Flush operating apparatus and toilet apparatus including same

A flush operating apparatus includes: a flush valve for opening and closing a discharge port on a storage tank; a manual operating unit, provided on the flush water tank and capable of manually operating the motion of the flush valve; a powered operating unit capable of operating the motion of the flush valve with power; and a control device for receiving a toilet flush start signal transmitted from either an instruction device by which a user instructs a toilet flush operation, or from a body sensor for sensing a user and activating a power drive motor; wherein the powered operating unit is separately installed from the manual operating unit, and is installed so as to be removable from the flush water tank in accordance with flush water tank apparatus or toilet main unit usage conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a flush operating apparatus and toilet apparatus including same, and in particular to a flush operating apparatus for operating the flushing of flush water from a flush water tank into a toilet, and to a toilet apparatus including this flush operating apparatus.

Description of Related Art

Conventionally known flush operating apparatuses for operating the flushing of flush water into a toilet from a flush water tank in which toilet flush water is stored include, as set forth for example in Patent Document 1 (China Registered Utility Model 2641156), those having an operating lever, rotationally operated by a user using only manual action, a drive apparatus linked to this operating lever, furnished with a drive shaft rotated by a user's rotary operation, and a wire member linking the flush valve for opening and closing the flush water tank discharge port with the drive apparatus to raise the flush valve by rotating the drive shaft on the drive apparatus.

In a conventional flush operating apparatus such as that set forth in Patent Document 1, when a user starts an operation to discharge flush water from the flush water storage tank into the toilet, the user first clasps the operating lever and rotates it, and when the drive shaft of the drive apparatus is manually rotated and driven together with the operating lever, a wire member moves, the flush valve is raised by the wire member, and the discharge port on the flush water tank is released.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

In recent years, however, in the pursuit of greater ease of use for flush operating apparatuses, the issue has become one of how to improve usability, without limitation to a user's ability to directly manually operate the toilet, including as well the automation of the flush operation, such as by electrically powering the operation itself of the flush operating apparatus.

Moreover, in recent years, as the diversity of flush water tank and toilet specifications has grown, the constituent parts of flush water tanks and toilets, etc. have been standardized as much as possible in order to minimize manufacturing costs, but there is a question as to how easily designs can be implemented to change the specifications of flush water tanks and toilets, etc. according to usage conditions of those flush water tanks and toilets, such as the way in which the flush water tanks and toilets are installed and used.

In addition, in recent years as specifications for flush water tanks and toilets have become more diverse, the issue has arisen of the need to improve usability so that an appropriate selection can be made between manual and automatic operation, both with respect the simplicity of the means for changing a specification, and to the method of operating a flush toilet apparatus.

Therefore the present invention was undertaken to resolve the above-described technical requirements, and has the object of providing a flush operating apparatus which, with respect to the method of flush operation for operating the flushing of flush water from a flush water tank to a toilet, is capable of easily making an appropriate selection between manual and powered methods according to flush water tank and toilet usage conditions, thereby providing a flush operating apparatus with improved ease of use.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve this object, the present invention is a flush operating apparatus, being a flush operating apparatus for discharging flush water from a flush water tank into a toilet, having: a flush valve for opening and closing a discharge port on a flush water tank for storing flush water to flush a toilet; a manual operating unit, provided on the flush water tank and capable of manually operating the motion of the flush valve; a powered operating unit, being a powered operating unit capable of operating the motion of the flush valve with power, furnished with a rotary drive shaft for rotationally driving from the outside using electrical power; a power drive transfer portion, linked to the rotary drive shaft of this powered drive portion, for transferring the rotational drive force of the powered drive portion; and a powered operation linking member, linked at one end with the powered drive transfer portion and at the other end with the flush valve; and a control portion for receiving a toilet flush start signal transmitted from either an instruction portion by which a user instructs a toilet flush operation, or from a body sensing portion that senses a user, and activating the powered drive portion; wherein the powered operating unit is separately installed from the manual operating unit, and is installed so as to be removable from the flush water tank in accordance with flush water tank or toilet usage conditions.

In the invention thus constituted, the powered operating unit capable of power-operating a flush valve to open and close a discharge port on a flush water tank is installed as a separate item from the manual operating unit, and is installed so as to be removable from the flush water tank in accordance with flush water tank or toilet usage conditions (e.g., flush water tank or toilet specifications or installation conditions), therefore when performing a toilet flushing operation with a powered operation unit attached, operation of the flush valve can be controlled by a user's manual operation of a manual operating unit, and operation of the flush valve can be controlled by the powered operation of a powered operating unit, so that an appropriate selection can be made as needed of the method for operating the flush valve. Also, when a user operates the action of the flush valve by a powered operation using the powered operating unit, the control portion receives a toilet flush start signal transmitted from either an instruction portion by which a user instructs a toilet flushing operation, or by a body sensing portion that senses a user, thus enabling the automatic activation of the powered drive portion of the powered operating unit. Therefore the rotary drive force of the powered drive portion is transferred as operating force from the powered drive transfer portion to the flush valve through a powered operation linking member, so that the action of the flush valve can be automated. As a result, when compared to toilet flushed using only a manual operating unit, the flush valve can be operated efficiently, and ease of use improved. On the other hand, when the powered operating unit is unnecessary, the structure of the flush water tank or toilet can be simplified by removing only the powered unit, and a change can be easily effected to a specification allowing for toilet flushing operation by a manual operating unit on its own, thus improving ease of use. Also, due to the ease of later attachment of a powered unit to existing flush water tanks or toilets not furnished with a powered operating unit and including only a manual operating unit, the flush water tank or toilet specification and flush operating method can be easily changed, thereby improving usability.

In the present invention, the manual operating unit preferably includes a manual rotary shaft, a manual operating portion for manual rotary operation of this manual rotary shaft, a manual rotary force transfer portion that transfers the rotary force of this manual rotary shaft, and a manual operation linking member, linked at one end with the manual rotary force transfer portion, and at the other end with the flush valve; the flush valve includes a powered operation linking portion to which the other end of the powered operation linking member is removably linked, and a manual operation linking portion to which the other end of the manual operation linking member is removably linked; when operating the powered operating unit, the other end of the powered operating linking member is linked with the powered operating linking portion, and the link between the other end of the manual operation linking member and the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve is released, therefore when operating the manual operating unit, the other end of the manual operating linking member and the flush valve manual operation linking portion are linked, while the link between the other end of the powered operation linking member and the flush valve powered operation linking portion is released.

In the invention thus constituted, when operating a powered operating unit, the other end of the powered operation linking member is linked to the flush valve powered operation linking portion, while the link between the other end of the manual operation linking member and the flush valve manual operation link portion is released; when operating the manual operating unit, the other end of the manual operation linking member is linked to the flush valve manual operation linking portion, while the link between the other end of the powered operation linking member and the flush valve powered operation linking portion is released, therefore a state wherein the other end of the powered operation linking member and the other end of the manual operation linking member are simultaneously respectively linked to the flush valve powered operation linking portion and the manual operation linking portion during a powered operation by the powered operating unit or a manual operation by the manual operating unit can be prevented. When operating the flush valve by power or manually using the powered operating unit or manual operating unit, mutual interference between the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member can be prevented, and the simultaneous transfer of excessive operating force to the flush valve from both the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member can be prevented. Therefore since either the powered operation linking member or the manual operation linking member can operate the flush valve by itself, usability can be improved.

In the present invention an interference prevention portion that prevents interference between the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member is preferably provided between the powered operation linking portion and the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve.

In the invention thus constituted, because an interference prevention portion that prevents a mutual interference between the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member is provided between the powered operation linking portion and the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve, mutual interference between the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member can be reliably prevented when operating the flush valve, irrespective of whether powered operation by the powered operating unit or manual operation by the manual operating unit, and flush valve operability can be thereby improved.

In the present invention the flush valve preferably includes a valve body portion which opens and closes by the up and down movement of the discharge port formed on the bottom portion of the flush water tank; the powered operation linking portion and manual operation linking portion are respectively arrayed in parallel on the top end portion extending upward from this valve body portion; the interference prevention portion is a partition wall formed to partition the powered operation linking portion from the manual operation linking portion.

In the invention thus constituted, the flush valve includes a valve body portion for opening and closing by raising and lowering a discharge port formed in the bottom portion of a flush water tank; a powered operation linking portion and a manual operation linking portion are respectively arrayed in parallel at the top end portion extending from this valve body portion, and since a partitioning wall for partitioning between the powered operation linking portion and the manual operation linking portion is formed as an interference prevention portion that prevents the interference between the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member, mutual interference between the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member when a flush valve is power or manually operated by the powered operating unit or the manual operating unit can be effectively prevented using a simple structure, and an efficient connection can be made to the powered operation linking portion and the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve.

In the present invention, a first slot into which the powered operation linking member is detachably inserted and attached is preferably formed as the interference prevention portion on the powered operation linking portion of the flush valve; a second slot into which the manual operation linking member is insertably attached is formed as the interference prevention portion on the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve; the other end of the powered operation linking member is formed to be larger than the size of the first slot, and includes a first raised portion able to latch the first slot when operating the powered operating unit; and the other end of the manual operation linking member is formed to be larger than the size of the second slot, and includes a first raised portion able to latch the second slot when operating the manual operating unit.

In the invention thus constituted, when the powered operating unit is operated, the first raised portion of the other end of the powered operation linking member and the first slot in the powered operation linking portion of the flush valve are locked and linked, while the link between the second raised portion on the other end of the manual operation linking member and the second slot of the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve is released. On the other hand, when the manual operating unit is operated, the link between the second raised portion on the other end of the manual operation linking member and the second slot of the manual operation linking portion of the flush valve is locked and linked when operating the manual operating unit, while the link between the first slot on the other end of the powered operation linking member and the first slot of the powered operation linking portion of the flush valve is released. Therefore the condition can be prevented in which the respective first raised portion on the other end of the powered operation linking member and second raised portion on the other end of the manual operation linking member simultaneously latch and link, respectively, to the first slot of the flush valve powered operation linking portion and the second slot of the manual operation linking portion during powered operation by the powered operating unit or manual operation by the manual operating unit. Also, because the powered operation linking member and the manual operation linking member are respectively independently inserted into the first slot of the flush valve powered operation linking portion and the second slot of the manual operation linking portion as an interference prevention portion, mutual interference between the power operation linking member and manual operation linking member can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, excessive operating force can be prevented from being transferred to the flush valve by the first raised portion on the other end of the power operation linking member and the second rotating mechanism on the other end of the manual operation linking member, respectively. As a result, since either the powered operation linking member or the manual operation linking member can operate the flush valve by itself, usability can be improved. When the powered operating unit is not needed, the power operation linking member can be easily detached from the first slot in the powered operation linking portion of the flush valve with only the powered operating unit is removed, therefore specifications can easily be changed to allow a toilet flush operation using the manual operating unit alone, and usability can be improved.

In the present invention the powered operating unit power drive transfer portion preferably includes a power drive gear placed on the rotary drive shaft of the power drive portion, and a power receiving gear for meshing and engaging this power drive gear; the power drive gear and power receiving gear are designed so that the torque of the rotary drive shaft of the power drive portion is less than the torque of the manual rotary shaft.

In the invention thus constituted, because the power drive gear of the powered operating unit power drive transfer portion and the power receiving gear are designed so that the torque of the power drive portion rotary drive shaft is less than the torque of the manual rotary shaft, the drive force of the power drive portion rotary drive shaft can be set low, and the entire powered operating unit can be made compact.

In the invention thus constituted, the powered drive transfer portion of the powered operating unit preferably further includes a rotary member on which the power receiving gear is placed, and the power receiving gear is designed to have a larger torque than the power drive gear; the rotary member, linked to one end of the power operation linking member, is constituted so that the power operation linking member can be moved in the rotary direction of the rotary member by rotation together with the power receiving gear.

In the invention thus constituted, the power receiving gear placed on the rotary member of the powered drive transfer portion of the powered operating unit is designed to have a larger torque than the power drive gear, and can cause the power operation linking member to move together with the power receiving gear along the direction of rotation of the rotary member using the rotation by this rotary member, therefore even if the drive force of the rotary drive shaft on the powered operation linking portion is set low, the power receiving gear and rotary member can rotate at a higher torque than the power drive gear. Therefore the power operation linking member can be efficiently moved together with the rotation of the rotary member, and the entire powered operating unit can be made compact.

Next, the present invention is a toilet apparatus having: the flush operating apparatus, a toilet main unit including a bowl portion, and a flush water tank, being a flush water tank for storing flush water to flush the bowl portion of this toilet main unit, on the inside of which the flush valve of the flush operating apparatus is positioned.

In the invention thus constituted, when performing a toilet flushing operation with a flush operating apparatus powered operating unit attached, a toilet apparatus can be provided with which a user can control the action of the flush valve manually using the manual operating unit, and can control the operation of the flush valve with power using the powered operating unit, and an appropriate selection of the operating method for operating the flush valve can be made as needed. When a user controls the operation of the flush valve with power using the powered operating unit, the flush valve can be more efficiently actuated compared to when the toilet flushing operation is performed using the manual operating unit only, and a toilet apparatus with improved usability can be provided. On the other hand, when the powered operating unit is unnecessary based on usage conditions of the flush water tank or toilet (e.g., flush water tank or toilet specifications or installation conditions, etc.), the structure of the flush water tank or toilet main unit can be simplified by removing only the powered operating unit, and specifications can be easily changed so that the toilet flushing operation is possible with the flush operating apparatus manual operating unit on its own, therefore a toilet with improved usability can be provided. Furthermore, since a powered operating unit can be easily attached to an existing flush water tank including only a manual operating unit and not furnished with a powered operating unit, flush water tank or toilet specifications and flush operating methods can be easily changed, and a toilet apparatus with improved usability can be provided.

In the present invention the power drive portion and the powered drive transfer portion of the powered operating unit are preferably removably attached to the flush water tank in accordance with flush water tank or toilet usage conditions, and a hole or channel into which the powered operating unit power operation linking member can be inserted is formed between the interior and exterior of the flush water tank above the flush water stop level in the flush water tank.

Therefore the flush water tank or toilet specification and flush operating method can be easily changed in accordance with flush water tank or toilet usage conditions, and a toilet apparatus with improved usability can be provided. In a state wherein the power drive portion and the powered drive transfer portion of the powered operating unit of the flush operating apparatus are attached to the flush water tank, the power drive portion and the powered drive transfer portion of the powered operating unit are disposed outside the flush water tank, so flush water inside the flush water tank does not impinge thereon, and malfunctions can be prevented.

In the present invention the powered operating unit power drive portion and powered drive transfer portion are preferably attached to a housing portion placed on the side surface of the flush water tank, and a cover member is attached to the housing portion so as to cover the power drive portion and powered drive transfer portion from their outside.

In the present invention the flush operating apparatus powered operating unit is preferably removably attached on the interior of the flush water tank in accordance with flush water tank or toilet usage conditions.

In the invention thus constituted, the flush operating apparatus powered operating unit is removably attached on the interior of the flush water tank in accordance with flush water tank or toilet usage conditions, therefore the peripheral space on the outside of the flush water tank can be simplified, and a toilet with improved usability can be provided.

Using the flush operating apparatus of the present invention, with respect to the flush operation method for operating the discharge of flush water from a flush water tank to a toilet, a manual or powered system can be easily selected as appropriate, and usability improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Below, referring to the attached figures, we explain a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.

First, referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, we explain the structure of a toilet apparatus to which a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 1is a summary perspective view showing a toilet apparatus to which a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is applied.

As shown inFIG. 1, a toilet apparatus2, to which flush operating apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the invention is applied, includes a toilet main unit4formed of porcelain or resin; inside this toilet main unit4, a bowl-shaped bowl portion6for receiving waste is formed. A discharge trap conduit (not shown) is connected to the bottom portion of bowl portion6. The downstream end portion of this discharge trap conduit (not shown) is connected through a water discharge socket (not shown) to a discharge pipe (not shown) on the underfloor side of toilet main unit4, or to a discharge port on the wall rear side at the back of toilet main unit4; waste flushed inside bowl portion6of toilet main unit4is evacuated together with flush water from the discharge trap conduit (not shown) through the discharge socket (not shown) to an external discharge pipe (not shown) on the downstream side.

A toilet seat8is disposed on the top surface of toilet main unit4; a control device12is placed at the back of this toilet seat8to control groin washing apparatus10for washing a user's groin with warm water after use, and for operating the motion of related electrical equipment such as the powered operating unit described in detail below. This control device12is connected to an external power supply in the periphery of toilet apparatus2.

A flush water tank apparatus14for storing flush water used when flushing toilet main unit4and supplying same to toilet main unit4is placed on the top surface of the toilet main unit4at the back of control device12. This flush water tank apparatus14includes a storage tank16in which flush water is stored, and a lid body18, attached so as to cover the top of this storage tank16.

Note that toilet main unit4of toilet apparatus2, to which flush operating apparatus1of the embodiment is applied, may be applied to what is known as a wash-down type of toilet, in which flush water supplied from flush water tank apparatus14to toilet main unit4evacuates waste using the height drop in toilet main unit4bowl portion6, or to what is known as a siphon type of toilet in which the siphon effect is utilized so that waste in the bowl portion6is suctioned in and evacuated all at once to the outside from the discharge trap conduit (not shown), or to various other types of flush toilets.

Next,FIG. 2is perspective view seen from the front of and diagonally above the internal structure with the lid body removed in a toilet apparatus flush water tank apparatus to which a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is applied.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the flush operating apparatus1of the present embodiment includes: a flush valve22for opening and closing the bottom portion16aof storage tank16on flush water tank apparatus14by moving up and down a discharge port20which vertically penetrates bottom portion16ain the storage tank16of flush water tank apparatus14; a manual operating unit24formed on the side portion of storage tank16, operable by a manual up down motion of the flush valve22placed on the side portion of storage tank16; and a powered operating unit26capable of power operating the up-down motion of flush valve22. This powered operating unit26is provided separately from manual operating unit24, and is detachably placed relative to toilet main unit4as appropriate, in accordance with flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4usage conditions, such as specifications including the flush method for flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4, or installation environment such as water supply pressure at the location of installation, or installation conditions including the placement environment, such as the layout within the toilet apparatus2installation space.

As shown inFIG. 1, an instruction device28including multiple operating buttons28afor instructing a groin washing operation by groin washing apparatus10is attached to the wall surface on the side of toilet apparatus2toilet main unit4.

Furthermore, a human sensor30, being a human body sensing portion capable of sensing the presence of a user sitting on toilet seat8, or a user standing in front of toilet main unit4, is placed on control device12. When a signal indicating a toilet flushing operation is transmitted to control device12due to the pushing by a user of a predetermined operating button28aon instruction device28, and/or when a signal sensing a user is transmitted by human sensor30, control device12receives these signals and operates powered operating unit26.

Note that in the present embodiment we discuss a configuration includes both a human sensor30and an instruction device28, but it is also acceptable to omit either one of these and allow control device12to activate powered operating unit26based on the signal transmitted from only the other device.

Next, as shown inFIG. 2, a water supply apparatus32for supplying flush water inside storage tank16, and a discharge apparatus34for opening discharge port20relative to flush water accumulated in storage tank16, causing that water to flow out a conduit (not shown) in toilet main unit4, are placed with flush water tank apparatus14storage tank16. Also the flush valve22of the above-described flush operating apparatus1is placed so as to be movable up and down within cylindrical casing36, which forms the exterior of discharge apparatus34.

Water supply apparatus32includes a water supply pipe38connected to an external water supply source (not shown) and extending upward from the bottom portion of storage tank16, a water supply valve (not shown), attached to the top end portion of this water supply pipe38, for switching between spouting and stopping water supplied from water supply pipe38into storage tank16, and a float40for switching between spouting and stopping of water by the water supply valve (not shown) by moving up or down in response to fluctuations in the water level inside storage tank16. At the bottom end portion on the exterior periphery of water supply pipe38, the spout port is released, and flush water passing through the supply valve (not shown) is spouted into storage tank16from the spout port (not shown).

In water supply apparatus32, when flush water inside storage tank16is discharged to the toilet by discharge apparatus34, the level of the flush water drops and float40falls; this causes the supply valve (not shown) to release, so that spouting of water from the spout port (not shown) starts, and spouting into storage tank16from a water supply source (not shown) outside flush water tank apparatus14is started.

Moreover, when spouting is continued and the water level inside storage tank16rises, float40rises, causing the supply valve (not shown) to close, so that spouting from the spout port (not shown) is stopped. This results in the flush water level inside storage tank16being maintained at the predetermined water level when full.

Next, referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, we explain in concrete terms the manual operating unit24of a flush operating apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3is a schematic cross section seen along line III-III inFIG. 2in a flush operating apparatus manual operating unit according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, flush operating apparatus1manual operating unit24includes a manual rotary shaft42capable for rotating about a rotation center axis line C1, and a manual operating lever44linked to this manual rotary shaft42, clasped by the user when manually rotating manual rotary shaft42.

As a manual rotary force transfer portion that transfers the rotary force of manual rotary shaft42, manual operating unit24includes: a manual drive gear46affixed and attached on the same rotation center axis line C1relative to manual rotary shaft42, a manual drive receiving gear48for meshing with and engaging this manual drive gear46, capable of rotating about rotation center axis line C2, and a pulley50, being a rotating member formed integrally with this manual drive receiving gear48in the form of a minor circular sector seen in plan view and able to rotate about rotation center axis line C2.

In addition, manual operating unit24includes a manual operation linking member52. One end portion52aof this manual operation linking member52is affixed and linked to linking portion50a, which is provided on a part of the outer perimeter of pulley50; the other end portion52bof manual operation linking member52is linked so as to be linkable and attachable to manual operation linking portion54, provided on the top end portion of flush valve22, described in detail below.

More specifically, manual operation linking member52includes a metal manual operation wire member52cwith plasticity and relatively high elasticity, and an outside hose member52dwith plasticity and durability for covering the periphery of this manual operation wire member52c.

One end portion of outside hose member52dis affixed and attached to a part of case53which houses manual drive gear46, manual drive receiving gear48, and pulley50; the other end portion of outside hose member52dis affixed and attached to the top end portion36aof discharge apparatus34casing36; pulling up one end portion52aof manual operation wire member52ccauses manual operation wire member52cto become slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to outside hose member52d.

Note that in the present embodiment we discuss an example using manual operation wire member52cas an example of a manual operation linking member52linked to the manual operation linking portion54of flush valve22, but a member such as a resin or metal beads or the like may also be applied in lieu of the wire member.

For example, when releasing flush valve22by a manual operation using manual operating unit24in flush operating apparatus1starting from a state in which flush valve22closes off discharge port20(the standby state), as shown by arrow A for the manual operation direction inFIG. 3, the user, by rotating manual operating lever44about rotation center axis line C1so as to pull it downward, causes manual rotary shaft42and manual drive gear46to rotate about rotation center axis line C1, so that manual drive receiving gear48and pulley50rotate about rotation center axis line C2. Thus the manual operation linking member52manual operation wire member52cmoves as it is spooled onto pulley50outer circumference50btogether with the rotation of pulley50, and is pulled up by a predetermined length, so that flush valve22is placed into a closed state.

Also, a return spring (not shown) is disposed within manual operating unit24for rotating manual operating lever44so that it returns to its original standby state position when a user removes his/her hand from manual operating lever44with manual operation linking member52pulled up and flush valve22in an opened state.

Next, referring toFIGS. 1 and 2 through 4, we explain in concrete terms the powered operating unit26of a flush operating apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4is a schematic cross section seen along line IV-IV inFIG. 2in a flush operating apparatus power operating unit according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 through 4, powered operating unit26includes a power drive motor58connected to electrical wire56extending from control device12, to which power supplied to control device12from an external power supply in the periphery of toilet apparatus2is supplied through electrical wire56, and power drive motor58includes a power rotary drive shaft60for rotary driving using electrical power.

As a power drive transfer portion that transfers the rotary drive power of power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60, powered operating unit26includes: a powered drive gear62affixed and attached on the same rotation center axis line C3as power rotary drive shaft60; a power receiving gear64for meshing and engaging this powered drive gear62, capable of rotating about rotation center axis line C4; and pulley66, being a rotating member formed integrally with this power receiving gear64in the form of a minor circular sector seen in plan view, able to rotate about rotation center axis line C4together with power receiving gear64.

In addition, powered operating unit26includes a powered operation linking member68. One end portion68aof this powered operation linking member68is affixed and linked to a linking portion68adisposed on a part of the outside periphery of pulley66; the other end portion68bof powered operation linking member68is detachably linked to a powered operation linking portion70disposed on the top end portion of flush valve22, described in detail below.

More specifically, powered operation linking member68, like manual operation linking member52, includes a metal powered operation wire member68cwith plasticity and relatively high elasticity, and an outside hose member68dwith plasticity and durability for covering the periphery of this powered operation wire member68c.

One end portion of outside hose member68dis affixed to part of box-shaped casing72enclosing powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, and pulley66, and the other end portion of outside hose member68dis affixed to the top end portion36aof casing36in discharge apparatus34; by pulling up on the one end portion68aof powered operation wire member68c, powered operation wire member68cbecomes capable of sliding in the longitudinal direction relative to outside hose member68d.

Note that in the present embodiment we discuss an example using powered operation wire member68cas an example of a powered operation linking member68linked to the powered operation linking portion70of flush valve22, but a member such as resin or metal beads or the like may also be applied in lieu of the wire member.

Moreover, the powered operating unit26casing72containing powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, pulley66, and one end portion68aof powered operation linking member68, plus power drive motor58, are attached to the housing portion74(seeFIG. 1) disposed on one of the side surfaces16cof storage tank16(the left side surface when seen from the front of storage tank16), so as to be appropriately removable depending on the usage conditions of flush water tank apparatus14, toilet main unit4, etc. A cover member76is also removably attached to housing portion74so as to cover casing72and power drive motor58from the outside.

The above items result in the disposition of powered operating unit26power drive motor58, powered drive gear62, and power receiving gear64of flush operating apparatus1on the outside of flush water tank apparatus14storage tank16, so that no flush water inside storage tank16impinges thereon, and malfunctions can be prevented. Also, since cover member76prevents dust from adhering to power drive motor58, powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, and pulley66, malfunctions can be prevented.

Note that in the present embodiment, with respect to the housing portion74and cover member76to which powered operating unit26casing72containing powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, pulley66, and one end portion68aof powered operation linking member68, and power drive motor58, are removably attached, we explain a configuration in which these are disposed on one side surface16cof storage tank16, but without limitation to such a configuration, a configuration is also acceptable in which a housing portion and cover member are disposed on either the other side surface of storage tank16(the right side surface seen from the front of storage tank16) or on the front surface of storage tank16, as configurations in which the housing portion and cover member is disposed on the top surface of storage tank16lid body18.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, powered operating unit26powered drive gear62and power receiving gear64are designed so that the reference circle diameter D1of powered drive gear62has a smaller dimension than the reference circle diameter D2of manual drive gear46(D1<D2), hence the maximum torque T1of power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60can be designed to be smaller than the maximum torque T2of manual operating unit24manual rotary shaft42. This allows for a design with a low drive force (maximum torque T1) of power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60, and enables a reduction in size of the entire powered operating unit26casing72.

Also, power receiving gear64reference circle diameter D3is designed to have a larger dimension than powered drive gear62reference circle diameter D1, and power receiving gear64maximum torque T3is designed to be larger than powered drive gear62maximum torque T1. Therefore even if power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60maximum torque T1is designed to be small, power receiving gear64and pulley66can turn at a larger torque than power rotary drive shaft60and powered drive gear62, therefore powered operation linking member68can be efficiently moved along the outer circumference portion66bof pulley66, and the entire powered operating unit26casing72can be reduced in size.

For example, when opening flush valve22by a powered operation using flush operating apparatus1powered operating unit26starting from a state in which flush valve22is holding discharge port20closed (a standby state), if a user either instructs a toilet flushing operation by pushing a predetermined operating button28aon instruction device28, or human sensor30senses a user, these signals are transmitted to control device12and powered operating unit26power drive motor58is activated by a command from control device12. Power rotary drive shaft60then rotates about rotation center axis line C3a predetermined number of revolutions or to a predetermined rotary angle in the direction of rotation shown by arrow B inFIG. 4, and power receiving gear64and pulley66rotate about rotation center axis line C4. The powered operation linking member68thus moves as it is spooled onto the outer circumference portion66bof pulley66with the rotation of power rotary drive shaft60, whereby it is pulled up by a predetermined length and flush valve22is placed in an opened state.

Also, as shown inFIG. 2, a notched channel78is formed at approximately the left-right center of the top end portion of rear wall portion16bforming flush water tank apparatus14storage tank16, so as to penetrate in the front to back direction with an approximately U-shaped cross section. This notched channel78is positioned above the water stop level WL1in storage tank16, and allows for the insertion of powered operating unit26powered operation linking member68between the exterior and interior of storage tank16.

Note that we explain a configuration in which notched channel78, into which powered operation linking member68can be inserted, is disposed on the top end portion of storage tank16rear wall portion16b, but without such limitation, it can also be disposed on the top end portion of the front wall portion or side wall portion of storage tank16, so long as the position of notched channel78is above water stop level WL1inside storage tank16. Also, an insertion hole into which powered operation linking member68can be inserted can also be disposed at a position above water stop level WL1on the side wall surface of storage tank16.

Next, referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIGS. 5-14, we discuss specifically the discharge apparatus34into which flush valve22of flush operating apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the invention is built, as well as the flush valve22of flush operating apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the invention, and manual operation linking portion54and powered operation linking portion70of this flush valve22.

FIG. 5is a schematic cross section seen along line V-V of the part of the flush valve shown inFIG. 2, showing the state in which the flush valve is closed in a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.

HereFIG. 5shows a simplified form of structures and mechanisms other than the discharge apparatus34casing36and flush valve22on the interior thereof. Also, inFIG. 5the position of the flush valve with when it has risen to its highest and is in an open state during power operation of the flush operating apparatus is shown by a dot and dash line.

First, as shown inFIG. 1andFIGS. 2 through 5, discharge apparatus34, into which flush valve22of flush operating apparatus1of the present embodiment is built, includes a discharge port unit80forming a discharge port20, and is attached to the bottom portion16awithin storage tank16, communicating with the toilet main unit4conduit (not shown), and a discharge holding member82, attached to the top end of this discharge port unit80and holding flush valve22so that it can move up and down.

Discharge port unit80of discharge apparatus34is attached at a predetermined position on the bottom portion16aof storage tank16, and includes a discharge port-forming member84forming discharge port20. The bottom end portion of this discharge port-forming member84penetrates storage tank16bottom portion16a, is tightened by tightening member88through seal member86, and discharge port-forming member84is affixed to the bottom portion16aof storage tank16.

Also, an overflow pipe90formed to extend in the vertical direction is disposed on a portion of the outside circumference of discharge port-forming member84, and the downstream end portion positioned at the bottom of overflow pipe90communicates with the discharge port20on the interior of discharge port-forming member84.

Furthermore, discharge port-forming member84includes a toilet seat92, formed along the top edge of discharge port20and over its entire circumference, projecting upward; discharge port20is closed off when this toilet seat92contacts flush valve22valve body94.

Discharge port-forming member84includes multiple support column portions96extending upward from positions spaced a predetermined distance apart facing out from toilet seat92; these support column portions96are disposed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction, and multiple connecting ports98are formed between adjacent support column portions96to cause flush water on the outside of discharge apparatus34to flow into discharge port20.

Next,FIG. 6is a front elevation of a flush operating apparatus flush valve and powered operating unit powered operating wire member and manual operating wire member according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing the flush valve opened by a powered operation using the powered operating unit. Also,FIG. 7is a rear elevation of a flush operating apparatus flush valve and powered operating unit powered operating wire member and manual operating wire member according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing the flush valve opened by a powered operation using the powered operating unit. In addition,FIG. 8is a side elevation (the right side elevation ofFIG. 6) of a flush operating apparatus flush valve and powered operating unit powered operating wire member and manual operating wire member according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing the flush valve opened by a powered operation using the powered operating unit.

AndFIG. 9is a partial expanded view of the part of the flush valve powered operation linking portion and manual operation linking portion on which the end portions of the powered control wire member and the manual operation wire member inFIG. 8are respectively linked;FIG. 10is a cross section seen along line X-X inFIG. 9.

Furthermore,FIG. 11is a partial expanded diagram of the flush valve powered operation linking portion whereby the flush valve of a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is opened by a manual operation using the manual operating unit.FIG. 12is a partial expanded diagram of the flush valve manual operation linking portion whereby the flush valve of a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is opened by a manual operation using the manual operating unit.

In addition,FIG. 13is a partial expanded diagram of the same type of flush valve powered operation linking portion and manual operation linking portion as inFIG. 9, whereby the flush valve of a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is opened by a manual operation using the manual operating unit. AndFIG. 14is a cross section seen along line XIV-XIV inFIG. 13.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIGS. 5 through 8, flush valve22in flush operating apparatus1of the present embodiment includes: a valve body94disposed on its lower portion; a valve body holding portion100for sandwiching and holding this valve body94from above and below; a main shaft portion102disposed on the bottom end portion of this valve body holding portion100and extending so as to vertically penetrate approximately the center portion of discharge holding member82; and a projecting portion104, formed to project diagonally upward from the top end portion of main shaft portion102in the longitudinal direction of main shaft portion102relative to center axis line C5.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 8, a front indentation106indented on the rear side is formed on the front surface104aof projecting portion104. As a result, projecting portion104on the top side of front indentation106forms an upward-projecting front hook portion108. The top end portion of the front indentation106formed on the bottom side of this front hook portion108functions as the above-described manual operation linking portion54.

Similarly, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, a rear indentation110indented on the front side is formed in rear surface104bof projecting portion104. As a result, projecting portion104on the top side of rear indentation110forms a downward-projecting rear hook portion112. The top end portion of the rear indentation110formed on the bottom side of this rear hook portion112functions as the above-described powered operation linking portion70.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 6 through 10, flush valve22manual operation linking portion54and powered operation linking portion70are disposed in mutual parallel in the front to back direction on projecting portion104of flush valve22.

Also, a partition wall114for partitioning between manual operation wire member52cand powered operation wire member68cin the front to back direction is formed between manual operation linking portion54and powered operation linking portion70of flush valve22; this partition wall114functions as an interference prevention portion that prevents interference upon mutual contact of manual operation wire member52cand other end portion thereof52bwith powered operation wire member68cand other end portion thereof68b.

Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, a slot116for manual operation wire member attachment and a slot118for powered operation wire member attachment, into which manual operation wire member52cand powered operation wire member68care respectively removably inserted and attached, are respectively formed on manual operation linking portion54and powered operation linking portion70of flush valve22. Each of the slots116and118is independently partitioned by partition wall114, respectively communicating with front indentation106and rear indentation110, functioning as an interference prevention portion that prevents interference upon mutual contact of manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band powered operation wire member68cother end portion68b.

The slot width of each of the slots116and118is formed to have a slightly larger dimension than the diameter of manual operation wire member52cand powered operation wire member68c, but is formed to a dimension smaller than that of manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band powered operation wire member68cother end portion68b.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 5, in a state whereby flush valve22is closing off discharge port20, manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band powered operation wire member68cother end portion68brespectively contact the manual operation linking portion54(the top end portion of front indentation106of projecting portion104) and powered operation linking portion70(the top end portion of projecting portion104rear indentation110).

As shown inFIGS. 6 through 10, in a state whereby flush valve22has been pulled up and opened by a powered operation by powered operating unit26of flush operating apparatus1, manual operation wire member52cis not pulled up, and only powered operation wire member68cis pulled up; the other end portion68bof this powered operation wire member68cforms a projection and contacts powered operation linking portion70of flush valve22(the top end portion of projecting portion104rear indentation110), and is latched to slot118.

I.e., when flush valve22is opened by a powered operation using powered operating unit26of flush operating apparatus1, powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band flush valve22powered operation linking portion70are linked, and the link between manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band flush valve22manual operation linking portion54is released.

On the other hand, as shown inFIGS. 11 through 14, in a state whereby flush valve22is pulled up and opened by a manual operation by flush operating apparatus1manual operating unit24, powered operation wire member68cis not pulled up, only manual operation wire member52cis pulled up, and this manual operation wire member52cother end portion52bforms a projection and contacts flush valve22manual operation linking portion54(the top end portion of projecting portion104front indentation106) and is latched to slot116.

In other words, when flush valve22is opened by a manual operation using manual operating unit24of flush operating apparatus1, manual operation wire member52cother end portion52blinks with flush valve22manual operation linking portion54, and the link between powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band flush valve22powered operation linking portion70is released.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 13, slot116for attaching a manual operation wire member and slot118for attaching a powered operation wire member are formed in an approximately L-shaped hook shape, roughly symmetrical in the left-right direction when flush valve22is viewed from the right side.

I.e., as shown inFIGS. 9 through 14, each of the slots116and118includes vertical slot portions116a,118aformed to extend downward from each top end and, from the bottom ends of each of the vertical slot portions116a,118a, with respect to slot116for manual operation wire attachment includes a horizontal slot portion116bformed to extend in the horizontal direction forward, and with respect to slot118for powered operation wire member attachment, includes a horizontal slot portion118bformed to extend in the horizontal direction rearward.

Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 14, each of the vertical slot portions116a,118ais open so that each of the wire members52cand68ccan be inserted and removed from outside; as shown inFIGS. 9, 11, 12, and 13, horizontal slot portion116bis a slot on which the outer and front sides are open so that manual operation wire member52ccan be inserted and removed from the outside and from the front. Also, horizontal slot portion118bis a slot which is open on the outside and rear side so that powered operation wire member68ccan be inserted and removed from the outside and the rear side.

Using these vertical slot portions116a,118aand horizontal slot portions116b,118b, when manual operating unit24alone is used and powered operating unit26is removed in accordance with flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4usage conditions, such as the flush method specifications pertaining to flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4, or the installation environment such as supply water pressure at the installation location, or installation conditions including the layout in the toilet apparatus2installation space, etc., a setup can be adopted whereby only powered operation wire member68cis removed from slot118, and only manual operation wire member52cis attached to slot116. Similarly, when manual operating unit24is removed and only powered operating unit26is used, a setup can be adopted whereby only manual operation wire member52cis removed from slot116, and only powered operation wire member68cis attached to slot118.

In the present embodiment, while the flush valve22can be independently raised and opened by the respective manual operation using manual operating unit24and powered operation using powered operating unit26of flush operating apparatus1, the amount of flush water discharged from the discharge port20on storage tank16in flush water tank apparatus14by discharge apparatus34and supplied into the toilet main unit4conduit (not shown) increases as the amount of lifting of flush valve22is increased and the height by which valve body94rises relative to toilet seat92(the stroke) is raised, so that toilet flushing is carried out by a large flush.

Next, referring toFIGS. 1 through 14, we explain the operation (action) of a flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.

First, when opening flush valve22by a powered operation using flush operating apparatus1powered operating unit26starting from a state in which flush valve22is holding discharge port20closed (a standby state), if a user either instructs a toilet flushing operation by pushing a predetermined operating button28aon instruction device28, or human sensor30senses a user, these signals are transmitted to control device12and powered operating unit26power drive motor58is activated by a command from control device12.

Power rotary drive shaft60then rotates about rotation center axis line C3a predetermined number of revolutions or to a predetermined rotary angle in the direction of rotation shown by arrow B inFIG. 4, and power receiving gear64and pulley60rotate about rotation center axis line C4. As a result, powered operation linking member68moves together with the rotation of pulley66as it is being spooled onto the outer circumference portion66bof pulley66; after being raised a predetermined length, power drive motor58stops for a predetermined time, and flush valve22rises up to a predetermined height and is in an open state for a predetermined time. Flush water inside storage tank16is thus discharged from discharge port20toward the toilet main unit4conduit (not shown).

At this time, from the flush valve22closed valve state until it rises by a powered operation of powered operating unit26to an open valve state, as shown inFIGS. 6 through 10, powered operation wire member68cother end portion68bis linked with flush valve22powered operation linking portion70, and the link between manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band flush valve22manual operation linking portion54is released.

After flush valve22has been open for a predetermined time, once power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60has rotated about rotation center axis line C3a predetermined number of rotations or is at a predetermined rotation angle in a direction opposite the direction of rotation shown by arrow B inFIG. 4, power drive motor58again stops and flush valve22drops and closes discharge port20, returning to the original standby state.

On the other hand, when releasing flush valve22by a manual operation using manual operating unit24in flush operating apparatus1starting from a state in which flush valve22closes off discharge port20(the standby state), as shown by arrow A for the manual operation direction inFIG. 3, the user, by rotating manual operating lever44about rotation center axis line C1so as to pull it downward, causes manual rotary shaft42and manual drive gear46to rotate about rotation center axis line C1, so that manual drive receiving gear48and pulley50rotate about rotation center axis line C2. Thus the manual operation linking member52manual operation wire member52cmoves as it is spooled onto pulley50outer circumference50btogether with the rotation of pulley50and is pulled up by a predetermined length, so that flush valve22is placed in a closed state.

At this time, from the22closed valve state until it rises by a manual operation of flush operating apparatus1manual operating unit24to an open valve state, as shown inFIGS. 11 through 14, manual operation wire member52cother end portion52bis linked to flush valve22manual operation linking portion54, and the link between powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band flush valve22powered operation linking portion70is released.

When a user releases his hand from manual operating lever44with manual operation linking member52lifted up and flush valve22in an open valve state, manual operating lever44is rotated so as to return to the original standby state position by a return spring (not shown); flush valve22drops and discharge port20is closed, returning the toilet to the standby state.

Using the flush operating apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the above-described invention, powered operating unit26, which can operate by power the motion of flush valve22for opening and closing the flush water tank apparatus14storage tank16discharge port20, is provided separately from manual operating unit24, and is removably placed relative to toilet main unit4, in accordance with flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4usage conditions, such as specifications including the flush method for flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4, or installation environment such as water supply pressure at the location of installation, or installation conditions including the placement environment, such as the layout within the toilet apparatus2installation space, etc., therefore when performing a toilet flushing operation with powered operation unit26attached, operation of flush valve22can be controlled by a user's manual operation of manual operating unit24, and operation of flush valve22can be controlled by the powered operation of powered operating unit26, so that an appropriate selection can be made as needed of the method for operating flush valve22.

When a user controls the operation of flush valve22by a powered operation using powered operating unit26, a start toilet flush signal transmitted from an instruction device28to which a user instructs a toilet flushing operation, or from a body sensor30for sensing a user, is received by control device12, and powered operating unit26power drive motor58is automatically activated. Therefore the rotary power of power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60is transferred from powered drive gear62through power receiving gear64, pulley66, and powered operation wire member68cas actuating force to flush valve22powered operation linking portion70, so that the up and down movement operation of flush valve22can be automated. As a result, when compared to toilet flushing using only manual operating unit24, flush valve22can be operated efficiently, and ease of use improved.

On the other hand, when powered operating unit26is unnecessary, the structure of flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4can be simplified by removing only powered operating unit26, and a change can be easily effected to a specification allowing for toilet flushing operation by manual operating unit24on its own, thus improving ease of use.

Furthermore, because powered operating unit26can be easily added later to existing flush water tank apparatuses or toilet main units not including a powered operating unit26, but including only manual operating unit24, the flush water tank apparatus or toilet main unit specification and flush operating method can be easily changed, thereby improving usability.

Also, using a flush operating apparatus1according to the invention, when operating powered operating unit26, powered operation wire member68cother end portion68bis linked to flush valve22powered operation linking portion70, while the link between manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band flush valve22manual operation linking portion54is released; when operating manual operating unit24, manual operation wire member52cother end portion52bis linked to flush valve22manual operation linking portion54, while the link between powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band flush valve22powered operation linking portion70is released, therefore a state can be prevented whereby powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band manual operation wire member52cother end portion52bare simultaneously respectively linked to flush valve22powered operation linking portion70and manual operation linking portion54during a powered operation by powered operating unit26or a manual operation by manual operating unit24. When operating flush valve22by power or manually using powered operating unit26or manual operating unit24, mutual interference between powered operation wire member68cand manual operation wire member52ccan be prevented, and the simultaneous transfer of excessive operating force to flush valve22from both powered operation wire member68cand manual operation wire member52ccan be prevented. Therefore since either powered operation wire member68cor manual operation wire member52ccan operate flush valve22by itself, usability can be improved.

In addition, using the flush operating apparatus1according to the present invention, flush valve22includes: valve body94, which opens and closes by the up and down movement of discharge port20formed on the bottom portion16aof storage tank16in flush water tank apparatus14; valve body holding portion100for sandwiching and holding this valve body94from above and below; main shaft portion102disposed on the bottom end portion of this valve body holding portion100and extending so as to vertically penetrate approximately the center portion of discharge holding member82; and projecting portion104, formed to project diagonally upward from the top end portion of main shaft portion102in the longitudinal direction of main shaft portion102relative to center axis line C5; powered operation linking portion70and manual operation linking portion54are respectively disposed in parallel in the front to back direction on this projecting portion104. Because a partitioning wall114is formed for partitioning in the front to back direction between manual operation wire member52cand powered operation wire member68c, and this partition wall114functions as an interference prevention portion that prevents interference between manual operation wire member52cand its other end portion52b, and between powered operation wire member68cand its other end portion68b, therefore when selecting either powered operating unit26or manual operating unit24and operating flush valve22either by power or manually, mutual interference can be prevented using a simple structure relative to powered operation wire member68cand manual operation wire member52c, and flush valve22powered operation linking portion70and manual operation linking portion54can be respectively efficiently linked.

In addition, using flush operating apparatus1according to the present invention, a projection is formed so that when powered operating unit26is operated, powered operation wire member68cother end portion68bis latched and linked to powered operation linking portion70slot118on flush valve22, so that the link between manual operation wire member52cother end portion52band manual operation linking portion54slot116on flush valve22is released. On the other hand, when manual operating unit24is operated, a projection is formed so that manual operation wire member52cother end portion52bis latched and linked to the manual operation linking portion54slot116on flush valve22, so the link between powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band powered operation linking portion70slot118on flush valve22is released. Therefore during powered operation using powered operating unit26or manual operation using manual operating unit24c, a state whereby powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band manual operation wire member52cother end portion52bare simultaneously respectively latched and linked to the powered operation linking portion70slot118and manual operation linking portion54slot116of flush valve22can be prevented.

Also, when operating flush valve22with power or manually using powered operating unit26or manual operating unit24, because powered operation wire member68cand manual operation wire member52care respectively independently inserted into powered operation linking portion70slot118and manual operation linking portion54slot116of flush valve22serving as interference prevention portion, mutual interference between powered operation wire member68cand manual operation wire member52ccan be effectively prevented.

Furthermore, simultaneous transfer of excessive operating force to the powered operation linking portion70manual operation linking portion54of flush valve22from powered operation wire member68cother end portion68band manual operation wire member52cother end portion52b, respectively, can also be prevented. Since either powered operation wire member68cor manual operation wire member52ccan operate flush valve22by itself, usability can be improved. Also, when powered operating unit26is not needed, powered operation wire member68ccan be easily detached from the powered operation linking portion70slot118of flush valve22when only the powered operating unit26is removed, therefore the specification can easily be changed to allow a toilet flush operation with manual operating unit24alone, and usability can be improved.

Also, using flush operating apparatus1according to the present embodiment, powered operating unit26powered drive gear62and power receiving gear64are designed so that the reference circle diameter D1of powered drive gear62has a smaller dimension than the reference circle diameter D2of manual drive gear46(D1<D2), so that the maximum torque T1of power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60can be designed to be smaller than the maximum torque T2of manual operating unit24manual rotary shaft42, therefore the drive force (maximum torque T1) of power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60can be set at a low level, and the entire casing72of powered operating unit26can be made compact.

Moreover, using flush operating apparatus1according to the present embodiment, power receiving gear64reference circle diameter D3is designed to have a larger dimension than powered drive gear62reference circle diameter D1, and power receiving gear64maximum torque T3is designed to be larger than powered drive gear62maximum torque T1, therefore even if power drive motor58power rotary drive shaft60maximum torque T1is designed to be small, power receiving gear64and pulley66can turn at a larger torque than power rotary drive shaft60and powered drive gear62. Therefore powered operation wire member68ccan be efficiently moved along the outer circumference portion66bof pulley66, and the entire powered operating unit26casing72can be made compact.

Also, using flush operating apparatus1according to the present embodiment, when performing a toilet flushing operation with powered operating unit26attached, operation of flush valve22can be controlled by a user's manual operation of manual operating unit24, and operation of flush valve22can be controlled by the powered operation of powered operating unit26, so that an appropriate selection can be made as needed of the method for operating flush valve22. When a user controls the operation of flush valve22with power using powered operating unit26, flush valve22can be more efficiently actuated compared to when the toilet flushing operation is performed using manual operating unit24only, and a toilet apparatus2with improved usability can be provided.

On the other hand, when powered operating unit26is unnecessary in accordance with flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4usage conditions, such as specifications including the flush method for flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4, or installation environment such as water supply pressure at the location of installation, or installation conditions including the placement environment, such as the layout within the toilet apparatus2installation space, the structure of flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4can be simplified by removing only powered operating unit26, and a change can be easily effected to a specification allowing for toilet flushing operation by flush operating apparatus1manual operating unit24on its own, thus improving ease of use.

Furthermore, because powered operating unit26can be easily added later to existing flush water tank apparatuses not including a powered operating unit26but including only manual operating unit24, flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4specifications and flush operating method can be easily changed, so that a toilet apparatus2with improved usability can be provided.

In addition, using flush operating apparatus1according to the present embodiment, the powered operating unit26casing72containing powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, pulley66, and one end portion68aof powered operation linking member68, plus power drive motor58, are attached to the housing portion74(seeFIG. 1) disposed on one of the side surfaces16cof storage tank16so as to be appropriately removable depending on the usage conditions of flush water tank apparatus14, toilet main unit4, etc. In addition to this, a notched channel78is formed at approximately the left-right center of the top end portion of rear wall portion16bforming flush water tank apparatus14storage tank16, so as to penetrate in the front to back direction with an approximately U-shaped cross section; this notched channel78is positioned above water stop level WL1inside storage tank16, and powered operating unit26powered operation linking member68is insertable between the interior and exterior of storage tank16, so the flush operating apparatus1powered operating unit26can be easily attached and removed relative to toilet apparatus2.

Therefore flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4specifications and flush operating method can be easily changed in accordance with flush water tank apparatus14or toilet main unit4usage conditions, and a toilet apparatus2with improved usability can be provided. Also, in a state whereby the powered operating unit26casing72and power drive motor58of flush operating apparatus1are attached to housing portion74on storage tank16side surface16c, powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, pulley66, and powered operation linking member68one end portion68a, as well as power drive motor58, are disposed on the outside of flush water tank apparatus14storage tank16, so no flush water on the interior of storage tank16impinges thereon, and malfunctions can be prevented.

In addition, using flush operating apparatus1according to the present embodiment, the powered operating unit26casing72containing powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, pulley66, and one end portion68aof powered operation linking member68, plus power drive motor58, are attached to the housing portion74(seeFIG. 1) disposed on the side surface16cof storage tank16, and by the attachment of a cover member76so as to cover these elements from the outside, dust does not adhere to flush operating apparatus1powered operating unit26casing72or power drive motor58, and malfunctions can be prevented.

Below, referring toFIG. 15, we explain a flush operating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15is a perspective view seen from diagonally front of and above the interior structure of a flush water tank apparatus to which a flush operating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention is applied.

Note that for the flush operating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 15, and the toilet apparatus and flush water tank apparatus to which this flush operating apparatus is applied, the same reference numerals are assigned for the same parts of the flush operating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 2, and an explanation thereof is here omitted.

As shown inFIG. 15, in the flush operating apparatus200according to a second embodiment of the invention, powered operating unit26power drive motor58is removably disposed on the rear wall portion216bof storage tank216of flush water tank apparatus214. Also, electrical wire56, which connects control device12and power drive motor58, and insertable insertion hole278, are positioned above water stop level WL1inside storage tank216on rear wall portion216bof storage tank216, and formed so as to penetrate in the front to back direction at the rear wall portion216bof storage tank216. As a result, flush operating apparatus200according to a second embodiment of the invention differs from flush operating apparatus1of the first embodiment on the point that the entire powered operating unit26is removably attached to the interior of storage tank216in accordance with flush water tank apparatus214or toilet main unit4usage conditions.

Using the above-described flush operating apparatus200according to a second embodiment of the invention, powered operating unit26is removably attached to the interior of storage tank216in accordance with flush water tank apparatus214or toilet main unit4usage conditions, therefore the peripheral space outside storage tank216can be simplified, and a toilet apparatus204with improved usability can be provided.

Note that as a third embodiment different from flush operating apparatus1according to the first embodiment and flush operating apparatus200according to the second embodiment of the invention, it is also acceptable, with respect to the powered operating unit26casing72containing powered drive gear62, power receiving gear64, pulley66, and one end portion68aof powered operation linking member68, plus power drive motor58, to removably attach these to a portion of the outside surface of the flush operating apparatus storage tank, and to form, at a position above flush water stop level WL1in the storage tank, a hole or slot between the interior and exterior of the storage tank into which powered operating unit26powered operation linking member68can be inserted.

Using such a flush operating apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention, the flush water tank and toilet main unit specifications and flush operation method can be easily changed, and a toilet apparatus with improved usability can be provided. In a configuration in which the powered operating unit26casing72of the flush operating apparatus and the power drive motor58are attached to the outside of the storage tank, no flush water inside the storage tank impinges on casing72or power drive motor58, and malfunctions can be avoided.

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.