JP2000129758A - Private part washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a private part washing device in which air is mixed in washing water to be spouted to the private parts of a human body, and in which constitution of changing an air mixture rate λ is simplified. SOLUTION: This private part washing device 10 is provided with a nozzle device 26 to spout washing water mixed with air. To the nozzle device 26, a constant quantity of washing water is supplied through a constant flow valve 14a, and air is supplied from an air pump through an air passage, so they are sprayed from a spray port at an air mixture rate λ. As a washing strength Wf (washing pressure) is changed from a level 1 to 7 by a selection position by setting a pushbutton in an operation part 35, a washing water flow rate Qw (dashed line) is constant, while an air flow rate Qa (broken line) is increased in proportion. Washing pressure is thus adjusted to be increased in proportion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a local cleaning device for cleaning a local part of a human body by spraying cleaning water from a spout.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, bubble water mixed with air has been used for cleaning a local part of a human body, instead of mere cleaning water. For example, JP-A-56-70338
The local cleaning device in No. 1 includes a cleaning nozzle for ejecting the cleaning water, a piping system for supplying the cleaning water to the nozzle, and an air mixing unit for mixing bubbles in the cleaning water flowing through the piping flow path. This is a technique in which cleaning water containing air bubbles mixed in the mixing section is jetted from a jet port. By doing so, the cleaning power of the jet cleaning water can be increased, a soft cleaning feeling can be given,
Since the flow rate of the washing water can be reduced, water saving and power saving can be achieved. In this local cleaning device, when performing control to change the air mixing rate defined by the ratio of cleaning water to air, the air flow rate and the cleaning water flow rate are controlled by the output control of the air pump and the flow control valve. I have. As such a local cleaning device, there is known a device provided with an instantaneous heat exchanger in which water from a water supply source is immediately boiled by a heater and hot water is continuously supplied. In the apparatus equipped with this instantaneous heat exchanger, when the flow rate of the washing water is changed, the discharge temperature also changes. Therefore, the discharge water temperature is maintained constant by feedback-controlling the amount of electricity supplied to the heater.

[0003]

However, the above-described local cleaning apparatus requires a flow control valve capable of adjusting the flow rate in a wide range in order to adjust the air mixing ratio λ over a wide range. Such a flow rate control valve has a problem that not only the mechanical configuration becomes complicated, but also the control for changing the flow rate becomes troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a local cleaning apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of water saving by mixing air into the cleaning water and simplifying the flow rate control of the cleaning water. The purpose is to do.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Action / Effect There is provided a local cleaning apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems. In a local cleaning device for jetting water toward a local part of a human body to wash the local part, a cleaning water flow path from a water supply source to the jet port is provided, and a flow rate of the cleaning water flowing in the cleaning water flow path is set to a substantially constant amount. A constant flow valve to maintain,
An air supply unit that outputs compressed air, and an air mixing unit that is provided in the cleaning water flow path and creates bubble water by mixing the compressed air from the air supply means with the cleaning water in the cleaning water flow path. Air flow rate adjustment means for adjusting the air flow rate from the air supply means to the aeration means, and cleaning intensity setting means for setting the cleaning intensity defined by the pressure exerted on the human body by the bubbled water spouted from the spout. And a mixing ratio adjusting means for controlling an air flow rate so as to increase or decrease the cleaning intensity almost continuously or stepwise in a state of a constant flow rate of the cleaning water by the constant flow valve. .

The local cleaning device according to the present invention is provided with an air mixing means in the cleaning water flow path through which the cleaning water supplied from the water supply source is supplied. The air mixing means supplies the cleaning water from the air supply means. The compressed air is mixed to create bubble water. The bubble water is jetted from the outlet of the cleaning nozzle toward the human body part to clean the human body part. At this time, the air mixing rate λ of the bubble water, that is, the value Qa / Qw of the ratio of the air flow rate Qa to the flow rate Qw of the washing water
Is adjusted by controlling the air flow rate by the air flow rate adjusting means or the air supply means by the mixing ratio adjusting means.

When the cleaning intensity setting means sets the cleaning intensity defined by the pressure exerted on the human body by the bubble water jetted from the jet port, the mixing ratio adjusting means sets the cleaning water flow rate at a constant level. The air flow rate is controlled so as to reach the set cleaning intensity. Then, when the cleaning intensity is changed by the cleaning intensity setting means, the air flow rate is changed toward the changed cleaning intensity. When the cleaning intensity is set in this manner, the air flow rate is increased, so that the air mixing ratio λ can be increased to increase the cleaning power and the feeling of irritation, and the water saving rate can be improved. In this case, the cleaning intensity can be changed by controlling only the air flow rate, and there is no need to change the cleaning water flow rate. Therefore, the cleaning intensity can be changed only with a constant flow valve without the need for a flow control valve for changing the flow rate of the cleaning water, and the valve configuration for flow control can be simplified. Further, since control for adjusting the flow rate of the washing water is not required, the overall control itself can be simplified.

According to another aspect of the present invention, instead of a constant flow valve, a constant flow rate Qw is provided in a washing water flow path from a water supply source to the jet port and supplies a fixed amount of washing water Qw to the washing water flow path. The configuration of the flow rate supply means can be adopted. The constant flow rate supply means can be realized by driving the water pump constantly.

Further, as preferred aspects of the present invention, a water inlet temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of washing water from a water supply source, a heat exchanging means for flowing the washing water to the jet port while heating the washing water, Based on the above, it is possible to adopt a configuration of a local cleaning device including: a heating control unit that performs feedforward control on the heat exchange unit so that the water discharge temperature of the bubble water becomes the target temperature. According to this aspect, since the flow rate of the washing water is constant by the constant flow rate valve, only the detection of the incoming water temperature,
It is possible to control to the target water discharge temperature by the feed forward control. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform feedback control such that the temperature of the washing water ejected from the ejection port reaches the target temperature, and the control can be simplified.

[0010] The water temperature detection means is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the water temperature.
That is, in addition to the means for directly detecting by the sensor, the calculation may be performed based on the amount of electricity supplied to the heat exchange means,
In this case, a sensor having a mechanical configuration can be eliminated, so that the configuration can be simplified.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 shows a local cleaning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the local cleaning device 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the local cleaning device 10 is of a so-called instantaneous type in which water supplied from a water supply source is spouted to a human body part while being heated.

The local cleaning device 10 includes a heat exchanger 12 for continuously supplying hot water.
Wash water is supplied from a water pipe (not shown). The electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is a constant flow valve 14 that maintains the flow rate of the washing water constant by changing its opening in accordance with the water pressure of the water supply source.
a. Since the heat exchanger 12 is an instantaneous type as shown in the figure, there is an advantage that the hot water is continuously supplied and a hot water storage tank is not required, so that space can be saved. The heat exchanger 12 includes a heater 16 for warming the supplied washing water to an appropriate temperature. The heater 16 is turned on / off in response to a control signal from the electronic control unit 24. An incoming water temperature sensor 18 for detecting the incoming water temperature is provided upstream of the heater 16, and a water discharge temperature sensor 20 for detecting the discharge temperature is provided downstream thereof. The electronic control unit 24 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
And the like, and executes various controls in the local cleaning apparatus 10. As an example,
The electronic control unit 24 controls the heater 16 based on the temperature of the washing water detected by the incoming water temperature sensor 18 and the discharged water temperature sensor 20.
On / off control to maintain the water discharge temperature at an appropriate temperature.

The local cleaning device 10 has a vacuum breaker (not shown) in a cleaning water supply system from the heat exchanger 12 to the nozzle device 26. The vacuum breaker prevents backflow of the washing water from the nozzle device 26 side by opening the pipeline to the atmosphere.

The local cleaning device 10 includes a nozzle device 2
The air supply system includes an air pump 32, an air release valve 31, a flow control valve 34, and an air flow path 29 connecting these, in order to make the washing water ejected from 6 into washing water containing bubbles. . The air pump 32 is connected to the electronic control unit 24.
Is driven based on a control signal from the controller to send air to the flow control valve 34 under pressure. As the air pump 32, about 500
00 to 10000 Pa (about 0.5 to 1.0 kgfc
Any type can be used as long as it can perform steady operation with a pumping capacity of about m ² ), and various types such as a rolling pump, a vane pump, a rotary pump, and a linear pump can be employed. The pump motor 32a is constituted by a DC brushless motor capable of obtaining a large output even if it is small.

The flow control valve 34 opens the pipeline and adjusts the flow rate based on a control signal from the electronic control unit 24, and sends air from the air pump 32 to the nozzle device 26 downstream thereof. The flow control valve 34 performs the above-described opening of each pipe and the flow adjustment in synchronization with each other based on a control signal from the electronic control unit 24.

The air release valve 31 is a valve connected to the air flow passage 29 to release the pressure in the air flow passage 29. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the atmosphere release valve 31.
In FIG. 3, the atmosphere release valve 31 includes a casing 31b that forms a valve chamber 31a, a valve element 31c disposed in the valve chamber 31a, and a spring 31d that urges the valve element 31c. The valve chamber 31a is connected to the air flow passage 29 via a flow passage 31e, and is connected to the atmosphere through an atmosphere opening 31f. Therefore, the air flow path 29
It is connected to the atmosphere through a flow path 31e, a valve chamber 31a, and an atmosphere opening 31f. In addition, the valve element 31c normally causes the flow path side flow path 31e by the urging force of the spring 31d.
Is closed. When a pressure equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the air flow path 29, the air release valve 31 presses the valve element 31c via the flow path-side flow path 31e, and the pressing force applied to the valve element 31c causes the urging force of the spring 31d. The valve opens when it exceeds. Thereby, the air flow path 29 is opened to the atmosphere. When a foreign substance adheres to and is clogged with an aeration body 60 described later and the air flow path 29 is closed, the compressed air from the air pump 32 increases the pressure in the air flow path 29. Then, when it becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, it is communicated with the atmosphere through the atmosphere opening valve 31.
Therefore, since the pressure in the air flow path 29 does not become higher than a predetermined value, no overload is applied to the air pump 32 and no trouble occurs in other parts.

The local cleaning device 10 has a nozzle drive motor 33 for driving the nozzle device 26 forward and backward. The nozzle drive motor 33 is engaged with the nozzle device 26 via a drive transmission mechanism having a pulley, a belt, and the like (not shown). The nozzle drive motor 33 is connected to the electronic control unit 2
The nozzle device 26 is driven forward and reverse by the control signal from the control unit 4 to advance the nozzle device 26 from the standby position in the main body casing (not shown) to the buttocks cleaning position or the bidet cleaning position in front of the nozzle device 26, or to retract from both cleaning positions to the standby position. Let it.

In addition, the local cleaning device 10 includes an operation unit 35 which is operated by the user to convert the intended use into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal to the electronic control unit 24, and that the user is seated on a toilet seat (not shown). It has a seating sensor 36 to be detected, and a power-on section 38 which is an operation section of the main power supply. Operation unit 35
Is provided with various operation buttons in order to output various commands associated with local cleaning to the electronic control unit 24 in response to a button operation by a user. In this embodiment, a butt cleaning button 71a, a bidet cleaning button 71b, a stop button 71c for starting local cleaning, a massage setting button 71d for setting a jet of cleaning water with a strong or weak change in water force, a nozzle, An operation command button such as a move setting button 71e for setting the cleaning of the local area where the device 26 has been swung, a nozzle cleaning button 71f for cleaning the periphery of the buttocks outlet 49, and a spouting temperature for adjusting the temperature of the cleaning water. Each setting button such as a setting button 71g, a cleaning intensity setting button 71h for setting the cleaning intensity, a water force setting button 71i for setting the water force of the bubble water,
A water amount setting button 71j for setting the water amount of the washing water, a bubble amount setting button 71k, an operation on / off button 71n for setting an operation state of the entire hot water washing toilet seat, and the like are provided. In addition, the operation unit 35 includes, as an output device, a display unit 72 that displays the operation results of these various operation buttons using a lamp or a liquid crystal together with the above-described buttons.

Next, an outline of the cleaning operation of the local cleaning device 10 will be described by taking ass cleaning as an example. Now, when the bottom cleaning button 71a of the operation unit 35 is operated, the operation unit 35
A rear end cleaning start signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24 receives this signal and sends a control signal to various devices to be controlled. That is, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 receives a control signal for opening the conduit, the air pump 32 receives a control signal for performing air pressure feeding, and the flow control valve 34 supplies the conduit opening and the flow adjustment amount (the conduit A control signal is transmitted to the nozzle drive motor 33 to control the nozzle device 26 to advance to the buttocks washing position. Each of the above-described controlled devices such as the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is driven based on a corresponding control signal. Therefore, the nozzle device 26 advances from the standby position to the buttocks washing position. In the washing water supply system, the amount of water is kept constant by a constant flow rate valve 14a built in the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14, flows into the heat exchanger 12, and the washing water is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the vacuum breaker is turned on. After that, it flows into the nozzle device 26. In the air supply system, the air pumped by the air pump 32 flows into the nozzle device 26 via the flow control valve 34. Then, as will be described later, cleaning water in a bubble flow in which air is dispersed and mixed in the form of bubbles in the cleaning water (see FIG. 7) is jetted from the nozzle device 26,
The ass washing is performed by the washing water. It should be noted that the air pump 32 may be configured and controlled so that the amount of air to be pumped is variable, and the flow control valve 34 may be an on-off valve for opening and closing the pipeline.

When the butt washing is performed in this manner, the electronic control unit 24 detects the current setting state of the butt washing function such as the strength of the washing water and the like set by the operation setting button. Since the electronic control unit 24 transmits a control signal of the set cleaning intensity, that is, the air flow rate adjustment amount (the pipe line opening amount) to the air pump 32, the flow control valve 34.
Adjusts the amount of air to be pumped so that the air mixing ratio λ will be described later.

When the stop button 71c of the operation unit 35 is operated, the operation unit 35 transmits a stop signal to the electronic control unit 24, and the electronic control unit 24 returns each of the devices to the original state. Let the ass wash finish. As a result, the supply of the cleaning water and the air is stopped, and the nozzle device 26 is stopped.
Retreats to the standby position, and the local cleaning device 10 prepares for the next and subsequent local cleaning.

Next, the nozzle device 26 of the local cleaning device 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle device 26, and FIG.

As shown in the drawing, the nozzle device 26 includes a nozzle body 40 having a washing water flow path therein, a detachable nozzle head 42 at the tip thereof, and a bubble mixing and cleaning device located at the base side of the nozzle body 40. A bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 for performing water switching. Nozzle body 40
Has two washing water flow paths along its axial direction,
The flow path on the small diameter side is a butt flow path 43 for butt washing,
The flow path on the large diameter side is a bidet flow path 45 for bidet cleaning. In this case, the diameter of the bottom channel 43 is approximately 1.9 m.
m, and the bidet channel 45 is about 2.5 mm.
The two flow paths are set to be long and short. However, considering the speed of the washing water passing through the flow paths, the flow paths can be assumed to have substantially the same length. In this embodiment, the length is about 95 mm. Nozzle head 4
2 is attached to the tip of the nozzle body 40 in a watertight manner via a seal ring 46, and has a butt jet flow path 47 having the same diameter as the butt flow path 43 and continuous therewith,
A bidet spouting channel 51 which has the same diameter as the bidet channel 45 and is continuous therewith.
And a bidet outlet 53 at the tip thereof. The bidet outlet 53 is composed of two large and small outlets, and the washing water that has passed through the bidet outlet channel 51 is simultaneously ejected from both outlets.

The bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 includes a casing 55 fixed to the nozzle body 40 in a watertight manner. The casing 55 receives the power of the nozzle drive motor 33 by the motor coupling body 56 at the bottom thereof, and moves the nozzle body 40 to the above-described standby position, the buttocks washing position and the bidet washing position. Inside the casing 55, an air chamber forming body 58 that slides up and down in the figure along the peripheral wall is incorporated in a watertight manner. The air chamber forming body 58 includes an air mixing body 60 therein. This aeration body 60 is
And the support 62 on the opposite side are held with a gap from the inner wall of the air chamber forming body 58.
Further, the air chamber forming body 58 includes an air chamber switching portion 63 on the upper end side illustrated, and a spring 64 in a gap between the air chamber switching section 63 and the casing on the lower end side. And the support 62 is
It is connected to the heat exchanger 12 and the washing water introduction passage 65 therein.
Then, the washing water is introduced into the through hole 66 penetrating the center of the aeration body 60. On the other hand, the air chamber switching section 63 is connected to the flow rate control valve 34, and an air chamber forming body 58 and an air entraining body 60 are connected through an air introduction passage 67 formed therein.
Air into the gap between Since the aeration body 60 into which the washing water and the air are guided is porous or mesh forming an independent opening, the air guided as described above is passed through the through-hole 66 and the penetration is performed. Hole 6
In step 6, air is mixed into the cleaning water in the form of bubbles. The cleaning water containing air bubbles flows through the through hole 68 at the center of the support 61 into one of the above-mentioned butt channel 43 and the bidet channel 45, and is subjected to butt washing or bidet washing. The state of air bubble mixing and the method of manufacturing the air mixed body 60 will be described later.

Next, the manner of switching the supply destination of the cleaning water containing air bubbles will be described in relation to the manner of movement of the nozzle device 26. As shown in FIG. 5, the air bubble mixing / switching mechanism unit 44 has a shielding block 69 for pushing down the support 62 downward. When the nozzle device 26 is located at the standby position and the buttocks cleaning position described above, the shielding block 69 is installed at a position that does not interfere with the support 62 as shown on the left side of the drawing. Therefore, when the buttocks washing button 71a is operated and the nozzle device 26 takes the buttocks washing position, the air chamber forming body 58 is
It is in the upper initial position (left side in the figure) under the urging force of. In this state, the through-hole 68 of the support body 61 and the butt-side through-hole 70 of the casing 55 face each other, so that the cleaning water containing air bubbles passes through the butt channel 43 of the nozzle body 40 and It is ejected from the exit 49.

On the other hand, when the bidet cleaning button 71b is operated and the nozzle device 26 advances to the bidet cleaning position ahead of the buttocks cleaning position, the support 62 contacts the shielding block 69 during the nozzle advancement, As shown on the right side of the figure, it is pushed down by the shielding block 69. Therefore, when the nozzle device 26 adopts the bidet cleaning position,
The air chamber forming body 58 moves from the above initial position to the flow path switching position (the right side in the drawing) against the urging force of the spring 64. In this state, the through-hole 68 of the support body 61 and the bidet-side through-hole 71 of the casing 55 face each other.
And is ejected from the bidet ejection port 53. When the nozzle device 26 returns from the bidet cleaning position to the standby position,
The air chamber forming body 58 returns to the initial position under the urging force of the spring 64, and prepares for the next ass washing and bidet washing.

Next, how air is mixed into the cleaning water in the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 will be described. Since the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 functions as a bubble pump, it can be shown as a schematic diagram in FIG. 6 schematically illustrating the concept of the pump. As shown in FIG. 6, the bubble pump 80 includes an air mixing housing 81 corresponding to the air chamber forming body 58 in the air bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44, and an air bubble supported inside the air mixing housing 81 via an air chamber 82. It has a dispersion 83. This bubble dispersing element 83 is the aeration body 60 in the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44. In this case, the pipe diameter of the washing water pipe 84 and the diameter of the central through-hole of the bubble dispersion 83 are determined by the pipe diameter of the washing water introduction path 65 of the support 62 in the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 and the through-hole of the aeration body 60. 66
And the diameter is about 1.5 to 3.0 mm.

The bubble dispersing element 83 forms a continuous pipe line with the washing water pipe 84, and is provided with a large number of independent openings on the surface in contact with the washing water flowing through the pipe, that is, the entire circumference of the pipe wall. Therefore, the air pressure-fed from the air introduction pipe 85 to the air chamber 82 is sent into the pipe from each of the above-described independent openings of the bubble dispersion 83, and expands at each of the openings. In this case, since the air chamber 82 functions as a buffer region that absorbs pressure fluctuations and pressure distribution of the pressure-fed air, the air passes through the bubble dispersing element 83 without causing a significant speed difference. And
The above air swells are cut off by the shearing force received from the flow of the washing water at each opening, and become bubbles, and are individually mixed into the washing water.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned independent apertures in the cell dispersion 83 (air entrainer 60) are formed through selection of a forming material and process setting described later, and the diameter of the bubbles formed from each independent aperture is reduced. The thickness was about 100 to 1000 μm. Therefore, such fine bubbles are independently mixed and mixed into the cleaning water. In addition, since each bubble maintains a state of a closed cell from the beginning of formation and has a substantially spherical shape having a small diameter depending to some extent on the independent opening, it has high rigidity and is hardly deformed. For this reason, the chance of coalescence of the mixed air bubbles is reduced, and the coalescence of the air bubbles itself can be made difficult to occur. It can flow. At this time, each bubble is individually formed from each independent opening as described above, and is mixed into the washing water in a state of a closed bubble, so that the bubbles are mixed with the washing water from the beginning with high dispersion efficiency. That is,
In the bubble dispersing element 83, mixing of air, miniaturization, and dispersion mixing are simultaneously performed.

Since the bubble dispersion 83 forms a continuous line with the washing water line 84, the flow of the washing water does not cause any disturbance or stagnation. Opportunities can be reduced. Also, the washing water pipeline 8
4 has a large number of independent openings along the flow direction of the washing water, so that air bubbles can be mixed from many places in the flow direction of the washing water to reduce the bubble generation density. Therefore, even if a large amount of air is mixed in from the bubble dispersing element 83, bubble coalescence during bubble generation hardly occurs and fine closed cells can be generated.

As described above, the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44, which is schematically represented as the bubble pump 80, reliably disperses and mixes bubbles in the washing water as described above, and makes it difficult for bubbles to coalesce. ing. Therefore, the flow of the cleaning water downstream of the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 becomes a cleaning water flow of a bubble flow as shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 7A), and the gas phase mixed in the cleaning water exists as a continuous phase There is no undesired flow profile of the slug flow (FIG. 7 (b)), the annular flow (FIG. 7 (c)) or the spray flow (FIG. 7 (d)). Therefore, in this embodiment, the momentum (energy) of the compressed air can be reliably, efficiently, and quickly transmitted to the cleaning water.
In addition, fine bubbles have high rigidity and are not easily deformed, and do not perform unnecessary movement, so that energy loss is small. A photograph of the flow of the cleaning water jetted from the bubble pump 80 was taken, and as shown in the read image of the photograph in FIG. 8, the jetted cleaning water jet spouted straight from the jet port without spreading. There was found. In addition, since this jet cleaning water flow is a bubble flow in which bubbles are dispersed and mixed as described above,
It was milky white. Then, in the present embodiment, in the state of the bubble flow obtained in this manner, the washing water is sent to the bottom channel 43 or the bidet channel 45 in the nozzle body 40,
It is used for ass washing or bidet washing as described above.

Next, the effect obtained by the bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described using the bubble pump 80 of FIG. First, the effect of increasing the momentum of the washing water due to air mixing will be described. The momentum of the washing water can be grasped by the load caused by the ejected washing water when the washing water is ejected from the ejection port of the bubble pump 80. Therefore, the load-side fixed device was arranged opposite to the ejection port of the bubble pump 80, and the load of the ejection washing water was measured for the washing water of the bubble flow having various air mixing ratios λ. FIG. 9 shows the result. Note that the vertical axis in FIG. 9 is a load ratio obtained by dividing the washing water that is not mixed with air (air mixing ratio λ = 0) by the load obtained when the cleaning water is ejected from the bubble pump 80.
In FIG. 9, what is considered as the present embodiment means a bubble pump 80 which is equivalent in size and the like to the bubble mixing / switching mechanism unit 44. What is considered to be the prior art is that a pipe having only a single aeration hole formed in the peripheral wall is provided with a bubble dispersing element 83.
Means the air mixing means incorporated in place of the above, and is a conventional method in which air is simply mixed into the pipeline from the branch pipe. The straight line indicated as the theoretical value in the figure is derived as follows.

The momentum Eu of the fluid passing through the pipeline can be expressed by the following equation (1), where S is the pipeline area, ρ is the fluid density, and V is the fluid velocity.

Eu = ρ · S · V ² (1)

Since the density ρa of the air is negligibly small compared to the density ρw of the water, the density of the mixed cleaning water obtained by mixing the air with the cleaning water is represented by the air mixing ratio λη (air flow rate / wash water flow rate) and the wash water rate. Ρw / (1 + η) from the density ρw of The speed of the mixed washing water is V · (1 + η) from the air mixing ratio λη and the speed V of the washing water. Therefore,
The momentum Eu of the mixed cleaning water having the air mixing rate λη can be expressed by the following equation (2).

Eu = (ρw / (1 + η)) · S · V ² · (1 + η) ² = ρw · S · V ² · (1 + η) (2)

Then, the momentum of this equation (2) is calculated by the momentum (ρw · S ·) of the non-air mixed cleaning water (air mixing ratio λ = 0).
The momentum ratio (1 + η) divided by V ² ) corresponds to the above-mentioned load ratio, and this momentum ratio is shown as a theoretical value.
The mixed wash water at this theoretical value is not only the wash water of a bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed in the wash water, but also the wash water of an undesired flow aspect such as a slag flow in which a continuous gas phase exists. is not. Therefore, the closer the load ratio is to the theoretical value, the more the wash water is a bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed.

From FIG. 9, the load ratio in the prior art is different from the above theoretical value at the time of the air mixing ratio λ lower than 1.
When the air mixing ratio λ is about 1.3, only a load ratio of about 1.5 can be obtained. Therefore, in the prior art, even if the air mixing rate λ is increased to 1 or more with respect to the flow rate of the cleaning water, it is not possible to obtain a bubble flow in which air is dispersed and mixed in the cleaning water ideally.
It merely results in an undesired flow aspect such as a slag flow. For this reason, even if an attempt is made to save water through the incorporation of air into the washing water, because of this undesirable flow aspect, the washing power is reduced as described above. Need. In addition, in this prior art, even when the air mixing ratio λ is about 1.3 or more, no increase change is observed in the load ratio. This is because even if the air mixing ratio λ is increased by the conventional technology, as described above. It is considered that because the air mixing ratio λ is reversed to the spray flow, no further increase in the momentum can be obtained.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the air mixing ratio λ
Until was close to 4, it was in agreement with the above theoretical value, and a high load ratio of up to about 4.5 could be obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even in the prior art, even with a high air mixing ratio λ of 1.3 or more, which is reversed to the spray flow, the bubble flow in which air is ideally dispersed and mixed in the wash water is obtained. Can be obtained reliably. Therefore, the momentum of the washing water can be surely increased by mixing the air with the washing water of the bubble flow. Therefore, high cleaning power can be exhibited with a small amount of cleaning water, and the effectiveness of water saving can be enhanced. This is because, as described above, the air is mixed with fine bubbles and dispersed and mixed by the air mixing body 60 (bubble dispersion body 83) having the independent openings.

Next, the cleaning operation by the local cleaning device 10 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. Now, when the user sits on the toilet seat, the seat sensor 36 is turned on (time t1), and a signal to that effect is input to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24 first performs a residual water removal pretreatment for removing the cleaning water remaining in the nozzle device 26. The residual water removal pretreatment is performed by driving the air pump 32 for a predetermined time T1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which water remaining in a flow path 26a to the nozzle device 26 is removed. As shown in FIG. 11, when air is blown into the flow path by driving the air pump 32, the pressure in the flow path decreases, and the cleaning water on the upstream side of the flow path, that is, a position lower than the top of the nozzle device 26. The washing water of the flow path 26a in the flow path 2a is also caused by the siphon action.
It is sucked to the downstream side of 6a and discharged through the buttocks outlet 49. This pre-removal water removal process prevents cold water from being spouted toward the human body when the pre-nozzle cleaning time described below is short or omitted.

Subsequently, when the user turns on the bottom cleaning button 71a of the operation unit 35 (time t2), the nozzle pre-cleaning process is executed. The nozzle pre-cleaning process uses the air pump 32
Is driven for a predetermined time T2 from time t2, and at time t3 when time Tb has elapsed, the electromagnetic shutoff valve 14 is opened for a predetermined time T3. At this time, the constant flow valve 14a
Flows a constant flow rate, and the compressed air of the air pump 32 is mixed into the washing water to form a bubble flow, and the butt spout 49
The water is discharged from both of the jet ports 53 and the bidet jet port 53. In this way, the nozzle flow around the buttocks outlet 49 is cleaned by the bubble jetting from the buttocks outlet 49 and the like.

At this time, the nozzle cleaning time T3 is the time T from when the toilet seat is seated until when the buttocks cleaning button 71a is pressed.
It is determined by p1. That is, this time Tp1
Is the time from when the seating sensor 36 receives the seating signal to when the buttocks washing button 71a is pressed, and the longer the time Tp1, the longer the ass spout 49.
There is a high possibility that the area around will become dirty. Therefore, the time Tp
1 is long, the nozzle washing time T3 becomes long, and the periphery of the buttocks outlet 49 is sufficiently washed, while the time Tp
When 1 is short, the nozzle cleaning time T3 is short, and cleaning of the human body part is immediately started, which is convenient.

At the time of nozzle cleaning, in addition to changing the time T3, whether the air entrapment ratio λ should be changed or not.
Alternatively, the change of the air mixing ratio λ may be performed independently, and may be performed with an appropriate cleaning power. In such a nozzle pre-cleaning process, since the air pump 32 is driven to perform a bubble flow mixed with air, even if the amount of water is small,
The vicinity of the buttocks outlet 49 can be cleaned by the strong water force, so that an excellent nozzle cleaning effect can be obtained. Moreover, the bubbles mixed in the washing water are 100 to 1
It is a fine particle of 000 μm, and ultrasonic vibration is generated by this mixing, so that the cleaning effect can be further enhanced.

Then, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is closed to complete the nozzle pre-wash, and the air pump 32 is closed after a lapse of time Tb. Thus, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14
The air pump 32 is driven before and after the valve is opened and at a time Tb after the valve is closed.
The air flow path 29 on the second side is maintained at a higher pressure than the flow path on the wash water side. By maintaining the high pressure in the air flow path 29 in this way, no cleaning water enters the air flow path 29, and the air pump 32 does not fail. In addition, when the washing water enters the air flow path 29, the aeration body 60 is wetted by the washing water and becomes a factor for growing bacteria, but this is not the case. Further, since the air pump 32 is driven to prevent a backflow to the air flow path 29, the air flow path 29
There is no need to provide a check valve or the like, and the configuration can be simplified.

Subsequently, with the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 once closed and the air pump 32 stopped, the nozzle drive motor 33 is driven to move the nozzle device 26 from the standby position to the cleaning position.

When the nozzle device 26 advances, the air pump 32 is stopped.
No air is blown out from the butt spout 49 of the sixth and the like, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable. In addition, in addition to the mode of executing the control for stopping the air pump 32 at the time of the advance operation of the nozzle device 26, the control for reducing the output of the air pump 32 to the extent that the user does not feel the ejection of air, A configuration may be adopted in which the air is released in a direction not directed to the human body part.

Then, with the nozzle device 26 advanced to the cleaning position, the air pump 32 is driven at time t4, and after a predetermined time Tb, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is fully opened. As a result, the bubble water in which air is mixed into the washing water is ejected from the buttocks outlet 49 of the nozzle device 26 toward the human body part, and the local part is washed. At this time, the air mixing ratio λ, which is the ratio of the air flow rate Qa to the cleaning water flow rate Qw,
Will be described later. In this case, also in this case, only the time Tb before the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is opened, the air pump 3
2 is driven to increase the pressure on the air flow path 29 side, thereby preventing the washing water from entering the air flow path 29 side.

Then, when the user presses the stop button 71c of the operation unit 35 (time t5), the water stopping process is performed.
That is, the water stopping process is performed by closing the electromagnetic water stopping valve 14 to stop the supply of the cleaning water and stopping the air pump 32 to stop the supply of the air. Also in this case, the air pump 32 is stopped after the time Tb has elapsed by closing the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 and the like.
The high pressure is maintained at the 9 side, and the washing water does not enter the air flow path 29. Thereafter, by outputting a drive signal to the nozzle drive motor 33, the nozzle device 26 is retracted from the cleaning position to the standby position. In the nozzle device 26, the air pump 32 is stopped during the evacuation movement in the same manner as when the nozzle device 26 advances, so that no air is blown out from the buttocks outlet 49 or the like, and the user does not feel uncomfortable.

Subsequently, a post-nozzle cleaning process is performed.
The post-nozzle cleaning process is substantially the same as the pre-nozzle cleaning process, that is, is performed by driving the air pump 32 and then opening the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 for a predetermined time T4. Then, when the predetermined time T4 has elapsed, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is closed, and thereafter, the air pump 32 is stopped. As a result, the peripheral portion of the tail spout 49 of the nozzle device 26 is cleaned. At this time, the time T4 for performing post-nozzle cleaning is determined by the time Tp2 from when the buttocks cleaning button 71a is turned on to when the stop button 71c is pressed. The time Tp2 is a time from the start of the cleaning operation to the end of the cleaning operation. As the time Tp2 is longer, sufficient cleaning is performed, and there is a high possibility that the periphery of the buttocks outlet 49 is dirty. Therefore, when the cleaning time Tp2 is long, the post-nozzle cleaning time T4 is lengthened to sufficiently clean the periphery of the buttocks outlet 49. At the time of nozzle cleaning, in addition to changing the time T4, control for changing the air entrapment rate λ is performed, or this is changed to the air entrapment rate λ.
The post-nozzle cleaning may be performed with an appropriate cleaning power by performing the control for changing the pressure alone.

Subsequently, when the user separates from the toilet seat (time point t6), a leaving signal is output from the seating sensor 36, and post-removal water removal processing is executed. The post-removal water removal treatment is performed by driving the air pump 32 for a predetermined time T5, as in the residual water removal pretreatment. That is, in a state where the electromagnetic water stop valve 14 is closed and water is stopped, the air pump 32
Is driven, the washing water remaining in the flow path of the nozzle device 26 is discharged from the buttocks outlet 49. As a result, no cleaning water remains in the nozzle device 26, that is,
0 is not kept wet with washing water, thereby preventing the propagation of various bacteria. Since this residual water removal processing is executed after the nozzle device 26 returns to the standby position, compressed air is sent from the air pump 32 when the user sits on the toilet seat, and air is discharged from the butt spout 49 of the nozzle device 26. It is not blown out and does not cause discomfort to the user.

Next, control for changing the cleaning intensity Wf (cleaning pressure) by the electronic control unit 24 by operating the cleaning intensity setting button 71h will be described. The electronic control unit 24
The air flow rate Q based on the setting of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h
The flow control valve 34 is controlled to adjust a. FIG.
Is a flowchart for setting the cleaning intensity Wf. In FIG. 12, first, a cleaning intensity setting button 71h
Is read (step S152), and the air flow rate Qa is calculated (step S154). The air flow rate Qa in step S154 is calculated based on the map shown in FIG. 13, and the calculated value controls the air pump 32 and the regulating valve 34 in step S156.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the cleaning intensity setting value Wfs (selection position) of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h, the flow rate of cleaning water and air, and the cleaning intensity. FIG.
In FIG. 7, the washing water flow rate Qw is represented by a dashed-dotted line, the air flow rate Qa is represented by a dashed line, and the cleaning strength Wf is represented by a measured value of the cleaning pressure [Pa] by a solid line. Here, the selection position can be set in seven stages of levels 1 to 7 by the cleaning intensity setting button 71h. The cleaning water flow rate Qw is set to a constant value over the entire range of the selected position, and the air flow rate Qa is set to increase substantially in proportion.

When the selected position is sequentially changed from level 1 to level 7, the air flow rate Qa increases substantially in proportion to the state where the cleaning water flow rate Qw is kept constant. As the air flow rate Qa increases, the flow velocity increases and the cleaning intensity W
f also increases almost in proportion. Therefore, the cleaning strength Wf
Can be adjusted only by the flow control valve 34 for controlling the air flow rate Qa, that is, the flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of the washing water becomes unnecessary. Thus, the configuration of the flow path system can be simplified, and the control of the flow rate of the washing water is also unnecessary, so that the control can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the above embodiment, a constant flow rate for maintaining a constant flow rate of the washing water is provided integrally with the electromagnetic shutoff valve 14, but the configuration is not particularly limited and may be separate. Also, the mounting position is not limited to the upstream of the heat exchanger, but may be any position between the water supply source and the air mixing means.

(2) Although the instantaneous type is used as the heat exchanger 12, the present invention is not limited to this, and a case where a hot water storage tank is provided may be used. That is, any type of heat exchanger may be used as long as a constant flow rate of washing water is supplied from the hot water storage tank.

(3) In the above embodiment, instead of using the incoming water temperature sensor to detect the incoming water temperature,
The calculation may be based on the amount of current supplied to the heat exchanger, for example, based on a differential value of the amount of current supplied to the heater 16 of the heat exchanger 12. This eliminates the need for an incoming water temperature sensor and simplifies the configuration.

(4) The constant flow valve according to the above-described embodiment is configured to maintain the flow rate at a set value of approximately 1. However, the constant flow rate is reduced to a plurality of constant flow rates by mechanical or electrical control. The valve may be changeable, so that a greater variety of cleaning strengths can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a local cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a zero.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a controller of a control system of the local cleaning device 10.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of an atmosphere release valve 31;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a nozzle device 26.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of movement of the nozzle device 26.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the bubble pump 80.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a change in a bubble flow.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a read image of a photograph of a bubble flow.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a relationship between an air mixing ratio λ and a washing water load ratio.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the buttocks cleaning operation.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how water remaining in a flow path 26a connected to the nozzle device 26 is removed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a heater energization control process.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a relationship between a selected position of a cleaning switch and a flow rate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Local washing | cleaning apparatus 12 ... Heat exchanger 14 ... Electromagnetic water shutoff valve 16 ... Heater 18 ... Incoming water temperature sensor 20 ... Water discharge temperature sensor 24 ... Electronic control device 26 ... Nozzle device 26a ... Channel 29 ... Air channel 31 ... Atmosphere Opening valve 31a ... Valve chamber 31b ... Casing 31c ... Valve 31d ... Spring 31e ... Flow path side flow path 31f ... Atmospheric side opening 32 ... Air pump 32a ... Pump motor 33 ... Nozzle drive motor 34 ... Flow rate adjustment valve 35 ... Operation unit 36 ... Seat sensor 38 ... Power supply section 40 ... Nozzle body 42 ... Nozzle head 43 ... Bottom passage 44 ... Bubble mixing / switching mechanism 45 ... Bidet passage 46 ... Seal ring 47 ... Bottom ejection passage 49 ... Bottom Spouting port 51 ... Bidet spouting channel 53 ... Bidet spouting port 55 ... Casing 56 ... Motor coupling body 58 ... Air chamber forming body 60 ... Air mixing body 61 ... Support Body 62 ... Support 63 ... Air chamber switching unit 64 ... Spring 65 ... Washing water introduction path 66 ... Through hole 67 ... Air introduction path 68 ... Through hole 69 ... Shielding block 70 ... Bottom side through hole 71a ... Bottom cleaning button 71b ... bidet cleaning button 71c ... stop button 71d ... massage setting button 71e ... move setting button 71f ... nozzle cleaning button 71g ... water discharge temperature setting button 71h ... cleaning intensity setting button 71i ... water pressure setting button 71j ... water amount setting button 71k ... bubble amount Setting button 71n: operation on / off button 71: bidet side through-hole 72: display section 80: bubble pump 81: air-mixing housing 82: air chamber 83: bubble dispersion body 84: washing water conduit 85: air introduction pipe

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinsuke Matsuo 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka F-term (reference) 2D038 JB02 JF00 JH00 JH02 JH11 JH12 KA13 4F033 AA04 BA04 CA04 DA01 EA01 GA07 HA02 LA06 LA13 NA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A local cleaning apparatus for cleaning air from a jet nozzle of a washing nozzle by jetting bubbled water containing air mixed with the washing water toward a local part of a human body, wherein the cleaning is performed from a water supply source to the jet port. A constant flow valve that is provided in the water flow path and maintains a flow rate of the wash water flowing in the wash water flow path at a substantially constant amount; an air supply means that outputs compressed air; and the air supply means that is provided in the wash water flow path. Air mixing means for creating bubble water by mixing compressed air from the above with the washing water in the washing water flow path; air flow adjusting means for adjusting the air flow rate from the air supply means to the air mixing means; Cleaning intensity setting means for setting the cleaning intensity defined by the pressure exerted on the human body by the bubble water spouted from the spout; and the cleaning intensity is substantially continuous at a constant flow rate of the cleaning water by the constant flow valve. Target Or a mixing ratio adjusting means for controlling an air flow rate so as to increase or decrease in a stepwise manner. 2. A local cleaning device for cleaning air from a jet nozzle of a cleaning nozzle by jetting bubbled water containing air mixed with the cleaning water toward a local part of a human body, wherein the cleaning is performed from a water supply source to the jet port. A constant flow rate supply unit that is provided in the water flow path and supplies a constant flow rate of the wash water to the wash water flow path; an air supply means that outputs compressed air; and Air mixing means for creating bubble water by mixing compressed air of the above with the washing water in the washing water flow path; air flow adjusting means for adjusting the air flow rate from the air supply means to the air mixing means; Cleaning intensity setting means for setting the cleaning intensity defined by the pressure exerted on the human body by the bubble water spouted from the outlet; and the cleaning intensity substantially continuous at a constant flow rate of the cleaning water by the constant flow rate supply means. And a mixing ratio adjusting means for controlling an air flow rate so as to increase or decrease in a stepwise or stepwise manner. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: an input water temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the washing water from the water supply source; a heat exchange means for heating the washing water and flowing the washing water to the jet port; A local cleaning device, comprising: heating control means for performing feedforward control of a heat exchange means based on the water input temperature such that the water discharge temperature of the bubble water becomes a target temperature. 4. The local cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the incoming water temperature detecting means calculates the incoming water temperature based on an amount of electricity supplied to the heat exchanging means. 5. The local cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the constant flow valve has a configuration that can be changed to a plurality of flow values.