FLUSH TOILET

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to a flush toilet, and more particularly to a flush toilet of a type that is flushed with a jet spouting.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a flush toilet of a type that is flushed with a jet spouting has been widely used. By the jet spouting, flush water is spouted out from a jet spout port into an inside of a discharge trap pipe in a rearward direction. The flush water to be spouted out by the jet spouting is supplied to the jet spout port through a jet water conduit.

It has been proposed that a downstream side water conduit among the jet water conduit extending to the jet spout port be made of resin. If the downstream side water conduit is made of resin (for example, if it is embodied with a resin horse), freedom of design for the jet water conduit is advantageously enhanced.

PATENT DOCUMENT LIST

• • JP-A-2018-3250

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, if the downstream side water conduit is made of resin, it is likely that waste will stick to the downstream side water conduit. In this view, it is desired that the downstream side water conduit is made of porcelain.

According to JP-A-2018-3250 (Patent Document 1), the applicant has disclosed a structure wherein the downstream side water conduit is made of porcelain while an upstream side water conduit connected to the downstream side water conduit consists of a separate member (for example a member made of resin).

Herein, conventionally, a connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit has been located at a position higher than a pooled water surface. This is because there was a fear that the flush water would undesirably leak (flow out) when a watertightness at the connecting portion was lost (there was also another fear that a backflow would occur and a sewage would leak).

After earnestly studying this matter, the present inventors have found out that it is not necessary to fear such a loss of the watertightness by selecting a suitable sealing member or sealing mechanism. Subsequently, the present inventors have created a new invention relating to a position of the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit in view of achieving a compact layout.

The present invention has been made based on the above findings. The object of the present invention is to provide a flush toilet of a type that is flushed with a jet spouting in which a more compact layout can be achieved.

Solution to Problem

One aspect of the present invention is a flush toilet including: a main toilet unit having a bowl portion and a discharge trap pipe extending from a lower part of the bowl portion; a jet spout port configured to spout out flush water into an inside of the discharge trap pipe in a rearward direction; and a jet water conduit configured to supply the flush water to the jet spout port; wherein the jet water conduit has a downstream side water conduit extending to the jet spout port and an upstream side water conduit connected to the downstream side water conduit, the downstream side water conduit is made of porcelain, and a connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located on a rear side with respect to the jet spout port and lower than a pooled water surface.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located on the rear side with respect to the jet spout port and lower than the pooled water surface, a more compact layout can be achieved.

Alternatively, another aspect of the present invention is a flush toilet including: a main toilet unit having a bowl portion and a discharge trap pipe extending from a lower part of the bowl portion; a jet spout port configured to spout out flush water into an inside of the discharge trap pipe in a rearward direction; and a jet water conduit configured to supply the flush water to the jet spout port; wherein the jet water conduit has a downstream side water conduit extending to the jet spout port and an upstream side water conduit connected to the downstream side water conduit, the downstream side water conduit is made of porcelain, and a connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located below the bowl portion and/or a rim portion.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located below the bowl portion and/or the rim portion, a more compact layout can be achieved.

When it is allowed that the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located on the rear side with respect to the jet spout port and lower than the pooled water surface and that the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located below the bowl portion and/or a rim portion, an even more compact layout can be achieved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is provided with a sealing member.

According to this feature, it is effectively prevented that a watertightness at the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is lost.

In the present invention, it is also preferable that any known suitable sealing mechanism of a type with no sealing member is adopted.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the upstream side water conduit includes a hose made of resin, for example.

According to this feature, freedom of design for the jet water conduit is enhanced.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located at a position higher than a lowest opened edge of the jet spout port.

According to this feature, there is no need to provide a rising water path for the flush water, which improves a pressure loss efficiency.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the flush toilet further includes: a tank configured to temporarily store the flush water; and a pump configured to pump up the flush water that has been stored in the tank; wherein the pump is positioned on one side with respect to the discharge trap pipe in a left-and-right direction, and wherein the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is also positioned on the same one side with respect to the discharge trap pipe in the left-and-right direction as the pump.

According to this feature, an even more compact layout can be achieved and a pressure loss efficiency can be improved.

In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that the jet spout port is open in a rearward direction that is aligned in a front-and-rear direction, and that the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit also extends in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction.

According to this feature, an even more compact layout can be achieved and a pressure loss efficiency can be improved.

A flush toilet having one or more of the above features can effectively utilize the advantage of “compact layout” when it is a wall-mounted type of flush toilet.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located on the rear side with respect to the jet spout port and lower than the pooled water surface, a more compact layout can be achieved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located below the bowl portion and/or the rim portion, a more compact layout can be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a flush toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the flush toilet of the present embodiment in a state wherein a sanitary washing device has been removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a functioning assembly of the flush toilet of the present embodiment as seen from an upper left position;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the functioning assembly of the flush toilet of the present embodiment as seen from an upper right position;

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of water supply paths through which flush water flows in the flush toilet of the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross section view of the flush toilet of the present embodiment taken along a vertical place extending in a front-and-rear direction through a pump device;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an upstream side jet water pipe and a jet water conduit connecting pipe;

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the upstream side jet water pipe and the jet water conduit connecting pipe;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view in which an arrow indicates a flow of the flush water passing through the upstream side jet water pipe and the jet water conduit connecting pipe; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross section view of a vicinity of the jet water conduit connecting pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, a “front side” is defined as the side closer to a user standing up and facing the flush toilet, a “rear side” is defined as the side farther from the user, a “left side” is defined as the left side of the user, and a “right side” is defined as the right side of the user. (The “left side” is the right side of a user sitting on the flush toilet, and the “right side” is the left side of a user sitting on the flush toilet.)

Entire Structure

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a flush toilet 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment in a state wherein a sanitary washing device has been removed. FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment is a wall-mounted type of flush toilet, whose rear surface is fixed to a wall surface W. The flush toilet 1 includes: a main toilet unit 2 made of porcelain, a tank device 4 configured to temporarily store flush water to be supplied to the main toilet unit 2, and a sanitary washing unit 6 placed on an upper surface of the main toilet unit 2.

A stop cock 8 is provided on the wall surface W. The flush water is supplied through (and can be stopped by) the stop cock 8 from a water supply source (not shown), such as a public water system, to the flush toilet 1. The stop cock 8 is connected to the flush toilet 1 via a water supply pipe 10.

In FIG. 2, a rim spout port 22, a rim water conduit 24, an upstream side jet water pipe 60 (an upstream side jet water conduit), a downstream side jet water conduit 28 and a jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 (a connecting portion) are shown in respective dashed lines.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the main toilet unit 2, a bowl portion 12 for receiving waste, a discharge trap pipe 14 connected to a lower part of the bowl portion 12 for discharging the waste, and a skirt portion 16 that surrounds the bowl portion 12 and the discharge trap pipe 14 from the outside are formed. A space S is formed between the bowl portion 12, the discharge trap pipe 14 and the skirt portion 16.

The bowl portion 12 has a waste receiving surface 18 formed in a bowl shape and a rim portion 20 formed along an upper edge portion of the bowl portion 12. The flush water is adapted to be pooled in the bowl portion 12 as pooled water (so that a pooled water surface WS is formed).

In the rim portion 20, the rim spout port 22, which is configured to spout the flush water rearwardly, and the rim water conduit 24, which is configured to guide the flush water toward the rim spout port 22, are formed. The rim spout port 22 is arranged on the right side in a middle area in a front-and-rear direction of the bowl portion 12. The flush water that has been spouted out from the rim spout port 22 is adapted to flow along an inner circumferential surface of the rim portion 20 and swirl down toward the waste receiving surface 18 while washing the bowl portion 12.

A jet spout port 26 is formed at a lower part of the bowl portion 8 and is configured to spout the flush water toward an inlet 14a of the discharge trap pipe 14. The jet spout port 26 is located facing the inlet 14a of the discharge trap pipe 14. The flush water that has been spouted out from the jet spout port 26 is adapted to flow into the discharge trap pipe 14 to generate a siphon phenomenon.

The flush water is adapted to be supplied to the jet spout port 26 via the upstream side jet water pipe 60, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 and the downstream side jet water conduit 28.

The discharge trap pipe 14 is made up of: an inlet 14a connected to the lower part of the bowl portion 12; an ascending pipe 10b that extends upward from the inlet 14a; a top portion 14c that is located at a highest position of the ascending pipe 14b and defines the pooled water surface WS (pooled water level); and a rear pipe 14d that extends substantially horizontally rearward from the top portion 14c. The rear pipe 14d of the discharge trap pipe 14 is connected to another discharge pipe (not shown) provided inside the wall surface W via a discharge socket 30.

The sanitary washing unit 6 is made up of: a washing nozzle (not shown) provided in a projectable and retractable manner to a main body, a toilet seat (not shown) attached to the main body in a vertically rotatable manner, and a toilet seat cover attached to the main body in a vertically rotatable manner for covering the toilet seat. The water supply pipe 10 is connected to the main body of the sanitary washing unit 6 to supply the flush water to be sprayed out from the washing nozzle.

In the space S, the tank device 4 is contained at an area surrounded by the skirt portion 16 below the bowl portion 12. In the space S, a functioning assembly is contained at an area behind the bowl portion 12, for supplying the flush water stored in the tank device 4 to the main toilet unit 2. For example, the functioning assembly may include a water supply valve device 32, a pump device 34, a switching valve device 36, a controller 38, and the like.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the tank device 4, the functioning assembly and a baseplate 40, all of which are contained in the space S of the main toilet unit 2, are explained.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the functioning assembly of the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment as seen from an upper left position. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the functioning assembly of the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment as seen from an upper right position. In FIG. 4A, a direction in which the flush water flows is shown by arrows.

The tank device 4 includes: a water storage tank 42 (tank) in which the flush water to be supplied to the main toilet unit 2 is stored, a tank water supply unit 46 configured to cause the flush water supplied from a tank water supply pipe 44 to flow into the water storage tank 42, a float switch 48 configured to detect a level of the flush water stored in the water storage tank 42, and a fixing member 50 for fixing the tank device to a bottom surface of the main toilet unit 2.

The water storage tank 42 is formed in a L-shaped manner in a plan view. The discharge trap pipe 14 is formed such that it extends forward in the area on the right side and then bends to the left. The water storage tank 42 is a tank made of resin that can store a predetermined amount of flush water to be used for a rim spouting and a jet spouting.

The tank water supply unit 46 is arranged above the water storage tank 42. An upstream side of the tank water supply unit 46 is connected to the tank water supply pipe 44. A downstream side of the tank water supply unit 46 is connected to the water storage tank 42. A conduit configured to guide the flush water supplied from the tank water supply pipe 44 to the water storage tank 42 is formed in the tank water supply unit 46.

The float switch 48 is configured to be turned off when the level of the flush water in the water storage tank 42 falls down from a stop water level (a full water level). In addition, the float switch 48 is configured to be turned on to close the water supply valve device 32 when the level of the flush water in the water storage tank 42 rises up to the stop water level.

The water storage tank 42 is provided with an overflow unit 62, which is configured to discharge the flush water outside the tank for example if the float switch 48 malfunctions and a tank water supply continues when it should not. The overflow unit 62 is connected to the discharge socket 30. The flush water that has been overflowed from the water storage tank 42 is adapted to be discharged into the discharge socket 30 via the overflow unit 62.

The water supply valve device 32 includes a constant flow valve (not shown) for making a flow rate of flush water constant, an opening and closing valve (not shown) located on a downstream side with respect to the constant flow valve for switching between supplying and stopping the flush water, and an electromagnetic valve (not shown) for driving the opening and closing valve. An upstream side of the water supply valve device 32 is connected to the water supply source (not shown) via the stop cock 8 and the water supply pipe 10. A downstream side of the water supply valve device 32 is connected to via a sanitary washing unit water supply pipe 52 and to the tank device 4 via the tank water supply pipe 44. When the electromagnetic valve is electromagnetically opened, the opening and closing valve is opened, which causes the flush water from the water supply source to be supplied to the tank device 4 via the tank water supply pipe 44.

The pump device 34 includes a pressurized pump. The pump device 34 is configured to suck up the flush water that has been stored in the tank device 4 and deliver it to the main toilet unit 2 under pressure. An upstream side of the pump device 34 is connected to the tank device 4 via an upstream side connecting pipe 54. A downstream side of the pump device 34 is connected to the switching valve device 36 via a downstream side connecting pipe 56. When the pump device 34 is activated, the flush water that has been stored in the tank device 4 is delivered under pressure to the rim spout port 22 and the jet spout port 26 and is spouted out therefrom. Thereby, the bowl portion 12 is flushed (washed).

The switching valve device 36 includes a switching valve body (not shown) and is configured to switch between its supply water paths, one of which delivers the flush water supplied from the pump device 34 to one of the rim spout port 22 and the jet spout port 26, and the other of which delivers the flush water supplied from the pump device 34 to the other of the rim spout port 22 and the jet spout port 26. An upstream side of the switching valve device 36 is connected to the pump device 34 via the downstream side connecting pipe 56. A downstream side of the switching valve device 36 is connected to the rim spout port 22 via a rim water supply pipe 58 and the rim water conduit 24 and is connected to the jet spout port 26 via the upstream side jet water pipe 60, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 and the downstream side jet water conduit 28. When the switching valve body is closed, the flush water from the pump device 34 is adapted to be supplied to the rim spout port 22. When the switching valve body is opened, the flush water from the pump device 34 is adapted to be supplied to both the rim spout port 22 and the jet spout port 26.

The controller 38 is electrically connected to a remote control unit (not shown), the tank device 4 (in particular, the float switch 48), the sanitary washing unit 6, the water supply valve device 32 and the pump device 34 in such a manner that the controller 38 can transmit and/or receive various types of signals to and/or from them. When the controller 38 receives a flushing start signal from the remote control unit for a full flush operation (for feces) or a partial flush operation (for urine), the controller 38 is configured to drive and/or stop the pump device 34 based on a pre-stored flushing sequence.

Specifically, when a user activates a flush operation on the remote control unit, the controller 38 is configured to drive the pump device 34 such that the flush water that has been stored in the tank device 4 is delivered to the rim spout port 22 and/or the jet spout port 26 and is spouted out therefrom. In addition, after the flush operation is completed, the controller 38 causes the water supply valve device 32 to open such that the tank device 34 is refilled with the flush water and then causes the water supply valve device 32 to close when the float switch 48 detects a full state.

The pipes connected to the respective elements of the functioning assembly (the water supply pipe 10, the tank water supply pipe 44, the sanitary washing unit water supply pipe 52, the upstream side connecting pipe 54, the downstream side connecting pipe 56, the rim water supply pipe 58 and the upstream side jet water pipe 60) are so flexible that they can absorb manufacturing errors in the main toilet unit 2 (made of porcelain) and the like. On the other hand, the downstream side jet water conduit 28 is formed as a part of the main toilet unit 2 made of porcelain.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of water supply paths through which the flush water flows in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, as the water supply paths of the flush toilet 1, from an upstream side thereof, the stop cock 8, the water supply valve device 32, the tank device 4, the pump device 34 and the switching valve device 36 are arranged in this order.

At first, the flush water is supplied from the water supply source to the water supply valve device 32 through the stop cock 8 and the water supply pipe 10. Then, the flush water that has been supplied to the water supply valve device 32 is supplied to the sanitary washing unit 6 through the sanitary washing unit water supply pipe 52 and is supplied to the tank device 4 through the tank water supply pipe 44.

The flush water that has been supplied to and stored in the tank device 4 is sucked up by the pump device 34 through the upstream side connecting pipe 54 and a suction port 34a of a pump device water conduit 34p. The flush water that has been sucked up in this manner is supplied to the switching valve device 36 through the downstream side connecting pipe 56.

The flush water that has been supplied to the switching valve device 36 is spouted out from the rim spout port 22 through the rim water supply pipe 58 and the rim water conduit 24 and/or is spouted out from the jet spout port 26 through the upstream side jet water pipe 60, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 and the downstream side jet water conduit 28.

The flush water that has been overflowed from the tank device 4 is discharged into the discharge socket 30 via the overflow unit 62.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross section view of the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment taken along a vertical place extending in the front-and-rear direction through the pump device 34 and the upstream side connecting pipe 54.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2, 4A, 4B and 6, the upstream side connecting pipe 54, the pump device 34, the downstream side connecting pipe 56, the switching valve device 36, the upstream side jet water pipe 60 and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 are arranged on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14. A portion on an upstream side of the downstream side jet water conduit 28, which is connected to the upstream side jet water pipe 60 by the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100, is also arranged on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14.

In order to clarify positional relationship between the above elements, a schematic perspective view of these elements is shown in FIG. 7, a schematic front view of these elements is shown in FIG. 8, and a flow of the flush water passing through these elements is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross section view of a vicinity of the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100.

With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 6, the pump device 34, the switching valve device 36 and the controller 38, all of which are elements of the functioning assembly, are arranged in an area A on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14 (an area which is not occupied by the water storage tank 42 formed in a L-shaped manner). The pump device 34, the switching valve device 36, and the controller 38 are arranged in this order in a single vertically aligned row.

In addition, in the area A, the upstream side connecting pipe 54 that connects the tank device 4 and the pump device 34, the downstream side connecting pipe 56 that connects the pump device 34 and the switching valve device 36, and the upstream side jet water pipe 60 (the upstream side jet water conduit) are arranged.

The pump device 34 is arranged so as to face a rear wall 72b of a left side area 72 of the water storage tank 42 in an approximately front-and-rear direction. In addition, the pump device 34 is arranged so as to be at approximately the same height as an upper wall 72a of the left side area 72.

An outlet pipe 72c extends rearward from the left side area 72 of the water storage tank 42 and is used for sucking up the flush water in the water storage tank 42 through a sucking-up port 72e. An outlet 72d of the outlet pipe 72c is connected to the suction port 34a of the pump device water conduit 34p of the pump device 34 via the upstream side connecting pipe 54.

The controller 38 is fixed to an upper surface of pump device 34. The switching valve device 36 is fixed to an upper surface of the controller 38. The downstream side connecting pipe 56 that connects the pump device 34 and the switching valve device 36 is arranged in a vicinity of the controller 38 such that the downstream side connecting pipe 56 and the controller 38 are arranged in adjacent approximately vertical rows.

The pump device 34, the controller 38 and the switching valve device 36 at least partially overlap with each other in a plan view. The switching valve device 36 is arranged on the inner side of an outer peripheral edge of the pump device 34 and on the inner side of an outer peripheral edge of the controller 38 in a plan view. The downstream side connecting pipe 56 is arranged on the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the pump device 34 in plan view.

Characteristic Structure (1)

In the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 (a connecting portion between the upstream side jet water pipe 60 and the downstream side jet water conduit 28) is located on a rear side of the jet spout port 26 and lower than the pooled water surface WS.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is located below the bowl portion 12 (the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is arranged on the inner side of an outer peripheral edge of the bowl portion 12 in a plan view).

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is located at a position higher than the lowest opened edge of the jet spout port 26.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is attached to a rearend side surface 104 of the porcelain portion that defines (partitions) the downstream side jet water conduit 28 via an annular sealing member 103 by means of double mounting sleeves 101, 102 in a watertight manner.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the upstream side jet water pipe 60 is a hose made of resin, which has flexibility.

Then, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the upstream side connecting pipe 54, the pump device 34, the downstream side connecting pipe 56, the switching valve device 36, the upstream side jet water pipe 60 and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 are arranged on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the jet spout port 26 is open in a rearward direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction. The jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 also extends in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction.

Characteristic Structure (2)

In the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the pump device 34 is configured to suck up the flush water from the left side area 72 of the water storage tank 42 via the sucking-up port 72e of the outlet pipe 72c (a sucking-up portion), the outlet pipe 72c, the upstream side connecting pipe 54, and the suction port 34a of the pump device water conduit 34p.

Then, similarly to the upstream side connecting pipe 54 and the pump device 34, the outlet pipe 72c (including the sucking-up port 72e) is also arranged on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the outlet pipe 72c (including the sucking-up port 72e) is open in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction. The jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 also extends in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction.

Therefore, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIG. 9, a flow direction of the flush water when the flush water passes through the outlet pipe 72c is a front-and-rear direction, and a flow direction of the flush water when the flush water passes through the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is also a front-and-rear direction.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIG. 6, the outlet pipe 72c is also located below the bowl portion 12 (the outlet pipe 72c is arranged on the inner side of an outer peripheral edge of the bowl portion 12 in a plan view).

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, a water path from the outlet pipe 72c to the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is all positioned on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14, i.e., on the same side as the outlet pipe 72c and the pump device 34 with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14, in such a manner that the water path does not overlap with the discharge trap pipe 14 in a plan view. Furthermore, the water path is all positioned lower than the rim portion 20.

Effects of Characteristic Structure (1)

According to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment as described above, since the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is located lower than the pooled water surface WS, a more compact layout can be achieved.

Conventionally, there was a practice in which a conventional jet water conduit connecting pipe (corresponding to the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100) between a conventional downstream side jet water conduit made or porcelain (corresponding to the downstream side jet water conduit 28) and a conventional upstream side jet water pipe made of resin (corresponding to the upstream side jet water pipe 60) was located higher than the pooled water surface WS. However, the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment eliminates this practice by ensuring watertightness around the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 by using the annular sealing member 103 and the like.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, since the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is located below the bowl portion 12 (since the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is arranged by efficiently using an area below the bowl portion 12), a more compact layout can be achieved.

If it is allowed for a connecting portion between an upstream side water conduit and a downstream side water conduit to be located lower than the pooled water surface WS and below the bowl portion 12, an even more compact layout can be achieved. Alternatively, such an even more compact layout can also be achieved by adopting an alternative approach in which a part of or an entire connecting portion between the upstream and downstream water conduits is located lower than the pooled water surface WS and below the rim portion 20, instead of below the bowl portion 12.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, the watertightness between the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 (or the mounting sleeves 101, 102) and the rearend side surface 104 of the porcelain portion that defines (partitions) the downstream side jet water conduit 28 is ensured by the annular sealing member 103. Therefore, it is surely prevented that the flush water (or sewage when a backflow occurs) leaks around the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, since the upstream side jet water pipe 60 is a hose made of resin which has flexibility, freedom of design for the upstream side jet water pipe 60 is advantageously enhanced.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, since the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is located at a position higher than the lowest opened edge of the jet spout port 26, there is no rising water path for the flush water, which improves a pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, since the upstream side connecting pipe 54, the pump device 34, the downstream side connecting pipe 56, the switching valve device 36, the upstream side jet water pipe 60 and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 are arranged on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14, a more compact layout can be achieved and the pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting can be improved.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, since the jet spout port 26 is open in a rearward direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 also extends in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction, an even more compact layout can be achieved and the pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting can be improved more.

Effects of Characteristic Structure (2)

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment as described above, similarly to the upstream side connecting pipe 54 and the pump device 34, the outlet pipe 72c (including the sucking-up port 72e) is also arranged on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14. Thereby, the outlet pipe 72c, the pump device 34 and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 are arranged on the left side (the same side) with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14, which can achieve an even more compact layout and improve the pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting.

In addition, according to the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, since the outlet pipe 72c is open in a rearward direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 also extends in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction, an even more compact layout can be achieved and the pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting can be improved more.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIG. 9, a flow direction of the flush water when the flush water passes through the outlet pipe 72c is a front-and-rear direction, and a flow direction of the flush water when the flush water passes through the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is also a front-and-rear direction. This feature can be also evaluated as contributing to achieving an even more compact layout and improving the pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIG. 6, the outlet pipe 72c is also located below the bowl portion 12 (the outlet pipe 72c is arranged on the inner side of an outer peripheral edge of the bowl portion 12 in a plan view). This feature can be also evaluated as contributing to achieving an even more compact layout.

In addition, in the flush toilet 1 of the present embodiment, particularly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, a water path from the outlet pipe 72c to the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 is all positioned on the left side with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14, i.e., on the same side as the outlet pipe 72c and the pump device 34 with respect to the discharge trap pipe 14, in such a manner that the water path does not overlap with the discharge trap pipe 14 in a plan view. Furthermore, the water path is all positioned lower than the rim portion 20. Each of these features and/or any combination of these features can be also evaluated as contributing to achieving an even more compact layout and improving the pressure loss efficiency with regard to the jet spouting even more.

Modified Example (1)

In the above embodiment, the outlet pipe 72c (sucking-up portion) penetrates the rear wall 72b of the left side area 72 of the water storage tank 42, and the jet water conduit connecting pipe 100 (a connecting portion between the upstream side jet water pipe 60 and the downstream side jet water conduit 28) penetrates the rearend side surface 104 of the porcelain portion that defines (partitions) the downstream side jet water conduit 28. However, the present invention is not limited to these types of connection.

For example, a sucking-up portion for sucking up the flush water that has been stored in the water storage tank 42 may be a type formed by coupling a connecting surface of a tank side pipe and a connecting surface of a pump side pipe. Similarly, a connecting portion between an upstream side jet water conduit and a downstream side jet water conduit may be a type formed by coupling a connecting surface of the upstream side water conduit and a connecting surface of the downstream side water conduit.

If these types are adopted, it is preferable that the connecting surface of the tank side pipe, the connecting surface of the pump side pipe, the connecting surface of the upstream side water conduit and the connecting surface of the downstream side water conduit are aligned in parallel with each other. This can achieve a more compact layout.

Modified Example (2)

In the above embodiment and in the above modified example (1), the flush toilet 1 is a wall-mounted type of flush toilet. A flush toilet having the features of the above embodiment or the above modified example (1) can effectively utilize the advantage of “compact layout”when it is a wall-mounted type.

However, at least at the time of filing the present application, the flush toilet of the present invention is not limited to a wall-mounted type but may also be a floor-mounted type. Even if it is a floor-mounted type, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

Just in case, the present invention includes the following features (inventions).

Feature 1

A flush toilet comprising:

• • a main toilet unit having a bowl portion and a discharge trap pipe extending from a lower part of the bowl portion;
  • a jet spout port configured to spout out flush water into an inside of the discharge trap pipe in a rearward direction; and
  • a jet water conduit configured to supply the flush water to the jet spout port,
  • wherein
  • the jet water conduit has a downstream side water conduit extending to the jet spout port and an upstream side water conduit connected to the downstream side water conduit,
  • the downstream side water conduit is made of porcelain, and
  • a connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located on a rear side with respect to the jet spout port and lower than a pooled water surface.

Feature 2

A flush toilet comprising:

• • a main toilet unit having a bowl portion and a discharge trap pipe extending from a lower part of the bowl portion;
  • a jet spout port configured to spout out flush water into an inside of the discharge trap pipe in a rearward direction; and
  • a jet water conduit configured to supply the flush water to the jet spout port,
  • wherein
  • the jet water conduit has a downstream side water conduit extending to the jet spout port and an upstream side water conduit connected to the downstream side water conduit,
  • the downstream side water conduit is made of porcelain, and
  • a connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located below the bowl portion and/or a rim portion.

Feature 3

The flush toilet according to feature 1, wherein

• • the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located below the bowl portion and/or a rim portion.

Feature 4

The flush toilet according to any of features 1 to 3, wherein the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is provided with a sealing member.

Feature 5

The flush toilet according to any of features 1 to 4, wherein

• • the upstream side water conduit includes a hose made of resin.

Feature 6

The flush toilet according to any of features 1 to 5, wherein

• • the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is located at a position higher than a lowest opened edge of the jet spout port.

Feature 7

The flush toilet according to any of features 1 to 6, further comprising:

• • a tank configured to temporarily store the flush water; and
  • a pump configured to pump up the flush water that has been stored in the tank;
  • wherein
  • the pump is positioned on one side with respect to the discharge trap pipe in a left-and-right direction, and
  • the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit is also positioned on the same one side with respect to the discharge trap pipe in the left-and-right direction as the pump.

Feature 8

The flush toilet according to any of features 1 to 7, wherein

• • the jet spout port is open in a rearward direction that is aligned in a front-and-rear direction, and
  • the connecting portion between the upstream side water conduit and the downstream side water conduit also extends in a direction that is aligned in the front-and-rear direction.

Feature 9

The flush toilet according to any of features 1 to 8, wherein

• • the flush toilet is a wall-mounted type of flush toilet.

EXPLANATION OF SIGNS

• • 1 Flush Toilet
  • 2 Main Toilet Unit
  • 2a Bottom Surface Opening
  • 4 Tank Device
  • 6 Sanitary Washing Unit
  • 8 Stop Cock
  • 10 Water Supply Pipe
  • 12 Bowl Portion
  • 14 Discharge Trap Pipe
  • 14a Inlet
  • 14b Ascending Pipe
  • 14c Top Portion
  • 14d Rear Pipe
  • 16 Skirt Portion
  • 18 Waste Receiving Surface
  • 20 Rim Portion
  • 22 Rim Spout Port
  • 24 Rim Water Conduit
  • 26 Jet Spout Port
  • 28 Downstream Side Jet Water Conduit.
  • 30 Discharge Socket
  • 32 Water Supply Valve Device
  • 34 Pump Device
  • 34a Suction Port
  • 34p Pump Device Water Conduit
  • 36 Switching Valve Device
  • 38 Controller
  • 40 Baseplate
  • 42 Water Storage Tank
  • 44 Tank Water Supply Pipe
  • 46 Tank Water Supply Unit
  • 48 Float Switch
  • 50 Fixing Member
  • 52 Sanitary Washing Unit Water Supply Pipe
  • 54 Upstream Side Connecting Pipe
  • 56 Downstream Side Connecting Pipe
  • 58 Rim Water Supply Pipe
  • 60 Upstream Side Jet Water Pipe
  • 62 Overflow Unit
  • 72 Left Side Area
  • 72a Upper Wall
  • 72b Rear Wall
  • 72c Outlet Pipe
  • 72d Outlet
  • 72e Sucking-Up Port
  • 100 Jet Water Conduit Connecting Pipe
  • 101 Mounting Sleeve (Inner Side)
  • 102 Mounting Sleeve (Outer Side)
  • 103 Annular Sealing Member
  • 104 Rearend Side Surface
  • A Area
  • S Space
  • W Wall Surface
  • WS Pooled Water Surface