[TECHNICAL FIELD]
[0001] The present invention relates to a flush toilet.
[BACKGROUND ART]
[0002] 1. In the toilet bowl part of a toilet, there may be formed a jet spout port as an
opening from which flush water is discharged, besides a rim discharge port. The rim
discharge port is formed in a rim part of the toilet bowl part, and the entire toilet
bowl part is flushed with flush water discharged from the rim discharge port. The
jet spout port is formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part, for example, and
flush water discharged from the jet spout port forms a flow of water for promoting
discharge of waste.
[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet comprising a jet spout port formed
at a position higher than the highest level of pooled water stored in the bottom part
of the toilet bowl part, and a flush water supply passage through which flush water
is supplied to the jet spout port. In this toilet, flush water discharged from the
jet spout port forms a swirling flow that swirls around a horizontal axis. Patent
Document 1 discloses that, with the swirling flow, waste can be sent into the trap
part, so as to be effectively discharged.
[PRIOR ART REFERENCE]
[PATENT DOCUMENT]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2008-45276
[DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION]
[PROBLEM(S) TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]
[0005] As a result of study of the structure described in Patent Document 1, the inventors
have recognized the following problem. In the toilet of Patent Document 1, after the
toilet is flushed, the remaining water in the flush water supply passage will flow
down, in the form of a streak of water (hereinafter, referred to as streaky water),
from the jet spout port along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part. The streaky
water flows down along a path irregularly changed on the inner surface of the toilet
bowl part and sometimes flows down for a long period of time, which may cause disfigurement.
[0006] A first invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a purpose thereof
is to provide a flush toilet of which disfigurement within the toilet bowl part caused
by toilet flushing can be prevented.
[0007] 2. In the toilet bowl part of a toilet, there may be formed a jet spout hole as an
opening from which flush water is discharged, besides a rim discharge hole. The rim
discharge hole is formed in a rim part of the toilet bowl part, and the entire toilet
bowl part is flushed with flush water discharged from the rim discharge hole. The
jet spout hole is formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part, for example, and
flush water discharged from the jet spout hole forms a flow of water for promoting
discharge of waste.
[0008] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, in FIG. 1 thereof, a toilet in which a
rim water passage is formed on the outer peripheral side of the rim part, and a jet
communication passage, which branches off from a midway of the rim water passage,
is also formed. The toilet has a structure in which flush water supplied to the rim
water passage is discharged from the rim discharge hole and also discharged from the
jet spout hole after passing through the jet communication passage.
[0009] Meanwhile, in the toilet of Patent Document 1, a water introducing port of the jet
communication passage opens at a midway of a path from the starting end side toward
the termination end side of the rim water passage. Accordingly, flush water within
the rim water passage is likely to flow toward the rim discharge hole, without changing
its flowing direction to the jet communication passage. Therefore, it is difficult
to bring the flush water from the rim water passage into the jet communication passage,
causing the problem of a weak flow of flush water discharged from the jet spout hole.
[0010] In order to remedy the problem, there can be considered a structure in which two
rim water passages are formed on the left and right sides on the outer peripheral
side of the rim part, in which one rim water passage is provided with a rim discharge
hole, and the other rim water passage communicates with the jet communication passage,
as shown in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1.
[0011] Also, for greater flexibility in the flushing mode, multiple rim discharge holes
may be formed in the rim part, so that flush water supplied to the two rim water passages
is discharged from the respective rim discharge holes. In the toilet of Patent Document
1, however, only a single rim discharge hole is formed in the rim part, and such multiple
rim discharge holes are not considered. Also, the toilet of Patent Document 1 is not
devised by providing such multiple rim discharge holes or enabling discharge of a
strong flow of flush water from the jet spout hole.
[0012] A second invention has been made in view of such problems, and a purpose thereof
is to provide a flush toilet that discharges flush water from rim discharge holes
after passing through left and right rim water passages and also discharges a strong
flow of flush water from a spout hole.
[MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM(S)]
[0013] To solve the aforementioned problems, a first mode of the first invention is a flush
toilet. The flush toilet includes: a toilet bowl part; a trap part that is connected
to a bottom part of the toilet bowl part and that defines the water level, during
a non-flushing period, of pooled water stored in the bottom part; and a water discharge
part that includes a jet spout port formed in the bottom part and also includes a
jet water supply passage provided to supply flush water to the jet spout port and
that discharges flush water from the jet spout port to form a flow of water within
the bottom part, in which the jet spout port is formed vertically across the water
level of the pooled water during a non-flushing period. The "non-flushing period"
means a period of a standby state before flushing within the toilet bowl part is started.
[0014] In the present mode, a lower portion of the jet spout port is submerged in the pooled
water during a non-flushing period. Accordingly, after the toilet is flushed, water
discharged from the jet spout port can be easily merged into the pooled water, without
causing flowing down of the water along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part.
Therefore, by preventing flowing down of streaky water from the jet spout port along
the inner surface of the toilet bowl part after toilet flushing, disfigurement within
the toilet bowl part caused by the toilet flushing can be prevented.
[0015] To solve the aforementioned problems, a first mode of the second invention is a flush
toilet. The flush toilet includes: a toilet bowl part with a rim part formed in an
upper end part thereof; a first rim water passage formed on an outer peripheral side
of the rim part and on one of left and right sides; a second rim water passage formed
on the outer peripheral side of the rim part and on the other of left and right sides;
a first rim discharge hole through which water is discharged from the first rim water
passage into the toilet bowl part; a second rim discharge hole through which water
is discharged from the second rim water passage into the toilet bowl part; a spout
hole formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part or in a drainage passage part
connected to the bottom part; and a communication passage that communicates the first
rim water passage and the spout hole, in which the first rim discharge hole is formed
to branch off from a midway of a path from the starting end side toward the termination
end side of the first rim water passage, and a water introducing port of the communication
passage opens closer to the termination end side of the first rim water passage than
the first rim discharge hole.
[0016] In the present mode, when flush water flows to the termination end part of the first
rim water passage, the flush water has to change its flowing direction, so that the
flush water is likely to change its flowing direction to the water introducing port
located in the vicinity thereof, so as to be easily introduced into the water introducing
port. Accordingly, flush water can be easily brought from the first rim water passage
into the communication passage, so that high-pressure flush water can be easily discharged
from the spout hole. As a result, flush water supplied to the left and right rim water
passages is discharged from the multiple rim discharge holes and, also, a strong flow
of flush water can be discharged from the spout hole.
[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS]
[0017] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like
elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flush toilet according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram that shows a section of a toilet bowl part shown in FIG. 2 taken
along line C-C;
FIGS. 5 are schematic diagrams that each show a flow of flush water within a jet water
supply passage according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 5A shows a state before
toilet flushing is started, and FIG. 5B shows a state during toilet flushing;
FIGS. 6 are schematic diagrams that each show a flow of flush water within the jet
water supply passage according to a first modification, in which FIG. 6A shows a state
before toilet flushing is started, FIG. 6B shows a state during toilet flushing, and
FIG. 6C shows a state during toilet flushing after the state of FIG. 6B;
FIG. 7 is a diagram that schematically shows a gradient formed on an inner bottom
surface of each rim water passage according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram that shows a flow of flush water within the toilet bowl part according
to the first embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram that shows a state where flush water discharged from
a rim discharge port joins pooled water before flush water is discharged from a jet
spout port;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram that shows a change of the water level of pooled water
within the toilet bowl part according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the flush toilet according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a magnified view of a left rim water passage shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 is a diagram that schematically shows a gradient formed on the inner bottom
surface of each rim water passage according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 18A is a diagram that shows the left rim water passage according to a first modification,
and FIG. 18B is an illustrative diagram for a reduction part;
FIG. 19 is an illustrative diagram for the reduction part shown in FIG. 15; and
FIG. 20 is a diagram that shows the reduction part according to a second modification.
[MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]
[0018] In the following embodiments and modifications, same reference characters designate
same constituent elements, and the same description thereof will be omitted. Also,
part of the constituent elements may be omitted in each drawing, for the sake of convenience.
[0019] 1. A preferred embodiment of the first invention will be described.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flush toilet 10 according to a first embodiment.
[0021] The flush toilet 10 comprises a toilet body 12 made of a ceramic material. The toilet
body 12 is a wall-mounted toilet that is mounted to be hung on a side wall surface
100 in a toilet room.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet body 12 comprises a toilet bowl part 14 formed in
a front part of the toilet body 12, and a trap part 18 connected to a bottom part
of the toilet bowl part 14. The trap part 18 communicates with the inside of the toilet
bowl part 14 through an inlet 16 (see also FIG. 1) formed in the bottom part of the
toilet bowl part 14.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toilet bowl part 14 comprises a receiving surface
part 20 of a bowl-like shape that receives waste, a recess part 22 recessed downward
from a lower edge part of the receiving surface part 20 and forming the bottom part
of the toilet bowl part 14, and a rim part 24 connected to an upper edge part of the
receiving surface part 20 and forming an upper end part of the toilet bowl part 14.
The receiving surface part 20 is formed in an elliptical shape of which the longitudinal
dimension is larger than the lateral dimension in plan view. The recess part 22 is
formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and, on a bottom surface part thereof, the
inlet 16 of the trap part 18 opens.
[0026] The toilet body 12 further comprises a water discharge part 26 for discharging flush
water into the toilet bowl part 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The water discharge part 26
includes a jet spout port 28 formed in the recess part 22 of the toilet bowl part
14, and two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B formed in the rim part 24 of the toilet
bowl part 14. The water discharge part 26 discharges flush water from the jet spout
port 28 so as to form, within the recess part 22 of the toilet bowl part 14, a flow
of water for promoting discharge of waste. The water discharge part 26 also discharges
flush water from the two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B so as to form a flow of water
for flushing the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14. Although one of the main
features of the flush toilet 10 resides in the water discharge part 26, particularly
in the jet spout port 28, the peripheral structure thereof will be described first.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the trap part 18 includes a first water pathway part 32, a second
water pathway part 34, and a third water pathway part 36, provided in this order from
the upstream side to the downstream side. The first water pathway part 32 is formed
downward from the inlet 16 of the trap part 18. To the downstream end of the first
water pathway part 32, the upstream end of the second water pathway part 34 is connected
posteriorly, and the second water pathway part 34 is formed upward from its upstream
end. Also, to the downstream end of the second water pathway part 34, the upstream
end of the third water pathway part 36 is connected posteriorly, and the third water
pathway part 36 is formed so as to extend backward from its upstream end. To the downstream
end of the third water pathway part 36 is connected a drain pipe 102, and waste is
discharged through the trap part 18 and the drain pipe 102 into a sewage water pathway.
[0028] Within the first water pathway part 32 and the second water pathway part 34 of the
trap part 18, seal water 38 is stored to block airflow in the water flowing direction.
The seal water 38 prevents backflow of odors from the sewage water pathway. In a boundary
portion of the second water pathway part 34 and the third water pathway part 36 is
formed a bent part 40 at which the direction of water flowing therein is changed.
An upper edge 42 of an inner wall surface located inside the bent part 40 functions
as an overflow edge (hereinafter, referred to as the "overflow edge 42") that defines
the water level of the seal water 38 within the trap part 18 during a non-flushing
period. The "non-flushing period" means a period of a standby state before flushing
within the toilet bowl part 14 is started. When the level of the seal water 38 within
the trap part 18 exceeds the overflow edge 42, the seal water 38 overflows from the
trap part 18 over the overflow edge 42 to the downstream side.
[0029] Part of the seal water 38 within the trap part 18 is stored as pooled water 44 in
the bottom part of the toilet bowl part 14. A water level WL1 of the pooled water
44 during a non-flushing period (hereinafter, referred to as the initial water level
WL1) is determined according to the position of the overflow edge 42 in a vertical
direction, similarly to the seal water 38.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, in the rim part 24, two rim conduits 48 are formed so as to extend
from the respective two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B in one circumferential direction
of the toilet bowl part 14 (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3). The rim
conduits 48 lead flush water discharged from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B to
swirl, so that the flush water is delivered from the starting end position to the
termination end position of each rim conduit 48.
[0031] The water discharge part 26 includes, besides the jet spout port 28 and the two rim
discharge ports 30A and 30B, an inlet port 54, a right rim water passage 56A (first
water passage), a left rim water passage 56B (second water passage), and a jet water
supply passage 58. The jet spout port 28 will be detailed later, and the other configurations
will now be described.
[0032] The two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B include a right rim discharge port 30A (first
discharge port) and a left rim discharge port 30B (second discharge port). As shown
in FIG. 1, the right rim discharge port 30A is disposed to the right of a lateral
center line CL of the toilet body 12 and at a middle position in a longitudinal direction
of the toilet bowl part 14. Also, the left rim discharge port 30B is disposed to the
left of the lateral center line CL of the toilet body 12 and in a rear part of the
toilet bowl part 14. The lateral center line CL is a straight line that extends along
a longitudinal direction and bisects the lateral dimension of the outer surface portion
of the toilet body 12. From the two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B, flush water is
discharged in one circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of
the rim part 24.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, flush water supplied from a water pipe 104a, which is part of
a flush water supply device 104, flows in through the inlet port 54. FIG. 3 shows
a water path Wp of flush water flowing into the water discharge part 26 from the water
pipe 104a and the inlet port 54.
[0034] The right rim water passage 56A and left rim water passage 56B are provided to bifurcate
the flush water flowing in through the inlet port 54. Flush water flowing through
the right rim water passage 56A is supplied to the right rim discharge port 30A, and
flush water flowing through the left rim water passage 56B is supplied to the left
rim discharge port 30B. A bifurcation position 60 at which the right rim water passage
56A and left rim water passage 56B are separated is located in the rear of and on
the back side of the rim part.
[0035] The right rim water passage 56A is formed so as to extend from the bifurcation position
60 in one circumferential direction (the counterclockwise direction) on the back side
of the rim part 24. At the downstream end of the right rim water passage 56A, the
right rim discharge port 30A is formed.
[0036] The left rim water passage 56B is formed so as to extend from the bifurcation position
60 in the other circumferential direction (the clockwise direction) on the back side
of the rim part 24. The left rim water passage 56B is formed to be a dead end at the
tip end part in the extending direction thereof. At a midway of the left rim water
passage 56B, a branch pathway 62 is formed to extend radially inward and in one circumferential
direction (the counterclockwise direction). At the downstream end of the branch pathway
62, the left rim discharge port 30B is formed.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the jet water supply passage 58 is connected to the tip
end part of the left rim water passage 56B. The jet water supply passage 58 is provided
to supply flush water to the jet spout port 28. On the inner bottom surface of the
left rim water passage 56B, an introducing port 64 is formed to introduce flush water
into the jet water supply passage 58. The jet water supply passage 58 is formed to
connect the introducing port 64 and the jet spout port 28. More specifically, the
jet water supply passage 58 includes a first portion 58a extending downward from the
introducing port 64, and a second portion 58b extending to be curved downward and
in the other circumferential direction (the clockwise direction in FIG. 3) from the
downstream end of the first portion 58a. The second portion 58b extends to be curved
from the back side of a side part of the toilet bowl part 14 to the back side of the
jet spout port 28. The jet water supply passage 58 further includes a third portion
58c extending backward from the downstream end of the second portion 58b to the jet
spout port 28.
[0038] The jet spout port 28 is formed on the left side and front side on a wall surface
of the recess part 22 in the toilet bowl part 14. From the jet spout port 28, flush
water is discharged in one circumferential direction (the clockwise direction) within
the recess part 22 of the toilet bowl part 14, similarly to the direction of flush
water discharged from each of the two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B. From the jet
spout port 28, flush water is discharged along a horizontal direction. The "along
a horizontal direction" means both the case where the discharging direction of flush
water is parallel with a horizontal plane and the case where the discharging direction
of flush water is substantially parallel with a horizontal plane.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram that shows a section of the toilet bowl part 14 shown in FIG.
2 taken along line C-C.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the jet spout port 28 is formed vertically across the
initial water level WL1 of the pooled water 44. An upper portion of the jet spout
port 28 is located higher than the initial water level WL1 of the pooled water 44,
and the aerial space within the jet water supply passage 58 communicates with the
aerial space within the toilet bowl part 14 through the upper portion. A lower portion
of the jet spout port 28 is located lower than the initial water level WL1 of the
pooled water 44 and is submerged in the pooled water 44. More specifically, a lower
edge 28a of the jet spout port 28 is located lower than the initial water level WL1.
The lower edge 28a is part of the jet spout port 28, located vertically below the
water flowing through the jet spout port 28.
[0041] There will now be described effects of the flush toilet 10 set forth above.
[0042] (1) The jet spout port 28 of the flush toilet 10 is formed vertically across the
initial water level WL1 of the pooled water 44, and the lower portion of the jet spout
port 28 is submerged in the pooled water 44 of the initial water level. Accordingly,
after the toilet is flushed, water including replenishment water and remaining water
delivered to the jet spout port 28 through the jet water supply passage 58 can be
merged into the pooled water 44, without causing flowing down of the water along the
inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14. Thus, by preventing flowing down of streaky
water from the jet spout port 28 along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14
after toilet flushing, disfigurement within the toilet bowl part 14 caused by the
toilet flushing can be prevented. The "replenishment water" means water supplied to
fill the pooled water 44 up to the initial water level WL1 again after the pooled
water 44 is discharged through the trap part 18 during toilet flushing. Also, the
"remaining water" means water remaining within the rim water passages 56A and 56B
and the jet water supply passage 58 after supply of flush water from the flush water
supply device 104 is finished.
[0043] If streaky water flows down from the jet spout port 28 along the inner surface of
the toilet bowl part 14, part of the streaky water may adhere to and remain on the
inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14. In this case, depending on the quality of
the water adhering to the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14, the adhesion position
may be stained after the evaporation of the water. According to the present embodiment,
however, since the flowing down of streaky water from the jet spout port 28 along
the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14 can be prevented, a stain on the inner
surface of the toilet bowl part 14 due to remaining streaky water can be prevented,
and disfigurement within the toilet bowl part 14 caused by toilet flushing can also
be prevented. Also, by preventing a stain on the inner surface of the toilet bowl
part 14 due to remaining streaky water, the inside of the toilet bowl part 14 can
be kept clean.
[0044] Also, the jet spout port 28 is formed vertically across the initial water level WL1
of the pooled water 44, and the aerial space within the jet water supply passage 58
communicates with the aerial space within the toilet bowl part 14 through the upper
portion of the jet spout port 28. Advantages thereof will be described.
[0045] FIGS. 5 are schematic diagrams that each show a flow of flush water within the jet
water supply passage 58. FIG. 5A shows a state before toilet flushing is started.
For the sake of convenience, the positions, dimensions, and shapes of the toilet bowl
part 14, trap part 18, and jet water supply passage 58 shown in FIGS. 5 are made different
from those shown in other drawings.
[0046] When flush water W is supplied to the left rim water passage 56B, the flush water
flows into the jet water supply passage 58 through the introducing port 64, and the
flush water is gradually filled from the introducing port 64 side of the jet water
supply passage 58, as shown in FIG. 5B. Since the flush water W flows into the jet
water supply passage 58, air within the jet water supply passage 58 is pushed out
by the flush water W toward the jet spout port 28 side (see the direction Pa). As
described previously, since the aerial space within the jet water supply passage 58
communicates with the aerial space within the toilet bowl part 14 through the upper
portion of the jet spout port 28, the air within the jet water supply passage 58 is
smoothly discharged through the jet spout port 28 (see the direction Pb). If the entirety
of the jet spout port 28 is submerged in the pooled water 44, the air within the jet
water supply passage 58 will be discharged in the form of bubbles from the jet spout
port 28, and the bursting sound of the bubbles may give an unpleasant feeling to the
user. According to the present embodiment, however, since discharge of bubbles from
the jet spout port 28 can be prevented during toilet flushing, the occurrence of bursting
sound of bubbles can also be prevented, enabling quiet operations of toilet flushing.
In addition, prevention of discharge of bubbles from the jet spout port 28 can also
prevent giving a sense of incongruity in appearance to the user.
[0047] In the following, other features of the flush toilet 10 will be described.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 5A, the jet water supply passage 58 is formed so that an aerial
space 66 continuously exists in a range between the introducing port 64, through which
flush water from the left rim water passage 56B flows in, and the jet spout port 28,
during a non-flushing period. The "aerial space 66" is a space filled with air. Namely,
in this range, part of the jet water supply passage 58 is not filled with seal water
that blocks airflow in the water flowing direction. Advantages thereof will be described.
[0049] FIGS. 6 are schematic diagrams that each show a flow of flush water within the jet
water supply passage 58 according to a modification.
[0050] It is assumed here that seal water 68 is formed within the jet water supply passage
58, as shown in FIG. 6A. In this case, there is upstream-side air 70 and downstream-side
air 72 separated by the seal water 68 within the jet water supply passage 58. In this
state, if flush water from the left rim water passage 56B flows into the jet water
supply passage 58, the flush water W will push out the upstream-side air 70 together
with the seal water 68 in the direction Pc, as shown in FIG. 6B. Accordingly, the
seal water 68 will be merged into the pooled water 44 in the bottom part of the toilet
bowl part 14, and the level of the pooled water 44 may rise from the initial water
level WL1 until the jet spout port 28 is submerged (see the direction Pd) while air
remains within the jet water supply passage 58, as shown in FIG. 6C. In this case,
the remaining air will be discharged in the form of bubbles from the jet spout port
28 (see the direction Pe), which may cause bursting sound of bubbles.
[0051] According to the aforementioned configuration, on the other hand, the seal water
68 is not formed within the jet water supply passage 58, thereby preventing the rise
of the level of the pooled water 44 due to the seal water 68 merged into the pooled
water 44. Therefore, the situation can be prevented in which the entirety of the jet
spout port 28 is submerged while air remains within the jet water supply passage 58
and bubbles are discharged from the jet spout port 28, so that the occurrence of bursting
sound of bubbles can be effectively prevented.
[0052] Since the jet spout port 28 in the flush toilet 10 according to this example is also
formed vertically across the initial water level WL1 of the pooled water 44, the effects
described previously in the section (1) can be obtained.
[0053] There will now be described the contrivances to prevent flowing down of streaky water
from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B, instead of the jet spout port 28.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a diagram that schematically shows a gradient formed on the inner bottom
surface of each of the rim water passages 56A and 56B. In FIG. 7, a gradient from
a higher position to a lower position is indicated by an arrow.
[0055] On the inner bottom surface of each of the rim water passages 56A and 56B, a gradient
inclined downward from the corresponding one of the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B
toward the direction away from the rim discharge port is provided. More specifically,
on the inner bottom surface of the right rim water passage 56A, a first gradient 74
is provided in which the right rim discharge port 30A corresponds to a high position,
and the side of the bifurcation position 60 at which the right rim water passage 56A
and the left rim water passage 56B are separated corresponds to a low position. The
first gradient 74 is provided to be inclined downward from the right rim discharge
port 30A toward the direction away from the right rim discharge port 30A.
[0056] Also, on the inner bottom surface of the left rim water passage 56B, a second gradient
76 is provided in which the side of the bifurcation position 60 corresponds to a high
position, and the introducing port 64 of the jet water supply passage 58 corresponds
to a low position. The second gradient 76 is provided to be inclined downward from
the left rim discharge port 30B toward the direction away from the left rim discharge
port 30B. Also, on the inner bottom surface of the left rim water passage 56B, a third
gradient 78 is further provided in which a front end position 56Ba as a dead end corresponds
to a high position, and the introducing port 64 of the jet water supply passage 58
corresponds to a low position. At the bifurcation position 60 between the rim water
passages 56A and 56B, a recessed part 80 recessed downward is formed.
[0057] Advantages of the configuration set forth above will be described. It is assumed
here that supply of flush water from the flush water supply device 104 is finished,
and the water level within each of the rim water passages 56A and 56B falls to the
vicinity of the lower edge of the corresponding one of the rim discharge ports 30A
and 30B. In this state, water including remaining water and replenishment water on
the inner bottom surfaces of the rim water passages 56A and 56B is likely to flow,
because of its own weight, in the direction away from the respective rim discharge
ports 30A and 30B, along the first gradient 74 and the second gradient 76 respectively.
Namely, the water on the inner bottom surfaces of the rim water passages 56A and 56B
is less likely to come closer to the respective rim discharge ports 30A and 30B and
to flow into the toilet bowl part 14 from the respective rim discharge ports 30A and
30B. Accordingly, even when the water levels in the rim water passages 56A and 56B
fall as described previously, flowing down of streaky water from the respective rim
discharge ports 30A and 30B along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14 can
be prevented, so that disfigurement within the toilet bowl part 14 caused by toilet
flushing can also be effectively prevented.
[0058] Also, at least part of the introducing port 64 of the jet water supply passage 58
is positioned lower than the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B. In the present embodiment,
the entirety of the introducing port 64 is positioned lower than the rim discharge
ports 30A and 30B. From another perspective, at least part of the introducing port
64 is positioned lower than the highest position of each of the inner bottom surfaces
provided with the first gradient 74 and the second gradient 76. In the present embodiment,
the entirety of the introducing port 64 is positioned lower than the highest position
of each of the inner bottom surfaces provided with the first gradient 74 and the second
gradient 76. More specifically, the introducing port 64 is positioned lower than the
lowest position of the inner bottom surface provided with the first gradient 74, and
disposed at the same position as the lowest position of the inner bottom surface provided
with the second gradient 76.
[0059] Accordingly, while the water level in each of the rim water passages 56A and 56B
is falling, water on the inner bottom surface of the rim water passage can be easily
led by its own weight to the introducing port 64 of the jet water supply passage 58,
along the corresponding one of the first gradient 74 and the second gradient 76. Therefore,
water on the inner bottom surfaces of the rim water passages 56A and 56B can be discharged
through the jet water supply passage 58, so that the amount of water flowing into
the toilet bowl part 14 from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B can be reduced more
easily. As a result, while the water levels in the rim water passages 56A and 56B
are falling, flowing down of streaky water from the respective rim discharge ports
30A and 30B along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 14 can be effectively
prevented, so that disfigurement within the toilet bowl part 14 caused by toilet flushing
can also be prevented more effectively.
[0060] In the following, a method for flushing the toilet bowl part 14 in the flush toilet
10 set forth above will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0061] In the flush toilet 10, the inside of the toilet bowl part 14 is flushed using a
flushing method of the so-called wash-down type in which waste within the toilet bowl
part 14 is flushed away into the trap part 18 by means of head of water. By operating
an operation member, such as a switch and a lever, to start supply of flush water,
flush water is supplied from the flush water supply device 104 into the water discharge
part 26 of the flush toilet 10, within a predetermined flow rate range. In the following,
an operation from the start through the end of supply of flush water within a predetermined
flow rate range will be described as one flushing operation. In the present embodiment,
flush water is supplied from the flush water supply device 104 using a water supply
method of the water direct pressure type by means of the water supply pressure of
tap water.
[0062] Flush water supplied from the flush water supply device 104 flows into the water
discharge part 26 through the inlet port 54. After flowing into the water discharge
part 26, the flush water flows through each of the right rim water passage 56A, left
rim water passage 56B, and jet water supply passage 58 (not illustrated) to be discharged
from the corresponding one of the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B, and the jet spout
port 28.
[0063] The flush water discharged from the jet spout port 28 forms a swirling flow Dwa that
swirls along one circumferential direction (the counterclockwise direction) within
the recess part 22 of the toilet bowl part 14. With the swirling flow Dwa, the inner
surface of the recess part 22 is flushed, and waste within the recess part 22 is collected
at the center of swirling.
[0064] The flush water discharged from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B in one circumferential
direction along the inner peripheral surface of the rim part 24 forms a swirling flow
Dwb, which swirls along the one circumferential direction within the toilet bowl part
14. With the swirling flow Dwb, the rim part 24 and the receiving surface part 20
of the toilet bowl part 14 are flushed. Part of the flush water forming the swirling
flow Dwb upon the receiving surface part 20 swirls downward, so as to form a flow
Dwc from the receiving surface part 20 through the recess part 22 to the inlet 16
of the trap part 18. With the flow Dwc, the waste within the recess part 22 of the
toilet bowl part 14 is flushed away into the trap part 18 through the inlet 16. Since
the waste collected by the aforementioned swirling flow Dwa at the center of swirling
is thus flushed away, the waste can be effectively discharged.
[0065] A flow of flush water within the jet water supply passage 58 will now be considered.
As shown in FIG. 5B, after flowing into the jet water supply passage 58, flush water
flows while pushing out the air within the jet water supply passage 58 toward the
jet spout port 28 side, and, at the time when the flush water reaches the jet spout
port 28, discharge of the flush water from the jet spout port 28 is started. Accordingly,
if the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is submerged before the flush water is discharged
from the jet spout port 28, as shown in FIG. 9, the air pushed by the flush water
will remain within the jet water supply passage 58. In this case, the air within the
jet water supply passage 58 will be discharged in the form of bubbles from the jet
spout port 28 (see the direction Pf), which may cause bursting sound of bubbles within
the toilet bowl part 14. Such a situation could occur when the level of the pooled
water 44 is raised from the initial water level WL1 by flush water discharged from
the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B, before flush water is discharged from the jet
spout port 28.
[0066] Accordingly, the toilet bowl part 14 and the water discharge part 26 of the present
embodiment are configured so that the flush water is discharged from the jet spout
port 28 before the flush water discharged from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B
joins the pooled water 44. From another perspective, the toilet bowl part 14 and the
water discharge part 26 are configured so that, after the flush water flowing into
the jet water supply passage 58 through the introducing port 64 finishes pushing out
air in the jet water supply passage 58 from the jet spout port 28, the flush water
discharged from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B joins the pooled water 44. This
prevents the situation in which flush water discharged from the rim discharge ports
30A and 30B joins the pooled water 44 and the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is
submerged because of rise of the level of the pooled water 44 before flush water finishes
pushing out air in the jet water supply passage 58. As a result, the situation can
be prevented in which since the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is submerged while
air remains within the jet water supply passage 58, bubbles are discharged from the
jet spout port 28, so that the occurrence of bursting sound of bubbles can be effectively
prevented.
[0067] For such a configuration, in the water discharge part 26, the length of the water
path between the inlet port 54 and each of the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B, the
length of the water path in the jet water supply passage 58, the cross-sectional area
of each of the water passages 56A, 56B, and 58, and the like, are adjusted. Also,
for such a configuration, in the toilet bowl part 14, the radius of curvature in plan
view, the inclination of each region, and the like, are adjusted. For early discharge
of flush water from the jet spout port 28, the flush water needs to reach the jet
spout port 28 early, so that the length of the water path in the jet water supply
passage 58 may be adjusted to be shorter, and the cross-sectional area of the jet
water supply passage 58 may be adjusted to be smaller, for example. Also, in order
to delay the timing at which flush water discharged from the rim discharge ports 30A
and 30B (hereinafter, referred to as rim flush water) joins the pooled water 44, the
length of the water path between the inlet port 54 and each of the rim discharge ports
30A and 30B may be adjusted to be longer, the radius of curvature of the toilet bowl
part 14 in plan view may be adjusted to be larger, and part of inclinations may be
adjusted to be gentler, for example.
[0068] From another perspective, it can also be said that, in the abovementioned configuration,
the toilet bowl part 14 and the water discharge part 26 are configured so that, after
discharge of air in the jet water supply passage 58 from the jet spout port 28 is
finished, the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is submerged. This also prevents the
situation where the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is submerged because of rise
of the level of the pooled water 44 before flush water finishes pushing out air in
the jet water supply passage 58.
[0069] For such a configuration, it is necessary to meet the condition of preventing the
level of the pooled water 44 rising until the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is
submerged before the discharge of air in the jet water supply passage 58 from the
jet spout port 28 is finished. Such rise of the level of the pooled water 44 occurs
when rim flush water joins the pooled water 44. Accordingly, in order to meet the
above condition, the water discharge part 26 and the toilet bowl part 14 may be configured
so that (A) flush water is discharged early from the jet spout port 28, and (B) the
timing at which rim flush water joins the pooled water 44 is delayed, as described
previously. The condition (A) is set because, if flush water is discharged earlier
from the jet spout port 28, discharge of air in the jet water supply passage 58 can
be finished at earlier timing.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 10, during toilet flushing, the level of the pooled water 44 within
the recess part 22 of the toilet bowl part 14 rises from the initial water level WL1
to a water level WL2 (see also FIGS. 2 and 4) because of flush water discharged from
the jet spout port 28 and the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B. At the water level
WL2, the entirety of the jet spout port 28 is submerged. The amount of flush water
supplied from the flush water supply device 104 is adjusted so that the level of the
pooled water 44 is set to the water level WL2.
[0071] The first invention has been described with reference to an embodiment, which merely
describes principles and applications of the first invention. Also, various modifications
or changes in arrangement may be made to the embodiment without departing from the
scope of ideas of the first invention defined in the claims.
[0072] Although the wash-down type is described as an example of the flushing method for
the flush toilet 10, the inside of the toilet bowl part 14 may be flushed using a
flushing method combined with another type, such as the syphon type. Also, although
the water direct pressure type is described as an example of the water supply method
for the flush toilet 10, another water supply method, such as the gravity water supply
type using gravity, may be employed. Further, although a wall-mounted toilet is described
as an example of the toilet body 12, it may be a floor-mounted toilet mounted on the
floor of a toilet room. Also, the toilet body 12 may be made of another material,
such as resin, instead of a ceramic material.
[0073] Although an example has been described in which the inlet 16 of the trap part 18
opens on the bottom surface part of the bottom part (recess part 22) of the toilet
bowl part 14, the inlet 16 may open on a side surface part of the bottom part.
[0074] Although an example has been described in which the jet spout port 28 is formed on
the left side and front side on a wall surface of the recess part 22, the position
is not limited thereto. Also, an example has been described in which the water discharge
part 26 is configured to discharge flush water from the jet spout port 28 so as to
form a swirling flow that swirls along one circumferential direction within the bottom
part of the toilet bowl part 14. However, a flow of water formed by the flush water
discharged from the jet spout port 28 is not limited thereto, and may be a flow of
water flowing toward the posterior side of the trap part 18 from the inlet 16 of the
trap part 18, for example. In any case, the flow of water has only to be formed so
as to promote discharge of waste through the trap part 18.
[0075] Also, when the vertical dimension of the jet spout port 28 is defined as La, the
jet spout port 28 may be formed so that a region thereof, which can range in vertical
dimension from a quarter to three quarters of the vertical dimension La, is disposed
lower than the initial water level WL1 of the pooled water 44.
[0076] The rim discharge ports 30A and 30B are described as examples of a discharge port
from which flush water is discharged into the toilet bowl part 14. Such a discharge
port need not necessarily be formed in the rim part 24 and may be formed in a warm
water washing device mounted on the toilet body 12. Also, although an example has
been described in which the two rim discharge ports 30A and 30B are formed in the
rim part 24, only a single rim discharge port, or three or more rim discharge ports
may be formed in the rim part 24. Further, an example has been described in which
flush water is discharged from the rim discharge ports 30A and 30B in one circumferential
direction along the inner peripheral surface of the rim part 24. However, a discharge
port formed in the rim part 24 has only to allow flush water to be discharged into
the toilet bowl part 14, and the discharging direction of the flush water is not limited
thereto. For example, the flush water may be discharged downward.
[0077] Although an example has been described in which the left rim water passage 56B and
the right rim water passage 56A are formed on the back side of the rim part 24, only
one of them may be formed.
[0078] An example has been described in which the introducing port 64 of the jet water supply
passage 58 is formed on the inner bottom surface of the left rim water passage 56B.
However, when the introducing port 64 is formed on an inner wall surface of a water
passage for supplying flush water to a discharge port, the introducing port 64 may
be formed on an inner side surface of the left rim water passage 56B, or on the inner
bottom surface or an inner side surface of the right rim water passage 56A.
[0079] When the inventions embodied by the embodiment and modifications set forth above
are generalized, the following technical ideas are derived.
[0080] In the flush toilet in a second mode of the first invention, in the first mode, the
toilet bowl part and the water discharge part of the first mode may be configured
so that, after discharge of air in the jet water supply passage from the jet spout
port is finished, the entirety of the jet spout port is submerged.
[0081] The present mode prevents the situation where the entirety of the jet spout port
is submerged because of rise of the level of the pooled water before flush water finishes
pushing out air in the jet water supply passage. As a result, the situation can be
prevented in which since the entirety of the jet spout port is submerged while air
remains within the jet water supply passage, bubbles are discharged from the jet spout
port, so that the occurrence of bursting sound of bubbles can be effectively prevented.
[0082] In the flush toilet in a third mode of the first invention, in the first mode, the
water discharge part may include a discharge port from which flush water is discharged
into the toilet bowl part, and the toilet bowl part and the water discharge part may
be configured so that, after flush water is discharged from the jet spout port, flush
water discharged from the rim discharge port joins the pooled water.
[0083] The present mode prevents the situation in which the flush water discharged from
the rim discharge port joins the pooled water and the entirety of the jet spout port
is submerged because of rise of the level of the pooled water before flush water finishes
pushing out air in the jet water supply passage. As a result, the situation can be
prevented in which since the entirety of the jet spout port is submerged while air
remains within the jet water supply passage, bubbles are discharged from the jet spout
port, so that the occurrence of bursting sound of bubbles can be effectively prevented.
[0084] In the flush toilet in a fourth mode of the first invention, in any one of the first
through the third modes, the jet water supply passage may be formed so that an aerial
space continuously exists in a range between an introducing port, through which flush
water is introduced, and the jet spout port, during a non-flushing period.
[0085] If seal water for blocking airflow in the water flowing direction is formed within
the jet water supply passage, when flush water flows in through the introducing port
of the jet water supply passage, air between the introducing port and the seal water
will be pushed out together with the seal water, and the seal water will be merged
into the pooled water, so that the level of the pooled water will rise from the water
level during a non-flushing period. Accordingly, the air within the jet water supply
passage will be discharged in the form of bubbles from the jet spout port, which may
cause bursting sound of bubbles.
[0086] In the present mode, on the other hand, the seal water is not formed within the jet
water supply passage, thereby preventing the rise of the level of the pooled water
due to the seal water within the jet water supply passage merged into the pooled water.
Therefore, the situation can be prevented in which the entirety of the jet spout port
is submerged while air remains within the jet water supply passage and bubbles are
discharged from the jet spout port, so that the occurrence of bursting sound of bubbles
can be effectively prevented.
[0087] In the flush toilet in a fifth mode of the first invention, in any one of the first
through the fourth modes, the toilet bowl part may include a rim part that forms an
upper end part of the toilet bowl part, the water discharge part may include a rim
discharge port formed in the rim part and also may include a rim water passage formed
on the back side of the rim part and provided to supply flush water to the rim discharge
port, and, on the inner bottom surface of the rim water passage, a gradient inclined
downward from the rim discharge port toward the direction away from the rim discharge
port may be provided.
[0088] It is assumed here that the water level within the water passage falls to the vicinity
of the lower edge of the rim discharge port. In this state, in the present mode, water
on the inner bottom surface of the rim water passage is likely to flow, because of
its own weight, in the direction away from the rim discharge port, along the gradient
on the inner bottom surface. Namely, the water on the inner bottom surface of the
rim water passage is less likely to come closer to the rim discharge port and to flow
into the toilet bowl part from the rim discharge port. Accordingly, even when the
water level in the rim water passage falls as described previously, flowing down of
streaky water from the rim discharge port along the inner surface of the toilet bowl
part can be prevented, so that disfigurement within the toilet bowl part caused by
toilet flushing can also be effectively prevented.
[0089] In the flush toilet in a sixth mode of the first invention, in the fifth mode, an
introducing port through which flush water is introduced into the jet water supply
passage may be formed on an inner wall surface of the rim water passage, and at least
part of the introducing port may be positioned lower than the rim discharge port.
[0090] In the present mode, while the water level in the rim water passage is gradually
falling, water on the inner bottom surface of the rim water passage can be easily
led by its own weight to the introducing port of the jet water supply passage along
the gradient. Therefore, water on the inner bottom surface of the rim water passage
can be discharged through the jet water supply passage, so that the amount of water
flowing into the toilet bowl part from the rim discharge port can be reduced more
easily. As a result, while the water level in the rim water passage is falling, flowing
down of streaky water from the rim discharge port along the inner surface of the toilet
bowl part can be effectively prevented, so that disfigurement caused by toilet flushing
can also be prevented more effectively.
[0091] 2. A preferred embodiment of the second invention will be described.
[0092] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a flush toilet 210 according to a second embodiment.
[0093] The flush toilet 210 comprises a toilet body 212 made of a ceramic material. The
toilet body 212 is a wall-mounted toilet that is mounted to be hung on a side wall
surface 200 in a toilet room.
[0094] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 11.
[0095] The toilet body 212 comprises a toilet bowl part 214 formed in a front part of the
toilet body 212, and a drainage passage part 216 connected to a bottom part of the
toilet bowl part 214. The drainage passage part 216 is a passage for waste discharged
from the toilet bowl part 214 to the sewage water pathway (not illustrated). The drainage
passage part 216 includes a trap part 220 in which seal water 218 is stored to block
airflow in the water flowing direction. To the downstream end of the trap part 220
is connected a connection pipe 202, and the drainage passage part 216 is connected
to the sewage water pathway via the connection pipe 202.
[0096] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 12.
[0097] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the toilet bowl part 214 comprises a receiving surface
part 222 of a bowl-like shape that receives waste, a recess part 224 recessed downward
from a lower edge part of the receiving surface part 222 and formed in the bottom
part of the toilet bowl part 214, and a rim part 226 formed in an upper end part of
the toilet bowl part 214. The receiving surface part 222 is formed in an elliptical
shape of which the longitudinal dimension is larger than the lateral dimension in
plan view. On a bottom surface part of the recess part 224, an inlet 216a of the drainage
passage part 216 opens, and part of the seal water 218 is stored as pooled water 228
within the recess part 224.
[0098] The toilet body 212 also comprises a water discharge part 230 for discharging flush
water, as shown in FIG. 13. The water discharge part 230 includes two rim water passages
232L and 232R formed on the outer peripheral side of the rim part 226, a common water
passage 234 (see also FIG. 12) through which flush water is supplied to each of the
rim water passages 232L and 232R, and two rim discharge holes 236L and 236R formed
in the rim part 226. The water discharge part 230 also includes a jet spout hole 238
formed in the recess part 224 of the toilet bowl part 214, and a jet communication
passage 240 through which flush water is supplied to the jet spout hole 238. Although
one of the main features of the flush toilet 210 resides in the rim water passage
232L, other features of the water discharge part 230 will be described first.
[0099] The two rim water passages 232L and 232R include a left rim water passage 232L (first
rim water passage) formed on the left side, as one of left and right sides, of the
toilet body 212, and a right rim water passage 232R (second rim water passage) formed
on the right side, as the other of left and right sides, of the toilet body 212. The
left rim water passage 232L is disposed to the left of the lateral center line CL
of the toilet body 212, as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the right rim water passage 232R
is disposed to the right of the lateral center line CL of the toilet body 212. The
lateral center line CL is a straight line that extends along a longitudinal direction
and bisects the lateral dimension of the outer surface portion of the toilet body
212.
[0100] Referring back to FIG. 13, the rim water passages 232L and 232R are formed by bifurcating
the common water passage 234 at the downstream end thereof in the left and right directions.
A bifurcation position 242 at which the rim water passages 232L and 232R are separated
is located in the rear of the rim part 226. As shown in FIG. 12, flush water is supplied
to the common water passage 234 from a water pipe 204a, which is part of a flush water
supply device 204.
[0101] The left rim water passage 232L is formed so as to extend from a starting end part
232a on the bifurcation position 242 side in one circumferential direction (the clockwise
direction in FIG. 13). The left rim water passage 232L is formed to be a dead end
at a termination end part 232b thereof positioned at the end in the extending direction.
The left rim water passage 232L will be detailed later.
[0102] The right rim water passage 232R is formed so as to extend from the bifurcation position
242 as the starting end side in the other circumferential direction (the counterclockwise
direction in FIG. 13). At a termination end part of the right rim water passage 232R,
positioned at the end in the extending direction, the right rim discharge hole 236R
is formed. Hereinafter, "one circumferential direction" is referred to as the clockwise
direction, and "the other circumferential direction" is referred to as the counterclockwise
direction.
[0103] The two rim discharge holes 236L and 236R include a left rim discharge hole 236L
(first rim discharge hole) formed on the left side of the toilet body 212, and a rim
discharge hole 236R (second rim discharge hole) formed on the right side of the toilet
body 212. As shown in FIG. 1, the left rim discharge hole 236L is disposed to the
left of the lateral center line CL of the toilet body 212 and in a rear part of the
toilet bowl part 214. Also, the right rim discharge hole 236R is disposed to the right
of the lateral center line CL of the toilet body 212 and at a middle position in a
longitudinal direction of the toilet bowl part 214.
[0104] The description will now return to FIG. 13. The left rim discharge hole 236L is provided
to discharge water from the left rim water passage 232L into the toilet bowl part
214. Also, the right rim discharge hole 236R is provided to discharge water from the
right rim water passage 232R into the toilet bowl part 214. Through the two rim discharge
holes 236L and 236R, flush water is discharged in the counterclockwise direction along
the inner peripheral surface of the rim part 226. Accordingly, a flow of water for
flushing the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 214, particularly the inner surface
of the rim part 226 or the receiving surface part 222, is formed. The flow of water
is a swirling flow led to swirl in the counterclockwise direction within the toilet
bowl part 214.
[0105] The jet spout hole 238 is formed on the left side and front side on a wall surface
of the recess part 224 in the toilet bowl part 214. From the jet spout hole 238, flush
water is discharged toward the pooled water 228 (see FIG. 12) within the recess part
224 of the toilet bowl part 214. More specifically, flush water is discharged in the
counterclockwise direction along the inner peripheral surface of the recess part 224
of the toilet bowl part 214, toward the pooled water 228 within the recess part 224.
Accordingly, a counterclockwise swirling flow is formed within the recess part 224
of the toilet bowl part 214, thereby collecting waste within the recess part 224 at
the center of swirling. By the flush water flowing from the receiving surface part
222 into the recess part 224, the waste is flushed away into the drainage passage
part 216 through the inlet 216a. In this way, flush water discharged from the jet
spout hole 238 forms, in the pooled water 228, a flow of water for promoting discharge
of waste.
[0106] The jet communication passage 240 communicates the left rim water passage 232L and
the jet spout hole 238. The jet communication passage 240 includes a first portion
240a, a second portion 240b, and a third portion 240, provided in this order from
the left rim water passage 232L side to the jet spout hole 238 side. The first portion
240a extends, from a water introducing port 240d (described later) that opens on an
inner wall surface of the left rim water passage 232L, downward and also inward of
the radial direction of the toilet bowl part 214. The second portion 240b extends,
from the downstream end of the first portion 240a, to be curved downward and in the
clockwise direction at the outer peripheral side of the toilet bowl part 214. The
third portion 240c extends backward from the downstream end of the second portion
240b toward the jet spout hole 238.
[0107] FIG. 14 is a magnified view of the left rim water passage 232L shown in FIG. 13.
[0108] The left rim water passage 232L has a shape extending to be bent in an L shape from
the starting end part 232a toward the termination end part 232b. Flush water suppled
to the starting end part 232a of the left rim water passage 232L is led to the termination
end part 232b, while hitting on an inner wall surface of the left rim water passage
232L and thereby changing its flowing direction. Thus, the left rim water passage
232L is formed so as to be able to lead the flush water from the starting end side
to the termination end side thereof.
[0109] The left rim discharge hole 236L is formed to branch off from a midway of a path
Pa from the starting end side toward the termination end side of the left rim water
passage 232L. The left rim discharge hole 236L is formed to extend from the midway
of the path Pa toward the inside of the toilet bowl part 214 and in the counterclockwise
direction.
[0110] The water introducing port 240d, through which flush water is introduced into the
jet communication passage 240, opens closer to the termination end side of the left
rim water passage 232L than the left rim discharge hole 236L. More specifically, the
water introducing port 240d opens on the inner bottom surface of the termination end
part 232b of the left rim water passage 232L. Also, the water introducing port 240d
is disposed on the left side of the toilet body 212 and forward of the left rim discharge
hole 236L in the toilet body 212.
[0111] Flush water suppled to the starting end side of the left rim water passage 232L is
led into the left rim water passage 232L and then first flows into the water passage
portion that is closer to the water introducing port 240d than the left rim discharge
hole 236L is. When the water passage portion closer to the water introducing port
240d than the left rim discharge hole 236L starts being filled with the flush water,
part of the flush water changes its flowing direction at a midway of the left rim
water passage 232L from the starting end side toward the termination end side to flow
into the left rim discharge hole 236L (see the direction Pb). In this way, the left
rim discharge hole 236L is formed at a position into which flush water supplied from
the starting end side of the left rim water passage 232L is able to flow by changing
its flowing direction.
[0112] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is a sectional
view taken along line E-E in FIG. 14.
[0113] As shown in FIGS. 14-16, in the left rim water passage 232L, a constriction part
244 is formed between the left rim discharge hole 236L and the water introducing port
240d. In FIG. 14, the position of the constriction part 244 is indicated by dashed
double-dotted lines.
[0114] The constriction part 244 is formed to constrict the flow of flush water from the
starting end side to the termination end side of the left rim water passage 232L.
The constriction part 244 includes a wall portion 244a that protrudes from an inner
wall surface of the left rim water passage 232L, and a water flowing portion 244b
through which flush water is able to flow. The water flowing portion 244b is formed
as an opening surrounded by inner wall surfaces of the left rim water passage 232L
and the wall portion 244a. The constriction part 244 is formed so that the space within
the left rim water passage 232L is narrowed and then broadened, from the starting
end side toward the termination end side of the left rim water passage 232L. The constriction
part 244 has a function to reduce the flow rate of flush water flowing from a water
passage portion 232d (hereinafter, referred to as a starting-side water passage portion
232d) of the left rim water passage 232L, which is positioned closer to the starting
end of the left rim water passage 232L than the constriction part 244 is, into a water
passage portion 232e (hereinafter, referred to as a termination-side water passage
portion 232e) of the left rim water passage 232L, which is positioned closer to the
termination end of the left rim water passage 232L than the constriction part 244
is.
[0115] There will now be described the operations of the flush toilet 210 set forth above.
[0116] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, flush water is supplied to the common water passage
234 from the water pipe 204a. The flush water supplied from the water pipe 204a is
then bifurcated at the bifurcation position 242 of the common water passage 234 to
be supplied to each of the rim water passages 232L and 232R (see the directions Wp
in FIG. 13). The flush water flowing through the right rim water passage 232R is discharged
from the right rim discharge hole 236R. Also, part of the flush water flowing through
the left rim water passage 232L is discharged from the left rim discharge hole 236L,
and the remaining part thereof is discharged from the jet spout hole 238 after passing
through the jet communication passage 240.
[0117] It is assumed here that the left rim discharge hole 236L is formed in the termination
end part 232b of the left rim water passage 232L, and the water introducing port 240d
of the jet communication passage 240 opens at a midway of the path from the starting
end side toward the termination end side. In this case, flush water flowing from the
starting end side within the left rim water passage 232L is likely to be led to the
left rim discharge hole 236L in the termination end part 232b without changing its
flowing direction, even though there is the jet communication passage 240. Accordingly,
it will be difficult to bring the flush water from the left rim water passage 232L
into the jet communication passage 240, so that it will also be difficult to discharge
high-pressure flush water from the jet spout hole 238.
- (A) In the flush toilet 210 of the present embodiment, on the other hand, when flush
water flows to the termination end part 232b of the left rim water passage 232L, the
flush water has to change its flowing direction, so that the flush water is likely
to change its flowing direction to the water introducing port 240d located in the
vicinity thereof, so as to be easily introduced into the water introducing port 240d.
Accordingly, flush water can be easily brought from the left rim water passage 232L
into the jet communication passage 240, so that high-pressure flush water can be easily
discharged from the jet spout hole 238. As a result, flush water supplied to the left
and right rim water passages 232L and 232R is discharged from the multiple rim discharge
holes 236L and 236R and, also, a strong flow of flush water can be discharged from
the jet spout hole 238.
- (B) Also, in the left rim water passage 232L, the constriction part 244 is formed
between the left rim discharge hole 236L and the water introducing port 240d. Accordingly,
part of flush water flowing into a water passage portion of the left rim water passage
232L, positioned closer to the starting end of the left rim water passage 232L than
the constriction part 244, further flows into a water passage portion of the left
rim water passage 232L, positioned closer to the termination end of the left rim water
passage 232L than the constriction part 244, through the constriction part 244. Accordingly,
in the left rim water passage 232L, the water passage portion positioned closer to
the starting end of the left rim water passage 232L than the constriction part 244
is likely to be filled with flush water earlier than the water passage portion positioned
closer to the termination end of the left rim water passage 232L than the constriction
part 244. Therefore, the pressure of the flush water in the water passage portion
positioned closer to the starting end of the left rim water passage 232L than the
constriction part 244 can be increased early, so that high-pressure flush water can
be discharged early from the left rim discharge hole 236L after passing through the
water passage portion. As a result, during one flushing operation, the time for which
high-pressure flush water is discharged from the left rim discharge hole 236L can
be increased, so that the toilet flushing capability and the waste discharge capability
can be improved more easily.
[0118] Since the flush toilet 210 of the present embodiment has the water passage portion
that is positioned closer to the termination end of the left rim water passage 232L
than the left rim discharge hole 236L is, the timing of discharging high-pressure
flush water from the left rim discharge hole 236L is likely to be delayed. However,
by providing the constriction part 244 between the left rim discharge hole 236L and
the water introducing port 240d, the advantage of discharging high-pressure flush
water from the left rim discharge hole 236L early while also discharging high-pressure
flush water from the jet spout hole 238 can be obtained.
[0119] Further, by adjusting the dimensions of the water flowing portion 244d of the constriction
part 244, the amount of flush water distributed from the starting end side of the
left rim water passage 232L to each of the left rim discharge hole 236L and the jet
spout hole 238 can be adjusted.
[0120] In the following, another feature of the flush toilet 210 will be described.
[0121] The remaining water in the rim water passages 232L and 232R may flow down, in the
form of a streak of water (hereinafter, referred to as streaky water), from the rim
discharge holes 236L and 236R along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part 214.
The streaky water flows down along a path irregularly changed on the inner surface
of the toilet bowl part and sometimes flows down for a long period of time, which
may cause disfigurement. In the following, the contrivances to improve such a situation
will be described.
[0122] FIG. 17 is a diagram that schematically shows a gradient formed on the inner bottom
surface of each of the rim water passages 232L and 232R. In FIG. 17, a gradient from
a higher position to a lower position is indicated by an arrow. On the inner bottom
surface of each of the rim water passages 232L and 232R, a gradient inclined downward
from the corresponding one of the rim discharge holes 236L and 236R toward the direction
away from the rim discharge hole is provided.
[0123] More specifically, on the inner bottom surface of the left rim water passage 232L,
a first gradient 250 is provided in which the bifurcation position 242 at which the
rim water passages 232L and 232R are separated corresponds to a high position, and
the water introducing port 240d of the jet communication passage 240 corresponds to
a low position. The first gradient 250 is provided to be inclined downward from the
left rim discharge hole 236L toward the direction away from the left rim discharge
hole 236L. Also, on the inner bottom surface of the right rim water passage 232R,
a second gradient 252 is provided in which the right rim discharge hole 236R corresponds
to a high position, and the bifurcation position 242 between the rim water passages
232L and 232R corresponds to a low position. The second gradient 252 is provided to
be inclined downward from the right rim discharge hole 236R toward the direction away
from the right rim discharge hole 236R. At the bifurcation position 242 between the
rim water passages 232L and 232R, a recessed part 254 recessed downward is formed.
[0124] With the gradients 252 and 254, at least part of the water introducing port 240d
of the jet communication passage 240 is positioned lower than the rim discharge holes
236L and 236R. In the present embodiment, the entirety of the water introducing port
240d is positioned lower than the rim discharge holes 236L and 236R.
[0125] Advantages of the configuration set forth above will be described. When supply of
flush water from the flush water supply device 204 is finished, water within the rim
water passages 232L and 232R is discharged from the rim discharge holes 236L and 236R
and also from the jet communication passage 240 after passing through the water introducing
port 240d in the left rim water passage 232L. It is assumed here that the water level
within each of the rim water passages 232L and 232R falls to the vicinity of the lower
edge of the rim discharge holes 236L and 236R. In this state, the remaining water
on the inner bottom surface of each of the rim water passages 232L and 232R can be
discharged from the jet communication passage 240 after passing through the water
introducing port 240d located lower than the rim discharge holes 236L and 236R, so
that the amount of water flowing into the toilet bowl part 214 from the rim discharge
holes 236L and 236R can be reduced more easily. Accordingly, even when the water levels
in the rim water passages 232L and 232R fall as described previously, flowing down
of streaky water from the respective rim discharge holes 236L and 236R along the inner
surface of the toilet bowl part 214 can be prevented, so that disfigurement within
the toilet bowl part 214 caused by toilet flushing can also be effectively prevented.
[0126] The "remaining water" includes the remainder of flush water used for toilet flushing.
The remaining water also includes the remainder of replenishment water supplied to
fill the pooled water 228 again after the pooled water 228 is discharged through the
trap part 220 during toilet flushing.
[0127] While the water level in each of the rim water passages 232L and 232R is falling,
water on the inner bottom surface of the rim water passage can be easily led by its
own weight to the water introducing port 240d of the jet communication passage 240,
along the corresponding one of the first gradient 250 and the second gradient 252.
Therefore, water on the inner bottom surfaces of the rim water passages 232L and 232R
can be discharged through the jet communication passage 240, so that the amount of
water flowing into the toilet bowl part 214 from the rim discharge holes 236L and
236R can be reduced more easily. As a result, while the water levels in the rim water
passages 232L and 232R are falling, flowing down of streaky water from the respective
rim discharge holes 236L and 236R along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part
214 can be effectively prevented, so that disfigurement within the toilet bowl part
214 caused by toilet flushing can also be prevented more effectively.
[0128] As shown in FIG. 15, a water passage portion 236d that is positioned closer to the
left rim discharge hole 236L (starting end side) than the constriction part 244 is
will be referred to as a starting-side water passage portion 236d, and a water passage
portion 236e that is positioned closer to the water introducing port 240d (termination
end side) than the constriction part 244 is will be referred to as a termination-side
water passage portion 236e. A bottom surface 244c of the water flowing portion 244b
of the constriction part 244 connects the inner bottom surface of the starting-side
water passage portion 236d and the inner bottom surface of the termination-side water
passage portion 236e so that they form a smoothly continuous surface inclined downward
from the left rim discharge hole 236L side toward the water introducing port 240d
side. The bottom surface 244c is formed over the entire width of the left rim water
passage 232L in a width direction of the water passage, at the position where the
constriction part 244 is formed, as shown in FIG. 16. Thus, the constriction part
244 has a shape such that remaining water on the inner bottom surface of the left
rim water passage 232L can be led from the left rim discharge hole 236L side toward
the water introducing port 240d side in a direction Pc.
[0129] Accordingly, remaining water can flow smoothly from the left rim discharge hole 236L
side to the water introducing port 240d side with respect to the constriction part
244. Thus, even though the constriction part 244 is formed in the left rim water passage
232L, flush water can be easily discharged from the rim water passages 232L and 232R
through the jet communication passage 240. As a result, flowing down of streaky water
from the rim discharge holes 236L and 236R along the inner surface of the toilet bowl
part 214 can be effectively prevented.
[0130] In this respect, the bottom surface 244c of the constriction part 244 has only to
connect the inner bottom surface of the starting-side water passage portion 232d and
the inner bottom surface of the termination-side water passage portion 232e so that
they are horizontally and continuously connected from the starting end side toward
the termination end side, or so that the termination end side is positioned lower
than the starting end side. In either case, the constriction part 244 has a shape
such that remaining water on the inner bottom surface of the left rim water passage
232L can be led from the left rim discharge hole 236L side toward the water introducing
port 240d side.
[0131] Also, in order to achieve such an effect, the bottom surface 244c of the constriction
part 244 has only to be formed over part of the left rim water passage 232L in a width
direction of the water passage, at the position where the constriction part 244 is
formed.
[0132] As described previously, on the inner bottom surface of the left rim water passage
232L is provided the first gradient 250 (see FIG. 17) inclined downward toward the
water introducing port 240d of the jet communication passage 240. Accordingly, when
water pressure corresponding to the water supply pressure is applied to the flush
water within the termination-side water passage portion 236e of the left rim water
passage 232L, the flush water within the termination-side water passage portion 236e
can be smoothly led to the water introducing port 240d more easily along the first
gradient 250. As a result, flush water can be brought from the left rim water passage
232L into the jet communication passage 240 more easily, so that high-pressure flush
water can be discharged from the jet spout hole 238 more easily.
[0133] In the following, yet another feature of the flush toilet 210 will be described.
[0134] FIG. 18A is a diagram that shows the left rim water passage 232L according to a first
modification. FIG. 18A shows the left rim water passage 232L viewed from the same
viewpoint as in FIG. 15. The constriction part 244 of the present example differs
from that of the example of FIG. 15 in that the wall portion 244a is formed between
the starting-side water passage portion 232d and the termination-side water passage
portion 232e so as to block the flow of a fluid flowing through lower regions of the
water passage portions. Also with this flush toilet 210, the aforementioned effects
(A) and (B) can be obtained.
[0135] As a result of experimental study, the inventors have found that, with the constriction
part 244 of this kind, bubbles are more likely to be discharged from the jet spout
hole 238. If bubbles are discharged from the jet spout hole 238, bursting sound of
bubbles or incongruity in appearance may give an unpleasant feeling to the user.
[0136] Although the mechanism thereof has not become clear, the following reason may be
given. As described previously, when flush water W is supplied to the left rim water
passage 232L, the starting-side water passage portion 232d is filled with the flush
water W first, as shown in FIG. 18B. At the time, air Ar may remain in the termination-side
water passage portion 232e without being discharged. In this case, the air Ar exists
on the termination end side with respect to the water flowing portion 244b of the
constriction part 244. Accordingly, if the flush water W flows into the termination-side
water passage portion 232e through the water flowing portion 244b in this state, the
flush water W will further flow into the jet communication passage 240, entraining
the air Ar within the termination-side water passage portion 232e. Thus, it is surmised
that the entrained air is discharged as bubbles from the jet spout hole 238.
[0137] In the constriction part 244 of the present embodiment, on the other hand, the wall
portion 244a is formed between the starting-side water passage portion 232d and the
termination-side water passage portion 232e so as to block the flow of a fluid flowing
through upper regions of the water passage portions, as shown in FIG. 15. The wall
portion 244a is formed over the entire width of the left rim water passage 232L in
a width direction of the water passage, at the position where the constriction part
244 is formed, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0138] Advantages thereof will be described. It is assumed here that, in the left rim water
passage 232L, the starting-side water passage portion 232d is filled with the flush
water W first, and the air Ar remains in the termination-side water passage portion
232e, as shown in FIG. 19. In this case, in the present embodiment, the flush water
W rather than the air Ar exists on the termination end side with respect to the water
flowing portion 244b of the constriction part 244. Accordingly, even if the flush
water W flows into the termination-side water passage portion 232e through the water
flowing portion 244b in this state, the flush water W is less likely to entrain the
air within the termination-side water passage portion 232e, so that the air is less
likely to flow into the jet communication passage 240. Therefore, even though the
constriction part 244 is formed in the left rim water passage 232L, discharge of bubbles
from the jet spout hole 238 can be prevented.
[0139] In addition, by providing the wall portion 244 of the constriction part 244 as set
forth above, when flush water is supplied into the left rim water passage 232L, the
air Ar becomes more likely to remain in the termination-side water passage portion
232e of the left rim water passage 232L without being discharged to the outside. Accordingly,
when the flush water W flows through the water flowing portion 244b of the constriction
part 244, the air Ar provides resistance, so that the flush water flowing into the
termination-side water passage portion 232e is less likely to spread therein. As a
result, reduction of the force of flush water caused by such spreading of flush water
within the termination-side water passage portion 232e can be prevented, so that a
strong flow of flush water can be discharged from the jet spout hole 238 more easily.
[0140] Also, as shown in FIG. 16, when the water passage height of the left rim water passage
232L is defined as HO, the wall portion 244a of the constriction part 244 is formed,
at the position where the constriction part 244 is formed, so that the height dimension
H1 from the inner upper surface of the left rim water passage 232L becomes half the
water passage height H0 or larger. The wall portion 244a of the constriction part
244 may be formed so that the height dimension H1 from the inner upper surface of
the left rim water passage 232L becomes three-quarters of the water passage height
H0 or larger.
[0141] The second invention has been described with reference to an embodiment, which merely
describes principles and applications of the second invention. Also, various modifications
or changes in arrangement may be made to the embodiment without departing from the
scope of ideas of the second invention defined in the claims.
[0142] The inside of the toilet bowl part 214 of the flush toilet 210 may be flushed using
a flushing method, including the wash-down type and the syphon type. Also, as a water
supply method for the flush toilet 210, the water direct pressure type, the gravity
water supply type using gravity, or the like, may be employed. Further, although a
wall-mounted toilet is described as an example of the toilet body 212, it may be a
floor-mounted toilet mounted on the floor of a toilet room. Also, the toilet body
212 may be made of another material, such as resin, instead of a ceramic material.
[0143] Although an example has been described in which the left rim water passage 232L and
the right rim water passage 232R are formed by bifurcating the common water passage
234 at the downstream end thereof, they may be formed separately.
[0144] Although an example has been described in which the jet spout hole 238 is formed
in the bottom part of the toilet bowl part 214, the jet spout hole 238 may be formed
in the trap part 220 of the drainage passage part 216. In this case, flush water discharged
from the jet spout hole 238 forms, in the seal water 218, a flow of water flowing
toward the downstream side of the trap part 220, thereby promoting discharge of waste.
Namely, the jet spout hole 238 has only to be formed in the bottom part of the toilet
bowl part 214 or in the drainage passage part 216. Accordingly, a flow of water for
promoting discharge of waste is formed in the pooled water 228 or in the seal water
218.
[0145] Although an example has been described in which the jet communication passage 240
communicates the jet spout hole 238 and the left rim water passage 232L, the jet communication
passage 240 may communicate the jet spout hole 238 and the right rim water passage
232R. Also, although an example has been described in which the water introducing
port 240d of the jet communication passage 240 opens on the termination end part 232b
of the left rim water passage 232L, the water introducing port 240d has only to open
on a part of the rim water passage that is positioned closer to the termination end
than the rim discharge hole is. Further, an example has been described in which the
water introducing port 240d of the jet communication passage 240 opens on the inner
bottom surface of the left rim water passage 232L. However, the water introducing
port 240d has only to open on an inner wall surface of the rim water passage, and
may open on an inner side surface, instead of the inner bottom surface, of the rim
water passage.
[0146] In the example of FIG. 16, an example has been described in which the water flowing
portion 244b of the constriction part 244 is formed to be surrounded by inner wall
surfaces of the left rim water passage 232L and the wall portion 244a of the constriction
part 244. Alternatively, a cutout 256 may be formed in the wall portion 244a of the
constriction part 244, and the water flowing portion 244b may be formed to be surrounded
by the cutout 256 and an inner wall surface of the left rim water passage 232L, as
shown in FIG. 20. Also, multiple water flowing portions 244b may be formed, as shown
in FIG. 20. Further, a through hole may be formed in the wall portion 244a of the
constriction part 244, and the water flowing portion 244b may be formed only by the
through hole of the wall portion 244a.
[0147] In the example of FIG. 11, an example has been described in which the first rim discharge
hole 36L, from which flush water supplied to the left rim water passage 232L is discharged,
is disposed to the left of the lateral center line CL, and the second rim discharge
hole 236R, from which flush water supplied to the right rim water passage 232R is
discharged, is disposed to the right of the lateral center line CL. Alternatively,
the first rim discharge hole 236L may be disposed to the right of the lateral center
line CL, and the second rim discharge hole 236R may be disposed to the left of the
lateral center line CL. In any case, the positions of the rim discharge holes 236L
and 236R are not particularly limited. Also, another rim discharge hole may be further
formed in the rim part 226.
[0148] With reference to FIG. 17, an example has been described in which the gradients 250
and 252 are provided respectively on the inner bottom surfaces of the rim water passages
232L and 232R so that the water introducing port 240d is positioned lower than the
rim discharge holes 236L and 236R. Alternatively, the water introducing port 240d
may be positioned lower than the first rim discharge hole 236L by providing a step
descending from the first rim discharge hole 236L toward the termination end side
in the first rim water passage 232L.
[0149] Also, an example has been described in which flush water is discharged from the rim
discharge holes 236L and 236R in one circumferential direction along the inner peripheral
surface of the rim part 226. However, a discharge port formed in the rim part 226
has only to allow flush water to be discharged into the toilet bowl part 214, and
the discharging direction of the flush water is not limited thereto. For example,
the flush water may be discharged downward.
[0150] Although an example has been described in which the jet spout hole 238 is formed
on the left side and front side on a wall surface of the recess part 224, the position
is not limited thereto.
[0151] When the inventions embodied by the embodiment and modifications set forth above
are generalized, the following technical ideas are derived.
[0152] In the flush toilet in a second mode of the second invention, in the first mode,
in the first rim water passage, a constriction part for constricting the flow of flush
water may be formed between the first rim discharge hole and the water introducing
port.
[0153] In the present mode, in the first rim water passage, the water passage portion positioned
closer to the starting end of the first rim water passage than the constriction part
is likely to be filled with flush water earlier than the water passage portion positioned
closer to the termination end of the first rim water passage than the constriction
part. Therefore, the pressure of the flush water in the water passage portion positioned
closer to the starting end of the first rim water passage than the constriction part
can be increased early, so that high-pressure flush water can be discharged early
from the first rim discharge hole after passing through the water passage portion.
[0154] In the flush toilet in a third mode of the second invention, in the first or second
mode, at least part of the water introducing port may be positioned lower than the
first rim discharge hole.
[0155] In the present mode, remaining water within the first rim water passage can be easily
discharged through the water introducing port positioned lower than the first rim
discharge hole, so that the amount of water flowing into the toilet bowl part from
the first rim discharge hole can be reduced more easily. Therefore, flowing down of
streaky water from the first rim discharge hole along the inner surface of the toilet
bowl part can be prevented.
[0156] In the flush toilet in a fourth mode of the second invention, in the second mode,
at least part of the water introducing port may be positioned lower than the first
rim discharge hole, and the constriction part may have a shape such that remaining
water on the inner bottom surface of the first rim water passage can be led from the
first rim discharge hole side toward the water introducing port side.
[0157] In the present mode, remaining water within the first rim water passage can flow
smoothly from the first rim discharge hole side to the water introducing port side
with respect to the constriction part. Accordingly, even though the constriction part
is formed in the first rim water passage, remaining water within the first rim water
passage can be easily discharged through the communication passage. Therefore, flowing
down of streaky water from the first rim discharge hole along the inner surface of
the toilet bowl part can be effectively prevented.
[0158] In the flush toilet in a fifth mode of the second invention, in the third or the
fourth mode, on the inner bottom surface of the first rim water passage, a gradient
inclined downward from the first rim discharge hole toward the direction away from
the first rim discharge hole may be provided.
[0159] In the present mode, remaining water within the first rim water passage can be easily
led by its own weight to the water introducing port, so that the amount of water flowing
into the toilet bowl part through the first rim discharge hole can be reduced more
easily. Therefore, flowing down of streaky water from the first rim discharge hole
along the inner surface of the toilet bowl part can be effectively prevented.
[0160] In the flush toilet in a sixth mode of the second invention, in the second or the
fourth mode, the constriction part may include a wall portion formed between a water
passage portion that is positioned closer to the starting end than the constriction
part is and a water passage portion that is positioned closer to the termination end
than the constriction part is so as to block the flow of a fluid flowing through upper
regions of the water passage portions.
[0161] It is assumed here that the starting-side water passage portion is filled with flush
water first, and air remains in an upper region of the termination-side water passage
portion. In this case, in the present mode, flush water rather than air is likely
to exist on the termination end side with respect to the water flowing portion of
the constriction part. Accordingly, even if the flush water flows into the termination-side
water passage portion through the constriction part in this state, the flush water
is less likely to entrain the air within the termination-side water passage portion,
so that the air is less likely to flow into the communication passage. Therefore,
even though the constriction part is formed in the first rim water passage, discharge
of bubbles from the spout hole can be prevented.
[0162] In the flush toilet in a seventh mode of the second invention, in any one of the
first through the sixth mode, the first rim discharge hole may be disposed on one
of left and right sides of the toilet body, and the water introducing port may be
disposed on the one of left and right sides of the toilet body and forward of the
first rim discharge hole in the toilet body.
[0163] It can also be said that the embodiment and modifications set forth above include
the invention described in the following item.
[Item]
[0164] A flush toilet, comprising:
a toilet bowl part with a rim part formed in an upper end part thereof;
a first rim water passage formed on an outer peripheral side of the rim part;
a first rim discharge hole through which flush water is discharged from the first
rim water passage into the toilet bowl part;
a spout hole formed in a bottom part of the toilet bowl part or in a drainage passage
part connected to the bottom part; and
a communication passage that communicates the first rim water passage and the spout
hole, wherein:
the first rim discharge hole is formed to branch off from a midway of a path from
the starting end side toward the termination end side of the first rim water passage;
a water introducing port of the communication passage opens closer to the termination
end side of the first rim water passage than the first rim discharge hole; and,
in the first rim water passage, a constriction part for constricting the flow of flush
water is formed between the first rim discharge hole and the water introducing port.
[EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS]
[0165]
- 10
- flush toilet
- 14
- toilet bowl part
- 16
- inlet
- 18
- trap part
- 24
- rim part
- 26
- water discharge part
- 28
- jet spout port (spout port)
- 30A
- right rim discharge port (first discharge port)
- 30B
- left rim discharge port (second discharge port)
- 44
- pooled water
- 56A
- right rim water passage (first water passage)
- 56B
- left rim water passage (second water passage)
- 58
- jet water supply passage (water supply passage)
- 64
- introducing port
- 66
- aerial space
- 210
- flush toilet
- 214
- toilet bowl part
- 216
- drainage passage part
- 226
- rim part
- 232L
- left rim water passage (first rim water passage)
- 232R
- right rim water passage (second rim water passage)
- 236L
- left rim discharge hole (first rim discharge hole)
- 236L
- right rim discharge hole (second rim discharge hole)
- 238
- jet spout hole (spout hole)
- 240
- jet communication passage (communication passage)
- 240d
- water introducing port
- 244
- constriction part
- 250
- gradient
- 252
- gradient
[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]
[0166] The present invention relates to a flush toilet.