KR101303449B1 - Apparatus for sterilizing cleaning nozzle and Bidet having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for sterilizing a cleaning nozzle installed in a bidet and a bidet having the same are disclosed. In the nozzle sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, an inlet for connecting a washing water supply line for supplying washing water from the outside is provided at one side, and an outlet for connecting the steam supply line is provided at the other side, and the washing is introduced into the inlet. A steam generator comprising a steam tank for providing a space for the water to be turned into steam and an electrode heater for heating the washing water in the steam tank; And a steam injection nozzle connected to the steam generator and a steam supply line and installed at an upper portion of the cleaning nozzle to inject steam supplied from the steam generator to the cleaning nozzle. According to this, by washing the cleaning nozzle using the steam generating nozzle with the high temperature steam supplied from the steam generator, there is an effect that it is possible to reliably remove foreign substances, germs and bacteria attached to the cleaning nozzle.

Bidet, Cleaning Nozzle, Sterilization, Cleaning, Steam Generator, Steam Injection Nozzle, Heater

Description

Apparatus for sterilizing cleaning nozzle and Bidet having the same}

The present invention relates to a nozzle sterilization apparatus, and more particularly, to a nozzle sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a high temperature sterilizing cleaning nozzle installed in a bidet using steam and a bidet having the same.

In recent years, BIDET is widely used in homes, companies, hotels and inns such as inns to clean up the anus and its surroundings with appropriate pressure after stool. .

1 shows an example of a general bidet, the bidet 100 is a bidet body 120 having a plurality of operation buttons and a water supply line, and the bidet body 120 is installed integrally with the toilet seat 132 It includes a seat plate 130 seated. Although not shown, the bidet 100 includes a seat plate cover installed to cover the upper portion of the seat plate 130. On the other hand, the cleaning nozzle 110 is installed to be extended to the lower plate 130, the washing water is supplied from the water supply line of the bidet body 120 and sprayed to the user's anus or vagina side.

However, such a cleaning nozzle 110 has a problem that the nozzle itself is contaminated. That is, foreign matter that is scattered during abnormal stool, not normal stool, is attached to the cleaning nozzle 110, and a part of the stool of the user may be attached to the nozzle even in the normal toilet. In particular, when such foreign matter is attached to the nozzle for a long time is not easily removed to cause discomfort to other users, hygiene is not very good. Therefore, the cleaning nozzle 110 should be cleaned regularly, it is very inconvenient to clean the cleaning nozzle 110 manually manually.

In view of these problems, a technology for automatically cleaning the cleaning nozzle has been recently developed. For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-72584 installs a separate spray nozzle on the cleaning nozzle to flush or spray the cleaning water. The method of washing a cleaning nozzle is known.

However, in this manner, it is not easy to remove the foreign matter stuck to the cleaning nozzle, so that it is impossible to completely remove the contamination, and in particular, there is a problem in that the germ or bacteria inhabiting the nozzle cannot be removed at the source.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, by installing a steam generator in the bidet and washing the cleaning nozzle using the steam generated therefrom, to remove the foreign substances attached to the cleaning nozzle and also to incubate It is an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle sterilization apparatus for removing bacteria and a bidet having the same.

Nozzle sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the apparatus for sterilizing the cleaning nozzle installed in the bidet, the inlet port to which the washing water supply line for supplying the washing water from the outside is connected to one side Is provided, the outlet is connected to the steam supply line is provided on the other side, the steam consisting of a steam tank for providing a space for heating the washing water introduced into the inlet to turn into steam and an electrode heater for heating the washing water in the steam tank generator; And a steam injection nozzle connected to the steam generator and a steam supply line and installed at an upper portion of the cleaning nozzle to inject steam supplied from the steam generator to the cleaning nozzle.

The electrode heating unit includes an electrode installed at the steam tank so as to surround the electrode and at least a portion of the electrode heating the water stored in the steam tank in direct contact with the water.

The electrode is characterized in that the plate or rod shape.

The steam generator, the inlet and the washing water supply line and preferably further comprises an inlet and outlet valve installed between each of the outlet and the steam supply line.

In addition, the steam generator, it is preferable to further include a heat insulating cover that is installed to surround the outside of the steam tank and the electrode heating portion.

On the other hand, bidet according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the seat plate seated on the toilet seat; A seat plate cover installed to cover the upper portion of the seat plate; A bidet body having a plurality of operation buttons, a washing water tank in which the washing water supplied from the outside is stored, a control unit for transmitting a control command according to the operation to the operation button, and a washing nozzle which is provided to be extended in the lower part of the seat plate. ; And an inlet for connecting a washing water supply line for supplying the washing water from the washing water tank of the bidet body to one side and an outlet for connecting the steam supply line to the other side to heat the washing water introduced into the inlet. And a steam generator configured to provide a space to change into steam and an electrode heating unit for heating the washing water in the steam tank, the steam generator being connected to the steam supply line and installed above the cleaning nozzle, from the steam generator. And a nozzle sterilization apparatus having a steam spray nozzle for spraying the supplied steam to the cleaning nozzle.

The electrode heating unit includes an electrode installed at the steam tank so as to surround the electrode and at least a portion of the electrode heating the water stored in the steam tank in direct contact with the water.

In addition, the control unit is installed inside the seat plate and is electrically connected to a seating sensor for detecting whether the user is seated and the cover sensor for detecting whether the seat plate cover is opened or closed, the user does not sit on the seat plate It is preferable to control the nozzle sterilizer to operate only when the seat cover is covered.

As described above, according to the nozzle sterilization apparatus according to the present invention and a bidet having the same, a steam generator is installed in the bidet, and the hot steam generated therefrom is washed with a steam generating nozzle to wash the cleaning nozzle. There is an effect that can remove the foreign matter attached, and germs and bacteria reliably. In addition, by using an electrode type heating device, it is possible to design cheaper than a heating device using a heater, and there is an advantageous effect in terms of stability.

The above objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a nozzle sterilization apparatus and a bidet having the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 shows a bidet applied bidet sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the bidet 200 includes a bidet body 210 including a cleaning nozzle 220, a seat plate 230 integrally installed with the bidet body 210, and seated on the toilet seat 130 (see FIG. 1). A bidet sterilization apparatus 300 for sterilizing and washing the cleaning nozzle 220 is included. In addition, a seat plate cover 240 (see FIG. 7) is installed to cover the upper portion of the seat plate 230, but this is omitted for convenience of description in FIG. 2.

One side of the bidet body 210 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons 212 for user operation. In the bidet body 210, a washing water tank 214 is provided to temporarily store water supplied from the outside, and a washing water supply line 250 connected to the washing nozzle 220 is connected to the washing water tank 214. do. Therefore, when the pump is not shown, the water of the washing water tank 214 is supplied to the washing nozzle 220 through the washing water supply line 250. In addition, a control unit 216 (see FIG. 7) is installed in the bidet body 210 to transmit a control signal to operate each component of the bidet according to the input of the operation button 212 by the user.

The cleaning nozzle 220 has a nozzle connection end 228 (see FIG. 7) connected to the washing water supply line 250, a nozzle body 222 installed to communicate with the nozzle connection end, and a spring installed at the nozzle body 222. (226, see Fig. 7) is provided with a nozzle tip 224 is installed to enable the forward and backward in the nozzle body 222. In Figure 2, two cleaning nozzles 220 are installed, one sprays the washing water to the anal side, and one sprays the washing water to the vaginal side of the woman, both have the same structure and principle of operation, one The cleaning nozzle 220 will be described. Therefore, the nozzle tip 224 is advanced to the outside of the nozzle body 222 by the pressure of the washing water supplied into the nozzle body 222, and a plurality of nozzle tip 224 formed at the end of the nozzle tip 224 in a position that can no longer be advanced The washing water is ejected through the injection hole to allow the user to clean the water. Then, when the supply of the washing water is stopped, the nozzle tip 224 is returned to the original position, that is, the inside of the nozzle body 222 by the elastic force of the spring 226.

On the other hand, the structure and operation of the cleaning nozzle 220 introduced in this embodiment is only one example, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cleaning nozzle 220 may be operated by a gear train or a belt operated by driving of a motor, not by hydraulic pressure.

The seat plate cover 240 may be opened or closed automatically by a manual or driving box 242 (see FIG. 7). Meanwhile, a seating sensor 232 is installed inside the seat plate 230 to detect whether the user is sitting on the seat plate 230 and transmit a signal to the controller 216, and the controller 216 signals that the user is not sitting. When receiving the drive box 242 to drive the seat cover 240 to close.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the main portion of the nozzle sterilization apparatus of Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a steam generator according to the present invention.

2, 3, and 4, the nozzle sterilization apparatus 300 is installed inside the bidet body 210 to generate steam, the steam generator 320, the steam generator 320, and the steam supply line 350. It is connected by the) includes a steam injection nozzle 340 for injecting steam supplied from the steam generator 320.

The steam generator 320 is provided with an inlet (not shown) on one side and an outlet (not shown) on the other side of the steam tank 322 and an electrode heating for heating water of the steam tank 322. The unit 323, and the heat insulating cover 326.

The electrode heating unit 323 includes an electrode 324 for directly contacting and heating water stored in the steam tank 322 and a housing 325 installed in the steam tank 322 to surround the electrode 324.

The inlet of the steam tank 322 is connected to the washing water supply line 352 connected to the washing water tank 214, and the outlet of the steam tank 322 is connected to the steam supply line 350 connected to the steam spray nozzle 340. Connected. Therefore, the washing water introduced into the steam tank 322 through the inlet is heated by the electrode heating unit 323 to change into steam, and then exits through the outlet.

The electrode heating unit 323 is usually controlled by an electrical signal and is electrically connected to the controller 216 to operate by a signal of the controller.

Here, the power supplied to the electrode 324 may be controlled by installing a power controller separately without controlling the power through the controller 216.

The water around the positive electrode (+) and the negative electrode (−) of the positive electrode (324) in the electrode heater (323) is directly heated by the current controlled by the controller (216).

By heating the water directly, it is possible to obtain hot water within a shorter time than the indirect heating method using a heater, and it is possible to design inexpensively. Can be stabilized.

The electrode 324 may be plate-shaped or rod-shaped. Other shapes of electrodes may also be used.

The housing 325 is preferably made of a material that is not easily deformed by heat. For example, it may be made of stainless steel or thermosetting resin.

In general, the electrode heating unit 323 is installed on the lower surface of the steam tank 322. This is to efficiently heat the water stored in the steam tank 322. In addition, if the side of the steam tank 322 is also a lower portion, the electrode heating unit 323 may be installed.

The heat insulation cover 326 is installed to surround the outside of the steam tank 322 and the electrode heating unit 323, thereby preventing heat loss.

The steam spray nozzle 340 is installed above the cleaning nozzle and sterilizes the cleaning nozzle by spraying the supplied steam on the upper part of the cleaning nozzle 220, in particular, the nozzle tip 224. The steam spray nozzle 340 is provided with a steam spray nozzle body 342 and a steam spray nozzle tip 344, and a plurality of injection holes 346 are formed on the bottom surface of the steam spray nozzle tip 344. The steam spray nozzle tip 344 may be positioned at a position corresponding to the top of the nozzle tip 224 of the cleaning nozzle 220 in which the plurality of injection holes 226 are formed. Therefore, the steam injected through the steam spray nozzle tip 224 effectively sterilizes the upper surface or the side surface of the nozzle tip 224 of the cleaning nozzle 220 which is susceptible to contamination, and contaminates adhered to the nozzle tip 224. It is possible to completely remove substances and germs.

In addition, referring to Figure 7, the inlet opening and closing valve 327 between the inlet and the washing water supply line 352 of the steam generator 320, the outlet opening and closing valve between the outlet and the steam supply line (second steam supply line) 328 are provided respectively. The inflow opening / closing valves 327 and 328 are electrically connected to the control unit 216, respectively, to control the inflow and outflow of steam temporarily stored and generated in the steam tank 322 by a control signal of the controller. The outflow opening and closing valves 327 and 328 may be applied as a mechanical on / off valve that is opened or closed by water pressure or steam pressure.

5 and 6 illustrate a bidet 200 to which a nozzle sterilization apparatus 300 'according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements described in the previous embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The nozzle sterilizer 300 ′ of the present embodiment has almost the same configuration as the sterilizer of the previous embodiment, except that the steam supplied from the steam generator 320 is supplied to the steam spray nozzle 340, This is also supplied to the cleaning nozzle 220.

As shown, the second steam supply line 354 is connected to the steam generator 320 and the steam injection nozzle 340, as in the steam supply line 350 of the previous embodiment, in the steam generator 320 The generated steam is supplied to the steam injection nozzle 340.

Meanwhile, the first steam supply line 353 connects the steam generator 320 and the cleaning nozzle 220 to supply steam generated by the steam generator 320 to the cleaning nozzle 220. Therefore, the supplied steam is injected through the injection hole 226 of the nozzle tip 224 via the nozzle body 222 of the cleaning nozzle 220. In other words, the injection direction of the steam injection nozzle 340 is opposite.

The first steam supply line 353 and the second steam supply line 354 may be applied as separate lines from the steam generator 320, but one of the steam supply lines is different from one another in terms of space or cost. It is preferable to branch from, and in this embodiment, it is illustrated that the second steam supply line 354 is branched from the first steam supply line 353.

The steam spray nozzle 340 alone may effectively clean the upper and side surfaces of the nozzle tip 224 of the cleaning nozzle 220, but some contaminants may be discharged through the nozzle hole 226 of the nozzle tip 224. 224 may be introduced into the inside and may also be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the injection hole 226, and it may not be easy to completely remove these contaminants with the steam spray nozzle 340. Thus, according to the nozzle sterilization apparatus 300 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning nozzle 220, in particular, the nozzle tip 224, has an effect of further sterilizing and cleaning.

On the other hand, the heater is also installed in the wash water tank 214 of the bidet body 210 so that the washing water in the washing water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature, the hot water heated during the user's cleaning may be ejected through the washing nozzle 220, As it is impossible to generate high temperature steam as in the present invention, the effect of sterilization washing is insignificant.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 7, an operation of a bidet to which a nozzle sterilization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described.

In the case of the general cleaning operation, not the steam sterilization operation, as described above, the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 214 is supplied to the cleaning nozzle 220 through the cleaning water supply line 250 to perform the cleaning operation. At this time, the controller 216 appropriately controls the opening and closing control valves 255 and 256 installed on the washing water supply line 250 and the steam supply line so that the washing operation and the steam sterilization operation are not performed together.

As shown, the controller 216 is electrically connected to the nozzle sterilization start button provided on the plurality of operation buttons 212, and a timer 218 for controlling the operation time of the heater when the button is operated. Therefore, when the user presses the nozzle sterilization start button, the control unit 216 operates the electrode heating unit 323 of the steam generator 320 for the set time of the timer 218.

At this time, the washing water stored in the washing water tank 214 is supplied into the steam tank 322 through the washing water supply line 352, and the washing water is heated in the steam tank 322 to change into steam. .

The generated steam is introduced into the nozzle body 222 of the cleaning nozzle 220 through the connector 254 connected to the first steam supply line 353 and the nozzle fixing end 228. The steam supplied into the nozzle body 222 advances the nozzle tip 224 in the direction of arrow A while compressing the spring 226 of the nozzle tip 224 at its own pressure, and the steam is supplied to the nozzle tip 224. Is ejected through the injection hole.

Meanwhile, steam introduced into the first steam supply line 353 and the connector 254 flows into the steam spray nozzle 340 through the second steam supply line 354 and is formed in the steam spray nozzle tip 344. It is injected into the nozzle tip 224 of the cleaning nozzle 220 through the injection hole of.

Here, in the spraying order, steam is first injected through the steam injection nozzle 340, and then steam is injected through the cleaning nozzle 220. The reason is that the steam flow paths of the second steam supply line 354 and the steam injection nozzle 340 are shorter than the steam flow paths in the cleaning nozzle 220, and the steam introduced into the cleaning nozzle 220 is a cleaning nozzle ( This is because the resistance of the spring 226 installed in the 220 is received. Therefore, in the state in which the cleaning nozzle 220 is not extended, steam is injected through the steam injection nozzle 340 to the nozzle tip 224 of the cleaning nozzle 220, and then the nozzle tip 224 of the steam The pressure is elongated as arrow A and steam is ejected through the injection hole of the nozzle tip 224.

However, in order to control the operation sequence more reliably, an opening / closing control valve controlled by the controller 216 may be provided on the steam flow path flowing into the cleaning nozzle 220 and the steam spray nozzle 340.

On the other hand, the second steam supply line 354 connected to the steam injection nozzle 340 in the present embodiment is illustrated that is connected to the connector 254, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, the first steam supply It may be sufficient to branch from any position on line 353.

In addition, although not shown in the nozzle sterilization apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first steam supply line 353 is omitted in Figure 6, the second steam supply line (steam supply line) is a direct steam generator It will be connected to (320). Other operations and the like are the same as other embodiments of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the user has been disclosed that the sterilization operation is started by the operation of pressing the nozzle sterilization start button, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the steam sterilization operation at a predetermined time by the user at regular intervals. It could be done.

On the other hand, in the bidet 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle sterilization through steam is operated to operate only when there is no user. therefore. Even if the user malfunctions in the nozzle sterilization start button while the user is sitting on the seat plate 230, the controller 216 detects that the user is on the seat plate 230 by the seating sensor 232 of the seat plate 230. Will not perform. In addition, the control unit 216 is electrically connected to the cover detecting sensor 244 to perform steam sterilization only when the seat cover 240 is closed.

That is, the steam sterilization operation may be performed only when the user does not sit on the seat plate 230 and the seat plate cover 240 is covered. Therefore, there is an advantage of preventing a safety accident, such as a burn to the user or surrounding users due to the steam jet.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. And equivalents should also be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of a general bidet installed in the toilet seat,

2 is a perspective view of a bidet including a nozzle sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an enlarged perspective view of main parts of the nozzle sterilizer of FIG. 2;

4 is a schematic diagram of a steam generator according to the present invention;

5 is a perspective view of a bidet including a nozzle sterilization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is an enlarged perspective view of main parts of the nozzle sterilization apparatus of FIG. 5;

7 is a view showing the structure of the bidet for explaining the operation of the nozzle sterilization apparatus and the bidet having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

               <Description of Major Symbols in Drawing>

200: bidet 210: bidet body

214: washing water tank 216: control unit

220: cleaning nozzle 230: seat plate

240: seat cover 300,300 ': nozzle sterilizer

320: steam generator 322: steam tank

323: electrode heating unit 324: electrode

325 housing 326 insulation cover

340: steam spray nozzle 350: steam supply line

Claims (9)

In the device for sterilizing the cleaning nozzle installed in the bidet, Inlet is provided on one side is connected to the washing water supply line for supplying the washing water from the outside, the outlet is connected to the other side is provided with a steam supply line, provides a space for the washing water introduced into the inlet is heated to turn into steam A steam generator including a steam tank and an electrode heater for heating the washing water in the steam tank, and an insulation cover installed to surround the outside of the steam tank and the electrode heater; And And a steam injection nozzle connected to the steam generator and a steam supply line and installed at an upper portion of the cleaning nozzle to inject steam supplied from the steam generator to the cleaning nozzle. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode heating unit,       And a housing installed in the steam tank to surround the electrode and at least a portion of the electrode to directly contact the water to heat the water stored in the steam tank. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrode Nozzle sterilizing device, characterized in that the plate or rod shape. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam generator, Nozzle sterilizing apparatus further comprises an inlet and outlet valve installed between each of the inlet and the washing water supply line and the outlet and the steam supply line. delete A seat plate seated on the toilet seat; A seat plate cover installed to cover the upper portion of the seat plate; A bidet body having a plurality of operation buttons, a washing water tank in which the washing water supplied from the outside is stored, a control unit for transmitting a control command according to the operation to the operation button, and a washing nozzle which is provided to be extended in the lower part of the seat plate. ; Inlet is provided on one side is connected to the washing water supply line for supplying the washing water from the washing water tank of the bidet body and the outlet is connected to the other side is heated washing water flowing into the inlet A steam generator including a steam tank providing a space to turn into steam, an electrode heating unit for heating the washing water in the steam tank, and an insulation cover installed to surround the steam tank and the electrode heating unit; And a nozzle sterilization device connected by a steam supply line and having a steam injection nozzle installed at an upper portion of the cleaning nozzle to inject steam supplied from the steam generator to the cleaning nozzle. The method of claim 6, wherein the electrode heating unit, And a housing installed in the steam tank to surround the electrode and at least a portion of the electrode to directly contact the water to heat the water stored in the steam tank. The method of claim 6, The control unit is installed inside the seat plate and is electrically connected to a seating sensor for detecting whether a user is seated and a cover detection sensor for detecting whether the seat plate cover is opened or closed, so that the user does not sit on the seat plate and the seat plate. Bidet characterized in that the nozzle sterilizer is controlled to operate only when the cover is covered. In the device for sterilizing the cleaning nozzle installed in the bidet, Inlet is provided on one side is connected to the washing water supply line for supplying the washing water from the outside, the outlet is connected to the other side is provided with a steam supply line, provides a space for the washing water introduced into the inlet is heated to turn into steam A steam generator comprising a steam tank and an electrode heating unit for heating the washing water in the steam tank; And And a steam injection nozzle connected to the steam generator and a steam supply line and installed at an upper portion of the cleaning nozzle to inject steam supplied from the steam generator to the cleaning nozzle. The electrode heating unit, And a housing installed in the steam tank to surround the electrode and at least a portion of the electrode to directly contact the water to heat the water stored in the steam tank.

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