# US 4,393,525 A · Heat-controlled sanitary bathing device

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- Number: US 4,393,525 A
- Document ID: US4393525A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/330,950
- Filed: 1981-12-15
- Granted: 1983-07-19
- Earliest claimed: 1981-12-15
- Assignees: Nihon Den-Nitsu Keiki Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Kenshi Kondo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4393525A

## CPC

- A47K 13/305: {Seats with heating devices}
- E03C 1/041: {having provisions against scalding, e.g. temperature limiting devices, external covers}
- E03C 1/044: having a heating or cooling apparatus in the supply line (water heaters, e.g. with continuous flow, F24H)
- F24H 1/202: {with resistances}
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS
- F24H: FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL (steam generation F22)

## Abstract

A water-closet with a heat-controlled sanitary bathing device including a heater for heating feed water to a predetermined temperature, a closet seat having a nozzle means for spurting heated water from the heater, a pump for pumping water to the heater and nozzle means, a water flow control valve means for controlling the flow rate of water to the heater, wherein a reflux passage is provided between the water flow control valve and the suction side of the pump to eliminate the variations in water pressure on the delivery side of the pump, which may lead to a trouble of the pump drive motor. The heater has a double vessel construction defining primary and secondary heating chambers each with electric heat control means to provide accurate control of the bathing water.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a water-closet apparatus with a heat-controlled bathing system, including a heater for heating feed water to a predetermined temperature, a bidet portion having nozzle means adapted for spraying heated water supplied from said heater, a pump for feeding water to said heater and nozzle means, and a valve means for controlling the flow rate of water to said heater, the improvement which comprises:
said control valve means comprising a tubular valve casing defining axially contiguously aligned discharge, supply and recirculating chambers therein; an inlet port provided in said valve casing at a location so that feed water from said pump may be supplied to said supply chamber therethrough; a discharge port provided in said valve casing at a location so that feed water in said discharge chamber may be fed to said heater therethrough; a recirculating port provided in said valve casing at a location so that the feed water in said recirculating chamber may be recirculated to the suction side of said pump; main and auxiliary valve seats provided in said valve casing at positions between said discharge and supply chambers and between said supply and recirculating chambers, respectively; a valve plug axially movably accommodated in said supply chamber and having main and auxiliary valve faces cooperable with said main and auxiliary valve seats, respectively, for controlling the rate of water flowing therethrough, said valve plug being constantly urged to engage said main valve face with said main valve seat; and a valve stem threaded into said valve casing for axial movements and having a portion adapted for abutting engagement with said valve plug for displacing said valve plug so that, by turning said valve stem, feed water supplied to said supply chamber from said pump may be admitted into either one or both of said discharge and recirculating chambers; and
said heater comprising an outer vessel; an inner vessel defining a primary chamber therein and placed inside of said outer vessel to define a secondary chamber therebetween; a water feed pipe extending between said primary chamber and said outlet port of said water control valve; an opening provided in an upper portion of said primary chamber so that said primary chamber is in fluid communication with said secondary chamber; first and second heating means for heating water in said primary and secondary chambers to predetermined temperature levels, respectively; a heated water feed means extending between said secondary chamber and said nozzle means; and means for stopping operation of said pump when the water temperature in said secondary chamber exceeds said predetermined temperature level.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bidet portion further includes a seat member with a built in heating means.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bidet portion further includes means for feeding warm breeze for a predetermined period of time.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said nozzle means includes two spray nozzles respectively provided at front and rear ends of said bidet portion and a selector for selectively feeding heated water from said heater to either one of said two spray nozzles.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said nozzle means include a mounting plate fixed on a closet of said bidet portion by fixing means for fixing said seat member on said closet, and a spray nozzle secured to said mounting plate.