the space inside the casing 10.

Furthermore, by making the sum of the length L1 of the first portion 41 and the length L2 of the second portion 42 longer than the length L3 from the bushing 22 to the fixed portion 35 of the first power line 31 and longer than the length L4 from the bushing 22 to the fixed portion 35 of the second power line 32, it is possible to prevent the ground line 40 from breaking before the first power line 31 or the second power line 32 when the ground line 40, the first power line 31, and the second power line 32 are pulled simultaneously. This increases the safety of the toilet device 100.

Furthermore, by providing a storage section 15 that stores the folded-back region 42b of the second section 42, the space inside the casing 10 can be utilized more effectively. Furthermore, by opening the storage section 15 upward, it is possible to more easily release the excess length of the earth wire 40 when it is pulled. This reduces the risk of the earth wire 40 breaking, and improves the safety of the toilet device 100.

As described above, this embodiment provides a toilet device that allows the earth wire inside the casing to be positioned in an appropriate location.

The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, placement, installation form, etc. of each element of a toilet device are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of each of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Casing 11 Case plate 12 Case cover 13 Opening 14 Side wall 15 Storage section 15a Front section 15b Side section 20 Power cord 21 Covering member 22 Bush section 31 First power line 32 Second power line 35 Fixing section 40 Ground wire 41 First section 42 Second section 42a First region 42b Folded region 42c Second region 43 Terminal section 45 Terminal block 70 Control section 71 Power supply circuit 72 Operation section 80 Nozzle 80a Discharge port 81 Flow path 82 Solenoid valve 83 Heat exchanger 84 Flow rate switching valve 85 Flow path switching valve 86 Nozzle motor 87 Nozzle cleaning chamber 90 Toilet bowl 92 Toilet seat 94 Toilet lid 96 Opening/closing motor 98 Toilet seat heater 100 Toilet device L1 to L4 Length PS Power supply WS Power source

Claims (7)

a casing having an opening;
a ground wire extending from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing through the opening;
a bushing portion provided in the opening portion and configured to fix the ground wire;
a terminal block provided inside the casing and configured to fix one end of the ground wire;
Equipped with
the casing has a storage section,
When the earth wire is stored in the storage section,
a first portion extending from the bush portion to above or to the side of the terminal block;
a second portion extending from the first portion to the terminal block;
and
The second portion is
a first region extending from the first portion to a side opposite to the bushing portion;
a folded region folded back from the first region toward the bush portion;
a second region extending from the folded region toward the bush portion;
and
The toilet device , wherein the storage section stores the folded region . The casing has a side wall portion,
2. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are not located between the terminal block and the side wall portion. The toilet device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vertical position of the first region is different from the vertical position of the second region. A toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first region and the second region intersect. the ground wire has a terminal portion provided at a tip of the second portion and connected to the terminal block,
The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the terminal portion is connected to the terminal block so that the second portion extends on the side opposite to the bush portion. a first power line extending from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing through the opening and fixed to the bushing portion;
a second power line extending from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing through the opening and fixed to the bushing portion;
a fixing portion provided inside the casing and configured to fix the first power line and the second power line;
Furthermore,
The toilet device of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sum of the length of the first portion and the length of the second portion is longer than the length of the first power line from the bush portion to the fixed portion, and is longer than the length of the second power line from the bush portion to the fixed portion. 7. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage section opens upward .