EP0988849A1

EP0988849A1 - Bidet

Info

Publication number: EP0988849A1
Application number: EP98919649A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenji Mihara Co. Ltd. Urban Kit 3F MIHARA
Original assignee: Mihara Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mihara Co Ltd
Priority date: 1997-05-22
Filing date: 1998-05-18
Publication date: 2000-03-29
Also published as: AU7239198A; WO1998052513A1; EP0988849A4

Abstract

A bidet improved in operability and safety so as to be used more safely without fail than conventional bidets. A freely rotatable temperature checking hole (36) is provided around the external circumference of a water distribution pipe (5) branched from a faucet (40). The water stream is switched by a change-over valve (41) to check the temperature of hot water spouting from the temperature checking hole (36). A water supply pipe (14) is connected to an external cylinder (21) while a washing water conducting pipe (15) is connected to an internal cylinder (22), and a valve disc (23) is provided detachably at the lower end of the internal cylinder (22). After the temperature of hot water is checked, the lower end of the internal cylinder (22) is opened by pressing down the valve disc (23) with a push button (12) via a valve spindle (24), and washing water is thereby spouted from a jet nozzle (13).

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention is related to a bidet apparatus used for the wash of the vagina wall and the pudendum of a woman. Particularly, the bidet apparatus has sufficient operability and safety for use.

Background of the Invention

The inventor of this application has shown a bidet apparatus used for the wash of the vagina wall and the pudendum of a woman in "PCT/JP95/02079", which is installed on the faucet of the bathroom and so on.
The conventional bidet apparatus of the above PCT application comprises a grip section having a washing water conduction pipe therein, and a spout nozzle having spout holes to spout the washing water which is sent from the faucet. The washing water conduction pipe branches from the watering route of the faucet and the spout nozzle is fitted on the free end of the grip section. A valve mechanism is provided to control the flow rate of washing water. The valve mechanism comprises a valve rod and a washing water conduction hole bored through the valve rod. Whereby, the flow rate of washing water is controlled by up-down of the washing water conduction hole.
In the above bidet apparatus, the temperature checking hole is provided on a part which is communicated with the washing water conduction pipe, such as a control valve of the faucet to branch water rout thereof. Whereby, the temperature of the washing water can be confirmed before the washing water spouts from the spout nozzle.

Summary of the Invention

The subject matter of the present invention is to provide a bidet which can control the flow rate of washing water therein and which can confirm temperature of the washing water before spout therefrom. Particularly, because its operability and safe operational is improved, the bidet apparatus is used more safely and less trouble compared with the forgoing bidet apparatus of the prior art.
The bidet apparatus of the present invention comprises a grip section having a washing water conduction pipe therein, said washing water conduction pipe communicates with faucet as a branched water route thereof, and a spout nozzle having spout holes to spout the washing water which is sent from the faucet, characterized in that a valve mechanism which controls supply of said washing water to said spout nozzle, said valve mechanism includes an external cylinder which both top and bottom portions are closed, an internal cylinder deposited within said external cylinder, top of said internal cylinder is closed and bottom end of said internal cylinder is opening, a valve core which controls open and close by touch and release to said bottom end of said internal cylinder, a valve shaft for pushing down said valve core by passing through said tops of said external cylinder and internal cylinder, a spring deposited between said valve core and said bottom of said external cylinder, said spring press said valve core toward to said bottom end of said internal cylinder, a water supply pipe connecting to said water route of said faucet, said water supply pipe communicates inside of said external cylinder, said washing water conduction pipe communicates with the inside of said internal cylinder.
Thereby, since the valve core open and close the internal cylinder in the up-down direction which the valve shaft is pressed, so big pressure is not necessary in its operation and then its operability is good. Also, no water will leak, because it is sufficiently closed.
The bidet apparatus of the present invention comprises a grip section having a washing water conduction pipe therein, said washing water conduction pipe communicates with faucet as a branched water route thereof, and a spout nozzle having spout holes to spout the washing water which is sent from the faucet, characterized in that a valve mechanism which controls supply of said washing water to said spout nozzle and a temperature confirmation mechanism, said a temperature confirmation mechanism comprise a hollow portion formed around a pipe which communicates with water supply equipment, a closing member which make a chamber by tightly closing said hollow portion, said closing member is rotatable around said hollow portion, a communication hole communicates between inside of said pipe and said chamber, and a temperature checking hole is provided on said closing member.
Whereby, the water pressure is decreased and no spray will flow from the temperature checking hole, because water is released from the temperature checking hole after water flow into the chamber from the pipe through the communication hole.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is the perspective view showing whole of a bidet apparatus of this invention. Figure 2 is the perspective view of a bidet. Figure 3 is the A-A section view in part of Figure 2, which showing operation of a valve mechanism. Figure 4 is the exploded view in perspective of the temperature confirmation mechanism. Figure 5 is the perspective view, which showing operation of the temperature confirmation mechanism.

Best mode of the invention

The bidet apparatus of the present invention has a valve mechanism which is good operability and which prevents water leakage sufficiently, and a temperature confirmation mechanism which is operated flexibly and which no spray will flow out therefrom even if water pressure is too high.
The main construction of this valve are an external cylinder, an internal cylinder installed within the external cylinder and a valve core which opens and closes communication between the external and internal cylinders. The external cylinder, which bath tap and bottom are tightly closed, communicates with a water supply pipe. The internal cylinder, which only its top is tightly closed, is deposited within the external cylinder. A washing water conduction pipe, which communicates with spout nozzle, is connected to the internal cylinder. The opening bottom end of the internal cylinder is opened or closed by the valve core. Thereby, spout of washing water from the spout nozzle is controlled. The washing water, which is supplied from the faucet, flows through the external cylinder, the internal cylinder and then the washing water conduction pipe, to spout from the spout nozzle.
The valve core opens the bottom end of the internal cylinder by pushing down the valve shaft. The spring presses the valve core up to close the bottom end of the internal cylinder. Since the valve core moves up and down in the same direction as pushing direction of the push button of the bidet, any unreasonable big force is not required for the operation of valve mechanism and the good operability thereof can be obtained. Consequently, the water leakage is prevented by sufficient closure.
Furthermore, because the top of the valve core is shaped as approximately cone, the water pressure presses the valve core toward to closing direction. Too much washing water never spout from the spout nozzle suddenly, even if too big water pressure happen to be taken by such as surge of washing water.
The temperature confirmation mechanism is provided on a pipe which communicate with washing water conduction pipe, such as a branched pipe by a three way change-over valve. The temperature confirmation mechanism comprises a hollow portion formed around the peripheral surface of a pipe at least in part, a closing member in the shape of a tube and a temperature checking hole provided on the closing member. The hollow portion is closed by the closing member and then a chamber is made around the pipe. A communication hole is provided to communicate the inside of said pipe and said chamber.
The diameter of the temperature checking hole is bigger than the diameter of the communication hole. The water pressure from the temperature checking hole reduces, since hot water spout from the temperature checking hole after hot water flow into the chamber from the inside of the pipe. Whereby, hot water is prevented to spray from the temperature checking hole to outside.
Further, the temperature checking hole can be in all radial, because the closing member is deposited as to rotate around the chamber. The temperature checking hole can be at proper position for any type of faucet. Thereby, its flexible operation is available.
Moreover, a spout hose can be extended from this temperature checking hole to a hand of the user. Therefore, where a change-over valve, such as two-way valve or three-way valve, which has the temperature confirmation mechanism of this invention is installed, even if at any faucet, the spout of hot water can be arranged in the most desire position which a user easily uses. Thereby, the temperature of hot water can be efficiently confirmed before spout from the spout nozzle of the bidet.

Embodiment

As shown in Fig. 1, a bidet apparatus of the present embodiment is provided to supply washing water from a main pipe 4 of faucet to a bidet 1 via a water distribution pipe 5 and a branch pipe 6. A temperature confirmation mechanism 3 is deposited on water distribution pipe 5. Water is controlled with a change-over valve 41 to supply to water distribution pipe 5.
As shown in Fig. 2, a bidet 1 comprises a grip section 11, a spout nozzle 13 which spouts washing water and is fitted on the free end of grip section 11, a push button 12 which controls flow rate of washing water, a water supply pipe 14 connected to faucet 40, a valve mechanism 2 which controls flow rate from water supply pipe 14 by the operation of push button 12, and washing water conduction pipe 15 which communicates with valve mechanism 2 and spout nozzle 13.
As shown in Fig. 3(a), valve mechanism 2 comprises an external cylinder 21 which communicates with water supply pipe 14, an internal cylinder 22 which communicates with washing water conduction pipe 15, a valve core 23 which controls flow rate of washing water by contacting to the bottom end of internal cylinder 22, a valve shaft 24 connecting to push button 12 to press down valve core 23, and a spring 25 which presses valve core 23 upwardly to close the bottom end of internal cylinder 22.
Both top and bottom of external cylinder 21 are tightly closed and internal cylinder 21 is installed therein. The bottom end of internal cylinder 22 is opening and its top is tightly shut. The communication between external cylinder 21 and internal cylinder 22 is controlled by up-down movements of valve core 23.
The valve core is shaped as approximately cone and close internal cylinder 22 in the manner that upper portion of valve core 23 sink into inside of internal cylinder 22.
O-ring 24a is provided between valve shaft 24 and internal cylinder 22. O-ring 21a is provided between grip section 11 and bottom end of external cylinder 21.
The temperature confirmation mechanism 3 comprises a hollow part 32, in shape of a ring, which formed around the periphery surface of the water distribution pipe 5, a closing tube 35 as closing member which closes hollow part 32 to form a chamber 33, a temperature confirmation port 36 which is formed side-wall of closing tube 35 and spout hot water from chamber 33, a spout pipe 37 which is connected to temperature confirmation port 36 for connection of an extended hose 38, and a communicating hole 31 which is provided for communication between inside of water distribution pipe 5 and chamber 33.
The diameter of temperature confirmation port 36 and diameter of spout pipe 37 is formed to be bigger than the diameter of communicating hole 31.
For the assembly of temperature confirmation mechanism 3, water distribution pipe 5 is inserted into closing tube 35, and closing tube 35 is positioned in the manner that both O-ring 34 stick to inside wall thereof. Thereby, hollow part 32 is closed tightly and chamber 33 is formed. The spout pipe 37 is connected to temperature confirmation port 36. The branch pipe 6 is connected to supply pipe 3 and secured with a cap 61.
The operation of the bidet apparatus is hereby described.
The temperature of water is confirmed with the temperature confirmation mechanism 3, before washing water is supplied to a bidet 1.
As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the water route is opened to branch pipe 6 with change-over valve 41, hot water 7 is supplied into water distribution pipe 5. The hot water 7 flows via communicating hole 31 into chamber 33, and spout from the spout pipe 37 after chamber 33 is filled with. The hot water 7 always flows and spout from spout exit 37a via chamber 33 and then its water pressure is reduced. Accordingly, even if high water pressure is taken in water distribution pipe 5 suddenly, hot water 7 will never spray because of the above pressure reduction.
As shown in Fig. 5(a), closing tube 35 can rotate around chamber 33 freely (360 degrees) maintaining tight close of chamber 33 thereby, and spout pipe 37 can be turned to any radiation. Therefore, the most suitable direction of spout pipe 37 is selected in depended on the type of water supply equipment, and then the extended hose 38 is connected to it.
When push bottom 12 of bidet 1 is released, washing water will not spout front spout nozzle 13 even if faucet is opened. Therefore, a user may or may not forget to close the faucet. However, the user can recognize that the faucet is opening, since hot water 7 is kept to spout from the temperature confirmation mechanism when bidet 1 is selected by change-over valve 41.
If hot water is continuously supplied into a pipe which is completely closed, temperature of such hot water in the pipe is possible to rise. However, such temperature rise will be reduced, because hot water 7 is maintained to spout from the temperature confirmation mechanism 3 and then a part of hot water in the bidet apparatus is continuously released out therefrom.
Next, washing water is controlled by valve mechanism 2 of bidet 1.
While temperature of hot water 7 is confirmed with temperature confirmation mechanism 3, upon change-over valve 41 is opened as shown in Fig. 3(a), washing water flows into external cylinder 21 via water supply pipe 14. Before push button 12 is pressed down, valve core 23 closes bottom end of internal cylinder 22 and water route from external cylinder 21 is shut. Therefore, the washing water does not flow into washing water conduction pipe 15 in this stage.
As shown in Fig. 3(b), when using bidet apparatus, valve core 23 is pressed down by push button 12 and valve shaft 24 pushed down, and valve core 23 releases bottom end of internal cylinder 22. Whereby, washing water flows into washing water conduction pipe 15 from external cylinder 21 via internal cylinder 21.
To stop washing water or to reduce its flow rate, push button 12 is released or its pressure is reduced. Thereby, spring 25 bring valve core 12 back.
Accordingly, since valve core 23 moves in the same direction as the pressing direction of push button 12 in the flow rate control, good operability and sufficient closure of valve are achieved.
The action by water pressure works the valve core 23 to close internal cylinder 22, since the upper portion of valve core 23 is formed approximately cone which diameter gradually becomes attenuate upwardly. Therefore, with the synergism of this shape of valve core 23 and resiliency of spring 25, water leakage should be more efficiently prevented.
Particularly, even if too large water pressure is suddenly taken because of such as surge current in a faucet, valve core 23 moves to closing direction. This movement prevents to spout too much water from spout nozzle 13.
Even if the shape of valve core 23 has been changed by secular change, tightness of valve mechanism will be maintained because upper portion of valve core 23 sink into internal cylinder 22 gradually.
Incidentally, the upper portion of valve core 23 is formed as cone in the above embodiment. However, this invention is not limited by this shape of valve core23. Valve core, which is formed becoming attenuate gradually for the top, such as whole conical shape, curved surface and so on, could be applicable to obtain same effects.
As described the above, the present invention achieve the following effects.
(1) Since valve core opens and closes in the same direction as the pressing direction of push button, good operability and sufficient closure of valve are obtained.
(2) Too much amount of water will never spout from the spout nozzle suddenly, even if unexpected high water pressure, such as surge, is taken.
(3) Even if the shape of valve core has been changed by secular change, tightness of valve mechanism will be maintained,
(4) Hot water will be prevented from spray out from temperature confirmation mechanism even if high water pressure is taken in the supply pipe, because the water pressure is reduced.
(5) Because the temperature checking hole is able to rotate freely, the temperature checking hole can be at proper position for any type of water supply. Thereby, its flexible operation is available.

Claims

A bidet apparatus comprises:

a grip section having a washing water conduction pipe therein, said washing water conduction pipe communicating with faucet as a branched water route thereof;

a spout nozzle having spout holes to spout the washing water being sent from the faucet;
characterized in that;

a valve mechanism controlling supply of said washing water to said spout nozzle;
said valve mechanism including:

an external cylinder, both top and bottom portions of said external cylinder being closed;

an internal cylinder deposited within said external cylinder, top of said internal cylinder being closed and bottom end of said internal cylinder being opening;

a valve core controlling open and close by touch and release to said bottom end of said internal cylinder;

a valve shaft for pushing down said valve core by passing through said tops of said external cylinder and internal cylinder;

a spring deposited between said valve core and said bottom of said external cylinder, said spring pressing said valve core toward to said bottom end of said internal cylinder;

a water supply pipe connecting to said water route of said faucet, said supply pipe communicating inside of said external cylinder; and

said washing water conduction pipe communicating with the inside of said internal cylinder.
A bidet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said upper portion of valve core has a conical shape
A bidet apparatus comprises;

a grip section having a washing water conduction pipe therein, said washing water conduction pipe communicates with a faucet as a branched water route thereof;

a spout nozzle having spout holes to spout the washing water, said washing water being sent from the faucet;
characterized in that

a valve mechanism controlling supply of said washing water to said spout nozzle; and

a temperature confirmation mechanism;
said temperature confirmation mechanism including:

a hollow portion being formed around a pipe, said pipe communicating with said faucet;

a closing member making a chamber by tightly closing said hollow portion, said closing member is rotatable around said hollow portion;

a communication hole communicating between inside of said pipe and said chamber; and

a temperature checking hole being provided on said closing member.
A bidet apparatus claimed in claim 3, wherein diameter of said temperature checking hole is larger than diameter of communication hole.