Patent Grant
10309088
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorities from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-149751, filed on Jul. 23, 2014, Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-149752, filed on Jul. 23, 2014, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-149753, filed on Jul. 23, 2014; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a urinal apparatus and a urinal unit.
The bowl section of a urinal may be flushed with water in order to flush foreign matter such as urine and hair attached to the bowl surface and to replace the seal water in the trap by newly supplied water. Passing water in the bowl section of the urinal for the purpose of flushing foreign matter and replacing seal water requires passing a large amount of water along the bowl surface. The water flowing along the bowl surface is less likely to splash out of the bowl section. The user standing before the urinal during bowl flush is rarely wetted. The flush sound at the time of bowl flush is small.
However, the odor of the urinal may fail to be sufficiently removed by only flushing the bowl section of the urinal with water. Thus, several deodorization techniques for removing the odor of the urinal have been proposed. One of such deodorization techniques is a urinal in which water does not flow down along the vertical surface of the toilet bowl, but is directly squirted from a water jetting hole through a water supply pipe (Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. S62-94173)). In the urinal disclosed in Patent Literature 1, water is sprinkled to the space in the bowl section of the urinal.
Water is sprinkled to the space in the bowl section of the urinal through e.g. the sprinkling hole of a sprinkling device. The flow velocity of water significantly changes near the sprinkling hole by pressure increase of water and pressure release in the space. The water is sprinkled at a fixed pressure from the sprinkling hole having a small diameter. Thus, the flow velocity of water significantly changes near the sprinkling hole. The change of flow velocity of water may induce what is called a shower sound, or a drop sound when the droplet of water is brought into contact with the bowl section.
In the urinal disclosed in Patent Literature 1, water may be sprinkled before or during the act of urination of the user of the urinal apparatus. Then, the user may hear a shower sound or drop sound. This causes a problem of giving discomfort to the user. For instance, before the act of urination, the user may stop approaching the urinal apparatus and abort the act intended for urination. Alternatively, during urination, the user may miss the target, and urine may be splashed out of the bowl section.
The water supplied to the urinal may utilize tap water suitable for drinking. On the other hand, the supplied water may utilize miscellaneous water originating from used tap water (sewage), or miscellaneous water originating from rain water. The water quality management of miscellaneous water (e.g., “graywater”) may be minimized compared with tap water. Thus, miscellaneous water may contain a relatively large amount of organic substances. If miscellaneous water contains a large amount of organic substances, bacteria and microorganisms nourished by the organic substances may multiply and produce an aggregation in conjunction with products therefrom. The aggregation of bacteria and microorganisms in conjunction with products therefrom is called e.g. biofilm.
For instance, when miscellaneous water is sprinkled in the urinal disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the water jetting hole may be clogged by the production of biofilm. When the water jetting hole is clogged, the sprinkled water may have an unstable direction and fail to be sprinkled to a desired space. This causes a problem of decreased level of suppressing odor generated from the urinal and soil generated in the urinal.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a urinal apparatus includes: a water supplying configured to supply water to a bowl section of a urinal; a water sprinkling device including a sprinkling hole configured to sprinkle water to a space inside the bowl section; and a human body sensing device configured to sense use of the urinal, the water sprinkling device not sprinkling the water from the sprinkling hole when the human body sensing device has transitioned from a human body non-sensing state to a human body sensing state.
A first aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus comprising a water supplying device configured to supply water to a bowl section of a urinal, a water sprinkling device including a sprinkling hole configured to sprinkle water to a space inside the bowl section, and a human body sensing device configured to sense use of the urinal. The water sprinkling device does not sprinkle the water from the sprinkling hole when the human body sensing device has transitioned from a human body non-sensing state to a human body sensing state.
This urinal apparatus can suppress discomfort to the user, such as stopping approaching the urinal apparatus and aborting the act intended for urination before and during the act of urination, or missing the target and splashing urine out of the bowl section during urination.
A second aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the water sprinkling device sprinkles the water to the space after the human body sensing device transitions from the human body sensing state to the human body non-sensing state and the water supplying device supplies the water to the bowl section.
In this urinal apparatus, the water sprinkling device sprinkles fresh water from the sprinkling hole to the bowl section after the user terminates the act of urination. Thus, the odor of the internal space of the bowl section can be deodorized. This can suppress that a subsequent user feels discomfort by the odor of the internal space of the bowl section.
A third aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the water sprinkling device sprinkles the water from the sprinkling hole at a fixed cycle.
Activation of bacteria in urine remaining in the trap piping of the urinal takes a prescribed time. Activation of bacteria soils the trap of the urinal, causes accumulation of urinary calculus, and generates odor from the trap piping. However, this urinal apparatus can maintain the state in which urine from the trap piping is diluted with water below a certain concentration. This can suppress odor from the trap piping.
A fourth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a sterilizing water producing device provided on upstream side of the water sprinkling device and configured to produce sterilizing water. The water sprinkling device sprinkles droplets of the sterilizing water produced by the sterilizing water producing device to the space inside the bowl section.
This urinal apparatus sterilizes bacteria. When the sprinkled water is dried, the concentration of ammonia dissolved in the water increases, and the odor may be generated again. However, this urinal apparatus can suppress such generation of odor. This can provide a urinal apparatus in which the odor is suppressed with a small amount of water for a long time.
A fifth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the water supplying device includes a hole configured to sprinkle water to the bowl section. The amount of water sprinkled to the bowl section in one operation by the water supplying device is larger than the amount of water sprinkled to the space in one operation by the water sprinkling device.
This urinal apparatus can save water relative to conventional bowl flush, and can sprinkle a larger amount of water than the flushing of the water sprinkling device. Thus, hair that cannot be removed by the water sprinkling device can be flushed to the trap.
A sixth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the apparatus can perform a facility protecting flush operation for supplying water to the bowl section at a fixed cycle. The amount of the water supplied to the bowl section in one operation of the facility protecting flush operation is larger than the amount of water sprinkled to the bowl section in one operation by the water supplying device or the amount of water sprinkled to the space in one operation by the water sprinkling device.
A seventh aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device is actuated when the water sprinkling device is actuated, and deactuated when the water sprinkling device is deactuated.
This urinal apparatus can sterilize bacteria and microorganisms contained in miscellaneous water and suppress production of biofilm on the upstream of the water sprinkling device. Furthermore, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device does not continue to stay e.g. inside the sterilizing water producing device and in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole of the water sprinkling device due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this urinal apparatus can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device.
An eighth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water remaining after being produced by the sterilizing water producing device is drained at fixed intervals.
This urinal apparatus can sterilize bacteria and microorganisms contained in miscellaneous water and suppress production of biofilm on the upstream of the water sprinkling device. Furthermore, for instance, sprinkling flush performed at fixed intervals renews the water in the flow channel at fixed intervals. Thus, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device does not continue to stay e.g. inside the sterilizing water producing device and in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device. Furthermore, activation of bacteria is suppressed, and bacteria can be minimized. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole of the water sprinkling device due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this urinal apparatus can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device.
A ninth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein amount of water supplied to the bowl section in one operation by the water supplying device is larger than amount of water sprinkled to the space in one operation by the water sprinkling device. The water supplied by the water supplying device is fresh water excluding the sterilizing water.
In this urinal apparatus, sterilizing water is not used as the water supplied by the water supplying device. Thus, a sterilizing water producing device dedicated to the water sprinkling device can be provided. This can improve the degree of freedom of the design of the urinal apparatus.
Furthermore, the amount of water supplied to the bowl section in one operation by the water supplying device is larger than the amount of water sprinkled to the internal space of the bowl section in one operation by the water sprinkling device. Thus, if sterilizing water is used as the water supplied by the water supplying device, the sterilizing water producing device is upsized. Furthermore, the lifetime of the sterilizing water producing device is shorter in the case where sterilizing water is used as the water supplied by the water supplying device than in the case where sterilizing water is not used as the water supplied by the water supplying device. This requires regular maintenance.
In contrast, this urinal apparatus can suppress upsizing of the sterilizing water producing device, shortening of the lifetime of the sterilizing water producing device, and requirement of regular maintenance.
A tenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, further comprising a flow channel communicating the sterilizing water producing device with the water sprinkling device. Sterilizing water in the flow channel is drained a prescribed time after the water sprinkling device is deactuated.
In this urinal apparatus, the sterilizing water with decreased sterilization effect does not continue to stay in the flow channel. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole of the water sprinkling device due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this urinal apparatus can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device.
An eleventh aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, further comprising a flow channel communicating the sterilizing water producing device with the water sprinkling device. Sterilizing water in the flow channel is drained from a drain hole different from the sprinkling hole after the water sprinkling device is actuated.
In this urinal apparatus, the sterilizing water with decreased sterilization effect does not continue to stay in the flow channel. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole of the water sprinkling device due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this urinal apparatus can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device.
A twelfth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the sprinkling operation of the water sprinkling device is prohibited when it is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty.
In this urinal apparatus, the sprinkling operation of the water sprinkling device is prohibited when it is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty. This can suppress sprinkling of water other than sterilizing water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device.
A thirteenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device includes an electrolytic bath and an electrode provided inside the electrolytic bath. It is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty when voltage applied to the electrode is less than or equal to a prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device can be sensed more easily.
A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device includes an electrolytic bath and an electrode provided inside the electrolytic bath. It is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty when current flowing in the electrode is less than or equal to a prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device can be sensed more easily.
A fifteenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device includes an electrolytic bath and an electrode provided inside the electrolytic bath. It is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty when energization time of the electrode is more than or equal to a prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device can be sensed more easily.
A sixteenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein voltage applied to the electrode is increased when the energization time is less than the prescribed value and reaches another prescribed value less than and different from the prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the voltage applied to the electrode is increased while the electrode of the sterilizing water producing device is degraded and the production concentration of the sterilizing water is decreased. This can maintain the production concentration of the sterilizing water at a generally fixed level.
A seventeenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device includes an electrolytic bath. It is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty when integrated amount of water flowing in the electrolytic bath is more than or equal to a prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device can be sensed more easily.
An eighteenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device further includes an electrode provided inside the electrolytic bath. The voltage applied to the electrode is increased when the integrated amount of water is less than the prescribed value and reaches another prescribed value less than and different from the prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the voltage applied to the electrode is increased while the electrode of the sterilizing water producing device is degraded and the production concentration of the sterilizing water is decreased. This can maintain the production concentration of the sterilizing water at a generally fixed level.
A nineteenth aspect of the invention is a urinal apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the sterilizing water producing device includes an electrolytic bath. It is determined that the sterilizing water producing device is faulty when flow rate of water flowing in the electrolytic bath is less than or equal to a prescribed value.
In this urinal apparatus, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device can be sensed more easily.
A twentieth aspect of the invention is a urinal unit comprising a urinal and the urinal apparatus according to the first aspect.
This urinal unit can sterilize bacteria and microorganisms contained in miscellaneous water and suppress production of biofilm on the upstream of the water sprinkling device. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole of the water sprinkling device due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this urinal unit can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are labeled with like reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof is omitted appropriately.
In
The urinal unit 10 according to this embodiment includes a urinal apparatus 100 and a urinal 210. The urinal apparatus 100 includes a water supplying device 140 and a water sprinkling device 160. The urinal apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may include a control section 110, a human body sensing device 120, and a flow channel switching valve 130.
The urinal 210 is a male urinal. The urinal 210 includes a bowl section 211 (see
The flow channel switching valve 130 is switched between the following two states based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. In the first state, water (this water is referred to as “fresh water”) supplied from the feedwater source (such as waterworks and tank), not shown, is guided to the water supplying device 140. In the second state, water supplied from the feedwater source is guided to the water sprinkling device 160.
The fresh water is tap water or miscellaneous water supplied from the feedwater source. Instead of providing the flow channel switching valve 130, water may be supplied from different feedwater sources to the water supplying device 140 and the water sprinkling device 160.
The water supplying device 140 includes a spreader 141. By the water supplying device 140, water supplied from the feedwater source through the flow channel switching valve 130 is supplied to the bowl section 211 of the urinal 210.
The water sprinkling device 160 includes a sprinkling section 161. The sprinkling section 161 includes a sprinkling hole 161a. The number of sprinkling holes 161a is not limited to one as shown in
The amount of water supplied to the bowl section 211 in one operation by the water supplying device 140 is larger than the amount of water supplied to the bowl section 211 in one operation by the water sprinkling device 160. For instance, the amount of water supplied to the bowl section 211 in one operation by the water supplying device 140 is approximately 0.4 liters (L) or more and 1.5 L or less. For instance, the amount of water supplied to the bowl section 211 in one operation by the water sprinkling device 160 is e.g. approximately 20 milliliters (mL) or more and 100 mL or less.
The water supplying device 140 may have a flushing mode of sprinkling fresh water droplets like the water sprinkling device 160. For instance, the water supplying device 140 includes a hole for sprinkling water to the bowl section 211. In this case, the sprinkling range of the water supplying device 140 is a range of sprinkling water toward the bowl surface of the bowl section 211. This can save water relative to conventional bowl flush, and can sprinkle a larger amount of water than the flushing of the water sprinkling device 160. Thus, hair that cannot be removed by the water sprinkling device 160 can be flushed to the trap section 213.
The human body sensing device 120 can sense a user located before the urinal 210, i.e., a user located at a position spaced before the urinal 210. In other words, the human body sensing device 120 can sense the use of the urinal 210. Upon sensing the use of the urinal 210, the human body sensing device 120 transitions from a human body non-sensing state to a human body sensing state. Such a human body sensing device 120 can be e.g. an infrared transmit/receive sensor (infrared sensor), a pyroelectric sensor, or a sensor based on the Doppler effect of radio waves (microwave sensor). Here, in this specification, the “human body non-sensing state” includes not only the state in which the human body sensing device 120 senses no human body. The “human body non-sensing state” also includes the state in which the human body sensing device 120 determines that the state is non-sensing because the human body sensed by the human body sensing device 120 is spaced by a prescribed distance or more.
When the human body sensing device 120 senses a user located at a position spaced before the urinal 210, the water sprinkling device 160 does not sprinkle fresh water droplets from the sprinkling hole 161a. For instance, when the human body sensing device 120 senses the use of the urinal 210, the control section 110 controls the water sprinkling device 160 so as to prohibit the sprinkling operation of the water sprinkling device 160 based on the sensing of the human body sensing device 120.
Here, water is sprinkled to the space in the bowl section of the urinal through the sprinkling hole of the water sprinkling device. In this case, water is sprinkled at a fixed pressure from the sprinkling hole having a small diameter. Thus, the flow velocity significantly changes near the sprinkling hole by pressure increase of water and pressure release in the space. Because water is sprinkled at a fixed pressure from the sprinkling hole having a small diameter, the change of flow velocity induces what is called a shower sound, or a drop sound when the droplet of water is brought into contact with the bowl section.
When water is sprinkled in the urinal, the user of the urinal apparatus may hear a shower sound or drop sound before or during the act of urination. This gives discomfort to the user. For instance, before or during the act of urination, the user may stop approaching the urinal apparatus and abort the act intended for urination. Alternatively, during urination, the user may miss the target, and urine may be splashed out of the bowl section.
In contrast, in the case of sensing a user located at a position spaced before the urinal 210, the water sprinkling device 160 of this embodiment does not sprinkle fresh water droplets from the sprinkling hole 161a. This can suppress discomfort to the user.
The water supplying device 140 can supply water to the bowl section 211 of the urinal 210, remove urine attached to the urinal 210, and remove foreign matter such as hair. Furthermore, the water supplying device 140 can supply water to the trap section 213 of the urinal 210 and replace seal water inside the trap section 213 by newly supplied water.
As described above, the diameter of the water droplets sprinkled by the water sprinkling device 160 is approximately 10 μm or more. Thus, the droplets sprinkled from the water sprinkling device 160 remain suspended in the space to a lesser extent. Accordingly, splashing to any unintended space can be suppressed. This can suppress that the droplets sprinkled from the water sprinkling device 160 we the user and the surroundings of the urinal 210. Furthermore, the diameter of the water droplets sprinkled by the water sprinkling device 160 is approximately 1200 μm or less. This can suppress decreasing the effect of dissolving ammonia because the droplets sprinkled from the water sprinkling device 160 fall relatively fast.
Here, the definition of the numerical value of the diameter of a water particle is described. The diameter of the water particle sprinkled from the water sprinkling device 160 has a certain range in general. The particle diameter of the point at which the distribution curve of the cumulative percentage of the particle diameter crosses the horizontal axis of 50% is referred to as 50% diameter (generally referred to as median diameter). The 50% diameter is used as the diameter of the water particle.
In the urinal apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the bowl section 211 may be supplied with fresh water at a fixed cycle. The urinal apparatus 100 may include a device for performing facility protecting flushing. This can flush the drain pipe disposed downstream of the urinal 210. Furthermore, urine remaining in the trap section 213 after the operation of the water supplying device 140 and the water sprinkling device 160 can be replaced by fresh water. The total amount of water can be saved by changing the flushing mode and amount in accordance with the purpose.
In the case of performing facility protecting flushing, the amount of the water supplied to the bowl section 211 in one operation is larger than the amount of water supplied to the bowl section 211 in one operation by the water supplying device 140 or the amount of water sprinkled to the space in one operation by the water sprinkling device 160.
In
In this variation, a sterilizing water producing device 150 is provided on the upstream side of the water sprinkling device 160. More specifically, the sterilizing water producing device 150 is provided between the flow channel switching valve 130 and the water sprinkling device 160.
As shown in
The sterilizing water producing device 150 can produce sterilizing water from the water supplied from the feedwater source through the flow channel switching valve 130 based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. The sterilizing water can dissolve and decompose ammonia. Ammonia is generated by e.g. urination of a user (see
For instance, the sterilizing water producing device 150 includes an electrolytic bath 151 (see
Hypochlorous acid functions as a deodorant component or a sterilizing component. The liquid containing hypochlorous acid can dissolve and decompose ammonia, or sterilize common bacteria.
The sterilizing water producing device 150 of this embodiment is not limited to producing a liquid containing hypochlorous acid. The sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 may be a liquid containing metal ions such as silver ions and copper ions. Alternatively, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 may be a liquid containing e.g. electrolyzed chlorine or ozone. Alternatively, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 may be acidic water or alkaline water. Among them, the liquid containing hypochlorous acid can dissolve and decompose ammonia. Furthermore, the sterilizing water producing device 150 is not limited to an electrolytic bath unit including an electrolytic bath, an anode plate, and a cathode plate.
The sterilizing water producing device 150 produces sterilizing water based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. Then, the water sprinkling device 160 supplies droplets of the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 from the sprinkling hole 161a to the internal space of the bowl section 211. That is, a prescribed amount of sterilizing water is produced by the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied to the bowl section 211 by the water sprinkling device 160. The diameter of the sterilizing water droplets sprinkled by the water sprinkling device 160 is e.g. approximately 10 micrometers (μm) or more and 1200 μm or less.
The sterilizing water sprinkled from the water sprinkling device 160 dissolves and decomposes at least one of ammonia produced inside the bowl section 211 and ammonia existing around the bowl section 211. The ammonia existing around the bowl section 211 refers to e.g. ammonia drifting around the bowl section 211 or ammonia suspended around the bowl section 211. Thus, the water sprinkling device 160 can suppress the odor of ammonia generated from the urinal 210. Furthermore, when the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles sterilizing water, the water sprinkling device 160 can suppress regeneration of the odor of ammonia even if e.g. water dissolved with ammonia is attached to and evaporated from the surroundings of the urinal 210.
Furthermore, sterilizing water droplets sprinkled by the sprinkling section 161 can suppress the odor of ammonia near the ammonia source located on the surface of the bowl section 211. In addition, the droplets passing through the space can also suppress the odor of ammonia existing in the space. Furthermore, the surface area of water per unit amount of water can be made significantly larger in the water droplets than in the state of water supplied from the water supplying device 140 and moving on the surface of the bowl section 211. This can increase the area of sterilizing water in contact with ammonia to efficiently suppress the odor. The odor existing in the space includes not only that of ammonia originating from urine, but also the odor of urine itself urinated by the user (e.g., the odor derived from ingested food such as a coffee odor). The latter odor can also be suppressed by sprinkling sterilizing water droplets.
The rest of the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 according to this variation is similar to the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 described above with reference to
According to this variation and the embodiment described above with reference to
As described above with reference to
The water supplied from the feedwater source may utilize tap water suitable for drinking. On the other hand, the supplied water may utilize miscellaneous water originating from used tap water (sewage), or miscellaneous water originating from rain water. The water quality management of miscellaneous water (e.g., “graywater”) may be minimized compared with tap water. Thus, miscellaneous water may contain a relatively large amount of organic substances. If miscellaneous water contains a large amount of organic substances, bacteria and microorganisms nourished by the organic substances may multiply and produce an aggregation. The aggregation of bacteria and microorganisms is called e.g. biofilm.
Furthermore, the sterilizing water may not be sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a and stay as residual water in the flow channel (e.g., flow channel 150a) located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. When such residual water stays in the flow channel for a certain period, the sterilizing performance of the sterilizing water decreases by temporal change. This multiplies bacteria and microorganisms from the residual water and produces biofilm.
With the increase of the size of biofilm, the sprinkling hole 161a of the sprinkling section 161 may be clogged by the production of biofilm. The diameter of the sprinkling hole 161a is e.g. approximately 0.5 millimeters (mm) or more and 3 mm or less. A specific example of the sprinkling section 161 will be described later. When the sprinkling hole 161a is clogged by the production of biofilm, the sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a may have an unstable direction and fail to be sprinkled to the internal space of the bowl section 211. This decreases the level of suppressing odor generated from the urinal 210 and soil generated in the urinal 210.
In contrast, the water sprinkling device 160 of this embodiment sprinkles droplets of the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 from the sprinkling hole 161a to the internal space of the bowl section 211. This can sterilize bacteria and microorganisms contained in the miscellaneous water and suppress the production of biofilm on the upstream of the water sprinkling device 160. Furthermore, a prescribed amount of sterilizing water is produced by the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied to the bowl section 211 by the water sprinkling device 160. Thus, the sterilizing water produced by the sterilizing water producing device 150 can be made less likely to continue to stay in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device 160.
Even if the human body sensing device 120 does not sense the use of the urinal 210, the water sprinkling device 160 may perform sprinkling flush at fixed intervals. For instance, the control section 110 controls the operation of the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160 at fixed intervals. Thus, sterilizing water is produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied from the sprinkling hole 161a of the sprinkling section 161 to the bowl section 211.
Here, the fixed interval (i.e., the interval of sprinkling flush) is an arbitrary time such as approximately two hours or approximately one day. As described above, activation of bacteria in urine takes a prescribed time. For instance, sprinkling flush at intervals less than two hours can suppress the increase of pH and suppress activation of bacteria.
Sprinkling flush performed at fixed intervals renews the water in the flow channel at fixed intervals. Thus, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 does not continue to stay e.g. inside the sterilizing water producing device 150 and in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. Furthermore, activation of bacteria is suppressed, and bacteria can be minimized. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device 160.
When the water sprinkling device 160 performs sprinkling flush at fixed intervals, bowl flush may be performed simultaneously. For instance, when the water sprinkling device 160 performs sprinkling flush, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to supply water from the spreader 141 of the water supplying device 140 to the bowl section 211. This can suppress that e.g. the flow channel near the flow channel switching valve 130 located on the upstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is clogged by production of biofilm.
In
In this variation, the urinal apparatus 100 includes a draining section 170. The draining section 170 is provided between the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160. For instance, sterilizing water may remain in the flow channel communicating the sterilizing water producing device 150 with the water sprinkling device 160. The draining section 170 drains this sterilizing water from the urinal apparatus 100 based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. The draining section 170 drains the sterilizing water at fixed intervals based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110.
When the draining section 170 is actuated, the water sprinkling device 160 is not supplied with e.g. sterilizing water. That is, when the draining section 170 is actuated, the water sprinkling device 160 does not perform sprinkling flush. For instance, the sterilizing water remaining in the flow channel is drained a prescribed time after the water sprinkling device 160 is deactuated.
In this variation, when sterilizing water remains in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150, the sterilizing water remaining in the flow channel is drained at fixed intervals from the urinal apparatus 100 by the draining section 170. Thus, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 does not continue to stay in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device 160.
The rest of the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 according to this variation is similar to the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 described above with reference to
In
In this variation, the urinal apparatus 100 includes a drain hole 180. The drain hole 180 is provided between the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160. Sterilizing water remaining in the flow channel communicating the sterilizing water producing device 150 with the water sprinkling device 160 is drained from the urinal apparatus 100 through the drain hole 180. For instance, the water sprinkling device 160 is actuated, and sterilizing water is produced by the sterilizing water producing device 150. Before the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles the sterilizing water through the sprinkling hole 161a, the sterilizing water remaining in the flow channel is drained from the urinal apparatus 100 through the drain hole 180. In this variation, the residual water staying in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is not sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a.
When the residual water is drained through the drain hole 180, the water sprinkling device 160 is not supplied with e.g. sterilizing water. That is, when the residual water is drained through the drain hole 180, the water sprinkling device 160 does not perform sprinkling flush.
The rest of the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 according to this variation is similar to the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 described above with reference to
Before the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles sterilizing water, residual water may stay in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. According to this variation and the embodiment described above with reference to
In
In this variation, a flow channel 161b is provided between the sprinkling section 161 and the spreader 141. The spreader 141 includes a jetting port 145 (see
When the residual water is drained through the jetting port 145, the water sprinkling device 160 is not supplied with e.g. sterilizing water. That is, when the residual water is drained through the jetting port 145, the water sprinkling device 160 does not perform sprinkling flush.
The rest of the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 according to this variation is similar to the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 described above with reference to
Before the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles sterilizing water, residual water may stay in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. According to this variation and the embodiment described above with reference to
In
In this variation, a sterilizing water producing device 150 is provided on the upstream side of the flow channel switching valve 130. More specifically, the flow channel switching valve 130 is provided between the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160.
When the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles sterilizing water from the sprinkling hole 161a, the sterilizing water producing device 150 produces sterilizing water based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. The flow channel switching valve 130 is set to the state in which water is guided to the water sprinkling device 160 based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. The sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 is guided to the water sprinkling device 160 through the flow channel switching valve 130.
On the other hand, when the water supplying device 140 supplies water from the spreader 141, the sterilizing water producing device 150 stops production of sterilizing water based on the signal transmitted from the control section 110. That is, in this variation, as in the embodiment described above with reference to
The rest of the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 according to this variation is similar to the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 and the urinal unit 10 described above with reference to
According to this variation and the embodiment described above with reference to
As described above with reference to
In this specific example, the sterilizing water producing device 150 includes an electrolytic bath 151, an anode plate 153, and a cathode plate 155. The anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 are provided inside the electrolytic bath 151.
When the sterilizing water producing device 150 produces sterilizing water, a prescribed voltage (e.g., approximately 24 volts (V)) is applied between the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155. According to the knowledge obtained by the inventor, the voltage applied between the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 is maintained at the prescribed voltage despite degradation of at least one of the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155.
As shown in
Thus, the sprinkling section 161 sprinkles droplets of fresh water or sterilizing water downward from the upper part of the bowl section 211. This generates an air flow directed downward from the sprinkling section 161 inside the bowl section 211. Thus, the air flow generated inside the bowl section 211 can suppress updraft of ammonia. Furthermore, the sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling section 161 dissolves ammonia, and decomposes ammonia into odorless substances. This makes the user less likely to feel the odor of ammonia generated from the urinal apparatus 100.
The installation mode of the water sprinkling device 160 is not limited to the example shown in
Thus, the sprinkling section 161 sprinkles sterilizing water droplets upward from the lower part of the bowl section 211. Accordingly, at least part of the sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling section 161 can drift outside the bowl section 211. The water drifting outside the bowl section 211 can dissolve ammonia gas existing outside the bowl section 211. This makes the user less likely to feel the odor around the urinal 210 as well as the odor of the urinal 210.
In the specific example shown in
The water sprinkling device 160 includes a sprinkling section 161 and a tube 163. The sprinkling section 161 includes e.g. a nozzle, and is connected to one end of the tube 163. The sprinkling section 161 includes a sprinkling hole 161a. The sprinkling section 161 sprinkles water droplets from the sprinkling hole 161a. For instance, the sprinkling hole 161a has a shape such that the diameter expands from inside toward outside of the sprinkling section 161. For instance, the first diameter D1 of the sprinkling hole 161a is approximately 0.5 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less. For instance, the second diameter D2 of the sprinkling hole 161a is approximately 2.7 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. The fresh water or sterilizing water guided through the tube 163 is sprinkled as droplets of fresh water or sterilizing water from the sprinkling section 161 and supplied to the bowl section 211 of the urinal 210.
As shown in
This embodiment is not limited to the water supplying device 140 and the water sprinkling device 160 integrated with each other.
First, the human body sensing device 120 senses a user before the urinal 210 (timing t1).
Next, the user finishes the act of urination. The human body sensing device 120 senses the user receding from the front of the urinal 210. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to supply water from the spreader 141 of the water supplying device 140 to the bowl section 211 (timing t2). A prescribed amount of water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to stop water supplied from the spreader 141 (timing t3).
The designation “ON” regarding the water supplying device 140 shown in
Next, the human body sensing device 120 senses that the user is no longer located before the urinal 210. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 to supply fresh water from the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 to the bowl section 211 (timing t4).
A prescribed amount of fresh water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 to stop fresh water sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a (timing t5).
Alternatively, the human body sensing device 120 senses that the user is no longer located before the urinal 210. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160. Thus, sterilizing water is produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied from the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 to the bowl section 211 (timing t4). The timing of the operation of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is generally equal to the timing of the operation of the water sprinkling device 160. Thus, a prescribed amount of sterilizing water is produced by the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied to the bowl section 211 by the water sprinkling device 160. When the sterilizing water is supplied to the bowl section 211, the control section 110 controls the operation of the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160 to stop sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a (timing t5).
The designation “ON” regarding the water sprinkling device 160 shown in
Thus, in this specific example, the human body sensing device 120 transitions from the human body sensing state to the human body non-sensing state, and the water supplying device 140 supplies water from the spreader 141 to the bowl section 211. Thereafter, the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles fresh water or sterilizing water from the sprinkling hole 161a to the bowl section 211.
According to this specific example, in the case of sensing a user located at a position spaced before the urinal 210, fresh water droplets are not sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a. This can suppress discomfort to the user.
According to this specific example, the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkles sterilizing water from the sprinkling hole 161a to the bowl section 211 after the user terminates the act of urination. Thus, the odor of the internal space of the bowl section 211 can be deodorized. This can suppress that a subsequent user feels discomfort by the odor of the internal space of the bowl section 211.
The human body sensing device of this embodiment is further described.
Sensing performed by the human body sensing device 120 of this embodiment includes urinal standing sensing and urinal surrounding sensing.
The urinal standing sensing senses the presence or absence of a human body within e.g. a sensing distance of 50 centimeters (cm). For instance, the urinal standing sensing senses whether the urinal 210 has been used.
The urinal surrounding sensing senses the presence or absence of a human body within e.g. a sensing distance of 100 cm, and a human body approaching the urinal 210 or receding from the urinal 210. For instance, the urinal surrounding sensing senses the state before and after use of the urinal 210, and a human body passing around the urinal 210.
The urinal standing sensing senses the presence of a human body. In response to this sensing state, the water supplying device 140 supplies water to the bowl section 211 of the urinal 210, removes urine attached to the urinal 210, and removes foreign matter such as hair. Furthermore, the water supplying device 140 supplies water to the trap section 213 of the urinal 210 and replaces seal water inside the trap section 213 by newly supplied water. That is, the result of urinal standing sensing is one of the triggers for flushing the bowl section 211.
The urinal surrounding sensing senses the presence of a human body or approach of a human body to the urinal 210. In response to this sensing state, the water sprinkling device 160 supplies droplets of sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 from the sprinkling hole 161a of the sprinkling section 161 to the internal space of the bowl section 211 of the urinal 210. That is, the result of urinal surrounding sensing is one of the triggers for supplying sterilizing water.
For instance, the human body sensing device 120 performs urinal standing sensing and urinal surrounding sensing by mutually different sensors.
For instance, the human body sensing device 120 includes a first infrared sensor and a second infrared sensor. In this case, for instance, the first infrared sensor senses the presence or absence of a human body within a first sensing distance to perform urinal standing sensing. For instance, the second infrared sensor senses the presence or absence of a human body within a second sensing distance different from the first sensing distance to perform urinal surrounding sensing.
Alternatively, for instance, the human body sensing device 120 includes an infrared sensor and a microwave sensor. In this case, for instance, the infrared sensor performs urinal standing sensing. For instance, the microwave sensor performs urinal surrounding sensing. The microwave sensor is more suitable for sensing a human body approaching the urinal 210 or receding from the urinal 210 than the infrared sensor.
The human body sensing device 120 is not limited to including a plurality of sensors. The human body sensing device 120 may perform urinal standing sensing and urinal surrounding sensing by one sensor.
For instance, as shown in
The infrared light emitting diode 121a emits an infrared ray on a single axis. The infrared ray emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 121a is transmitted through the light projecting lens 121b and reflected at a first object 311 or a second object 312. The distance between the infrared light emitting diode 121a and the first object 311 is different from the distance between the infrared light emitting diode 121a and the second object 312. The infrared ray reflected at the first object 311 or the second object 312 is transmitted through the light receiving lens 121c and reaches the light receiving element 121d.
Here, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to supply water from the spreader 141 of the water supplying device 140 to the bowl section 211 (timing t14). A prescribed amount of water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to stop supplying water from the spreader 141 (timing t15).
Next, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having receded from the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing (timing t16). Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 to supply fresh water or sterilizing water from the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 to the bowl section 211 (timing t17). Alternatively, the control section 110 controls the operation of the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160. Thus, sterilizing water is produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied from the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 to the bowl section 211 (timing t17).
A prescribed amount of fresh water or sterilizing water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 and the sterilizing water producing device 150 to stop fresh water or sterilizing water from being sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a (timing t18).
Thus, in this specific example, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having approached the urinal 210 and a human body having receded from the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing. The control section 110 prohibits the water sprinkling device 160 from supplying fresh water or sterilizing water to the bowl section 211 after the sensing of approaching until the sensing of receding. This can suppress discomfort to the user, such as stopping approaching the urinal apparatus 100 and aborting the act intended for urination before and during the act of urination, or missing the target and splashing urine out of the bowl section 211 during urination.
As shown in
Sprinkling flush performed at fixed intervals renews the water in the flow channel at fixed intervals. Thus, the sterilizing water produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 does not continue to stay e.g. inside the sterilizing water producing device 150 and in the flow channel located on the downstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150. Furthermore, activation of bacteria is suppressed, and bacteria can be minimized. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device 160.
When the water sprinkling device 160 performs sprinkling flush (timing t19), bowl flush may be performed simultaneously. For instance, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to supply water from the spreader 141 of the water supplying device 140 to the bowl section 211. A prescribed amount of water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to stop water supplied from the spreader 141. This can suppress that e.g. the flow channel near the flow channel switching valve 130 located on the upstream side of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is clogged by production of biofilm.
As described above with reference to
First, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having approached the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing (timing t21). Next, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having receded from the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing (timing t22). Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to supply water from the spreader 141 of the water supplying device 140 to the bowl section 211 (timing t23). A prescribed amount of water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to stop water supplied from the spreader 141 (timing t24).
Next, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 to supply fresh water from the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 to the bowl section 211 (timing t25). Alternatively, the control section 110 controls the operation of the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160. Thus, sterilizing water is produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150 and supplied from the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 to the bowl section 211 (timing t25).
A prescribed amount of fresh water or sterilizing water is supplied to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 and the sterilizing water producing device 150 to stop fresh water or sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a (timing t26).
Thus, in this specific example, the human body sensing device 120 performs both urinal standing sensing and urinal surrounding sensing by one sensor. Even in this case, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having approached the urinal 210 and a human body having receded from the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing. The control section 110 prohibits the water sprinkling device 160 from supplying fresh water or sterilizing water to the bowl section 211 after the sensing of approaching until the sensing of receding. This can achieve an effect similar to that described above with reference to
The operation at timings t31-t37 is similar to the operation at timings t11-t17 described above with reference to
Next, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having approached the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing when the water sprinkling device 160 is supplying fresh water or sterilizing water to the bowl section 211. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 to stop fresh water or sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a (timing t38).
According to this specific example, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having approached the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing. Then, even when the water sprinkling device 160 is supplying fresh water or sterilizing water to the bowl section 211, the control section 110 stops supplying the fresh water or sterilizing water. This can achieve an effect similar to that described above with reference to
In this specific example, it is assumed that the water sprinkling device 160 is supplying fresh water or sterilizing water to the bowl section 211 (timing t41). At this time, the human body sensing device 120 senses the presence of a human body within a prescribed sensing distance (e.g., approximately 50 cm) by urinal standing sensing. Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water sprinkling device 160 to stop fresh water or sterilizing water sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 161a (timing t42).
Next, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having approached the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing (timing t43). Next, the user terminates the act of urination. The human body sensing device 120 senses the absence of a human body within a prescribed sensing distance (e.g., approximately 50 cm) (timing t44). Next, the human body sensing device 120 senses a human body having receded from the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing (timing t45).
Then, the control section 110 controls the operation of the water supplying device 140 to supply water from the spreader 141 of the water supplying device 140 to the bowl section 211 (timing t46).
Thus, in this specific example, the human body sensing device 120 senses the presence of a human body within a prescribed sensing distance (e.g., approximately 50 cm) by urinal standing sensing before sensing a human body having approached the urinal 210 by urinal surrounding sensing. Then, even when the water sprinkling device 160 is supplying fresh water or sterilizing water to the bowl section 211, the control section 110 stops supplying the fresh water or sterilizing water. This can achieve an effect similar to that described above with reference to
The mechanism of the generation of ammonia is e.g. as follows.
After urination into the toilet bowl, urine is attached to the surface of the toilet bowl, or retained in the seal water (retention water) of the trap section. Common bacteria existing e.g. in the air or on the toilet bowl surface are attached to the retained urine. The common bacteria absorb nutrition from urine. This activates the activity of producing urease enzyme. The urease enzyme promotes the decomposition of urea. Urea is decomposed into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This ammonia causes foul odors. Furthermore, the generated ammonia shifts the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the decomposition product to alkalinity. If pH is shifted to alkalinity beyond 8.0 to 8.5, calcium ions dissolved in urine are turned into poorly soluble calcium compounds (such as calcium phosphate, also commonly referred to as urinary calculus). This urinary calculus incubates bacteria and repeats the foregoing process in an accelerated manner. Thus, ammonia is further generated.
Activation of bacteria in urine attached to the surface of the toilet bowl or urine retained in the seal water of the trap section takes a prescribed time. The “prescribed time” is e.g. approximately two hours or more. Thus, increase of pH and generation of odor and urinary calculus (soil) can be suppressed if less than two hours has elapsed after urine is attached to the surface of the toilet bowl or retained in the seal water of the trap section.
In view of the mechanism of the generation of ammonia, it is desirable that the water sprinkling device 160 sprinkle fresh water from the sprinkling hole 161a at a fixed cycle. Activation of bacteria in urine remaining in the trap section 213 of the urinal 210 takes a prescribed time. Activation of bacteria soils the trap section 213 of the urinal 210, causes accumulation of urinary calculus, and generates odor from the trap section 213. However, operation of the water sprinkling device 160 at a fixed cycle can maintain the state in which urine from the trap section 213 is diluted with fresh water below a certain concentration. This can suppress odor from the trap section 213.
Next, the case where it is determined that the sterilizing water producing device of this embodiment is faulty is described with reference to the drawings.
As described above with reference to
In contrast, in the urinal apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, when the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty, the control section 110 performs control for prohibiting the sprinkling of the water sprinkling device 160.
Thus, bacteria and microorganisms contained in the miscellaneous water can be sterilized to suppress the production of biofilm on the upstream of the water sprinkling device. This can suppress clogging of the sprinkling hole 161a of the water sprinkling device 160 due to production of biofilm. Furthermore, this can suppress sprinkling of water in an unintended direction from the water sprinkling device 160.
For instance, in the sterilizing water producing device 150 described with reference to
According to this specific example, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device 150 can be sensed more easily. The values in this specific example are illustrative only. The voltage value (prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty is not limited to 23 V.
The electrical resistance of water shown in
The points shown in
The concentration of chlorine contained in water changes with places (regions). The electrical resistance of water changes with the concentration of chlorine contained in the water. Thus, the electrical conductivity of water changes with places. Accordingly, the current flowing in the water applied with a fixed voltage changes with places.
For instance, the electrical resistance of water of site A shown in
Thus, the electrical conductivity of water is determined almost by the supply source (water source) of tap water. Accordingly, the value of the current flowing in water applied with a fixed voltage is nearly constant unless the installation position of the urinal apparatus 100 is changed.
Here, as shown in
The anode plate 153 includes a metal plate 153a, an intermediate layer 153b, and a catalyst layer 153c. The metal plate 153a includes a metal such as titanium (Ti). As shown in
The catalyst layer 153c is spaced from the metal plate 153a. The intermediate layer 153b is provided between the metal plate 153a and the catalyst layer 153c. Part of the catalyst 153d is inserted into the crack 153e of the intermediate layer 153b.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The electrode of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is degraded with the passage of electrolysis time through the degradation process shown in e.g.
As described above with reference to
The inventor collected water in a region. The inventor investigated the relationship between the value of the current flowing in the water and the concentration of hypochlorous acid produced in the sterilizing water producing device 150. The result of the investigation is as shown in
The electrode of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is degraded through the degradation process shown in e.g.
According to this specific example, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device 150 can be sensed more easily. The values in this specific example are illustrative only. The current value (prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty is not limited to 0.1 A.
In this investigation, a current of 1 A was passed in the electrode of the sterilizing water producing device 150. Furthermore, pole change was performed at intervals of five seconds. In pole change, the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 are switched to each other. Under this condition, the inventor investigated the relationship between the passage of electrolysis time (energization time of the electrode) of the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the production concentration of sterilizing water. The result of the investigation is as shown in
More specifically, the production concentration of sterilizing water decreases with the passage of electrolysis time of the sterilizing water producing device 150. As shown in
According to the graph shown in
According to this specific example, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device 150 can be sensed more easily. The values in this specific example are illustrative only. The electrolysis time (prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty is not limited to 460 hr or 320 hr.
This specific example sets an electrolysis time (second prescribed value) shorter than the electrolysis time (first prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty. The control section 110 performs control for increasing the voltage applied between the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 when the electrolysis time of the sterilizing water producing device 150 is less than the first prescribed value and more than or equal to the second prescribed value. Then, the voltage applied between the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 increases while the production concentration of sterilizing water is decreased by the degradation of the electrode of the sterilizing water producing device 150. This can maintain the production concentration of sterilizing water at a generally fixed level.
The urinal unit 10a shown in
The flowmeter 180 is provided between the sterilizing water producing device 150 and the water sprinkling device 160. Alternatively, the flowmeter 180 may be provided between the flow channel switching valve 130 and the sterilizing water producing device 150. Alternatively, the flowmeter 180 may be provided on the upstream side of the flow channel switching valve 130. The flowmeter 180 detects the flow rate of water flowing in the flow channel on which the flowmeter 180 itself is placed. The measurement error of the flowmeter 180 is e.g. approximately ±50 milliliters/min (mL/min). The rest of the structure is similar to the structure of the urinal apparatus 100 described above with reference to
The flow rate of water flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150 decreases when the sprinkling hole 161a is clogged by production of biofilm. Thus, the control section 110 can determine that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty when the flow rate detected by the flowmeter 180 (flow rate of water flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150) is less than or equal to a prescribed value. Alternatively, the control section 110 can determine that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty when the amount of water (integrated amount of water) flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150 is more than or equal to a prescribed value.
For instance, the case where the flow rate of water flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150 is set to 250 mL/min or more and 450 mL/min or less is taken as an example in the following description. As described above, the measurement error of the flowmeter 180 is e.g. approximately ±50 mL/min. Thus, the control section 110 can determine that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty when the flow rate of water flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150 is 200 mL/min or less.
Alternatively, as described above with reference to
450 (mL/min)×320 (hr)×60/1000=8640 (L)
Thus, the control section 110 can determine that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty when the amount of water (integrated amount of water) flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150 is 8640 L or more.
According to this specific example, the fault of the sterilizing water producing device 150 can be sensed more easily.
The values in this specific example are illustrative only. The flow rate (prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty is not limited to 200 mL/min. The integrated amount of water (prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty is not limited to 8640 L.
This specific example sets an integrated amount of water (second prescribed value) smaller than the integrated amount of water (first prescribed value) at which the control section 110 determines that the sterilizing water producing device 150 is faulty. The control section 110 performs control for increasing the voltage applied between the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 when the integrated amount of water flowing in the sterilizing water producing device 150 is less than the first prescribed value and more than or equal to the second prescribed value. Then, the voltage applied between the anode plate 153 and the cathode plate 155 increases while the production concentration of sterilizing water is decreased by the degradation of the electrode of the sterilizing water producing device 150. This can maintain the production concentration of sterilizing water at a generally fixed level.
The embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, the invention is not limited to the above description. Those skilled in the art can appropriately modify the design of the above embodiments. Such modifications are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as long as they include the features of the invention. For instance, the shape, dimension, material, and placement of each element of the water supplying device 140 and the water sprinkling device 160, and the installation mode of the water supplying device 140, the water sprinkling device 160, and the human body sensing device 120 are not limited to those illustrated above, but can be appropriately modified.
Furthermore, the elements of the above embodiments can be combined with each other as long as technically feasible. Such combinations are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as long as they include the features of the invention.
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