Tank device

Provided is a tank device capable of restraining splashing of flush water during water supply to suppress a water slapping sound. A tank device for supplying flush water stored therein to a flush toilet comprises: a tank main unit for storing flush water in an internal space 24C thereof defined by an inner wall surface which comprises a transverse surface 27B extending in a transverse direction and a standing surface 27A extending in an up-down direction; and a water supply member 26 for supplying flush water from a water supply port 26A to the internal space of the tank main unit, the water supply member 26 being configured to spout flush water toward the inner wall surface defining the internal space 24C, wherein the tank main unit comprises a flow rectifying portion 46 provided in a region of the inner wall surface to which flush water is spouted, the flow rectifying portion 46 having a convex part 46A and a concave part 46B each formed on the inner wall surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to foreign Japanese patent application No. JP 2020-157200, filed on Sep. 18, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tank device.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a flush toilet comprises a tank device and a toilet main unit, wherein the flush toilet is configured to spout flush water stored in the tank device into a bowl portion of the toilet main unit, thereby carrying out flushing or cleaning of the bowl portion. The tank device is configured to be externally supplied with flush water such that the flush water is spouted from a spout located on the upper side of a tank toward a water surface in the tank. In such a tank device, due to collision of the spouted flush water against the water surface in the tank, a water slapping sound is undesirably generated to give a user an uncomfortable feeling.

As a measure against this problem, the below-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a tank device configured such that an inclined surface is provided below a spout to allow flush water spouted from the spout to flow along a wall surface of a tank, thereby making it possible to suppress the water slapping sound.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in the invention described in the Patent Document 1, upon collision with the inclined surface, the flush water splashes toward all circumferential directions of the tank, and spreads out widely to form a water puddle on the inclined surface. Thus, there still remains a problem that the water slapping sound is generated when flush water is slapped against the water puddle formed on the inclined surface in the above manner.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a tank device capable of restraining spreading of flush water during water supply to suppress the water slapping sound.

Solution to Technical Problem

The present invention provides a tank device for supplying flush water stored therein to a flush toilet comprising: a tank main unit for storing flush water in an internal space thereof defined by an inner wall surface which comprises a transverse surface extending in a transverse direction and a standing surface extending in an up-down direction; and a water supply member for supplying flush water from a water supply port to the internal space of the tank main unit, the water supply member being configured to spout flush water toward the inner wall surface defining the internal space, wherein the tank main unit comprises a flow rectifying portion provided in a region of the inner wall surface to which flush water is spouted, the flow rectifying portion having a concave part and/or a convex part each formed on the inner wall surface. In the tank device of the present invention having the above feature, the flow rectifying portion comprised of the concave part and/or the convex part is provided in the region of the inner wall surface to which flush water is spouted, so that it is possible to suppress spreading of flush water colliding with the flow rectifying portion, and smoothly guide the flush water toward a downstream side of the flow of flush water through the flow rectifying portion, thereby restraining retention of the flush water to suppress the water slapping sound.

Preferably, in the tank device of the present invention, the concave part and/or the convex part extend toward a downstream side of a flow of the flush water. According to this feature, flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion quickly flows toward the downstream side while being guided by the concave part and/or the convex part, so that it is possible to prevent the retention of the flush water to suppress the water slapping sound.

Preferably, in the tank device of the present invention, the water supply member is configured to spout the flush water toward the standing surface, and the flow rectifying portion is formed on the standing surface. According to this feature, the flow rectifying portion is formed on the standing surface, so that the spouted flush water is quickly led toward the downstream side. This makes it possible to suppress areal spreading of the flush water.

Preferably, in the tank device of the present invention, at least the region of the inner wall surface provided with the flow rectifying portion is formed to protrude outwardly. According to this feature, the region of the inner wall surface provided with the flow rectifying portion protrudes outwardly, so that it is possible to suppress spreading of the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion.

Preferably, in the tank device of the present invention, a wall surface of the tank main unit located on a downstream side of a flow of the flush water with respect to the flow rectifying portion is linearly formed in sectional view. According to this feature, the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion quickly flows toward the downstream side, so that it is possible to prevent the spreading of the flush water.

Preferably, in the tank device of the present invention, the inner wall surface includes an inclined surface located on an upstream side of a flow of the flush water with respect to the flow rectifying portion, wherein the inclined surface inclines from an inward side toward an outward side in sectional view. According to this feature, it is possible to prevent the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion from spreading toward the upstream side, and, even when the flush water spreads from the flow rectifying portion toward the upstream side, quickly lead the flush water to the flow rectifying portion.

Preferably, in the tank device of the present invention, the tank main unit comprises: a connection tank in which the water supply port is disposed; and a water storage tank for storing therein the supplied flush water, wherein the flow rectifying portion is formed on an inner wall surface of the connection tank. According to this feature, flush water vigorously spouted from the water supply port by a water supply pressure is received by the flow rectifying portion in the connection tank, and then supplied to the water storage tank, so that it is possible to prevent the flush water vigorously spouted by the action of the water supply pressure from being slapped directly against a water surface, thereby further suppressing the water slapping sound.

Effect of Invention

The present invention can provide a tank device capable of restraining spreading of flush water during water supply to suppress the water slapping sound.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, one embodiment of a flush toilet apparatus comprising a tank device of the present invention will be described in detail.FIG.1is a perspective view showing a flush toilet apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Further,FIG.2is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the flush toilet apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown inFIG.1, the flush toilet apparatus1according to this embodiment comprises a toilet main unit2and a tank device4.

The toilet main unit2has a bowl portion2afor receiving waste, and a drainage trap conduit2bextending from the bottom of the bowl portion2a. A water spouting pipe6extending from the tank device4is connected to the bowl portion2a.

A water supplying pipe8externally supplied with flush water is connected to the tank device4. A water shutoff valve18is interposed in the water supplying pipe8so as to control supply of flush water to the tank device4. The water spouting pipe6extending from the tank device4to the toilet main unit2can supply flush water from the tank device4to the toilet main unit2to perform flushing or cleaning after defecation.

The tank device4comprises a valve unit12and a tank main unit10. The tank main unit10comprises a connection tank14and a water storage tank16. The water supplying pipe8is connected to the connection tank14via the valve unit12. The connection tank14is connected to the water storage tank16.

The valve unit12comprises: a constant flow rate valve20provided in the water supplying pipe8; and a diaphragm solenoid valve22provided downstream of the constant flow rate valve20. The constant flow rate valve20is operable to keep the flow rate of flush water flowing through the water supplying pipe8constant. The solenoid valve22is configured to electromagnetically open and close a diaphragm22A, thereby controlling supply of flush water to the water storage tank16through the connection tank14.

FIG.3is a horizontal sectional view of the tank device of the flush toilet apparatus illustrated inFIG.1.FIG.4is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV inFIG.3.FIG.5is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the connection tank in the tank device illustrated inFIG.4.FIG.6is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI inFIG.5. As shown inFIGS.3and4, the connection rank14has a housing24. The connection tank14is detachably connected to an upper portion of the water storage tank16. The housing24has: a transverse surface27B (inner surface of a bottom wall thereof) formed to extend in a transverse direction; a standing surface27A (inner surface of a tubular-shaped side wall thereof) formed to stand upright around the transverse surface27B; and a top surface27C (inner surface of a top wall thereof) closing the upper side of the standing surface27A. The housing24internally has an approximately columnar-shaped internal space24C defined by an inner wall surface comprised of the transverse surface27B, the standing surface27A and the top surface27C.

The housing24has a tubular-shaped water supply opening24A formed on one side of the bottom wall27B to extend downwardly, and an overflow opening24B formed in a lower region on one side (right side inFIG.5) of the side wall. An overflow pipe6A (FIGS.1and2) is arranged such that one end thereof is connected to the overflow opening24B, and the other end thereof is connected to the water spouting pipe6. The height position of a lower edge of the overflow opening24B defines an overflow water level. Further, a check valve30(FIG.2) is attached to the overflow opening24B. The check valve30is configured to allow flush water to flow from the internal space24C of the housing24to the overflow pipe6A, and prevent flush water from flowing from the overflow pipe6A to the internal space24C of the housing24. The water supply opening24A of the housing24is detachably connected to an opening32B of the after-mentioned tank body32of the water storage tank16.

The housing has a protruded portion42formed in a part (left region inFIG.5) of the standing surface27A to protrude outwardly. The protruded portion42has an arc-like shape in horizontal section, wherein a wall surface forming the protruded portion42is continuous with a wall surface forming the water supply opening24A. That is, as shown inFIG.5, an inner wall surface of the protruded portion42is aligned to the same straight line with the water supply opening24A in vertical section. An inclined surface44is formed on the upper side of the protruded portion42. The inclined surface44is formed in a shape gradually protruding outwardly as going downwardly and continuously connecting to the protruded portion42.

A flow rectifying portion46is formed on an inner surface of the protruded portion42. The flow rectifying portion46has a plurality of convex parts64A formed such that one or more concave parts46B are formed between adjacent ones of the convex parts64A. Each of the convex parts64A extends in an approximately vertical direction (in an up-down direction), i.e., extends in a direction toward the water supply opening24A which is a downstream direction of the flow of flush water. Further, each of the convex parts64A is formed in a rectangular shape in transverse section, and is provided to stand toward a center of the water supply opening24A. In this embodiment, five convex parts64A are arranged in parallel at even intervals in a circumferential direction of the side wall27A.

In an upper region on one side (right side inFIG.5) of the standing surface27A, the housing24is provided with a water supply member26connected to the water supplying pipe8and having a water supply port26A from which flush water is supplied to the internal space24C of the housing24. The water supply member26is provided such that flush water spouted from the water supply port26A hits the flow rectifying portion46. More specifically, in transverse sectional view (plan view), a water spouting direction of the water supply port26A is oriented to a transverse center of the flow rectifying portion46, and, in up-down directional sectional view (vertical sectional view), the water spouting direction of the water supply port26A is oriented above a height-directional center of the flow rectifying portion46.

The water storage tank16comprises a tank body32, a pump unit34, a float switch36, and a drain plug38. The tank body32is formed in an angular C shape in horizontal sectional view, wherein a storage part32A is formed thereinside. Further, an opening32B is formed in a top portion of the tank body32, and the water supply opening24A of the housing24is connected to the opening32B. This allows the internal space24C of the housing24to be communicated with the storage part32A of the tank body32.

A water passing pipe34A and the water spouting pipe6are connected to the pump unit34. An inlet end of the water passing pipe34A is disposed in a lower region of an internal space of the storage part32A of the tank body32. When the pump unit34is driven by a user of the flush toilet apparatus1, the pump unit34sucks flush water in the storage part32A of the tank body32, through the water passing pipe34A, and sends the flush water to the water spouting pipe6. The flush water sent to the water spouting pipe6is spouted to the bowl portion2aof the toilet main unit2.

The float switch36is operable to detect a water level in the tank body32. The float switch36is interlockingly engaged with the solenoid valve22of the valve unit12. Specifically, the solenoid valve22is configured to open the water supplying pipe8when the water level in the tank body32is equal to or less than a given water level (given water height), and close the water supplying pipe8when the water level in the tank body32reaches the given water level.

The drain plug38is provided in the bottom of the tank body32. The drain plug38is closed in a normal state, and, when needed, can be opened so as to discharge flush water in the tank body32to the outside.

Next, the operation of the flush toilet apparatus1according to this embodiment will be described. Flush water is stored in the storage part32A inside the tank body32of the water storage tank16. When the user manipulates a remote controller or the like to activate a flushing switch of the flush toilet apparatus1, the pump unit34is driven, so that the flush water in the storage part32of the tank body32is sent to the water spouting pipe6, and spouted to the bowl portion2aof the toilet main unit2. The check valve30is installed in the overflow opening24B of the connection tank14. Thus, even when the flush water partially flows from the water spouting pipe6into the overflow pipe6A in the above process, the check valve30can prevent such flush water from flowing in the housing24of the connection tank14.

When the flush water in the storage part32A of the tank body32is sucked out and thereby the water level in the storage part32A is lowered, the float switch36detects the lowering of the water level. In response to detection of the lowering of the water level by the float switch36, the water supplying pipe8is opened by the solenoid valve22, so that flush water is supplied from the water supply port26A of the water supply member26of the connection tank14toward the flow rectifying portion46in the housing24of the connection tank14.

The flush water spouted from the water supply port26A collides with the flow rectifying portion46. The flow rectifying portion46is comprised of the convex parts64A and the concave parts46B. Thus, in the above process, the flush water flows downwardly (toward the downstream side) while being guided by the convex parts64A and the concave parts46B, as indicated by the arrowed lines A inFIGS.5and6, without spreading circumferentially. Further, the flow rectifying portion46is formed on the protruded portion42protruding outwardly. This makes it possible to suppress a situation where the flush water spreads toward the outside of the protruded portion42.

Further, in a case where the momentum of flush water spouted from the water supply port26A is relatively strong, upon collision with the flow rectifying portion46, the flush water partly spreads upwardly. However, since the inclined surface44is formed just above the flow rectifying portion46, the flush water spreading upwardly is led toward the flow rectifying portion46as indicated by the arrowed line B inFIG.5, and will flow along the convex parts64A.

Further, since a wall surface of the flow rectifying portion46(bottom surfaces of the concave parts46B) and the water supply opening24A are linearly formed in vertical section, it is possible to allow the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion46to flow directly toward the downstream side, thereby suppressing spreading of the flush water.

The flush water supplied to the inside of the housing24of the connection tank14is poured into the storage part32A inside the tank body32, via the water supply opening24A and the opening32B of the tank body32. Then, when the float switch36detects that the water level of flush water in the storage part32A of the tank body32reaches the given water height, the water supplying pipe8is closed by the solenoid valve22.

Here, in a case where. due to failure of the float switch36and/or the solenoid valve22, the water supplying pipe8is not closed by the solenoid valve22even when the water level in the storage part32A reaches the given water height, the supply of flush water to the storage part32A will be continued. Then, when the water level of flush water reaches the lower edge of the overflow opening24B of the housing24of the connection tank14, excess flush water flows out from the overflow opening24B into the overflow pipe6A, and is discharged to the bowl portion2aof the toilet main unit2via the water spouting pipe6.

The above embodiment can bring out the following advantageous effects. In the above embodiment, the flow rectifying portion46comprised of the concave parts46B and the convex part46A is provided in the region of the inner wall surface to which flush water is spouted, so that it is possible to suppress spreading of flush water colliding with the flow rectifying portion46, and smoothly guide the flush water toward the downstream side through the flow rectifying portion46, thereby restraining retention of the flush water to suppress the water slapping sound.

In the above embodiment, the concave parts46B and the convex parts46A extend toward the downstream side of the flow of the flush water. Thus, the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion46is quickly guided toward the downstream side by the concave parts46B and the convex parts46A, so that it is possible to prevent the retention of the flush water to suppress the water slapping sound.

In the above embodiment, the water supply member26is configured to spout the flush water toward the standing surface27A, and the flow rectifying portion46is formed on the standing surface27A, so that the spouted flush water is quickly led toward the downstream side. This makes it possible to suppress areal spreading of the flush water.

In the above embodiment, the region of the inner wall surface provided with the flow rectifying portion46protrudes outwardly to form the protruded portion42. Thus, since the protruded portion42protruding outwardly is formed in the region of the inner wall surface provided with the flow rectifying portion46, it is possible to suppress spreading of the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion46.

In the above embodiment, a wall surface of the water supply opening24A located on an immediately downstream side of the flow of the flush water with respect to the flow rectifying portion46is linearly formed in sectional view. Thus, the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion46quickly flows toward the downstream side, so that it is possible to prevent the spreading of the flush water.

In the above embodiment, the inner wall surface includes the inclined surface44located on an immediately upstream side of the flow of the flush water with respect to the flow rectifying portion46, wherein the inclined surface44inclines from an inward side toward an outward side in a downstream direction of a flow of the flush water in sectional view. This makes it possible to prevent the flush water spouted to the flow rectifying portion46from spreading toward the upstream side, and, even when the flush water spreads from the flow rectifying portion46toward the upstream side, quickly lead the flush water to the flow rectifying portion46.

In the above embodiment, the tank main unit10comprises the connection tank14and the water storage tank16, wherein the flow rectifying portion46is formed on the inner wall surface of the connection tank14. Thus, flush water vigorously spouted from the water supply port26A by a water supply pressure is received by the flow rectifying portion46in the connection tank14, and then supplied to the water storage tank16, so that it is possible to prevent the flush water vigorously spouted by the action of the water supply pressure from being slapped directly against a water surface, thereby further suppressing the water slapping sound.

In the above embodiment, the flow rectifying portion46is formed on the standing surface27A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in a case where flush water is suppled from the water supply port26A of the water supply member26toward the transverse surface (bottom surface)27B, the flow rectifying portion46may be provided on the transverse surface27B. In this case, the flow rectifying portion46may be comprised of a concave part and a convex part each extending toward the water supply opening24A. In the above embodiment, in the flow rectifying portion46, the plurality of convex parts46A and the plurality of concave parts46B are formed alternately. Alternatively, only the convex parts46A or only the parts46B may be formed.

In the above embodiment, the flow rectifying portion46is comprised of a concave part and a convex part each extending toward the downstream side, i.e., toward the water supply opening24A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the flow rectifying portion40may be comprised of a lattice-shaped groove (concave part) or convex part, or a roughened surface consisting of fine irregularities.

The above embodiment has been described based on an example in which the tank device4comprises the connection tank14and the water storage tank16. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be applied to a tank device consisting only of a water storage tank, wherein the tank device is configured to supply water directly to the water storage tank. In this case, the flow rectifying portion may be formed on a region of an inner wall surface of the water storage tank to which flush water is spouted.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS