Washdown flush toilet

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to a washdown flush toilet, and more particularly to a washdown flush toilet which has excellent water saving performance.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as one type of flush toilet, a washdown flush toilet has been known wherein the washdown flush toilet adopts a principle that waste is washed away by a flow of water caused by the water's falling down.

For example, JP-A-2016-176320 has disclosed a washdown flush toilet in which a protruding part is provided at a water discharge socket connected to a water discharge trap conduit in order to prevent a siphon phenomenon in a conduit under a floor. JP-A-2018-112004 has disclosed a washdown flush toilet in which a bottom surface at an upstream end of a trap descending pipe part of a water discharge trap conduit is made into a descending sloped surface.

Waste (such as excrement or toilet paper) discharging performance of a washdown flush toilet mainly depends on a water level difference of a reserved water in a bowl part when the washdown flush toilet is operated (flushed). More specifically, waste discharging performance is determined dependent on a water level difference between a water level of the reserved water before a flushing operation and a highest water level of the reserved water when flush water has been supplied by the flushing operation. In general, when the water level difference is greater, the waste discharging performance is also greater.

Patent Document List

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2016-176320

Patent Document 2: JP-A-2018-112004

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

Recently, in a flush toilet, water saving performance has been requested to be further improved. However, in a washdown flush toilet, when an amount of flush water is reduced, a water level difference is also reduced to be not sufficient, and thus waste discharging performance is deteriorated.

Herein, in general, a water discharge trap conduit includes: an inlet pipe part whose one end is continuous or connected to a lower portion of a bowl part; a trap ascending pipe part whose one end is continuous or connected to the other end of the inlet pipe part and which forms an ascending flow channel; and a trap descending pipe part whose one end is continuous or connected to the other end of the trap ascending pipe part and which forms a descending flow channel.

As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional trap ascending pipe part has a substantially constant cross section area of an ascending flow channel, with regard to a cross section perpendicular to a flow direction of the ascending flow channel. In such a conventional trap ascending pipe part, when an amount of flush water is reduced, there is possibility that waste cannot climb up the trap ascending pipe part, but may return to an inlet pipe part.

Thus, in a washdown flush toilet, for the purpose of improving waste discharging performance while saving an amount of flush water, there is room for improvement in a shape of a water discharge trap conduit, in particular in a shape of a flow channel in a trap ascending pipe part.

The present invention has been made under the above background. The object of the present invention is to provide a washdown flush toilet which can maintain effective waste discharging performance even with a relatively smaller amount of flush water.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is a washdown flush toilet including: a bowl part configured to receive waste; and a water discharge trap conduit connected to a lower portion of the bowl part; wherein the water discharge trap conduit includes: an inlet pipe part whose one end is continuous or connected to the lower portion of the bowl part; a trap ascending pipe part whose one end is continuous or connected to the other end of the inlet pipe part and which forms an ascending flow channel; and a trap descending pipe part whose one end is continuous or connected to the other end of the trap ascending pipe part and which forms a descending flow channel; with regard to a cross section perpendicular to a flow direction of the ascending flow channel, a portion on a downstream side of the ascending flow channel is provided with an enlarged part which has a cross section area larger than that on an upstream side of the ascending flow channel; the enlarged part is enlarged on an upper side of the ascending flow channel; and an upstream end of a top surface of the enlarged part is located below a highest reachable position of a bottom surface of the ascending flow channel.

According to the above feature, when the washdown flush toilet is operated (flushed), flush water along with waste flows into the trap ascending pipe part of the water discharge trap conduit, and a part of the flush water before climbing up the highest reachable position of the ascending flow channel flows into an upper enlarged area of the enlarged part whose cross section area is larger (enlarged) on the upper side. Due to this action of the flush water, the waste passing the enlarged part can be given a rotational force, so that the waste can rotate in such a direction that the waste can run up in the ascending flow channel. In addition, in the enlarged part, separation of the waste (breakup of a mass) is promoted. According to these actions, effective waste discharging performance can be maintained even with a relatively smaller amount of flush water.

In addition, it is preferable that a downstream end of the ascending flow channel is provided with a shrunk part which has a cross section area smaller than that on an upstream side of the ascending flow channel.

According to the above feature, the waste and the flush water which have been spread in the enlarged part are collected again to effectively flow. This also contributes to the enhancement of the waste discharging performance.

In addition, it is preferable that, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel, from an upstream end of the ascending flow channel to an upstream end of the enlarged part, the bottom surface of the ascending flow channel is formed with a substantially constant curvature radius.

Herein, the upstream end of the enlarged part with regard to the bottom surface of the ascending flow channel means a bottom surface of the ascending flow channel at a cross section of the ascending flow channel at which a line perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel and the upstream end of the enlarged part intersect with each other.

According to the above feature, the flush water and the waste can smoothly flow in the ascending flow channel.

In addition, it is preferable that, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel, a bottom surface of the enlarged part of the ascending flow channel has a substantially constant cross section shape.

According to the above feature, even though the cross section area of the ascending flow channel is larger in the enlarged part, it can be effectively prevented that the flow of the flush water and the waste in the enlarged part is disturbed excessively.

In addition, it is preferable that, at least a portion of a top surface of the enlarged part of the ascending flow channel is formed by a wall surface extending in a substantially vertical direction.

According to the findings of the inventors of the present invention, when the enlarged part is formed in the above manner, the rotational force can be given more effectively,

In addition, it is preferable that, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel, at least a portion of a top surface of the enlarged part of the ascending flow channel has a convex upward shape

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to one feature of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a washdown flush toilet which can maintain effective waste discharging performance even with a relatively smaller amount of flush water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a washdown flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 (although the reservoir tank 4 is omitted);

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken along line V-V of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an action of the washdown flush toilet according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another action of the washdown flush toilet according to the present embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a shape of an ascending flow channel of a conventional trap ascending pipe part.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the attached drawings, we explain a washdown flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a washdown flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 (although the reservoir tank 4 is omitted). FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken along line V-V of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an action of the washdown flush toilet according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another action of the washdown flush toilet according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a shape of an ascending flow channel of a conventional trap ascending pipe part.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the washdown flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment has a toilet main unit 2 made of porcelain or the like. A reservoir tank 4 as a flush water tank is provided above a rear side of the toilet main unit 2. The reservoir tank 4 is connected to a water supply source (not shown) such as a public water system.

In the following description, It should be noted that the present embodiment will be described based on the following assumption: a “right side” is defined when viewing the toilet main unit 2 rearwardly from a front side thereof; and a “left side” is also defined when viewing the toilet main unit 2 rearwardly from the front side thereof.

When an operation lever or button (not shown) provided on the reservoir tank 4 is operated, a flushing operation is started. Specifically, when the operation lever or button is operated, a discharge valve (not shown) provided in the reservoir tank 4 is opened. Then, a predetermined amount of the flush water is supplied from the reservoir tank 4 into the main toilet unit 2 through a supply port 2a provided on the rear side of the main toilet unit 2.

Herein, the predetermined amount of the flush water is about 3.8 liters to 6.0 liters, which is smaller than the amount of the flush water (for example, about 13 liters) of a conventional typical washdown flush toilet.

Instead of the reservoir tank 4, another type of water supply apparatus, such as a flush valve system, may be used for supplying the predetermined amount of the flush water.

A bowl portion 8 is formed on an upper side of a front portion of the main toilet unit 2. The bowl portion 8 has a waste receiving surface 16 formed in a bowl shape, and a rim portion 18 formed at an upper edge part of the bowl portion 8 and configured to guide and discharge (spout) the flush water toward the waster receiving surface 16.

In the present embodiment, the rim portion 18 is formed at substantially an entire circumference of the upper edge part of the bowl portion 8, and is formed in an overhanging shape toward the inside. In addition, a rim water-passage bottom surface 25 is formed in an inward shelf shape in a substantially flat horizontal manner over substantially the entire circumference of the bowl portion 8. According to this configuration, the flush water that flows on the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 can form a flow around substantially the entire circumference of the upper part of the bowl portion 8. As a result, the rim portion 18 can guide the flush water in a well-balanced manner to respective regions in the bowl portion 8.

Inside the main toilet unit 2, there is provided a water conduit 20 which is configured to guide the flush water supplied from the supply port 2a provided on the rear side of the main toilet unit 2 to the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 toward the bowl portion 8.

The water conduit 20 has: a main water-guiding portion 21, a first rim water-guiding portion 23a, a first spouting portion 24a, a second rim water-guiding portion 23b and a second spouting portion 24b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main water-guiding portion 21 is formed from a position below the reservoir tank 4 toward the front portion of the main toilet unit 2. The main water-guiding portion 21 is branched into the first rim water-guiding portion 23a and the second rim water-guiding portion 23b on a downstream side. Thus, the flush water supplied into the main water-guiding portion 21 is guided to flow into the first rim water-guiding portion 23a and the second rim water-guiding portion 23b.

The first rim water-guiding portion 23a is formed along the rim portion 18 from the rear side of the bowl part 8 toward a left side of the main toilet unit 2. The first spouting portion 24a is formed at a downstream end of the first rim water-guiding portion 23a (for example, around a center in a front and back direction on the left side of the rim portion 18).

Thus, the flush water supplied form the main water-guiding portion 21 to the first rim water-guiding portion 23a flows in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view, and then flows from the first spouting portion 24a onto the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 to be spouted toward the waste receiving surface 16 of the bowl part 8.

The second rim water-guiding portion 23b is formed on the rear side of the bowl part 8, and has a bending portion which bends the flow direction of the flush water. The second spouting portion 24b is formed at a downstream end of the second rim water-guiding portion 23b (for example, at a rear portion on the right side of the rim portion 18).

Thus, the flush water supplied form the main water-guiding portion 21 to the second rim water-guiding portion 23b flows in a clockwise direction in a plan view, bends at the bending portion to flow in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view, and then flows from the second spouting portion 24b onto the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 to be spouted toward the waste receiving surface 16 of the bowl part 8.

As described above, the washdown flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to spout the flush water from the first and second spouting portions 24a, 24b provided on the rim portion 18, and to generate a circulating (swirling) flow in the waste receiving surface of the bowl part 8 to wash the bowl part 8.

A water pooling region 12 is formed at a lower portion of the bowl part 8, and a predetermined amount of water is pooled in the water pooling region 12. An initial level of the pooled water is indicated by the sign WO. A lower end of the water pooling region 12 is continuous or connected to one end of an inlet pipe part 14a of a water discharge trap conduit 14. The pooled water functions as sealing water, i.e., it is prevented that a bad smell or the like flows back from the water discharge trap conduit 14 toward the bowl part 8.

The other end of the inlet pipe part 14a is continuous or connected to one end of a trap ascending pipe part 14b, which forms an ascending flow channel 30. The other end of the trap ascending pipe part 14b is continuous or connected to one end of a trap descending pipe part 14c, which forms a descending flow channel 40. The other end of the trap descending pipe part 14c continuous or connected to a water discharge pipe (not shown) provided on or under a floor surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a longitudinal section view, the bottom surface (lowermost surface) of the inlet pipe part 14a is formed in a convex downward shape, and the bottom surface of the trap ascending pipe part 14b in a region of an upstream end thereof is also formed in a convex downward shape, and both of them are smoothly continuous or connected to each other.

In addition, with regard to a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the inlet pipe part 14a, the bottom surface (lowermost surface) of the inlet pipe part 14a is formed in a convex downward shape.

In a substantially similar way, as shown in FIG. 2, in a longitudinal section view, the top surface (uppermost surface) of the inlet pipe part 14a is formed in a convex downward shape, and the top surface of the trap ascending pipe part 14b in the region of the upstream end thereof is also formed in a convex downward shape, and both of them are smoothly continuous or connected to each other.

In addition, with regard to a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the inlet pipe part 14a, the top surface (uppermost surface) of the inlet pipe part 14a is formed in a convex upward shape.

The left and right side surfaces of the inlet pipe part 14a and the left and right side surfaces of the trap ascending pipe part 14b in the region of the upstream end thereof are also smoothly continuous or connected to each other, respectively.

A middle region of the trap ascending pipe part 14b is in a straight tubular shape and extends diagonally upward. A cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30 in the middle region is constant, which is in a cross section shape shown in FIG. 3 (flow channel width is 78 mm, flow channel height is 63 mm).

In the present embodiment, in the region of the upstream end of the trap ascending pipe part 14b as well, the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30 is constant, which is in the cross section shape shown in FIG. 3.

With regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30, a portion on a downstream side of the ascending flow channel 30 is provided with an enlarged part 32, which has a cross section area larger than that on an upstream side of the ascending flow channel 30 (the cross section area of the cross section shape shown in FIG. 3). The enlarged part 32 is enlarged on an upper side of the ascending flow channel 30. As shown in FIG. 2, an upstream end A of a top surface of the enlarged part 32 is located below a highest reachable position B of a bottom surface of the ascending flow channel 30 (height difference is about 15 mm).

More specifically, the top surface of the enlarged part 32 of the present embodiment consists of: a substantially vertical wall surface 33 extending in a substantially vertical direction from the upstream end A; and a substantially horizontal wall surface 34 extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The substantially vertical wall surface 33 is in a flat shape. The substantially horizontal wall surface 34 is formed in a convex upward shape at least at a central region in a right and left direction (see FIG. 4: flow channel width is 78 mm, flow channel maximum height is 80 mm), with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30, in the same way as the top surface of the ascending flow channel 30 on the upstream side than the enlarged part 32 (see FIG. 3).

On the other hand, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30, the bottom surface of the enlarged part 32 of the present embodiment has a substantially constant cross section shape (see FIG. 4), which is substantially the same as the cross section shape of the bottom surface of the ascending flow channel 30 on the upstream side than the enlarged part 32 (see FIG. 3).

In addition, in the present embodiment, in a region of a downstream end of the ascending flow channel 30, a shrunk part 36 is formed (see FIG. 5: flow channel width is 78 mm, flow channel maximum height is 60 mm), which has a cross section area smaller than that on an upstream side of the ascending flow channel 30 (see FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a top surface of the shrunk part 36 is formed in a convex upward shape at a central region in a right and left direction, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30.

The substantially horizontal wall surface 34 (top surface) of the enlarged part 32 and the top surface of the shrunk part 36 are smoothly continuous (or connected) in order for the cross section shape of the ascending flow channel 30 to smoothly transit from the enlarged part 32 to the shrunk part 36. In the shrunk part 36, the cross section area is constant (see FIG. 5). The cross section area in a region from a downstream end of the enlarged part 32 to an upstream end of the shrunk part 36 is smaller than that on the upstream side of the ascending flow channel 30 (see FIG. 3) and larger than that of the shrunk part 36 (see FIG. 5).

The bottom surface from the enlarged part 32 to the shrunk part 36 has a substantially constant cross section shape (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Thus, the bottom surface of the ascending flow channel 30 is smoothly formed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the ascending flow channel 30.

In addition, in the present embodiment, on the way of the descending flow channel 40, there is formed a second enlarged part 42 (see FIG. 6: flow channel width is 83 mm, flow channel maximum height is 119 mm), which has a cross section area larger than that of the enlarged part 32. This configuration prevents a siphon phenomenon in the descending flow channel 40.

From a downstream end of the shrunk part 36 (the downstream end of the ascending flow channel 30) to an upstream end of the second enlarged part 42, a top surface and a bottom surface of the descending flow channel 40 are respectively smoothly continuous in order for the cross section area of the descending flow channel 40 to smoothly increase.

Next, an operation (action) of the washdown flush toilet according to the present embodiment is explained.

In order to perform a flush, the operation lever or button (not shown) in an operation panel (not shown) is operated so that the discharge valve (not shown) provided in the reservoir tank 4 is opened. Then, a predetermined amount of the flush water (for example, 3.8 liters) is supplied from the reservoir tank 4 into the water conduit 20 of the main toilet unit 2 through the supply port 2a provided on the rear side of the main toilet unit 2.

Subsequently, the flush water supplied to the water conduit 20 flows through the main water-guiding portion 21 to be branched into the first rim water-guiding portion 23a and the second rim water-guiding portion 23b.

The flush water spouted from the first spouting portion 24a through the first rim water-guiding portion 23a flows onto the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 to circulate at the upper part of the bowl part 8, and then swirls down from the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 toward the waste receiving surface 16 to wash the bowl part 8.

The flush water spouted from the second spouting portion 24b through the second rim water-guiding portion 23b also flows onto the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 to circulate at the upper part of the bowl part 8, and then swirls down from the rim water-passage bottom surface 25 toward the waste receiving surface 16 to wash the bowl part 8.

The flush water swirled down while washing the bowl part 8 is discharged from the water discharge trap conduit 14 along with the waste.

Herein, according to the washdown flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30, a portion on the downstream side of the ascending flow channel 30 is provided with the enlarged part 32, which has a cross section area larger than that on the upstream side of the ascending flow channel 30, and the enlarged part 32 is enlarged on the upper side of the ascending flow channel 30, and the upstream end A of the top surface of the enlarged part 32 is located below the highest reachable position B of the bottom surface of the ascending flow channel 30.

According to this feature, when the washdown flush toilet 1 is operated (flushed), the flush water along with the waste flows into the trap ascending pipe part 14a of the water discharge trap conduit 14, and a part of the flush water before climbing up the highest reachable position B of the ascending flow channel 30 flows into the upper enlarged area of the enlarged part 32 whose cross section area is larger (enlarged) on the upper side. Due to this action of the flush water, the waste passing the enlarged part 32 can be given a rotational force as shown by arrows in FIG. 7, so that the waste can rotate in such a direction that the waste can run up in the ascending flow channel 30. In addition, in the enlarged part 32, as shown in FIG. 8, separation of the waste (breakup of a mass) is promoted. According to these actions, effective waste discharging performance can be maintained even with a relatively smaller amount of flush water.

In addition, according to the washdown flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the downstream end of the ascending flow channel 30 is provided with the shrunk part 36 which has a cross section area smaller than that on the upstream side of the ascending flow channel 30.

According to this feature, the waste and the flush water which have been spread in the enlarged part 32 are collected again to effectively flow. This also can enhance the waste discharging performance.

In addition, according to the washdown flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the ascending flow channel 30 is smoothly formed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the ascending flow channel 30.

According to this feature, the flush water and the waste can smoothly flow in the ascending flow channel 30.

In addition, according to the washdown flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30, the bottom surface of the enlarged part 32 of the ascending flow channel 30 has a substantially constant cross section shape.

According to this feature, even though the cross section area of the ascending flow channel 30 is larger in the enlarged part 32, it can be effectively prevented that the flow of the flush water and the waste in the enlarged part 32 is disturbed excessively.

In addition, according to the washdown flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, a portion of the top surface of the enlarged part 32 of the ascending flow channel 30 is formed by the substantially vertical wall surface 33 extending in a substantially vertical direction from the upstream end A.

According to this feature, the rotational force as shown by the arrows in FIG. 7 can be given to the waste more effectively,

In addition, according to the washdown flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, with regard to the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the ascending flow channel 30, a portion of the top surface of the enlarged part 32 of the ascending flow channel 30 is formed by the substantially horizontal wall surface 34 which has a convex upward shape.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
5502845	Hayashi	Apr 1996	A
20120284911	Kamiya et al.	Nov 2012	A1
20140289947	Hirakawa et al.	Oct 2014	A1
20150089730	Bekki et al.	Apr 2015	A1
20160273207	Saito et al.	Sep 2016	A1
20170241119	Matsuo et al.	Aug 2017	A1
20180195262	Hashimoto et al.	Jul 2018	A1
20200063426	Shinomiya	Feb 2020	A1

Number	Date	Country
2011-174363	Sep 2011	JP
2013-170425	Sep 2013	JP
2014-194138	Oct 2014	JP
2015-068088	Apr 2015	JP
2016-176320	Oct 2016	JP
2017-145631	Aug 2017	JP
2018-112004	Jul 2018	JP
2020-033863	Mar 2020	JP

Washdown flush toilet

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Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (8)

Foreign Referenced Citations (8)

Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)

Related Publications (1)

Entry
An Office Action mailed by the Japanese Patent Office dated Jul. 26, 2021, which corresponds to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-059714 and is related to U.S. Appl. No. 17/205,834.
A Notice of Dispatch of Duplicates of a Written Opposition dispatched by the Japan Patent Office on Jul. 27, 2022, which corresponds to Japanese Patent No. 6987361 and is related to U.S. Appl. No. 17/205,834; with partial English language translation.