CN113491467B

CN113491467B - Drying apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN113491467B
Application number: CN202011630015.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘炫善; 李昇烨; 李相允; 吴炳秀; 全炫柱; 千索拉; 尹志先
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2020-03-19
Filing date: 2020-12-31
Publication date: 2023-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-31
Also published as: CN113491466A; CN113491463B; KR20210117880A; CN113491465B; EP3910264B1; KR20210117881A; KR20210117875A; KR20210117886A; CN113491464B; KR20210117876A; KR20210117885A; EP3910264A1; KR20210117882A; KR20210117878A; KR20210117883A; CN113491464A; KR20210117879A; KR20210117884A; CN113491463A; CN113491467A

Abstract

The present invention provides a drying device, comprising: a main body; an air inlet formed at the main body; a flow generator receiving intake air from the air inlet and generating an air flow; an air outlet provided at the main body, discharging an air flow coming out of the flow generator, and extending in height in a vertical direction of the main body; an outlet air flow turning mechanism which is provided at a position corresponding to the air outlet and adjusts a discharge direction range of the air flow from the air outlet; and a controller that controls the action of the outlet air flow steering mechanism.

Description

Drying apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drying apparatus and a drying method, and more particularly, to an apparatus for drying a human body or a part of a human body, but not limited to a human body.

Background

In this specification, if a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or a combination thereof was published, known to the public at the priority date, part of common general knowledge, or formed prior art under applicable legal provisions, or was known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Regular showering or bathing is a common activity in modern society. Shower stalls are used everyday in many cultural circles. For example, in the case of certain sports performed during the day, it may be possible to wash more than once a day.

The human body is wet from showering or sweating. To prevent bacteria or mold from growing on a person's body, it is important for the health of the person to remove the water and keep it dry.

In a suitable environment, a certain degree of moisture may evaporate by itself, but most people are convenient and comfortable, actively wiping the body after bathing or exercising. Although wiping with a towel is not an easy way to remove water from the body, drying it may take time, especially for the foot part, in order to effectively prevent bacteria or mold, and such parts may not be dried sufficiently. The hair can be troublesome when towel drying, especially for persons with long hair.

In addition to the problems when using towels to dry a person's body as desired, the number and frequency of use of the towels used means that the towels occupy a considerable proportion of the total wash load. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the case where the towel is used only once in a gymnasium, hotel, etc.

The energy consumption for washing the towel is high, and the consumption of clean water also becomes a problem from the viewpoint of environmental protection. Depletion of fresh water resources is considered to be a ubiquitous problem in a wide range of regions of the world. The number of towels washed and the frequency of general washing will consume a considerable amount of water resources.

In order to solve the problems as described above, a body dryer is disclosed, for example, in korean patent laid-open publication No. 10-0948030 (patent document 1) and korean patent laid-open publication No. 10-1749344 (patent document 2). In using these body dryers, if the user stands on the foot plate, air for drying the body is supplied to the user's feet or lower body, so that water on the body can be removed without using a towel. However, the

patent documents

1 and 2 have a problem that dryness cannot be provided to the whole body of the user.

In order to overcome such a problem, korean granted utility model patent No. 20-0328270 (patent document 3) was proposed. Wherein a space for accommodating the whole body of the user is provided and the drying is performed by injecting high temperature air to the whole body. However, since the forced air flow is provided regardless of the physical characteristics of the user, there is a problem in that the drying efficiency is low.

In particular, since the forced air flow is not supplied differently according to the body type of the user but is supplied constantly as a whole, there is a problem that the drying state is not constant, such as a region dried excessively and insufficiently.

It is an object to solve or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned problems by providing a drying apparatus that gives at least useful countermeasures to the public.

While certain aspects of the prior art have been discussed for purposes of illustration, applicant does not negate such aspects and so consider that this application includes or has one or more of the prior art aspects discussed herein.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems by providing a device and method that not only improves health and hygiene, but also has a positive impact on the environment. For example, the apparatus and methods of the present invention provide efficient and effective drying of a human body or a localized portion of a human body, thereby reducing or eliminating reliance on towels.

The object of the present invention is to provide a forced airflow in consideration of the physical characteristics of a user when drying a human body.

The aim of the invention is to determine the lateral extent of the body of a person and to provide a forced air flow in accordance therewith.

The present invention should be understood to include any and all combinations of features, compositions and/or steps described herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, and the invention is not limited to such features, compositions and/or steps, including the content of the appended claims.

The present invention provides a drying device, comprising: the method comprises the following steps: a main body; an air inlet formed at the main body; a flow generator receiving intake air from the air inlet and generating an air flow; an air outlet provided at the main body, discharging the air flow coming out of the flow generator, and extending in height along a vertical direction of the main body; an outlet air flow turning mechanism provided at a position corresponding to the air outlet, and adjusting a discharge direction range of the air flow from the air outlet; and a controller controlling the action of the outlet air flow steering mechanism.

The term "and/or" as used herein means "and" or both.

The terms "a" and "an" as used herein mean one or more than one of the plural unless explicitly defined as such.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" should be interpreted as a generic term for various synthetic or semi-synthetic polymeric formations, which include hydrocarbon polymers.

For purposes of this specification, if method steps are described as sequential, that order is not to be construed as a requirement that the steps be necessarily sequential or chronological, unless the order is otherwise logically or expressly stated.

Numerous variations, widely differing embodiments and other applications of the inventive concept will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

Other aspects of the embodiments of the invention are merely exemplary and will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drying device of the present invention provides one or more of the following effects.

In the present invention, the air outlet is provided around the edge of the drying surface of the main body, and the rod moving up and down along the main body can also supply air for drying, so that the target part can be accurately dried while drying the entire body of the user.

In the present invention, a thermoelectric device may be used to regulate the temperature of the forced air flow exiting the body and stem. Therefore, the forced air flow of an appropriate temperature is supplied according to the state of the water on the user's body, so that drying can be appropriately performed.

Also, in the present invention, by using the outlet air flow turning mechanism for adjusting the lateral direction range of the air flow coming out of the air outlet, the air for drying can be supplied in conformity with the lateral direction range of the user's body. Therefore, the air discharged through the air outlet can be used more effectively for drying.

In particular, in the present invention, in order to supply the forced air flow separately to the upper body and the lower body of the user, the drying apparatus main body is divided into the upper region and the lower region, the outlet air flow turning mechanism is additionally provided in the upper region and the lower region, and the side direction range of the forced air flow discharged by the outlet air flow turning mechanism is adjusted differently, thereby providing the forced air flow. With the structure as described above, air for drying can be supplied in conformity with the physical characteristics of the user, so that drying can be performed efficiently.

Drawings

The objects and features of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the drawings and claims that follow. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals denote like parts.

Preferred embodiments or modes of the invention are described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the drying apparatus of the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating the drying apparatus of the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an upper region of the drying device of the embodiment shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an internal element of a part of the upper region of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the flow of air through the internal elements in the upper region of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of air through the internal elements of the upper area from another direction.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the connection between the main body flow generator and the first air outlet in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9A is a diagram showing a connection between the main body flow generator and the first air outlet in another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9B is a rear perspective view illustrating a connection between one of the body flow generators of fig. 9A and the first air outlet.

Fig. 10 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the first air outlet taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A' of fig. 3.

Fig. 11A is a perspective view of the drying apparatus of fig. 1 with the lever in a first position.

Fig. 11B is a perspective view of the drying apparatus of fig. 1 with the lever in a second position.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view showing a driving device for a drying device in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12B is a perspective view showing an enlarged area a of fig. 12A.

Fig. 12C is a bottom view of fig. 12B.

Fig. 12D is an exploded perspective view showing a fixing mechanism of a lever of the drying device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a drying apparatus including a chasing bar in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14A illustrates a perspective view of a driving apparatus for a drying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14B is an enlarged view illustrating a portion B of fig. 14A.

Fig. 14C is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part of fig. 14B.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective view showing a lever of the drying apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a bottom perspective view showing the lever of fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a rear perspective view showing a lever according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a partial perspective view of various portions of the interior of the rod shown in fig. 15-17 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of various portions of the lever shown in fig. 15-17 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 and 21 are diagrams showing exemplary paths of forced air flow discharged from the rod according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the drying apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart for controlling the temperature-humidity index (THI) using a controller according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart for controlling the Wind speed Cooling Index (Wind-Chill Index) using the controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 25A and 25B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a user is dried using a lever of a drying device of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a flow chart of the controller implementing drying for the user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an upper region of the drying device showing the disassembly of the filter unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 28 is another exploded perspective view of the filter unit of fig. 27 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a front view showing the air inlet and inlet path of the body flow generator housing of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 30 is a partially exploded perspective view of the air inlet of fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a front perspective view of an upper region of a drying apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of fig. 32.

FIG. 34 is a diagram of the air duct assembly shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing components of a drying device main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 36A to 36C are diagrams showing examples of front profiles of three different users.

Fig. 37A to 37C are diagrams illustrating three exemplary flows of drying air that can be discharged by the drying device according to the physical characteristics of the user shown in fig. 36A to 36C.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the drying device of fig. 38 in another direction.

Fig. 40 is a partially enlarged view of the drying device of fig. 38.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an outlet air flow diversion mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 42 is a diagram illustrating the direction of forced airflow out of a drying appliance having the outlet air flow diverter mechanism package shown in fig. 38-39.

Fig. 43A and 43B are diagrams showing an upper region and a lower region of the drying apparatus in relation to the body of the user in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 44 is a front view of the drying apparatus shown in fig. 38.

Fig. 45 is a front view of a drying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 46 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a drying device of the embodiment of the present invention.

Description of reference numerals

10: a drying device; 11: a drive device; 14: drying the noodles; 40: a lead screw; 41, 42: a nut; 44: a bracket assembly; 45: a guide member; 46: a guide rail; 53: a controller; 58: a memory; 100: a main body; 101: a first air outlet; 102: an air inlet; 103: a main body flow generator housing; 104: a filter unit; 106, 107, 108: air flow arrows; 110: a bulk flow generator; 111: an inlet filter; 113: a particulate filter; 114: a virus filter; 115: a moisture removal filter; 116: a flow guide; 117: a thermoelectric device; 118: a first side; 119: a second face; 120: a resistance heater; 121, 122: an air duct; 123: an outlet duct; 124: an upper region; 125: a common opening; 126: a vent; 127: a fin; 128: an air opening; 129: a lower region; 130: an exhaust port; 140: a rear panel; 142: a side panel; 144: a front panel; 200: a rod; 201: a second air outlet; 202: an air inlet; 203: an air inlet; 204: a rod flow generator; 205: an air inlet; 206: a shield; 207: an air conduit; 208: a middle outlet; 209: a sensor; 220: a motor; 230: a cover; 400: a foot support portion.

Detailed Description

One or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the contents shown in the drawings as examples.

Drying devices may be provided for various other uses. At least in a primary application, the drying apparatus may be a dryer for drying a person's body after bathing or showering. The drying device can be used as an aid after drying with towels or in a number of preferred ways instead of drying with towels. By using the drying device as a body dryer, the body can be dried by one or more forced airflows of the drying device.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 2 is a side view of the drying apparatus, and fig. 3 is a front view of the drying apparatus.

Referring to fig. 1, the drying apparatus 10 may include a main body 100 and a lever 200. Although the term "bar" is used, the term "bar" should not be construed as limited to a bar shape and may have various shapes depending on design criteria or desired results. The lever 200 is movable relative to the body 100 by a drive means, which is described in more detail herein.

The drying appliance 10 may be sized to correspond to body dimensions. For example, among the structural elements of the drying apparatus shown in fig. 1, the width of the drying apparatus 10, particularly the main body 100, may be proportional to the width of the body, so as to be able to transmit a forced airflow across the body.

The forced air flow may be provided through a first air outlet 101 disposed along an edge of the main body 100. The forced air flow may also be provided through a second air outlet 201 provided in the wand 200. Unlike the first air outlet 101 which is fixed in position on the main body 100, the second air outlet 201 can provide a forced air flow to various parts of the body as the lever 200 moves up and down along the length L1 of the main body 100 in the lengthwise direction.

The body 100 may define a drying side or surface 14 adjacent to where a user is positioned for drying with the drying appliance 10. The drying surface 14 may be defined as the surface or plane in which the drying apparatus 10 provides a forced airflow through the first air outlet 101 and/or the second air outlet 201. For example, fig. 2 is a side view, and fig. 3 is a front view of the drying surface 14.

For example, when the drying apparatus 10 is provided in a limited space such as a bathroom, it is preferable that the drying apparatus 10 occupy a minimum amount of space and be aesthetically pleasing. To this end, as shown in the side view of fig. 2, the portion of the main body 100 including the drying surface 14 may be relatively less protruded. Just because of this less bulging, a thin and elegant shape can be provided.

In order to realize the thin and beautiful shape as described above, an internal structural element of at least a portion of the main body having a large volume may be disposed in an upper region (a periphery of the air inlet 102 shown in fig. 2) of the main body 100 so as not to prevent a portion having the drying surface 14 from being less protruded. The upper region of the body 100 may be located at or above the head of the user. The upper region may include bulky elements such as bulk flow generators, thermoelectric devices, flow guides, and the like. In other embodiments, the internal structural elements of the main body 100 may be provided at an upper region of the main body and disposed toward a lower region of the main body 100 to minimize the thickness.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of an exemplary upper region of the body 100. In particular, in fig. 4, the front cover of the upper region is removed, thereby exposing the outlet of one 116 of the two flow guides 116 adjacent to the filter unit 104. Although the other air flow guide 116 cannot be seen in fig. 4, it is disposed on the other side of fig. 4. The filter unit 104 may be disposed in a space in the center of the body and on the opposite side or the same side as the flow guide 116. The filter unit 104 may or may not be replaceable. The front cover (not shown in fig. 4) can be detached in order to replace the old filter unit 104 with a new one. Fig. 5 shows the body flow generator housing 103 removed to expose several internal structural elements of the upper region of the body 100 shown in fig. 4.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5 together, the upper region of the body 100 may include: a pair of bulk flow generators 110, a pair of flow guides 116, a pair of thermoelectric devices 117 (which may include, for example, thermoelectric modules, thermoelectric coolers, or other suitable devices), a pair of air inlets 102, the filter unit 104, and a bulk flow generator housing 103 that encloses these internal structural elements. In one embodiment, a device employing a thermoelectric effect, such as the Peltier effect, i.e. a thermoelectric device, is used, and in another embodiment, may include an air conditioning or heat pump system using a pump, compressor, evaporator, resistive heating element, combustion, or other chemical reaction for controlling temperature. However, other forms of air conditioning devices may be used. According to one approach, the upper region may be considered an air conditioning system of the main body 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of bulk flow generators 110 are used. In other embodiments, only one bulk flow generator may be used or more bulk flow generators may be used. The bulk flow generator may be an axial fan or similar fan. In embodiments including a plurality of body flow generators, the plurality of body flow generators may cooperate to produce a uniform air flow to the body 100. Embodiments may also be included in which independent air flows are generated to the main body 100 so that the strength of the air flows at various portions of the main body 100 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, with the operation of the pair of body flow generators 110, the external air can flow into the body flow generator case 103 through the pair of air inlets 102. The pair of air inlets 102 are inlets for supplying external air to the main body 100.

As shown in fig. 5, each body flow generator 110 has its own air inlet 102. However, the pair of body flow generators 110 may share one air inlet 102. Differently, the pair of main body flow generators may also share more than two air inlets.

Air entering the air inlet 102 is guided by respective flow guides 116 located between the air inlet 102 and the filter unit 104. In the present embodiment, a portion of each flow guide 116 may define an outlet air flow path 105 (refer to fig. 7), and the outlet air flow path 105 may become a portion of a flow path along which purified air flows from the filter unit 104 to each body flow generator 110. More details regarding the flow path including the outlet air flow path 105 will be described together with the description of fig. 6 and 7.

Since it is described as including a pair of flow guides 116 in the present embodiment, the following description for one flow guide 116 is equally applicable to the other flow guide 116 of the pair of flow guides 116. As shown in fig. 5, each flow guide 116 may be formed in a curved shape. One side end of each flow guide 116 is connected to each air inlet 102, and the other side end is open to the upstream side of the filter unit 104. The body of each flow guide 116 includes a curved inner surface and a curved outer surface. The curved inner surface faces the outlet air flow path 105 and forms part of the flow path between the downstream side of the filter unit 104 and each of the body flow generators 110.

Thereby, each flow guide 116 forms a flow path between each air inlet 102 and an upstream portion of the filter unit 104. Also, at least a portion of each flow guide 116 forms a wall of the flow path between the downstream side of the filter unit 104 and each bulk flow generator 110. In such a configuration, each flow guide 116 may guide air entering through each air inlet 102 and convey the air toward the filter unit 104. The air having passed through the filter unit 104 may be delivered to the outlet air flow path 105, and under the action of the main body flow generator 110, the air is delivered to the first air outlet 101 via the outlet air flow path 105.

In the above structure, each flow guide 116 may function to separate the inlet side and the outlet side of the filter unit 104. Each flow guide 116 may also function to separate cleaned air flowing toward the body flow generator 110 from air entering from the air inlet 102.

In another structure, the flow guide 116 does not necessarily have both a function of guiding the sucked air to the filter unit 104 and a function of guiding the purified air between the main body flow generator and the filter unit outlet. For example, the air inlet 102, the flow guide 116, the filter unit 104, and the body flow generator 110 may be disposed in a row or consecutively adjacent to each other. Wherein each flow guide 116 may only convey air between the air inlet 102 and the filter unit 104.

A pair of thermoelectric devices (thermoelectric devices) 117 may be included in an upper region of the body 100. Each thermoelectric device 117 may be, for example, a semiconductor device that heats or cools air using the peltier effect. In another embodiment, other forms of known thermal elements such as heaters, coolers, or combinations thereof may be used. For example, a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser may be used to provide cooling and/or heating of the air. In other embodiments, a resistive heater may be used to provide heating of the air.

A pair of thermoelectric devices 117 is provided in this embodiment. The following description is for one thermoelectric device 117, and the description applies equally to the other thermoelectric device. Each thermoelectric device 117 has a first side 118 and a second side 119. Depending on the direction of the current supplied to the thermoelectric device 117, one side thereof may be cooled or heated, and conversely, the other side may be heated or cooled. For example, the second side (i.e., inner surface) 119 is heated while the first side (i.e., outer surface) 118 is cooled. Conversely, when the first side 118 is heated, the second side 119 is cooled.

Each thermoelectric device 117 may heat or cool air passing through the filter unit 104 at the outlet air flow path 105 (see fig. 7). To facilitate heating or cooling, the second face 119 of the thermoelectric device 117 may be exposed to the outlet air flow path 105. The second face 119 may heat or cool the air flowing through the outlet air flow path 105 depending on the mode of operation of the thermoelectric device 117. The heated or cooled air may be drawn into each body flow generator 110.

The processor may control the direction of current flowing to thermoelectric device 117. For example, a voltage source connected to the thermoelectric device 117 may be connected to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The a/D converter may generate a positive or negative value for controlling the voltage, whereby the current flows to the thermoelectric device 117. In other embodiments, half of the output value of the a/D converter may correspond to negative current and half to positive current.

When the thermoelectric device 117 is used in a drying device, the exhaust port 130 may be located at an upper region of the body 100. Fig. 5 illustrates a pair of exhaust ports 130 associated with a pair of thermoelectric devices 117 included in an upper region of the body 100. Each of the air vents 130 may be coupled to the first side 118 of each of the thermoelectric devices 117. One or more exhaust ports 130 may be located in an upper region of the body.

When the thermoelectric device 117 operates as a heater, relatively cool discharge air may be discharged to the outside of the drying device 10 through the respective air outlet 130. When the thermoelectric device 117 is operating as a cooler, relatively hot exhaust air may be exhausted through the exhaust port 130.

Fig. 6 illustrates the flow of air through the upper region portion of the body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is another illustration of the flow of air through the upper region portion of the body 100. The flow of air through the structural elements of the upper region of the body 100 is similar in one body flow generator 110 to another body flow generator 110, and thus one body flow generator 110 will be described.

This embodiment is explained in more detail with reference to fig. 6 and 7. When the body flow generator 110 is operated, air is drawn in through the air inlet 102 and through the flow guide 116 to the front of the filter unit 104, as indicated by the

air flow arrows

106, 107 in figure 7. The air purified by the filter unit 104 is discharged through the side of the filter unit 104.

After the purified air exits the filter unit 104, it reaches an outlet air flow path 105, as indicated by air flow arrows 108 in fig. 7. The cleaned air may be heated or cooled at the outlet air flow path 105 by the thermoelectric device 117. As described above and indicated by air flow arrows 131, air exhausted from the thermoelectric devices 117 may be exhausted through the exhaust ports 130. The heated or cooled air is drawn in downward by the main body flow generator 110 as indicated by air flow arrow 108, pressurized by the main body flow generator 110, and moved toward the first air outlet 101 as indicated by air flow arrow 109 in fig. 7.

The structure of the air conditioning system of the main body 100 is described above. The drying device 10 having the above-described structure can discharge cold air or hot air to adjust the state of the space in which the drying device is installed. The space may be a bathroom. The drying device 10 can cool the bathroom when the weather is hot. The drying device 10 can warm the bathroom in the cold. The drying appliance may also use the air conditioning system described herein for the purpose of drying the user. For example, the cool air or the hot air pressurized by the body flow generator 110 may be discharged through the first air outlet 101 provided along the edge of the body on the drying surface 14 (refer to fig. 1 to 3). The user located on the side of the dry face can dry the body with the cold or hot air discharged.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a connection between the body flow generator 110 and the first air outlet 101 of the body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the bulk flow generator 110 provides a flow of air to the air duct 121. The air duct 121 guides the forced air flows merged through the common opening 125 toward the first air outlet 101 of the main body 100. In the present embodiment, the resistance heater 120 is disposed at the common opening 125 for further heating the forced airflow. This configuration of the resistance heater 120 may be employed when further heating is required before flowing the heated forced airflow from the body flow generator 110 to the air outlet 101. This arrangement may be employed, for example, when rapid heating of a bathroom is required or when forced airflow to provide additional heating is required during drying of the user's body.

Although a resistive heater is shown in fig. 8, any suitable other thermal element may be used. In other embodiments, the thermal element may be used in order to selectively heat or cool the air flow exiting and flowing from the common opening 125.

Fig. 9A shows a structure of connection between the main body flow generator 110 and the first air outlet 101 of the main body 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the embodiment shown in fig. 8, according to another embodiment shown in fig. 9A, the outlet of each body flow generator 110 is directly connected to the first air outlet 101 of the body 100. The first air outlet 101 comprises an air opening 128 in its upper side. Each air opening 128 is directly connected to the outlet of each of the body flow generators 110. By having the outlets of the respective body flow generators 110 directly connected to the first air outlet of the body 100, the connection structure can be simplified, and the forced air can directly flow to the first air outlet 101.

In this embodiment, the forced airflow may be stronger than the forced airflow shown in fig. 8. This is because, in the forced air flow of fig. 8, the forced air flows in the vertical direction of the respective main body flow generators are caused to flow in the horizontal direction by the air paths 121 and collide with each other in order to form a single forced air flow. The air duct 121 then causes the single forced airflow to flow in a vertically downward direction toward the first air outlet 101. In contrast, in the embodiment of fig. 9A, the forced airflow of each body flow generator flows directly in the vertical downward direction toward the first air outlet 101.

Fig. 9B is a rear perspective view showing the connection between one of the body flow generators and the first air outlet of fig. 9A. As shown in fig. 9B, in this structure, the bulk flow generator 110 includes a fan assembly 1101 and a duct 1102. The fan assembly may be an axial fan or the like. Preferably, the fan assembly includes a high-speed motor capable of sucking air at a high speed and discharging the air. For example, the fan assembly may include a korean LG electronic Smart Inverter Motor (Smart Inverter Motor) capable of reaching 115000 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) ^TM ). A similar fan assembly may be used.

The fan assembly 1101 is connected to a duct 1102 which may be a cylindrical tube connected to the first air outlet 101. However, the guide pipe 1102 is not limited to a cylindrical pipe, and an elliptical pipe, a square pipe, a rectangular pipe, or the like may be used as another structure. The duct 1102 includes air drawn into the duct 1102 by the fan assembly 1101, and the fan assembly 1101 increases the velocity of the forced airflow discharged when the velocity of the forced airflow cannot be maintained. Thereby, a forced air flow of relatively high velocity is directed into said first air outlet 101.

Fig. 10 isbase:Sub>A sectional view of the first air outlet 101 of the main body taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A' of fig. 3, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this partial view, the first air outlet 101 is disposed along an edge of at least a portion of the main body 100. In the present embodiment, the shape of the first air outlet 101 substantially corresponds to the shape of the edge of the drying surface 14 of the main body 100 (refer to fig. 3). However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the air outlet 101 may take one of a plurality of other configurations. For example, in another embodiment, the first air outlet 101 may be formed by a plurality of slits arranged in a vertical and/or horizontal manner across the drying surface 14 (see, e.g., fig. 31).

Referring again to fig. 10, the first air outlet 101 of the present embodiment includes an air duct 122, vent holes (vent) 126, and fins (fin) 127. The air duct 122 receives a forced air flow from an upper region of the main body 100 and transmits the forced air flow along an edge of the main body 100.

The air duct 122 extends along an edge of the main body 100 and is connected to a vent hole 126 that can be viewed from the drying surface 14 of the main body 100 (refer to fig. 1 and 3). The forced airflow is exhausted from the main body 100 through the vent hole 126. The fin 127 may be disposed in the vent hole 126 extending along an edge of the main body 100, and divide a space formed by the vent hole 126 into two. The fins 127 may assist the vent holes 126 in directing the forced airflow. In this embodiment, the fin 127 is fixed to the vent hole 126 and guides the forced airflow in one direction toward the outside.

In another embodiment, the fins may be adjusted to be movable to the left or right, thereby guiding the forced airflow discharged from the main body 100 to a desired left or right side. For example, in order to allow at least a part of the forced airflow to converge inward toward the center with respect to the main body 100, the fin on the left side of the main body 100 may be moved to the right side, and the fin on the right side of the main body 100 may be moved to the left side. Conversely, in order to allow at least a part of the forced airflow to be diffused from the center to the outside with respect to the main body 100, the fin on the left side of the main body 100 may be moved to the left side, and the fin on the right side of the main body 100 may be moved to the right side.

The main body 100 of the drying device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far. The drying apparatus 10 may include a bar 200 capable of providing a forced airflow. As previously mentioned, the lever 200 may move relative to the body 100.

Fig. 11A and 11B respectively show the case where the lever 200 of the embodiment of the present invention is located at two different driving positions over the length L1 of the body 100 in the longitudinal direction.

The lever 200 is movable along the longitudinal length L1 of the body 100 by a driving means to be described below. The moving range of the lever 200 may be identical to the length L1 of the main body 100 in the lengthwise direction, or differently, the moving range of the lever 200 is adjusted to more closely correspond to the height of a specific user. That is, when the user is located adjacent to the drying surface 14 of the drying apparatus 10, a length (e.g., height) desired by the user may be covered by the flow of air discharged from the second air outlet 201 for drying through the movement of the lever 200. For example, the lever 200 may be moved (repeatedly moved as needed) from the upper position shown in fig. 11A to the lower position shown in fig. 11B while the forced air flow is discharged from the second air outlet 201, wherein the distance the lever 200 is moved between the positions shown in fig. 11A and 11B may correspond to the height of the user.

Fig. 12A is a view showing a driving means of the lever 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12B is an enlarged view of the driving device shown in part a of fig. 12A. Fig. 12C is a bottom perspective view of the drive device shown in fig. 12B, and fig. 12D is a view illustrating an exemplary securing mechanism 210 of the lever 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 12A and 12B, the driving means 11 moves the lever 200 with respect to the main body 100. The driving means 11 may be located at the main body 100. According to the exemplary embodiment, the drive device 11 includes a lead screw 40, a nut 41, and a motor 50 (see fig. 13). The lead screw 40 is threaded and may have a length corresponding to a length L1 of the drying surface 14 of the body 100 in a longitudinal direction. The motor 50 may be located at an upper region of the main body 100. However, the motor 50 may be located at any position where the motor 50 can rotate the lead screw 40 as long as the nut 41 can be moved up and down on the lead screw 40 along the length L1 of the dry surface of the main body 100 in the longitudinal direction along the rotation direction of the lead screw 40. The shaft of the motor 50 may be coupled to an end of the lead screw 40 (e.g., an upper end of the lead screw 40). Thus, when the motor rotates the shaft in a clockwise direction, the lead screw 40 rotates in a clockwise direction, and when the motor 50 rotates the shaft in a counterclockwise direction, the lead screw 40 rotates in a counterclockwise direction.

Referring to fig. 12B and 12C, the nut 41 is threaded to correspond to the thread of the lead screw 40, thereby being combined with the lead screw 40. The nut 41 is fixed to the rod 200. In this embodiment, the nut 41 is fixed to the bracket assembly 44 to which the rod 200 is attached. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other structures for directly or indirectly securing the nut 41 may be adapted to the rod 200. When the lead screw 40 is rotated by the motor 50, the nut 41 is lifted up and down on the lead screw 40, thereby moving the rod 200 up and down.

For example, when the motor 50 rotates the lead screw 40 in the clockwise direction, the nut 41 moves upward of the lead screw 40, and the rod 200 moves upward along the longitudinal length with respect to the longitudinal length of the body 100. Conversely, when the motor 50 rotates the lead screw 40 in the counterclockwise direction, the nut 41 moves downward of the lead screw 40, and the rod 200 moves downward along the longitudinal length with respect to the longitudinal length of the body 100.

In another example, when the motor 50 rotates the lead screw 40 in a clockwise direction, the nut 41 moves toward a lower portion of the lead screw 40, and the rod 200 moves downward along the longitudinal length with respect to the longitudinal length of the body 100. When the motor 50 rotates the lead screw 40 counterclockwise, the nut 41 moves toward the upper portion of the lead screw 40, and the rod 200 moves upward along the longitudinal length with respect to the longitudinal length of the body 100.

Referring to fig. 12C and 12D, the carriage assembly 44 may have one or more guide members 45 for movement along one or more corresponding guide rails 46 of the body 100. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 13, a double guide rail is used, including guide rails 46 vertically extending at both side portions of the main body 100, respectively. The guide member 45 and the guide rail 46 guide the lever 200 along a prescribed vertical path.

For example, the guide member 45 and guide rail 46 may operate in a manner to retain the rod 200 against rotational movement relative to the lengthwise axis that may be caused by rotation of the lead screw 40. The dual guide 46 may also provide stability to the wand 200 as the wand 200 moves up and down the main body 100.

In the present embodiment, the lever 200 may include a fixing mechanism 210, and the fixing mechanism 210 is used to fix the lever 200 to the guide member 45 of the bracket assembly 44. In the present embodiment, the fixing mechanism 210 is provided at both side ends of the lever 200. The guide member 45 may include a space 47 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the fixing mechanism 210. When the lever 200 is mounted on the bracket assembly 44, the fixing mechanism 210 slides into the space 47 of the guide member 45, thereby mounting the fixing mechanism 210 on the guide member 45.

The securing mechanism 210 may include one or more protrusions 212 protruding from the sides of the securing mechanism 210. The one or more projections 212 may be elastically deformed or have a spring built in. When the securing mechanism 210 is fully inserted into the space 47 of the guide member 45, the one or more protrusions 212 may catch one or more corresponding slots provided in the space 47, thereby mounting the lever 200 to the bracket assembly 44.

The securing mechanism 210 may be configured to facilitate separation of the rod 200 from the carriage assembly 44. Since the protrusion 212 may be elastically deformed or have a spring built therein, the lever 200 may be separated from the main body 100 by being applied with a sufficient force. The rod 200 can be replaced with another rod 200, and when maintenance is required, the entire drying apparatus 10 can be maintained without being moved.

The above describes an embodiment of a driving device using a lead screw and a nut. In other exemplary configurations, the rod 200 may be driven on the body 100 using structures other than the lead screw and nut. In practice, suitable drive means may be used which are capable of providing the required relative motion. For example, the lead screw and nut may be replaced by a rack and pinion system, a pulley and belt drive, or where the required motion is linear, it may be replaced by a linear actuator.

Fig. 13 is a front view illustrating a drying apparatus including first and

second sticks

200 and 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 13, the drying apparatus 10 may include a first lever 200 and a second lever 300. The second lever 300 may include a third air outlet 301, which may be driven to be movable with respect to the main body 100. The second rod 300 may be connected to its own nut 43, and the nut 43 may be connected to its own lead screw 42. The nut 43 is fixed to its own bracket assembly 48 to enable the second lever 300 to move relative to the main body 100. The lead screw 42 may be driven by its own motor 52. The structural elements related to the driving of the second lever 300 and the functions thereof are similar to those described above in relation to the lever 200, and thus, the description will be omitted in order to avoid the repetitive description.

Based on the above-described exemplary embodiment configurations, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the drying apparatus 10 can employ more bars. The drive device 11 may be of modular construction so as to be able to receive a plurality of rods in the body 100.

As shown in fig. 13, the lever 200 is associated with its own motor 50, lead screw 40, nut 41, and bracket assembly 44, for example. The rod 200 moves up and down with respect to the body 100 by the operation of the motor 50, the lead screw 40, and the nut 41. Similarly, the second rod 300 is associated with its own motor 52, lead screw 42, nut 43, and carriage assembly 48. The second rod 300 moves up and down with respect to the body 100 by the operation of the motor 52, the lead screw 42, and the nut 43. The motor, lead screw, nut and bracket assembly associated with one rod does not operate the other rod. That is, the motor, lead screw, nut, and bracket assembly of one rod only operate the rod.

Therefore, for each additional rod, a corresponding motor, lead screw, nut, and bracket assembly can be added to the drive device for accommodating the respective rod. In this way, a plurality of rods may be provided on the main body 100 of the drying apparatus 10 according to the preference of the user. Alternatively, the respective drive means may be spaced from one another and may accommodate more than one rod which move together along the length of the body.

Fig. 13 shows the bar 200 and the secondary bar 300 using the same guide rail. In an exemplary configuration, the rod 200 and the secondary rod 300 may use separate guide rails. With this structure, the lever 200 or the secondary lever 300 can be moved to a desired position along the range of its own drive path regardless of the position of the lever 200 or the secondary lever 300.

Fig. 14A is a view illustrating a rack and pinion driving assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, fig. 14B is an enlarged view of the rack and pinion driving assembly of a portion B, and fig. 14C is an exploded perspective view of the rack and pinion driving assembly of fig. 14B.

Referring to fig. 14A, 14B and 14C, the lever 200 may be moved up and down along the extended height of the body 100 by a rack and pinion assembly. The rack and pinion assembly may include a rack 54, a stepping motor 55, and a pinion 56 coupled to the stepping motor 55. The rack gear 54 may be vertically disposed along a side of the main body 100. However, the rack gear 54 may be provided at any position of the main body 100. For example, the rack gear 54 may be disposed along the length direction at the center of the main body 100. In other embodiments, the rack gear 54 may be vertically disposed at a side of the main body 100.

In the present embodiment, the rack gear 54 extends vertically along the side of the main body 100, having a length covering the stroke distance of the lever 200. The rack gear 54 may be located at only one side portion of the main body 100. In this embodiment, the rack gear 54 is located at both side portions of the main body 100. By providing the rack gears 54 at both side portions of the main body 100, the lever 200 can be more stably moved along the main body 100.

The lever 200 may include guide members 45 (refer to fig. 12A to 12D and 13) provided at both side ends of the lever 200. In other embodiments, the lever 200 may use only one guide member 45 corresponding to a drying apparatus using a single rack 54. The guide members 45 of the lever 200 may be movably disposed at the corresponding guide rails 46 at the main body 100. Each guide rail 46 may be disposed adjacent to a corresponding rack. The guide rail 46 maintains the lever 200 in a preset path through the guide member 45 as the lever 200 moves up and down with respect to the main body 100.

The stepping motor 55 including the pinion 56 may be provided at each guide member 45. The rack includes a plurality of teeth extending along a surface of the rack that may correspond to a moving distance of the lever 200. A pinion 56 provided on the stepping motor 55 engages with the teeth of the rack gear 54 to move the lever 200 along the rack gear 54. The stepper motor 55 drives the movement of the rod 200. For example, the lever 200 may move up the rack when the stepping motor 55 rotates in a clockwise direction, and the lever 200 may move down the rack when the stepping motor rotates in a counterclockwise direction.

In the present embodiment, one stepping motor 55 may be provided in one guide member 45 to move the rod 200, and the other guide member 45 may simply function as a guide, and thus the stepping motor is not provided in the other guide member 45. Other racks 54 may be provided on the other side of the body 100 and may include a plurality of teeth. In this structure, in order to combine the freely rotating pinion with the teeth of the other rack 54, it may be provided at the other guide member 45. By having two guide members 45 that act together on two racks 54, equal support can be provided at both side ends of the rod 200. In other configurations, both pinions 56 may be actuated simultaneously by a single stepper motor 55. Alternatively, two stepping motors 55 may be used to drive each pinion 56 separately.

In the case where the driving device occupies the space inside the main body 100 (see fig. 13) in the driving device using the rack and pinion drive assembly of fig. 14A to 14C, the driving device occupying the space inside the main body 100, such as the driving device of fig. 12A to 13, will not be required. The driving device 11 of fig. 14A to 14C may allow the provision of the air duct 122 (refer to fig. 32 to 34) in the main body 100. This may allow the air duct 122 to occupy a large portion of the space provided in the main body 100, thereby enabling a larger portion of the forced airflow generated by the flow generator 100 to flow through the air duct 122.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective view of the lever 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the lever 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 17 is a rear perspective view of the lever 200 corresponding to another structure shown in fig. 16.

Referring to fig. 15 and 16, the wand 200 may comprise a first air outlet 201 through which a forced airflow may be provided at different positions of the main body 100 depending on the movement of the wand 200 relative to the main body 100. As for the driving device 11 between the lever 200 and the main body 100, as described above, two guide members 45 may guide the movement of the lever 200 with respect to the main body 100.

One or more air inlets 205 may be located at the end of the wand 200. The air inlet 205 may be protected within a cavity formed between the end of the wand 200 and the shroud 206. The shield 206 may extend from the end of the rod 200 such that the top and side surfaces of the shield 206, except for the bottom surface, provide shielding. The open bottom surface of the shroud 206 allows the air inlet 205 to be accessible to intake air. This structure can prevent water from falling or splashing into the air inlet 205. The air inlet 205 supplies intake air to enter the rod 200 (see fig. 18) housing one or more rod flow generators 204.

Fig. 17 shows two air inlets 202 at the rear end of the wand 200 for supplying air discharged from the second air outlet 201. In contrast, in the configuration of fig. 16, the air inlets 205 are located at each end of the rod 200, as described above. Since the lever 200 protrudes to the user side, the lever 200 is closer to the user than the main body 100, and thus the lever 200 may be more easily wetted. Thus, one or more air inlets 202 are preferably configured at a location remote from the user. As described above, in the structure of fig. 17, the air inlet 202 is provided on the rear surface of the lever 200 as described above.

Fig. 18 is a partial perspective view showing various structural elements inside the lever 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, fig. 18 shows the stem 200 with the cover removed to expose a pair of stem flow generators 204 and air conduit 207. The wand 200 may include a pair of wand flow generators 204 that receive intake air from the air inlet 202 and generate a forced airflow through the air conduit 207. The air conduit 207 may comprise an intermediate outlet 208 through which the forced airflow passes and is expelled via the second air outlet 201.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the lever 200 of the above-described embodiment of the present invention of fig. 18.

Referring to fig. 19, the wand 200 has a cover 230, the cover 230 of the wand 200 being separated to allow viewing of various internal components including a pair of wand flow generators 204, a pair of motors 220, a pair of thermal devices (e.g., resistive heaters, thermoelectric devices, and other suitable devices may be used), and an air conduit 207. The wand 200 has a wand flow generator 204 (see fig. 16 and 17) that receives intake air from one or more air inlets. The pair of rod flow generators 204 generate a relatively high velocity forced airflow from the received air. For example, the lever flow generator may be a smart inverter motor that rotates at a maximum speed of 115000RPM, thereby sucking in air and discharging it at a high speed. However, other forms of axial fan assemblies may be used.

The forced airflow from the pair of rod flow generators 204 passes through the air conduit 207 in a manner that is exhausted from the intermediate outlet 208. The air conduit 207 is shown as a cylinder, but the present invention is not limited to this shape, and an elliptical tube, a square tube, a rectangular tube, or the like may be used. The air duct 207 has air sucked by the pair of rod flow generators 204 in the range of the air duct 207, and when the velocity of the forced airflow cannot be maintained, the velocity of the discharged forced airflow is increased by the pair of rod flow generators 204. Thereby, a relatively high velocity forced airflow is directed to the intermediate outlet 208. The discharged air is finally discharged to the outside of the second air outlet 201. In the present embodiment, a case where a pair of rod flow generators is used is shown, but in other structures, one rod flow generator or two or more rod flow generators may be used.

In this embodiment, a pair of resistive heaters 120 are considered to be components of the rod 200. The resistive heaters 120 are located downstream of each rod flow generator 204. In another embodiment, the resistive heater may be located upstream of the stem flow generator or integrally formed with the stem flow generator. In this embodiment, the rod flow generator 204 and the resistive heater 120 may be inside the air conduit 207 with at least a portion thereof enclosed (see fig. 19). The air duct 207 may guide the air heated by the resistance heater 120 toward the intermediate outlet 208 and may be discharged through the second air outlet 201.

In the present embodiment, a resistive heater for heating the intake air is used, but in other exemplary embodiments, a thermoelectric device applying the peltier effect, for example, may be used to heat or cool the intake air. In this structure, the rod 200 is not limited to discharging heated air, but may discharge cooler air.

The wand 200 may also include one or more motors 220. As shown in fig. 19, one or more motors 220 may be arranged along a lengthwise axis of the rod 200 parallel to the drying surface 14 of the main body 100. The lever 200 may be rotated upward and downward as the one or more motors 220 rotate relative to their lengthwise axes. By rotating the lever 200, the area of the lever 200 that provides the forced airflow can be enlarged. The drying performance of the lever 200 can be improved as the lever continuously rotates while discharging the forced air flow.

Fig. 20 and 21 are views showing an exemplary manner in which pressurized air is discharged from the second air outlet 201 based on the shape and/or size of the second air outlet 201 in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The second air outlet 201 may be configured such that the flow of exhausted air is able to cover the width of the user's body as the wand 200 moves up and down along the height of the user. The wand 200 may have a suitable second air outlet 201 across the width of the user's body capable of directing a forced airflow.

Referring to fig. 20, more specifically, the second air outlet 201 may be configured to provide a forced airflow spreading to a side. As the forced airflow gets farther from said second air outlet 201, the forced airflow expands to cover the body width of the user at least in a horizontal direction. Fig. 19 shows an example of a structure for forming the expansion of the forced airflow.

The intermediate outlet 208 of the air conduit 207 may be configured as a circular, oval or quadrangular air outlet, so that the forced airflow can be discharged when the air flow flows further from the second air outlet 201. As an example, a circular air outlet may be relatively small in size, but may provide a relatively strong forced airflow over a small area of the user's body. Although a rectangular air outlet may be relatively large in size, a weaker forced airflow may be created over a wider area of the user's body.

The angle at which the forced airflow is discharged may be determined by the angle of the Arc (Arc) of the intermediate outlet 208. As an example, a narrow arc angle may create a stronger air flow covering a smaller portion of the user's body, and a wide arc angle may create a weaker air flow covering a wider portion of the user's body. The shape of the intermediate outlet 208 and the angle of the arc may be selected according to the desired effect of the forced airflow on the user's body.

Referring to fig. 21, the second air outlet 201 may be configured as an elongated slit that extends across the length of the lever 200 in the longitudinal direction (the lateral direction with respect to the length of the main body in the longitudinal direction) to discharge air in the form of a planar blade. In one configuration, the length of the slit may substantially cover the width of the user's body. In this structure, since the lever 200 is vertically moved upward and/or downward with respect to the main body 100, the forced air flow of the second air outlet 201 can cover all parts of the user's body. For such a configuration, the intermediate outlet 208 may be formed as an elongated slit (slot) across the lengthwise length of the air duct 207. The second air outlet 201, which is an elongated slit as shown in fig. 21, corresponds to the slit of the intermediate outlet 208.

Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the drying apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The controller 53 controls the operation of the overall drying apparatus 10. The controller 53 may be a microprocessor, integrated circuit, electrical circuit, logical electrical circuit, or the like.

The controller 53 may control the operation of the body flow generator 110 and the thermoelectric device 117 of the body 100, the controller 53 may control the operation of the stem flow generator 204 and the resistive heater 120 associated with the stem, may also control the drive device 11, and may control the motor 220. The various operations performed by the components are described above, and therefore further description is omitted. The controller 53 may store information in the memory 58 and access it in order to control the operation of the drying appliance 10.

The drying appliance 10 may include one or more sensors 209 also controlled by the controller 53. These sensors 209 may be variously associated with the body 100 and stem 200 (e.g., fig. 12C and 16). In several embodiments, one or more sensors 209 may be separately disposed at different locations in the drying apparatus 10.

According to various embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in fig. 12C and 16, for example, the one or more sensors 209 may be associated with the wand 200. The controller 53 may receive sensed information from one or more sensors 209 of the lever 200, and the controller 53 may use the sensed information as an operating parameter to operate the drying appliance 10.

As an example, the sensed information of one or more sensors may be used by the controller 53 in order to determine various characteristics of the environment surrounding the device and/or conditions of the user and/or various characteristics. For example, the sensing information may be used for determining the presence of a user, physical characteristics of the user including the overall and/or specific dimensions of the user, the degree of wetting of the user's body and/or other parts of its body, in particular the temperature or heat of the ambient air and/or the humidity of the ambient air. To accomplish such operation, the drying appliance 10 may include one or more sensors 209 described below.

The one or more sensors 209 may include a thermal sensor such as an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor may be used for acquiring information related to ambient heat. For example, an infrared sensor may be used as a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of ambient air. The temperature-related information of the ambient air may be acquired for the purpose of determining whether to condition the ambient air.

The infrared sensor may be applied to the body of the user who is located adjacent to the drying apparatus 10. Information from the infrared sensor may be used in order to estimate or determine the humidity level of the user's body and/or a specific part of the user's body. The information from the infrared sensor may be used in order to obtain an indication relating to the entire body of the user whose body temperature differs from the temperature of the surrounding air.

The one or more sensors 209 may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be used for determining proximity of a user relative to the drying appliance 10. For example, information from the proximity sensor may be used in order to determine the distance of a user from the drying surface of the drying appliance 10. The drying device may be operated for drying a user when the user is within a prescribed distance from the drying surface 14. In order to obtain the required speed of the forced airflow towards the user, the information from the proximity sensor may be used in order to adjust the forced airflow speed from the air outlet 101 and/or the air outlet 201 in dependence of the user's distance.

The proximity sensor may be used in order to determine if a user is too close to the drying appliance or a part thereof. For example, for safety reasons, it may be desirable to limit or prevent movement of the wand 200 in situations where the body is within a certain distance or position relative to the wand. This may include the case where a portion of the body is above or below the wand 200, in the path of its movement.

The one or more sensors 209 may include an image sensor. The image sensor may be used for acquiring image information of the surroundings or for determining the presence of the user or for determining the size of the entire body of the user and/or specific parts of the body of the user. The image sensor may be used together with or instead of the thermal sensor for the above-mentioned information in order to acquire more accurate information.

The one or more sensors 209 may include a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor may be used in order to obtain the humidity of the ambient air, for example, in order to obtain information about the humidity level of a bathroom in which the drying device is installed. The drying apparatus 10 may be used or operated to remove moisture from the air to bring the humidity level below a predetermined level. The moisture sensor may also be used in order to obtain information about the level of wetting/drying of the skin of the user. In order to avoid that the user's skin becomes too dry, the information may be used for regulating the heat applied to the forced air flow. In addition to the exemplary sensors described above, other sensors known in the art may be used in order to obtain the desired results.

As described above, the drying device 10 can perform air conditioning of a given space. For example, the space may be a bathroom. The drying apparatus 10 may cool the bathroom when the weather is hot, and the drying apparatus 10 may warm the bathroom for the comfort of the user when the weather is cold. In such a scenario, the controller 53 may determine the ambient temperature or ambient heat level of the bathroom and may use this information to adjust the temperature for the user's satisfaction.

For example, in a hot bathroom, the user may cool the body by sweating. The sweat absorbs a certain degree of heat from the user's body to evaporate, thereby providing a cool feeling to the user. However, when the humidity level in the bathroom is high, the sweat fails to evaporate efficiently, thus leaving water on the user's body. This will cause the user to feel hotter than the temperature of the bathroom, which may cause discomfort to the user.

Therefore, the controller 53 for regulating the bathroom needs to consider not only the temperature but also possibly the humidity. In one embodiment, to determine the comfort of the user, the controller 53 needs to consider a comfort index that relates temperature and humidity. A temperature-humidity index (THI), known as a discomfort index, may be used for comfort sensing to determine the current sensed temperature and current sensed humidity.

Several formulas are given for determining THI. One of the formulas is as follows:

THI＝T _d -(0.55-0.55RH)(T _d -58)

wherein, T _d Is the dry bulb temperature expressed in ° f and RH is the relative humidity expressed in percent, expressed in decimal numbers. For example, the 50% relative humidity is 0.5.

It should be noted that THIs is relative rather than absolute. Temperature has different effects on different people. Various factors such as height, weight, sex, health status, etc. cause a particular person to experience different temperatures than others.

The following table is THI reflecting the comfort of the average person.

TABLE 1

Grade	THI Range	Comfort level
			Is very high	More than 80	All feel uncomfortable
High (a)	75 to 80 or less	50% feel uncomfortable
			In general terms	68 to 75 or less	Initially felt uncomfortable
Is low in	68 or less	Does not feel uncomfortable

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a controller to use the temperature-humidity index (THI) for regulating a given space temperature in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 23, the controller 53 may receive sensing information from the thermal sensor in step S100. The information may be ambient temperature of the bathroom. In step S110, the controller 53 may acquire sensing information from the humidity sensor. The information may be a humidity level of the bathroom. In step S120, the controller 53 may use the acquired temperature information and humidity information in order to determine the THI. One formula that the controller 53 may use to find the THI may be the formula provided above. The formula may be stored in the memory 58 and may be accessed by the controller 53.

In step S130, the controller 530 may determine whether the derived THI is the same as or greater than 75. A reference index 75 may be stored in the memory 58. It should be clear that the reference index 75 is not absolute. For example, the reference index 75 may be increased or decreased in the memory 58 according to the needs of the individual user. When the THI is less than 75, the controller 53 may proceed to step S160, and the controller 53 may end the adjustment of the THI.

Otherwise, in step S130, when the controller 53 determines that the THI is the same as or greater than 75, the controller 53 may proceed to step S140. In step S140, the controller 53 may transmit a signal for operating the flow generator. The flow generator may be turned on or off and generate a predetermined air flow. Differently, the controller 53 may be configured to control the variable air intake amount by using the air intake amount corresponding to the required air flow. For example, the flow generator may be a body flow generator 110 located at the body 100. In step S150, the controller 53 may operate the thermoelectric device 117. It should be understood that the bulk flow generator and thermoelectric device need not operate sequentially, but may operate simultaneously or in reverse order.

The controller 53 may send a signal to the thermoelectric device 117 to cause it to cool (or heat) the air drawn through the air inlet 102. The cooled air not only lowers the temperature of the intake air, but also dehumidifies the air. The cooled and dehumidified air may be discharged through the air outlet 101. The controller 53 may be configured to adjust the amount of heating or cooling by a thermal level value. The heat level value may correspond to a heat level that is cooler or hotter than ambient air. The controller 53 may continue to step S100 to repeatedly perform steps S100 to S130.

In step S130, the controller 53 may again determine whether THI is the same as 75 or greater. When the controller 53 determines again that THI is the same as or greater than 75, the controller 53 proceeds to steps S140 and S150, sucks in air and cools the air. The controller 53 continues the process unless and until the controller 53 determines in step S130 that THI is less than 75. In this case, the controller 53 proceeds to step S160, and the controller 53 ends the method.

In some cases, forced airflow provides wind speed cooling (wind hill) to the user, and the system may be used for regulating air intake and temperature at comfortable levels. This is the case where the user senses the air flow at a lower temperature than the ambient air temperature. There are several formulas proposed for determining the windspeed cooling. For purposes of this disclosure, reference may be made to north american and british wind speed cooling indices as follows.

T _wc ＝13.12+0.6215T _a -35.75v ^+0.16 +0.4275T _a v ^+0.16

Wherein, T _wc Is the wind speed cooling index, T, based on the unit of centigrade temperature _a Is the air temperature in degrees celsius and v is the air flow velocity in km/hour.

According to the above formula, the temperature of the air flow felt by the user is lower as the forced airflow speed is faster. Therefore, when the air flow speed increases, the controller 53 may increase the temperature of the forced air flow in order to obtain the target temperature.

Although embodiments may not have sensors for determining the air flow velocity, the estimation may be made from known constraints within the system. For example, the size of the chamber for air flow, the power of the flow generator, and the size of the outlet for air flow are known variables. Therefore, the embodiment includes a content of evaluating the air flow speed based on these known parameters. Also, embodiments may include a table correlating air flow rates and the speed at which the flow generator operates. Thus, for known flow generator inputs, the system can know the air flow velocity from the corresponding preset value. In one embodiment, the user-dependent target surface skin temperature may be 30 to 32 degrees celsius. Thus, forced air heating and cooling may be provided to generate or maintain this temperature.

In one embodiment, the temperature of the forced air flow generated by the drying appliance 10 should be a temperature that is hardly or not at all uncomfortable for the user. The apparent temperature discomfort index (humdex) may provide appropriate guidance on the level of comfort or discomfort provided according to the temperature suitable for the user's skin. The discomfort index takes into account both temperature and relative humidity when determining the level of comfort or discomfort. The discomfort index is formulated as follows.

Wherein H represents a comfort index, T _air Is the air temperature, T, in deg.C _dew Is the dew condensation temperature expressed in ° c.

In several embodiments, the apparent temperature suitable for the user is between 20 ℃ and 39 ℃. In a preferred embodiment, the apparent temperature suitable for the user is between 20 ℃ and 29 ℃. As described above, the apparent temperature may be determined in consideration of the wind speed cooling index of the air flow temperature.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a controller to control temperature using a wind speed cooling index in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 24, the controller 53 may control a rod flow generator for providing a forced air flow to the body of the user through the air outlet 201 according to the thermal sensor information and the wind speed cooling index. In step S200, the controller 53 receives information from the thermal sensor. For example, when the thermal sensor position is the position of the sensor 209 shown in fig. 16, the information reflects the ambient air temperature of the rod 200.

In step S210, the controller 53 receives the Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of the stem flow generator 204. In this configuration, the RPM of the stem flow generator 204 is variable. In the configuration in which the RPM of the lever flow generator 204 is fixed without being variable, the controller 53 searches for the RPM stored in the memory 58. The RPM of the stem flow generator 204 is the same as the air flow rate of the forced air flow.

In step S220, the controller 53 has the air temperature in the pole 200 and the air flow speed of the forced air flow and may determine a wind speed cooling index. One formula that the controller 53 may use to obtain the wind speed cooling index may be the formula provided above. The formula may be stored in a memory 58 accessible by the controller 53.

In step S230, the controller 53 determines whether the found wind speed cooling index is the same as or greater than a preset target. The preset target may be selected from a number of different temperatures or temperature ranges. For example, the target may be a target surface skin temperature of about 30 ℃ to about 32 ℃. The target may be stored in the memory 58.

When the wind speed cooling index is lower than the target, the controller 53 may proceed to step S240. In step S240, the controller 53 may cause the air flow to be heated in the pole 200 using the resistive heater 120 to increase the temperature of the forced air flow. The controller 53 may continue to step S200, and then may repeat steps S200 to S230. Since the heat sensor is disposed adjacent to the air outlet 201, the heat sensor can detect an increase in temperature. And, step S210 may be skipped if the RPM of the flow generator is not changed.

As described above, the controller 53 repeatedly performs the process unless and until the controller 53 determines in step S230 that the wind speed cooling index is the same as or greater than the target. When the wind speed cooling index is the same as or greater than the target, the controller 53 proceeds to step S250, turns off the resistance heater 120 and ends the method.

Fig. 25A and 25B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a user is dried using the lever 200 of the drying device 10 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 25A and 25B, the lever 200 includes a sensor 209, and the sensor 209 may be a heat sensor disposed facing a user when the user is located within a prescribed distance from the drying surface 14 of the main body 100. The lever 200 may be located at any position along the length L1 of the drying surface 14 of the main body 100 in the longitudinal direction, and in this embodiment, the starting position of the lever 200 may be a position adjacent to the central portion of the drying surface 14. When the drying apparatus 10 is operated, the rod 200 may be driven by the driving means 11 to ascend in a direction indicated by an arrow 1. At the same time, the thermal sensor will also operate.

As the lever 200 is moved upward, the thermal sensor scans the user. When the heat sensor no longer senses heat from the user, the height of the user is determined by the position reached, and the driving means 11 may stop the movement of the lever 200. The driving means 11 can move the lever 200 downward in the direction indicated by the arrow 2. At the same time, the thermal sensor scans the user. The thermal sensor may sense the degree of wetness on the user's body being scanned. The thermal sensor may sense the degree of wetting as a lower temperature and may sense the degree of drying as a higher temperature. The stem flow generator 204 and/or the resistive heater 120 may be operated for drying a user.

In other configurations, the bulk flow generator 110 and/or thermoelectric device 117 operate for drying a user. The bulk flow generator 110 and thermoelectric device 117 may operate in conjunction with the stem flow generator 204 and the resistive heater 120 of the stem 200. The bulk flow generator 110 and thermoelectric device 117 can be continuously operated until the rod 200 reaches the bottom of the drying surface 14, and then the bulk flow generator 110 and thermoelectric device 117 can be turned off.

As shown in fig. 25B, the wand 200 may be positioned alongside the head of a user. Generally, hair contains more water, and thus, when the rod 200 is in this position, the heat sensor can detect a considerable wet-out condition. Thus, the rod 200 may be heated for drying the user's hair and does not move during the process of discharging the forced airflow through the second air outlet 201. When the heat sensor senses that the user's hair is sufficiently dried, the driving means 11 may be moved downward in the direction indicated by the arrow 2.

The heated forced air flow exiting the air outlet 201 may dry the head, body and, ultimately, the legs as the wand 200 is moved downwardly in the direction of arrow 2. As the wand 200 moves from head to leg and the wand 200 reaches the bottom of the drying surface 14, it may stop moving before it moves further downwards in the direction of arrow 2, thereby drying more of the user's other body parts than others.

In other embodiments, the wand 200 may be moved up and down repeatedly from head to foot after the first arrival at the user's head until the thermal sensor senses that the user is dry. The movement of the wand described herein is merely exemplary and other forms of movement of the wand for drying a user are contemplated.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of drying a user using the controller in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 26, the controller 53 moves the lever 200 upward with respect to the main body 100 in step S300. And, the controller 53 receives thermal information from the thermal sensor. In step S310, the controller 53 determines whether the thermal sensor senses heat. When the thermal sensor senses heat, the controller 53 continues to move the lever 200 upward in step S300. When the heat sensor does not sense heat, the controller 53 assumes that the lever 200 reaches the height of the user, thereby stopping the movement of the lever 200 and proceeding to step S320.

In step S320, the controller 53 moves the lever 200 downward by the same preset distance as the width of the user' S body covered by the forced airflow discharged from the lever 200. In step S330, the controller 53 operates the stem flow generator 204. In this step, the controller 53 may operate the bulk flow generator 110 and/or the thermoelectric device 117. Accordingly, the forced airflow discharged from the air outlet 201 may dry the corresponding portion of the user adjacent to the stick 200. Also, the forced air flow discharged from the air outlet 101 may assist drying for the user. Therefore, the controller 53 proceeds to step S340.

In step S340, the controller 53 determines whether the thermal sensor senses the same amount of heat as or greater than a preset amount. The preset amount may indicate that the corresponding portion of the user is sufficiently dry. When the heat sensor senses the amount of heat less than the preset amount, the controller 53 proceeds to step S330 so that the controller 53 continues to dry the corresponding portion of the user. Otherwise, the controller 53 proceeds to step S350.

In step S350, the controller 53 determines whether the bottom of the drying surface 14 of the main body 100 is reached. When the rod 200 does not reach the bottom of the drying surface 14, the controller 53 continues to step S320, and repeats steps S320 to S340. Otherwise, when the rod 200 reaches the bottom of the drying surface 14, the controller 53 turns off the rod flow generator 204 and the resistance heater 120. The controller 53 also turns the bulk flow generator 110 and the thermoelectric device 117 off if they are in operation.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing an upper region of the drying apparatus in an exploded state of the filter unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 28 is another exploded perspective view of the filter unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The filter unit 104 may provide one or more of filtering or treatment of the intake air flow. In particular, in urban or other urban environmental settings, ambient air may contain undesirable levels of floating solids. Such solid materials may be harmful to health, and when a drying device is used to dry a user's body, if it is provided to the user, it may have an adverse effect on the skin.

For example, the solids may be alkaline or acidic and, therefore, may cause damage to the user's body. As shown in fig. 28, the filter unit 104 may include one or more particulate filters 113 for capturing solids. The one or more particulate filters 113 may be of a generally usable form, such as a glass fiber filter, a polyester filter, or a HEPA filter.

The ambient air may contain bacteria or viruses which would cause a risk of infecting the user of the drying appliance. The filter unit 104 may comprise a bacterial and/or viral filter 114 if not provided with a particulate filter 113. Such filters may include an antimicrobial or antibacterial element.

For drying, the intake air needs to have its moisture reduced or removed before being discharged. The filter unit 104 may include one or more dehumidification filters 115, for example, with desiccant.

In this embodiment, a pair of air inlets 102 deliver respective intake air to the filter unit 104. Where a single filter unit 104 is used, particularly with a plurality of flow generators, it is advantageous to provide a single service site for a filter within the filter unit.

Fig. 29 is a front view of an air inlet and inlet path of a flow generator housing of an embodiment of the invention, and fig. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the air inlet of fig. 29.

Referring to fig. 29, an inlet path including the air inlet 102 and the flow guide 116 guides intake air from the air inlet 102 toward the filter unit 104. However, since the drying apparatus 10 may be used in an environment where moisture is present, such as a bathroom or shower room, water may be splashed into the drying apparatus 10 or the ambient air of the drying apparatus 10 including the air inlet 102. Additionally, during use, water may be drawn into the air inlet 102 by the action of the main body flow generator 110 which is able to draw ambient water into the air inlet 102. Such water is not suitable for entering the drying apparatus 10. In addition to water entering the air inlet 102, the flow path may draw in and convey other substances through the air inlet 102 to the flow guide 116.

As shown in fig. 29 and 30, the air inlet 102 provides a flow path that is biased in an upward direction toward the flow guide 116. This upward directional bias may act as a gravity defense wall against water or other solid matter entering the drying appliance 10. To further block unintended water or other objects from entering the flow path, an obstruction may be provided in the inlet flow path, in addition or instead, in the form of an inlet filter 111, such as shown in fig. 30. More specifically, the inlet filter 111 may be in the form of a particulate filter for filtering particles from the intake air.

Differently, the inlet filter 111 may take the form of a macro filter such as a macro mesh (macro mesh) filter for preventing inflow of larger objects. In the case where it is preferable to protect the suction air from the inflow water or to dehumidify the suction air from the suction filter 111, a desiccant for absorbing water may be included.

As an additional measure for dehumidifying the intake air, an electric resistance heater (not shown) may be arranged adjacent to the inlet filter 111. During operation, the resistance heater may heat the intake air in order to remove moisture from the air. Additionally, the resistance heater may remove moisture from the inlet filter 111 in order to increase the life of the inlet filter 111.

Fig. 31 is a front perspective view of an upper region of a drying apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. For example, similarly to the arrangement shown in fig. 9A, the connection between the body flow generators 110 and the first air outlets 101 of the body 100 is the same as in the case where the outlets of the respective body flow generators 110 are directly connected to the first air outlets 101 of the body 100. In order to provide the user with additional comfort and/or increased drying efficiency, the heated air is preferably further heated by the thermoelectric device 117. As shown in fig. 31, the air flow from the filter unit 104 may pass over a side of the thermoelectric device 117 so that it is selectively heated or cooled.

Although a square-shaped thermoelectric device 117 covering a portion of the discharge air flow path 105 is shown in fig. 31, the thermoelectric device 117 may have a rectangular shape covering the entire outlet of the discharge air flow path. That is, the thermoelectric device 117 may have a rectangular shape covering all of the purified air of the air flow path starting from the outlet of the filter unit 104 to the end of the inlet of the main body flow generator 110. In the case of further heating of the air, heating of the heated air downstream of the body flow generator 110 will be more effective.

A thermal element such as a resistive heater 120 may be provided on the downstream side of the respective bulk flow generators 110. The resistance heater 120 may further heat the air pressurized by the body flow generator 110 toward the first air outlet 101. The resistive heater 120 may be used as a facilitating device for further heating or superheating the air heated by the thermoelectric device 117.

Although a resistive heater is shown in fig. 31 as the thermal element, other suitable thermal elements may be used. In other constructions, the thermal element may be a thermoelectric device that can be used to selectively heat or cool air on the downstream side of the bulk flow generator.

Fig. 32 shows a drying device 20 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 33 shows a cross-sectional view of the main body 100 and the lever 200 of the drying apparatus of fig. 32.

As shown in fig. 32, in the drying device 20, the first air outlet 101 may be disposed so as to extend across at least a part of the drying surface of the main body 100. Unlike the drying device 10 described above, in the case where the first air outlet 101 is provided along the edge of the main body 100, the first air outlet 101 of the drying device 20 includes the outlet duct 123 arranged to cross the surface of the drying surface 14. In this embodiment, the outlet duct 123 is a plurality of vertical slits extending along the length of the main body 100 in the longitudinal direction and is disposed to cross the drying surface 14. The outlet duct 123 is located in two regions, an upper region 124 and a lower region 125. In this configuration, a difference in spitting may be allowed between other regions of the first air outlet 101.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of fig. 32, which is taken across the main body 100 and the rod 200, in a case where the first air outlet 101 is an outlet disposed across the drying surface 14 of the main body 100. In the drying device 20, the pair of main body flow generators 110 may deliver the forced air flow to an air duct 121 (similar to that shown in fig. 8) that discharges the forced air flow from the drying device 20, an air duct 122, or, as shown in fig. 34, directly to the air duct 122, and finally to a plurality of outlet air ducts 123. Shown in phantom is a duct 122 capable of receiving a forced airflow from the duct 121. The duct 122 may include a plurality of vertical slits extending along a length direction of the main body corresponding to the vertical slits of the outlet duct 123. The duct 122 may discharge the forced airflow to the plurality of outlet ducts 123 through a plurality of slits sequentially discharged to the outside of the main body 100 through the outlet ducts 123. The first air outlet 101 may be formed by the duct 122 and a plurality of outlet ducts 123.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating the air duct assembly of FIGS. 32 and 33 in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 34, the air duct assembly includes an air duct 122 disposed in the main body 100 of the drying device 20. The air duct 122 may occupy most of the space, although it does not occupy the entire space provided by the main body 100. An outlet duct 123 extends along the edge of the duct 122. In the present embodiment, the outlet duct 123 is a plurality of vertical slits extending along the length of the duct 122 in the longitudinal direction, and is disposed so as to cross the duct 122. The outlet duct 123 is provided in both the upper region 124 and the lower region 129. The forced air flow may exit through the upper region 124, the lower region 129, or both the upper region 124 and the lower region 129. The controller 53 may be controlled to force airflow through one or more dampers disposed on the air chute 122 and out through the upper region 124 and the lower region 129.

The air duct assembly further includes a pair of main body flow generators 110, each of which is provided at an upper portion of the air duct assembly. The bulk flow generator 110 includes a fan assembly 1101 and a duct 1102. The fan assembly may be axial flowA fan or the like. Preferably, the fan assembly includes a high-speed motor capable of sucking air at a high speed and discharging the air. For example, the fan assembly may include a korean LG electronic Smart Inverter Motor (Smart Inverter Motor) capable of reaching 115000RPM ^TM ). A similar fan assembly may be used.

The fan assembly 1101 is connected to a conduit 1102, which may be a cylindrical tube, that is connected to and communicates with the upper portion of the air chute 122. However, the guide pipe 1102 is not limited to a cylindrical pipe, and other structures such as an elliptical pipe, a square pipe, and a rectangular pipe may be used. The duct 1102 contains air drawn into the duct 1102 by the fan assembly 1101, and when the velocity of the forced airflow cannot be maintained, the velocity of the discharged forced airflow is increased by the fan assembly 1101. Thereby, a forced air flow of relatively high velocity is directed to said first air outlet 101. The forced airflow moving through the air duct 122 is discharged through one or more outlet air ducts 123 configured in a manner to cross the upper surface of the air duct 122.

The rod 200 is movable along the length of the wind tunnel. In one embodiment, the wand is configured with its own air inlet and flow generator as shown in figures 16 to 19. In this embodiment, the wand 200 may receive air from the or each body flow generator 110 of the body 100. For example, the wand 200 may have one or more air inlets such as the air inlet 203 shown in figure 33. An example of a rod 200 having this structure is shown in fig. 17. Referring to fig. 17, a pole 200 having a pair of air inlets 202 on a rear surface may receive forced airflow from portions of the plurality of outlet tunnels 123 covered by the pair of air inlets 202. Referring to fig. 33, one or more air inlets 203 receive air from the body flow generator 110 inside the body 100 and discharge air from the second air outlet 201.

In this embodiment, the lever 200 has a pair of lever flow generators 204 that further accelerate the forced airflow out of the body flow generator 110 of the body 100. However, in other embodiments, the wand 200 does not have a wand flow generator 204 and the forced airflow from the body flow generator 110 of the main body 100 is exhausted directly. Although not shown, the rod 200 may include a resistive heater 120 such as that shown in fig. 19. Although not shown, the rod 200 may include a thermoelectric device instead of the resistance heater. The lever 200 may additionally air condition the forced airflow received from the main body 100. In contrast, the lever 200 may not include an air conditioning device, and may discharge the forced air conditioned by the thermoelectric device 117 of the main body 100 without additional air conditioning of the forced air received from the main body 100.

Referring again to fig. 32, the drying device 20 may further include a foot support 400 enabling a person to place his or her foot. The air duct 122 may further extend to be connected to the foot support 400. The wind tunnel 122 may supply a flow of air to one or more air outlets of the foot supporting part 400, thereby drying the feet of the person using the air discharged from the one or more air outlets. In the structure shown in fig. 32, the foot support 400 may be configured to be retracted into the main body 100 of the drying apparatus 20, for example, when not in use. However, in other embodiments, the foot support 400 may be supported and fixed by its bottom without being retracted.

Fig. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the embodiment of the present invention.

The body 100 may be covered by an injection molded plastic cover. As shown in fig. 35, the injection molded plastic cover may include a rear panel 140, side panels 142, and a front panel 144 covering the main body 100. In other embodiments, the plastic cover may have a thin metal plate attached to its surface. The various parts of the plastic lid may be snap-fit to each other. For example, one part may have a male portion and the other part in combination therewith may have a corresponding female portion. When the two members are snap-coupled to each other, the convex portion enters the concave portion to be coupled to each other, and the two members are fixed to each other. The plastic cover forms the appearance of the main body 100, providing an aesthetically superior appearance. The plastic cover of the main body 100 is separated by pulling the plastic cover from the main body 100 due to the snap-coupling with each other, and can be optimized according to the user's taste by replacing it with another plastic cover having an appearance and style satisfying the user's taste. The plastic cover 230 (refer to fig. 19) of the stick 200 may also be separated and replaced with another plastic cover having an appearance and style satisfying the user's preference, thereby being optimized according to the user's preference.

A given drying appliance may be used by a variety of different types of users. Different users may have different heights. An example of a method that can accommodate users of different heights is described above in connection with fig. 25A and 25B. However, different users may have different physical characteristics, such as different sizes and different sizes of body parts. For example, some users may be ectomorph (ectomorph). The ectoembryonic leaf type is associated with one of body type classifications of w.h.sheldon that measure the body's slenderness (slenderness), thinness (slimming), and frailty (fragility), which indicates a slightly muscular, lean and slim body. Some users may be mesomorph (mesomorphh). The mesomorphic form represents the middle box of the body with more muscle than fat and may be a balanced body that is not over or under weight. Some users may be of the endosperm leaf type (endomorphin). The endosteal leaf type indicates a body with a fat and heavy stature. The drying appliance needs to be able to accommodate users of such different body sizes.

Fig. 36A to 36C show examples of front profiles of three different users.

Referring to fig. 36A, a user 34 is shown having slim body panels and legs, relatively narrow shoulders, and slim arms. According to the body type classification of w.h.sheldon, the user is an ectoblastoid. From a front or back perspective, user 34 provides a substantially continuous range of lateral directions through the body panels and legs. The body panels and legs can be a substantial part of the body of the user who needs to be dry.

Referring to fig. 36B, the user 34 is shown with slightly muscular legs, but more muscular upper body and arms. The user has a relatively wider shoulder than the user of fig. 36A. According to the body type classification of w.h.sheldon, the user is mesomorphic.

The user 34 of fig. 36B may provide a lateral directional range of legs and body panels that widen in the height direction. The building of muscles of the body widens the whole body lateral direction range of people because their arms are larger and are far from the body plate in a resting state.

Referring to fig. 36C, the user exhibits a larger massiveness than that of the user of fig. 36A or 36B. Although the user 34 of fig. 36C and the user of fig. 36B have an upper body of similar size, the lower body and the legs of the user of fig. 36C can hardly be narrowed similarly to the lower body and the legs of the user of fig. 36B. The whole-body-side directional range of the user 34 of fig. 36C is much larger than that of the user of fig. 36A. According to the body type classification of w.h.sheldon, the user is an endospore type.

Fig. 36A-36C are intended to show only three exemplary configurations of body size and morphology. The actual user of the drying appliance can be represented by as many combinations and variations of these or other physical properties as possible.

Fig. 36A-36C show an illustrative user's front, on the other hand, similar changes in the user's lateral range of orientations and different physical characteristics may be viewed from a lateral perspective, a perspective between the lateral and frontal perspectives, and a slightly superior or slightly inferior perspective.

The drying apparatus is operated to dry the user by taking into account the characteristics of the user's body and delivering a forced airflow to the user's body. It is noted that the drying apparatus needs to provide different drying air flow characteristics for different users having different physical characteristics.

Three exemplary dry air flows emitted by the drying apparatus according to the physical characteristics of the user shown in fig. 36A-36C are shown in fig. 37A-37C. In fig. 37A-37C, the physical characteristics of the user shown in fig. 36A-36C overlap with an exemplary air flow structure that may be exhausted by the drying device for drying. Such air flow structures for drying are illustrated in relation to the legs and body panels of the respective users. It should be noted that the air flow for drying is configured such that the air flow for drying is discharged through the paper surface. For example, the drying device is above the paper surface facing the user and discharges the air flow for drying towards the user.

Referring to fig. 37A, this shows a situation where the user 34 receives a flow of air 641 for drying from the drying device. The air flow for drying 641 comprises a substantially continuous air flow of constant width capable of covering the legs, body panels, and head of the user.

Referring to fig. 37B, a situation is shown where the user 34 receives a flow 642 of air from the drying appliance for drying. The air flow 642 for drying comprises a substantially continuous air flow with an upper portion of the air flow being wider and a lower portion of the air flow being narrower than the upper portion of the air flow. In relation to the user and air flow 641 of fig. 37A, the V-shaped or partially V-shaped air flow 642 of fig. 37B may cover the user's legs, relatively wide body panels, and shoulders.

Referring to fig. 37C, a situation is shown where the user 34 receives an air flow 643 from a drying device for drying. Although the air flow 643 is substantially constant in width similar to the air flow 641 of fig. 37A, it is wider than the air flow 641. The wider air flow 643 may properly cover the legs and body of the user.

In addition to the dry air flow for a constant width or for widening or narrowing in the vertical direction, a local modification of the air flow width can be preferred or required in order to provide an air flow for covering a particular user.

While fig. 36A-36C and 37A-37C show the exemplary user's air flow and body characteristics for drying from the front, it should be clear that optimization of the corresponding air flow and air flow can be achieved even if the user is differently oriented with respect to the corresponding air outlet providing the air flow for drying.

In particular, the user may rotate relative to the drying apparatus during the drying process to other positions, for example, in order to dry their front, sides and back. The lateral direction range of the human body will be changed during the rotation of the user and the position of the other rotations, and the required air flow for drying may be changed accordingly.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the drying appliance of FIG. 38 in another orientation; fig. 40 is a partially enlarged view of the drying apparatus of fig. 38. As shown in fig. 38 to 40, the drying device 30 includes a main body 100 having a plurality of independent air outlets 101a to 101d as a first air outlet 101, instead of the first air outlet 101 being a single structure surrounding the edge of the drying surface 14 of the main body 100 (see fig. 3).

The air outlet 101 includes a plurality of independent air outlets 101a to 101d. In the present embodiment, each air outlet is a slit extending in the vertical direction of the main body 100. However, in other embodiments, the air outlets 101 a-101 d may have different configurations. Four air outlets 101a to 101d are shown in the figure. However, in other embodiments, fewer or more than four air outlets may be provided.

Each of the air outlets 101a to 101d may be a slit formed to extend on the drying surface 14 of the drying device 300 communicating with the air passage 122 provided in the main body 100. For example, referring to the air duct 122 shown in fig. 34, instead of the plurality of outlet air ducts 123 arranged so as to straddle the air duct 122, the air duct 122 of the present embodiment has a plurality of elongated slits, each of which corresponds to each of the air outlets 101a to 101d. Thus, in the present embodiment using four air outlets 101a to 101d, the air duct 122 has four slits corresponding to the respective air outlets 101a to 101d.

The operation of the air duct assembly having the air duct 122 including the plurality of slits will be described with reference to fig. 34. It is assumed that the air duct 122 has four slits corresponding to the four air outlets 101a to 101d. When the main flow generator 110 is operating, the fan assembly 1101 draws in air and discharges the air as a forced airflow through each duct 1102. Each conduit 1102 delivers a forced airflow to the air chute 122. As the forced air moves along the air chute 122, the forced air passes through the corresponding first slit and is discharged through the air outlet 101a, the forced air passes through the corresponding second slit and is discharged through the air outlet 101b, the forced air passes through the corresponding third slit and is discharged through the air outlet 101c, and the forced air passes through the corresponding fourth slit and is discharged through the air outlet 101d. The forced air flow from each of the air outlets 101 a-101 d may be diverted by an outlet air flow diverting mechanism.

Referring again to fig. 38-40, associated with each air outlet 101 a-101 d is an outlet air flow diversion mechanism 150 a-150 d. The respective outlet air flow turning mechanisms 150 a-150 d operate to control the direction of the forced airflow exiting the respective air outlets 101 a-101 d. FIG. 41 illustrates an outlet air flow diversion mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention. The outlet air flow turning mechanism 150 corresponds to one of the outlet air flow turning mechanisms 150a to 150d, and includes an air guide 151 such as a fin. The air guide 151 may be sized to fit the air outlet 101. In one configuration, the air guide 151 is configured to fit snugly into the air outlet 101, thereby forming a seal when the air guide 151 closes the air outlet 101. For example, a gasket arranged along the contour of the air guide 151 or the air outlet 101 may form a seal.

The air guide 151 may rotate with respect to the air outlet 101 corresponding to one of the air outlets 101a to 101d. In one configuration, the air guide 151 rotates about a vertical axis that bisects the air guide 151. The air guide 151 is rotatably connected to the air outlet 101 and rotatably operated with respect to the air outlet. For example, the air guide 151 shown in fig. 41 rotates in two different rotational directions. The alignment of the air guide 151 may function as a direction of the forced airflow (width of the forced airflow) coming out of the air outlet 101. The air guide 151 is provided with shafts 152 for rotating the air guide 151 at both end portions of the air guide 151. At least one hole provided in the air outlet 101 may receive one of the shafts 152. One shaft may be connected to a motor 153 that rotates the air guide 151 under the control of the controller.

The air guide 151 guides the forced airflow coming out of the air outlet 101 according to the rotational position of the air guide 151. Fig. 38-39 show the upper outlet

air flow diverters

150a, 150b angled more relative to the drying surface 14 than the lower outlet

air flow diverters

150c, 150d. In this configuration, the width of the forced air flow flowing out of the

air outlets

101a, 101b is wider than the width of the forced air flow flowing out of the

air outlets

101c, 101d. Thus, the forced airflow structure may be suitable for users having a wider upper body and a narrower lower body. Other lateral widths of the forced air flow that may be provided by the drying apparatus shown in fig. 38-41 are further described below.

Fig. 42 is a diagram illustrating the direction of forced airflow out of a drying apparatus having an outlet air flow diverter mechanism package as shown in fig. 38-39. Referring to FIG. 42, the air outlets 101 a-101 d may be illustrated as including an upper region 646 having

air outlets

101a, 101b and a lower region 647 having

air outlets

101c, 101d. The upper region 646 and the lower region 647 may be separately controlled by the outlet

airflow diversion mechanisms

150a, 150b for controlling the upper region 646 and the outlet

airflow diversion mechanisms

150c, 150d for controlling the lower region 647, respectively. This configuration may provide air flow of different lateral widths in each of the upper 646 and lower 647 regions.

In the configuration shown in fig. 42, the outlet

air flow diverters

150a, 150b that make up the upper region 646 are angled less relative to the drying surface 14 than the outlet

air flow diverters

150c, 150d that make up the lower region 647. In this configuration, the upper region 646 may provide a relatively wider forced airflow 644 and the lower region 647 may provide a relatively narrower forced airflow 645. Shown in fig. 42 as being substantially symmetrical, on the other hand, the forced airflow may be controlled in certain areas to be directed in other directions, thereby providing air flow slightly to one side. For example, the outlet air flow turning mechanism 150d operates such that the forced air flow 645 is directed more to the right of the paper, and the forced air flow 645 is extended more to the right of the paper on the right side, whereby the forced air flow 645 on the left side and the forced air flow 645 on the right side are asymmetrical.

As described above, the wider forced air flow 644 in the upper or upper region 646 of the drying apparatus and the narrower forced air flow 645 in the lower or lower region 647 of the drying apparatus may provide a better range of applicability (coverage) for the flow of air for drying to users having a wide upper body and a narrow lower body.

Conversely, the outlet

air flow diverters

150a, 150b that make up the upper region 646 may be angled more relative to the drying surface 14 than the outlet

air flow diverters

150c, 150d that make up the lower region 647. This is in contrast to the structures shown in fig. 38-39 and 42. In this configuration, the upper region 646 may provide a relatively narrow forced airflow 644, while the lower region 647 may provide a relatively wide forced airflow 645. The narrower forced air flow 644 in the upper side or upper region 646 of the drying apparatus and the wider forced air flow 645 in the lower side or lower region 647 of the drying apparatus may provide a user with a narrow upper body and a wide lower body with a better range of applicability for the flow of air for drying. Of course, when the angles of outlet

air flow diverters

150a, 150c are the same or similar, and the angles of outlet

air flow diverters

150b, 150d are the same or similar, the width of forced airflow 644 of upper region 646 and the width of forced airflow 645 of lower region 647 may be the same or similar. This configuration may provide a better range of applicability for dry air flow to users with the upper and lower body being the same or similar.

As described above, the drying apparatus 30 may have an upper region 646 that provides adjustable forced airflow and a lower region 647 that provides adjustable forced airflow. The forced airflow 644 of the upper region 646 and the forced airflow 645 of the lower region 647 may adjust the intensity, and thus, a user having a body close to the drying surface of the drying device 30 may dry according to his or her physical characteristics. For example, referring to fig. 43A, the user 34 near the drying device 30 has a body ratio that is wider in the upper body than in the lower body. The upper region 646 and the lower region 647 may be sized to exhaust a wider airflow 644 from the upper region 646 and a narrower forced airflow 645 from the lower region 647, so that a user with a wide upper body and a narrow lower body may be provided with a better range of applicability for a dry airflow. This may be performed according to the structure described in relation to fig. 38 to 41. Referring to fig. 43B, the user 34 near the drying apparatus 30 has a body ratio in which the upper body is narrower than the lower body. The upper region 646 and lower region 647 may be sized to exhaust the narrower forced airflow 644 from the upper region 646 and the wider forced airflow 645 from the lower region 647, which may provide a user with a narrow upper torso and a wide lower torso with a better range of applicability for dry airflow. This may be performed according to the structure described in relation to fig. 38 to 41. The above description is merely exemplary, and the drying apparatus may discharge different air flow characteristics for drying according to the range of other users having different physical properties.

Fig. 43A and 43B show a drying apparatus having two regions, on the other hand, in other structures, the drying apparatus may have more than two regions. In the case of having two or more areas, the user's body can be dried with higher fineness. For example, when two regions are used, the user's body is divided such that the upper region dries the upper half of the user's body and the lower region dries the lower half of the user's body. The user may have a lower body that is narrower than the upper body, on the other hand, as shown in fig. 36A to 36C, when the user separates the arms from the body, the lower region may need to provide a wider width of forced airflow to accommodate the arms. When three zones are used, the middle zone may be used to accommodate the user's arms. For example, the upper region can have a width to accommodate forced airflow at a shoulder of the user, the middle region can have a width to accommodate forced airflow at an arm of the user, and the lower region can have a width to accommodate forced airflow at a leg of the user. Other configurations of regions may be considered to accommodate various wider or narrower regions of a user's body.

Each zone may include a pair of outlet air flow diverters 150 corresponding to its own pair of air outlets 101. Differently, a pair of air outlets may be formed to accommodate two or more air guides 151. For example, each air outlet 101 may house two or more air guides 151. Each air guide 151 may be independently operated by its respective motor 153. Thus, two or more outlet air flow turning mechanisms 150 may be housed for each air outlet 101. Each outlet air flow diversion mechanism 150 can operate in a manner having an independent angle for each zone that accommodates the user's body within that zone and provides air flow for drying.

Fig. 44 is a front view of the drying apparatus shown in fig. 38. The drying device 30 includes outlet air flow turning mechanisms 150a to 150d each including air guides 151a to 151d for opening and closing the air outlets 101a to 101d. In one configuration, the air guides 151a to 151d may seal and close the respective air outlets 101a to 101d. For example, gaskets may be disposed along the contours of the respective air guides 151a to 151d or the respective air outlets 101a to 101d to form seals between the air guides 151a to 151d and the respective air outlets 101a to 101d. The closed air outlets 101a to 101d may prevent the forced airflow from coming out of the main body 100 due to the air outlets. This may also act to prevent ingress of some substance, such as water, from the periphery to the air flow outlet. In particular, although the drying apparatus is used in a wet environment such as a bathroom, water may be splashed onto the drying apparatus, particularly in the case of use close to a shower or a bath tub. This will cause water to flow into the air outlets 101a to 101d. This can stagnate the water and promote the growth of mold, or cause corrosion or other damage to the drying apparatus and is undesirable. Therefore, when the drying device 30 is not used, the air outlets 101a to 101d may be closed by the air guides 151a to 151 d.

Fig. 45 is a front view of a drying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the drying device 30 shown in fig. 44, the drying device 40 has air outlets 101a to 101d so that a forced airflow of a prescribed width is discharged from the respective air outlets 101a to 101d. The air outlets 101a to 101d are opened and closed by air guides 151a to 151d operated by corresponding outlet air flow turning mechanisms. However, unlike the drying device 30, the drying device 40 includes one or more air outlets 101e to 101f at the center of the drying device 40. The one or more air outlets 101e to 101f are opened and closed by the air guides 151e to 151f operated by the corresponding outlet air flow turning mechanisms. The one or more outlets 101 e-101 f may provide a forced airflow towards the center of the user's body. During operation, the one or more air outlets 101 e-101 f may be open in a vertical direction relative to the user's body, and the one or more air outlets 101 e-101 f may be rotated or stopped from side to deliver forced air flow to different parts of the user's body. The air outlets 101 e-101 f may assist in providing additional air flow to the user's body for drying.

The action of the drying apparatus with the outlet air flow diverting mechanism may be controlled by a controller. Fig. 46 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a drying device of the embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of fig. 46 may be supplemented with the block diagram of fig. 22.

The controller 53 may control at least the action of the flow generator so as to direct air through the air outlet 101. Similarly, a thermal element or heater 13 may be controlled by the controller to regulate the temperature of the air exiting the air outlet 101. Although the heater 13 is illustrated, the heater 13 may be a thermoelectric device that generates both heating air and cooling air.

The controller 53 may receive input from one or more sensors during operation of the drying apparatus. For example, the thermal sensor 221 may be located on the rod 200 (see FIG. 34, sensor position of sensor 209). Such a thermal sensor may provide a signal indicative of the ambient temperature of the sensor. This is due to the temperature of the user's body, which can be used in a way that distinguishes the user from the background of the space. This may also be used for determining physical characteristics of the user's body. The actions for determining the physical characteristics of the user will be described with reference to fig. 25A and 25B.

Referring to fig. 25A and 25B, the wand 200 including a sensor, which may be a thermal sensor 221, faces a user when the user is positioned on the dry side 14 of the main body 100. When the drying device 10 is operated, the starting position of the lever 200 may be a lower portion of the drying surface 14. The lever 200 can be driven in the direction of arrow 1 in an upward direction by the drive means 11. As the lever 200 is driven in an upward direction, the thermal sensor scans the user's body. The sensed information is communicated to a controller 53 which uses the sensed information in order to determine a physical characteristic of the user. When the heat sensor no longer senses heat from the user, the height of the user is determined by the position reached and the driving means 11 can stop the movement of the bar 200.

Referring to fig. 46, when a complete thermal scan of the user's body is communicated to the controller 53, the controller 53 determines the action of the outlet air flow diversion mechanism 150 based on the thermal scan. For example, the controller may operate the outlet air flow diversion mechanism 150 to widen or narrow the air flow within the confines of the user's body, or otherwise redirect it in a lateral direction. For example, when the controller 53 determines that the user's upper body is wide and the user's lower body is narrow, the upper region may be adjusted to discharge a wider forced airflow from the upper region and the lower region may be adjusted to discharge a narrower forced airflow from the lower region. When the controller determines that the user's upper body is narrow and the user's lower body is wide, the upper region may be adjusted to exhaust a narrower forced airflow from the upper region and the lower region may be adjusted to exhaust a wider forced airflow from the lower region.

Sensors other than thermal sensors may be used. Proximity sensors or light sensors may similarly be used to provide input to the controller 53 to provide the presence or range of a user or other characteristics of the user's body.

The controller 53 may actively monitor the signals from the sensors during the drying action and may actively control the shape of the outlet air flow in accordance with user-related sensed information. For example, during the drying operation, the user can move to the left-right direction position. In the event that this positional movement is sensed, the controller 53 may update the actuation of the outlet air flow diversion mechanism 150 to communicate the air flow to the user's new location. Such updating may involve the continuous action of structural elements of the outlet air flow diversion mechanism 150 associated with both end sides of the air flow. For example, symmetrical widening and narrowing of the lateral width of the air flow will be caused. In other constructions, one side of the air flow may be narrowed or widened more or less than the other side. For example, to track lateral movement of the user's body, one of the one and other sides may act to narrow the air flow in a lateral direction and the other may act to widen the air flow in a lateral direction.

Exemplary embodiments of the drying apparatus have been described above. Embodiments may be modified in keeping with the particular uses and adaptations.

Where reference is made to elements or integers having equivalents disclosed in the foregoing description, such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to a plurality of exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the preferred embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Further, the present invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that many variations of the invention as described herein are possible with reference to the drawings without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

1. A drying apparatus, comprising:

a main body;

an air inlet formed at the main body;

a flow generator receiving intake air from the air inlet and generating an air flow;

an air outlet provided at the main body, discharging the air flow coming out of the flow generator, and extending in height along a vertical direction of the main body;

one or more air guides aligned in a vertical direction at the air outlet to adjust a discharge direction range of the air flow coming out of the air outlet;

a thermal sensor generating a signal for determining a lateral body extent of the user; and

a controller for controlling the action of one or more air guides;

the controller controls one or more of the air guides independently according to the signals such that the discharge directions of the air flows are different from each other between adjacent vertical direction regions.

2. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the air outlet includes an elongated slit extending in height along a vertical direction of the main body.

3. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the air outlet includes a pair of elongated slits that extend in height along a vertical direction of the body and are spaced apart in a lateral direction.

4. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the air outlet is formed by dividing the main body into a plurality of regions in the vertical direction, and the air guides of the respective regions are independently controlled so that the discharge direction range of the air flow is different between the adjacent vertical direction regions.

5. The drying apparatus according to claim 4,

the air guide of each region opens and closes the corresponding air outlet.

6. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the controller is actively monitoring the signals from the thermal sensors and updating the action of one or more of the air guides in response to sensed changes to the lateral body extent of the user.

7. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the air outlet includes a pair of elongated outlets extending in a vertical direction and an air guide provided at each of the elongated outlets;

the controller is also configured to cause the processor to,

determining a deviation of the user's body from the drying apparatus in a lateral direction from the signal;

independently operating the air guide of each of the extended outlets according to the determined lateral offset.

8. The drying device according to claim 7,

the controller independently operates the air guide of each of the elongated outlets to deliver the air flow of the air outlet toward the offset position in the lateral direction of the user.

9. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the air outlet includes a pair of elongated outlets extending in a vertical direction and air guides disposed at each of the elongated outlets and adjacent in the vertical direction;

the controller is also configured to cause the processor to,

independently operating the air guides of each of the elongated outlets in accordance with the determined lateral offset.

10. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the one or more air guides may also be operable to control the vertical direction of air flow from the air outlet.

11. The drying apparatus according to claim 1,

the air outlet includes a pair of elongated slits extending in a vertical direction, and the one or more air guides are provided in an air flow path of each of the elongated slits.

12. The drying apparatus according to claim 11,

the one or more air guides operate individually within each elongated slot.