JP7724121B2 - Sanitary equipment components and their manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to sanitary equipment components and their manufacturing methods.

Patent Document 1 discloses a Western-style toilet, which is an example of a sanitary equipment component.

JP 2014-65640 A

Sanitary equipment components are formed, for example, by firing material components. This specification provides a novel fired sanitary equipment component and a novel method for manufacturing a sanitary equipment component formed by firing.

The sanitary equipment component disclosed in this specification comprises a first sintered body and a second sintered body, wherein the water absorption rate of the first sintered body is lower than that of the second sintered body, the first sintered body comprises a water receiving surface for receiving water and a first abutting surface abutting against the second abutting surface of the second sintered body, the second sintered body comprises a design surface that constitutes the exterior of the sanitary equipment component and the second abutting surface abutting against the first abutting surface of the first sintered body, and the first sintered body and the second sintered body may be fixed to each other by the abutment of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface.

The method for manufacturing a sanitary equipment component disclosed in this specification includes preparing a first component and a second component having a smaller shrinkage rate during firing than the first component, and firing the first component and the second component to form a first fired body from the first component and a second fired body from the second component. The first component may shrink during firing, causing the first component and the second component to come into contact with each other, thereby securing the first fired component and the second fired component to each other.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sanitary equipment member. FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a procedure for manufacturing a sanitary equipment component. 1 shows an end view of a second embodiment of a sanitary fitting; FIG. 10 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the third embodiment; FIG. 10 shows an end view of the fourth embodiment of the sanitary fitting; FIG. FIG. 10 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an end view of the seventh embodiment of the sanitary fitting. FIG. 13 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 16 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the tenth embodiment. FIG. 16 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twelfth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sanitary equipment member according to a thirteenth embodiment. 16 shows an end view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the sixteenth embodiment. FIG. 20 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the seventeenth embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the eighteenth embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the nineteenth embodiment. FIG. 20 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twentieth embodiment. FIG. 21 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twenty-first embodiment. FIG. 22 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twenty-second embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twenty-third embodiment. FIG. 24 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twenty-fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twenty-fifth embodiment. FIG. 26 shows an end view of the sanitary fitting of the twenty-sixth embodiment.

In the embodiments described below, "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" refer to the upward and downward sides of the sanitary equipment component in the vertical direction, and the inward and outward sides in the horizontal direction, respectively.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of the sanitary equipment component 10: Figures 1 and 2)
A sanitary facility component 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the sanitary facility component 10 is sanitary ware, more specifically, a Western-style toilet bowl. In another embodiment, the sanitary facility component 10 may be a washbasin, which will be described in a second embodiment below. In yet another embodiment, the sanitary facility component 10 may be a urinal, a washbasin, a bathtub, a kitchen sink, or the like.

The sanitary equipment component 10 comprises a first fired body 12 and a second fired body 14. The first fired body 12 is a bowl-shaped component. The first fired body 12 comprises a water receiving surface 10a through which flushing water flows to clean the inside of the toilet bowl. The first fired body 12 further comprises a bottom wall 12a and a side wall 12b. The water receiving surface 10a is defined by the bottom wall 12a and the side wall 12b. A drain port 10c is formed in the bottom wall 12a for discharging flushing water and excrement. The side wall 12b extends upward from the bottom wall 12a. The side wall 12b comprises a first contact surface c1 that contacts the second fired body 14 and a third contact surface c3 that contacts the second fired body 14.

The second fired body 14 comprises the design surface 10b of the sanitary equipment component 10. The "design surface" is the surface that constitutes the appearance of the sanitary equipment component 10, in other words, the surface that is visible to the user of the sanitary equipment component 10. The second fired body 14 is a generally cylindrical cover member. The second fired body 14 covers the upper end and outer surface of the first fired body 12. The second fired body 14 comprises an inner wall 14a, an upper wall 14b, and an outer wall 14c. The design surface 10b is defined by the upper wall 14b and the outer wall 14c. The upper wall 14b is located above the first fired body 12. The outer wall 14c is located outside the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 and extends downward from the upper wall 14b. The inner wall 14a is located inside the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 and extends downward from the upper wall 14b. Therefore, the second fired body 14 sandwiches the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 between the inner wall 14a and the outer wall 14c. A gap exists between the outer wall 14c of the second fired body 14 and the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12.

The inner wall 14a has a second abutment surface c2 that abuts against the first abutment surface c1 of the first fired body 12. The upper wall 14b has a fourth abutment surface c4 that abuts against the third abutment surface c3 of the first fired body 12. The first abutment surface c1 and the second abutment surface c2 abut against each other, thereby fixing the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 to each other. The third abutment surface c3 and the fourth abutment surface c4 abut against each other, thereby fixing the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 to each other.

The first fired body 12 is formed by firing a first ceramic member. The second fired body 14 is formed by firing a second ceramic member. The first and second ceramic members shrink during firing. The shrinkage direction of the first and second ceramic members is primarily horizontal.

In this embodiment, the first ceramic member is VC (short for Vitreous China). Examples of ceramic materials for the first ceramic member include porcelain materials, alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. The blending ratio of the materials constituting the first ceramic member is appropriately selected depending on the water absorption required for the first fired body 12. The first ceramic member primarily contains 55 to 75 parts by mass of silicon dioxide and 20 to 40 parts by mass of alumina. Because the first fired body 12 has a water-receiving surface 10a, it preferably has a relatively low water absorption rate (i.e., a water absorption rate lower than that of the second fired body 14). Having a relatively low water absorption rate for the first fired body 12 means that the shrinkage rate of the first ceramic member during firing is relatively high (i.e., higher than that of the second ceramic member).

In this embodiment, the second ceramic member is FC (short for Fire Clay) or FFC (short for Fine Fire Clay). Examples of ceramic materials for the second ceramic member include porcelain materials, alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. The compounding ratio of the materials constituting the second ceramic member is different from the compounding ratio of the materials constituting the first ceramic member. Specifically, the compounding ratio is adjusted so that the water absorption rate of the second fired body 14 is greater than that of the first fired body 12. The second ceramic member primarily contains 25 to 55 parts by mass of silicon dioxide and 40 to 70 parts by mass of alumina. A relatively high water absorption rate of the second fired body 14 means that the shrinkage rate of the second ceramic member during firing is relatively small (i.e., smaller than that of the first ceramic member).

Water absorption can be measured as follows: After firing, the test piece is dried at 100°C for at least 24 hours, and the mass of the test piece (i.e., dry mass) is measured. The test piece is then immersed in room temperature water for 24 hours, and the mass of the test piece (i.e., water-absorbed mass) is measured. The water absorption is then calculated using the formula "Water absorption (%) = {(water-absorbed mass - dry mass) / dry mass} x 100." Measurements are taken for three test pieces, and the average value is used as the measured value.

The shrinkage rate can be measured as follows: Before firing, the test specimen is dried at 40-50°C for at least 16 hours, and the dried body dimensions of the test specimen are measured. The test specimen is then fired at 1200-1300°C for 24 hours, and the fired body dimensions of the test specimen are measured. The shrinkage rate is then calculated using the formula "Shrinkage rate (%) = {(Dry body dimensions - Fired body dimensions) / Dry body dimensions} x 100." Measurements are taken for three test specimens, and the average value is used as the measured value.

The first ceramic member (i.e., VC) used to form the first fired body 12 shrinks relatively significantly during firing. This results in dense particles forming the first fired body 12, resulting in extremely low water absorption. Therefore, the first fired body 12 is suitable for applications requiring water. The second ceramic member (i.e., FC or FFC) used to form the second fired body 14 does not shrink significantly during firing. Therefore, for example, if a second ceramic member with a sharp shape is prepared, the second fired body 14 can be formed while maintaining that shape to some extent. This allows for the formation of a second fired body 14 with excellent design appeal. In a variant, the first fired body 12 may be FC or FFC, and the second fired body 14 may be VC.

The water absorption rates of the fired bodies 12 and 14 will now be described. The water absorption rate of the first fired body 12 is in the range of approximately 0% or more and approximately 1% or less. This range of water absorption rate is suitable for applications that require the body to receive water. In a modified example, the water absorption rate of the first fired body 12 may be greater than 1%. The water absorption rate of the second fired body 14 is in the range of approximately 5% or more and approximately 20% or less. This range of water absorption rate is less likely to change shape before and after firing, making it suitable for applications that require a design element. The water absorption rate of the second fired body 14 is preferably in the range of approximately 5% or more and approximately 15% or less, and more preferably in the range of approximately 10% or more and approximately 15% or less. In a modified example, the water absorption rate of the second fired body 14 may be less than 5% or greater than 20%.

(Method of manufacturing the sanitary equipment component 10: FIG. 3)
A manufacturing method of the sanitary facility component 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . First, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 3 , a first ceramic component 22 and a second ceramic component 24 are prepared. Each ceramic component 22, 24 is molded as follows. The ceramic material of each ceramic component 22, 24 is as described above. Raw materials for each ceramic component 22, 24 include feldspar, pottery stone, kaolin, clay, alumina, silica stone, etc. A predetermined amount of water is added to a mixture of the raw materials in a first predetermined ratio, and the mixture is then pulverized using a ball mill or the like to prepare a green slurry for the first ceramic component 22. A predetermined amount of water is added to a mixture of the raw materials in a second predetermined ratio different from the first predetermined ratio, and the mixture is then pulverized using a ball mill or the like to prepare a green slurry for the second ceramic component 24. The green slurry for the first ceramic component 22 is then sealed in a first mold, and the first ceramic component 22 is molded. The green slurry for the second ceramic member 24 is sealed in a second mold to form the second ceramic member 24. Then, each of the ceramic members 22 and 24 is dried at 45 to 50°C.

Next, an adhesive is applied to the inner surface d1 of the side wall 22b of the first ceramic member 22, and an adhesive is applied to the upper surface d3 of the side wall 22b of the first ceramic member 22. The adhesive may be, for example, glaze, ceramic material, glass material, low-melting-point frit, or metal brazing material. The first ceramic member 22 is then placed on the baking tray 26. An adhesive is applied to the outer surface d2 of the inner wall 24a of the second ceramic member 24, and an adhesive is applied to the lower surface d4 of the upper wall 24b of the second ceramic member 24. The second ceramic member 24 is then placed on the first ceramic member 22 so that the inner wall 24a and outer wall 24c of the second ceramic member 24 sandwich the side wall 22b of the first ceramic member 22.

The first ceramic member 22 and the second ceramic member 24 are then fired simultaneously. As a result, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 3, the first fired body 12 is formed from the first ceramic member 22, and the second fired body 14 is formed from the second ceramic member 24. During this process, the first and second ceramic members 22, 24 each shrink in the horizontal and vertical directions. The first ceramic member 22 shrinks more than the second ceramic member 24. As a result, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 come into contact with each other.

Specifically, as the first ceramic member 22 contracts horizontally inward, the first abutment surface c1 of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12, which corresponds to the inner surface d1 of the side wall 22b of the first ceramic member 22, abuts against the second abutment surface c2 of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14, which corresponds to the outer surface d2 of the inner wall 24a of the second ceramic member 24. In other words, the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 and the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 fit together. This secures the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 to each other. Furthermore, the adhesive applied to the inner surface d1 and the outer surface d2 bonds the first abutment surface c1 and the second abutment surface c2 to each other. Therefore, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are firmly secured to each other.

Furthermore, the third abutment surface c3 of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12, which corresponds to the upper surface d3 of the side wall 22b of the first ceramic member 22, abuts against the fourth abutment surface c4 of the upper wall 14b of the second fired body 14, which corresponds to the lower surface d4 of the upper wall 24b of the second ceramic member 24. The third abutment surface c3 and the fourth abutment surface c4 are bonded together by the adhesive applied to the upper surface d3 and the lower surface d4. Therefore, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are firmly fixed to each other. In this manner, the sanitary equipment member 10 is manufactured.

In particular, in this embodiment, the first abutment surface c1 and the third abutment surface c3 are orthogonal, and the second abutment surface c2 and the fourth abutment surface c4 are orthogonal. By adopting a configuration in which two abutment surfaces are orthogonal in this manner, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 can be more firmly fixed together than in a configuration in which the two abutment surfaces are not orthogonal. In a modified example, the first abutment surface c1 and the third abutment surface c3 do not have to be orthogonal, and the second abutment surface c2 and the fourth abutment surface c4 do not have to be orthogonal. Furthermore, the first abutment surface c1 and the third abutment surface c3 are continuous, and the second abutment surface c2 and the fourth abutment surface c4 are continuous. In this way, when a configuration in which the two abutment surfaces are continuous is adopted, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 can be more firmly fixed together than when the two abutment surfaces are not continuous. In a modified example, the first abutment surface c1 and the third abutment surface c3 do not have to be continuous, and the second abutment surface c2 and the fourth abutment surface c4 do not have to be continuous.

Consider a comparative example in which the first and second ceramic members are not interlocked during firing. Specifically, consider a first comparative example in which the first and second ceramic members are fired separately, and a second comparative example in which the first and second ceramic members are fired simultaneously. In the first comparative example, the first and second ceramic members are fired separately, and then an adhesive is applied between the fired bodies to bond them together. In the first comparative example, two firings are required to form each fired body. In the second comparative example, the first and second ceramic members, which have a structure that does not interlock during firing, are fired simultaneously with an adhesive applied between them. In this case, only one firing is required to form each fired body. However, due to differences in shrinkage between the ceramic members during firing, distortion and cracks occur at the joining surfaces of the ceramic members, resulting in reduced adhesive strength.

In this embodiment, the ceramic members 22, 24 are fired simultaneously, so only one firing is required to form the fired bodies 12, 14. The ceramic members 22, 24 then fit together during firing. That is, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 fit together. As a result, even if distortion or cracks occur at the joining surfaces of the ceramic members 22, 24, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are firmly fixed to each other.

(Correspondence)
The horizontal direction and the vertical direction are examples of the "first direction" and the "second direction", respectively. The inward and outward sides in the horizontal direction are examples of the "first side" and the "second side", respectively. The downward and upward sides in the vertical direction are examples of the "third side" and the "fourth side", respectively. The side wall 12b of the first fired body 12, and the inner wall 14a and outer wall 14c of the second fired body 14 are examples of the "first wall", "second wall", and "third wall", respectively.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, second to twelfth embodiments of the sanitary equipment component 10, which is a Western-style toilet having a structure different from that of the first embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 14. In Figures 4 to 14, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are basically used. In particular, the contact surfaces that contact inward and outward in the horizontal direction are represented by reference numerals c1 and c2, and the contact surfaces that contact upward and downward in the vertical direction are represented by reference numerals c3 and c4.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 protrudes inward. The first abutment surface c1 is located in this protruding portion.

(Third embodiment)
5, in the third embodiment, the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 has a step extending outward in its middle portion. In this case, the upper surface of the step portion of the side wall 12b is the third abutment surface c3, and the lower surface of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 is the fourth abutment surface c4. In particular, in this embodiment, the innermost surface of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 and the inner surface of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 are located on the same plane. With this configuration, no step is formed on the water receiving surface 10a side, making it easy for the user to clean.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the upper end of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 protrudes inward. The lower end of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 protrudes outward. The fifth abutment surface c5 of the side wall 12b abuts against the sixth abutment surface c6 of the inner wall 14a. With this configuration, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 can be more firmly fixed to each other than in the configuration in which they abut at two points (e.g., the first embodiment).

Fifth Embodiment
7, in the fifth embodiment, the upper end of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 protrudes inward. The protruding portion can prevent water from splashing from the water receiving surface 10a.

Sixth Embodiment
In the sixth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 includes a portion extending straight upward from the bottom wall 12a and a first branch portion branching outward from the portion. The outer wall 14c of the second fired body 14 includes a portion extending straight downward from its upper end and a second branch portion branching inward from the portion. The first abutment surface c1 of the first branch portion abuts against the second abutment surface c2 of the second branch portion. The third abutment surface c3 of the first branch portion abuts against the fourth abutment surface c4 of the second branch portion.

Seventh Embodiment
In the seventh embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are fitted together at the lower end of the sanitary equipment member 10. The bottom wall 12a of the first fired body 12 has a portion that protrudes downward. The second fired body 14 has a lower wall 14d that extends inward from the lower end of the outer wall 14c. A first abutment surface c1 of the protruding portion of the bottom wall 12a abuts against a second abutment surface c2 of the lower wall 14d. A third abutment surface c3 of the protruding portion of the bottom wall 12a abuts against a fourth abutment surface c4 of the lower wall 14d.

Eighth Embodiment
In the eighth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, the first fired body 12 includes an upper wall 12c extending outward from the upper end of the side wall 12b. The outer end of the upper wall 12c protrudes downward. A first abutment surface c1 of the upper wall 12c abuts against a second abutment surface c2 of the outer wall 14c. A third abutment surface c3 of the upper wall 12c abuts against a fourth abutment surface c4 of the outer wall 14c.

Ninth Embodiment
In the ninth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 have a structure in which their upper ends fit together in addition to the structure of the eighth embodiment (i.e., FIG. 10).

Tenth Embodiment
In the tenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 have the same structure as the eighth embodiment (i.e., FIG. 10), and the outermost side surfaces of the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are positioned on the same plane.

Eleventh Embodiment
In the eleventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the structure of the tenth embodiment (i.e., FIG. 12), the second sintered body 14 has a first thickness in the portion sandwiched between the first sintered bodies 12, and a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the portion not sandwiched between the first sintered bodies 12.

Twelfth Embodiment
In the twelfth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, in addition to the structure of the eleventh embodiment (i.e., Fig. 13), the second fired body 14 is configured to sandwich the first fired body 12 at its upper part. The top surfaces of the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are located on the same plane.

Thirteenth Embodiment
15 and 16, a sanitary equipment component 30 according to a thirteenth embodiment will be described. The sanitary equipment component 30 is a washbasin instead of the Western-style toilet bowl of the first embodiment. The sanitary equipment component 30 includes a water receiving surface 30a, a design surface 30b, a drain port 30c, and a water supply port 30d.

As shown in FIG. 16, the first fired body 12 has a bottom wall 12a and a side wall 12b. The side wall 12b has a step extending outward. The second fired body 14 has an inner wall 14a and an upper wall 14b. The inner surface of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 and the inner surface of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 are located on the same plane. With this configuration, there is no step on the water receiving surface 30a side, making cleaning easy for the user. The first abutment surface c1 of the side wall 12b abuts against the second abutment surface c2 of the inner wall 14a. The third abutment surface c3 of the side wall 12b abuts against the fourth abutment surface c4 of the inner wall 14a.

(Fourteenth embodiment)
Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 17 to 29, fourteenth to twenty-sixth embodiments of a sanitary facility component 30, which is a washbasin having a structure different from that of the first embodiment, will be described. In Figures 17 to 29, the same reference numerals as those in the thirteenth embodiment are basically used. In particular, the contact surfaces that contact inward and outward in the horizontal direction are represented by reference numerals c1 and c2, and the contact surfaces that contact upward and downward in the vertical direction are represented by reference numerals c3 and c4.

In the fourteenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 does not have a step.

Fifteenth Embodiment
18, in the fifteenth embodiment, the upper end of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 protrudes inward. The first contact surface c1 is located on the protruding portion.

Sixteenth Embodiment
19 , in the sixteenth embodiment, the upper end of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12 protrudes inward. The lower end of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 protrudes outward. The fifth abutment surface c5 of the side wall 12b abuts against the sixth abutment surface c6 of the inner wall 14a. With this configuration, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 can be more firmly fixed to each other than in a configuration in which they abut at two points (e.g., the thirteenth embodiment).

Seventeenth Embodiment
20, in the seventeenth embodiment, the upper end of the inner wall 14a of the second fired body 14 protrudes inward. The protruding portion can prevent water from splashing from the water receiving surface 10a.

(18th embodiment)
In the eighteenth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21, the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 fit together at the lower end of the sanitary equipment member 30. The first fired body 12 further includes a side wall 12g located outside the side wall 12b. The second fired body 14 further includes an outer wall 14c extending downward from the upper wall 14b. The outer wall 14c has a step extending inward. A first abutment surface c1 of the side wall 12g abuts against a second abutment surface c2 of the outer wall 14c. A third abutment surface c3 of the side wall 12g abuts against a fourth abutment surface c4 of the outer wall 14c.

Nineteenth Embodiment
In the nineteenth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 22, the bottom wall 12a of the first fired body 12 protrudes downward. The second fired body 14 further includes a lower wall 14d extending inward from the lower end of the outer wall 14c. The inner end of the lower wall 14d protrudes upward. A first abutment surface c1 of the protruding portion of the bottom wall 12a abuts against a second abutment surface c2 of the protruding portion of the lower wall 14d. A third abutment surface c3 of the bottom wall 12a abuts against a fourth abutment surface c4 of the protruding portion of the lower wall 14d.

Twentieth Embodiment
In the twentieth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23 , a plurality of (two in this embodiment) recesses 12d are formed on the upper surface of the side wall 12b of the first fired body 12. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) protrusions 14e are formed on the lower surface of the upper wall 14b of the second fired body 14. Before firing, each recess 12d of the first ceramic member is larger than each protrusion 14e of the second ceramic member. Therefore, each protrusion 14e can be inserted into each recess 12d. The first and second ceramic members are fired with each protrusion 14e inserted into each recess 12d. During this process, the first ceramic member shrinks significantly, causing each recess 12d to become smaller. As a result, each protrusion 14e is tightly fitted into each recess 12d. In this embodiment, the surface that defines each depression 12d of the first fired body 12 is an example of a “first contact surface,” and the surface that defines each protrusion 14e of the second fired body 14 is an example of a “second contact surface.” A structure similar to that of this embodiment may also be adopted for a toilet bowl.

Twenty-first embodiment
In the twenty-first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24 , the first fired body 12 further includes an upper wall 12e extending outward from the upper end of the side wall 12b and a side wall 12f extending downward from the outer end of the upper wall 12e. The second fired body 14 further includes an outer wall 14c extending downward from the inner end of the upper wall 14b, a lower wall 14f extending inward from the lower end of the outer wall 14c, and an inner wall 14g extending upward from the inner end of the lower wall 14f. The side wall 12f is sandwiched between the outer wall 14c and the inner wall 14g. A first abutment surface c1 of the side wall 12f abuts against a second abutment surface c2 of the inner wall 14g. A third abutment surface c3 of the upper wall 12e abuts against a fourth abutment surface c4 of the inner wall 14g.

Twenty-second embodiment
25, the second fired body 14 is formed only by the outer wall 14c. The first contact surface c1 of the side wall 12f contacts the second contact surface c2 of the outer wall 14c. The third contact surface c3 of the upper wall 12e contacts the fourth contact surface c4 of the outer wall 14c.

Twenty-third embodiment
In the 23rd embodiment, as shown in Figure 26, the first sintered body 12 and the second sintered body 14 have the same structure as the 22nd embodiment (i.e., Figure 25), with the outermost side surface of the first sintered body 12 and the outermost side surface of the second sintered body 14 being positioned on the same plane.

Twenty-fourth embodiment
In the 24th embodiment, as shown in Figure 27, in addition to the structure of the 23rd embodiment (i.e., Figure 26), the second sintered body 14 has a first thickness in the portion sandwiched between the first sintered bodies 12, and a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the portion not sandwiched between the first sintered bodies 12.

Twenty-fifth embodiment
In the 25th embodiment, as shown in Fig. 28, in addition to the structure of the 24th embodiment (i.e., Fig. 27), the second fired body 14 is configured to sandwich the first fired body 12 at its upper part. The top surfaces of the first fired body 12 and the second fired body 14 are located on the same plane.

Twenty-sixth embodiment
In the 26th embodiment, as shown in Figure 29, the first sintered body 12 and the second sintered body 14 have a structure in which their upper ends fit together in addition to the structure of the 22nd embodiment (i.e., Figure 25).

Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above.

The technical elements described in this specification and drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations set forth in the claims at the time of filing. The technology illustrated in this specification and drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

10, 30: Sanitary equipment component, 10a, 30a: Water receiving surface, 10b, 30b: Design surface, 12: First fired body, 12a: Bottom wall, 12b: Side wall, 14: Second fired body, 14a: Inner wall, 14b: Upper wall, 14c: Outer wall, 22: First ceramic component, 24: Second ceramic component, c1: First contact surface, c2: Second contact surface, c3: Third contact surface, c4: Fourth contact surface, d1: Inner surface, d2: Outer surface, d3: Upper surface, d4: Lower surface

Claims (11)

A sanitary equipment component,
A first fired body;
A second fired body,
The water absorption rate of the first fired body is smaller than the water absorption rate of the second fired body,
the first fired body includes a water receiving surface for receiving water and a first contact surface that contacts the second contact surface of the second fired body;
The second fired body has a design surface that constitutes the appearance of the sanitary equipment member and a second contact surface that contacts the first contact surface of the first fired body,
the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface abut against each other, whereby the first fired body and the second fired body are fixed to each other;
the first abutment surface is a surface on a first side in a direction,
the second abutment surface is a second side surface on the second side in the direction opposite to the first side,
The sanitary equipment member , wherein the direction is a direction in which the first member shrinks during firing to form the first fired body from the first member . the first fired body further includes a third abutment surface that abuts against the fourth abutment surface of the second fired body;
The sanitary fixture member according to claim 1 , wherein the second fired body further comprises a fourth abutment surface that abuts against the third abutment surface of the first fired body. the first contact surface and the third contact surface are perpendicular to each other,
3. The sanitary fitting according to claim 2 , wherein the second abutment surface and the fourth abutment surface are orthogonal to each other. the first contact surface and the third contact surface are continuous,
4. The sanitary fitting according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the second abutment surface and the fourth abutment surface are continuous. the first contact surface is a surface on a first side in a first direction,
the second contact surface is a second side surface that is on a second side in the first direction and is opposite to the first side,
the first direction is a direction in which the first member contracts during firing to form the first fired body from the first member;
the third contact surface is a surface on a third side in a second direction different from the first direction,
The sanitary equipment member according to claim 2 , wherein the fourth abutment surface is a fourth side surface in the second direction, the fourth side surface being opposite to the third side. the first direction is a horizontal direction;
6. The sanitary fitting according to claim 5 , wherein the second direction is a vertical direction. The first fired body further comprises:
a first wall having the first abutment surface;
The second fired body further comprises:
a second wall having the second abutment surface;
The sanitary equipment member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising: a third wall that sandwiches the first wall together with the second wall. 8. The sanitary fitting of claim 7 , wherein there is an air gap between the first wall and the third wall. The water absorption rate of the first fired body is in the range of 0% or more and 1% or less,
The sanitary equipment member according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the water absorption rate of the second fired body is in the range of 5% or more and 20% or less. The sanitary fixture member according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , further comprising an adhesive between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface. A method for manufacturing a sanitary equipment component, comprising:
Preparing a first member and a second member having a shrinkage rate during firing that is smaller than that of the first member;
and forming a first fired body from the first member and a second fired body from the second member by firing the first member and the second member;
The method comprises the steps of: the first member shrinking more than the second member during firing, causing the first fired body and the second fired body to abut against each other, thereby fixing the first fired body and the second fired body to each other.