JPH0555664B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a private parts cleaning device, particularly to a private parts cleaning device that can be suitably used in a unit bath in a hotel or the like.

(b) Conventional technology Conventionally, as a form of Western-style toilet, it receives hot and cold water from the outside, generates a mixture of hot water and water at an appropriate temperature using a thermostatic mixing valve, and then uses a thermostatic mixing valve to generate mixed hot water and water.
Some toilets are equipped with private parts cleaning devices that can clean private parts by discharging water from a cleaning nozzle provided inside the toilet bowl body.

When generating mixed hot water, this private parts cleaning device does not require the use of an electric heater or electric hot water mixing device that requires a commercial power source (AC100V), and also does not require the use of an electromagnetic on-off valve that performs water discharging or water shutoff operations. Since various sensors and control devices can be powered by dry batteries, electric shock accidents and leakage accidents can be reliably prevented.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, such private part cleaning devices still have the following problems that need to be solved.

That is, if a considerable amount of time passes after using the flush toilet until the next user uses the flush toilet, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply pipe decreases, resulting in a so-called dead water state.

Therefore, when a user presses a water discharging push button switch after sitting on the toilet seat, the thermostatic mixing valve mixes the hot water supply and generates a mixture of hot water that is directed toward the private parts from the cleaning nozzle. However, since the hot water is supplied at a low temperature, the temperature of the mixed hot water is also inevitably low, causing discomfort to the user.

As previously disclosed by the present applicant in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-77268, in a device using a motor-driven mixing valve, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned discomfort to the user, the operation of the seat switch is In conjunction with this, a hot water temperature detection sensor in the hot water supply pipe detects the hot water temperature, and if the temperature is below a certain level, a solenoid valve for discarding hot water is opened to discard the hot water, and there is a private cleaning device.

However, if the seat switch is activated,
At some point, the hot water temperature is detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor in the hot water supply pipe, and based on the detection output, the solenoid valve for discarding hot water is opened to discard the hot water, but after that, the seated state is If this continued for a long time, the temperature of the water in the hot water supply pipes would drop.

Further, in this case, since the mixing valve is driven by a motor, a large amount of electric power is consumed, which poses a problem in terms of power saving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a private part cleaning device that can solve the above problems.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention is configured so that hot water and water are supplied from the outside, and the mixed hot water whose temperature is adjusted to an appropriate temperature is discharged from a cleaning nozzle to the private area and stopped by the user's operation. In the private parts cleaning device, a thermostatic mixing valve is installed at the confluence of the hot water supply pipe and the water supply pipe, and a waste hot water pipe is branched from the flow path from the hot water supply pipe to the cleaning nozzle, and the flow path from the hot water supply pipe to the cleaning nozzle is A hot water temperature detection sensor and a solenoid valve for discarded hot water are installed in each hot water pipe, and furthermore,
When the user detection switch detects a user, it turns on the hot water temperature detection sensor, and opens the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve to perform the waste hot water operation and discharge cold water until the hot water temperature detection sensor detects a predetermined temperature. After detecting the predetermined temperature, close the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve and turn off the hot water temperature detection sensor.After a certain period of time has elapsed, turn on the hot water temperature detection sensor again to detect the hot water temperature again. This invention relates to a private parts cleaning device characterized in that it is configured to drive an electromagnetic on-off valve for waste hot water based on the above.

The present invention also provides that the power supply of the hot water supply temperature detection sensor, the electromagnetic on-off valve for discarded hot water, and the control device of the private parts washing device is formed from a dry battery, and that the user detection switch is configured to detect the user's contact with the toilet seat of the flush toilet. It is also characterized by the use of a seating detection sensor that detects sitting motion, a toilet lid opening/closing motion detection switch that detects the opening/closing motion of the flush toilet lid, and a door opening/closing motion detection switch that detects the opening/closing motion of the toilet door.

(E) Functions and Effects According to the present invention, when using the toilet, for example, by turning on a user detection switch such as a seat detection sensor, a toilet lid opening/closing operation detection switch, a door opening/closing operation detection switch, etc. By opening the electromagnetic switch, the low-temperature hot water (dead water) in the hot water supply pipes can be discarded quickly through the hot water pipes, and hot water can be disposed of quickly.
When the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor exceeds the set temperature, the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve is closed and the waste hot water operation is stopped, resulting in an initial operation for discharging water at an appropriate temperature. can be terminated.

Thereafter, by starting the cleaning operation, for example, by pressing a push button switch for discharging water, mixed hot water and water at an appropriate temperature can be discharged from the cleaning nozzle toward the private parts. Therefore, the user can relieve himself comfortably.

Further, in the present invention, only when the user detection switch is in the on state, the hot water temperature detection sensor is turned on until a certain temperature is detected, the hot water temperature is detected only once, and then the hot water is not supplied for a while. The detection sensor is turned off, and after a certain period of time, the hot water temperature detection sensor is turned on again to detect the hot water temperature again. Therefore, if the sitting state continues for a long time and the hot water temperature in the hot water supply pipe drops, the hot water temperature detection sensor can be turned on again and the hot water can be discarded, so that the mixed hot water at the appropriate temperature can be washed. You can spray water from the nozzle towards your local area. Therefore, the user can relieve himself comfortably.

Moreover, the on-operation time of the hot water supply temperature detection sensor can be shortened and power can be saved.

Therefore, the electromagnetic on-off valve that performs water discharging and water shutoff operations, the control device, the hot water temperature detection sensor, etc. are driven by dry batteries, so power consumption can be reduced by energizing the hot water temperature detection sensor. Since the dry cell battery can be used for a long time, the number of replacements can be reduced, and maintenance of the private parts cleaning device can be easily performed.

(F) Embodiments The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the conceptual overall structure of a private part cleaning device A according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a hot water pipe 1 and a water supply pipe 2, each having one end connected to a hot water source and a water supply source, have their other ends merged, and a thermostatic mixing valve T is installed at the merging point to automatically control the temperature. has been established.

In the above configuration, the hot water pipe 1 and the water pipe 2 include
Constant flow valves 3 and 4 are provided respectively.

In addition, the hot water supply pipe 1 branches a waste hot water pipe 6 between a constant flow valve 3 and a thermostatic mixing valve T, and the waste hot water pipe 6 has an electromagnetic opening/closing mechanism for the waste hot water driven by a latching solenoid. Valve V ₁ is installed.

Furthermore, between the constant flow valve 3 and the branch part of the waste hot water pipe 6, the temperature of the hot water flowing in the hot water pipe 1 is detected,
A hot water temperature detection sensor consisting of a thermistor, etc. that can close the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve _V1 and stop the waste hot water operation based on the ON output generated when the hot water temperature exceeds the set temperature. S ₁ is installed.

Next, to explain the configuration of the downstream side of the thermostatic mixing valve T, the discharge port of the valve T is a latching solenoid-driven electromagnetic on-off valve for discharging water, similar to the above-mentioned electromagnetic on-off valve for discarded hot water _V1 .
It is connected to a cleaning nozzle N disposed inside the flush toilet B via a mixed hot water flow path M equipped with a _V2 .

In addition, the mixed hot water flow path M is equipped with a high temperature spouting water detection sensor S ₂ consisting of a thermistor or the like that detects the mixed hot water temperature on _the upstream side of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ . Therefore, as will be described later, it is possible to quickly detect high-temperature water discharge and stop the water discharge electromagnetic on-off valve _V2 based on the detection output.

Furthermore, in FIG. 1, the flush toilet B has a reflective seating detection sensor 41 that uses ultrasonic waves or infrared rays to detect when the user is sitting on the toilet seat, and a water spouting sensor 41 for discharging water from the private parts cleaning device A. A discharge push button switch 42 is installed to drive the electromagnetic on-off valve _V2 to discharge cleaning water or from the cleaning nozzle N.

In the above configuration, the seating detection sensor 4
1 functions as a user detection switch, and as described later, based on the detection output generated when the user is seated, opens the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve to open the discarded hot water electromagnetic on-off valve. The low-temperature hot water (dead water) can be quickly discarded through the hot water pipe 6, and the electromagnetic on-off valve for waste hot water _V1 is activated by the set hot water temperature detection output from the hot water temperature detection sensor _S1 .
The present invention relates to a private parts cleaning device characterized by driving the body closed.

Note that the user detection switch is not limited to the seating detection sensor 41, for example,
It can also be a toilet lid opening/closing operation detection switch that detects the opening/closing operation of the toilet lid of flush toilet B, or a door opening/closing operation detection switch that detects the opening/closing operation of the toilet door.

In addition to the reflective seating detection sensor 41 as the user detection switch, other non-contact sensors, micro switches, limit switches, load cells, and other seating detection means may also be used.

Next, each component in the above basic configuration will be explained in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, each constant flow valve 3, 4 includes a housing 10 inserted into a flow path 9, It consists of a core member 11 mounted within the housing 10 and an O-ring 12 made of an elastic material.

Further, the housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a stepped portion 13 for hanging the core member 11 at the open end on the upstream side when inserted into the hot water supply pipe 1 and the water supply pipe 2, and has a stepped portion 13 for hanging the core member 11 on the downstream side. O at the opening end
It has a step part 14 for hanging a ring.

The core member 11 is formed into a warhead shape and has a flange 16 having a water passage hole 15 at the rear end thereof, and has a protrusion 17 extending in the axial direction on the circumferential surface, and the flange 16 and the housing It is hooked into the housing 10 by the stepped portion 13 for hooking the core member No. 10, and the distal end portion is loosely inserted into the inner periphery of the stepped portion 14 for hooking the O-ring and protrudes from the housing 10.

On the other hand, the O-ring 12 is loosely fitted between the inner circumferential surface of the housing 10 and the outer circumferential surface of the core member 11, and the O-ring hooking stepped portion 14 of the housing 10
It is hung on.

The constant flow valves 3 and 4 are inserted into the flow path 9, and the water flowing through the flow path 9 flows through the water passage hole 1.
5, passes through the gap 19 between the core member 11 and the O-ring 12, and further flows downstream through the gap 20 between the O-ring hanging step 14 and the core member 11.

At this time, if the water supply pressure to the flow path 9 is low or in a normal case, the O-ring 12 is not deformed and the O-ring 12 and the core member 11 are not deformed, as shown in FIGS. The gap 19 maintains a predetermined water flow area, but when the water supply pressure increases, the O-ring 12 is pressed against the stepped portion 14 and crushed due to the pressure, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As a result, the water passage area 19 between the O-ring 12 and the core member 11 is reduced.

The deformation of the O-ring 12 increases as the water supply pressure increases, and accordingly, the water passage area decreases and the amount of water flow is restricted.

That is, the constant flow valves 3 and 4 always supply a constant amount of water to the downstream side regardless of fluctuations in water supply pressure.

Next, the configurations of the latching solenoid-driven electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ for discarded hot water and the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ for discharging water will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 6, each electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ , V ₂ is
A solenoid 23 provided with a permanent magnet 22 for latching is disposed on one side of a diaphragm-type valve body 21.

To explain the operation of the electromagnetic on-off valves V ₁ and V ₂ , the solenoid 23 is energized in the forward or reverse direction to open and close the pilot valve body 26 that opens and closes the pilot valve seat 25 provided on the diaphragm 24 . The diaphragm 24 is actuated by the difference in water pressure acting on the front and back surfaces of the permanent magnet 22 to open and close the main valve seat 27.
By holding the pilot valve body 26 in the open or closed state with the magnetic force, the above water pressure difference is maintained,
The open/closed state of the main valve seat 27 can be maintained.

Therefore, in the electromagnetic on-off valves V ₁ and V ₂ using latching solenoids, the solenoid 23 drives only the pilot valve body 26, and when the electromagnetic on-off valves V ₁ and V ₂ are opened and closed, Since it is only necessary to energize only one part, the power consumption is small.

Next, the configuration of the thermostatic mixing valve T will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 7, the thermostatic mixing valve T has an inner cylinder 32 in which a mixing chamber 36 is connected to the upper part and a valve body 31 is connected to the lower part.
A wax type thermostat 33 is inserted into the inner cylinder 32, and the upper end of the thermostat 33 is interlocked and connected to the adjustment knob 35 via the screw adjustment mechanism 34. By rotating, the thermostat 33 can be moved up and down, the lower part of the thermostat 33 filled with wax is inserted into the mixing chamber 36 of the inner cylinder 32, and the middle part of the thermostat 33 is connected to the upper end of the inner cylinder 32. It is composed by:

With this configuration, the operation of the thermostat 33 in the middle due to the expansion and contraction of the wax due to the temperature of the mixed hot water in the mixing chamber 36 is transmitted to the valve body 31 connected to the lower end of the inner cylinder 32, and the upper and lower portions of the valve body 31 are By opening and closing the hot water and water valve seats 38 and 39 provided in the mixing chamber 36, the mixing ratio of hot water flowing into the mixing chamber 36 is changed.
The temperature of the mixed hot water discharged from the cleaning nozzle N in the flush toilet B via the mixed hot water flow path M from the mixing chamber 36 is made to match the temperature set by the adjustment knob 25.

In particular, since the thermostat 33 is operated based on the difference between the mixed hot water and the set temperature, a proportional control operation is performed, and there is no need to receive energy such as electric power from outside.

Next, a control device C for controlling the driving of the private part cleaning device A having the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

As shown in the figure, the control device C includes a comparator 43 that is connected to the hot water temperature detection sensor _S1 and outputs an output when the hot water in the hot water pipe 1 reaches a predetermined temperature.
, a comparator 44 which is connected to the high temperature discharge detection sensor S ₂ and outputs an output when the temperature of the mixed hot water in the mixed hot water flow path M exceeds the high temperature limit temperature, the comparators 43 and 44, the seating detection sensor 41 and the discharge pusher. A logic circuit 45 in which the button switch 42 is connected to the input section, and an output section of the logic circuit 45 and the solenoids 23, 23 of the above-mentioned waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ and water discharging electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ , respectively. It is composed of intervening drive circuits 46 and 47, a dry battery D as a power source, and a power switch 48.

FIG. 9 shows a timing chart of each drive unit and sensor, where a is the operation time of the seating detection switch 41, b is the operation time of the water discharging push button switch 42, c is the operation time of the discarded hot water operation, d is a time chart showing changes in hot water temperature;
e is the operating time of the cleaning operation, f is the operating time of the hot water temperature detection sensor _S1 , and g is the electromagnetic on-off valve for discarded hot water.
The operation time of _V1 , h is the operation time of the water discharge electromagnetic on-off valve _V2 , and i and j are the operation times (continuous operation and intermittent operation) of the high temperature discharge water temperature detection sensor _S2 .

When using the private parts cleaning device A, when the power switch 49 is turned on and the user sits on the valve seat of the flush toilet B equipped with the private parts cleaning device A, the sitting detection sensor 41 outputs an output via the logic circuit 45. An output is sent to the waste hot water solenoid on-off valve V ₁ to open the same solenoid on-off valve V ₁ and keep it open until the hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ detects a temperature sufficient to generate mixed hot water at the appropriate temperature. is held, and the field whose temperature has decreased due to accumulation in the hot water pipe 1 is discharged through the waste hot water pipe 6. When the hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ detects a temperature higher than the set hot water temperature, the waste water electromagnetic Close the on-off valve _V1 to stop the waste hot water operation.

Thereafter, when the user who has finished using the toilet presses the discharge push button switch 42, the discharge electromagnetic on-off valve _V2 opens, and the discharge flows into the toilet bowl B via the thermostatic mixing valve T. Mixed hot water at a temperature set by the user using the adjustment knob 35 is discharged from the cleaning nozzle N to clean the private parts, and when the cleaning is finished, the water discharge electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ is closed to stop the discharge.

As described above, in this embodiment, the low-temperature hot water (dead water) in the hot water pipe 1 is discarded by the initial operation of the seating detection sensor 41 as a user detection switch, and the hot water pipe 6
In addition, when the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ exceeds the set temperature, the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ is driven to close and the waste hot water is removed. By stopping the operation, the initial operation for spouting water at the appropriate temperature can be completed, and then by pressing the water spouting push button switch 42, the mixed hot water at the appropriate temperature is directed from the cleaning nozzle N to the private parts. Can spit water.

Therefore, when using the toilet, the user is freed from the discomfort caused by low-temperature water being sprayed onto the private parts, and is able to use the toilet comfortably at all times.

Furthermore, the power required for the above operation control is supplied from the dry battery D, but the power is required for the two electromagnetic on-off valves V ₁ and V ₂ and the temperature detection sensor.
S ₁ , _{S 2} , the seating detection sensor ₄₁ and the logic circuit ₄₅ are the only _ones . Since it is driven by a latching solenoid, it only needs to be energized when the valve is opened and closed, so power consumption is low, and the life of the dry battery D is long.
It can be used for a long time without having to be replaced.

Further, in the present invention, only when the seating detection sensor 41 is in the on state, the hot water supply temperature detection sensor is turned on, the hot water temperature is detected only once, and then, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to have the hot water supply temperature detection sensor S ₁ detect the hot water supply temperature again after the elapse of time, and in this case, it is possible to save the power required to turn on the hot water supply temperature detection sensor S ₁ .

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, if the sitting state continues for a long time after the first hot water operation and before the start of the cleaning operation, and the hot water temperature in the hot water supply pipe 1 decreases, the hot water temperature detection sensor S is activated again. Turn on ₁ and operate
Since the discarding hot water operation can be performed, mixed hot water at an appropriate temperature can be discharged from the cleaning nozzle N toward the private parts. Therefore, the user can relieve himself comfortably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the conceptual overall configuration of a private parts cleaning device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of a constant flow valve. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of a constant flow valve. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory longitudinal cross-sectional view of a solenoid valve using a latching solenoid. Figure 7 shows
A cross-sectional explanatory diagram of a thermostatic mixing valve. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the private part cleaning device. FIG. 10 is another timing chart showing the operation of the private part cleaning device. In the diagram, A: private cleaning device, B: flush toilet, C:
Control device, D: Dry battery, M: Mixed hot water flow path, S ₁ :
Hot water temperature detection sensor, S ₂ : High temperature water discharge detection sensor,
T: Thermostatic mixing valve, V ₁ :
Solenoid on-off valve for waste hot water, V ₂ : Solenoid on-off valve for discharging water,
1: Hot water pipe, 2: Water supply pipe, 6: Discarded hot water pipe, 41:
Seating detection sensor, 42: Water discharging push button switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A private parts cleaning device configured to receive hot water and water from the outside, adjust the temperature to an appropriate temperature, and discharge the mixed hot water to the private parts from a cleaning nozzle N and stop the water supply through a user's operation. A thermostatic mixing valve T is provided at the junction of the pipe 1 and the water supply pipe 2, and a waste water pipe 6 is branched from the flow path from the hot water supply pipe 1 to the cleaning nozzle N, and from the hot water supply pipe 1 to the cleaning nozzle N. Discard the flow path leading to the hot water pipe 6 and install a hot water temperature detection sensor for each hot water pipe.
S ₁ and an electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ for discarded hot water are provided, and furthermore, a user detection switch turns on a hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ when a user is detected, and the discarded hot water is discarded until the hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ detects a predetermined temperature. The hot water electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ is driven open to perform a waste hot water operation and discharge cold water, and after detecting a predetermined temperature, the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ is closed and the hot water temperature detection sensor is turned off, and then, The private part cleaning is characterized in that the hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ is turned on again after a certain period of time has passed, the hot water temperature is detected again, and the waste hot water electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ is driven based on this detected temperature. Device. 2 Hot water temperature detection sensor S ₁ and electromagnetic shut-off valve for discarded hot water
The private parts cleaning device according to claim ₁ , characterized in that it is formed from V1, a power source for a control device C of the private parts cleaning device, and a dry battery D. 3. The private parts cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the user detection switch is a seating detection sensor that detects the sitting motion of the user on the toilet seat of the flush toilet. 4. The private parts cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the user detection switch is a toilet lid opening/closing operation detection switch that detects opening/closing operations of a toilet lid of a flush toilet. 5. The private parts cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the user detection switch is a door opening/closing operation detection switch that detects opening/closing operations of a toilet door.