Silencer and water supply device

A muffling apparatus capable of attaining the prevention of the occurrence of a noise reliably while making concrete the reduction of the manufacturing cost and the easiness of the assembling of the same apparatus, and a feed water apparatus having such a muffling effect are provided. The muffling apparatus 2 is an apparatus connected to a jet pipe 1 adapted to send out the water, which flows in a feed water passage 1a in the interior thereof, into storage water W. The apparatus has a tubular portion 4 connected to an upstream side portion of the jet pipe 1 so that the tubular portion 4 extend downward, and having therein a water supply passage 4a communicating with the feed water passage 1a, and a housing 3 connected water-tightly to an upstream side portion of the jet pipe 1 and an upper section of the tubular portion 4, enclosing a lower section of the tubular portion 4, connected water-tightly to a downstream side portion of the jet pipe 1, and capable of storing the air, which is in the interior of the jet pipe 1, in the portion of the interior of the housing 3 which is outside the tubular portion 4. The tubular portion 4 is provided at an upper section thereof with an air hole 4b made through a wall thereof so as to communicate the water supply passage 4a with the interior of the housing 3.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a muffling apparatus and a feed water apparatus to which this muffling apparatus is connected.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, a Western style flush toilet stool is provided with a washing apparatus having a jet pipe as a feed water pipe. This jet pipe is adapted to send out the water, which flows in a feed water passage in an inner portion thereof, into storage water in a bowl portion. In this jet pipe, the air is left in a position higher than a level of the storage water when a preceding washing operation finishes. Therefore, when fresh washing water is supplied into the jet pipe by the washing apparatus so as to carry out a subsequent washing operation in this condition, the air left in the jet pipe is blown out in a lump at a stroke in a water pressure-compressed condition into the storage water, so that a comparatively large noise occurs. The same phenomenon occurs in a hot water supply apparatus and the like adapted to send out additional hot water, etc. into hot water stored in a bath tub.

Regarding the matter, JP-A-2002-106044 discloses a muffling apparatus connected to a jet pipe of a Western style flush toilet stool. This muffling apparatus includes a branch pipe diverging horizontally from the jet pipe and bent upward, a housing connected water-tightly to an upper end of this branch pipe and having at an upper end thereof a port opened in the atmospheric air, and a valve provided vertically movably in the housing and adapted to float by a buoyancy of the air and open the port of the housing. When the washing water is supplied into the jet pipe in this Western style flush toilet stool provided with this muffling apparatus, the air left in the jet pipe is introduced into the muffling apparatus, and then discharged to the atmospheric air. In short, the air left in the interior of the jet pipe is liable to be transferred to the branch pipe by a buoyancy thereof while the air is moved in the jet pipe by the water pressure, and the air transferred to the branch pipe reaches the interior of the housing. Since the valve floats in the interior of the housing owing to the air, the port of the housing is thereby opened, so that the air is discharged to the atmospheric air via the port. Thus, in the Western style flush toilet stool provided with a muffling apparatus, the air left in the interior of the jet pipe is rarely blown out into the storage water. Therefore, it is considered that the noise occurring when the air is blown out in a lump at a stroke into the storage water can be prevented.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention:

However, this related art muffling apparatus has a branch pipe diverging from the jet pipe and also the valve operated in the housing. Therefore, this muffling apparatus abounds in the number of parts and is complicated in the construction. This causes an increase in the manufacturing cost, and the assembling work becomes troublesome. Moreover, in this muffling apparatus, the valve is moved vertically in accordance with the air storing and discharging operations, so that, when the valve is difficult to be moved smoothly, it is difficult to expect the obtaining of a muffling effect.

The present invention has been made in view of these facts in the related techniques, and is aimed at providing a muffling apparatus which can attain the prevention of noise reliably while effecting a decrease in the manufacturing cost and the easiness of an operation for assembling the apparatus; and a feed water apparatus having such a muffling effect.

Means for Solving the Problems:

A muffling apparatus according to a first invention relates to a muffling apparatus connected to an intermediate portion of a feed water pipe adapted to send out water, flowing through a feed water passage therein, into storage water,the improvement is characterized in that the muffing apparatus includes a tubular portion, connected in a downwardly extending state to an upstream side feed water pipe portion positioned on an upstream side of the muffling apparatus, of the feed water pipe, the tubular portion having in the interior there of a water supply passage communicating with the feed water pipe, anda housing connected water-tightly to the upstream side feed water pipe portion and an upper section of the tubular portion, enclosing a lower section of the tubular portion therewith, connected water-tightly to a downstream side feed water pipe portion positioned on a downstream side of the muffling apparatus, of the feed water pipe, and capable of storing air existing in the feed water pipe in the interior, which is outside of the tubular portion, of the housing,the tubular portion is provided in an upper section thereof with (an) air hole(s) made through a wall thereof and causing the water supply passage to communicate with the interior of the housing.

In the muffling apparatus according to the first invention, the tubular portion is connected in a downwardly extending state to the upstream side feed water pipe portion, and the water supply passage in this tubular portion communicates with the feed water passage in the interior of the feed water pipe. The lower section of the tubular portion is enclosed with the housing. This housing is connected water-tightly to the upstream side feed water pipe portion, the upper section of the tubular portion and the downstream side feed water pipe portion, and capable of storing the air in the feed water pipe in the interior, which is outside of the tubular portion, of the housing. Owing to this arrangement, the air left in the feed water pipe in a case where fresh water is supplied to the feed water pipe is moved in the same feed water pipe by a water pressure. When this air reaches a lower section of the tubular portion, the air is moved reliably to the interior, which is outside of the tubular portion, of the housing owing to the buoyancy thereof. Accordingly, the air left in the feed water pipe is not moved directly into the downstream side feed water pipe portion. The air stored in the housing is necessarily discharged to the interior of the water supply passage through the air hole made through the wall of the upper section of the tubular portion since the air hole communicates the water supply passage with the interior of the housing. Thus, in this muffling apparatus, the air in the feed water pipe is not discharged in a lump at a stroke into the storage water, so that the occurrence of noise can be prevented.

Since this muffling apparatus does not have a branch pipe diverging from a feed water pipe and a valve operated in a housing unlike the above-described related art muffling apparatus, the number of parts of the apparatus is small, and the construction thereof is simple. This enables the reduction of the manufacturing cost to be attained, and an operation for assembling the apparatus to be carried out easily. Moreover, since this muffling apparatus does not have a movable member, such as a valve provided in the related art apparatus of this kind, a stable muffling effect can be displayed.

Therefore, according to the muffling apparatus of the first invention, the occurrence of noise can be prevented reliably with the reduction of the manufacturing cost and the easiness of an operation for assembling the apparatus attained. Since this muffling apparatus can display a muffling effect stably, the omission of maintenance work therefore can be attained.

In the muffling apparatus according to the first invention, it is preferable that an atmosphere-openable valve be connected to the upstream side feed water pipe portion. When such a valve is provided, the air stored in the housing is discharged from the atmosphere-openable valve to the atmospheric air via the water supply passage in the tubular portion after the feeding of water through the feed water pipe finishes. Therefore, the air is not stored excessively in the housing. Accordingly, when fresh water is subsequently supplied to the feed water pipe, the air left in the feed water pipe is moved reliably to the interior of the housing, and not to the downstream side feed water pipe portion, i.e., the water only is moved to the downstream side feed water pipe portion. Thus, in this muffling apparatus, the water only is sent out into the storage water, so that the occurrence of noise can be prevented.

In the muffling apparatus according to the first invention, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the water supply passage be larger than that of the feed water passage. When the water supply passage is formed in this manner, the air stored in the housing turns into small bubbles in order owing to a Venturi effect, and the bubbles are drawn out into the water supply passage. Therefore, after the feeding of water through the feed water pipe finishes, excessive air is not stored in the housing. The small bubbles are discharged with the discharge water little by little in to the storage water. Thus, in this muffling apparatus, the air in the feed water pipe is not discharged in a lump at a stroke into the storage water, so that the occurrence of noise can be prevented.

In the muffling apparatus according to the first invention, the housing is preferably connected to the feed water pipe so that at least a part of the interior of the housing is positioned lower than a level of the storage water. The reasons reside in that, when the water is discharged from the feed water pipe into the storage water, the level of the storage water increases, and, therefore, when a part of the interior of the housing is positioned lower than the level of the storage water, the air in the feed water pipe can be stored in the housing owing to the buoyancy of the air. Accordingly, when at least a part of the interior of the housing is originally positioned lower than the level of the storage water, the air in the feed water pipe can be stored reliably in the housing.

The muffling apparatus according to the first invention can be used for a feed water apparatus provided with a feed water pipe adapted to send out the water, which flows in a feed water passage in the interior thereof, into the storage water. Owing to this structure, the air in the feed water pipe is not discharged at a stroke into the storage water, so that a noise does not occur. This type of feed water apparatuses include, for example, a washing apparatus for Western style flush toilet stools and a hot water supply apparatus for bathtubs. The feed water apparatus according to the first invention produces a remarkable effect, especially, when a feed water pipe in the apparatus is a jet pipe used in a Western style toilet stool.

A feed water apparatus according to a second invention is a feed water apparatus connected to a jet port of a Western style flush toilet stool and adapted to send out water, flowing through a feed water passage therein, into storage water existing in the Western style flush toilet stool,

the improvement is characterized in that a part of a downwardly extending feed water passage, through which said water is passed downward, of the feed water passage having a larger inner diameter, whereby the part of the downwardry extending feed water passage is used as a muffling portion adapted to stall air that is about to pass therethrough with the water.

In the feed water apparatus according to the second invention, a part of the downwardly extending feed water passage, in which the water is passed downward, of the feed water passage system is formed as a muffling portion. Since this muffling portion is formed to an increased inner diameter, the muffling portion has a function of stalling the air which is about to pass with the water therethrough. Namely, when fresh water is supplied to the feed water passage system, the air left therein is moved in the downwardly extending feed water passage by a water pressure. When the air reaches the muffling portion, the air is stalled due to the buoyancy working thereon. Therefore, the air left in the feed water passage system is not moved directly to a downstream side of the downwardly extending feed water passage, and the air stored in an upper section of the muffling portion turns into very small bubbles, which are drawn out into the water. These small bubbles with the discharge water are sent out little by little into the storage water. Thus, in this feed water apparatus, the air in the feed water passage system is not discharged in a lump at a stroke into the storage water, so that the occurrence of noise can be prevented.

In this feed water apparatus, a branch pipe diverging from a feed water pipe and a valve moving in a housing which are provided in the above-described related art muffling apparatus are not provided. Therefore, the number of parts of the apparatus is small, and the construction thereof is simple. Especially, the muffling portion, in which the inner diameter of the downwardly extending feed water passage is increased, is thereby formed to only a columnar structure, so that the construction of this portion is very simple. This enables a decrease in the manufacturing cost to be attained, and the assembling work to be carried out easily. Moreover, since this feed water apparatus does not have a movable member, such as a valve which is provided in the related art apparatus of this kind, a stable muffling effect is displayed.

Therefore, according to the feed water apparatus of the second invention, the prevention of noise can be attained reliably with a decrease in the manufacturing cost and easy assembling work made concrete. Since this feed water apparatus can display a muffling effectstably, the omission of maintenance work therefore can be attained.

The feed water passage can be formed by a tubular feed water pipe. In this case, the feed water pipe preferably has a muffling portion made integral therewith. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to additionally provide a muffling portion at an end of the feed water pipe, so that the assembling of the feed water pipe becomes further easier.

BEST MODE FROM CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The modes 1 to 4 of embodiments in which the first invention is made concrete, and the mode 5 of embodiment in which the second invention is made concrete will be described with reference to the drawings.

Mode 1 of Embodiment

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a muffling apparatus2in the mode 1 of embodiment is used for a Western style flush toilet stool. In this Western style flush toilet stool, a porcelain toilet body10, and a washing apparatus16provided in an inner portion thereof with two valves (not shown) and two atmosphere-openable valves (not shown). InFIG. 1, the illustrations of a seat18and a cover19are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 1, the toilet body10is provided with a bowl portion11having a bowl surface11a, and a trap portion12formed so as to be joined to a bottom section of the bowl portion11. The trap portion12has an inverted U-shaped form, and is joined to a discharge port12aat a lower section thereof.

At a bottom portion of storage water W in the trap portion12, a jet nozzle13is fixed. A free end within the trap portion12of this jet nozzle13forms a jet port13a. The jet nozzle13is connected to the washing apparatus16by a jet pipe1as a feed water pipe. Outside of the toilet body10, a muffling apparatus2is provided in an intermediate portion of the jet pipe1. The muffling apparatus2is hidden behind a cover17fixed to the toilet body10as shown inFIG. 2.

As shown inFIGS. 3A to 3D, the muffling apparatus2is provided in an intermediate portion of the jet pipe having a feed water passage1a, i.e., between an upstream side jet pipe portion1and a downstream side jet pipe portion1so as to become integral therewith. This muffling apparatus2is provided with a housing3and a tubular portion4. The tubular portion4has in an inner section thereof a water supply passage4acommunicating with a feed water passage1a, and is connected to the upstream side jet pipe1portion so as to extend downward. The inner diameter of the feed water passage1aand that of the water supply passage4aare equal to each other. The housing3is connected water-tightly to the upstream side jet pipe portion land an upper section of the tubular portion4, encloses a lower section of the tubular portion4therewith, and is connected water-tightly to the downstream side jet pipe portion1. In the interior of the housing3which corresponds to the exterior of the tubular portion4, an air chamber3acapable of storing there in the air in the jet pipe1. The tubular portion4is provided at an upper section thereof with an air hole4bmade through a wall thereof and communicating the water passage4awith the air chamber3a.

As shown inFIG. 1, this muffling apparatus2is connected to the jet pipe1so that a part of the air chamber3ais in a position lower than a height h1of a level of the storage water W measured from the bottom section of the bowl portion11.

At an upper section of the bowl portion11, a rim (so-called open rim)14having an opened rim water passage14atherein is formed. At a rear upper section of the bowl portion11, a rim pipe15connected to a washing apparatus16and opened at a free end thereof in the rim water passage14ais provided. The washing apparatus16is connected directly to a city water pipe (not shown) by a flexible hose20as shown inFIG. 2.

When a water discharge button switch (not shown) on a toilet stool body or on a remote controller is pressed in this Western style flush toilet stool, the washing apparatus16opens one valve first, and supplies water to only the rim water passage14avia the rim pipe15. As a result, the washing water is discharged horizontally along an upper end of the toilet stool, and this washing water washes the surface11aof the bowl portion11as the washing water flows down on the same surface. Consequently, the level of the storage water W rises to a position of a height h2measured from the bottom section of the bowl portion11. The washing apparatus16then closes the mentioned valve. At this time, the interior of the air chamber3aand water passage4ain the muffling apparatus2is put in a washing water-filled state as shown inFIG. 3A.

The washing apparatus16then opens the other valve, and supplies the water to only the jet nozzle13via the jet pipe1. Immediately after the washing water is supplied to the jet pipe1, the washing water flows from the upstream side jet pipe1positioned on the upper side into the downstream side jet pipe1positioned on the lower side due to a water pressure as shown inFIG. 3B. During this time, the air left in the jet pipe1is sent out in a lump from the feed water passage1a,flows through the water passage4a, and comes out from a lower section of the tubular portion4. During the same time, this lump of air is moved to the outside of the tubular portion4by a buoyancy, and stored in the air chamber3a. While the supplying of the washing water to the jet pipe1continues, the air left in the jet pipe1is wholly stored in the air chamber3aas shown inFIG. 3C. As a result, the washing water is injected in the trap portion12from the jet port13a. Owing to the washing water injected from the jet port13a, a siphoning effect is forcibly generated. The sewage water possibly containing filth with the washing water is discharged to a discharge pipe (not shown) via a discharge port12a.

The washing apparatus16then closes the second-mentioned valve16. The atmosphere-openable valve connected to the jet pipe1is thereafter opened. As a result, the supplying of the washing water to the jet pipe1is stopped, so that the feed water passage laand water supply passage4aare opened into the atmospheric air as shown inFIG. 3D. The air stored in the air chamber3ais discharged to the atmospheric air from the air hole4band through the water passage4aand feed water passage1aas shown by an arrow. Accordingly, the excess air is not stored in the air chamber3a. Therefore, even when the fresh washing water is then supplied to the interior of the jet pipe1, the air left in the jet pipe1is moved reliably to the interior of the air chamber3a, and not to the downstream side section of the jet pipe1, the water only being moved to the downstream side section of the jet pipe1. Thus, in this muffling apparatus2, the air in the jet pipe1is not discharged in a lump at a stroke into the storage water W, so that the occurrence of noise can be prevented.

Since this muffling apparatus2does not have a branch pipe diverging therefrom and a valve movable in the housing unlike the related art muffling apparatus, the number of parts of the apparatus is small, and the construction thereof is simple. Therefore, the reduction of the manufacturing cost can be attained, and the assembling work is carried out easily. Since this muffling apparatus2does not have a movable member such as a valve as provided in the related art apparatus of this kind, a stable muffling effect is displayed.

Therefore, according to the muffling apparatus2in the mode 1 of embodiment, the prevention of the occurrence of noise can be attained reliably with the reduction of the manufacturing cost and the easiness of the assembling work made concrete. Since this muffling apparatus2can display a muffling effect stably, the omission of maintenance work therefore can be attained.

Since this muffling apparatus2is provided on an outer portion of the toilet stool body10, the muffling apparatus can be provided afterward on an existing Western style flush toilet stool. Moreover, this muffling apparatus2is hidden behind the cover17fixed to the toilet stool body10, so that the external appearance of the Western style flush toilet stool is not spoiled.

Mode 2 of Embodiment

As shown inFIGS. 4A to 4D, a muffling apparatus5in the mode 2 of embodiment is used for the same Western style flush toilet stool as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in the same manner as the muffling apparatus in the mode 1 of embodiment.

This muffling apparatus5is provided between jet pipe portions1having feed water passages1a, i.e. between an upstream side jet pipe portion1and a downstream side jet pipe portion1so that the apparatus and pipe portions are in one body as shown inFIG. 4. This muffling apparatus5is provided with a housing6and a tubular portion7. The tubular portion7has therein a water supply passage7acommunicating with the feed water passage1a, and is connected to the upstream side jet pipe portion1so as to extend downward. The inner diameter of the water pipe7ais set larger than that of the feed water passage1a. The housing6is connected water-tightly to the upstream side jet pipe portion1and an upper section of the tubular portion7, encloses a lower section of the tubular portion7, and is connected water-tightly to the downstream side jet pipe1. In the interior of the housing6which is outside the tubular portion7, an air chamber6acapable of storing therein the air in the jet pipe1. The tubular portion7is provided in an upper section thereof with an air hole7bcommunicating the water passage7awith the air chamber6aand made through a wall of the tubular portion7. The construction of the other parts is identical with that of the corresponding parts of the mode 1 of embodiment. The structures identical with those shown inFIGS. 1 and 2will be represented by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

When a water discharge button switch (not shown) on a toilet stool body or on a remote controller in this Western style flush toilet stool is pressed, a washing apparatus16opens one valve, and supplies water to only a rim water passage14avia a rim pipe15. Consequently, the washing water is sent out horizontally along an upper end of the toilet stool, and washes a bowl surface11aas the washing water flows down along the surface11aof a bowl portion11. As a result, the level of storage water W rises to a position of a height h2measured from a bottom section of the bowl portion11. The washing apparatus16then closes the same valve. During this time, the interior of the air chamber6aand water passage7ain the muffling apparatus5is put in a washing water-filled state as shown inFIG. 4A.

The washing apparatus16then opens the other valve, and supplies water to only the jet nozzle13via the jet pipe1. Immediately after the washing water is supplied to the jet pipe1, the washing water is moved from an upper side, i.e. an upstream side of the jet pipe1to a lower side, i.e. a downstream side thereof as shown inFIG. 4Bby a water pressure. During this time, the air left in the jet pipe1is sent out in a lump from the feed water passage1a,flows through the water supply passage7a,and comes out from a lower section of the tubular portion7. During the same time, the lump of the air is moved to the outside of the tubular portion7owing to a buoyancy, and stored in the air chamber6a.While the supplying of the washing water to the jet pipe1continues, the air left in the jet pipe1is wholly stored in the air chamber6aas shown inFIG. 4C. Since the inner diameter of the water passage7ais set larger than that of the feed water passage1a,the washing water flowing through the feed water passage1ais diffused in the water supply passage7a,and a velocity of flow of the washing water comes to lower. This causes a water pressure in an upper portion of the water supply passage7ato become lower than that in a lower portion thereof, so that the air stored in the air chamber6aturns into very small bubbles, which are drawn out (Venturi effect) little by little from the air hole7bto the water passage7a. The small bubbles are sent out with discharge water into the storage water W in a trap portion12. Therefore, after the supplying of water through the jet pipe1finishes, the air in the housing6is substantially gone, or, even when the air is not gone, the air is not excessively stored therein. Since the air in the jet pipe1in this muffling apparatus5is not discharged in a lump at a stroke into the storage water W, the occurrence of a noise can be prevented.

The washing apparatus16then closes the second-mentioned valve. An atmosphere-openable valve connected to the jet pipe1is then opened. As a result, the supplying of the washing water to the jet pipe1is stopped, and the feed water passage la and water supply passage7aare opened into the atmospheric air as shown inFIG. 4D. Other operation and effects are identical with those of the mode 1 of embodiment.

Mode 3 of Embodiment

In the mode 3 of embodiment, the same muffling apparatus5as that in the mode 2 of embodiment is provided in an inner portion of a toilet stool body10as shown inFIG. 5. The construction of the other parts is identical with that of the corresponding parts of the mode 2 of embodiment.

In this Western style flush toilet stool, the muffling apparatus5as a whole is in a position lower than a height h1of the level of storage water W measured from a bottom section of a bowl portion11with a discharge water button switch (not shown) on a toilet stool body or on a remote controller not pressed, the interior of a housing6and a water supply passage7ain the muffling apparatus5is put in a washing water-filled state as shown inFIG. 4A. The same applies to a case where the discharge water button switch is pressed with the washing apparatus16opening one valve to supply water to only a rim water passage14avia a rim pipe15.

When the washing apparatus16then opens the other valve and supplies water to only a jet nozzle13via a jet pipe1, the muffling apparatus5turns from the condition shown inFIG. 4Cinto the condition shown inFIG. 4Bin the same manner as in the mode 2 of embodiment. Thus, the air stored in an air chamber6acomes to be substantially gone.

The washing apparatus16then closes the second-mentioned valve. An atmosphere-openable valve connected to the jet pipe1is then opened. As a result, even when the air is slightly left in the air chamber6a,the air is moved from an air hole7b,through a water supply passage7a,and to an upstream side feed water passage1a.Thus, the muffling apparatus5is put in the condition shown inFIG. 4A. Other operation and effects are identical with those in the mode 1 of embodiment.

Mode 4 of Embodiment

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, a muffling apparatus25in the mode 4 of embodiment is used for the same Western style flush toilet stool as is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2in the same manner as the muffling apparatus in the mode 1 of embodiment. This muffling apparatus25is formed by making concrete the muffling apparatus5shown inFIG. 4.

This muffling apparatus25includes a housing26formed by fusing two resin members together and a tubular portion27. The housing26is formed substantially in the shape of the letter “L”. At an upper section of this housing26, a connecting port26bjoined to an upstream side portion of a jet pipe1is provided so as to project upward. At a lower section of the housing26, a connecting port26cconnected to a downstream side portion of the jet pipe1is also provided so as to project upward. The inner diameter of these connecting ports26b,26cis set substantially equal to that of a feed water passage1aof the jet pipe1.

In the housing26, the tubular portion27communicating with the connecting port26bis provided so that the tubular portion extend downward. The housing26is made integral with the tubular portion27at an upper section of the latter, and the housing26encloses a lower section of the tubular portion27. The tubular portion27has in an inner section thereof a water supply passage27acommunicating with a feed water passage1aof the jet pipe1and connected to an upstream side jet pipe1so that the water passage27aextends downward though a connecting port26b.The inner diameter of the water passage27ais set larger than that of the connecting port26b.In the interior, which is on the outer side of the tubular portion27, of the housing26, an air chamber26acapable of storing therein the air in the jet pipe1is formed. In an upper section of the tubular portion27, an air hole27bfor communicating the water supply passage27awith the air chamber26ais provided through a wall of the tubular section. The construction of the other parts is identical with that of the corresponding parts of the mode 2 of embodiment.

This Western style flush toilet stool can also attain the same operation and effects as in the mode 2 of embodiment. The muffling apparatus2shown inFIG. 3can also be embodied in the same manner.

Mode 5 of Embodiment

As shown inFIG. 8, a feed water apparatus of the mode 5 of embodiment is also used for a Western style flush toilet stool. In this Western style flush toilet stool, a jet nozzle13is fixed to a bottom section of a trap portion12filled with storage water W. A free end, which is in the trap portion12, of the jet nozzle13forms a jet port13a.The jet nozzle13is connected to a washing apparatus16by a jet pipe50serving as a feed water pipe the interior of which forms a feed water passage. The jet pipe50has a downwardly extending feed water pipe50aadapted to make the water to flow down therethrough, and a horizontal feed water pipe50bpositioned on the upstream side of the downwardly extending feed water pipe50aand adapted to make the water to flow horizontally or substantially horizontally therethrough. The downwardly extending feed water pipe50ahas a muffling portion51formed in a body thereon.

This muffling portion51is provided therein with a space51aformed to a columnar shape. The space51ais formed to an inner diameter larger than that of the downwardly extending feed water pipe50a,and works so as to stall the air which is about to pass therethrough with the water. The muffling portion51is positioned lower than a level of a height h1of storage water W which is measured from a bottom section of a bowl portion11. The horizontal feed water pipe50bis provided with bellows52for absorbing a tolerance of the Western style flush toilet stool. The construction of the other parts is identical with that of the corresponding parts of the mode1of embodiment shown inFIG. 1, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same structures, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When a discharge water button switch (not shown) on a toilet stool body or on a remote controller is pressed in this Western style flush toilet stool, a washing apparatus16first opens one valve, and supplies water to only a rim water passage14avia a rim pipe15. Consequently, the washing water is sent out horizontally along an upper end of the toilet stool, and this washing water washes a bowl surface11aof a bowl portion11as the washing water flows down along the bowl surface11a.As a result, the level of the storage water W rises up to as high as a position of a height h2measured from the bottom section of the bowl portion11. The washing apparatus16then closes the same valve. At this time, the space51ais put in a washing water-filled state as shown inFIG. 9A.

The washing apparatus16then opens the other valve, and supplies water to only a jet nozzle13via the jet pipe50. Immediately after the washing water is supplied to the jet pipe50, the washing water is moved as shown inFIG. 9B, from the horizontal feed water pipe50b,an upstream side portion of the jet pipe50to the downwardly extending feed water pipe50a,which is formed on the downstream side of the horizontal feed water pipe50b,by a water pressure. During this time, the air left in the jet pipe50advances in the form of a lump with the washing water into the muffling portion51. Since the inner diameter of the space51ain the muffling portion51is set larger than that of the downwardly extending feed water pipe50a,a buoyancy works greatly on the air advanced into the space51ato cause the air to be stalled and stored in an upper section of the space51a.The air about to pass with the water through the space51ais stalled a little by the bellows52as well. While the supplying of the washing water to the jet pipe50continues, the air left in the jet pipe50is wholly stored in the upper section of the space51a,and this air stored is drawn out as very small bubbles into the water as shown inFIG. 9C. The small bubbles are sent out with the discharge water into the storage water W in the trap portion12. Therefore, after the supplying of the water through the jet pipe50finishes, substantially the whole air in the space51ais gone. Thus, in this feed water apparatus, the air in the jet pipe50is not discharged in a lump at a stroke into the storage water W, so that the occurrence of a noise can be prevented.

The washing apparatus16then closes the second-mentioned valve, so that the supplying of the washing water to the jet pipe50is stopped with an atmosphere-openable valve, which is connected to the jet pipe50, opened. As a result, the space51ais put in a washing water-filled state as shown inFIG. 9D. Other operation and effects are identical with those of the mode 1 of embodiment.

Unlike the above-described related art muffling apparatus, this feed water apparatus does not have a branch pipe diverging from the jet pipe and a valve moved in the housing. Accordingly, the number of parts of the apparatus is small, and the construction thereof is simple. Especially, the muffling portion51is merely formed to a columnar shape due to the inner diameter increased of the jet pipe50, and very simple in construction. Therefore, the reduction of the manufacturing cost can be attained, and the assembling work is easily carried out. Furthermore, this feed water apparatus does not have a movable member like a valve in the related art apparatus of this kind, so that a stable muffling effect can be displayed. In the feed water apparatus in this embodiment, the muffling portion51is provided with the jet pipe50combined therewith in one body. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to combine the muffling portion51with the jet pipe50, so that the operation for assembling the feed water apparatus becomes easier.

Therefore, according to the feed water apparatus in the mode 5 of embodiment, the prevention of the occurrence of a noise can be attained reliably with the reduction of the manufacturing cost and the easiness of the assembling work made concrete. Since this feed water apparatus can display a muffling effect stably, the omission of maintenance work therefore can be attained. This feed water apparatus can be fixed to Western style flush toilet stool of various sizes by using the bellows52. Although a columnar member is used as the muffling portion51in this feed water apparatus, the muffling portion is not necessarily made columnar as long as the inner diameter of the space51ais larger than that of the downwardly extending feed water pipe50a.

These modes of embodiments are examples of the present invention. The invention can be practiced in a mode in which various modifications are added within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The muffling apparatus or feed water apparatus according to the present invention is practiced suitably in a concrete manner as a washing apparatus for a Western style flush toilet stool, a hot water supply system for a bathtub, etc.