Bidet valve device

Disclosed is a bidet valve device, which sprays nozzle-washing water so as to automatically wash a nozzle before performing anal cleansing or feminine cleansing, when a lever is operated for anal cleansing or feminine cleansing, and automatically washes the nozzle even after anal cleansing or feminine cleansing so as to hygienically manage the nozzle and provide cleanliness to a user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bidet valve device, and more particularly, to a bidet valve device capable of hygienically managing a nozzle and providing cleanliness to users by automatically spraying nozzle-washing water to clean the nozzle before posterior wash or feminine wash when a lever is operated for posterior wash or feminine wash and automatically cleaning the nozzle even after the posterior wash or feminine wash operation.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a bidet is a device having a function to automatically spray cleansing water to clean a corresponding body part without toilet paper when a user operates the bidet after using the toilet.

Bidets are usually divided into electric and non-electric bidets. In basic operation, bidets are used for posterior wash, in which the anus is cleansed using the cleansing water sprayed through the nozzle without toilet paper after use of the toilet, and feminine wash, in which the genital area of a woman is cleansed. The posterior wash operation and the feminine wash operation are selectively performed through a valve device.

Examples of the valve device used in bidets are disclosed in Korean Patent Nos. 10-0785514, 10-0838999, and 10-0804171.

However, the conventional bidet valve devices disclosed in the aforementioned patent documents fail to provide confidence in cleanliness and hygiene for users as they do not have a function to automatically clean the nozzle when the nozzle is operated for posterior wash or feminine wash.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Documents

2) Korea Patent No. 10-0838999 (issued on Jun. 11, 2008), Title of Invention: “FLOW PATH CONTROL VALVE OF A BIDET, AND A BIDET INCLUDING THE SAME”

3) Korean Utility Model No. 20-0444870 (issued on Jun. 5, 2009), Title of Invention: “Device for Controlling Water Course of Control Value in Bidet”

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a bidet valve device for providing cleanliness to users by causing nozzle-washing water to be sprayed to automatically to clean the nozzle before posterior wash or feminine wash when a lever is operated for posterior wash or feminine wash.

Technical Solution

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a bidet valve device installed on a part of a bidet to supply cleansing water into a feminine wash nozzle or a posterior wash nozzle, the bidet valve device including an upper case having a supply tube connection port formed on a side surface thereof to communicate with an interior of the upper case and a lever exposing hole formed in a top portion of the upper case in a penetrating manner; a cleansing water supply tube coupled to the supply tube connection port in a fitting manner to supply the cleansing water; a rotary plate adjusting member connected to the upper case so as to be inserted into the upper case such that a space is formed between an outer surface of the rotary plate adjusting member and an inner surface of the cleansing water supply tube, the rotary plate adjusting member having a lever connection hole formed in a top portion thereof so as to be exposed to an upper side through the lever exposing hole; a water channel selection rotary plate disposed in close contact with a lower surface of the rotary plate adjusting member so as to rotate together with the rotary plate adjusting member when the rotary plate adjusting member is rotated, the water channel selection rotary plate comprising a central flow channel formed at a center of an upper surface thereof, a wall arranged along an edge of the central flow channel to closely contact the rotary plate adjusting member, and a first hole and a second hole arranged in series and formed in a bottom of the water channel selection rotary plate so as to penetrate the water channel selection rotary plate downward, wherein the wall is provided with a water inflow channel at a plurality of parts thereof so as to communicate with an outside to guide the cleansing water into the central flow channel through the water inflow channel; a blocking plate disposed in close contact with a lower surface of the water channel selection rotary plate and fixedly arranged inside the upper case, the blocking plate being provided with a nozzle cleaning hole formed on left and right sides of the first hole so as to penetrate the blocking plate downward such that the first hole is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole to allow the cleansing water to be discharged through the nozzle cleaning hole when the water channel selection rotary plate is partially rotated leftward and rightward, and a feminine wash hole and a posterior wash hole formed on left and right sides of the second hole, respectively, so as to penetrate the blocking plate downward such that the second hole is aligned with the feminine wash hole or the posterior wash hole to allow the cleansing water to be discharged through the feminine wash hole or the posterior wash hole when the water channel selection rotary plate is further rotated leftward and rightward; a packing disposed in close contact with a lower surface of the blocking plate and provided with a nozzle cleaning communication hole corresponding to the nozzle cleaning hole, a feminine wash communication hole corresponding to the feminine wash hole, and a posterior wash communication hole corresponding to the posterior wash hole, wherein the nozzle cleaning communication hole, the feminine wash communication hole and the posterior wash communication hole are formed in a penetrating manner; a lower case disposed in close contact with a lower surface of the packing and fixedly installed at the upper case, the lower case being provided, at a center thereof, with a nozzle cleaning water channel hole corresponding to the nozzle cleaning communication hole, a feminine wash water channel hole corresponding to the feminine wash communication hole, and a posterior wash water channel hole corresponding to the posterior wash communication hole, and provided, on one side of a lower portion thereof, with a nozzle cleaning discharge tube connection port communicating with the nozzle cleaning water channel hole, a feminine wash discharge tube connection port communicating with the feminine wash water channel hole, and a posterior wash discharge tube connection port communicating with the posterior wash water channel hole; a nozzle cleaning discharge tube coupled to the nozzle cleaning discharge tube connection port in a fitting manner to supply the cleansing water to an outer surface of the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle to clean the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle when the cleansing water is guided therethrough; a feminine wash discharge tube coupled to the feminine wash discharge tube connection port in a fitting manner to supply the cleansing water into the feminine wash nozzle so as to perform feminine wash when the cleansing water is guided therethrough; and an posterior wash discharge tube coupled to the posterior wash discharge tube connection port in a fitting manner to supply the cleansing water into the posterior wash nozzle so as to perform posterior wash when the cleansing water is guided therethrough, wherein, during an operation of rotating the rotary plate adjusting member to a feminine wash position to perform the feminine wash, the first hole is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole and the cleansing water is supplied to the outer surface of the feminine wash nozzle to clean the feminine wash nozzle, before the second hole is aligned with the feminine wash hole, wherein, during an operation of rotating the rotary plate adjusting member to a posterior wash position to perform the posterior wash, the first hole is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole and the cleansing water is supplied to the outer surface of the posterior wash nozzle to clean the posterior wash nozzle, before the second hole is aligned with the posterior wash hole.

In addition, a lower portion of the rotary plate adjusting member is provided with an engagement protrusion protruding therefrom, and the water channel selection rotary plate is provided with an engagement groove corresponding to the engagement protrusion, wherein the engagement protrusion is coupled to the engagement groove in a fitting manner such that the water channel selection rotary plate is rotated together with the rotary plate adjusting member when the rotary plate adjusting member is rotated.

In addition, the feminine wash hole or the posterior wash hole is formed to have an arc shape having a diameter increasing from a front portion to a rear portion thereof, such that, when the second hole is aligned with the feminine wash hole or the posterior wash hole by rotation of the water channel selection rotary plate to discharge cleansing water, an amount of the cleansing water is adjusted in a manner that a minimum amount of the cleansing water is discharged at a position where alignment between the second hole and the feminine wash hole or the posterior wash hole begins, and a maximum amount of the cleansing water is discharged at a position where alignment between the second hole and the feminine wash hole or the posterior wash hole ends, wherein the first hole is configured to have a larger diameter than the nozzle cleaning hole to ensure that the cleansing water guided into the first hole is discharged into the nozzle cleaning hole.

Advantageous Effects

With the bidet valve device according to the present invention, when a lever is operated for posterior wash or feminine wash, water for cleaning the nozzle is sprayed first to automatically clean the nozzle, and the nozzle is automatically cleaned even after the posterior wash or feminine wash operation. Therefore, the bidet valve device can hygienically manage the nozzle and provide confidence in hygiene and cleanliness for users, thereby improving product reliability.

BEST MODE

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 4, a bidet valve device according to the present invention is installed in a part of a bidet (not shown) to selectively supply cleansing water to a feminine wash nozzle (not shown) or a posterior wash nozzle (not shown). Thereby, the bidet valve device is configured to perform a feminine wash operation, a posterior wash operation, and an operation of washing the feminine wash nozzle and the posterior wash nozzle. Here, the bidet is applicable to both the electric bidet and the non-electric bidet, and thus is not necessarily limited to a specific model.

The bidet valve device according to the present invention includes an upper case100, a rotary plate adjusting member300, a water channel selection rotary plate400, a blocking plate500, a packing600, and a lower case700.

First, the upper case100has a hollow inside and a supply tube connection port110is formed on one side thereof so as to communicate with the inside of the upper case100. A lever exposing hole120is formed in a top portion of the upper case in a penetrating manner. In addition, a plurality of flange portions130provided with fixing holes132in a penetrating manner so as to be screwed to a part of the bidet protrudes from the outer surface of the upper case. In addition, a cleansing water supply tube200is fitted into the supply tube connection port110of the upper case100such that cleansing water is supplied into the upper case100through the cleansing water supply tube200.

Next, the rotary plate adjusting member300is connected to the upper case100so to be inserted into the upper case. When the rotary plate adjusting member300is connected, a space G through which the cleansing water can flow is formed between the outer surface of the rotary plate adjusting member300and the inner surface of the cleansing water supply tube200. A lever connection port310, which is exposed to the upper side through the lever exposing hole120, is integrally formed at the top portion of the rotary plate adjusting member300. Here, a lever (not shown) is coupled to the lever connection port310such that the user can grip the lever and rotate the rotary plate adjusting member300left and right. A plurality of engagement protrusions320protrudes from a lower portion of the rotary plate adjusting member300.

Next, the water channel selection rotary plate400is disposed in close contact with the lower surface of the rotary plate adjusting member300, and is provided with an engagement groove440corresponding to the engagement protrusions320of the rotary plate adjusting member300at the edge thereof. Thus, when the engagement protrusions320are engaged with the engagement groove440in a fitting manner and the rotary plate adjusting member300is rotated, the water channel selection rotary plate400is rotated thereby. A central flow channel410is formed at the center of the upper surface of the water channel selection rotary plate400and a wall420to closely contact the rotary plate adjusting member300is formed along the edge of the central flow channel410. A water inflow channel430is formed at multiple parts of the wall420so as to communicate with the outside. Thus, cleansing water is guided to the central flow channel410through the water inflow channel430. In addition, a first hole450and a second hole460are formed in the bottom of the water channel selection rotary plate400so as to penetrate the water channel selection rotary plate downward. Here, the first hole450and the second hole460are preferably arranged one after the other in the same line oriented toward the center of the water channel selection rotary plate400, or may be arranged misaligned.

Next, the blocking plate500is disposed in close contact with the lower surface of the water channel selection rotary plate400, and is fixedly installed so as not to rotate inside the upper case100. Specifically, an anti-rotation protrusion540protrudes from a part of the outer surface of the blocking plate500and a fixing groove150into which the anti-rotation protrusion540is inserted is formed inside the upper case100. Thus, when the blocking plate500is fitted into the upper case100, the anti-rotation protrusion540is inserted into the fixing groove150to prevent the blocking plate500from rotating. In addition, a nozzle cleaning hole510is formed in the blocking plate500on the left and right sides of the first hole450so as to penetrate the blocking plate downward, such that, when the water channel selection rotary plate400is partially rotated leftward and rightward, the first hole450is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole510to allow the cleansing water to be discharged through the nozzle cleaning hole510. In addition, a feminine wash hole520and a posterior wash hole530are formed on the left side and right side of the second hole460, respectively, so as to penetrate the blocking plate downward such that, when the water channel selection rotary plate400is further rotated leftward and rightward, the second hole460is aligned with the feminine wash hole520or the posterior wash hole530to allow the cleansing water to be discharged through the feminine wash hole520or the posterior wash hole530.

Next, the packing600is made of a rubber material and disposed in close contact with the lower surface of the blocking plate500so as to be interposed between the blocking plate and the lower case700, which will be described later, thereby preventing the cleansing water from leaking into the clearance in the assembly of the upper case100and the lower case700. In the center of the packing600, a nozzle cleaning communication hole610corresponding to the nozzle cleaning hole510, a feminine wash communication hole620corresponding to the feminine wash hole520, and a posterior wash communication hole630corresponding to the posterior wash hole530are formed in a penetrating manner.

Next, the lower case700is fixed to the upper case100while closely contacting the lower surface of the packing600. Specifically, multiple fastening pieces770having a fastening hole772formed therein in a penetrating manner protrude from the outer surface of the lower case700, and a fastening boss140to closely contact the fastening pieces770protrudes downward from a part of the bottom surface of the flange130of the upper case. Thus, with the lower case700and the upper case100coupled to each other, a screw S coupled through the fastening hole772is fixedly coupled to the fastening boss140by being fastened to the fastening boss140in a burrowing manner. In addition, a nozzle cleaning water channel hole710corresponding to the nozzle cleaning communication hole610, a feminine wash water channel hole720corresponding to the feminine wash communication hole620, and a posterior wash water channel hole730corresponding to the posterior wash communication hole630are formed at the center of the lower case700. A nozzle cleaning discharge tube connection port740communicating with the nozzle cleaning water channel hole710, a feminine wash discharge tube connection port750communicating with the feminine wash water channel hole720, and a posterior wash discharge tube connection port760communicating with the posterior wash water channel hole730are integrally formed on one side of the lower portion of the lower case.

Next, a nozzle cleaning discharge tube800is coupled to the nozzle cleaning discharge tube connection port740in a fitting manner. Thus, when the cleansing water is guided therethrough, the cleansing water may be supplied to the outer surface of the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle to clean the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle. A feminine wash discharge tube810is coupled to the feminine wash discharge tube connection port750in a fitting manner. Thus, when the cleansing water is guided therethrough, the cleansing water may be supplied into the feminine wash nozzle to perform the feminine wash operation. a posterior wash discharge tube820is coupled to the posterior wash discharge tube connection port760in a fitting manner. Thus, when the cleansing water is guided therethrough, the cleansing water may be supplied into the posterior wash nozzle to perform the posterior wash operation. Here, since performing the feminine wash operation or the posterior wash operation by guiding the cleansing water into the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle is a well-known technique, a description of the structure and operation of the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle will be omitted. That is, for the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle used in the present invention, a known product can be applied. However, the structure for cleaning the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle by supplying cleaning water to the outer surface of the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle through the nozzle cleaning discharge tube800is a unique feature of the present invention.

Next, according to the present invention, the feminine wash hole520or the posterior wash hole530is preferably formed to have an arc shape having a diameter increasing from the front portion to the rear portion thereof, such that, when the second hole460is aligned with the feminine wash hole520or the posterior wash hole530by rotation of the water channel selection rotary plate400to discharge cleansing water, the amount of cleansing water for feminine wash or posterior wash is adjusted in a manner that a minimum amount of cleansing water is discharged at a position where alignment between the second hole460and the feminine wash hole520or the posterior wash hole530begins, and a maximum amount of cleansing water is discharged at a position where alignment between the second hole460and the feminine wash hole520or the posterior wash hole530ends. In addition, the first hole450is preferably configured to have a larger diameter than the nozzle cleaning hole510or to have a long groove to ensure that the cleansing water guided into the first hole450is discharged into the nozzle cleaning hole510. In addition, although not shown, an engagement structure may be separately formed to allow the user to accurately sense the center position between the feminine wash position and the posterior wash position and the nozzle cleaning position when the user rotates the rotary plate adjusting member300.

Now, assembly and operation of the bidet valve device according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.

When the bidet valve device according to the present invention is assembled, the rotary plate adjusting member300, the water channel selection rotary plate400and the blocking plate500are sequentially inserted into the upper case100, and then the lower case700is connected to the upper case with the packing600bought into contact with the lower portion of the blocking plate500. Then, the screw S penetrating the fastening hole772is fixedly fastened to the fastening boss140. Then, the cleansing water supply tube200is connected to the supply tube connection port110of the upper case100, and each of the nozzle cleaning discharge tube800, the feminine wash discharge tube810, and the posterior wash discharge tube820is connected to a corresponding one of the nozzle cleaning discharge tube connection port740, the feminine wash discharge tube connection port750and the posterior wash discharge tube connection port760of the lower case700. Of course, the valve device assembled in this way is installed on a part of the bidet, and then fixed to the bidet through the fixing hole132formed in the flange130of the upper case100. The nozzle cleaning discharge tube800is installed so as to guide the cleansing water to the outer surfaces of the feminine wash nozzle and the posterior wash nozzle, and the feminine wash discharge tube810is installed so as to guide the cleansing water into the feminine wash nozzle. The posterior wash discharge tube820is installed so as to guide the cleansing water into the posterior wash nozzle.

When the bidet valve device assembled in this way is operated, the water channel selection rotary plate400can be rotated together with the rotary plate adjusting member300to the feminine wash position or the posterior wash position through the valve as desired by the user. Then, the bidet valve device according to the present invention automatically performs an operation of cleaning the feminine wash nozzle or the posterior wash nozzle before and after the feminine wash operation or the posterior wash operation.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in operating the valve device to perform posterior wash, when the rotary plate adjusting member300positioned between the feminine wash position and the posterior wash position is rotated to the posterior wash position to perform posterior wash, the water channel selection rotary plate400is rotated together with the rotary plate adjusting member300. Then, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the cleansing water is supplied into the nozzle cleaning hole510as the first hole450is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole510. At this time, a part of the second hole460is aligned with the front portion of the posterior wash hole530, and the cleansing water is supplied into the posterior wash nozzle. Then, the posterior wash nozzle is extended and exposed to the outside by the pressure of the cleansing water. Accordingly, the cleansing water supplied through the nozzle cleaning hole510with the posterior wash nozzle extended is guided to the outer surface of the posterior wash nozzle, thereby cleaning the posterior wash nozzle. When the rotary plate adjusting member300is further rotated after the posterior wash nozzle is cleaned, the first hole450passes by the nozzle cleaning hole510as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, the cleansing water is blocked from being supplied into the nozzle cleaning hole510. The cleansing water may be guided only into the posterior wash nozzle through the second hole460and the posterior wash hole530to perform the posterior wash operation. Of course, since the posterior wash hole530has an arc shape having a diameter increasing from the front portion to the rear portion thereof, the pressure of the cleansing water is adjusted depending on the position where the second hole460is placed in the posterior wash hole530. Accordingly, the cleansing water can be used as desired by the user. When the rotary plate adjusting member300is returned to the original center position after posterior wash is completed, the operation of cleaning the posterior wash nozzle is performed at the position where the first hole450is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole510. Therefore, the posterior wash nozzle can be kept clean at all times.

When the rotary plate adjusting member300is rotated to the feminine wash position to perform feminine wash, operations are performed in the same order as the posterior wash described above. Since the only difference is that feminine wash is performed in place of posterior wash, redundant description will be omitted.

As described above, for the bidet valve device according to the present invention, during the operation of rotating the rotary plate adjusting member300to the feminine wash position to perform feminine wash, the first hole450is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole510and the cleansing water is supplied to the outer surface of the feminine wash nozzle to clean the feminine wash nozzle, before the second hole460is aligned with the feminine wash hole520. During the operation of rotating the rotary plate adjusting member300to the posterior wash position to perform posterior wash, the first hole450is aligned with the nozzle cleaning hole510and the cleansing water is supplied to the outer surface of the posterior wash nozzle to clean the posterior wash nozzle, before the second hole460is aligned with the posterior wash hole530. The operation of cleaning the feminine wash nozzle and the posterior wash nozzle is also performed even when the rotary plate adjusting member is returned to the original position after the feminine wash and the posterior wash are finished. Therefore, feminine wash and posterior wash can be hygienically performed for the user at all times.

While the invention has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

When the present invention is installed on a part of the bidet, and the lever is operated, water for washing the nozzle is sprayed to automatically clean the nozzle before posterior wash or feminine wash is performed. Therefore, cleanliness may be provided to the user.