JP2010077654A - Washstand unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washstand unit 1 which prevents a user from feeling uncomfortable even face washing or hair shampooing, which does not deteriorate the beautiful appearance, and which can be easily cleaned. <P>SOLUTION: This washstand unit includes: a bowl 10; a drain outlet 4 which is provided with an opening/closing-controllable plug 5, so as to discharge water in the bowl 10; a faucet 7 which supplies the water into the bowl 10; a distance sensor 11 which is provided on the back side with respect to the center of the bowl 10 above an upper end of the bowl 10, so as to detect a water level in the bowl 10; and a control means for opening/closing the plug 5. When the distance sensor 11 detects that the water in the bowl 10 reaches a predetermined water level 12, the control means discharges the water in the bowl 10 by opening the plug 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a face washing device used for face washing and hair washing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a face washing device used for face washing and hair washing is known. In general, such a washing apparatus includes a water supply currant for pouring water into a bowl and a drain outlet for draining the water in the bowl. The drain opening is provided in the lower part of the bowl and is connected to the drain pipe. There may be a case where a storage cabinet is provided above and below the washing apparatus.

  Moreover, it is possible to perform face washing and hair washing by collecting water in the bowl by blocking the drainage by plugging the drainage port. At this time, in order to prevent the water in the bowl from overflowing, an overflow hole is provided in the side wall of the bowl, and when the water level in the bowl reaches the overflow hole, the water is drained from the overflow hole. The overflow hole is an upper opening of the overflow pipe, and the lower part of the overflow pipe is connected to the drain pipe, and the water in the bowl flowing into the overflow hole reaches the drain pipe through the overflow pipe and is drained.

  By the way, since it is difficult to clean the periphery of the overflow hole and the inside of the overflow pipe, dirt may accumulate or a bad odor may be generated. In the vanity table, the face is brought close to the bowl for face washing and shampooing, so it is easy to notice even slight odors and dirt caused by overflow holes and overflow tubes. In addition, the presence of the overflow hole itself has a problem that the aesthetics of the washing apparatus is impaired.

To solve such a problem, as shown in FIG. 3, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-528738, which is a conventional example, considers a washing apparatus 1 that does not have an overflow hole or an overflow pipe. In this conventional example, in order to prevent the water stored in the bowl 10 of the washing apparatus 1 from overflowing, the overflow sensor 2 is provided on the side wall of the bowl 10, and the water surface 3 of the water stored in the bowl 10 is provided. When it is detected that the predetermined water level 12 has been reached, the stopper driving mechanism 51 is operated to open the stopper 5 so that the water in the bowl 10 is drained from the drain port 4 to the drain pipe 6. As the overflow sensor 2, a capacitance sensor, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or the like is used. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide an overflow hole or an overflow pipe, and the beauty of the washing apparatus 1 is improved.
JP 2006-528738 Gazette

  However, in the washing apparatus 1 which is the above-described conventional example, a pressure sensor or the like is used as the overflow sensor 2, so that even if the water level in the bowl 10 does not reach the predetermined water level 12, the overflow sensor 2. There is a problem that the stopper 5 opens due to erroneous detection due to water splashing on or the overflow sensor 2 being touched by hand. The conventional example shows a solution that the overflow sensor 2 is provided in a housing or a cover (not shown) for the purpose of preventing this erroneous detection. However, the housing and the cover are difficult to clean. This causes a problem that the beauty of the washing apparatus 1 is impaired and that the contact between the overflow sensor 2 and water is hindered by dirt in the housing, which causes false detection.

  Further, when the pressure sensor is provided below the predetermined water level 12 as the overflow sensor 2 so that the water pressure in the bowl 10 reaches the predetermined water level 12 by the water pressure, the water supply current is introduced into the bowl 10. The pressure sensor detects that the water level in the bowl 10 is higher than the actual level when the water pressure in the bowl 10 is higher than when the water is stationary, such as when water is injected vigorously. . As a result, even if the water level in the bowl 10 is lower than the predetermined water level 12, the stopper 5 is opened due to erroneous detection. That is, the detection of the water level in the bowl 10 is affected by the state of the water in the bowl 10. As a result, there is also a problem that the predetermined water level 12 must be set higher in consideration of erroneous detection.

  Further, since the overflow sensor 2 directly detects the water in the bowl 10, the overflow sensor 2 needs to be integrated with the bowl 10, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom in design is small. . In addition, when the predetermined water level 12 is changed, it is necessary to change the position of the overflow sensor 2, but it is difficult because the overflow sensor 2 is integrated with the bowl 10. Further, the overflow sensor 2 may be affected by dirt or a short circuit due to water in the bowl 10.

  The present invention has been invented in view of the above-mentioned background art, and its problem is to provide a washing apparatus that does not give the user an unpleasant feeling during face washing or washing, does not impair aesthetics, and is easy to clean. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the washing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application, a bowl, a drain outlet provided with a stopper that can be opened and closed, a water outlet for draining water in the bowl, a water supply curan for supplying water into the bowl, and a bowl upper end A distance sensor that is provided above the center of the bowl and detects the water level in the bowl, and a control means that opens and closes the stopper. The distance sensor indicates that the water in the bowl has reached a predetermined water level. If detected, the control means opens the stopper and drains the water in the bowl.

  Further, the washing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present application is characterized in that, in the washing apparatus according to claim 1, the distance sensor is provided at the lower portion of the water supply currant.

  Further, the washing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present application is characterized in that, in the washing apparatus according to claim 1, a distance sensor is provided in a lower part of a storage cabinet provided above the bowl.

  In the washing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the distance sensor detects that the water in the bowl has reached the predetermined water level, the control means opens the stopper and drains the water in the bowl. Therefore, by not providing an overflow hole or an overflow pipe, the user is not uncomfortable, the aesthetics are not impaired, and cleaning is easy. In addition, the distance sensor as the water level detection means is less likely to be adversely affected by water in the bowl, such as dirt and short circuits. Further, since the distance sensor detects the distance to the water surface, the water level can be detected without being affected by whether the water in the bowl is moving or stationary. In addition, the distance sensor does not need to be in direct contact with the water in the bowl, and it is not necessary to design the distance sensor and the washing device as one unit. The degree increases. In addition, by changing the setting of which distance is detected to close the stopper, the predetermined water level can be freely changed, and the convenience of the user of the washing apparatus is improved.

  In addition, since the distance sensor is located above the top of the bowl and behind the center of the bowl, the water level of the distance sensor is detected by the hand or head of the person using the basin from the front of the bowl for washing or washing the face. Will not be hindered.

  Further, in the washing apparatus according to claim 2, since the distance sensor is provided in the lower portion of the water supply curan, the use of the washing apparatus is not hindered and the aesthetics of the washing apparatus are not impaired. Further, the distance sensor can be installed above the bowl and in a place close to the water in the washbasin, and the water level in the bowl can be accurately detected.

  Further, in the washing apparatus according to claim 3, since the distance sensor is provided in the lower part of the storage cabinet provided above the bowl, it does not hinder the use of the washing apparatus and does not impair the aesthetics of the washing apparatus. . In addition, since the storage cabinet is usually placed at a position that is not easily affected by the water in the bowl, the distance sensor provided in the lower part of the storage cabinet is not affected by dirt or short circuits caused by the water in the bowl. It is hard to receive.

  1 and 2 show a washing apparatus 1 which is an embodiment corresponding to all claims 1 to 3 of the present application. This lavatory apparatus 1 is provided in a vanity table used for lavatory and shampooing. As shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a water supply currant 7 for supplying water into the bowl 10, a distance sensor 11 that is provided above the upper end of the bowl 10 and behind the center of the bowl 10 to detect the water level in the bowl 10, and opens and closes the plug 5. Control means, and when the distance sensor 11 detects that the water in the bowl 10 has reached the predetermined water level 12, the control means opens the stopper 5 and drains the water in the bowl 10.

  In the washing apparatus 1, the distance sensor 11 is provided at the lower part of the water supply currant 7.

  In the washing apparatus 1, the distance sensor 11 is provided at the lower part of the storage cabinet 8 provided above the bowl 10.

  Hereinafter, the washing apparatus of this embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 1 is a bathroom vanity provided with a bathroom 1 of this embodiment. The washing apparatus 1 is used from the front side on the left side in FIG. The right side of FIG. 1, that is, the back side of the washing apparatus 1 is a wall that stands up upward, and the horizontal upper surface of the wall is provided in contact with the horizontal lower surface of the storage cabinet 8 used for storage. Thus, the space above the washing apparatus 1 can be used for storage. The lower surface of the storage cabinet 8 is provided so as to protrude to the near side of the wall behind the washbasin 1, and the portion of the lower surface of the storage cabinet 8 that is not in contact with the horizontal upper surface of the wall behind the washbasin 1 holds the bowl 10. It protrudes to the near side so as to cover it. Water is supplied to the bowl 10 from the water supply currant 7, and the water after being used for face washing and shampooing is drained through a drain pipe 6 from a drain port 4 provided in a circular opening at the bottom of the bowl 10. The In order to pour the water supplied from the water supply into the bowl 10, the water supply currant 7 comes out from the portion of the lower surface of the storage cabinet 8 that protrudes so as to cover the bowl 10, is directed downward, bent toward the front, and leveled. It is bent downward in the vertical direction again in the vicinity immediately above the drain port 4 and opens downward in the vertical direction toward the drain port 4 on the back side from the center of the bowl 10. The water supply currant 7 is a pipe-shaped passage of upper water provided so as to cover the upper part of the bowl 10, and is opened from the vicinity of the drain outlet 4 provided at the lower part of the bowl 10, so that it is supplied from the water supply currant 7. The bowl 10 can be washed with water using water.

  Above the bowl 10, a distance sensor 11 capable of measuring the distance to the water surface of the water accumulated in the bowl 10 is provided below the horizontally bent portion of the water supply currant 7. Thereby, the distance sensor 11 can detect the water level of the water accumulated in the bowl 10. In addition, a distance sensor 11 is provided below the lower portion of the lower portion of the storage cabinet 8 that protrudes from the center of the bowl 10 to the upper side of the bowl 10 and on the rear side of the position where the water supply currant 7 is provided. Is provided so that the distance to the water surface in the bowl 10 can be detected, and the water level in the bowl 10 can be detected. These two distance sensors 11 detect the water level at different points in the bowl 10 so that the control means can open the plug 5.

  The washbasin 1 is provided at the upper part of the base of the vanity. On the pedestal, a washing device 1 and a wall behind the washing device 1 are provided. A bowl 10 including a drain port 4 and a stopper 5 and a drain pipe 6 are accommodated in the pedestal.

  If the stopper 5 is closed so as to prevent drainage from the drainage port 4, water can be stored in the bowl 10 for use. The water supplied from the water supply currant 7 is not drained from the drain port 4 when the stopper 5 is closed, and is stored in the bowl 10. When the water continuously supplied from the water supply currant 7 reaches the predetermined water level 12, the distance sensor 11 provided at the top of the bowl 10 detects this and opens the stopper 5, thereby preventing the water from overflowing from the bowl 10. Has been made. At this time, in the vicinity of the predetermined water level 12, in order to prevent erroneous detection of the hand of the user of the washbasin 1 and opening the stopper 5, the two distance sensors 11 simultaneously cause the water in the bowl 10 to reach the predetermined water level 12. If the arrival is not detected, the control means prevents the plug 5 from being opened. That is, when both of the two distance sensors 11 provided above the bowl 10 simultaneously detect that the water in the bowl 10 has reached the predetermined water level 12, the control means transmits information to open the stopper to the driving mechanism of the stopper 5. Then, the stopper 5 is opened, and the water in the bowl 10 is drained from the drain port 4.

  1 and 2 show how the stopper 5 operates. When water is stored in the bowl 10, the stopper 5 is closed as shown in FIG. When draining the water in the bowl 10, the stopper 5 is opened as shown in FIG. The stopper 5 is a pop-up type drain plug, and the upper part thereof is formed in a disk shape, and is provided horizontally so as to block the circularly opened portion of the drain port 4, and vertically downward from the center of the disk-shaped upper part. A bar-shaped central part is provided to hang down. As described above, the upper portion of the pop-up drain plug is provided at the upper end of the rod-shaped central portion, and the lower end of the rod-shaped central portion has substantially the same shape as the cross section of the drain pipe 6 and is inside the drain pipe 6. There is a horizontally provided hair catch that allows the drainage to pass through, as a disc with a hole in it that can move up and down. Further, a pop-up mechanism receiving portion 54 is provided at the lower part of the center portion of the disk of the hair catch portion. When the stopper 5 shown in FIG. 2 (a) is closed, the upper part of the pop-up drain plug closes the drain opening 4 which is opened in a circular shape to prevent drainage, and water is stored in the bowl 10. . Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the opening instruction information is given from the control means to the driving mechanism of the stopper 5, the driving mechanism of the stopper 5 operates the pop-up mechanism 52. The pop-up mechanism 52 has a tip 53 that is movable up and down. Normally, the tip 53 is in the lower position and is in the retracted state. However, when the information for opening the plug 5 is received from the control means, the tip 53 moves upward. The pop-up mechanism receiving portion 54 is pushed upward to lift the pop-up drain plug upward. Thereby, a clearance gap arises between the drain outlet 4 and the upper part of a pop-up type drain plug, and the water in the bowl 10 is drained from this clearance gap.

  Therefore, in the washing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, if the distance sensor 11 detects that the water in the bowl 10 has reached the predetermined water level 12, the control means opens the plug 5 and drains the water in the bowl 10. Therefore, by not providing an overflow hole or an overflow pipe, the user is not uncomfortable, the aesthetics are not impaired, and cleaning is easy. Further, the distance sensor 11 as the water level detecting means is less likely to be adversely affected by the water in the bowl 10 such as dirt and a short circuit. Further, since the distance sensor 11 detects the distance to the water surface, it is possible to detect the water level without being affected by whether the water in the bowl 10 is moving or stationary. Further, the distance sensor 11 does not need to be in direct contact with the water in the bowl 10, and it is not necessary to design the distance sensor 11 and the washing apparatus 1 as one unit. The degree of freedom in designing the device 1 is increased. Moreover, the predetermined water level 12 can be freely changed by changing the setting of which distance is detected to close the stopper 5, and the convenience of the user of the washing apparatus 1 is improved.

  Further, since the distance sensor 11 is provided above the upper end of the bowl 10 and behind the center of the bowl 10, depending on the hand or head of the person using the basin 1 from the front side of the bowl 10 for hair washing or face washing, The detection of the water level of the distance sensor 11 is not hindered.

  Moreover, since the distance sensor 11 is provided in the lower part of the water supply currant 7, it does not hinder the use of the washing apparatus 1 and does not impair the aesthetics of the washing apparatus 1. In addition, the distance sensor 11 can be installed above the bowl 10 and in a place close to the water in the washing apparatus 1, and the water level in the bowl 10 can be accurately detected.

  Further, since the distance sensor 11 is provided in the lower part of the storage cabinet 8 provided above the bowl 10, the use of the washing apparatus 1 is not hindered and the beauty of the washing apparatus 1 is not impaired. Moreover, since the normal storage cabinet 8 is provided at a position that is not easily affected by the water in the bowl 10, the distance sensor 11 provided in the lower part of the storage cabinet 8 is contaminated or short-circuited by the water in the bowl 10. It is hard to be influenced by such.

The side view which shows the principal part of the washing apparatus which is embodiment of this application. (A) which shows operation | movement of the stopper in the washbasin which is embodiment of this application is the state which the stopper closed, (b) is a side view which shows the state which the stopper opened. Sectional side view which shows the principal part of the washbasin of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Washing equipment
10 bowls
11 Distance sensor
12 Specified water level 2 Overflow sensor 3 Water surface 4 Drain port 5 Stopper
51 Plug drive mechanism
52 Pop-up mechanism
53 Tip
54 Pop-up mechanism receiving part 6 Drain pipe 7 Water supply curan 8 Storage cabinet

Claims (3)

  A bowl, a drain opening for controlling the opening and closing of the bowl, a drain for draining the water in the bowl, a water supply curan for supplying water into the bowl, and a water level in the bowl above the top of the bowl and at the back of the center of the bowl And a control means for opening and closing the stopper. When the distance sensor detects that the water in the bowl has reached a predetermined water level, the control means opens the stopper and drains the water in the bowl. A washbasin made as described above.   2. The washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance sensor is provided in a lower portion of the water supply curan.   The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein a distance sensor is provided in a lower part of a storage cabinet provided above the bowl.

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