EP4231885A1

EP4231885A1 - Flow apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4231885A1
Application number: EP21733397.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Schrems
Original assignee: Sandrier GmbH
Current assignee: Sandrier GmbH
Priority date: 2021-01-13
Filing date: 2021-06-10
Publication date: 2023-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-10
Also published as: EP4231885B1; US20230371760A1; WO2022152408A1; EP4231885C0; DE202021004410U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow apparatus for treating air and for drying an object (6), the flow apparatus comprising a housing (11), which has: an interior (11'), into which the object (6) to be dried can be introduced via an opening of a partially open cover (12) of the housing (11); and a bottom (13), which is opposite the cover (12). A pump (15) is connected to the interior (11') on the input side in such a way that, by means of a pump action of the pump (15), a negative pressure is generated in the interior (11') and an airflow (7) directed into the interior (11') from the opening is generated for drying the object (6). A flow assembly comprises a controllable overpressure generating device (27, 44), a feed pipe (28) and at least one nozzle (29), wherein the overpressure generating device (27, 44) is connected to the interior (11') on the output side via the feed pipe (28) and the at least one nozzle (29) and is designed to produce an overpressure in the feed pipe (28) and to generate, via the at least one nozzle (29), a second airflow (30) directed into the interior (11') for drying the object (6).

Description

description

FLOW DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a flow device for treating air and for drying an object, in particular a human hand, which is afflicted with germs, for example.

The present application is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency mbH, EEG number 885038.

Conventional drying devices use blowers for hand drying, for example, which contribute to the distribution of germs in the room air and the area surrounding the dryer. The germs distributed in this way can then be transmitted further through the air or through smear infection.

Examples of this are e.g. B. conventional hand dryers that blow air at the highest possible speed onto the hands or other objects to be dried. For example, a conventional hand dryer consists of a housing, an opening in the housing for introducing objects to be dried, and a blower or positive pressure pump for generating a stream of air that is directed through a nozzle onto the object to be dried, such as an object. B. a hand is raised .

A disadvantage of such methods is the use of the air flow generated by a blower or an overpressure pump, which blows the water droplets and aerosols, which are still contaminated with germs, off the hands to be dried distributed simultaneously in the room air and on all objects in the room.

In the case of pathogens such as flu viruses, COVID-19 pathogens or multi-resistant germs that can be transmitted via breathing or smear infection, this type of hand drying can lead to a significantly higher risk of infection in the washroom due to the accumulation of germs. For this reason, hospitals have increasingly returned to using the classic method of drying hands with disposable paper towels.

A combined blower and suction method is known from EP 2656762 A2 which attempts to at least partially address this problem of contamination in the ambient air. EP 2656762 A2 uses a fan with subsequent air cleaning at the bottom of a chamber that is open at the top and returns the exhaust air to the area of the opening via pipes in the side walls. The air then exits through a nozzle at high velocity.

One problem to be solved is to specify an improved concept that is suitable both for air purification and for drying objects and with which the disadvantages of conventional drying methods are reduced or overcome.

This object is achieved with the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Further developments and refinements can be found in the dependent claims.

The improved concept is based on the idea that instead of blowing air, a flow device is a Suction achieved by means of a negative pressure or vacuum pump in the opening of a housing inwards, d. H . directed air flow is generated in an interior space of the housing.

The inwardly directed air flow causes liquid particles, in particular liquid particles contaminated with germs, to be sucked into the interior and can be discharged in a protected manner via an outlet of the pump. It is thus possible to reliably prevent liquid particles contaminated with germs from being blown into the area surrounding the flow device.

The improved concept is also based on the idea that, in addition to the vacuum pump, a flow arrangement is provided with a controllable overpressure generation device, which is connected to the interior space on the output side via at least one nozzle. This generates a second air flow directed into the interior to dry the object. This makes it possible, for example, for the flow device to be used on the one hand purely for drying an object, in which case the first and second air streams prevent air contaminated with germs from escaping from the interior. In addition, the flow device can also be used purely for sucking air out of the environment, in which case the overpressure generation device can remain deactivated. In this way, ambient air contaminated with germs can be cleaned.

In one embodiment of the improved concept, a flow device is configured to treat air and dry an object, such as a human hand. The flow device includes a housing with a Interior space into which the object to be dried can be inserted via an opening of a partially opened cover of the housing, and with a base opposite the cover. A pump is connected to the interior on the input side in such a way that a vacuum in the interior and a first air flow directed from the opening into the interior, for example exclusively into the interior, for drying the object is generated by means of a pumping action of the pump. The pump is designed for the outlet-side removal of an outlet air stream passing through the pump.

The flow device also includes a flow arrangement which has a controllable overpressure generating device, an inflow pipe and at least one nozzle. The overpressure generating device is connected to the interior via the inflow pipe and the at least one nozzle on the outlet side and is set up to form an overpressure in the inflow pipe and to generate a second air flow directed into the interior via the at least one nozzle to dry the object.

The pump is designed, for example, as a suction pump, in particular as a vacuum pump, and is connected, for example, on the inlet side to the interior via corresponding pressure lines. The pump is connected to the interior via the floor, for example, in order to maximize a suction effect with regard to the opening and thereby optimize the air flow.

For example, the opening of the lid is shaped in such a way that a flow cross-sectional area formed in the opening between the object and the lid, for example an inner edge of the opening in the lid, is minimized. the The opening of the lid is thus adapted as well as possible to the usual shape of the object to be dried, for example the human hand or hands. Reducing the flow cross-sectional area at the orifice improves airflow efficiency.

For example, the opening of the cover is shaped in such a way that the air flow in the area of the cover reaches a maximum speed according to the principle of a nozzle at a given suction capacity of the pump.

The cover of the housing, in particular the opening in the cover, can have a fixed, unchangeable shape. The opening is thus suitable for example for different sizes and shapes of the objects to be dried, for example hands.

If the opening chosen to increase the flow speed of the first air flow is so small that contact between the object to be dried and the flow device cannot be ruled out, additional cleaning devices can be provided which are automatically activated by means of one or more sensors after removal of the object to be dried can be activated.

However, the opening can also be dimensioned in such a way that when inserting and removing the object to be dried, the opening is sufficiently large to avoid unwanted contact with the lid or the interior and thus prevent smear infections.

On an outlet pipe of the pump, for example, there is a system for removing and/or decontaminating the outlet air flow appropriate, for example, the contaminated with germs outlet air flow. In various configurations, the overpressure generation device is formed by a further pump. Alternatively, the overpressure generation device is formed by an electrically controllable valve, which is connected on the input side to an output of the decontamination system. In this case, the pressure is generated by the pump, which thus generates a negative pressure on the inlet side and an overpressure on the outlet side via the flow arrangement.

In various configurations, the flow device also includes a control element, which is electrically connected to the pump and the overpressure generation device, for controlling the operating modes of the flow device. The control element is set up to activate the pump and the overpressure generating device in a drying operating mode in order to generate the first and second air flow. The control element is also set up to activate the pump in an air cleaning operating mode and to deactivate the overpressure generation device in order to generate the first air flow and not to generate the second air flow.

Switching between the operating modes can be done manually. Alternatively or additionally, the operating modes can also be selected with sensor control.

For example, the flow device also includes at least one detection sensor that is set up to detect an object in the interior. The control element is set up to activate the drying mode of operation when the object is detected in the interior and missing or completed detection of the object in the interior to deactivate the drying mode. The deactivation can also be time-dependent, for example, so that the drying operating mode is only ended a predetermined time after the object has been removed from the interior and this state has been correspondingly detected.

The at least one sensor can be designed, for example, as a distance sensor, for example as a RADAR sensor or high-frequency sensor or as a LIDAR sensor or other optical sensor.

In various configurations, the at least one sensor is set up to detect a type of object and/or a size of the object and/or a position of the object in the interior. This information can also be used in each case for controlling the pump and/or changing the opening of the cover, insofar as this can be controlled.

In some configurations, the flow device also includes at least one sensor for detecting germs and/or measuring the air quality or various parameters of the air quality, which is attached to an outside of the housing or in an outdoor space or outside of the interior and each for the detection of germs or Air quality of air outside is set up. The control is set up to activate the air cleaning mode when exceeding a fixed threshold of the germ load in the air in the exterior by means of at least one sensor for germ detection or. Measurement of air quality is detected. The activation of the air cleaning mode of operation can depend on this, for example be made, whether an object is currently being dried, i.e. the drying mode is activated. For example, the air cleaning operating mode is only activated when the flow device is in an idle operating mode in which neither the pump nor the overpressure generating device are activated.

The flow device can thus be controlled in such a way that, when the lid is open, z. B. when the lid is opened to the maximum, is always operated continuously as an air purifier, and only when it detects air to be cleaned or drying hands switches to the drying mode of operation by one or more sensors. One or more additional sensors installed in the outer shell of the device or in the room to measure the germ load in the breathing air or Ambient air, the air cleaning mode of the device can be controlled in such a way that the pump is only switched on if the room air pollution exceeds a critical threshold value. In the case of sensors installed separately from the flow device in the room for determining the germ load, radio modules are provided in the sensors and in the flow device in each case for sending and receiving the sensor data. If it is detected that the threshold value has not been reached, the pump is deactivated.

Such sensors for measuring the germ load can either be biological sensors for measuring typical germs such as viruses or bacteria, or - similar to an air conditioning system - simple air quality sensors z. B. detect the CO2 content of used breathing air and assume a corresponding correlation with the germ load caused by humans, e.g. B. Multi gas sensors for Volatile Organic Compounds, VoC, or CO2 sensors. Also other sensors complete recording of indoor air quality, e.g. B. for radon, CO, NOx, relative humidity, formaldehyde, etc. can optionally be integrated on or in the flow device.

The flow device can also include an indicator or a display for displaying the data measured by the sensors on bacterial load and/or air quality, so that the flow device also integrates the function of an air quality monitoring device for the outside area, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the data determined by the flow device, in particular air quality data, can also be sent to other devices such as B. Smartphones or smartwatches of the users of the flow device are transmitted.

In various configurations, the flow device comprises at least one pressure sensor in the interior and/or on an outside of the housing and/or in an exterior space. The control element is set up to control the pump and/or the overpressure generation device on the basis of pressure values recorded with the at least one pressure sensor. In addition, other sensors such as e.g. B. Air flow or humidity sensors are mounted inside the flow device.

In various configurations, a valve is attached to an outlet pipe of the pump to prevent the air flow from flowing back, for example the air flow contaminated with moisture particles and germs. This can prevent particles contained in the air flow from getting back into the pump and then back into the interior of the flow device, for example when the pump is switched off. In further configurations, a system for removing and/or decontaminating the air flow, in particular the air flow contaminated with germs, is attached to such an outlet pipe of the pump. Such a system prevents, for example, germs from getting back into an area surrounding the flow device and possibly infecting people there, as is possible with conventional drying devices. Alternatively or additionally, such a system can also be attached to an inlet pipe of the pump, for example between the interior or the floor and the pump .

Such a system can be, for example, a simple drain pipe connected to a sewage system or the like, a UV disinfection system with or without connection to such a drain pipe, a container partially filled with disinfectant that is replaceable or connected to a drain pipe, a combination of several filter stages (particle filter, HEPA filter, UV filter, ion filter, . . . ) as they are used in typical air purification devices, or another suitable sterilization system with a waste water tank to collect the moist, possibly contaminated air mixture or with a connection to a drainpipe .

If the system for decontamination of the air flow effectively kills the germs and filters the air accordingly, the drain pipe can be omitted if the condensed liquid particles are also collected in a container connected to the filter system. The air cleaned in this way can then be fed back into the room via outlet openings. This is particularly beneficial when the ambient air is contaminated with germs and Flow device is also provided with an additional continuous operation mode for cleaning the ambient air.

In various configurations, the flow device also includes at least one injector mounted above the cover for introducing disinfectant onto the cover and into the first air stream. In this case, the control element is set up, for example, to activate the injector and the pump for generating the first air flow in a self-cleaning operating mode. This means that germs in the air flow can be treated immediately. At the same time, the object to be dried can also be disinfected. Furthermore, the flow device itself can be cleaned in this way.

The injector is, for example, fitted above the cover in such a way that the cover can be cleaned by the disinfectant either in situ or by programming after the end of a drying process. Thus, for example, smear infections can be reduced or prevented if, for example, the object contaminated with germs touches the cover. In the described embodiments, several suction zones of the pump can be attached in the floor and/or on the side walls of the interior. In this way, for example, the air flow can be shaped in a more targeted manner.

In the various embodiments of the flow device, the first air flow is preferably larger than the second air flow. In other words, the negative pressure generated by the pump in the interior is correspondingly greater in terms of absolute value than an overpressure in the interior generated by the overpressure generating device. This ensures that even when the overpressure generation device is activated, air is reliably sucked out of the first and second air flow and no air contaminated with germs can escape through the opening of the cover.

If the overpressure generation device is formed by an additional pump, the flow device includes, for example, a filter system for cleaning ambient air, which is sucked in by the additional pump via an inlet. It can thus be ensured that no air contaminated with germs is blown into the interior via the flow arrangement.

Alternatively, the additional pump can be connected on the inlet side via a valve to an outlet of the system for decontamination. This in turn ensures that the air transported by the additional pump is not contaminated with germs. For example, the decontamination system has an inlet for supplying ambient air. This enables improved control of the air flows to be achieved. The ambient air can be supplied in a controlled manner, for example by an electrically controllable valve.

As already mentioned, in alternative configurations, the overpressure generation device can also be formed by an electrically controllable valve, which is connected on the input side to an output of the decontamination system. The controllability is given, for example, by the ability to open and close and/or the regulation of the air flow.

In the described embodiments, there can be several intake zones in the floor and/or on the side walls of the interior be attached to the pump. In this way, for example, the air flow can be shaped in a more targeted manner.

For example, the suction zones are independently controllable to regulate the air flow for optimal positioning of the object to be dried. For example, an independently controllable valve is attached to at least one, in particular each of the intake zones. A combination of permanently open suction zones and controllable suction zones, for example with a valve, can be advantageously considered.

In various embodiments, the base has one or more perforations through which the air flow is directed from the interior to the pump. Such perforations in the floor also represent suction zones to a certain extent.

In various designs, the flow device has one or more additional, directed into the interior, with the pump or Suction lines connected to the vacuum pump, which are located near the partially opened lid and connect the pump to the interior. In particular, suction zones of these suction ducts are arranged close to the partially opened cover. The at least one suction line opens z. B. close to the partially opened lid in such a way into the interior that a parallel or essentially parallel air flow to the lid is generated, which z. B. acts as an "air flow cover" or "air cover" for short. With this method, the mechanical lid can have a comparatively large opening to conveniently insert or remove objects to be dried without touching the flow device, while ensuring that at any time the escape of Germs from the interior are avoided as much as possible or even completely.

Instead of a single pump in each case, a plurality of pumps can also be used, which are connected in parallel with respect to different intake zones, for example. Instead of or in addition to the valves, the individual pumps can also be controlled separately.

The improved concept is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Elements of the same type or elements with the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols. For this reason, a repeated explanation of individual elements may be dispensed with.

Show it :

Figures 1A to IC different views of a

Design of a flow device,

FIGS. 2A to 2C show different views of a further embodiment of a flow device,

FIGS. 3A and 3B show different views of a further embodiment of a flow device,

FIGS. 4A and 4B show different views of a further embodiment of a flow device,

FIG. 5 shows an example of an embodiment of a flow device, Figures 6A and 6B different views of another

Design of a flow device,

Figures 7A and 7B different views of another

Design of a flow device,

Figures 8A to 8C different views of others

Embodiments of a flow device,

Figures 9 to 13 different views of others

Embodiments of a flow device,

Figures 14A and 14B show different views of another

Design of a flow device,

Figure 15 is a view of another embodiment of a

flow device , and

FIGS. 16A and 16B show different views of a further embodiment of a flow device.

Various configurations of a flow device are described below, which illuminate individual aspects of the invention. Even if individual figures only show partial aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, these aspects can each be combined with other aspects unless this is expressly excluded.

FIG. 1A shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a flow device. The flow device comprises a housing 11 in which an interior space 11 ′ is formed and which has a cover 12 at its upper end. which is partially open. An object 6 to be dried can be inserted through the opening of the cover 12, which is a human hand in this example. The flow device also has a pump 15 which is connected to the interior 11 ′ on the inlet side. The pump 15 is designed, for example, as a vacuum pump or suction pump, so that when the pump 15 is in operation, an air flow 7 is generated, which is directed from the opening in the cover 12 into the interior 11' for drying the object 6. A negative pressure is thus generated in the interior 11 ′ by the pump 15 .

In the interior 11 'a bottom 13 is provided, which is the cover 12 opposite and contains perforations 14 through which the air flow 7 as an output air flow 9 from the interior 11' via a or. suction line an inlet pipe 15 'is routed to the pump 15 . The pump 15 is connected on the output side via an outlet pipe 15 ″ to a system 17 , shown schematically, for collecting moisture particles 7 ′. The system 17 can, for example, be connected to the pump via an optional valve 16 in order to prevent the outlet air stream 9 from flowing back into the pump. During operation, the liquid particles or moisture particles 7′ can be contaminated with germs, which are sucked off the object 6 to be dried.

FIGS. 1B and 1C show the flow device in a plan view, the opening in the cover 12 and the base 13 with the perforations 14 being clearly visible in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1C additionally shows the objects 6 to be dried in a cross-sectional view, for example in the area of the wrists. This results in a certain distance 6 'of the objects to be dried 6 to the edge of the Opening of the lid 12 . In the present exemplary embodiment, this distance 6 ′ results in a flow cross-sectional area which essentially corresponds to the size of the opening in the cover 12 .

With reference back to FIG. 1A, one or more sensors 21 can be provided in the interior 11′, which are set up, among other things, to detect an object 6 in the interior 11′. In addition, the flow device can have a control element 23 , for example on an electrical circuit board , which is electrically connected to the sensor or sensors 21 and the pump 15 . Thus, the control element 23 can, for example, activate or deactivate the pump depending on the detection of an object to be dried in the interior 11 ′.

The at least one sensor 21 is, for example, a distance sensor, such as a high-frequency RADAR sensor or LIDAR sensor or another optical sensor that is suitable for detection. A drying process can thus be started by automatically switching on the pump as soon as the insertion of the object or objects to be dried, for example hands, is detected by the at least one sensor 21 .

As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the liquid particles or moisture particles 7′ possibly contaminated with germs are removed from the exterior 8 or kept away from it by the air flow 7 directed only into the interior of the housing 11 in contrast to conventional flow devices. The air flow 7 generated for drying flows through the perforated 14 by the action of the suction pump or vacuum pump 15 provided floor 13 via the intake pipe 15 'through the pump 15, the outlet pipe 15'' and the valve 16 into the system 17 for discharging the initial air flow 9 contaminated with germs. As mentioned, the valve 16 is used, for example, to prevent the backflow of a contaminated, moist air mixture. The system 17 thus prevents germs from getting back into the surrounding area 8 and potentially infecting people there.

Such a system 17 can be, for example, a simple drain pipe, a UV disinfection system (with or without connection to the drain pipe), a container partially filled with disinfectant (which is either exchanged regularly or is connected to the drain pipe), or any other suitable sterilization system with Waste water container to catch the contaminated, damp air mixture or with connection to the drain pipe.

If the system for decontamination of the air flow effectively kills the germs and filters the air accordingly, the drain pipe can be omitted if the condensed liquid particles are also collected in a container connected to the filter system. The air cleaned in this way can then be fed back into the room via outlet openings. This is particularly favorable when the ambient air is contaminated with germs and the flow device is also provided with an additional continuous operating mode for cleaning the ambient air.

From Fig. 1B and IC can also be seen that the distance 6 'between the Obj ect 6 and the inner edge of the cover 12 the ef fective flow cross-section and at a given suction power of the pump and the flow rate of the Air flow 7 determined by the cover 12 upon entry into the flow device. The higher the flow rate, the better the cleaning effect.

Referring to FIG. 2A, by appropriately shaping the lid, the opening in the lid 12 can also be limited in size to minimize the suction required by the pump or to maximize efficiency. The distance 6' is reduced compared to FIG. 1A. This can also be clearly seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C.

It should also be noted that the opening should still be large enough that the object 6 to be cleaned (e.g. hands) does not come into contact with the edges of the cover 12 if possible, so as to reduce the risk of smear infections via contamination of the hands to be dried to minimize.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a possible further development based on the embodiments of the figures described above.

In FIG. 3A, a device 19 for injecting disinfectant into the air flow 7 is optionally attached in the area above the cover 12 . Particles 20 of the disinfectant are also shown. This achieves an in situ disinfection of the cover 12 and also a disinfection of the air flow 7 so that, for example, a simple drain pipe or a UV disinfection system can suffice as the system 17 . Through special programming, after the end of a cleaning cycle or

Drying process for the objects 6, ie when the objects 6 were removed from the interior 11 ', the cover 12 by the device 19 for disinfection and by the Pump 15 generated air flow 7 are cleaned so that it is available for the subsequent user.

In Fig. 3A and 3B one can also see an adaptive cover 12 with one (or more) movable elements 18 for minimizing the distance 6' and thus the flow cross-section for the air flow 7 in the area of the cover 12. During the introduction of the obj ects 6, the lid can be opened further automatically or. be, and as soon as the sensors 21 detect that the obj ects 6, z. B. If the hands were positioned in the interior space 11', the cover 12 would close to such an extent by actuating the movable element 18 that the flow cross-section is minimized.

Fig. 4A and FIG. 4B show a possible further development based on the embodiments of FIG. 3A and 3B. In contrast to this, at least two movable elements 18 form the cover here, which are shaped in such a way that the distance 6' and thus the flow cross section around the objects 6 (hands) is minimized.

A cover 12 with one or more movable elements can also be used in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1A to 10 and Fig. 2A to 20 can be used independently of the disinfection device 19 .

In addition, the flow device can also be provided with separate intake zones, which can optionally also be controlled separately, for example with perforations 14 on the side walls and in the floor 13 of the interior space 11'. An independent regulation of the intake zones can be realized with their own pumps 15 or alternatively with valves 24, as for example in FIG. 5 . The pumps and/or valves can also be activated via the control element 23 on the basis of signals from the sensors 21 . The aim of using several suction zones is an even more precise control of the air flow 7 in order to enable the objects 6 to be optimally positioned during the drying process.

To further increase the effectiveness, the extraction zones can also be equipped with heating elements that can be heated up quickly, e .g . B. Infrared lamps are provided. However, care must be taken here that no excessive temperature gradients arise in the interior space 11' in order to avoid disruptions to the air flow 7 directed vertically downwards.

In the event that the air surrounding the flow device is also already very heavily contaminated with germs, this problem can first be solved by introducing dermatologically harmless cleaning agents into the air flow 7 by means of one or more injectors 19, with in-situ disinfection in the air flow he follows .

As an additional or alternative measure, as shown in FIGS. 6A and FIG. 6B, the flow device can be controlled such that it, e.g. B. when the cover 12 is opened to the maximum, with optional movable elements 18, it is always operated continuously as an air purifier, and only when objects 6 are detected, e.g. B. to be cleaned or drying hands is switched to the drying mode of operation as illustrated in the previous figures by one or more sensors 21 . The air cleaning mode of the device can be controlled by one or more additional sensors 25 in the outer shell of the device or in the room to measure the germ load in the air we breathe, so that it is only switched on when the room air load exceeds a critical threshold value, e.g. B. by activating the pump 15 . In the case of sensors installed separately from the flow device in the room for determining the germ load, radio modules are provided in the sensors and in the flow device in each case for sending and receiving the sensor data. Such sensors for measuring the germ load can either be biological sensors for measuring typical germs such as viruses or bacteria, or - similar to an air conditioning system - simple air quality sensors that detect the CO2 content of used breathing air and assume a corresponding correlation with the germ load caused by humans, e.g. B. Multi gas sensors for Volatile Organic Compounds, VoC, or CO2 sensors. Other sensors for complete recording of the indoor air quality, e.g. B. for radon, CO, NOx, relative humidity, formaldehyde, etc. can optionally be integrated on or in the flow device.

In a further exemplary embodiment, which is shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the interior 11' can be designed by means of a nozzle-shaped insert 26 instead of the cover 12 in such a way that the flow cross section 6' shown in Figure 7B initially decreases with increasing depth and only in the depth increases again towards the bottom 13 . This nozzle shape also results in a corresponding reduction in the flow cross-section and thus an increase in the flow speed to shorten the drying time. In order to achieve flow speeds of 50 to 100 m/s in the narrowest area, for example, the normal distance 6' between the hands 6 to be dried and the insert 26 should be reduced to well below 10 mm. In practice, however, this requires cleaning by means of an injector 19 because the occasional contact of the hands 6 to be cleaned with the side walls of the insert 26 during the cleaning process can hardly be avoided. Likewise, the nozzle-shaped insert can also be designed with movable elements in order to enable an even better adaptation to hands 6 of different sizes (not shown).

In the representations of Figures 8A and 8B and 9 to 13, the principle described so far is supplemented according to the improved concept of the present application in that, in addition to the pump 15, a flow arrangement is provided which has a controllable overpressure generating device 27 or 44, which has a Inflow pipe 28 and at least one nozzle 29 are connected to the interior space 11'. The overpressure generating device is set up to generate an overpressure in the inflow pipe 28 . While the pump 15 uses its pumping action to create a negative pressure in the interior 11' and thus a first air flow 7, the overpressure in the inflow pipe 28 generates a second air flow 30 directed into the interior 11' via the at least one nozzle 29, which is used to dry the Object 6 contributes .

Thus, a global negative pressure can be generated in the flow device via the pump, which is used for hand cleaning as well as for air cleaning of the air around 8 can be used. In addition, a local overpressure is generated, in particular at the outlet of the nozzle 29 , which intensifies the local drying effect on the object 6 . This increases the efficiency of cleaning the object, for example the human hand. The first and second air flow results in an independent control option for the maximum

Air flow speed on the surface of the hands in order to maximize the drying effect, in particular without having to make the distance 6' between the walls of the interior space 11' and the hands to be dried particularly narrow.

With reference to FIG. 8A, the overpressure generation device is formed there by a further pump 27 which sucks in air from the environment 8 via an opening 31 and a subsequent filter 32 .

The pump 27 compresses the air to generate an overpressure Ap2 which results in the second air flow dV2/dt 30 via the pipe system 28 and the nozzle(s) 29 . The vacuum pump(s) 15 and overpressure pump(s) 27 are preferably always dimensioned and controlled in such a way that a resulting negative pressure is created in the interior 11' in order to avoid contamination of the environment 8 by drying the hands 6. It is therefore always Ap<0 for the resulting pressure change Ap in the interior 11′ due to the effect of the vacuum pump 15, which generates a negative pressure Ap1, and the effect of the overpressure pump 27, which generates the overpressure Ap2. D. H . further Api + Ap2 < 0 where Api < 0 (negative pressure) and Ap2 > 0 (overpressure) . Thus applies

| API | > | API | . D. H . further that in the interior 11 'during the drying process, a negative pressure prevails in comparison to the pressure p in the environment 8. Assuming that after the pumps 15, 27 are switched on, a steady flow quickly sets in, it can be derived from the Bernoulli equation that the volume flow Q=dV/dt is directly proportional (with the constant c and a constant density ) to the root of the through the pressure difference Ap generated by the pumps in the interior 11' is:

In the case of a stationary flow, this also means that the amount of the volume flow dVi/dt generated by the vacuum pump 15 is always greater than the amount of the volume flow dV2/dt generated by the overpressure pump 27 in order to achieve that in the interior 11 'always a oppressive prevails .

For example, in Fig. 8A, a vacuum pump 15 with 1400W power can be selected, which has a flow rate of approx. 75 litres/s at a vacuum of approx . 250 mbar generated. For the overpressure pump 27, for example, a flow rate of approx. 50 litres/s at an overpressure of approx . 150mbar and a maximum power of 900W can be generated. With a diameter of the nozzles 29 of less than 1 mm, speeds of the second air flow of more than 80 m/s could then be achieved, which would be more than sufficient for a very good drying effect in a time of significantly less than 15 seconds.

The flow device in FIG. 9 also has sensors 37

Measurement of the pressure in the exterior 8 and sensors 38 for measuring the pressure in the interior 11 '. These are in turn connected to the control element 23 and enable the control element 23 to selectively control the pump 15 and the pump 27 running overpressure generation device based on the corresponding sensor data.

In this embodiment, the control element 23 is also set up, for example, to control operating modes of the flow device. For example, in a drying operating mode, the control element 23 activates the pump 15 and the overpressure generating device 27 in order to generate the first and second air flow. Likewise, the control element 23 can activate the pump 15 in an air cleaning mode of operation, while the overpressure generating device 27 is deactivated in order to generate the first air flow 7 and not to generate the second air flow 30 . The flow device, as shown in FIG. 8A, can thus be used both for drying an object, in particular a human hand 6, and for treating air, in particular in connection with the system 17 for discharging the air flow contaminated with germs, as further explained in detail above.

For example, the control element 23 will activate the drying mode of operation if an object 6 in the interior space 11' is detected by the at least one detection sensor 21. In addition, the drying operating mode is deactivated when the object 6 in the interior 11 ′ has not been detected or has been detected. This can be done, for example, in a time-controlled manner after the detection of the object 6 has ended.

Typically, the vacuum pump 15 is started earlier and continues to run even after the overpressure generating device 27 has been switched off at the end of the drying process. If the flow device is operated as an air purifier, then the overpressure generating device 27 remains switched off and only the vacuum pump 15 is operated.

With reference to FIGS. 8B and 8C, plan views of the flow device from above are again shown there. While a common interior space is used for two hands in FIG. 8B, the interior space in FIG. 8C is divided into two interior spaces, which are each constructed according to the same principle. The nozzles 29 run, for example, in a ring around the hands to be dried. The nozzles 29 can be designed, for example, by means of circular or punctiform or slit-shaped openings and are shaped, for example, so that the air flowing in from the inflow pipe 28 is accelerated to the highest possible speed, around 50 to 100 m/s, by the exit opening has a diameter that is as small as possible, for example less than 1 mm. With particularly small diameters, speeds of significantly more than 100 m/s can also be achieved.

FIG. 9 shows a modification of the embodiment of the flow device shown in FIG. In this case, instead of a single outlet area of the nozzles 29 , a plurality of nozzles integrated in the inner wall of the interior space 11 ′ are provided.

Both in FIG. 8A and in FIG. 9, the angle of the second air flow 30 which emerges from the nozzles 29 is inclined to the surface normal of the hand 6 to be dried. For example, the angle of inclination can be between 15 and almost 90 degrees in order to avoid backscattering of the liquid particles and germs 7 ′ detached from the hand into the exterior space 8 . With reference to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the flow device is shown there, which is based on the embodiments of FIG. 8A and FIG. 9, with only one two-stage nozzle 29 being used on the front and back of the hand 6. The nozzle shown on the right in the illustration is connected, for example, by a cross connection 28'' to the inflow pipe 28 or the overpressure pump 27.

The nozzle 29 used in FIG. 10 is shown more clearly in further views in FIG. The nozzle 29 comprises a first flat nozzle 29' for distributing and accelerating the second air stream 30 from the inflow pipe 28. Referring to FIG. 'A significantly greater width 41' 'to distribute the air flow, but a significantly lower height 41' than the corresponding height 40' at the entrance in order to achieve a first acceleration of the air flow 30. The second flat nozzle 29'', whose entry cross section 42 corresponds to the exit cross section 41 of the first flat nozzle 29' and whose exit cross section 43 is smaller than the entry cross section area 42, enables a further acceleration of the air flow 30. The width 43" at the exit of the second flat nozzle 29 ' ' corresponds to the width 41'' , for example.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment, based on the embodiment of Fig. 10, with the aim of simplifying the arrangement and maintaining efficiency. The inlet 31 for the pump 27 to generate a second air flow 30 is connected to the outlet of the plant 17 for decontamination of the outlet air flow 9, preferably via a valve 16 and a pipe 31'. Here, an exemplary embodiment of the system 17 with a filter system 17'

(e.g. air dehumidifier, HEPA filter, UV filter) for sterilization and dehumidification of the output air flow 9. In this way, part of the cleaned output air flow 9 can be used as the second air flow 30, and the filter system 32, which is connected upstream of the pump 27 in the previous embodiments in FIGS. 8A, 9 and 10, can be omitted. In addition, the system 17 in this case also contains an outlet 17'' for air 7'' that has been cleaned of germs and is dehumidified into the environment 8, and an inflow 17 for air from the environment 8 into the system 17 in order to optimally control the air flows to allow . In this case, the outlet 17'' can also be used for the targeted recirculation of the cleaned room air when the flow device is working in air cleaning mode.

Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of the flow device in which, in comparison to FIG. 12 the pump 27 is replaced by an electrically controllable valve 44 in order to generate the second air flow 30 only when the first air flow 7 already has sufficient negative pressure in the interior 11' of the flow device, and to switch it off again before the pump 15 is switched off . The overpressure generating device is thus formed by the electrically controllable valve 44 .

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a further embodiment of a flow device in which the power of the vacuum pump 15 can be further reduced by a special design of the cover 12 . The cover 12 movable elements 33 with deformable parts 36, which make it possible for a gap between the hand or the object 6 to be dried to be completely or almost completely closed. However, openings 34 are provided in the cover 12, which are preferably designed as nozzles 35, so that the sole effect of the first air flow 7, which is generated by the pumps 15, causes an air flow at high speed on the surface of the hands to be dried 6 to create . In this way, the power consumption can be further reduced compared to the previously described embodiments.

However, since the hands 6 to be dried come into contact with the deformable parts 36, it is advantageous to provide an additional cleaning process using the injector 19 and the cleaning agent 20 during and after the drying process. This is not absolutely necessary in the embodiments described above, particularly in connection with FIGS. 8 to 13, since contact between the hand and the flow device can be avoided.

Although not expressly shown, it is also possible in the embodiment of FIGS. 14A and 14B to support the global generation of the negative pressure by generating local overpressure in order to further improve the air flow in the interior 11'.

The cover in the embodiment of FIGS. 14A and 14B is also a measure that acts in addition to the global negative pressure in order to prevent moisture particles and germs 7 ′ from escaping through backflow into the inlet opening and then into the environment 8 . Figure 15 shows another or. alternative embodiment, which is essentially based on the embodiment of Figure 10 and in which the deformable parts 36 of the cover 12 in Figure 14A are replaced by an "air flow cover" or "air cover" 39 for short, which by means of at least one additional suction line 45 creates a horizontal Airflow 45' generated.

The pump 15 is additionally connected to the interior 11 ′ on the inlet side via the at least one suction line 45 . The at least one suction line 45 opens near or below the partially opened cover 12 into the interior 11' in such a way that a horizontal air flow 45' parallel or substantially parallel to the cover (12) is generated. This forms the air cap 39 . Although a somewhat higher output of the pump 15 may be required, the human hand 6 is prevented from being touched by deformable parts 36, which can therefore have hygienic advantages.

The flow device according to the invention uses a number of sensors, u. a. also sensors 25, which measure the air quality in the environment 8, for the system control. With reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, which are based on FIG. including correlation to biological contamination such as viruses, bacteria, VoC, formaldehyde, etc. and even radon) for the users of the flow device or hand dryer. Alternatively, the information can be transmitted via radio (not shown also on the user's devices (mobile phone, smart watch, . . . ) are transmitted for information or warning of hazards.

As described in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B, an operating mode of the flow device can also be controlled in all of the embodiments via one or more sensors 25 for measuring the bacterial load or other parameters of the air quality. For example, the control element 23 is set up to activate the air cleaning operating mode when it detects that a fixed threshold value of the germ load or other contamination of the air in the exterior 8 is exceeded by means of the at least one sensor 25 for measuring the germ load or other parameters of the air quality.

Reference List

6 object

7 airflow

7 ' Moisture particles and germs

7'' air cleaned of moisture and germs

8 outdoor space

9 exit airflow

11 housing

11' interior

12 lids

13 floor

14 perforations

15 pump

15' inlet pipe

15'' outlet pipe

16 valve

17 plant

17' filter area

17'' air outlet

17'' air supply

18 moving element

19 disinfection device

20 particles of disinfectant

21 sensors

23 control

24 valve

25 sensors

26 use

27 pump

28 inflow pipe

29 nozzle

29', 29'' flat nozzle 30 airflow

31 inlet

31’ piping

32 filter system 33 moving element

34 opening

35 nozzle

36 deformable part

37 , 38 pressure sensor 39 air cap

40-43 dimensions flat nozzle

44 controllable valve

45 suction line

45 ’ horizontal airflow 46 indicator

Claims

- 35 -

patent claims

1. Flow device that is set up for treating air and for drying an object (6), in particular a human hand, the flow device comprising: a housing (11) with an interior (11 '), into which an opening of a partially opened Lid (12) of the housing (11) to be dried object (6) can be inserted, and with a lid (12) opposite the bottom

(13) ; a pump (15), in particular a vacuum pump, which is connected on the inlet side to the interior (11') in such a way that a pumping action of the pump (15) creates a vacuum in the interior (11') and a pressure from the opening into the interior (11' ), In particular exclusively in the interior (11 '), directed first air flow (7) for drying the object (6) is generated, wherein the pump is designed for the output side discharge of an output air flow (9) passing through the pump; and a flow arrangement which has a controllable overpressure generating device (27, 44), an inflow pipe

(28) and at least one nozzle (29), wherein the overpressure generating device (27, 44) on the outlet side via the inflow pipe (28) and the at least one nozzle

(29) is connected to the interior (11') and is set up to form an overpressure in the inflow pipe (28) and via the at least one nozzle (29) a second air flow (30) directed into the interior (11') for drying of the object (6) to generate.

2. Flow device according to the preceding claim, further comprising an electric with the pump (15) and the overpressure generating device (27, 44). 36 connected control element (23) for controlling operating modes of the flow device, the control element (23) being set up to activate the pump (15) and the overpressure generating device (27, 44) in a drying operating mode in order to generate the first and second air flow; and in an air cleaning mode to activate the pump (15) and deactivate the positive pressure generating device (27, 44) in order to generate the first air flow and not to generate the second air flow.

3. Flow device according to the preceding claim, further comprising at least one detection sensor (21), which is set up for detecting an object (6) in the interior (11 '), wherein the control element (23) is set up, upon detection of the object ( 6) to activate the drying mode of operation in the interior (11') and to deactivate the drying mode of operation if the detection of the object (6) in the interior (11') is missing or has ended.

4. Flow device according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one detection sensor (21) is set up to detect at least one of the following: a type of object (6); a size of the object (6); a position of the object (6) in the interior (11 ').

5. Flow device according to one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising at least one sensor (25) for detecting germs and / or measuring the air quality, which is attached to an outside of the housing (11) or in an outer space (8) and for detecting the Germ load of air in the exterior (8) is set up, wherein the control (23) set up is to activate the air cleaning operating mode when the at least one sensor (25) for detecting germs and/or measuring the air quality detects that a specified threshold value of the germ load in the air in the outside area (8) has been exceeded.

6. Flow device according to the preceding claim, further comprising a display for displaying the at least one sensor (25) for detecting germs and/or measuring the air quality measured data on the germ load and/or air quality.

7. Flow device according to one of Claims 2 to 6, further comprising at least one pressure sensor (37, 38) in the interior (11') and/or on an outside of the housing (11) and/or in an exterior (8), wherein the The control element (23) is set up to control the pump (15) and/or the overpressure generating device (27, 44) on the basis of pressure values recorded by the at least one pressure sensor (37, 38).

8. Flow device according to one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising at least one injector (19) mounted above the cover (12) for introducing disinfectant onto the cover (12) and into the first air flow (7), wherein the control element (23 ) is set up to activate the injector (19) and the pump (15) for generating the first air flow in a self-cleaning mode.

9. Flow device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first air flow (7) is greater than the second air flow (30) and generated by the pump (15). Negative pressure in the interior (11') is greater in terms of amount than an overpressure generated in the interior (11') by the overpressure generating device (27, 44).

10. Flow device according to one of the preceding claims, in which on an outlet pipe (15 '') of the pump (15) has a valve

(16) to avoid backflow of the outlet airflow (9).

11. Flow device according to one of the preceding claims, in which on an inlet pipe (15') and/or on an outlet pipe (15'') of the pump (15) there is a system (17) for removing and/or decontaminating the outlet air flow (9). is appropriate, in particular with germs (7 ') loaded output air flow (9).

12. Flow device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the overpressure generating device is formed by a further pump (27).

13. Flow device according to the preceding claim, further comprising a filter system (32) for cleaning ambient air, which is sucked in by the further pump (27) via an inlet (31).

14. Flow device according to claim 11, in which the overpressure generating device is formed by a further pump (27) which is connected on the input side via a valve, in particular a controllable valve, to an output of the system (17) for decontamination. - 39 -

15. Flow device according to the preceding claim, wherein the system (17) for decontamination has an input for supplying ambient air.

16. Flow device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, in which a system (17) for decontamination of the outlet air flow (9) is attached to an outlet pipe (15'') of the pump (15), the overpressure generating device being controlled by an electrically controllable valve ( 44) is formed, which is connected on the input side to an output of the system (17) for decontamination.

17. Flow device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the floor (13) and/or on side walls of the interior (11′) a plurality of suction zones are attached; the pump (15) is additionally connected to the interior (11') on the inlet side via at least one suction line (45); and the at least one suction line opens into the interior (11') near the partially opened lid (12) in such a way that an air flow parallel or substantially parallel to the lid (12) is generated.