EP3346065B1 - Flush toilet - Google Patents
Flush toilet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3346065B1 EP3346065B1 EP16841290.6A EP16841290A EP3346065B1 EP 3346065 B1 EP3346065 B1 EP 3346065B1 EP 16841290 A EP16841290 A EP 16841290A EP 3346065 B1 EP3346065 B1 EP 3346065B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shelf
- water
- inclined surface
- overhang
- flush
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 403
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 45
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 16
- 230000009194 climbing Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000005381 potential energy Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000010865 sewage Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D11/00—Other component parts of water-closets, e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
- E03D11/02—Water-closet bowls ; Bowls with a double odour seal optionally with provisions for a good siphonic action; siphons as part of the bowl
- E03D11/08—Bowls with means producing a flushing water swirl
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a flush toilet according to claim 1, and in particular relates to a type of flush toilet in which the toilet bowl is flushed with a swirling flow of water according to the preamble of claim 1.
- flushing For a flush toilet, a flushing method is known in which flush water is discharged through one or more discharge ports into the toilet bowl part, and waste is pushed out to a drain pipe by means of the flow of the flush water.
- the force of pushing waste out from the inside of the toilet to the drain pipe will be referred to as the "draining force”.
- a flow of water is required to flush a wide range of the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part.
- flushing force the force of flushing the inner wall of a toilet bowl
- Patent Document 1 In recent years, a functional unit, such as a pubic lavage device and a warm air device, is often provided in a rear part of a flush toilet.
- a functional unit such as a pubic lavage device and a warm air device
- the nozzle In order to prevent a nozzle or the like of a pubic lavage device from getting dirty, the nozzle is covered with a cover member that is nearly flush with the inner wall surface of a rear end part of the toilet bowl.
- dirt of the nozzle is regarded as a problem, it is held that dirt of the cover member for the nozzle is considered on the premise that a user needs to wipe the dirt off (see paragraph [0032] in Patent Document 1) .
- flush toilets need to be designed so that the course of flush water can be sophisticatedly changed without weakening the flow of the flush water.
- the flush toilets need to be structured so that a functional unit, such as a pubic lavage device, can be mounted thereon.
- a main purpose of the present invention is to propose new design of a flush toilet for improving the flushing force and the draining force.
- a flush toilet according to the present invention includes the features of the claim 1.
- the present invention facilitates improvement in the flushing force and the draining force of a flush toilet.
- Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a flush toilet 100.
- a toilet bowl 106 is formed in a body part 144 of the flush toilet 100.
- flush water stored in an external tank is discharged to the toilet bowl 106 through a first discharge port 102 and a second discharge port 104.
- Part of the flush water is also discharged through a third discharge port, which will be described later in association with Fig. 2 .
- the third discharge port may be a so-called jet discharge port.
- the first discharge port 102 is formed on a side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of the toilet bowl 106.
- the second discharge port 104 is formed on a rear end surface (the negative direction side of the x-axis) of the toilet bowl 106.
- a water conveyance shelf 108 is annularly formed.
- the flush water discharged through the second discharge port 104 (hereinafter, referred to as “second flush water”) flows upon the water conveyance shelf 108, and most of the flush water flows down into the toilet bowl 106 before the first discharge port 102, while the remaining flush water is merged into the flush water discharged through the first discharge port 102 (hereinafter, referred to as "first flush water”).
- the first flush water swirls upon the water conveyance shelf 108, thereby flushing the entirety of the toilet bowl 106, particularly the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall.
- the upper surface of the toilet bowl 106 is formed as a stepped surface including a first upper surface 110 positioned higher and a second upper surface 112 positioned lower.
- the second upper surface 112 in the first embodiment forms a flat bottom surface of a recess part 138 in the upper surface.
- the second upper surface 112 need not necessarily be flat, and it may be formed as a surface curved downward or upward, or a projection or a cutout may be formed in part of the second upper surface 112.
- a functional unit (not illustrated) for providing the pubic lavage function or the warm air function, for example, is mounted on the recess part 138 (upon the second upper surface 112).
- the second upper surface 112 and the first upper surface 110 are smoothly connected by two upper inclined surfaces 140a and 140b, so that an annular upper surface having a height difference is formed.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 includes a first shelf part 114 positioned higher and a second shelf part 116 positioned lower.
- the first shelf part 114 is formed at a corresponding position of the first upper surface 110
- the second shelf part 116 is formed at a corresponding position of the second upper surface 112.
- the "corresponding position” means a position corresponding, in a vertical direction (z-axis direction), to another position and, in other words, it means a position that overlaps another position in plan view.
- first shelf part 114 (higher shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the first upper surface 110 (higher surface), and the second shelf part 116 (lower shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the second upper surface 112 (lower surface) (see also Fig. 2 ).
- first shelf part 114 is longer than the second shelf part 116.
- a height difference is provided between the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 in the water conveyance shelf 108 so as to be commensurate with the height difference (step) between the first upper surface 110 and the second upper surface 112 in the upper surface part.
- the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 are connected by a smooth inclined surface (shelf inclined surface 120a) (which will be detailed in association with Fig. 2 ).
- Shelf inclined surface 120a which will be detailed in association with Fig. 2 .
- Being “smooth" in the present specification means that surfaces are continuously connected with each other, or surfaces are connected with each other without including a discontinuous surface.
- the upper surface (the first upper surface 110, second upper surface 112, and upper inclined surfaces 140a and 140b) extends inward, so as to form an overhang 118 (a rim folded part) over the entire periphery.
- the overhang 118 is, in a manner, a roof for the water conveyance shelf 108, and the water conveyance shelf 108 and the overhang 118 form a water passage.
- the overhang 118 of the first embodiment is annularly formed along the entire inner periphery of the toilet bowl 106.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 excluding part thereof, includes a surface substantially in parallel with the overhang 118 mainly in a horizontal direction (the water flowing direction). More specifically, the lower surface of the overhang 118 (the surface facing the water conveyance shelf 108) is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the water conveyance shelf 108 in the water flowing direction.
- Fig. 2 is a top view of the flush toilet 100.
- Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the toilet bowl 106.
- Fig. 4 is a sectional front view of the toilet bowl 106.
- Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram that shows flows of water toward a storage region 122.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 is an annular shelf formed along the entire periphery of the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl 106.
- the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclined surface 120a and a shelf inclined surface 120b.
- Each of the shelf inclined surfaces 120a and 120b is located within the rear half of the inner peripheral surface of the toilet bowl 106 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis in Fig. 2 ).
- the shelf inclined surface 120a is an inclined surface on which the second flush water flows upward
- the shelf inclined surface 120b is an inclined surface on which the first flush water flows downward.
- the shelf inclined surfaces 120a and 120b are positioned symmetrically with respect to a central axis M (in an x-axis direction in Fig. 2 ) of the toilet bowl 106.
- Each of the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 may be a shelf extending in a horizontal direction, or the first shelf part 114 may be gently inclined upward around the front end part thereof, as shown in Fig. 3 .
- the shelf inclined surfaces 120a and 120b are formed to be steeper than the inclination in the first shelf part 114.
- the first shelf part 114 extends horizontally.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 is an annular shelf formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclined surfaces 120a and 120b.
- the overhang 118 is formed along the entire periphery of the rim in the toilet bowl 106.
- the overhang 118 includes a first overhang 130 formed at a higher position corresponding to the first upper surface 110, and a second overhang 132 formed at a lower position corresponding to the second upper surface 112.
- the first overhang 130 and the second overhang 132 are smoothly connected by inclined surface overhangs 134a and 134b.
- the inclined surface overhang 134a corresponds to the upper inclined surface 140a and the shelf inclined surface 120a
- the inclined surface overhang 134b corresponds to the upper inclined surface 140b and the shelf inclined surface 120b.
- each of the inclined surface overhangs 134a and 134b is also located within the rear half of the inner peripheral surface of the toilet bowl 106 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis in Fig. 2 ).
- the inclined surface overhangs 134a and 134b are positioned symmetrically with respect to the central axis M (in an x-axis direction in Fig. 2 ) of the toilet bowl 106.
- the overhang 118 is an annular overhang (a rim folded part) formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which the first overhang 130 and the second overhang 132 are smoothly connected by the inclined surface overhangs 134a and 134b.
- each of the overhang 118 and the water conveyance shelf 108 of the first embodiment is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M, the flush toilet 100 is designed so that the overall harmony can be easily maintained.
- the second discharge port 104 is formed on the shelf inclined surface 120b side, on the right side in the rear end part of the second shelf part 116.
- the first discharge port 102 is formed above the first shelf part 114.
- a third discharge port 124 is further formed on a side surface of the storage region 122.
- the first discharge port 102 is formed on an upper part (rim) of the left side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of the flush toilet 100 viewed from the front.
- the first flush water S1 discharged through the first discharge port 102 largely swirls in the counterclockwise direction upon the water conveyance shelf 108 (first shelf part 114) to widely flush the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl 106. While swirling upon the first shelf part 114, the first flush water S1 loses kinetic energy before reaching the shelf inclined surface 120b, so as to deviate from the course and flow down into the storage region 122 (see S1 in Fig. 2 ).
- the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 104 flows through the water conveyance shelf 108 (second shelf part 116) to locally flush an upper part of the rear end surface of the toilet bowl 106, and then deviates from the course because of the upward inclination (height difference) of the shelf inclined surface 120a, so as to flow down into the storage region 122 (see S2 in Fig. 2 ).
- the shelf inclined surface 120a is positioned in a rear and side part with respect to an opening R (see Fig. 3 ) of the storage region 122. More specifically, when the midpoint in an x direction (a longitudinal direction) of the opening R is defined as P, the shelf inclined surface 120a is formed at a position on the rear end side and the left side with respect to the midpoint P in plan view. Accordingly, after flowing up along the shelf inclined surface 120a, the second flush water S2 flows along a side of a receiving surface 142 and then directly flows down into the storage region 122 (see also Fig. 2 ). As shown in Fig. 3 , most of the second shelf part 116 and the first shelf part 114 are formed in a horizontal direction.
- the first shelf part 114 is formed at a position higher than the second upper surface 112 of the recess part 138 (see Fig. 4 ).
- Part of the second flush water S2 may be merged into the first flush water S1 without flowing down, but it may be desirable that the main flow of the second flush water S2 flows down without being merged into the first flush water S1.
- the "main flow” means 60 percent or above, preferably 80 percent or above and more preferably 95 percent or above, of the total amount of the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 104.
- the proportion of water flowing down without being merged into the first flush water S1 can be obtained by simulation calculation based on the position and size of the second discharge port 104, the flow rate of the second flush water S2, the shape and climbing angle of the shelf inclined surface 120a, and other various parameters.
- the first flush water S1 swirls along the inner wall of the toilet bowl 106 and then flows down from the right side, thereby widely providing the flushing force and water discharge force.
- the second flush water S2 flushes the rear end surface of the toilet bowl 106, which is particularly likely to get dirty, and then flows down from the rear left side, thereby locally providing the flushing force and water discharge force to the rear end surface.
- the third flush water S3 stirs the storage region 122 and pushes the waste out through the outlet 128, thereby providing the draining force.
- waste 126 is gathered in the storage region 122.
- waste that floats on the pooled water such as waste 126a-126c
- waste that sinks such as waste 126d.
- Each of the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down into the storage region 122 from a different direction and sinks the waste 126a-126c into the storage region 122.
- the third flush water S3 pushes the waste 126a-126d thus gathered in the bottom part of the storage region 122 out through the outlet 128.
- the force of sinking the waste 126 into the storage region 122 will be referred to as the "sinking force".
- the sinking force of the first flush water S1 is applied to the waste 126a and 126b, but, since the waste 126c is not present immediately below the flow of the first flush water S1, the waste 126c is less likely to receive the sinking force of the first flush water S1. However, since the waste 126c is present immediately below the flow of the second flush water S2, the waste 126c receives the sinking force of the second flush water S2. In the first embodiment, since the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down from the left and right directions, the sinking force can be effectively provided to floating waste 126.
- the second flush water S2 may be made to flow down by allowing the second flush water S2 that has flowed up along the shelf inclined surface 120a to hit on the back surface of the overhang 118 (which will be detailed in association with Fig. 6 ).
- the overhang 118 may be desirably formed to largely extend at a point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclined surface 120a enters the first shelf part 114. Since the second flush water S2 that does not flow down will be merged into the first flush water S1, the second flush water S2 can be efficiently and entirely used.
- Fig. 6 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 in the first embodiment.
- Fig. 7 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 in a comparative example.
- Fig. 6 The difference between Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is whether or not the shelf inclined surface 120a is parallel with the overhang 118 near the second shelf part 116.
- the height of the second shelf part 116 is defined as H2, and the height of the first shelf part 114 is defined as H1.
- the height of the back surface of the second overhang 132 corresponding to the second upper surface 112 is defined as H3, and the height of the back surface of the first overhang 130 corresponding to the first upper surface 110 is defined as H4.
- the height of the second upper surface 112 (upper surface of the second overhang 132) is defined as H5
- the height of the first upper surface 110 (upper surface of the first overhang 130) is defined as H6.
- the boundary point between the second shelf part 116 and the shelf inclined surface 120a is defined as P1
- the boundary point between the shelf inclined surface 120a and the first shelf part 114 is defined as P3
- the middle point between P1 and P3 is defined as P2.
- the position of the first discharge port 102 is defined as P4.
- the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 104 flows through the second shelf part 116 and flows up along the shelf inclined surface 120a, losing kinetic energy, so as to flow down toward the storage region 122 while swirling.
- the second flush water S2 may be made to hit on the back surface of the first overhang 130 and rebound therefrom in the direction toward the storage region 122. Accordingly, it is desirable that a sufficient size of the overhang 118 is formed at least at the point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclined surface 120a enters the first shelf part 114. More specifically, it is desirable that the first overhang 130 is formed at least in the section between P3 and P4.
- the shelf inclined surface 120a and the inclined surface overhang 134a are at least partially parallel with each other in the water flowing direction. More specifically, at least in the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclined surface 120a and the back surface of the overhang 118 (inclined surface overhang 134a) positioned thereabove are substantially parallel with each other.
- the “substantially parallel” means that the difference between the climbing angle of the shelf inclined surface 120a and the climbing angle of the inclined surface overhang 134a is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less.
- the “substantially parallel” in the present specification means that the difference in surface angle between the two surfaces is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less. As shown in the comparative example of Fig.
- the shelf inclined surface 120a is substantially parallel with not only the inclined surface overhang 134a but also the upper inclined surface 140a in the water flowing direction.
- the shelf inclined surface 120a is smoothly connected to the second shelf part 116, the second flush water can be smoothly led to the shelf inclined surface 120a while the force of the flush water can be maintained.
- the shelf inclined surface 120a needs to have a certain degree of gradient.
- the shelf inclined surface 120a may desirably include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater, preferably 35 degrees or greater.
- the shelf inclined surface 120a and the inclined surface overhang 134a are substantially parallel with each other in the inclination direction.
- the second shelf part 116 and the second overhang 132 are substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction
- the first shelf part 114 and the first overhang 130 are also substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction.
- the shelf inclined surface 120b and the inclined surface overhang 134b are annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl 106, it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf 108 is substantially parallel with the overhang 118.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf 108 is substantially parallel with the upper surface (the first upper surface 110, second upper surface 112, upper inclined surface 140a, and upper inclined surface 140b).
- the water conveyance shelf 108 so that the overhang 118 and the water conveyance shelf 108, or the upper surface and the water conveyance shelf 108, are substantially parallel with each other, the overall harmony in the design of the flush toilet 100 can be improved.
- the height difference D2 in the water conveyance shelf 108 is slightly moderated.
- the second shelf part 116 may be formed at a position lower than H2 in Fig. 6 . In this case, however, the potential energy of the second flush water will be smaller. Also, when the water passage in the second shelf part 116 is narrower, the pressure of the second flush water can be increased, and hence, the rear end surface can be strongly flushed.
- the first shelf part 114 may be formed at a position higher than H1 in Fig. 6 .
- the opening of the first discharge port 102 will also be smaller, and hence, the amount of water discharged through the first discharge port 102 will be reduced. Since the first flush water S1 needs to be sufficiently provided to the long first shelf part 114, and, particularly, a sufficient amount of water needs to be provided to the front end part of the toilet bowl 106, adding structural restriction on the amount of water discharged through the first discharge port 102 is unfavorable.
- the height difference D2 is provided between the first shelf part 114 and the second shelf part 116 so as to be commensurate with the height difference D1 between the first upper surface 110 and the second upper surface 112, and the water conveyance shelf 108 is formed so that T2 is smaller than T1 (T2 ⁇ T1, D2 ⁇ D1).
- the height T2 of the water passage in the second shelf part 116 is smaller than the height T1 of the water passage in the first shelf part 114. It is desirable that at least an average of the height of the water passage in the second shelf part 116 is smaller than an average of the height of the water passage in the first shelf part 114.
- the vertical width of the water passage is increased from T2 to T1.
- the vertical width of the water passage is maintained at T2 in the section between P1 and P2, and is then increased from T2 to T1 in the section between P2 and P3.
- the vertical width of the water passage has only to be increased at least within the section between P1 and P4. However, it is more suitable to maintain the vertical width of the water passage at T2 also in the section between P1 and P2 because the dead region 136 (unflushed region) is less likely to be formed, as described previously.
- the rear end surface of the toilet bowl 106 is particularly likely to get dirty. It will be desirable if such a region likely to get dirty can be flushed with flush water at a higher flow rate. Since the section between P2 and P3 is less likely to get dirty compared to the section between P1 and P2, it is suitable to increase the vertical width of the water passage in the section between P2 and P3 rather than in the section between P1 and P2.
- the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 104 flows up along the shelf inclined surface 120a and passes P2, and then diffuses in a vertical direction in the section between P2 and P3. Part of the flush water flows down therefrom, and another part of the flush water hits on the back surface of the first overhang 130 and flows down therefrom.
- the overhang 118 forms a water passage and prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward the first upper surface 110 and the second upper surface 112.
- the second overhang 132 prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward a functional unit mounted on the second upper surface 112. Upward scattering of waste that has scattered toward the rear end surface can be prevented by the back surface of the second overhang 132, which is flushed with the second flush water S2 afterward.
- the flowing path of the second flush water S2 is changed (deviated from the course) to the flowing down direction by means of the inclination in a longitudinal direction of the shelf inclined surface 120a.
- the restriction on the design of the water conveyance shelf 108 due to the recess part can be even utilized positively.
- the flow rate of the flush water can be increased or reduced, or the flow of flush water can be positively deviated from the course on the water conveyance shelf 108.
- the first flush water S1 swirls upon the first shelf part 114 retaining the potential energy.
- the first flush water S1 then deviates from the course before the shelf inclined surface 120b and flows down into the storage region 122.
- the second flush water S2 flows through a narrow water passage on the second shelf part 116 at a high flow rate to flush the rear end surface, and then flows up along the shelf inclined surface 120a and deviates from the course. Also, part of the second flush water S2 splashing from the shelf inclined surface 120a strongly rebounds from the overhang 118 toward the storage region 122.
- the flow of the second flush water S2 is deviated from the course to the flowing down direction by means of the height difference in the shelf inclined surface 120a. After flowing through the shelf inclined surface 120b, part of the first flush water S1 may be merged into the second flush water S2.
- the second flush water S2 will slow down if the first flush water S1, which has flowed around in the toilet bowl 106 and has slowed down, is merged into the second flush water S2, it is desirable that the proportion of the first flush water S1 to be merged into the second flush water S2 after flowing around is a small amount less than 20 percent, preferably less than 10 percent.
- a stepped surface including the first upper surface 110 and the second upper surface 112 is provided to form a recess part, on which a functional unit is mounted, in the rear end part of the flush toilet 100.
- the present example is also applicable to designing when the water conveyance shelf 108 is formed so as to correspond to a step on the upper surface, which is not limited to a recess part.
- the width of the water conveyance shelf 108 need not necessarily be constant and may be changed depending on a place.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 need not necessarily be horizontal and may be inclined or curved with respect to a horizontal plane.
- the water conveyance shelf 108 need not necessarily be continuously provided along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl 106 and may partially include a discontinuous region (such as a cutout).
- each of the back surface of the overhang 118 and the upper surface of the water conveyance shelf 108 forms a horizontal surface. Accordingly, the cross section of the water passage between the overhang 118 and the water conveyance shelf 108 is rectangular (see the region U in Fig. 4 ). As a modification, the overhang 118 and the water conveyance shelf 108 may be smoothly connected, so that the cross section of the water passage includes an arc. In the present example, the overhang 118 is an optional component and is not an essential component.
- a flush toilet according to one embodiment : a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein, including a first upper surface positioned higher and a second upper surface positioned lower; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction of the toilet bowl part on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part; and a discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the water conveyance shelf.
- the water conveyance shelf includes a first shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the first upper surface and also includes a second shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the second upper surface.
- the second shelf part is positioned lower than the first shelf part.
- a height difference is provided in the water conveyance shelf so as to be commensurate with the height difference in the upper surface, and, by means of the height difference in the water conveyance shelf, the flow of water can be controlled.
- the second shelf part may be smoothly connected with the first shelf part by a shelf inclined surface.
- the first upper surface and the second upper surface may be smoothly connected by an upper inclined surface.
- the shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the upper inclined surface at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- the shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the overhang part at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- the toilet bowl part may include a first discharge port and a second discharge port formed therein.
- the first discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- the overall harmony in design can be maintained more easily.
- the water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, and at least 80 percent of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf may be substantially parallel with the overhang part.
- An average of the interval between the first shelf part and the first upper surface may be greater than an average of the interval between the second shelf part and the second upper surface.
- the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- a recess part may be formed in a rear end part of the upper surface of the toilet bowl part.
- the second upper surface may correspond to the bottom surface of the recess part.
- a flush toilet according to another embodiment : a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part and including a first shelf part positioned higher and a second shelf part positioned lower; a first discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part; and a second discharge port positioned lower than the first discharge port and formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- the first shelf part and the second shelf part may be smoothly connected by a shelf inclined surface.
- an overhang part may be formed on the upper surface of the toilet bowl part.
- a storage region may be formed to pool flush water.
- the main flow of water discharged through the second discharge port may be made to flow down into the storage region without being merged into water discharged through the first discharge port in the first shelf part.
- the draining force can be increased more easily.
- the amount of water discharged through the second discharge port and flowing up along the shelf inclined surface to be merged into water discharged through the first discharge port may be less than 20 percent of the total amount of the water discharged through the second discharge port.
- the shelf inclined surface along which water discharged through the second discharge port flows up may include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater.
- the water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, in which the first shelf part and the second shelf part are connected by two shelf inclined surfaces. Each of the two shelf inclined surfaces may be formed in the rear half of the toilet bowl part in plan view.
- the first shelf part may be longer than the second shelf part.
- a shelf inclined surface along which flush water that has flowed through the second shelf part flows up toward the first shelf part may be formed in a side part, in plan view, with respect to a storage region formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part.
- Fig. 8 is an external perspective view of a flush toilet 200 , not forming part of the invention .
- a toilet bowl 206 is formed in a body part 244 of the flush toilet 200. Also, in the body part 244, flush water stored in an external tank is discharged to the toilet bowl 206 through a first discharge port 202 and a second discharge port 204. Part of the flush water is also discharged through a third discharge port, which will be described later in association with Fig. 9 .
- the third discharge port may be a so-called jet discharge port.
- the first discharge port 202 is formed on a side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of the toilet bowl 206.
- the second discharge port 204 is formed on a rear end surface (the negative direction side of the x-axis) of the toilet bowl 206.
- a water conveyance shelf 208 is annularly formed.
- the flush water discharged through the second discharge port 204 (hereinafter, referred to as “second flush water”) flows upon the water conveyance shelf 208, and most of the flush water flows down into the toilet bowl 206 before the first discharge port 202, while the remaining flush water is merged into the flush water discharged through the first discharge port 202 (hereinafter, referred to as "first flush water”).
- the first flush water swirls upon the water conveyance shelf 208, thereby flushing the entirety of the toilet bowl 206, particularly the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall.
- the upper surface of the toilet bowl 206 is formed as a stepped surface including a first upper surface 210 positioned higher and a second upper surface 212 positioned lower.
- the second upper surface 212 in the second embodiment forms a flat bottom surface of a recess part 238 in the upper surface.
- the second upper surface 212 need not necessarily be flat, and it may be formed as a surface curved downward or upward, or a projection or a cutout may be formed in part of the second upper surface 212.
- a functional unit (not illustrated) for providing the pubic lavage function or the warm air function, for example, is mounted on the recess part 238 (upon the second upper surface 212).
- the second upper surface 212 and the first upper surface 210 are smoothly connected by two upper inclined surfaces 240a and 240b, so that an annular upper surface having a height difference is formed.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 includes a first shelf part 214 positioned higher and a second shelf part 216 positioned lower.
- the first shelf part 214 is formed at a corresponding position of the first upper surface 210
- the second shelf part 216 is formed at a corresponding position of the second upper surface 212.
- the "corresponding position” means a position corresponding, in a vertical direction (z-axis direction), to another position and, in other words, it means a position that overlaps another position in plan view.
- first shelf part 214 (higher shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the first upper surface 210 (higher surface), and the second shelf part 216 (lower shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the second upper surface 212 (lower surface) (see also Fig. 9 ).
- first shelf part 214 is longer than the second shelf part 216.
- a height difference is provided between the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 in the water conveyance shelf 208 so as to be commensurate with the height difference (step) between the first upper surface 210 and the second upper surface 212 in the upper surface part.
- the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 are connected by a smooth inclined surface (shelf inclined surface 220a) (which will be detailed in association with Fig. 9 ).
- Shelf inclined surface 220a which will be detailed in association with Fig. 9 ).
- Being “smooth" in the present specification means that surfaces are continuously connected with each other, or surfaces are connected with each other without including a discontinuous surface.
- the upper surface (the first upper surface 210, second upper surface 212, and upper inclined surfaces 240a and 240b) extends inward, so as to form an overhang 218 (a rim folded part) over the entire periphery.
- the overhang 218 is, in a manner, a roof for the water conveyance shelf 208, and the water conveyance shelf 208 and the overhang 218 form a water passage.
- the overhang 218 of the second embodiment is annularly formed along the entire inner periphery of the toilet bowl 206.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 excluding part thereof, includes a surface substantially in parallel with the overhang 218 mainly in a horizontal direction (the water flowing direction). More specifically, the lower surface of the overhang 218 (the surface facing the water conveyance shelf 208) is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the water conveyance shelf 208 in the water flowing direction.
- Fig. 9 is a top view of the flush toilet 200.
- Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of the toilet bowl 206.
- Fig. 11 is a sectional front view of the toilet bowl 206.
- Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram that shows flows of water toward a storage region 222.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 is an annular shelf formed along the entire periphery of the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl 206.
- the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclined surface 220a and a shelf inclined surface 220b.
- Each of the shelf inclined surfaces 220a and 220b is located within the rear half of the inner peripheral surface of the toilet bowl 206 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis in Fig. 9 ).
- the shelf inclined surface 220a is an inclined surface on which the second flush water flows upward
- the shelf inclined surface 220b is an inclined surface on which the first flush water flows downward.
- the shelf inclined surfaces 220a and 220b are positioned symmetrically with respect to a central axis M (in an x-axis direction in Fig. 9 ) of the toilet bowl 206.
- Each of the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 may be a shelf extending in a horizontal direction, or the first shelf part 214 may be gently inclined upward around the front end part thereof, as shown in Fig. 10 .
- the shelf inclined surfaces 220a and 220b are formed to be steeper than the inclination in the first shelf part 214.
- the first shelf part 214 extends horizontally.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 is an annular shelf formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclined surfaces 220a and 220b.
- the overhang 218 is formed along the entire periphery of the rim in the toilet bowl 206.
- the overhang 218 includes a first overhang 230 formed at a higher position corresponding to the first upper surface 210, and a second overhang 232 formed at a lower position corresponding to the second upper surface 212.
- the first overhang 230 and the second overhang 232 are smoothly connected by inclined surface overhangs 234a and 234b.
- the inclined surface overhang 234a corresponds to the upper inclined surface 240a and the shelf inclined surface 220a
- the inclined surface overhang 234b corresponds to the upper inclined surface 240b and the shelf inclined surface 220b.
- each of the inclined surface overhangs 234a and 234b is also located within the rear half of the inner peripheral surface of the toilet bowl 206 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis in Fig. 9 ).
- the inclined surface overhangs 234a and 234b are positioned symmetrically with respect to the central axis M (in an x-axis direction in Fig. 9 ) of the toilet bowl 206.
- the overhang 218 is an annular overhang (a rim folded part) formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which the first overhang 230 and the second overhang 232 are smoothly connected by the inclined surface overhangs 234a and 234b.
- each of the overhang 218 and the water conveyance shelf 208 of the second embodiment is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M, the flush toilet 200 is designed so that the overall harmony can be easily maintained.
- the second discharge port 204 is formed on the shelf inclined surface 220b side, on the right side in the rear end part of the second shelf part 216.
- the first discharge port 202 is formed above the first shelf part 214.
- a third discharge port 224 is further formed on a side surface of the storage region 222.
- the first discharge port 202 is formed on an upper part (rim) of the left side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of the flush toilet 200 viewed from the front.
- the first flush water S1 discharged through the first discharge port 202 largely swirls in the counterclockwise direction upon the water conveyance shelf 208 (first shelf part 214) to widely flush the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl 206. While swirling upon the first shelf part 214, the first flush water S1 loses kinetic energy before reaching the shelf inclined surface 220b, so as to deviate from the course and flow down into the storage region 222 (see S1 in Fig. 9 ).
- the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 204 flows through the water conveyance shelf 208 (second shelf part 216) to locally flush an upper part of the rear end surface of the toilet bowl 206, and then deviates from the course because of the upward inclination (height difference) of the shelf inclined surface 220a, so as to flow down into the storage region 222 (see S2 in Fig. 9 ).
- the shelf inclined surface 220a is positioned in a rear and side part with respect to an opening R (see Fig. 10 ) of the storage region 222. More specifically, when the midpoint in an x direction (a longitudinal direction) of the opening R is defined as P, the shelf inclined surface 220a is formed at a position on the rear end side and the left side with respect to the midpoint P in plan view. Accordingly, after flowing up along the shelf inclined surface 220a, the second flush water S2 flows along a side of a receiving surface 242 and then directly flows down into the storage region 222 (see also Fig. 9 ). As shown in Fig. 10 , most of the second shelf part 216 and the first shelf part 214 are formed in a horizontal direction.
- the first shelf part 214 is formed at a position higher than the second upper surface 212 of the recess part 238 (see Fig. 11 ).
- Part of the second flush water S2 may be merged into the first flush water S1 without flowing down, but it may be desirable that the main flow of the second flush water S2 flows down without being merged into the first flush water S1.
- the "main flow” means 60 percent or above, preferably 80 percent or above and more preferably 95 percent or above, of the total amount of the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 204.
- the proportion of water flowing down without being merged into the first flush water S1 can be obtained by simulation calculation based on the position and size of the second discharge port 204, the flow rate of the second flush water S2, the shape and climbing angle of the shelf inclined surface 220a, and other various parameters.
- the first flush water S1 swirls along the inner wall of the toilet bowl 206 and then flows down from the right side, thereby widely providing the flushing force and water discharge force.
- the second flush water S2 flushes the rear end surface of the toilet bowl 206, which is particularly likely to get dirty, and then flows down from the rear left side, thereby locally providing the flushing force and water discharge force to the rear end surface.
- the third flush water S3 stirs the storage region 222 and pushes the waste out through the outlet 228, thereby providing the draining force.
- waste 226 is gathered in the storage region 222.
- waste that floats on the pooled water such as waste 226a-226c
- waste that sinks such as waste 226d.
- Each of the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down into the storage region 222 from a different direction and sinks the waste 226a-226c into the storage region 222.
- the third flush water S3 pushes the waste 226a-226d thus gathered in the bottom part of the storage region 222 out through the outlet 228.
- the force of sinking the waste 226 into the storage region 222 will be referred to as the "sinking force".
- the sinking force of the first flush water S1 is applied to the waste 226a and 226b, but, since the waste 226c is not present immediately below the flow of the first flush water S1, the waste 226c is less likely to receive the sinking force of the first flush water S1. However, since the waste 226c is present immediately below the flow of the second flush water S2, the waste 226c receives the sinking force of the second flush water S2. In the second embodiment, since the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down from the left and right directions, the sinking force can be effectively provided to floating waste 226.
- the second flush water S2 may be made to flow down by allowing the second flush water S2 that has flowed up along the shelf inclined surface 220a to hit on the back surface of the overhang 218 (which will be detailed in association with Fig. 13 ).
- the overhang 218 may be desirably formed to largely extend at a point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclined surface 220a enters the first shelf part 214. Since the second flush water S2 that does not flow down will be merged into the first flush water S1, the second flush water S2 can be efficiently and entirely used.
- Fig. 13 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 in the second embodiment.
- Fig. 14 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 in a comparative example.
- Fig. 13 The difference between Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 is whether or not the shelf inclined surface 220a is parallel with the overhang 218 near the second shelf part 216.
- the height of the second shelf part 216 is defined as H2, and the height of the first shelf part 214 is defined as H1.
- the height of the back surface of the second overhang 232 corresponding to the second upper surface 212 is defined as H3
- the height of the back surface of the first overhang 230 corresponding to the first upper surface 210 is defined as H4.
- the height of the second upper surface 212 (upper surface of the second overhang 232) is defined as H5
- the height of the first upper surface 210 is defined as H6.
- the boundary point between the second shelf part 216 and the shelf inclined surface 220a is defined as P1
- the boundary point between the shelf inclined surface 220a and the first shelf part 214 is defined as P3
- the middle point between P1 and P3 is defined as P2.
- the position of the first discharge port 202 is defined as P4.
- the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 204 flows through the second shelf part 216 and flows up along the shelf inclined surface 220a, losing kinetic energy, so as to flow down toward the storage region 222 while swirling.
- the second flush water S2 may be made to hit on the back surface of the first overhang 230 and rebound therefrom in the direction toward the storage region 222. Accordingly, it is desirable that a sufficient size of the overhang 218 is formed at least at the point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclined surface 220a enters the first shelf part 214. More specifically, it is desirable that the first overhang 230 is formed at least in the section between P3 and P4.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a and the inclined surface overhang 234a are at least partially parallel with each other in the water flowing direction. More specifically, at least in the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclined surface 220a and the back surface of the overhang 218 (inclined surface overhang 234a) positioned thereabove are substantially parallel with each other.
- the “substantially parallel” means that the difference between the climbing angle of the shelf inclined surface 220a and the climbing angle of the inclined surface overhang 234a is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less.
- the “substantially parallel” in the present specification means that the difference in surface angle between the two surfaces is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less. As shown in the comparative example of Fig.
- a dead region 236 (an unflushed region) is formed below the inclined surface overhang 234a, and it may be unable to flush the region sufficiently.
- the experiments performed by the inventors and others have found that, in the configuration as shown in the comparative example of Fig. 14 , when the second flush water S2 passes P1 and is then diffused in a vertical direction, a sufficient amount of the second flush water S2 is less likely to reach the back surface of the overhang 218 around P3.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a and the inclined surface overhang 234a to be substantially parallel with each other in the section between P1 and P2, as shown in Fig. 13 , the formation of the dead region 236 can be prevented.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a is substantially parallel with not only the inclined surface overhang 234a but also the upper inclined surface 240a in the water flowing direction.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a is smoothly connected to the second shelf part 216, the second flush water can be smoothly led to the shelf inclined surface 220a while the force of the flush water can be maintained.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a needs to have a certain degree of gradient.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a may desirably include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater, preferably 35 degrees or greater.
- the shelf inclined surface 220a and the inclined surface overhang 234a are substantially parallel with each other in the inclination direction.
- the second shelf part 216 and the second overhang 232 are substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction
- the first shelf part 214 and the first overhang 230 are also substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction.
- the shelf inclined surface 220b and the inclined surface overhang 234b are annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl 206, it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf 208 is substantially parallel with the overhang 218.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf 208 is substantially parallel with the upper surface (the first upper surface 210, second upper surface 212, upper inclined surface 240a, and upper inclined surface 240b).
- the water conveyance shelf 208 By configuring the water conveyance shelf 208 so that the overhang 218 and the water conveyance shelf 208, or the upper surface and the water conveyance shelf 208, are substantially parallel with each other, the overall harmony in the design of the flush toilet 200 can be improved.
- the height difference D2 in the water conveyance shelf 208 is slightly moderated.
- the second shelf part 216 may be formed at a position lower than H2 in Fig. 13 . In this case, however, the potential energy of the second flush water will be smaller. Also, when the water passage in the second shelf part 216 is narrower, the pressure of the second flush water can be increased, and hence, the rear end surface can be strongly flushed.
- the first shelf part 214 may be formed at a position higher than H1 in Fig. 13 .
- the opening of the first discharge port 202 will also be smaller, and hence, the amount of water discharged through the first discharge port 202 will be reduced. Since the first flush water S1 needs to be sufficiently provided to the long first shelf part 214, and, particularly, a sufficient amount of water needs to be provided to the front end part of the toilet bowl 206, adding structural restriction on the amount of water discharged through the first discharge port 202 is unfavorable.
- the height difference D2 is provided between the first shelf part 214 and the second shelf part 216 so as to be commensurate with the height difference D1 between the first upper surface 210 and the second upper surface 212, and the water conveyance shelf 208 is formed so that T2 is smaller than T1 (T2 ⁇ T1, D2 ⁇ D1).
- the height T2 of the water passage in the second shelf part 216 is smaller than the height T1 of the water passage in the first shelf part 214. It is desirable that at least an average of the height of the water passage in the second shelf part 216 is smaller than an average of the height of the water passage in the first shelf part 214.
- the vertical width of the water passage is increased from T2 to T1.
- the vertical width of the water passage is maintained at T2 in the section between P1 and P2, and is then increased from T2 to T1 in the section between P2 and P3.
- the vertical width of the water passage has only to be increased at least within the section between P1 and P4. However, it is more suitable to maintain the vertical width of the water passage at T2 also in the section between P1 and P2 because the dead region 236 (unflushed region) is less likely to be formed, as described previously.
- the rear end surface of the toilet bowl 206 is particularly likely to get dirty. It will be desirable if such a region likely to get dirty can be flushed with flush water at a higher flow rate. Since the section between P2 and P3 is less likely to get dirty compared to the section between P1 and P2, it is suitable to increase the vertical width of the water passage in the section between P2 and P3 rather than in the section between P1 and P2.
- the second flush water S2 discharged through the second discharge port 204 flows up along the shelf inclined surface 220a and passes P2, and then diffuses in a vertical direction in the section between P2 and P3. Part of the flush water flows down therefrom, and another part of the flush water hits on the back surface of the first overhang 230 and flows down therefrom.
- the overhang 218 forms a water passage and prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward the first upper surface 210 and the second upper surface 212.
- the second overhang 232 prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward a functional unit mounted on the second upper surface 212. Upward scattering of waste that has scattered toward the rear end surface can be prevented by the back surface of the second overhang 232, which is flushed with the second flush water S2 afterward.
- the flowing path of the second flush water S2 is changed (deviated from the course) to the flowing down direction by means of the inclination in a longitudinal direction of the shelf inclined surface 220a.
- the restriction on the design of the water conveyance shelf 208 due to the recess part can be even utilized positively.
- the flow rate of the flush water can be increased or reduced, or the flow of flush water can be positively deviated from the course on the water conveyance shelf 208.
- the first flush water S1 swirls upon the first shelf part 214 retaining the potential energy.
- the first flush water S1 then deviates from the course before the shelf inclined surface 220b and flows down into the storage region 222.
- the second flush water S2 flows through a narrow water passage on the second shelf part 216 at a high flow rate to flush the rear end surface, and then flows up along the shelf inclined surface 220a and deviates from the course. Also, part of the second flush water S2 splashing from the shelf inclined surface 220a strongly rebounds from the overhang 218 toward the storage region 222.
- the flow of the second flush water S2 is deviated from the course to the flowing down direction by means of the height difference in the shelf inclined surface 220a.
- part of the first flush water S1 may be merged into the second flush water S2.
- the second flush water S2 will slow down if the first flush water S1, which has flowed around in the toilet bowl 206 and has slowed down, is merged into the second flush water S2, it is desirable that the proportion of the first flush water S1 to be merged into the second flush water S2 after flowing around is a small amount less than 20 percent, preferably less than 10 percent.
- a stepped surface including the first upper surface 210 and the second upper surface 212 is provided to form a recess part, on which a functional unit is mounted, in the rear end part of the flush toilet 200.
- the present example is also applicable to designing when the water conveyance shelf 208 is formed so as to correspond to a step on the upper surface, which is not limited to a recess part.
- the width of the water conveyance shelf 208 need not necessarily be constant and may be changed depending on a place.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 need not necessarily be horizontal and may be inclined or curved with respect to a horizontal plane.
- the water conveyance shelf 208 need not necessarily be continuously provided along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl 206 and may partially include a discontinuous region (such as a cutout).
- a flush toilet includes: a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part and including a first shelf part positioned higher and a second shelf part positioned lower; a first discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part; and a second discharge port positioned lower than the first discharge port and formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- the first shelf part and the second shelf part may be smoothly connected by a shelf inclined surface.
- an overhang part may be formed on the upper surface of the toilet bowl part.
- a storage region may be formed to pool flush water.
- the main flow of water discharged through the second discharge port may be made to flow down into the storage region without being merged into water discharged through the first discharge port in the first shelf part.
- the draining force can be increased more easily.
- the amount of water discharged through the second discharge port and flowing up along the shelf inclined surface to be merged into water discharged through the first discharge port may be less than 20 percent of the total amount of the water discharged through the second discharge port.
- the shelf inclined surface along which water discharged through the second discharge port flows up may include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater.
- the water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, in which the first shelf part and the second shelf part are connected by two shelf inclined surfaces. Each of the two shelf inclined surfaces may be formed in the rear half of the toilet bowl part in plan view.
- the first shelf part may be longer than the second shelf part.
- the flush water from the second discharge port can be made to strongly flow upward while the kinetic energy of the flush water is maintained.
- the main flow of the flush water from the second discharge port flows down, and the flush water that does not flow down will be merged into the flush water from the first discharge port.
- a shelf inclined surface along which flush water that has flowed through the second shelf part flows up toward the first shelf part may be formed in a side part, in plan view, with respect to a storage region formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part.
- a flush toilet includes: a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein, including a first upper surface positioned higher and a second upper surface positioned lower; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction of the toilet bowl part on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part; and a discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the water conveyance shelf.
- the water conveyance shelf includes a first shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the first upper surface and also includes a second shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the second upper surface.
- the second shelf part is positioned lower than the first shelf part.
- a height difference is provided in the water conveyance shelf so as to be commensurate with the height difference in the upper surface, and, by means of the height difference in the water conveyance shelf, the flow of water can be controlled.
- the second shelf part may be smoothly connected with the first shelf part by a shelf inclined surface.
- the first upper surface and the second upper surface may be smoothly connected by an upper inclined surface.
- the shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the upper inclined surface at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- the shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the overhang part at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- the toilet bowl part may include a first discharge port and a second discharge port formed therein.
- the first discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- a first discharge port and a second discharge port may be formed on an upper end of the inner wall of the toilet bowl part.
- the first discharge port may be formed on the first shelf part
- the second discharge port may be formed on the second shelf part.
- the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- the overall harmony in design can be maintained more easily.
- a first discharge port and a second discharge port may be formed on an upper end of the inner wall of the toilet bowl part.
- the first discharge port may be formed on the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed on the second shelf part.
- the water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, and at least 80 percent of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf may be substantially parallel with the overhang part.
- An average of the interval between the first shelf part and the first upper surface may be greater than an average of the interval between the second shelf part and the second upper surface.
- the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- a recess part In a rear end part of the upper surface of the toilet bowl part, a recess part may be formed.
- the second upper surface may correspond to the bottom surface of the recess part.
- the present invention is applicable to a flush toilet.
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- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a flush toilet according to
claim 1, and in particular relates to a type of flush toilet in which the toilet bowl is flushed with a swirling flow of water according to the preamble ofclaim 1. - For a flush toilet, a flushing method is known in which flush water is discharged through one or more discharge ports into the toilet bowl part, and waste is pushed out to a drain pipe by means of the flow of the flush water. Hereinafter, the force of pushing waste out from the inside of the toilet to the drain pipe will be referred to as the "draining force". Also, in order to prevent a residue of waste being left on the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part, a flow of water is required to flush a wide range of the inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part. Hereinafter, the force of flushing the inner wall of a toilet bowl will be referred to as the "flushing force".
- In recent years, a functional unit, such as a pubic lavage device and a warm air device, is often provided in a rear part of a flush toilet. In
Patent Document 1, in order to prevent a nozzle or the like of a pubic lavage device from getting dirty, the nozzle is covered with a cover member that is nearly flush with the inner wall surface of a rear end part of the toilet bowl. InPatent Document 1, although dirt of the nozzle is regarded as a problem, it is held that dirt of the cover member for the nozzle is considered on the premise that a user needs to wipe the dirt off (see paragraph [0032] in Patent Document 1) . -
- [Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-174451 claim 1. - [Patent Documents 2-6] being
European Patent Application Publication No. 2562314A1 ,Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-074876 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-068070 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-017501 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-068164 claim 1. - As described previously, for a flush toilet, the two functions of the draining force and the flushing force are required. Accordingly, flush toilets need to be designed so that the course of flush water can be sophisticatedly changed without weakening the flow of the flush water. In addition, the flush toilets need to be structured so that a functional unit, such as a pubic lavage device, can be mounted thereon.
- A main purpose of the present invention is to propose new design of a flush toilet for improving the flushing force and the draining force.
- A flush toilet according to the present invention includes the features of the
claim 1. - The present invention facilitates improvement in the flushing force and the draining force of a flush toilet.
- Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:
-
Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a flush toilet; -
Fig. 2 is a top view of the flush toilet; -
Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of a toilet bowl; -
Fig. 4 is a sectional front view of the toilet bowl; -
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram that shows flows of water towards a storage region. -
Fig. 6 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between a first shelf part and a second shelf part in a first embodiment;Fig. 7 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between the first shelf part and the second shelf part in a comparative example; -
Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of aflush toilet 100. In abody part 144 of theflush toilet 100, atoilet bowl 106 is formed. Also, in thebody part 144, flush water stored in an external tank is discharged to thetoilet bowl 106 through afirst discharge port 102 and asecond discharge port 104. Part of the flush water is also discharged through a third discharge port, which will be described later in association withFig. 2 . The third discharge port may be a so-called jet discharge port. Thefirst discharge port 102 is formed on a side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of thetoilet bowl 106. Thesecond discharge port 104 is formed on a rear end surface (the negative direction side of the x-axis) of thetoilet bowl 106. Along the entire periphery of the inner wall of thetoilet bowl 106, awater conveyance shelf 108 is annularly formed. The flush water discharged through the second discharge port 104 (hereinafter, referred to as "second flush water") flows upon thewater conveyance shelf 108, and most of the flush water flows down into thetoilet bowl 106 before thefirst discharge port 102, while the remaining flush water is merged into the flush water discharged through the first discharge port 102 (hereinafter, referred to as "first flush water"). The first flush water swirls upon thewater conveyance shelf 108, thereby flushing the entirety of thetoilet bowl 106, particularly the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall. - The upper surface of the
toilet bowl 106 is formed as a stepped surface including a firstupper surface 110 positioned higher and a secondupper surface 112 positioned lower. The secondupper surface 112 in the first embodiment forms a flat bottom surface of arecess part 138 in the upper surface. However, the secondupper surface 112 need not necessarily be flat, and it may be formed as a surface curved downward or upward, or a projection or a cutout may be formed in part of the secondupper surface 112. On the recess part 138 (upon the second upper surface 112), a functional unit (not illustrated) for providing the pubic lavage function or the warm air function, for example, is mounted. The secondupper surface 112 and the firstupper surface 110 are smoothly connected by two upperinclined surfaces - The
water conveyance shelf 108 includes afirst shelf part 114 positioned higher and asecond shelf part 116 positioned lower. Thefirst shelf part 114 is formed at a corresponding position of the firstupper surface 110, and thesecond shelf part 116 is formed at a corresponding position of the secondupper surface 112. The "corresponding position" means a position corresponding, in a vertical direction (z-axis direction), to another position and, in other words, it means a position that overlaps another position in plan view. More specifically, the first shelf part 114 (higher shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the first upper surface 110 (higher surface), and the second shelf part 116 (lower shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the second upper surface 112 (lower surface) (see alsoFig. 2 ). As is evident fromFig. 2 , thefirst shelf part 114 is longer than thesecond shelf part 116. - A height difference is provided between the
first shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 in thewater conveyance shelf 108 so as to be commensurate with the height difference (step) between the firstupper surface 110 and the secondupper surface 112 in the upper surface part. Thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 are connected by a smooth inclined surface (shelfinclined surface 120a) (which will be detailed in association withFig. 2 ). Being "smooth" in the present specification means that surfaces are continuously connected with each other, or surfaces are connected with each other without including a discontinuous surface. - In the
toilet bowl 106, the upper surface (the firstupper surface 110, secondupper surface 112, and upperinclined surfaces overhang 118 is, in a manner, a roof for thewater conveyance shelf 108, and thewater conveyance shelf 108 and theoverhang 118 form a water passage. Theoverhang 118 of the first embodiment is annularly formed along the entire inner periphery of thetoilet bowl 106. Although the details will be described later, thewater conveyance shelf 108, excluding part thereof, includes a surface substantially in parallel with theoverhang 118 mainly in a horizontal direction (the water flowing direction). More specifically, the lower surface of the overhang 118 (the surface facing the water conveyance shelf 108) is substantially parallel with the upper surface of thewater conveyance shelf 108 in the water flowing direction. -
Fig. 2 is a top view of theflush toilet 100.Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of thetoilet bowl 106.Fig. 4 is a sectional front view of thetoilet bowl 106.Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram that shows flows of water toward astorage region 122. - The
water conveyance shelf 108 is an annular shelf formed along the entire periphery of the inner wall surface of thetoilet bowl 106. Thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 are smoothly connected by the shelfinclined surface 120a and a shelfinclined surface 120b. Each of the shelfinclined surfaces toilet bowl 106 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis inFig. 2 ). Although the details will be described later, the shelf inclinedsurface 120a is an inclined surface on which the second flush water flows upward, and the shelf inclinedsurface 120b is an inclined surface on which the first flush water flows downward. The shelf inclinedsurfaces Fig. 2 ) of thetoilet bowl 106. Each of thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 may be a shelf extending in a horizontal direction, or thefirst shelf part 114 may be gently inclined upward around the front end part thereof, as shown inFig. 3 . In this case, the shelf inclinedsurfaces first shelf part 114. Thefirst shelf part 114 extends horizontally. - Namely, the
water conveyance shelf 108 is an annular shelf formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclinedsurfaces - The
overhang 118 is formed along the entire periphery of the rim in thetoilet bowl 106. Theoverhang 118 includes afirst overhang 130 formed at a higher position corresponding to the firstupper surface 110, and asecond overhang 132 formed at a lower position corresponding to the secondupper surface 112. Thefirst overhang 130 and thesecond overhang 132 are smoothly connected byinclined surface overhangs inclined surface overhang 134a corresponds to the upperinclined surface 140a and the shelf inclinedsurface 120a, and theinclined surface overhang 134b corresponds to the upperinclined surface 140b and the shelf inclinedsurface 120b. Accordingly, each of theinclined surface overhangs toilet bowl 106 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis inFig. 2 ). Theinclined surface overhangs Fig. 2 ) of thetoilet bowl 106. - Namely, the
overhang 118 is an annular overhang (a rim folded part) formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which thefirst overhang 130 and thesecond overhang 132 are smoothly connected by theinclined surface overhangs - Since each of the
overhang 118 and thewater conveyance shelf 108 of the first embodiment is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M, theflush toilet 100 is designed so that the overall harmony can be easily maintained. - The
second discharge port 104 is formed on the shelf inclinedsurface 120b side, on the right side in the rear end part of thesecond shelf part 116. Thefirst discharge port 102 is formed above thefirst shelf part 114. - Most of the flush water flowing into the
toilet bowl 106 through thefirst discharge port 102 or thesecond discharge port 104 is discharged into a sewage pipe (not illustrated) through anoutlet 128 of astorage region 122, but part of the flush water is pooled in thestorage region 122 to seal thetoilet bowl 106 and the sewage pipe. On a side surface of thestorage region 122, athird discharge port 124 is further formed. Part of the flush water supplied from the tank of theflush toilet 100 is discharged as first flush water S1 through the first discharge port 102 (course C1), another part of the flush water is discharged as second flush water S2 through the second discharge port 104 (course C2), and the rest of the flush water is discharged as "third flush water S3" through the third discharge port 124 (course C3). Each of the courses C1-C3 shows the main flow of the flush water from the corresponding discharge port. Waste brought by the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 into thestorage region 122 is pushed out by the third flush water S3 through theoutlet 128 located posteriorly in thestorage region 122. - The
first discharge port 102 is formed on an upper part (rim) of the left side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of theflush toilet 100 viewed from the front. The first flush water S1 discharged through thefirst discharge port 102 largely swirls in the counterclockwise direction upon the water conveyance shelf 108 (first shelf part 114) to widely flush the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall surface of thetoilet bowl 106. While swirling upon thefirst shelf part 114, the first flush water S1 loses kinetic energy before reaching the shelf inclinedsurface 120b, so as to deviate from the course and flow down into the storage region 122 (see S1 inFig. 2 ). - The second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 104 flows through the water conveyance shelf 108 (second shelf part 116) to locally flush an upper part of the rear end surface of thetoilet bowl 106, and then deviates from the course because of the upward inclination (height difference) of the shelf inclinedsurface 120a, so as to flow down into the storage region 122 (see S2 inFig. 2 ). - The shelf inclined
surface 120a is positioned in a rear and side part with respect to an opening R (seeFig. 3 ) of thestorage region 122. More specifically, when the midpoint in an x direction (a longitudinal direction) of the opening R is defined as P, the shelf inclinedsurface 120a is formed at a position on the rear end side and the left side with respect to the midpoint P in plan view. Accordingly, after flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a, the second flush water S2 flows along a side of a receivingsurface 142 and then directly flows down into the storage region 122 (see alsoFig. 2 ). As shown inFig. 3 , most of thesecond shelf part 116 and thefirst shelf part 114 are formed in a horizontal direction. - In the first embodiment, the
first shelf part 114 is formed at a position higher than the secondupper surface 112 of the recess part 138 (seeFig. 4 ). - Part of the second flush water S2 may be merged into the first flush water S1 without flowing down, but it may be desirable that the main flow of the second flush water S2 flows down without being merged into the first flush water S1. The "main flow" means 60 percent or above, preferably 80 percent or above and more preferably 95 percent or above, of the total amount of the second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 104. To the total amount of the second flush water S2, the proportion of water flowing down without being merged into the first flush water S1 can be obtained by simulation calculation based on the position and size of thesecond discharge port 104, the flow rate of the second flush water S2, the shape and climbing angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 120a, and other various parameters. - The first flush water S1 swirls along the inner wall of the
toilet bowl 106 and then flows down from the right side, thereby widely providing the flushing force and water discharge force. Also, the second flush water S2 flushes the rear end surface of thetoilet bowl 106, which is particularly likely to get dirty, and then flows down from the rear left side, thereby locally providing the flushing force and water discharge force to the rear end surface. Further, the third flush water S3 stirs thestorage region 122 and pushes the waste out through theoutlet 128, thereby providing the draining force. - As shown in
Fig. 5 , waste 126 is gathered in thestorage region 122. There is waste that floats on the pooled water, such aswaste 126a-126c, and waste that sinks, such aswaste 126d. Each of the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down into thestorage region 122 from a different direction and sinks thewaste 126a-126c into thestorage region 122. The third flush water S3 pushes thewaste 126a-126d thus gathered in the bottom part of thestorage region 122 out through theoutlet 128. Hereinafter, the force of sinking the waste 126 into thestorage region 122 will be referred to as the "sinking force". In order to certainly sink floating waste 126, it is desirable to allow a certain amount of flush water to flow down from a sufficient height. - In the case of
Fig. 5 , the sinking force of the first flush water S1 is applied to thewaste waste 126c is not present immediately below the flow of the first flush water S1, thewaste 126c is less likely to receive the sinking force of the first flush water S1. However, since thewaste 126c is present immediately below the flow of the second flush water S2, thewaste 126c receives the sinking force of the second flush water S2. In the first embodiment, since the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down from the left and right directions, the sinking force can be effectively provided to floating waste 126. - The description will now return to
Fig. 2 . After flushing the rear end surface of thetoilet bowl 106, most of the second flush water S2 flows down during or after the flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a. Generally, in order to change the water flowing direction within thetoilet bowl 106, the shape of the inner wall surface of thetoilet bowl 106, particularly the curvature of a water passage in plan view (x-y plane), is often changed. However, the design for largely changing the water flowing direction by changing the curvature on an x-y plane is difficult. Meanwhile, in the first embodiment, the water flowing direction is changed by means of the inclination in a vertical direction (z direction) of the shelf inclinedsurface 120a. Since the angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 120a can be changed relatively easily, the design for water flow control can be easily provided. - Also, the second flush water S2 may be made to flow down by allowing the second flush water S2 that has flowed up along the shelf inclined
surface 120a to hit on the back surface of the overhang 118 (which will be detailed in association withFig. 6 ). In this case, theoverhang 118 may be desirably formed to largely extend at a point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a enters thefirst shelf part 114. Since the second flush water S2 that does not flow down will be merged into the first flush water S1, the second flush water S2 can be efficiently and entirely used. -
Fig. 6 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 in the first embodiment.Fig. 7 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 in a comparative example. - The difference between
Fig. 6 andFig. 7 is whether or not the shelf inclinedsurface 120a is parallel with theoverhang 118 near thesecond shelf part 116. - Based on the floor surface (mounting surface) of the
flush toilet 100, the height of thesecond shelf part 116 is defined as H2, and the height of thefirst shelf part 114 is defined as H1. With regard to theoverhang 118, the height of the back surface of thesecond overhang 132 corresponding to the secondupper surface 112 is defined as H3, and the height of the back surface of thefirst overhang 130 corresponding to the firstupper surface 110 is defined as H4. Also, the height of the second upper surface 112 (upper surface of the second overhang 132) is defined as H5, and the height of the first upper surface 110 (upper surface of the first overhang 130) is defined as H6. - The height of a water passage formed between the
second shelf part 116 and thesecond overhang 132 is defined as T2 (= H3-H2). Also, the height of a water passage formed between thefirst shelf part 114 and thefirst overhang 130 is defined as T1 (= H4-H1) . - The boundary point between the
second shelf part 116 and the shelf inclinedsurface 120a is defined as P1, the boundary point between the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and thefirst shelf part 114 is defined as P3, and the middle point between P1 and P3 is defined as P2. Also, the position of thefirst discharge port 102 is defined as P4. - The second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 104 flows through thesecond shelf part 116 and flows up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a, losing kinetic energy, so as to flow down toward thestorage region 122 while swirling. The second flush water S2 may be made to hit on the back surface of thefirst overhang 130 and rebound therefrom in the direction toward thestorage region 122. Accordingly, it is desirable that a sufficient size of theoverhang 118 is formed at least at the point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a enters thefirst shelf part 114. More specifically, it is desirable that thefirst overhang 130 is formed at least in the section between P3 and P4. - The shelf inclined
surface 120a and theinclined surface overhang 134a are at least partially parallel with each other in the water flowing direction. More specifically, at least in the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and the back surface of the overhang 118 (inclinedsurface overhang 134a) positioned thereabove are substantially parallel with each other. The "substantially parallel" means that the difference between the climbing angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and the climbing angle of theinclined surface overhang 134a is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less. The "substantially parallel" in the present specification means that the difference in surface angle between the two surfaces is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less. As shown in the comparative example ofFig. 7 , when the climbing angle of theinclined surface overhang 134a is steeper than the climbing angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 120a, a dead region 136 (an unflushed region) is formed below theinclined surface overhang 134a, and it may be unable to flush the region sufficiently. The experiments performed by the inventors and others have found that, in the configuration as shown in the comparative example ofFig. 7 , when the second flush water S2 passes P1 and is then diffused in a vertical direction, a sufficient amount of the second flush water S2 is less likely to reach the back surface of theoverhang 118 around P3. However, by configuring the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and theinclined surface overhang 134a to be substantially parallel with each other in the section between P1 and P2, as shown inFig. 6 , the formation of thedead region 136 can be prevented. - Within the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclined
surface 120a is substantially parallel with not only theinclined surface overhang 134a but also the upperinclined surface 140a in the water flowing direction. - Since the shelf inclined
surface 120a is smoothly connected to thesecond shelf part 116, the second flush water can be smoothly led to the shelf inclinedsurface 120a while the force of the flush water can be maintained. - After the second flush water flows up along the shelf inclined
surface 120a and passes P3, part of the flush water flows down therefrom, and another part of the flush water hits on the back surface of thefirst overhang 130 and rebounds therefrom. Accordingly, the shelf inclinedsurface 120a needs to have a certain degree of gradient. The shelf inclinedsurface 120a may desirably include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater, preferably 35 degrees or greater. - Within the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclined
surface 120a and theinclined surface overhang 134a are substantially parallel with each other in the inclination direction. Similarly, thesecond shelf part 116 and thesecond overhang 132 are substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction, and thefirst shelf part 114 and thefirst overhang 130 are also substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction. The same applies to the shelf inclinedsurface 120b and theinclined surface overhang 134b. Although both thewater conveyance shelf 108 and theoverhang 118 are annularly formed along the entire periphery of thetoilet bowl 106, it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of thewater conveyance shelf 108 is substantially parallel with theoverhang 118. Alternatively, it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of thewater conveyance shelf 108 is substantially parallel with the upper surface (the firstupper surface 110, secondupper surface 112, upperinclined surface 140a, and upperinclined surface 140b). By configuring thewater conveyance shelf 108 so that theoverhang 118 and thewater conveyance shelf 108, or the upper surface and thewater conveyance shelf 108, are substantially parallel with each other, the overall harmony in the design of theflush toilet 100 can be improved. - Compared to the height difference D1 (= H6-H5) between the first
upper surface 110 and the secondupper surface 112, the height difference D2 (= H1-H2) between thefirst shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 is smaller. This is because the height T2 (= H3-H2) of the water passage in thesecond shelf part 116 is smaller than the height T1 (= H4-H1) of the water passage in thefirst shelf part 114. Thus, compared to the height difference D1 between the firstupper surface 110 and the secondupper surface 112, the height difference D2 in thewater conveyance shelf 108 is slightly moderated. - In order to make the height difference D1 and the height difference D2 equal to each other, the
second shelf part 116 may be formed at a position lower than H2 inFig. 6 . In this case, however, the potential energy of the second flush water will be smaller. Also, when the water passage in thesecond shelf part 116 is narrower, the pressure of the second flush water can be increased, and hence, the rear end surface can be strongly flushed. - Also, in order to make the height difference D1 and the height difference D2 equal to each other, the
first shelf part 114 may be formed at a position higher than H1 inFig. 6 . In this case, however, since the height T1 will be smaller, the opening of thefirst discharge port 102 will also be smaller, and hence, the amount of water discharged through thefirst discharge port 102 will be reduced. Since the first flush water S1 needs to be sufficiently provided to the longfirst shelf part 114, and, particularly, a sufficient amount of water needs to be provided to the front end part of thetoilet bowl 106, adding structural restriction on the amount of water discharged through thefirst discharge port 102 is unfavorable. - Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the height difference D2 is provided between the
first shelf part 114 and thesecond shelf part 116 so as to be commensurate with the height difference D1 between the firstupper surface 110 and the secondupper surface 112, and thewater conveyance shelf 108 is formed so that T2 is smaller than T1 (T2<T1, D2<D1). With such a configuration, the flushing properties and the harmony of design can be balanced with each other. - In the first embodiment, the height T2 of the water passage in the
second shelf part 116 is smaller than the height T1 of the water passage in thefirst shelf part 114. It is desirable that at least an average of the height of the water passage in thesecond shelf part 116 is smaller than an average of the height of the water passage in thefirst shelf part 114. - In the section between P1 and P4, the vertical width of the water passage is increased from T2 to T1. In the first embodiment, the vertical width of the water passage is maintained at T2 in the section between P1 and P2, and is then increased from T2 to T1 in the section between P2 and P3. The vertical width of the water passage has only to be increased at least within the section between P1 and P4. However, it is more suitable to maintain the vertical width of the water passage at T2 also in the section between P1 and P2 because the dead region 136 (unflushed region) is less likely to be formed, as described previously.
- The rear end surface of the
toilet bowl 106 is particularly likely to get dirty. It will be desirable if such a region likely to get dirty can be flushed with flush water at a higher flow rate. Since the section between P2 and P3 is less likely to get dirty compared to the section between P1 and P2, it is suitable to increase the vertical width of the water passage in the section between P2 and P3 rather than in the section between P1 and P2. - The second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 104 flows up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and passes P2, and then diffuses in a vertical direction in the section between P2 and P3. Part of the flush water flows down therefrom, and another part of the flush water hits on the back surface of thefirst overhang 130 and flows down therefrom. - The
overhang 118 forms a water passage and prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward the firstupper surface 110 and the secondupper surface 112. Particularly, thesecond overhang 132 prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward a functional unit mounted on the secondupper surface 112. Upward scattering of waste that has scattered toward the rear end surface can be prevented by the back surface of thesecond overhang 132, which is flushed with the second flush water S2 afterward. - In the first embodiment, the flowing path of the second flush water S2 is changed (deviated from the course) to the flowing down direction by means of the inclination in a longitudinal direction of the shelf inclined
surface 120a. By combining the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and theoverhang 118, the water flowing direction can be changed more easily and efficiently. - In the first embodiment, even when a recess part (the second upper surface 112) is formed in the rear end part of the
flush toilet 100, the restriction on the design of thewater conveyance shelf 108 due to the recess part can be even utilized positively. By means of the height difference in thewater conveyance shelf 108, the flow rate of the flush water can be increased or reduced, or the flow of flush water can be positively deviated from the course on thewater conveyance shelf 108. - The first flush water S1 swirls upon the
first shelf part 114 retaining the potential energy. The first flush water S1 then deviates from the course before the shelf inclinedsurface 120b and flows down into thestorage region 122. - The second flush water S2 flows through a narrow water passage on the
second shelf part 116 at a high flow rate to flush the rear end surface, and then flows up along the shelf inclinedsurface 120a and deviates from the course. Also, part of the second flush water S2 splashing from the shelf inclinedsurface 120a strongly rebounds from theoverhang 118 toward thestorage region 122. - In this way, in the first embodiment, the flow of the second flush water S2 is deviated from the course to the flowing down direction by means of the height difference in the shelf inclined
surface 120a. After flowing through the shelf inclinedsurface 120b, part of the first flush water S1 may be merged into the second flush water S2. However, since the second flush water S2 will slow down if the first flush water S1, which has flowed around in thetoilet bowl 106 and has slowed down, is merged into the second flush water S2, it is desirable that the proportion of the first flush water S1 to be merged into the second flush water S2 after flowing around is a small amount less than 20 percent, preferably less than 10 percent. - The present invention has been described with reference to the first embodiment. The embodiment is intended to be illustrative only, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes could be developed within the scope of appended claims.
- In the flowing, modifications of the first embodiment will be described , not forming part of the invention .
- In the first embodiment, a stepped surface including the first
upper surface 110 and the secondupper surface 112 is provided to form a recess part, on which a functional unit is mounted, in the rear end part of theflush toilet 100. However, the present example is also applicable to designing when thewater conveyance shelf 108 is formed so as to correspond to a step on the upper surface, which is not limited to a recess part. The width of thewater conveyance shelf 108 need not necessarily be constant and may be changed depending on a place. Also, thewater conveyance shelf 108 need not necessarily be horizontal and may be inclined or curved with respect to a horizontal plane. Further, thewater conveyance shelf 108 need not necessarily be continuously provided along the entire periphery of thetoilet bowl 106 and may partially include a discontinuous region (such as a cutout). - In the first embodiment, each of the back surface of the
overhang 118 and the upper surface of thewater conveyance shelf 108 forms a horizontal surface. Accordingly, the cross section of the water passage between theoverhang 118 and thewater conveyance shelf 108 is rectangular (see the region U inFig. 4 ). As a modification, theoverhang 118 and thewater conveyance shelf 108 may be smoothly connected, so that the cross section of the water passage includes an arc. In the present example, theoverhang 118 is an optional component and is not an essential component. - A flush toilet according to one embodiment : a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein, including a first upper surface positioned higher and a second upper surface positioned lower; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction of the toilet bowl part on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part; and a discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the water conveyance shelf.
- The water conveyance shelf includes a first shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the first upper surface and also includes a second shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the second upper surface. The second shelf part is positioned lower than the first shelf part.
- A height difference is provided in the water conveyance shelf so as to be commensurate with the height difference in the upper surface, and, by means of the height difference in the water conveyance shelf, the flow of water can be controlled.
- The second shelf part may be smoothly connected with the first shelf part by a shelf inclined surface.
- By smoothly connecting the first shelf part and the second shelf part, the force of flush water can be maintained more easily.
- The first upper surface and the second upper surface may be smoothly connected by an upper inclined surface. The shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the upper inclined surface at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- By making the shelf inclined surface and the upper inclined surface parallel with each other, the overall harmony in design can be maintained more easily.
- On the upper inclined surface of the body part, an overhang part extending inward may be further formed. The shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the overhang part at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- The toilet bowl part may include a first discharge port and a second discharge port formed therein. The first discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- By making the height difference between the first shelf part and the second shelf part smaller than the height difference between the first upper surface and the second upper surface, the overall harmony in design can be maintained more easily.
- Along the entire periphery of the upper surface of the body part, an overhang part extending inward may be further formed. The water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, and at least 80 percent of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf may be substantially parallel with the overhang part.
- An average of the interval between the first shelf part and the first upper surface may be greater than an average of the interval between the second shelf part and the second upper surface.
- Within a range between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the first discharge port formed in the toilet bowl part, the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- In a rear end part of the upper surface of the toilet bowl part, a recess part may be formed. The second upper surface may correspond to the bottom surface of the recess part. Within a range between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the first discharge port formed in the toilet bowl part, the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- A flush toilet according to another embodiment : a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part and including a first shelf part positioned higher and a second shelf part positioned lower; a first discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part; and a second discharge port positioned lower than the first discharge port and formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- The first shelf part and the second shelf part may be smoothly connected by a shelf inclined surface.
- By smoothly connecting the first shelf part and the second shelf part with the shelf inclined surface therebetween, the force of flush water can be maintained, and, also by means of the height difference in the shelf inclined surface, flush water can be led in the flowing down direction.
- At least at a point where flush water that has flowed through the second shelf part and flowed up along the shelf inclined surface enters the first shelf part, an overhang part may be formed on the upper surface of the toilet bowl part.
- In a bottom part of the toilet bowl part, a storage region may be formed to pool flush water. The main flow of water discharged through the second discharge port may be made to flow down into the storage region without being merged into water discharged through the first discharge port in the first shelf part.
- By allowing the main flow of water discharged through the second discharge port to flow down before being merged into water discharged through the first discharge port, the draining force can be increased more easily.
- The amount of water discharged through the second discharge port and flowing up along the shelf inclined surface to be merged into water discharged through the first discharge port may be less than 20 percent of the total amount of the water discharged through the second discharge port.
- The shelf inclined surface along which water discharged through the second discharge port flows up may include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater.
- The water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, in which the first shelf part and the second shelf part are connected by two shelf inclined surfaces. Each of the two shelf inclined surfaces may be formed in the rear half of the toilet bowl part in plan view.
- The first shelf part may be longer than the second shelf part.
- A shelf inclined surface along which flush water that has flowed through the second shelf part flows up toward the first shelf part may be formed in a side part, in plan view, with respect to a storage region formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part.
-
Fig. 8 is an external perspective view of aflush toilet 200 , not forming part of the invention . - In a
body part 244 of theflush toilet 200, atoilet bowl 206 is formed. Also, in thebody part 244, flush water stored in an external tank is discharged to thetoilet bowl 206 through afirst discharge port 202 and asecond discharge port 204. Part of the flush water is also discharged through a third discharge port, which will be described later in association withFig. 9 . The third discharge port may be a so-called jet discharge port. Thefirst discharge port 202 is formed on a side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of thetoilet bowl 206. Thesecond discharge port 204 is formed on a rear end surface (the negative direction side of the x-axis) of thetoilet bowl 206. Along the entire periphery of the inner wall of thetoilet bowl 206, awater conveyance shelf 208 is annularly formed. The flush water discharged through the second discharge port 204 (hereinafter, referred to as "second flush water") flows upon thewater conveyance shelf 208, and most of the flush water flows down into thetoilet bowl 206 before thefirst discharge port 202, while the remaining flush water is merged into the flush water discharged through the first discharge port 202 (hereinafter, referred to as "first flush water"). The first flush water swirls upon thewater conveyance shelf 208, thereby flushing the entirety of thetoilet bowl 206, particularly the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall. - The upper surface of the
toilet bowl 206 is formed as a stepped surface including a firstupper surface 210 positioned higher and a secondupper surface 212 positioned lower. The secondupper surface 212 in the second embodiment forms a flat bottom surface of arecess part 238 in the upper surface. However, the secondupper surface 212 need not necessarily be flat, and it may be formed as a surface curved downward or upward, or a projection or a cutout may be formed in part of the secondupper surface 212. On the recess part 238 (upon the second upper surface 212), a functional unit (not illustrated) for providing the pubic lavage function or the warm air function, for example, is mounted. The secondupper surface 212 and the firstupper surface 210 are smoothly connected by two upperinclined surfaces - The
water conveyance shelf 208 includes afirst shelf part 214 positioned higher and asecond shelf part 216 positioned lower. Thefirst shelf part 214 is formed at a corresponding position of the firstupper surface 210, and thesecond shelf part 216 is formed at a corresponding position of the secondupper surface 212. The "corresponding position" means a position corresponding, in a vertical direction (z-axis direction), to another position and, in other words, it means a position that overlaps another position in plan view. More specifically, the first shelf part 214 (higher shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the first upper surface 210 (higher surface), and the second shelf part 216 (lower shelf) is formed so as to correspond to 90 percent or more of the inner peripheral line of the second upper surface 212 (lower surface) (see alsoFig. 9 ). As is evident fromFig. 9 , thefirst shelf part 214 is longer than thesecond shelf part 216. - A height difference is provided between the
first shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 in thewater conveyance shelf 208 so as to be commensurate with the height difference (step) between the firstupper surface 210 and the secondupper surface 212 in the upper surface part. Thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 are connected by a smooth inclined surface (shelf inclinedsurface 220a) (which will be detailed in association withFig. 9 ). Being "smooth" in the present specification means that surfaces are continuously connected with each other, or surfaces are connected with each other without including a discontinuous surface. - In the
toilet bowl 206, the upper surface (the firstupper surface 210, secondupper surface 212, and upperinclined surfaces overhang 218 is, in a manner, a roof for thewater conveyance shelf 208, and thewater conveyance shelf 208 and theoverhang 218 form a water passage. Theoverhang 218 of the second embodiment is annularly formed along the entire inner periphery of thetoilet bowl 206. Although the details will be described later, thewater conveyance shelf 208, excluding part thereof, includes a surface substantially in parallel with theoverhang 218 mainly in a horizontal direction (the water flowing direction). More specifically, the lower surface of the overhang 218 (the surface facing the water conveyance shelf 208) is substantially parallel with the upper surface of thewater conveyance shelf 208 in the water flowing direction. -
Fig. 9 is a top view of theflush toilet 200.Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of thetoilet bowl 206.Fig. 11 is a sectional front view of thetoilet bowl 206.Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram that shows flows of water toward astorage region 222. - The
water conveyance shelf 208 is an annular shelf formed along the entire periphery of the inner wall surface of thetoilet bowl 206. Thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and a shelfinclined surface 220b. Each of the shelf inclinedsurfaces toilet bowl 206 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis inFig. 9 ). Although the details will be described later, the shelf inclinedsurface 220a is an inclined surface on which the second flush water flows upward, and the shelf inclinedsurface 220b is an inclined surface on which the first flush water flows downward. The shelf inclinedsurfaces Fig. 9 ) of thetoilet bowl 206. Each of thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 may be a shelf extending in a horizontal direction, or thefirst shelf part 214 may be gently inclined upward around the front end part thereof, as shown inFig. 10 . In this case, the shelf inclinedsurfaces first shelf part 214. Thefirst shelf part 214 extends horizontally. - Namely, the
water conveyance shelf 208 is an annular shelf formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 are smoothly connected by the shelf inclinedsurfaces - The
overhang 218 is formed along the entire periphery of the rim in thetoilet bowl 206. Theoverhang 218 includes afirst overhang 230 formed at a higher position corresponding to the firstupper surface 210, and asecond overhang 232 formed at a lower position corresponding to the secondupper surface 212. Thefirst overhang 230 and thesecond overhang 232 are smoothly connected byinclined surface overhangs inclined surface overhang 234a corresponds to the upperinclined surface 240a and the shelf inclinedsurface 220a, and theinclined surface overhang 234b corresponds to the upperinclined surface 240b and the shelf inclinedsurface 220b. Accordingly, each of theinclined surface overhangs toilet bowl 206 in plan view (in the negative direction of the z-axis inFig. 9 ). Theinclined surface overhangs Fig. 9 ) of thetoilet bowl 206. - Namely, the
overhang 218 is an annular overhang (a rim folded part) formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M and having a height difference, in which thefirst overhang 230 and thesecond overhang 232 are smoothly connected by theinclined surface overhangs - Since each of the
overhang 218 and thewater conveyance shelf 208 of the second embodiment is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis M, theflush toilet 200 is designed so that the overall harmony can be easily maintained. - The
second discharge port 204 is formed on the shelf inclinedsurface 220b side, on the right side in the rear end part of thesecond shelf part 216. Thefirst discharge port 202 is formed above thefirst shelf part 214. - Most of the flush water flowing into the
toilet bowl 206 through thefirst discharge port 202 or thesecond discharge port 204 is discharged into a sewage pipe (not illustrated) through anoutlet 228 of astorage region 222, but part of the flush water is pooled in thestorage region 222 to seal thetoilet bowl 206 and the sewage pipe. On a side surface of thestorage region 222, athird discharge port 224 is further formed. Part of the flush water supplied from the tank of theflush toilet 200 is discharged as first flush water S1 through the first discharge port 202 (course C1), another part of the flush water is discharged as second flush water S2 through the second discharge port 204 (course C2), and the rest of the flush water is discharged as "third flush water S3" through the third discharge port 224 (course C3). Each of the courses C1-C3 shows the main flow of the flush water from the corresponding discharge port. Waste brought by the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 into thestorage region 222 is pushed out by the third flush water S3 through theoutlet 228 located posteriorly in thestorage region 222. - The
first discharge port 202 is formed on an upper part (rim) of the left side surface (the negative direction side of the y-axis) of theflush toilet 200 viewed from the front. The first flush water S1 discharged through thefirst discharge port 202 largely swirls in the counterclockwise direction upon the water conveyance shelf 208 (first shelf part 214) to widely flush the front surface and the both side surfaces of the inner wall surface of thetoilet bowl 206. While swirling upon thefirst shelf part 214, the first flush water S1 loses kinetic energy before reaching the shelf inclinedsurface 220b, so as to deviate from the course and flow down into the storage region 222 (see S1 inFig. 9 ). - The second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 204 flows through the water conveyance shelf 208 (second shelf part 216) to locally flush an upper part of the rear end surface of thetoilet bowl 206, and then deviates from the course because of the upward inclination (height difference) of the shelf inclinedsurface 220a, so as to flow down into the storage region 222 (see S2 inFig. 9 ). - The shelf inclined
surface 220a is positioned in a rear and side part with respect to an opening R (seeFig. 10 ) of thestorage region 222. More specifically, when the midpoint in an x direction (a longitudinal direction) of the opening R is defined as P, the shelf inclinedsurface 220a is formed at a position on the rear end side and the left side with respect to the midpoint P in plan view. Accordingly, after flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a, the second flush water S2 flows along a side of a receivingsurface 242 and then directly flows down into the storage region 222 (see alsoFig. 9 ). As shown inFig. 10 , most of thesecond shelf part 216 and thefirst shelf part 214 are formed in a horizontal direction. - In the second embodiment, the
first shelf part 214 is formed at a position higher than the secondupper surface 212 of the recess part 238 (seeFig. 11 ). - Part of the second flush water S2 may be merged into the first flush water S1 without flowing down, but it may be desirable that the main flow of the second flush water S2 flows down without being merged into the first flush water S1. The "main flow" means 60 percent or above, preferably 80 percent or above and more preferably 95 percent or above, of the total amount of the second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 204. To the total amount of the second flush water S2, the proportion of water flowing down without being merged into the first flush water S1 can be obtained by simulation calculation based on the position and size of thesecond discharge port 204, the flow rate of the second flush water S2, the shape and climbing angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 220a, and other various parameters. - The first flush water S1 swirls along the inner wall of the
toilet bowl 206 and then flows down from the right side, thereby widely providing the flushing force and water discharge force. Also, the second flush water S2 flushes the rear end surface of thetoilet bowl 206, which is particularly likely to get dirty, and then flows down from the rear left side, thereby locally providing the flushing force and water discharge force to the rear end surface. Further, the third flush water S3 stirs thestorage region 222 and pushes the waste out through theoutlet 228, thereby providing the draining force. - As shown in
Fig. 12 , waste 226 is gathered in thestorage region 222. There is waste that floats on the pooled water, such aswaste 226a-226c, and waste that sinks, such aswaste 226d. Each of the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down into thestorage region 222 from a different direction and sinks thewaste 226a-226c into thestorage region 222. The third flush water S3 pushes thewaste 226a-226d thus gathered in the bottom part of thestorage region 222 out through theoutlet 228. Hereinafter, the force of sinking the waste 226 into thestorage region 222 will be referred to as the "sinking force". In order to certainly sink floating waste 226, it is desirable to allow a certain amount of flush water to flow down from a sufficient height. - In the case of
Fig. 12 , the sinking force of the first flush water S1 is applied to thewaste waste 226c is not present immediately below the flow of the first flush water S1, thewaste 226c is less likely to receive the sinking force of the first flush water S1. However, since thewaste 226c is present immediately below the flow of the second flush water S2, thewaste 226c receives the sinking force of the second flush water S2. In the second embodiment, since the first flush water S1 and the second flush water S2 flows down from the left and right directions, the sinking force can be effectively provided to floating waste 226. - The description will now return to
Fig. 9 . After flushing the rear end surface of thetoilet bowl 206, most of the second flush water S2 flows down during or after the flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a. Generally, in order to change the water flowing direction within thetoilet bowl 206, the shape of the inner wall surface of thetoilet bowl 206, particularly the curvature of a water passage in plan view (x-y plane), is often changed. However, the design for largely changing the water flowing direction by changing the curvature on an x-y plane is difficult. Meanwhile, in the second embodiment, the water flowing direction is changed by means of the inclination in a vertical direction (z direction) of the shelf inclinedsurface 220a. Since the angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 220a can be changed relatively easily, the design for water flow control can be easily provided. - Also, the second flush water S2 may be made to flow down by allowing the second flush water S2 that has flowed up along the shelf inclined
surface 220a to hit on the back surface of the overhang 218 (which will be detailed in association withFig. 13 ). In this case, theoverhang 218 may be desirably formed to largely extend at a point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a enters thefirst shelf part 214. Since the second flush water S2 that does not flow down will be merged into the first flush water S1, the second flush water S2 can be efficiently and entirely used. -
Fig. 13 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 in the second embodiment.Fig. 14 is a diagram that schematically shows a height relationship between thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 in a comparative example. - The difference between
Fig. 13 andFig. 14 is whether or not the shelf inclinedsurface 220a is parallel with theoverhang 218 near thesecond shelf part 216. - Based on the floor surface (mounting surface) of the
flush toilet 200, the height of thesecond shelf part 216 is defined as H2, and the height of thefirst shelf part 214 is defined as H1. With regard to theoverhang 218, the height of the back surface of thesecond overhang 232 corresponding to the secondupper surface 212 is defined as H3, and the height of the back surface of thefirst overhang 230 corresponding to the firstupper surface 210 is defined as H4. Also, the height of the second upper surface 212 (upper surface of the second overhang 232) is defined as H5, and the height of the first upper surface 210 (upper surface of the first overhang 230) is defined as H6. - The height of a water passage formed between the
second shelf part 216 and thesecond overhang 232 is defined as T2 (= H3-H2). Also, the height of a water passage formed between thefirst shelf part 214 and thefirst overhang 230 is defined as T1 (= H4-H1) . - The boundary point between the
second shelf part 216 and the shelf inclinedsurface 220a is defined as P1, the boundary point between the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and thefirst shelf part 214 is defined as P3, and the middle point between P1 and P3 is defined as P2. Also, the position of thefirst discharge port 202 is defined as P4. - The second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 204 flows through thesecond shelf part 216 and flows up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a, losing kinetic energy, so as to flow down toward thestorage region 222 while swirling. The second flush water S2 may be made to hit on the back surface of thefirst overhang 230 and rebound therefrom in the direction toward thestorage region 222. Accordingly, it is desirable that a sufficient size of theoverhang 218 is formed at least at the point where the second flush water S2 flowing up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a enters thefirst shelf part 214. More specifically, it is desirable that thefirst overhang 230 is formed at least in the section between P3 and P4. - The shelf inclined
surface 220a and theinclined surface overhang 234a are at least partially parallel with each other in the water flowing direction. More specifically, at least in the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and the back surface of the overhang 218 (inclinedsurface overhang 234a) positioned thereabove are substantially parallel with each other. The "substantially parallel" means that the difference between the climbing angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and the climbing angle of theinclined surface overhang 234a is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less. The "substantially parallel" in the present specification means that the difference in surface angle between the two surfaces is 5 percent or less, preferably 1 percent or less. As shown in the comparative example ofFig. 14 , when the climbing angle of theinclined surface overhang 234a is steeper than the climbing angle of the shelf inclinedsurface 220a, a dead region 236 (an unflushed region) is formed below theinclined surface overhang 234a, and it may be unable to flush the region sufficiently. The experiments performed by the inventors and others have found that, in the configuration as shown in the comparative example ofFig. 14 , when the second flush water S2 passes P1 and is then diffused in a vertical direction, a sufficient amount of the second flush water S2 is less likely to reach the back surface of theoverhang 218 around P3. However, by configuring the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and theinclined surface overhang 234a to be substantially parallel with each other in the section between P1 and P2, as shown inFig. 13 , the formation of thedead region 236 can be prevented. - Within the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclined
surface 220a is substantially parallel with not only theinclined surface overhang 234a but also the upperinclined surface 240a in the water flowing direction. - Since the shelf inclined
surface 220a is smoothly connected to thesecond shelf part 216, the second flush water can be smoothly led to the shelf inclinedsurface 220a while the force of the flush water can be maintained. - After the second flush water flows up along the shelf inclined
surface 220a and passes P3, part of the flush water flows down therefrom, and another part of the flush water hits on the back surface of thefirst overhang 230 and rebounds therefrom. Accordingly, the shelf inclinedsurface 220a needs to have a certain degree of gradient. The shelf inclinedsurface 220a may desirably include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater, preferably 35 degrees or greater. - Within the section between P1 and P2, the shelf inclined
surface 220a and theinclined surface overhang 234a are substantially parallel with each other in the inclination direction. Similarly, thesecond shelf part 216 and thesecond overhang 232 are substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction, and thefirst shelf part 214 and thefirst overhang 230 are also substantially parallel with each other in a horizontal direction. The same applies to the shelf inclinedsurface 220b and theinclined surface overhang 234b. Although both thewater conveyance shelf 208 and theoverhang 218 are annularly formed along the entire periphery of thetoilet bowl 206, it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of thewater conveyance shelf 208 is substantially parallel with theoverhang 218. Alternatively, it is desirable that 80 percent or more, preferably 90 percent or more, of the entire periphery of thewater conveyance shelf 208 is substantially parallel with the upper surface (the firstupper surface 210, secondupper surface 212, upperinclined surface 240a, and upperinclined surface 240b). By configuring thewater conveyance shelf 208 so that theoverhang 218 and thewater conveyance shelf 208, or the upper surface and thewater conveyance shelf 208, are substantially parallel with each other, the overall harmony in the design of theflush toilet 200 can be improved. - Compared to the height difference D1 (= H6-H5) between the first
upper surface 210 and the secondupper surface 212, the height difference D2 (= H1-H2) between thefirst shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 is smaller. This is because the height T2 (= H3-H2) of the water passage in thesecond shelf part 216 is smaller than the height T1 (= H4-H1) of the water passage in thefirst shelf part 214. Thus, compared to the height difference D1 between the firstupper surface 210 and the secondupper surface 212, the height difference D2 in thewater conveyance shelf 208 is slightly moderated. - In order to make the height difference D1 and the height difference D2 equal to each other, the
second shelf part 216 may be formed at a position lower than H2 inFig. 13 . In this case, however, the potential energy of the second flush water will be smaller. Also, when the water passage in thesecond shelf part 216 is narrower, the pressure of the second flush water can be increased, and hence, the rear end surface can be strongly flushed. - Also, in order to make the height difference D1 and the height difference D2 equal to each other, the
first shelf part 214 may be formed at a position higher than H1 inFig. 13 . In this case, however, since the height T1 will be smaller, the opening of thefirst discharge port 202 will also be smaller, and hence, the amount of water discharged through thefirst discharge port 202 will be reduced. Since the first flush water S1 needs to be sufficiently provided to the longfirst shelf part 214, and, particularly, a sufficient amount of water needs to be provided to the front end part of thetoilet bowl 206, adding structural restriction on the amount of water discharged through thefirst discharge port 202 is unfavorable. - Accordingly, in the second embodiment, the height difference D2 is provided between the
first shelf part 214 and thesecond shelf part 216 so as to be commensurate with the height difference D1 between the firstupper surface 210 and the secondupper surface 212, and thewater conveyance shelf 208 is formed so that T2 is smaller than T1 (T2<T1, D2<D1). With such a configuration, the flushing properties and the harmony of design can be balanced with each other. - In the second embodiment, the height T2 of the water passage in the
second shelf part 216 is smaller than the height T1 of the water passage in thefirst shelf part 214. It is desirable that at least an average of the height of the water passage in thesecond shelf part 216 is smaller than an average of the height of the water passage in thefirst shelf part 214. - In the section between P1 and P4, the vertical width of the water passage is increased from T2 to T1. In the second embodiment, the vertical width of the water passage is maintained at T2 in the section between P1 and P2, and is then increased from T2 to T1 in the section between P2 and P3. The vertical width of the water passage has only to be increased at least within the section between P1 and P4. However, it is more suitable to maintain the vertical width of the water passage at T2 also in the section between P1 and P2 because the dead region 236 (unflushed region) is less likely to be formed, as described previously.
- The rear end surface of the
toilet bowl 206 is particularly likely to get dirty. It will be desirable if such a region likely to get dirty can be flushed with flush water at a higher flow rate. Since the section between P2 and P3 is less likely to get dirty compared to the section between P1 and P2, it is suitable to increase the vertical width of the water passage in the section between P2 and P3 rather than in the section between P1 and P2. - The second flush water S2 discharged through the
second discharge port 204 flows up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and passes P2, and then diffuses in a vertical direction in the section between P2 and P3. Part of the flush water flows down therefrom, and another part of the flush water hits on the back surface of thefirst overhang 230 and flows down therefrom. - The
overhang 218 forms a water passage and prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward the firstupper surface 210 and the secondupper surface 212. Particularly, thesecond overhang 232 prevents scattering of waste or flush water toward a functional unit mounted on the secondupper surface 212. Upward scattering of waste that has scattered toward the rear end surface can be prevented by the back surface of thesecond overhang 232, which is flushed with the second flush water S2 afterward. - In the second embodiment, the flowing path of the second flush water S2 is changed (deviated from the course) to the flowing down direction by means of the inclination in a longitudinal direction of the shelf inclined
surface 220a. By combining the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and theoverhang 218, the water flowing direction can be changed more easily and efficiently. - In the second embodiment, even when a recess part (the second upper surface 212) is formed in the rear end part of the
flush toilet 200, the restriction on the design of thewater conveyance shelf 208 due to the recess part can be even utilized positively. By means of the height difference in thewater conveyance shelf 208, the flow rate of the flush water can be increased or reduced, or the flow of flush water can be positively deviated from the course on thewater conveyance shelf 208. - The first flush water S1 swirls upon the
first shelf part 214 retaining the potential energy. The first flush water S1 then deviates from the course before the shelf inclinedsurface 220b and flows down into thestorage region 222. - The second flush water S2 flows through a narrow water passage on the
second shelf part 216 at a high flow rate to flush the rear end surface, and then flows up along the shelf inclinedsurface 220a and deviates from the course. Also, part of the second flush water S2 splashing from the shelf inclinedsurface 220a strongly rebounds from theoverhang 218 toward thestorage region 222. - In this way, in the second embodiment, the flow of the second flush water S2 is deviated from the course to the flowing down direction by means of the height difference in the shelf inclined
surface 220a. After flowing through the shelf inclinedsurface 220b, part of the first flush water S1 may be merged into the second flush water S2. However, since the second flush water S2 will slow down if the first flush water S1, which has flowed around in thetoilet bowl 206 and has slowed down, is merged into the second flush water S2, it is desirable that the proportion of the first flush water S1 to be merged into the second flush water S2 after flowing around is a small amount less than 20 percent, preferably less than 10 percent. - In the flowing, a modification of the second embodiment will be described, which does not form part of the invention.
- In the second embodiment, a stepped surface including the first
upper surface 210 and the secondupper surface 212 is provided to form a recess part, on which a functional unit is mounted, in the rear end part of theflush toilet 200. However, the present example is also applicable to designing when thewater conveyance shelf 208 is formed so as to correspond to a step on the upper surface, which is not limited to a recess part. The width of thewater conveyance shelf 208 need not necessarily be constant and may be changed depending on a place. Also, thewater conveyance shelf 208 need not necessarily be horizontal and may be inclined or curved with respect to a horizontal plane. Further, thewater conveyance shelf 208 need not necessarily be continuously provided along the entire periphery of thetoilet bowl 206 and may partially include a discontinuous region (such as a cutout). - A flush toilet according to one embodiment includes: a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part and including a first shelf part positioned higher and a second shelf part positioned lower; a first discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part; and a second discharge port positioned lower than the first discharge port and formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- The first shelf part and the second shelf part may be smoothly connected by a shelf inclined surface.
- By smoothly connecting the first shelf part and the second shelf part with the shelf inclined surface therebetween, the force of flush water can be maintained, and, also by means of the height difference in the shelf inclined surface, flush water can be led in the flowing down direction.
- At least at a point where flush water that has flowed through the second shelf part and flowed up along the shelf inclined surface enters the first shelf part, an overhang part may be formed on the upper surface of the toilet bowl part.
- In a bottom part of the toilet bowl part, a storage region may be formed to pool flush water. The main flow of water discharged through the second discharge port may be made to flow down into the storage region without being merged into water discharged through the first discharge port in the first shelf part.
- By allowing the main flow of water discharged through the second discharge port to flow down before being merged into water discharged through the first discharge port, the draining force can be increased more easily.
- The amount of water discharged through the second discharge port and flowing up along the shelf inclined surface to be merged into water discharged through the first discharge port may be less than 20 percent of the total amount of the water discharged through the second discharge port.
- The shelf inclined surface along which water discharged through the second discharge port flows up may include a gradient surface of 10 degrees or greater.
- The water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, in which the first shelf part and the second shelf part are connected by two shelf inclined surfaces. Each of the two shelf inclined surfaces may be formed in the rear half of the toilet bowl part in plan view.
- The first shelf part may be longer than the second shelf part.
- By making the second shelf part shorter, the flush water from the second discharge port can be made to strongly flow upward while the kinetic energy of the flush water is maintained. The main flow of the flush water from the second discharge port flows down, and the flush water that does not flow down will be merged into the flush water from the first discharge port.
- A shelf inclined surface along which flush water that has flowed through the second shelf part flows up toward the first shelf part may be formed in a side part, in plan view, with respect to a storage region formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part.
- By forming an upward shelf inclined surface in a side part with respect to the storage region, the water flowing down from the shelf inclined surface and from the first shelf part located posteriorly to the shelf inclined surface can be led to the storage region more easily.
- A flush toilet according to another embodiment includes: a body part with a toilet bowl part formed therein, including a first upper surface positioned higher and a second upper surface positioned lower; a water conveyance shelf formed along a circumferential direction of the toilet bowl part on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part; and a discharge port formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the water conveyance shelf.
- The water conveyance shelf includes a first shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the first upper surface and also includes a second shelf part formed at a corresponding position of the second upper surface. The second shelf part is positioned lower than the first shelf part.
- A height difference is provided in the water conveyance shelf so as to be commensurate with the height difference in the upper surface, and, by means of the height difference in the water conveyance shelf, the flow of water can be controlled.
- The second shelf part may be smoothly connected with the first shelf part by a shelf inclined surface.
- By smoothly connecting the first shelf part and the second shelf part, the force of flush water can be maintained more easily.
- The first upper surface and the second upper surface may be smoothly connected by an upper inclined surface. The shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the upper inclined surface at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- By making the shelf inclined surface and the upper inclined surface parallel with each other, the overall harmony in design can be maintained more easily.
- On the upper inclined surface of the toilet bowl part, an overhang part extending inward may be further formed. The shelf inclined surface may be an inclined surface substantially parallel with the overhang part at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the center point in the shelf inclined surface.
- The toilet bowl part may include a first discharge port and a second discharge port formed therein. The first discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part.
- On an upper end of the inner wall of the toilet bowl part, a first discharge port and a second discharge port may be formed. The first discharge port may be formed on the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed on the second shelf part. Within a range between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the first discharge port, the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- By making the height difference between the first shelf part and the second shelf part smaller than the height difference between the first upper surface and the second upper surface, the overall harmony in design can be maintained more easily.
- On an upper end of the inner wall of the toilet bowl part, a first discharge port and a second discharge port may be formed. The first discharge port may be formed on the first shelf part, and the second discharge port may be formed on the second shelf part.
- Along the entire periphery of the upper surface of the toilet bowl part, an overhang part extending inward may be further formed. The water conveyance shelf may be annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, and at least 80 percent of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf may be substantially parallel with the overhang part.
- An average of the interval between the first shelf part and the first upper surface may be greater than an average of the interval between the second shelf part and the second upper surface.
- Within a range between the boundary point between the second shelf part and the shelf inclined surface and the first discharge port formed in the toilet bowl part, the interval between the water conveyance shelf and an upper surface part may be increased toward the first discharge port.
- In a rear end part of the upper surface of the toilet bowl part, a recess part may be formed. The second upper surface may correspond to the bottom surface of the recess part.
-
- 100
- flush toilet
- 102
- first discharge port
- 104
- second discharge port
- 106
- toilet bowl
- 108
- water conveyance shelf
- 110
- first upper surface
- 112
- second upper surface
- 114
- first shelf part
- 116
- second shelf part
- 118
- overhang
- 120
- shelf inclined surfaces
- 122
- storage region
- 124
- third discharge port
- 126
- waste
- 128
- outlet
- 130
- first overhang
- 132
- second overhang
- 134
- inclined surface overhangs
- 136
- dead region
- 140
- upper inclined surfaces
- 142
- receiving surface
- 144
- body part
- 200
- flush toilet
- 202
- first discharge port
- 204
- second discharge port
- 206
- toilet bowl
- 208
- water conveyance shelf
- 210
- first upper surface
- 212
- second upper surface
- 214
- first shelf part
- 216
- second shelf part
- 218
- overhang
- 220
- shelf inclined surfaces
- 222
- storage region
- 224
- third discharge port
- 226
- waste
- 228
- outlet
- 230
- first overhang
- 232
- second overhang
- 234
- inclined surface overhangs
- 236
- dead region
- The present invention is applicable to a flush toilet.
Claims (8)
- A flush toilet, comprising:a body part (144) with a toilet bowl part (106) formed therein, an upper surface of the toilet bowl part (106) being formed as a stepped surface including a first upper surface (110) and a second upper surface (112), the second upper surface (112) being positioned lower relative to the first upper surface (110) seen in a vertical direction of the body part (144);a water conveyance shelf (108) formed along a circumferential direction of the toilet bowl part (106) on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl part; andone or more discharge ports formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the water conveyance shelf (108), and whereinthe toilet bowl part includes a first discharge port (102) and a second discharge port (104) formed therein, characterized in that:the water conveyance shelf (108) includes a first shelf part (114) formed at a position corresponding, seen in the vertical direction of the body part (144), to the position of the first upper surface (110) and also includes a second shelf part (116) formed at a position corresponding, seen in the vertical direction of the body part (144), to the position of the second upper surface (112); and whereinthe second shelf part (116) is positioned lower relative to the first shelf part (114) and whereinthe first discharge port (102) is formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the first shelf part (114), and the second discharge port (104) is formed so that water is discharged therethrough to the second shelf part (116).
- The flush toilet of claim 1, wherein the second shelf part (116) is smoothly connected with the first shelf part (114) by a shelf inclined surface (120a).
- The flush toilet of claim 2, wherein:the first upper surface (110) and the second upper surface (112) are smoothly connected by an upper inclined surface (140a); andthe shelf inclined surface (120a) is an inclined surface substantially parallel with the upper inclined surface (140a) at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part (116) and the shelf inclined surface (120a) and the center point in the shelf inclined surface (120a).
- The flush toilet of claim 3, wherein:on the upper inclined surface (140a) of the body part (144), an overhang part extending inward is further formed; andthe shelf inclined surface (120a) is an inclined surface substantially parallel with the overhang part at least in a section between the boundary point between the second shelf part (116) and the shelf inclined surface (120a) and the center point in the shelf inclined surface (120a).
- The flush toilet of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein:along the entire periphery of the upper surface of the body part (144), an overhang part extending inward is further formed; andthe water conveyance shelf (108) is annularly formed along the entire periphery of the toilet bowl part, and at least 80 percent of the entire periphery of the water conveyance shelf (108) is substantially parallel with the overhang part.
- The flush toilet of any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein an average of the interval between the first shelf part (114) and the first upper surface (110) is greater than an average of the interval between the second shelf part (116) and the second upper surface (112).
- The flush toilet of claim 6, wherein, within a range between the boundary point between the second shelf part (116) and the shelf inclined surface (120a) and the first discharge port (102) formed in the toilet bowl part, the interval between the water conveyance shelf (108) and an upper surface part is increased toward the first discharge port (102).
- The flush toilet of any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein, in a rear end part of the upper surface of the toilet bowl part, a recess part (138) is formed, and the second upper surface (112) corresponds to the bottom surface of the recess part (138).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2015172294A JP6411976B2 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2015-09-01 | Flush toilet |
JP2015172295A JP6411977B2 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2015-09-01 | Flush toilet |
PCT/JP2016/070690 WO2017038258A1 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2016-07-13 | Flush toilet |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3346065A1 EP3346065A1 (en) | 2018-07-11 |
EP3346065A4 EP3346065A4 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
EP3346065B1 true EP3346065B1 (en) | 2022-02-16 |
Family
ID=58187096
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP16841290.6A Active EP3346065B1 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2016-07-13 | Flush toilet |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3346065B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN107923173B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017038258A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP7151685B2 (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2022-10-12 | Toto株式会社 | flush toilet |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101960077B (en) * | 2008-02-29 | 2012-12-26 | Toto株式会社 | Toilet device |
JP5257846B2 (en) * | 2009-02-25 | 2013-08-07 | Toto株式会社 | Flush toilet |
EP2562314B1 (en) * | 2011-08-24 | 2022-05-11 | Toto Ltd. | Flush toilet |
CN102605840A (en) * | 2012-03-12 | 2012-07-25 | 虞吉伟 | Totally-cleaned jetting toilet bowl with closed toilet seat |
JP6194570B2 (en) * | 2012-09-24 | 2017-09-13 | Toto株式会社 | Flush toilet |
JP6260766B2 (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2018-01-17 | Toto株式会社 | Flush toilet equipment |
JP6242140B2 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2017-12-06 | 株式会社Lixil | Waste disposal device |
JP6238011B2 (en) * | 2014-05-28 | 2017-11-29 | Toto株式会社 | Flush toilet |
JP6068417B2 (en) * | 2014-10-27 | 2017-01-25 | 株式会社Lixil | Flush toilet |
-
2016
- 2016-07-13 WO PCT/JP2016/070690 patent/WO2017038258A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-07-13 CN CN201680049178.2A patent/CN107923173B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2016-07-13 EP EP16841290.6A patent/EP3346065B1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3346065A4 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
CN107923173A (en) | 2018-04-17 |
EP3346065A1 (en) | 2018-07-11 |
WO2017038258A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 |
CN107923173B (en) | 2020-02-21 |
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