JP2000087423A - Private part washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a private parts washing device to enhance the effectiveness of water savings by entraining air in wash water and to avoid the failure of an air pump or the like even when an air passage for force-feeding air is clogged. SOLUTION: A private parts washing device 10 washes the human private parts by ejecting bubbled water from the hip nozzle 49 of a nozzle device 26 or the like toward the human private parts. Air is supplied to the nozzle device 26 from an air pump 32 via an air passage 29 to entrain the air in wash water. An atmospheric opening valve 31 is connected to the air passage 29. When pressure within the air passage 29 builds up to a predetermined pressure or higher, the atmospheric opening valve 31 opens the air flow passage 29 to the atmosphere to allow the pressure within the air passage 29 to escape.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, bubble water mixed with air has been used for cleaning a local part of a human body, instead of mere cleaning water. For example, JP-A-56-70338
No. 1 includes a cleaning nozzle for cleaning water, a piping system for supplying the cleaning water to the nozzle, and a local cleaning device for mixing bubbles into the cleaning water flowing through the piping flow path, and ejects the cleaning water containing bubbles. Technology has been proposed. By doing so, the cleaning power of the jet cleaning water is increased and a soft cleaning feeling is given.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 10-18390 and 10-18391, an air pump or the like is used for air mixing, and air sent from the pump is supplied from a branch pipe connected to a pipe into the pipe. A technique has been proposed in which a large amount of air is introduced into cleaning water. In this way, compared to the case of jetting only with the washing water, the flow rate of the jetted washing water is increased, the momentum is increased, and a comfortable feeling and high washing power are obtained with a small amount of washing water. . In addition, by using a small amount of washing water, it is possible to save water.

[0004]

However, in such a local cleaning device, when foreign matter is mixed in the air flow path into which air is mixed from the air pump or in the vicinity of the buttocks, the air pump is overloaded. Is added, which causes a failure of the air pump and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The present invention has been made to improve the effectiveness of water saving by mixing air into washing water, and to prevent the failure of an air pump or the like even when the air flow path is clogged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a local cleaning device which does not cause a problem.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects The local cleaning apparatus according to the present invention blows out bubble water obtained by mixing air into the cleaning water toward the human body from the outlet of the cleaning nozzle. In a local cleaning device for cleaning a local area, a cleaning water amount adjusting means provided in a cleaning water flow path from a water supply source to the jet port, for adjusting a flow rate Qw of the cleaning water flowing in the cleaning water flow path, and air for outputting compressed air Supply means, provided in the cleaning water flow path, air mixing means for creating bubbled water by mixing compressed air from the air supply means with the cleaning water in the cleaning water flow path, and air from the air supply means An air flow rate adjusting means provided in an air flow path leading to the mixing means for adjusting the air flow rate Qa, and controlling at least one of the washing water amount adjusting means, the air flow rate adjusting means, and the air supply means. By connecting the air flow path to the outside, the mixing ratio adjusting means for adjusting the air mixing rate λ defined by the value Qa / Qw of the ratio of the air flow rate Qa to the flow rate Qw of the washing water, A pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure in the air flow path when the pressure in the air flow path on the means side is higher than a predetermined value.

[0007] The local cleaning device according to the present invention is provided with an air mixing means in a cleaning water flow path through which cleaning water supplied from a water supply source is supplied. The air mixing means supplies the cleaning water from the air supply means. The compressed air is mixed to create bubble water. The bubble water is spouted from the spout toward the human body part to clean the human body part. At this time, the air mixing rate λ of the bubble water, that is, the ratio Qa / Qw between the air flow rate Qa and the cleaning water flow rate Qw, is determined by the mixing ratio adjusting means by the cleaning water amount adjusting means, the air flow rate adjusting means, and the air supply means. It is adjusted by controlling at least one.

[0008] Thus, the air mixed into the bubbled water is
The air is supplied from the air supply means to the aeration means via the air flow path. However, it is conceivable that the air flow path is clogged with dust or the like, but in this case, when the pressure in the air flow path becomes higher than a predetermined value, the pressure in the air flow path is reduced by the pressure reducing valve. Is done. Thereby, the pressure in the air flow path is reduced, and the air supply means is not overloaded.

As a preferred embodiment of the pressure reducing valve, it is possible to adopt a structure as an air release valve which includes a spring and a valve body and communicates the air flow path with the atmosphere. The air release valve is connected to the atmosphere when the pressure in the air flow path becomes a predetermined value or more, and reduces the pressure in the air flow path to a predetermined value or less.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a local cleaning device 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a control system of a remote controller. As shown in FIG.
Is a so-called hot water storage type in which washing water is temporarily stored and warmed in advance, and the warmed washing water is jetted to a human body part.

The local cleaning device 10 includes a heat exchanger 12 functioning as a cleaning water tank, and receives a supply of cleaning water from a water pipe (not shown) via an electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 having a pressure adjusting function. Since the heat exchanger 12 is a hot-water storage type as shown in the figure, there is an advantage that the temperature change and temperature control unevenness of the washing water can be reduced. The heat exchanger 12 includes a heater 16 for warming the stored cleaning water to an appropriate temperature, a full water level sensor 18 and a lower limit water level sensor 20 for detecting the level of the stored cleaning water, and a cleaning water temperature. And a temperature sensor 22 for detection. The heater 16 is turned on / off in response to a control signal from the electronic control unit 24, and each sensor outputs a detection signal to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24 is configured as a logical operation circuit having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and executes various controls in the local cleaning device 10. As an example, the electronic control unit 24
Controls ON / OFF of the heater 16 based on the temperature of the washing water detected by the temperature sensor 22 to maintain the stored washing water at an appropriate temperature. The electronic control unit 24 also includes a full water level sensor 18.
In addition, the heater 16 and the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 are controlled in accordance with the input state of the water level signal from the lower limit water level sensor 20 to prevent empty cooking and maintain the water level.

The local cleaning device 10 includes a heat exchanger 1 in a cleaning water supply system from the heat exchanger 12 to the nozzle device 26.
2, the vacuum breaker 28 and the flow control valve 30
And The vacuum breaker 28 prevents the backflow of the washing water from the nozzle device 26 side by opening the pipeline to the atmosphere. The flow control valve 30 is a three-port solenoid valve that receives a control signal from the electronic control unit 24 and drives a stepping motor to open the pipeline and adjust the flow rate. Communication mode,
And a mode in which three ports are fully opened.

The local cleaning device 10 includes a nozzle device 2
The air supply system includes an air pump 32, an air release valve 31, a flow control valve 34, and an air flow path 29 connecting these, in order to make the washing water ejected from 6 into washing water containing bubbles. . The air pump 32 is connected to the electronic control unit 24.
Is driven based on a control signal from the controller to send air to the flow control valve 34 under pressure. As the air pump 32, about 500
00 to 10000 Pa (about 0.5 to 1.0 kgfcm
Any type can be used as long as it can perform steady operation with a pumping capacity of about 2), and various types such as a rolling pump, a vane pump, a rotary pump, and a linear pump can be employed. The flow control valve 34 opens the pipeline and adjusts the flow rate based on a control signal from the electronic control device 24, and sends air from the air pump 32 to the nozzle device 26 downstream thereof. The flow control valve 34 and the flow control valve 30 perform the above-described opening of the respective pipes and the flow control in synchronization with each other based on a control signal from the electronic control unit 24.

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

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

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

Next, an outline of the cleaning operation of the local cleaning device 10 will be described by taking ass cleaning as an example. Now, when the bottom cleaning button 71a of the operation unit 35 is operated, the operation unit 35
A rear end cleaning start signal is transmitted to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24 receives this signal and sends a control signal to various devices to be controlled. That is, the electromagnetic shutoff valve 14 receives a control signal for opening the pipe, the air pump 32 receives a control signal for performing pneumatic feeding, the flow control valve 30 and the flow control valve 3.
A control signal 4 is transmitted to the nozzle drive motor 33 to control the nozzle device 26 to reach the buttocks washing position. Each of the above-described controlled devices such as the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is driven based on a corresponding control signal. Therefore, the nozzle device 26 advances from the standby position to the buttocks washing position. In the cleaning water supply system, the cleaning water flows into the heat exchanger 12, and the corresponding cleaning water in the heat exchanger (warm water cleaning water) flows from the heat exchanger 12 through the vacuum breaker 28 and the flow control valve 30 to the nozzle device. Flow into 26. In the air supply system, the air pumped by the air pump 32 is supplied to the flow control valve 3.
4 and flows into the nozzle device 26. Then, as will be described later, a bubble flow of cleaning water (see FIG. 7) in which air is dispersed and mixed in the form of bubbles in the cleaning water is jetted from the nozzle device 26, and the buttocks are cleaned with the cleaning water. It should be noted that the air pump 32 may be configured and controlled so that the amount of air to be pumped is variable, and the flow control valve 34 may be an on-off valve for opening and closing the pipeline.

When the butt washing is performed in this manner, the electronic control unit 24 detects the current setting state relating to the butt washing function such as the strength of the washing water and the like set by the operation setting button of the remote controller. I do. Then, the electronic control unit 24 transmits the setting information relating to the flushing water force to the flow control valve 30 as a flow control amount (a pipe opening amount), and the flow control valve 30 receiving the information sets the setting water force. Adjust the pipe opening. In this case, in the present embodiment, since the air is mixed as described later, the pipe opening is set in consideration of the air mixing ratio λ. Further, the electronic control unit 24 adjusts the flow rate of the air based on the set water force, that is, the flow rate adjustment amount of the air (the pipe line opening amount) based on the flow rate adjustment by the flow rate adjustment valve 30.
Is transmitted to the air pump 32, the flow control valve 34 adjusts the amount of compressed air so that the air mixing rate λ described later is obtained.

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

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

As shown in the drawing, the nozzle device 26 has a nozzle body 40 having a washing water flow path therein, a nozzle head 42 detachably mounted at the tip thereof, and a bubble mixing and washing water switching device located at the nozzle body base side. And a bubble mixing / switching mechanism section 44 for performing the above. The nozzle main body 40 has two systems of washing water flow paths along the axial direction, the flow path on the small diameter side is used as a butt flow path 43 for butt cleaning, and the flow path on the large diameter side is used as a bidet. A bidet channel 45 for washing is provided. In this case, the bottom channel 43 has a diameter of about 1.9 mm, and the bidet channel 45 has a diameter of about 2.5 mm. Also,
These two flow paths are long and short, but can be assumed to have substantially the same flow path length in consideration of the washing water velocity passing through this flow path,
In this embodiment, it is about 95 mm. The nozzle head 42
A butt jet flow path 47 having the same diameter as the butt flow path 43 and continuous with the butt flow path 43, a butt jet outlet 49 at the end thereof, and a bidet flow path 45, which are attached to the tip end of the nozzle body 40 through a seal ring 46. And has a bidet ejection passage 51 continuous with the same and having the same diameter as the above. In addition, bidet spout 5
Numeral 3 comprises two large and small jets, and the washing water which has passed through the bidet jet flow path 51 is jetted simultaneously from both jets.

The bubble mixing / switching mechanism 44 has a casing 55 fixed to the nozzle body 40 in a watertight manner. The casing 55 receives the power of the nozzle drive motor 33 by the motor coupling body 56 at the bottom thereof, and moves the nozzle body 40 to the above-described standby position, the buttocks washing position and the bidet washing position. Inside the casing 55, an air chamber forming body 58 that slides up and down in the figure along the peripheral wall is incorporated in a watertight manner. The air chamber forming body 58 includes an air mixing body 60 therein. This aeration body 60 is
And the support 62 on the opposite side are held with a gap from the inner wall of the air chamber forming body 58.
Further, the air chamber forming body 58 includes an air chamber switching portion 63 on the upper end side illustrated, and a spring 64 in a gap between the air chamber switching section 63 and the casing on the lower end side. And the support 62 is
The through hole 6 which is connected to the flow rate control valve 30 and penetrates through the center of the aeration body 60 from the cleaning water introduction passage 65 therein.
6. Wash water is introduced into 6. On the other hand, the air chamber switching unit 63
Is connected to the flow control valve 34, and introduces air into a gap between the air chamber forming member 58 and the aeration member 60 from an air introduction passage 67 formed therein. Since the aeration body 60 into which the washing water and the air are guided is porous or mesh forming an independent opening, the air guided as described above is passed through the through-hole 66 and In the hole 66, air is mixed into the cleaning water in a bubble form. The cleaning water containing air bubbles flows through the through hole 68 at the center of the support 61 into one of the above-mentioned butt channel 43 and the bidet channel 45, and is subjected to butt washing or bidet washing. The state of air bubble mixing and the method of manufacturing the air mixed body 60 will be described later.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eu = ρ · S · V ² (1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subsequently, when the user turns on the bottom cleaning button 71a of the operation unit 35 (time t2), the nozzle pre-cleaning process is executed. The nozzle pre-cleaning process uses the air pump 32
Is driven for a predetermined time T2 from time t2, and at time t3 when time Tb has elapsed, the electromagnetic shutoff valve 14 is opened for a predetermined time T3. At this time, the flow control valve 30
Is located at the position of three-port simultaneous water discharge, so that the nozzle device 2
Wash water is passed through the flow path of No. 6. Then, the compressed air of the air pump 32 is mixed with the washing water to form a bubble flow, and the water is discharged from both the buttocks outlet 49 and the bidet outlet 53. In this way, the nozzle flow around the buttocks outlet 49 is cleaned by the bubble jetting from the buttocks outlet 49 and the like.

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

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

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

Subsequently, while the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is once closed and the air pump 32 is stopped, the stepping motor of the flow rate adjusting valve 30 is adjusted to the origin, and the flow rate is adjusted according to the setting of the water volume setting button 71j. The opening of the regulating valve 30 is adjusted. At the same time, the nozzle drive motor 33
, The nozzle device 26 is advanced from the standby position to the cleaning position.

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

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

Then, when the user presses the stop button 71c of the operation unit 35 (time t5), the water stopping process is performed.
That is, the water stopping process is performed by closing the electromagnetic water stopping valve 14 and the flow rate adjusting valve 30 to stop the supply of the washing water, and stopping the air pump 32 to stop the supply of the air. Also in this case, since the air pump 32 is stopped after the time Tb has elapsed by closing the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 and the like, the air flow path 29 side is maintained at a high pressure, and the cleaning water does not enter the air flow path 29. . Then, the nozzle drive motor 33
, The nozzle device 26 is retracted from the cleaning position to the standby position. The nozzle device 26 is
Since the air pump 32 is stopped at the time of the evacuation movement as well as at the time of advance, air is not blown out from the buttocks outlet 49 or the like, and the user is not discomforted.

Subsequently, a post-nozzle cleaning process is performed.
The post-nozzle cleaning process is substantially the same as the pre-nozzle cleaning process. That is, after moving the flow control valve 30 to the three-port simultaneous water discharge position and driving the air pump 32, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is turned on for a predetermined time. This is performed by opening only T4. Then, when the predetermined time T4 has elapsed,
The electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is closed, and then the air pump 32 is stopped. As a result, the butt spout 49 of the nozzle device 26
Is cleaned. At this time, the time T4 for performing post-nozzle cleaning is determined by the time Tp2 from when the buttocks cleaning button 71a is turned on to when the stop button 71c is pressed. This time Tp2 is a time from the start of the cleaning operation to the end of the cleaning operation.
Sufficient cleaning has been performed, and there is a high possibility that the area around the buttocks outlet 49 is dirty. Therefore, the cleaning time T
If p2 is long, the post-nozzle cleaning time T4 is lengthened to sufficiently clean the area around the buttocks outlet 49. At the time of nozzle cleaning, in addition to changing the time T4, the control for changing the air entrapment rate λ is performed together, or the control for changing the air entrapment rate λ is performed alone to achieve appropriate cleaning. Post-nozzle cleaning may be performed with force.

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

Next, a description will be given of a cleaning operation for changing the air mixing ratio λ according to the user's preference at the time of cleaning the buttocks of the local cleaning device 10. Before the cleaning operation or during the main cleaning operation, the electronic control unit 24 executes an air bubble amount setting button 71k and a water amount setting button 71 by interruption processing at predetermined time intervals.
The values set in j are read, and based on these values, the opening degree of the flow control valve 30 and the output of the air pump 32 and the opening degree of the flow control valve 34 are controlled, respectively, and the washing water flow rate Qw and The air flow rate Qa is determined. Thereby, the air mixing ratio λ can be set in a wide range.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the water amount set value Qws set by the water amount setting button 71j and the washing water flow rate Qw, and FIG. 13 shows the bubble amount set value Qas set by the bubble amount setting button 71k. It is a graph which shows the relationship with air flow Qa. In FIG. 12, the washing water flow rate Qw is set based on the water amount setting value Qws set by the water amount setting button 71j. In FIG. 13,
Based on the bubble amount set value Qas set by the bubble amount setting button 71k, the air flow rate Qa for each water amount set value Qws
Is set. That is, the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa corresponding to five levels of levels 1 to 5, which are the respective set values of the water amount setting button 71j and the bubble amount setting button 71k, are determined by the maps of FIGS. .

Now, when the user sets the water amount setting value Qws to the level 3 by the water amount setting button 71j and the water amount setting value Qws to the level 3 by the bubble amount setting button 71k, the washing water flow rate Qw is determined based on FIG. Set to 400cc and level 3 of the bubble amount setting button 71k
And the air flow rate Qa is set to 500 cc based on the level 3 straight line of the water amount set value Qws. The opening degree of the flow control valve 30 is determined based on the cleaning water flow rate Qw, and the air pump 32 and the flow control valve 3 are determined based on the air flow rate Qa.
4, the air flow rate Qa and the washing water flow rate Qw
Is set.

As described above, the cleaning intensity Wf can be adjusted by adjusting the water amount setting value Qws by the water amount setting button 71j and the air amount setting value Qas by the bubble amount setting button 71k to change the air mixing ratio λ. it can. For example, even if the user has the same water amount setting value Qws, the air bubble amount setting value Qas is pressed by the air bubble amount setting button 71k.
Is increased, the air flow rate Qa is increased, and the cleaning intensity Wf can be increased. That is, as described above, the cleaning power of the bubble water depends on the energy of the cleaning water, that is, the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the speed. When air is mixed in, the energy of the washing water varies depending on the air mixing ratio λ. When a large amount of air is mixed in the cleaning water flow rate Qw, the flow area is constant, so that the speed of the cleaning water increases and the energy of the cleaning water increases. Therefore, even if the amount of water is the same, the water force can be increased by increasing the air flow rate Qa. On the other hand, by reducing the air flow rate Qa, the cleaning strength Wf is weakened, and a soft cleaning feeling can be obtained. Thus, the user can adjust the water amount setting button 71j and the bubble amount setting button 71k to perform the cleaning with the cleaning intensity Wf according to the user's preference.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show another embodiment. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the air mixing ratio λ set by the mixing ratio setting button 71i, and FIG.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between the water amount set value Qws set by 1j and the jetting amount Qaw of bubble water. Here, the blowing amount Qaw of the bubble water represents the sum of the air flow rate Qa and the washing water flow rate Qw. In this embodiment, the mixture ratio setting value λs is changed to the level 1 through the mixture ratio setting button 71i.
5, the air mixing rate λ is set. Then, based on the water amount setting value Qws of the washing water of the water amount setting button 71j, for each level of the mixing rate setting value λs,
The jet amount Qaw of the bubble water and the air flow rate Qa are obtained. Based on these values, the opening of the flow control valve 30, the driving force of the air pump 32, and the opening of the flow control valve 34 are respectively controlled, and bubble water is jetted at an air mixing rate λ according to preference. You.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show another embodiment, and are graphs showing the relationship between the set value of the washing feeling Fs of the washing feeling setting button 71m and the washing water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa. Among the five levels of the cleaning intensity Wf from level 1 to level 5, the solid line shows the case where the cleaning intensity Wf takes a value of 3, and FIG. 17 shows the case where the cleaning intensity Wf takes a value of 4. Although not shown, these maps correspond to five levels 1 to 5 of the cleaning intensity Wf.
4 is stored. The cleaning intensity Wf of the cleaning intensity setting button 71h can be set in five stages of levels 1 to 5 in descending order of the intensity. Can be set to values of five levels from level 1 to level 5 in the direction in which is smaller.

The electronic control unit 24 reads the respective values of the cleaning intensity Wf set by the cleaning intensity setting button 71h and the cleaning feeling Fs set by the cleaning feeling setting button 71m. If set, the map shown in FIG. 16 is read. Next, based on this map, the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa corresponding to the value of the cleaning feeling Fs are obtained. In this case, even if the user sets the cleaning intensity Wf to the value of the level 3, the cleaning feeling Fs is set to any one of the levels 1 to 5 to select a different value of the air mixing rate λ. can do. For example, if the washing feeling Fs is set to level 1, it is possible to select a washing with a dry feeling in which the washing water flow rate Qw is minimum and the air flow rate Qa is maximum, and the washing feeling Fs is set to level 5. Then, wash water flow Q
It is possible to select cleaning with a wet feeling in which w is maximum and air flow rate Qa is minimum. In this case, the cleaning intensity Wf is the same at level 3. Therefore, even with the same cleaning intensity Wf by the setting of the cleaning feeling setting button 71m, the wet cleaning with a large amount of water and the air flow rate Qa
Washing with a lot of dry feeling can be selected according to the user's preference.

FIG. 18 shows a water supply pressure P in another embodiment.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between w and the maximum air flow rate Qamax. That is, the local cleaning device 10 is provided with a water pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting the water supply pressure Pw of the water supply source, and the maximum air flow rate Qamax is set based on the water supply pressure Pw detected by the water pressure sensor. The air mixing ratio λ is set within this range.

That is, if the air mixing ratio λ exceeds 4, the water is changed from bubbled water to a spray flow. For example, when the water supply source is a direct water supply type and the water supply pressure Pw falls below a predetermined pressure Pwa,
Although the washing water flow rate Qw decreases and the value of the air mixing rate λ tends to increase, the maximum air flow rate Qamax is suppressed, so that the air mixing rate λ does not exceed 4, and therefore, from the bubble water to the spray flow. Will not change. In addition, as a factor of the decrease of the water supply pressure Pw, when a water supply pump motor is used, the pump output fluctuates due to the aging of the water pump motor, or the water is drained from the hot water storage tank to the toilet. Can be configured to cope with various situations such as when the pressure is reduced.

FIG. 19 shows a feed water pressure P in another embodiment.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between w and air flow Qa. That is, when the supply water pressure Pw temporarily decreases to decrease the supply water pressure Pw and the cleaning water flow rate Qw decreases, the air flow rate Qa is increased so that the cleaning strength Wf does not change. Enhance. Thereby, regardless of the fluctuation of the water pressure of the water supply source, the constant cleaning intensity Wf is maintained, and the user does not feel discomfort.

FIGS. 20 to 23 are diagrams for explaining another embodiment, in which the air mixing ratio λ is changed in accordance with the discharge position of the bubble water jetted from the nozzle device 26. These embodiments are characterized in that the cleaning position is moved by reciprocating the nozzle device 26 by the nozzle drive motor 33, and the air mixing ratio λ is changed within the range.

FIG. 20 shows that the air mixing ratio λ is small near the center of the washing position, that is, the flow rate Qw of the washing water near the center is increased to enhance the effect of removing stool strongly adhered to the local part. Thereby, since the air mixing ratio λ is large in the peripheral portion, that is, the flow rate Qw of the washing water is reduced, it is possible to reduce the wetting of the body hair and facilitate the drying. Also,
Conversely, as shown in FIG. 21, by increasing the air mixing ratio λ near the center of the cleaning position, it is possible to perform cleaning with a large cleaning strength Wf when the amount of adhered dirt near the center of the human body part is large. it can. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the air entrapment rate λ is increased toward the rear of the buttocks at the time of ass washing, and as shown in FIG. By increasing λ or reducing the flow rate Qw of washing water, wetting of clothes can be prevented. As described above, the air mixing ratio λ can be changed to various values according to the state of the human body part to be cleaned.

FIGS. 24 and 25 relate to another embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a local cleaning apparatus 10B provided with an instantaneous heat exchanger 12B, and FIG.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between the maximum water amount Qwmax and the minimum air mixing rate λmin. In FIG. 24, the heat exchanger 12B has an instantaneous heater and does not have a hot water storage tank. After the washing water supplied from the water supply source is heated by the heat exchanger 12B, the nozzle device 26 Supplied to Therefore, the supplied washing water is changed to the incoming water temperature Tw.
The electronic control unit 24 feedback-controls the amount of power supplied to the heater so as to go to the water discharge temperature set value Taws from.

As shown in FIG. 25, the electronic control unit 24 sets the maximum water amount Qwmax and the minimum air mixing rate λmin according to the incoming water temperature Tw. That is, the maximum water amount Qwmax is determined by the incoming water temperature Tw, that is,
The flow rate is determined by the flow rate of the washing water at which the washing water at the incoming water temperature Tw can be heated by the heat exchanger 12B to the set water temperature Taws. Accordingly, the lower the incoming water temperature Tw, the smaller the maximum water amount Qwmax becomes. On the other hand, the minimum air mixing ratio λmin is large when the incoming water temperature Tw is low, the range of the air mixing ratio λ is narrow, and a small value is allowed when the incoming water temperature Tw is high.

That is, when the incoming water temperature Tw is high,
Allows a wide range of aeration rate λ from 0 to 4,
When the incoming water temperature Tw is low, only a large range where the air mixing ratio λ is equal to or more than the minimum air mixing ratio λmin is allowed. Therefore, as in winter in a cold region, the incoming water temperature Tw is low,
Even in the case where the flow rate of the washing water exceeds the maximum boiling capacity of the heat exchanger 12B, the appropriate mixing strength Wf and the set water discharge temperature Taws are ensured, and the air mixing rate λ is in a large range. Set to. As a result, even when the temperature Tw of the washing water from the water supply source is low, the washing strength Wf is not reduced, the washing water flow rate Qw for boiling by the heat exchanger 12B may be small, and the desired water discharge temperature setting The bubble water can be ejected at the value Taws.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, an instantaneous heat exchanger is used as the heat exchanger 12B, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a heat storage tank may be provided. That is, in the case of the hot water storage tank, when water is input from the lower part of the hot water storage tank, a part of the water in the hot water storage tank is mixed, a part of the water becomes dead water, and the amount of water discharged at a predetermined temperature or higher decreases. . From this, it is possible to perform control so as to adjust the air mixing ratio λ such that the predetermined amount of warm water is maintained for at least several minutes. Moreover, in the case of a hot-water storage tank, usually, a 400 W heat exchanger 12B is used.
By adjusting the air mixing ratio λ, the capacity of the heat exchanger 12B can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, instead of using the incoming water temperature sensor to detect the incoming water temperature Tw, the incoming water temperature Tw is supplied to the heat exchanger 12B based on the amount of electricity supplied to the heat exchanger 12B. May be calculated based on the differential value of the amount of energization. This eliminates the need for an incoming water temperature sensor and simplifies the configuration.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing the value of the air mixing ratio λ during cleaning according to another embodiment. In the present embodiment, the user sets the mixture ratio setting button 7
Even if the mixing ratio setting value λs is set by 1i, the air mixing ratio is controlled to be different for a predetermined time Tst from the start of cleaning. FIG. 26A shows a case where the air mixing ratio λc1 is set to a value higher than the mixing ratio setting value λs.
6 (B) shows the case where the air mixing ratio λc2 gradually approaches the mixing ratio setting value λs, and FIG. 26 (C) shows the case where the air mixing ratio λc3 is set lower than the mixing ratio setting value λs. .

As shown in FIG. 26A, after turning on the buttocks cleaning button 71a, the air mixing ratio λ is increased for a predetermined time Tst, and thereafter, the mixing ratio setting value λ set by the user.
s is controlled. This is for the following reason. In the case of the instantaneous heat exchanger 12B shown in FIG.
aws cannot be heated and a deviation from the water discharge temperature Taw is likely to occur, but this is compensated for by increasing the air mixing ratio λ and decreasing the flow rate Qw of the cleaning water to be heated. That is, the decrease in the washing water flow rate Qw is compensated for by an increase in the air mixing rate λ, so that the washing strength Wf is not reduced, and the user is not discomforted.

As shown in FIG. 26B, after the buttocks cleaning button 71a is turned on, control is performed such that the air mixing ratio λc2 gradually approaches the mixing ratio setting value λs from a lower value for a predetermined time Tst. Thereby, for a predetermined time Tst immediately after the start of cleaning, within a range where the cleaning intensity Wf is not changed,
Since the cleaning water flow rate Qw is set to be relatively large, it is possible to realize soft cleaning that is gentle on the human body.

As shown in FIG. 26C, after the buttocks cleaning button 71a is turned on, the mixture ratio setting value λs is controlled to a lower value for the air mixture ratio λc3 for a predetermined time Tst. As a result, the cleaning water flow rate Qw is set to be relatively large within the range in which the cleaning intensity Wf is not changed during the predetermined time Tst immediately after the start of cleaning, thereby facilitating adhesion of sticky stool.

The value of the mixing ratio setting value λs may be set to a predetermined value in advance, or may be changed stepwise or continuously according to the situation.

Next, control for changing the flow rate Qw of the cleaning water and the flow rate Qa of the air according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing the cleaning operation of the local cleaning device 10. In the cleaning operation of FIG. 10, by driving the air pump 32 before flowing the cleaning water, control is performed to maintain the air flow path 29 side at a high pressure.
Although the response delay of air to the washing water is avoided,
In the cleaning operation of No. 7, this is also applied to the case of changing the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa. In FIG.
After pressing the ass washing button 71a, at time tc4,
The ejection amount setting value Qaws is increased by the water ejection amount setting button. At this time, first, the air flow rate Qa is increased by controlling the flow rate to the air pump 32 and the flow rate adjusting valve 34, and after the delay time Tb, the flow rate is adjusted by controlling the flow rate adjusting valve 30. At time tc5, the ejection amount set value Qaw
When s is decreased, after decreasing the air flow rate Qa,
After the delay time Tb, the cleaning water flow rate Qw is reduced. As described above, even when the ejection amount setting value Qaws is changed, a response delay of air is avoided. Thereby, even if the ejection amount setting value Qaws is changed, the air mixing ratio λ does not suddenly fluctuate and does not give the user any discomfort.

As shown in FIG. 28, the delay time Tb
May be set to be constant, or its length may be changed based on the deviation ΔQa of the air flow rate Qa, whereby the rapid change of the air mixing ratio λ can be further suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 29, as a control for avoiding a response delay of the air, when the cleaning water flow rate Qw is feedback-controlled, the feedback gain for controlling the cleaning water flow rate Qw is set to the air flow rate Qa. By reducing the feedback gain to be controlled,
It is also possible to intentionally cause a slow response delay.

FIG. 30 is a timing chart for explaining pre-nozzle cleaning according to another embodiment. In FIG. 30, when the buttocks washing button 71a is turned on in a state where the seating sensor 36 outputs a signal indicating that the user is seated, the nozzle pre-washing is performed. , Idle time T since last cleaning operation
soff. That is, in FIG.
After the previous cleaning operation is completed, the free time Tsoff from when the seating sensor 36 is turned off (time t6) to when the seating sensor 36 is turned on in the current cleaning operation is measured. Then, the nozzle pre-cleaning time T3 is lengthened in proportion to the length of the empty time Tsoff.

The nozzle pre-cleaning process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 31, first, when the seating sensor 36 is turned off (step S52), the counter Cst is incremented (step S54). Then, in a succeeding step S56, it is determined whether or not the seating sensor 36 is turned on. That is, in the processing from step S52 to step S56, the free time Tsoff from the previous separation to the current sitting is measured. Then, when it is determined in step S56 that the seating sensor 36 is on, it is determined in step S58 whether the buttocks washing button 71a has been pressed.
At 60, pre-nozzle cleaning is performed. At this time, the nozzle pre-cleaning time T3 is set in proportion to the length of the empty time Tsoff. Thereafter, the counter Cst is cleared (Step S62).

In the nozzle pre-cleaning process, a free time Tsoff from when the seating sensor 36 is turned off, that is, when the seat is released, to when the present cleaning operation is to be performed.
Is longer, the nozzle cleaning is not performed, and there is a greater possibility that the area around the buttocks outlet 49 will be soiled for boys during this empty time Tsoff. Therefore, the free time Tsof
When f is long, the cleaning time of the nozzle cleaning is set to be long, so that the periphery of the buttocks outlet 49 is sufficiently cleaned.

The measuring means of the free time Tsoff is as follows.
As described above, in addition to using the time from the unseating of the seating sensor to the seating, a detection signal of the stop button 71c or the like may be used, and in any case, after determining the end of the previous article operation, Any means can be used as long as it can measure the time until the pre-nozzle cleaning.

In the pre-nozzle cleaning, the cleaning time is changed, and the control for changing the air mixing ratio λ is performed together, or the control for changing the air mixing ratio λ is performed independently. The pre-nozzle cleaning may be performed with an appropriate cleaning power. In other words, the air pump 3
No. 2 is driven by the bubble flow mixed with air by driving the nozzle 2
Since the periphery of the butt spout 49 is cleaned, the cleaning power is increased even with a small amount of water, and the cleaning effect in the vicinity of the butt spout 49 can be enhanced. In addition, the bubbles mixed into the cleaning water are as small as 100 to 1000 [mu] m, and the mixing causes ultrasonic vibration, which can further enhance the cleaning effect.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the residual water removal processing according to another embodiment. In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, when the detection signal from the seating sensor 36 is turned off, that is, when the user leaves the seat (time t6), the residual water removal processing is executed. Is an example in which the residual water removal processing is executed at an idle timing after the departure and when the local cleaning device 10 is not used.

In FIG. 32, this processing is performed by the electronic control unit 2
4 is executed in an interrupt process every predetermined time. First, in step S102, it is determined whether an off signal has been output from the seating sensor 36, and if it is determined that an off signal has been output, the process proceeds to step S104, where it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the determination is affirmative, the counter Cwr is incremented in step S106. Then, in step S108, the counter C
It is determined whether wr is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Cwr0,
In the case of an affirmative determination, a residual water removal process is executed in step 110, and further, in step S112, the counter Cwr
Is cleared. That is, after washing and after leaving the seat, the number of times of washing is equal to the predetermined value C set by the counter Cwr.
When it reaches wr0, the residual water removal processing is executed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, instead of performing the residual water removal processing immediately after the separation, an appropriate residual water removal processing can be performed in consideration of the breeding state of various bacteria due to the residual water.

In the residual water removal treatment, in addition to the above-described embodiment in which only air is flown, washing water containing a sterilizing chemical is flowed, and then air is blown out to dry the aerated body 60 and the like. By doing so, the propagation of various bacteria may be further suppressed. In addition, the use of acidic water or chlorinated water as the washing water used in the residual water removal treatment is more effective in preventing the propagation of various bacteria, and furthermore, calcium, iron, zinc, silica, etc. in the water. It is also preferable because it can prevent the scale from adhering.

If the fertility of the germs in the residual water is high, the outside temperature is high, and therefore steps S106a to S106d of FIG. 33 are executed instead of step S106 of the residual water removal processing of FIG. May be. That is, a detection signal from an outside air temperature sensor (not shown) is read (step S106a), and when the temperature is not equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (step S106b), the counter Cw is read.
r is incremented by one, while if the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the counter Cwr is incremented by two. That is, when the outside air temperature is high, by increasing the number of increments of the counter Cwr, the number of times of the residual water removal processing is increased, whereby the propagation of various bacteria can be appropriately prevented.

FIG. 34 is a timing chart showing a nozzle cleaning process according to another embodiment. In the present embodiment, the nozzle device 2 is used for cleaning separately from the cleaning of the human body.
This is an example in which the area around the buttocks outlet 49 is easily cleaned by making the nozzle 6 advance to the cleaning position. In FIG. 34, when the nozzle cleaning button 71f of the operation unit 35 is turned on, a signal to that effect is sent to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24
In response to this signal, the nozzle drive motor 33 is driven to move the nozzle device 26 from the standby position to the cleaning position. Thereafter, the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is opened and the flow control valve 30 is opened. Thereby, the water pressure from the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14 is added to the washing water in the heat exchanger 12. The washing water is sent to the nozzle device 26 via the flow control valve 30 and is ejected from the buttocks outlet 49. At this time, the flow rate Qw of the washing water ejected from the buttocks outlet 49 is set smaller than the flow rate of the washing water at the time of washing the buttocks. Further, the air pump 32 is driven with such a small output that water does not flow into the air flow path 29. As a result, the compressed air is not sent from the air pump 32 to the nozzle device 26, and the air does not mix with the cleaning water. Then, the area around the butt spout 49 can be cleaned with a brush or the like using the cleaning water spouted from the butt spout 49.

When the cleaning is finished and the nozzle cleaning button 71f is turned off (time td2), the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14
When the flow control valve 30 is closed, the nozzle device 26 is closed.
The jetting of the washing water from the butt spout 49 is stopped, and the nozzle drive motor 33 is further driven to retract the nozzle device 26 from the washing position to the standby position.

Therefore, in the local cleaning device 10, in order to clean the vicinity of the butt spout 49 of the nozzle device 26,
The nozzle device 26 can be advanced from the standby position to the washing position, and the washing water is slightly discharged from the buttocks outlet 49, so that the cleaning around the buttocks outlet 49 is simplified. Such washing water also has the following effects.
That is, when cleaning water is not discharged from the buttocks outlet 49 and cleaning is performed using a detergent or the like, the detergent may clog the buttocks outlet 49. Since the detergent is dissolved by the water, the vicinity of the buttocks outlet 49 is not clogged. Moreover, the nozzle device 2
6, the driving force of the air pump 32 is reduced, so that the cleaning water does not scatter due to the incorporation of air.
Does not hinder cleaning work.

Next, the massage function of the local cleaning device 10 will be described. The massage function is a function of urging defecation by jetting of washing water to the human body part, and performs massage water discharge at the time of the main washing process from time t4 in the timing chart of FIG. That is,
When the massage setting button 71d of the operation unit 35 is turned on, a signal to that effect is sent to the electronic control unit 24. The electronic control unit 24 drives the air pump 32 and opens the flow control valve 34 to supply the compressed air to the nozzle device 26 with the nozzle device 26 advanced from the standby position to the cleaning position in response to this signal. And the electromagnetic water shutoff valve 14
The cleaning water is supplied to the nozzle device 26 by opening the flow control valve 30. In the nozzle device 26, the compressed air from the air pump 32 and the washing water from the heat exchanger 12 are mixed, and are ejected from the buttocks outlet 49 and ejected toward the human body. At the same time, the nozzle drive motor 33 is driven to move the nozzle device 26 in the axial direction at a predetermined frequency (5 to 40 Hz).
To change the ejection position of the bubble water ejected from the buttocks ejection port 49. As a result, the bubbled water hitting the local human body is stimulated periodically to stimulate defecation.

Here, as a cycle for stimulating the local human body,
The reason why an excellent massage effect can be obtained by using 5 to 40 Hz will be described.

Whether or not such frequency stimulation produces an effect in massage washing was examined by a human bodily sensation test. FIG. 36 is a graph for explaining bodily stimuli during massage washing, in which the horizontal axis indicates frequency fm and the vertical axis indicates vibration perception. Here, the vibration recognition degree means a degree of recognizing bubble water as a stimulus. In FIG.
At a frequency of 0 Hz, an intermittent stimulus was experienced, whereas at a frequency of less than 5 Hz, only a weak discontinuous stimulus was recognized, and at a frequency of more than 30 Hz, a continuous stimulus was felt. And was only recognized.

The frequency range of 5 to 40 Hz is also medically supported for providing a sharp stimulation to nerves. That is, when vibration of a specific frequency is given to the anus / rectum, the pressure in the rectum increases, and the anal sphincter relaxes. This frequency range is wider than the above-mentioned 5 to 30 Hz, and by giving the above-mentioned vibration of 30 to 40 Hz at which the person is not recognized, a very high defecation promoting effect is obtained,
In particular, the center frequency is set to about 15 Hz,
The vibration effect can be obtained most effectively in the range of the degree. At first, this effect may not be so large as the defecation stimulating effect. However, by continuing the effect, the effect can be enhanced by a learning action in the human body. in this way,
By giving a vibration frequency of 5 to 30 Hz, a bodily stimulus is generated, and further by giving a frequency of 5 to 40 Hz, a stimulus to a sphincter in the body is generated. Obtainable. The muscle relaxing effect is obtained not only for sphincter muscles such as the anus, but also for skeletal muscles. Also, at a frequency of 5 to 10 Hz, it is possible to obtain a sense of water that is physically high,
In particular, the effect is large at 10 to 20 Hz.

FIG. 37 is a graph showing the temporal change of the cleaning pressure when the cleaning pressure is vibrated by periodically increasing and decreasing the air flow rate and the cleaning water flow rate. The vibration frequency in this case is 15 Hz, but its harmonics also exist. This harmonic is f / n of the vibration frequency f of 15 Hz.
(N is a natural number) is a base frequency and is a vibration having a large amplitude. In particular, a low-order n = about 2 increases the harmonic component. Such a harmonic has a base frequency of 15 Hz.
It stimulates the skin and sphincter muscles of the human body in cooperation with and promotes the effect of promoting defecation. This harmonic can be used mainly as a frequency for stimulating a human body part. For example,
Assuming that the base frequency is 7.5 Hz, a second harmonic (n = 2) having a high vibration intensity of 15 Hz can be obtained. Therefore, control can be simplified by using a frequency lower than the frequency to be stimulated.

As means for obtaining the massage action by the bubble water, means for reciprocating the nozzle device 26 in the axial direction by the nozzle drive motor 33 as in the above-described embodiment, and means for stimulating the local human body If so, various means can be adopted. For example, the flow control valve 30
Means for controlling the opening and closing in the above frequency range, and by simultaneously controlling the flow regulating valve 30 and the flow regulating valve 34,
Means for changing the air mixing ratio λ in the above frequency range can be employed. According to the means for periodically changing the air mixing ratio λ, the mechanical drive by the nozzle drive motor 33 is not performed, so that the life of the device itself can be extended.

Next, a massage function according to another embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is a process for obtaining a massage effect by repeating a bubble flow and a spray flow. As shown in FIG. 9, the load ratio of the washing water differs depending on the air mixing ratio λ, and the stimulation to the human body part differs. In addition, the air mixing rate λ is increased, and when the value is 4 as a boundary, as shown in FIGS.
Change to spray flow. Here, the bubble flow is a state in which the bubbles are mixed into fine particles, and the spray flow refers to a state in which the bubbles are united to form an air layer and separated from the washing water.
The massage action is generated by utilizing such a fact that the air mixing ratio λ is changed to about 4 as a critical point.

That is, when the massage setting button 71d is pressed, the electronic control unit 24 drives the air pump 32 and opens the flow control valve 34 with the nozzle device 26 advanced, and the electromagnetic water shutoff valve. 14 and the flow control valve 30 are opened to supply the cleaning water and the air to the nozzle device 26. The air mixing ratio λ is set near the air mixing ratio 4 where a bubble flow or a spray flow is repeated. The air mixing ratio λ is jetted from the buttocks outlet 49 and jetted toward the human body. By setting to such a value of the air mixing ratio λ, a bubble flow and a spray flow are automatically and periodically changed, and this produces a massage effect of stimulating a local part to promote defecation.

Further, according to the above-mentioned massage function, the massage action can be realized without driving the nozzle driving motor 33.
It is possible to easily realize a repetitive state having a higher frequency than that of the massage by the driving of. In addition, since the apparatus is not mechanically driven by the nozzle drive motor 33, the life of the apparatus itself can be extended.

When the washing water and the air are mixed and pass through the flow path of the nozzle device 26, the air masses are likely to merge and form a spray flow. It is necessary to set the air entrapment rate λ low according to the length of the path. For example, if mixing is performed at an air entrapment rate λ of 2 to 2.5, the critical point And alternate between a bubble stream and a spray stream.

Further, the above-mentioned critical point differs depending on various conditions. For example, the critical point decreases as the amount of washing water increases. This is because the turbulence intensity is increased by increasing the water flow, the chance of contact of bubbles is increased, and coalescence of bubbles is promoted,
This is because large bubbles can be easily formed. Therefore,
The air mixing ratio for switching between the bubble flow and the spray flow may be changed according to the flow rate of the washing water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a relationship between a water amount set value Qws set by a water amount setting button 71j and a washing water flow rate Qw.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a relationship between a bubble amount setting value Qas set by a bubble amount setting button 71k and an air flow rate Qa.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing a relationship between a mixing ratio setting value λs set by a mixing ratio setting button 71i and an air mixing ratio λ.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a water amount set value Qws set by a water amount setting button 71j and an ejection amount Qaw.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between the feeling of cleaning Fs and the flow rate of cleaning water Qw when the cleaning intensity Wf is level 3;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the feeling of cleaning Fs and the flow rate of cleaning water Qw when the cleaning intensity Wf is at level 4;

FIG. 18 is a graph showing a relationship between a water supply pressure Pw and a maximum air flow rate Qamax in another embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing a relationship between a water supply pressure Pw and an air flow rate Qa in another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the air mixing ratio λ is changed centering on the cleaning position.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a manner of changing an air mixing ratio λ around a cleaning position according to another embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to change the air mixing ratio λ centering on the cleaning position at the time of cleaning the buttocks.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to change the air mixing ratio λ around the cleaning position at the time of bidet cleaning.

FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a local cleaning device 10B including an instantaneous heat exchanger 12B.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an input water temperature Tw and a maximum water amount Qwma.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between x and the minimum air mixing rate λmin.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart illustrating a mode of changing the value of the air mixing ratio λ at the beginning of cleaning.

FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing an operation when the cleaning water flow rate Qw and the air flow rate Qa are changed.

FIG. 28 is a delay time Tb for delaying the control of the air flow rate Qa.
It is a graph for setting.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing an operation when the flow rate Qw of the cleaning water and the flow rate Qa of the air according to another embodiment are changed.

FIG. 30 is a timing chart illustrating nozzle pre-cleaning according to another embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a nozzle pre-cleaning process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a residual water removal process.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a modification of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a timing chart showing a nozzle cleaning process.

FIG. 35 is a graph illustrating bodily stimuli during massage washing.

FIG. 36 is a graph illustrating the relationship between vibration intensity and frequency during massage cleaning.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 local cleaning device 10B local cleaning device 12 heat exchanger 12B heat exchanger 14 electromagnetic shutoff valve 16 heater 18 full water level sensor 20 lower limit water level sensor 22 temperature sensor 24 electronic control device 26 Nozzle device 26a Flow path 28 Vacuum breaker 29 Air flow path 30 Flow control valve 31 Air release valve 31a Valve chamber 31b Casing 31c Valve element 31d Spring 31e Flow path-side flow 31f Open to atmosphere 32 ... Air pump 33 ... Nozzle drive motor 34 ... Flow rate adjusting valve 35 ... Operating part 36 ... Seating sensor 38 ... Power supply part 40 ... Nozzle body 42 ... Nozzle head 43 ... Butt flow path 44 ... Bubble mixing / switching mechanism part 45 ... bidet passage 46 ... seal ring 47 ... buttocks ejection passage 49 ... buttocks ejection outlet 51 ... bidet ejection passage 53 ... bidet ejection outlet 55 Casing 56 ... Motor connection body 58 ... Air chamber forming body 60 ... Air mixing body 61 ... Support body 62 ... Support body 63 ... Air chamber switching unit 64 ... Spring 65 ... Washing water introduction path 66 ... Through hole 67 ... Air introduction path 68 ... through hole 69 ... shielding block 70 ... buttocks side through hole 71a ... buttocks washing button 71b ... bidet washing button 71c ... stop button 71d ... massage setting button 71e ... move setting button 71f ... nozzle washing button 71g ... spouting water temperature setting button 71h ... Cleaning intensity setting button 71i ... Mixing ratio setting button 71j ... Water amount setting button 71k ... Bubble amount setting button 71n ... Operation on / off button 71 ... Bidet side through hole 71m ... Cleaning feeling setting button 72 ... Display part 80 ... Bubble pump 81: air mixing housing 82: air chamber 83: air bubble dispersion 84: washing water conduit 85: air Immigration

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinsuke Matsuo 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka F-term (reference) 2D038 JF00 JF03 JH11 JH12 KA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A local washing apparatus for washing air from a jet nozzle of a washing nozzle by jetting bubbled water mixed with air to a local part of a human body to wash the local part. A washing water flow rate adjusting means provided in the water flow path and adjusting a flow rate Qw of the washing water flowing through the washing water flow path; an air supply means for outputting compressed air; Air mixing means for creating bubble water by mixing compressed air with the washing water in the washing water flow path; air provided in an air flow path from the air supply means to the air mixing means for adjusting an air flow rate Qa By controlling at least one of the flow rate adjusting means, the washing water amount adjusting means, the air flow rate adjusting means, and the air supply means, a value Qa / Qw of a ratio of an air flow rate Qa to a washing water flow rate Qw is obtained. A mixing ratio adjusting means for adjusting a defined air mixing ratio λ; connecting the air flow path to the outside, and when the pressure in the air flow path on the air supply means side is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, A local pressure washing device, comprising: a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure of the liquid. 2. The local cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure reducing valve is an atmosphere opening valve that connects an air flow path to the atmosphere. 3. The air release valve according to claim 1, wherein the air release valve urges the valve body in a direction to close the air flow path with respect to the valve body for opening and closing the air flow path. A local cleaning device comprising: a spring that opens the valve so as to connect the air flow path to the atmosphere when the pressure exceeds a predetermined value.