FLUSH TOILET

Abstract

A flush toilet includes a bowl having a waste-receiving surface and a rim; the bowl comprises a front region on the front side of a center line extending in the left-right direction and equally dividing the bowl in the front-rear direction, and a rear region on the rear side thereof; whereby on either the left or right side in the front area of the bowl, on the rim, a rim water passageway is formed for passing flush water supplied from a conduit, and a rim spout port is formed, and the rim water passageway comprises: an outside passageway extending from the inlet thereof through the rim interior toward the front; a bent passageway bending inward from the downstream end of this outside passageway; and an inside passageway extending from this bent passageway toward the rear, up to the rim spout port.

Claims

1. A flush toilet for discharging waste with flush water supplied from a flush water source, the flush toilet comprising: a bowl including a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface and a rim formed at a top edge of the waste receiving surface; a discharge path connected at a bottom of the bowl to discharge waste; a rim spout portion configured to spout the flush water into the bowl so as to form a circulating flow; and a water conduit configured to supply the flush water supplied from the flush water source to the rim spout portion; wherein the bowl includes a front region on a front side relative to a center line and a rear region on a rear side relative to the center line, the center line being extending in a left-right direction and equally dividing the bowl in the front-rear direction; and wherein the rim spout portion includes a rim water passageway on the rim at either a left side or a right side within the front region of the bowl so as to pass the flush water supplied from the water conduit; and a rim spout port at a downstream end of the rim water passageway so as to spout the flush water rearward; and wherein the rim water passageway includes: an outside passageway extending from an inlet of the rim water passageway through an interior of the rim toward a front of the rim; a bent passageway bending inward from a downstream end of the outside passageway; and an inside passageway extending from the bent passageway toward a rear of the rim up to the rim spout port.

2. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein a height dimension (h) of a cross section of the inside passageway is set to be smaller than a height dimension (H) of a cross section of the outside passageway of the rim water passageway.

3. The flush toilet according to claim 2, wherein a ratio (h:H) between the height dimension (h) of the cross section of the inside passageway and the height dimension (H) of a cross section at the downstream end of the outside passageway is set between 1:2 and 1:8.

4. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein the outer portion includes: an outer wall on an outside circumferential side of the rim; a lower wall integrally formed inwardly from a bottom edge of the outside wall; an inside wall opposed to the outer wall in a horizontal direction, a lower edge of the inside wall being adhered to a top edge of the lower wall; and an upper wall integrally formed at a top edge of the inside wall, the upper wall being adhered to a top edge of the outside wall; wherein adhered surfaces of the bottom wall and the inside wall form an approximately horizontal surface; and adhered surfaces of the outside wall and the upper wall form a sloped surface configured to slope relative to the approximately horizontal surface.

5. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein the rim spout portion forms an overhang portion at a top of the water passageway formed in a downstream side of the rim spout port on the rim water passageway, and a wall portion on an inner circumferential side of the rim forming the inside passageway is formed so as to narrow in thickness from an upstream side of the inside passageway toward the rim spout port so that an area of the overhang portion decreases.

6. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein an opening cross section of the rim spout port is formed in a triangular shape, and one side of the triangular shape of the rim spout port forms an overhang portion.

7. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein a guide wall is formed on the outer portion, the guide wall being configured to guide the flush water supplied from the water conduit to a downstream side of the outer portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a flush toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a state whereby the toilet lid and toilet seat are rotated up to an up position;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a cross section seen from the left side of the center cross section in the left-right direction of a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention, in a state whereby the toilet lid and toilet seat are rotated up to a down position;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the toilet main body part of a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a partial expanded plan view of a rim water passageway, showing an expansion of part of the rim water passageway formed inside the rim, in the toilet main unit part of a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a partial expanded cross section of the rim along line V-V in FIG. 4;

[0047] FIG. 6A is the cross section A of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4;

[0048] FIG. 6B is the cross section B of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4;

[0049] FIG. 6C is the cross section C of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4;

[0050] FIG. 6D is the cross section D of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4;

[0051] FIG. 6E is the cross section E of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a partial expanded side view showing an expansion of the part of the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a cross section along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

[0054] FIG. 9 is a cross section along line IX-IX in FIG. 7;

[0055] FIG. 10A qualitatively depicts the relationship between the distance (x) in the circumferential direction downstream side from the rim spouting port in the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, and the height dimension (U) of the overhang portion, in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 10B qualitatively depicts the relationship between the distance (x) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port in the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, and the maximum height dimension (L) from the shelf surface to the bottom edge of the overhang portion, in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 10C qualitatively depicts the relationship between the distance (x) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port in the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, and the width (W) of the water passageway on the downstream side of the rim spouting port, in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 11 is a cross section along line XI-XI in FIG. 3;

[0059] FIG. 12 is a cross section along line XII-XII in FIG. 3;

[0060] FIG. 13A qualitatively depicts changes in the distance (x) and the curvature (1/ρ) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port, when the bowl portion and the bent passageway are connected by a transition curve in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0061] FIG. 13B is a comparative example pertaining to a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13A, qualitatively depicting changes in the distance (x) and the curvature (1/ρ) on the circumferential direction downstream side from the rim spouting port, when the straight line portion and the bent passageway of the bowl are connected by a curve tangential to a straight line;

[0062] FIG. 14 is a partial expanded plan view of a rim water passageway, expanding part of the rim water passageway formed inside the rim, in the toilet main unit part of a flush toilet according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0063] FIG. 15 is a summary cross section showing a summary of the lateral cross section part (the cross sectional part of the rim spouting port and the water passageway on the downstream side thereof) in a flush toilet according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

[0064] FIG. 16 is a partial expanded plan view of a rim water passageway, expanding part of the rim water passageway formed inside the rim, in the toilet main unit part of a flush toilet according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 through 13, a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0066] First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention, in a state whereby the toilet lid and toilet seat are rotated up to an up position. Also, FIG. 2 is a cross section seen from the left side of the center cross section in the left-right direction of a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention, in a state whereby the toilet lid and toilet seat are rotated up to a down position. In addition, FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the toilet main body part of a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises: a ceramic toilet main body 2; a toilet seat 4 on the top surface of this toilet main body 2, disposed to be rotatable in the up or down direction; a toilet lid 6 disposed to be rotatable in the up or down direction so as to cover the this toilet seat 4; and a functional portion 8 disposed on the rear of the toilet main body 2.

[0068] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the functional portion 8 comprises a sanitary wash system functional portion 10, disposed on the rear upper portion of the toilet main body 2 and functioning as a sanitary wash portion for washing a user's private part; and a water supply system functional portion 12 pertaining to the function of supplying water to the toilet main body 2.

[0069] Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the toilet main body 2 comprises a bowl 20 comprising a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface 14 and a rim 18, formed to rise up from the shelf surface 16 on the top edge of the waste receiving surface 14.

[0070] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the toilet main body 2 comprises a discharge trap pipe 22, being a discharge path for discharging waste in the bowl 20, wherein an inlet 22a is connected at the bottom of the bowl 20.

[0071] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the bowl 20 comprises a front area F1 in front of, and a rear area R1 to the rear of a center line C1, which extends in the left-right direction, dividing the bowl into two equal parts in the front-rear direction; a rim water passageway 24 (described in detail below), which is part of the rim spouting portion, is formed on the rim 18 on either the left or right side inside the front area F1 of this bowl 20, i.e., on the interior of the right-side rim 18 in the front area F1 of the bowl 20 as seen from the front of the toilet main body 2.

[0072] Also, a flush water tank 26 (details below), which is a portion of the rim spouting portion, is formed on the downstream end of this rim water passageway 24.

[0073] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the upstream side of the rim passage 24 is connected to the water supply pipe 28, which is the conduit supplying the rim passage 24 with flush water supplied from a utility water source (not shown). The upstream side of this water supply pipe 28 is directly connected to the water utility serving as wash water supply; using the supply pressure of this water utility supply, wash water supplied from the water supply pipe 28 into the rim water passageway 24 is guided forward within the rim water passageway 24, after which it bends toward the inside and toward the rear, and is guided to the downstream side rim spout port 26.

[0074] Flush water guided to the rim spout port 26 is spouted (rim spouted) toward the rear, and forms a circulating flow inside the bowl 20 by passing through the water passageway formed close to the downstream side of the rim spout port 26 (details below) to circulate inside the bowl 20.

[0075] Note that the spout port disposed on the rim 18, which spouts flush water to form a circulating flow inside the bowl 20, is the rim spout port 26 only.

[0076] Note that in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, it is explained that the rim water passageway 24 and the rim spout port 26 serving as the rim spouting portion pertain to the form in which these elements are disposed inside the right side rim 18 within the front area F1 of the bowl 20 as seen from the front of the toilet main body 2. However, without such limitation, the rim spouting may also be performed toward the rear by disposing the rim spouting port on the left side rim 18 within the front area F1 of the bowl 20 as seen from the front of the toilet main body 2.

[0077] In other words, for the rim water passageway and rim spouting port serving as rim spout portion, any form disposed on either the left or right side within the front area F1 of the bowl 20 and spouting toward the rear is acceptable.

[0078] In the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the rim water passageway 24 and rim spout port 26 which serve as the rim spouting portion are formed as an integral unit with the toilet main body 2 by forming ceramic material, but for example a constitution in which this portion is formed separately from the toilet main body 2 of resin or the like and attached to the toilet main body 2 would also be acceptable.

[0079] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a jet spout port 32 is disposed on the bottom portion of the bowl 20 so as to be directed toward the inlet 22a of the discharge trap pipe 22. Spouting (jetting) by this jet spout port 32 is accomplished by flush water stored in a reservoir tank 34 mounted on the water supply system functional portion 12, pressurized by a pressurizing pump 36 in the water supply system functional portion 12 to be discharged from the jet spout port 32.

[0080] Also, flush water discharged from the jet spout port 32, after flowing from the inlet 22a of the discharge trap pipe 22 into an ascending pipe 22b to the rear of this inlet 22a, flows within this ascending pipe 22b, from the peak portion 22c of the discharge trap pipe 22 out to the descending pipe 22d.

[0081] Because the specific structures of the sanitary flush system functional portion 10 and water supply system functional portion 12 are respectively the same as in conventional examples, here, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted, but a private part washing device (not shown) including a nozzle device (not shown) for jetting flush water toward a user above the bowl 20 is provided on the sanitary flush system functional portion 10.

[0082] In addition, items such as a reservoir portion (not shown) for storing flush water supplied to a private part washing device (not shown), a heater (not shown) for warming flush water in this reservoir portion (not shown) to an appropriate temperature, a ventilation fan (not shown), an odor removal fan (not shown), a warm air fan (not shown), and a controller (not shown) for controlling the operation of these devices are disposed in the sanitary flush system functional portion 10.

[0083] At the same time, the water supply path (not shown) on the water supply system functional portion 12 is connected on its upstream side to a water utility (not shown) serving as water supply, and items such as a fixed flow valve (not shown), an electromagnetic valve (not shown), and a switching valve (not shown) for switching between supplying water to the reservoir tank (not shown) and spouting to the rim spout port 26 are disposed on the upstream side supply path to the reservoir tank (not shown). In addition to the above, a controller (not shown) or the like for controlling the opening and closing operation of the electromagnetic valve (not shown), the switching operation of the switching valve (not shown), and the rpm and operating time, etc. of the pressurizing pump (not shown) are also provided on the water supply system functional portion 12.

[0084] Note that in the flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment, what is known as a “hybrid” type of flush toilet is explained, in which utility water pressure is utilized for rim spouting by the rim spout port 26, so that for jet spouting by the jet spout port 32, flush water is supplied into the reservoir tank (not shown) by controlling a pressurizing pump (not shown). However, the invention is not limited to this form, and may also be applied to other forms. I.e., other acceptable forms include one in which, for flush water directly supplied from a utility water supply only, rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 and jet spouting by the jet spout port 32 are switched by switching a valve, and a form in which, for flush water in a reservoir tank, rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 and jet spouting by the jet spout port 32 are switched by switching pumps alone.

[0085] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, details of the rim water passageway 24 and rim spout port 26 in a flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention are explained.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a partial expanded plan view of a rim water passageway, expanding part of the rim water passageway formed inside the rim, in the toilet main unit part of a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a partial expanded cross section of the rim along line V-V in FIG. 4.

[0087] FIG. 6A is the cross section A of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6B is the cross section B of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, FIG. 6C is the cross section C of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6D is the cross section D of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6E is the cross section E of the rim water passageway shown in FIG. 4.

[0088] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the rim water passageway 24 comprises an outside passageway 24b extending from the inlet 24a connected to the water supply pipe 28 through the interior of the rim 18 toward the front, a bent passageway 24c, which bends to the inside from the downstream end of this outside passageway 24b, and an inside passageway 24d, extending from this bent passageway 24c rearward up to the rim spout port 26.

[0089] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A through 6E, if H is the maximum height of the cross section of the outside passageway 24b and the bent passageway 24c of the rim water passageway 24 and h is the maximum height of the cross section of the rim water passageway 24 inside passageway 24d, the maximum height dimension h1 of each cross section E of the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24 is set to be smaller than each of the maximum height dimensions H1 through H3 of the cross sections A through C of the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24 and the maximum height dimension H4 of the bent passageway 24c of the rim water passageway 24.

[0090] Note than in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, for example, a setting of 1:2 to 1:8 is preferable and a setting of 1:2 to 1:5 is most preferable as the ratio (h1:H4) of the maximum height dimension h1 of the cross section E of the inside passageway 24d to the maximum height dimension H4 of the cross section D at the downstream end of the outside passageway 24b (the upstream end of the bent passageway 24c) of the rim water passageway 24.

[0091] Thus compared to a flush toilet different from the present invention, for example, wherein to reduce the friction resistance etc. of the rim water passageway internal wall surface, the cross section of the rim water passageway is formed by a cross section having essentially the same circular cross section, or a cross section with essentially the same vertical to horizontal ratio, over the entire range from the upstream end to the downstream end of the rim water passageway, the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment enables the total width etc. of the rim 18 required by the rim water passageway 24 and the rim spout port 26 serving as rim spout portion to be effectively set to a smaller size.

[0092] Therefore air space other than for flush water inside the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced when water is passing through, and rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 can be efficiently performed.

[0093] Also, odd sounds caused by the drawing in of air to the rim water passageway 24 when water passes through can be made less likely to occur.

[0094] In addition, because reducing the total volumetric space inside the rim water passageway 24 enables more room to be provided for the space around the rim water passageway 24, which is made to bend from the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24 through the bent passageway 24c to the inside passageway 24d, flush water pressure losses inside the rim water passageway 24 can be suppressed, and freedom of toilet design relative to the bowl 20 rim 18 shape, etc. can be assured.

[0095] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24 comprises: an outside wall 38 on the outer perimeter of the rim 18; a lower side wall 40 formed as an integral piece on the inside, from the bottom edge of the this outside wall 38; an inside wall 42, opposing the outside wall 38 in the horizontal direction and adhered at its bottom edge to the top edge of the lower side wall 40; and an upper side wall 44, formed as an integral piece with the top edge of this inside wall 42, and adhered to the top edge of the outside wall 38.

[0096] The adhesion surface S1 between the top edge surface of the rim water passageway 24 outside passageway 24b lower side wall 40 and the inside wall 42 bottom edge surface is formed to be essentially a horizontal surface, and the adhesion surface S2 between the outside wall 38 top edge surface and the upper side wall 44 is formed to be a sloped surface, sloping relative to the essentially horizontal surface.

[0097] Note that “essentially horizontal surface” here means not only completely horizontal surfaces, but also generally horizontal surfaces on which the lower side wall 40 top edge surface (adhesion surface) and the inside wall 42 bottom edge surface (adhesion surface) can be mutually separated in the horizontal direction.

[0098] Thus during manufacturing of the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, for example, when the upper side wall 44 adhesion surface S2 is being adhered to the rim water passageway 24 outside wall 38 adhesion surface S2 at the same time as the inside wall 42 bottom edge adhesion surface S1 is being adhered to the rim water passageway 24 lower side wall 40 top edge adhesion surface S1, the adhesion surface S1 on the outside wall 38 and the adhesion surface S1 on the upper side wall 441, which form mutually sloping surfaces relative to the horizontal surface, can make secure contact first, even if the adhesion surface S1 of the lower side wall 40 forming the horizontal surface and the adhesion surface S1 of the inside wall 42 become mutually separated in the horizontal direction due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0099] Therefore the cross sections A-E from the outside passageway 24b to the inside passageway 24d in the rim water passageway 24 can be prevented from being completely collapsed by the mutual separation between the lower side wall 40 adhesion surface S1 and the inside wall 42 adhesion surface S1, so a water passing area of the rim water passageway 24 can be secured over the whole area.

[0100] Next, referring to FIG. 4 and to FIGS. 7 through 10C, the water passageway 30 formed close to the downstream side of the rim spout port 26 in a flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is explained in detail.

[0101] FIG. 7 is a partial expanded side view showing an expansion of the part of the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 8 is a cross section along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7; and FIG. 9 is a cross section along line IX-IX in FIG. 7.

[0102] FIG. 10A qualitatively depicts the relationship between the distance (x) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port in the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, and the height dimension (U) of the overhang portion, in a flush toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10B qualitatively depicts the relationship between the distance (x) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port in the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, and the maximum height dimension (L) from the shelf surface to the bottom edge of the overhang portion, in a flush toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 10C qualitatively depicts the relationship between the distance (x) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port in the water passageway close to the downstream side of the rim spouting port, and the width (W) of the water passageway on the downstream side of the rim spouting port, in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0103] First, as shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, the curved portion 50 of the bowl 20 from the downstream end of the rim spout port 26 (details below), i.e., the water passageway 30 formed close to the downstream side of the rim spout port 26, forms a cross section G using the inner circumference surface 46 of the rim 18, the shelf surface 16 formed on the bottom side of the inner circumference surface 46 of this rim 18, and the overhang portion 48 formed on the top side of the inner circumference surface 46.

[0104] Of the entire circumference of the rim 18, the overhang shape is formed only in the water passageway 30, and the inner circumferential surface of the rim 18 other than the water passageway 30 is formed to extend in a straight line up and down in a vertically cut cross section, and does not comprise an overhang shape like the overhang portion 48.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 7 through 10C, the water passageway 30 is set so that the maximum height dimension L of the cross section G increases toward the downstream, and the width W thereof is set to decrease toward the downstream, so the cross sectional area A0 of the cross section G is approximately constant from the rim spout port 26 toward the downstream side.

[0106] I.e., the minimum thickness U2 in the vertical direction of the overhang portion 48 of water passageway 30 shown in FIG. 9, for example, is set to be smaller than the minimum thickness U1 in the vertical direction of the water passageway 30 shown in FIG. 8, so the cross sectional area A0 of the cross section G is approximately constant.

[0107] Also, the maximum height dimension L2 in the vertical direction of the water passageway 30 in the cross section G2 shown in FIG. 9 is larger than the maximum height dimension L1 of the cross section G2 of the water passageway 30 shown in FIG. 8, so the cross sectional area A0 of the cross section G is approximately constant.

[0108] Here the phrase “the cross sectional area A0 is approximately constant” includes not only the meaning of being completely constant, but also the meaning of “approximately constant,” whereby rim spout water passing through the cross section G of the water passageway 30 on the downstream side of the rim spout port 26 after being spouted from the rim spout port 26 is able to flow to the downstream side along the interior of the water passageway 30, with turbulence suppressed, so that it effectively forms a stable circulating flow within the downstream side bowl 20.

[0109] The width W2 of the water passageway 30 in the cross section G2 shown in FIG. 9 is smaller than the width W1 of the water passageway 30 in the cross section G1 of the water passageway 30 shown in FIG. 8, therefore the cross sectional area A0 of the cross section G is constant.

[0110] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shelf surface 16 forming the cross section G of the water passageway 30 is formed so that the height position P1 thereof is positioned at essentially a constant height from the rim spout port 26 toward the downstream side.

[0111] Here the phrase “approximately constant height position” includes not only the meaning of completely constant, but also the meaning of “approximately constant,” whereby rim spout water passing through the cross section G of the water passageway 30 on the downstream side of the rim spout port 26 after being spouted from the rim spout port 26 is able to flow to the downstream side along the interior of the water passageway 30, with turbulence suppressed, so that it effectively forms a stable circulating flow within the downstream side bowl 20.

[0112] Rim spout water passing through the cross section G of the water passageway 30 after being spouted from the rim spout port 26 is thus kept from becoming turbulent, and is able to flow to the downstream side along the inside of the water passageway 30, so that a stable circulating flow can be effectively formed inside the bowl 20 on the downstream side.

[0113] In addition, flush water spouted from the rim spout port 26, by forming a stable downstream side flow matching the water passageway 30 on the downstream side thereof, can prevent splashing of flush water, effectively raising the visibility and cleanability of the bowl 20.

[0114] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ratio (U:L) of the minimum thickness U in the vertical direction of the overhang portion 48, which is the minimum height dimension of the overhang portion 48 in the cross section G of the water passageway 30, to the maximum height dimension L in the vertical direction of the water passageway 30, which is the maximum height dimension from the shelf surface 16 to the bottom edge of the overhang portion 48, is preferably set from 1:6 to 6:1, and is more preferably set from 1:3 to 3:1.

[0115] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner circumferential wall of the rim 18 formed on the right rear side of the bowl 20, and on the downstream side of the water passageway 30, forms a curved portion 50 which changes from a small to a large curvature (1/ρ) in proportion to distance (x) from the rim spout port 26 toward the circumferential downstream side (i.e., its curvature radius p changes from large to small). In other words, this curved portion 50 is formed by a clothoid curve or other transition curve 52 in which, as seen in plan view in FIG. 3, the curvature (1/ρ) changes at a constant proportion from small to large (i.e., the curvature radius p changes from large to small at a constant proportion).

[0116] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner circumferential wall of the rim 18 in the region at the front side inside the bowl 20 also forms a curved portion 54 in which the curvature (1/ρ) changes from small to large from the left rear side of the rim 18 toward the front according to the distance (x) from the rim spout port 26 toward the circumferential direction downstream side (i.e., the curvature radius ρ changes from large to small). This curved portion 54 is formed by a clothoid curve or other transition curve 56 in which, as seen in the plan view shown in FIG. 3, the curvature (1/ρ) changes at a constant rate from small to large (i.e., the curvature radius ρ changes from large to small at a constant proportion).

[0117] As a result, when flush water spouted from the rim spout port 26 first circulates along the curved portion 50, sudden changes in centrifugal force relative to the flush water can be effectively suppressed so that the flush efficiency inside the bowl 20 can be improved.

[0118] In addition, flush water circulating along the curved portion 50, after passing through the rear area inside the bowl 20 along the inner circumferential wall of the rim 18 and circulating to the downstream side in the circumferential direction, then circulates the front area inside the bowl 20 along the curved portion 54, but the occurrence of sudden changes in centrifugal force relative to flush water when circulating over this curved portion 54 can be suppressed, so that flushing efficiency inside the bowl 20 can be improved.

[0119] In the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, for the respective transition curves 52, 56 of each of the curved portions 50, 54 formed by the inner circumferential wall of the rim 18, it is explained that an example where a clothoid curve, in which the curvature ratio changes at a constant rate, was adopted; however a non-clothoid transition curve such as a sine half-wavelength diminishing curve or the like may also be used as the transition curve.

[0120] Next, referring to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 11 through 13B, details of the curved portions 50, 54 formed by the transition curves 52, 56 as seen in plan view in the bowl 20 of a flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention are explained.

[0121] Here, FIG. 11 is a cross section along line XI-XI in FIG. 3, and FIG. 12 is a cross section along line XII-XII in FIG. 3.

[0122] Also, FIG. 13A qualitatively depicts changes in the distance (x) and the curvature (1/ρ) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port, when the bowl portion and the bent passageway are connected by a transition curve in a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 13B is a comparative example relative to a flush toilet according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13A, qualitatively depicting changes in the distance (x) and the curvature (1/ρ) on the circumferential downstream side from the rim spouting port, when the straight line portion and the bent passageway of the bowl are connected by a curve tangential to a straight line.

[0123] First, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 11 and 12, the bowl 20 forms a shelf surface 16 on the curved portions 50, 54 formed by each of the transition curves 52, 56; the width W3 of this shelf surface 16 is approximately constant along the circumferential direction of the bowl 20.

[0124] Note that “approximately constant” includes not only perfectly constant, but also approximately constant, whereby when flush water spouted from the rim spout port 26 on the rim water passageway 24 circulates on the shelf surface 16 of the curved portions 50, 54, the occurrence of sudden changes in centrifugal force relative to flush water can be more effectively suppressed.

[0125] Also, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the respective shelf surfaces 16 on the curved portions 50, 54 formed by each of the bowl 20 transition curves is formed to a respective slope angle α1, α2 relative to a horizontal plane.

[0126] Here it is preferable for the size of the slope angle α1 to be set between 0° and 15°, and more preferably between 2° and 8°.

[0127] The slope angle α2 is set larger than the slope angle α1, and is preferably set to between 3° and 60°, and more preferably between 5° and 30°.

[0128] As a result of the above, when flush water spouted from the rim spout port 26 circulates along the shelf surface 16 of the curved portions 50, 54, sudden changes in centrifugal force relative to the flush water can be more effectively suppressed, so flushing inside the bowl 20 can be better improved.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 13A, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, in cases where the essentially straight line-shaped straight portion and the curved portion of the bowl 20 are connected by a transition curve, the curvature 1/ρ will be a (e.g. ρ1=800 mm; a=1/ρ1=0.00125 (1/mm)) in the section between a distance x of 0 and the distance x1 (e.g. x1=50 mm) on the conduit downstream side from the rim spout port 26; this section forms a straight portion with an essentially straight line shape.

[0130] Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, the section from a distance x of x1 to x2 (e.g., x2=200 mm) is a section (the transition curve section) which forms a curved portion by a transition curve in which the curvature 1/ρ changes at a constant rate from a through b (e.g., ρ1=800 mm, a=1/ρ1=0.00125, ρ2=150 mm; b=1/ρ2=0.00667 (1/min)).

[0131] As shown in FIG. 13A, in the section from distance x2 to x3 (e.g., x3=380 mm), the curvature 1/ρ2 has a constant b (for example, ρ2=150 mm; b=1/ρ2=0.00667 (1/mm)), such that the section forms a curved portion with an approximately constant curvature.

[0132] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13B, in the comparative example for the case in which the straight line portion and the curved portion of the bowl are connected by a curve tangential to a straight line, the occurrence of sudden changes in centrifugal force relative to flush water when flush water spouted from the rim spout port circulates along the shelf surface of the bent passageway is greater than in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, due to the sudden change in curvature 1/ρ from 0 (curvature radius 1/ρ=∞) to c (curvature radius 1/ρ=ρ3) around the point where the distance x is x4, so flushing efficiency in the bowl is reduced.

[0133] Next the operation of the invention in a flush toilet 1 according to the above-described first embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0134] First, using the flush toilet 1 according the first embodiment of the invention, the rim spouting portion, mounted on the rim 18 and forming a circulating flow by spouting water in the bowl 20, forms a rim water passageway 24 for passing flush water supplied from the water supply pipe 28 to the interior of the rim 18 on the right side within the front area F1 of the bowl 20, and forms a rim spout port 26 for spouting flush water rearward at the downstream end of this rim water passageway 24, whereby the rim water passageway 24 comprises: the outside passageway 24b extending through the interior of the rim 18 from its inlet 24a toward the front, a bent passageway 24c bending inward from the downstream end of this outside passageway 24b, and an inside passageway 24d extending from this bent passageway 24c rearward up to the rim spout port 26, so that the total volumetric space inside the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced.

[0135] Therefore when flush water is supplied from the water supply pipe 28 into the rim water passageway 24, volumetric space inside the rim water passageway 24 can be quickly filled by flush water passing through it. Hence air space other than for flush water inside the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced when water is passing through, and rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 can be efficiently performed.

[0136] Also, odd sounds caused by the drawing in of air to the rim water passageway 24 when water passes through can be made less likely to occur.

[0137] Moreover, compared to the case where the rim water passageway is formed to pass through the rim 18 in the vicinity of the front edge of the bowl 20 and follow along the circumferential shape of the rim up to the spout port on the rim 18 on the other side of the bowl 20 in the left-right direction, it is easier to secure freedom of toilet design relative to the rim 18 shape, etc. around the front edge of the bowl 20.

[0138] Next, using a flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment, the height dimension h1 of the cross section E of the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24 is set to be smaller than the height dimensions H1-H4 of the cross sections A-D of the outside passageway 24b and bent passageway 24c of the rim water passageway 24, therefore the size of the total rim width, etc. required for the rim passage 24 or the rim spout port 26 can be effectively reduced compared to a rim water passageway in which, for example, the cross section of the rim water passageway is formed to have essentially the same circular cross section or a cross section with essentially the same height-to-width ratio across the entire area from the upstream end to the downstream end of the rim water passageway in order to reduce the friction resistance, etc. of the wall surface inside the rim water passageway.

[0139] Therefore air space other than for flush water inside the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced when water is passing through, and rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 can be more efficiently performed.

[0140] Also, odd sounds caused by the drawing in of air to the rim water passageway 24 when water passes through can be made less likely to occur.

[0141] Moreover, compared to the case where the rim water passageway is formed to pass through the rim 18 in the vicinity of the front edge of the bowl 20 and follow along the circumferential shape of the rim up to the spout port on the rim 18 on the other side in the left-right direction of the bowl 20, it is easier to assure freedom of toilet design relative to the shape, etc. of the rim 18 around the front edge of the bowl 20.

[0142] Also, using a flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment, the ratio (h:H) of the height dimension h of the cross section E of the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24 to the height dimension H at the downstream end of the rim water passageway 24 outside passageway 24b (the upstream end of the bent passageway 24c) is set between 1:2 and 1:8, therefore the size of the total rim width, etc. required for the rim passage 24 or the rim spout port 26 can be more effectively reduced compared to a rim water passageway in which, for example, the cross section of the rim water passageway is formed to have essentially the same circular cross section or a cross section with essentially the same height-to-width ratio across the entire area from the upstream end to the downstream end of the rim water passageway in order to reduce the friction resistance, etc. of the wall surface inside the rim water passageway.

[0143] Therefore air space other than for flush water inside the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced when water is passing through, and rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 can be more efficiently performed.

[0144] Also, odd sounds caused by the drawing in of air to the rim water passageway 24 when water passes through can be made less likely to occur.

[0145] Moreover, compared to the case where the rim water passageway is formed to pass through the rim 18 in the vicinity of the front edge of the bowl 20 and follow along the circumferential shape of the rim up to the spout port on the rim 18 on the other side in the left-right direction of the bowl 20, because an extra margin of space can be provided around the rim water passageway 24 which allows bending from the outside passageway 24b through the bent passageway 24c to the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24 by reducing the total volumetric space inside the rim water passageway 24, pressure losses in the flush water inside the rim water passageway 24 can be suppressed, and freedom of toilet design relative to the shape, etc. of the rim 18 around the front edge of the bowl 20 can be secured.

[0146] In addition, using a flush toilet 1 according to the present embodiment, the rim water passageway 24 outside passageway 24b comprises: an outside wall 38 on the outside circumference side of the rim 18, a lower side wall 40 integrally formed on the inside from the bottom edge of this outside wall 38, an inside wall 42 opposing the outside wall 38 in the horizontal direction, the bottom edge of which adheres to the top edge of the lower side wall 40, and an upper side wall 44, integrally formed at the top edge of this inside wall 42 and adhered to the top edge of the outside wall 38; whereby the adhesion surface S1 between the lower side wall 40 and the inside wall 42 forms an essentially horizontal plane, and the adhesion surface S2 between the outside wall 38 and the upper side wall 44 forms a sloped surface sloping relative to an essentially horizontal plane.

[0147] Therefore during manufacturing of the toilet, for example, when the upper side wall 44 adhesion surface S2 is being adhered to the rim water passageway 24 outside wall 38 adhesion surface S2 at the same time as the inside wall 42 bottom edge adhesion surface S1 is being adhered to the rim water passageway 24 lower side wall 40 top edge adhesion surface S1, the adhesion surface S1 on the outside wall 38 and the adhesion surface S1 on the 44 upper side wall, which form mutually sloping surfaces relative to the horizontal surface, can make secure contact first, when the adhesion surface S1 of the lower side wall 40 forming the essentially horizontal surface and the adhesion surface S1 of the inside wall 42 become mutually separated in the horizontal direction due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0148] Therefore the cross sections A-E from the outside passageway 24b to the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24 can be prevented from being completely collapsed by the mutual separation between the lower side wall 40 adhesion surface S1 and the inside wall 42 adhesion surface S1, so a water passing area of the rim water passageway 24 can be secured over the whole area.

[0149] Next, referring to FIG. 14, a flush toilet according to a second embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0150] FIG. 14 is a partial expanded plan view of a rim water passageway, expanding the rim water passageway formed inside the rim, in the toilet main unit part of a flush toilet according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0151] Here, in the toilet main unit part of the flush toilet according to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are assigned to those parts which are the same as the toilet main unit parts in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, and an explanation thereof is here omitted.

[0152] First, as shown in FIG. 4, in a flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, an overhang portion 48 is formed above the water passageway 30 formed close to the downstream side of the rim water passageway 24 rim spout port 26, and the wall portion 58 on the inner circumferential side of the rim 18 forming the rim water passageway 24 inside passageway 24d has an approximately constant thickness t1 from the upstream side of the rim water passageway 24 inside passageway 24d toward the rim spout port 26, so the area of the overhang portion 48 covering the water passageway 30 on the downstream side thereof becomes smaller.

[0153] In contrast, compared to the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, in a flush toilet 100 according to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, the wall portion 158 on the inner circumferential side of the rim 118 forming the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24 is formed so that its thickness t101 narrows from the upstream side of the rim water passageway 24 inside passageway 24d toward the rim spout port 26, so that the region of the overhang portion 148 covering the water passageway 130 on the downstream side thereof becomes smaller; this point differs from the wall portion 58 on the inner circumferential side of the rim 18 in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0154] In a flush toilet 100 according to the above-described second embodiment of the invention, relative to the wall portion 158 on the inner circumferential side of the rim 118 forming the rim water passageway 24 inside passageway 24d, forming the thickness t101 thereof to narrow from the upstream side of the rim water passageway 24 inside passageway 24d toward the 26 so that the region of the overhang portion 148 covering the water passageway 130 on the downstream side is reduced enables room to be provided for the space around the rim water passageway 24, which is made to bend from the rim water passageway 24 outside passageway 24b through the bent passageway 24c to the inside passageway 24d, such that flush water pressure losses inside the rim water passageway 24 can be suppressed, and freedom of toilet design relative to the shape, etc. of the rim water passageway 24 or rim spout port 26 serving as the rim spouting portion can be assured.

[0155] In addition, splashing of water and rim spout pressure losses caused by contact with the overhang portion 148 by rim spout water spouted from the rim spout port 26 can be suppressed.

[0156] Next, referring to FIG. 15, a flush toilet according to a third embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0157] FIG. 15 is a summary cross section showing a summary of the lateral cross section part (the cross sectional part of the rim spouting port and the water passageway on the downstream side thereof) in a flush toilet according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0158] Here, in the toilet main unit part of the flush toilet according to the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are assigned to those parts which are the same as the toilet main unit parts in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, and an explanation thereof is here omitted.

[0159] Note that in FIG. 15, as a comparative example relative to a flush toilet 200 according to a third embodiment of the invention, the shapes of the rim spout port 26 and the overhang portion 48 of the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention are shown by dotted lines.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 15, in a flush toilet 200 according to a third embodiment of the invention, the opening cross section E200 of the rim spout port 226 is formed in a triangular shape, and the sloped side 226a, which is one side on the overhang portion 248 side of this triangular rim spout port 226, forms a portion of the overhang portion 248.

[0161] Thus in the rim spout port 226 of a flush toilet 200 according to a third embodiment of the invention, compared to the rim spout port 26, in which the opening cross section E1 in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 15 is formed in a rectangular shape, and has essentially the same width as the maximum width of the triangular rim spout port 226 in the flush toilet 200 according to the third embodiment of the invention, for example, the region of the overhang portion 248 above the water passageway 230 on the downstream side of the rim spout port 226 in the flush toilet 200 according to the third embodiment of the invention can be made smaller than the region of the overhang portion 48 above the water passageway 30 on the downstream side of the 26 in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0162] With a flush toilet 200 according to the above-described third embodiment of the invention, forming the rim spout port 226 opening cross section E200 in a triangular shape enables the region of the overhang portion 248 above the water passageway 230 on the downstream side of the rim spout port 226 to be made small, and enables margin to be imparted to the space around the rim water passageway 24, which allows bending from the outside passageway 24b through the bent passageway 24c to the inside passageway 24d of the rim water passageway 24.

[0163] Also, by reducing the area of the overhang portion 248 above the water passageway 230 on the downstream side of the rim spout port 226, splashing or rim spout water pressure losses caused by rim spout water spouted from the rim spout port 226 contacting the overhang portion 248 can be suppressed.

[0164] Next, referring to FIG. 16, a flush toilet according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is explained.

[0165] FIG. 16 is a partial expanded plan view of a rim water passageway, expanding part of the rim water passageway formed inside the rim, in the toilet main unit part of a flush toilet according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0166] Here, in the toilet main unit part of the flush toilet according to the fourth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16, the same reference numerals are assigned to those parts which are the same as the toilet main unit parts in the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, and an explanation thereof is here omitted.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 16, in a flush toilet 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, a guide wall 360 is formed on the inside the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24a, partially projecting toward the inside from the outside circumferential surface thereof.

[0168] This guide wall 360 comprises: a rear wall 360a formed at a separation in front of the rim water passageway 24 inlet 24a and opposite the cross section of this inlet 24a in the front-rear direction; and a side wall 360b formed from the inside edge portion of this rear wall 360a toward the outside wall surface 362 inside the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24.

[0169] Flush water supplied from the water supply pipe 28 through the rim water passageway 24 inlet 24a into the outside passageway 24b, by colliding with the wall surface of the rear wall 360a on the guide wall 360 in front of it, is temporarily accumulated in a certain amount at the surrounding area R300 of the guide wall 360 rear wall 360a, after which the flow (reduced flow) passing through the flow path, narrowed by the wall surface on the side wall 360b of the guide wall 360 and the inside wall surface 364 in the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24, causes the flush water to be guided to the downstream side with an increased flow force, which on this point differs from the flush toilet 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0170] In the flush toilet 300 according to the above-described fourth embodiment of the invention, air space other than flush water inside the outside passageway 24b of the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced during passage of water, therefore the total volumetric space inside the rim water passageway 24 can be reduced, and rim spouting by the rim spout port 26 can be efficiently performed.

[0171] Although the present invention has been explained with reference to specific, preferred embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modifications and improvements can be made while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is determined solely by appended claims.