JP2000184987A - Hand dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive and small sized hand dryer by which electric safety is secured and water splash on a user is prevented. SOLUTION: A detecting means 60 consists of an ultrasonic range finder and respectively detects hands to be inserted to a water receiver 14 at the lower end of a case cover 11 and to a hand inserting part 13. Then an operation control means operates a blowing means and heat generating means when the detecting means 60 detects the hands and does not operate them in spite of the existence of hand detection in the case it is judged that the water receiver 14 does not exist based on a signal from the detecting means 60.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus body having at least a blower and a blower for blowing out blown air toward the hand insert in a case cover having a hand insert. The present invention relates to a hand drying device for drying hands washed with water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of hand drying apparatus, for example, the one shown in FIG. 14 is known. That is, when a user inserts a hand into the hand insertion section 2 provided on the case cover 1, warm air blows out from a blowing nozzle 3 arranged to face the inside of the hand insertion section 2 to remove water droplets attached to the hand. It is configured to dry while blowing.

[0003] In the case cover 1, the blowing nozzle 3 is provided.
In addition, a turbo fan 4 for blowing air, a motor 5 for the air, a hot air heater 6 for heating the blown air, and the like are incorporated therein. Also, the hand insertion portion 2 in the case cover 1
A water receiver 7 for receiving the water blown off during hand drying was provided below. The water receiver 7 is a part for preventing the user from splashing water.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the water receiver 7 is formed integrally with the lower end of the case cover 1, but as shown in FIG. 15, the water receiver 8 is provided separately and independently of the case cover 1A. Formed devices are also known. When the device is operated in a state where the water receiver 8 is removed, there is a problem that water is applied to a user or water is scattered on a floor surface.

[0005] The water receiver 7 is integral with the case cover 1, and when the apparatus is operated with the entire case cover 1 removed, the motor 5 exposed to the outside is removed.
Since the power is supplied to the heater 6 and the warm air heater 6 and the like, it is not preferable from an electrical or mechanical viewpoint in terms of safety.

As a technique for solving the above problems,
The case cover 1 integrated with the water receiver 7 and the water receiver 8
There is also a device provided with a dedicated limit switch for detecting the presence or absence of an image, a photo interrupter, and the like. Such a device is generally configured such that the device itself does not operate unless a dedicated limit switch or the like detects the water receiver 8 or the like.

[0007]

However, in the conventional hand drying apparatus as described above, when a dedicated limit switch or the like for detecting the presence or absence of the case cover 1 is provided, the dedicated limit switch and the like are provided with a hand insertion portion. It is completely separate from the sensor that detects the finger inserted in 2,
Had been arranged.

Therefore, the number of expensive dedicated parts increases,
The number of assembling steps also increased, which was a factor of cost increase. In addition, extra space for installing the limit switch, etc. is required, and the location of the limited space inside the case cover is also a problem. In addition, the case cover is made large to secure the installation space. There was also a possibility that the size of the device would be increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and makes it possible to detect a water receiver and a finger by one detecting means, respectively.
When the water receiver is not detected, control is performed so as not to operate it, ensuring electric safety without increasing the cost and increasing the size of the product, and a method of preventing water from being applied to the user. It is intended to provide a drying device.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems The gist of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object lies in the following inventions. [1] Case cover (11) having hand insertion portion (13)
Inside, at least a blowing means (30) and a blowing means (5) for blowing the blown air toward the hand insertion portion (13).
(0), a hand dryer (10) assembled with an apparatus body (20) having a water receiver (14), a detecting means (60), and an operation control means (70); The receiver (14) is attached to the device body (2) fixed to the installation place.
0) can be detachably attached to the case cover (11) integrally or independently, and is usually in the hand insertion section (13).
The detecting means (60) is disposed at a use position for receiving water falling during hand drying under the hand insertion unit (13).
And the water receiver (14) disposed in the apparatus main body (20) so as to face the water receiver (14) downward, and located at a use position at a predetermined distance below the detection means (60).
And the finger inserted into the hand insertion portion (13) can be detected, respectively, and the operation control means (70) controls the blowing means (30) when the detection means (60) detects the finger. On the other hand, if it is determined that the water receiver (14) is not in the use position based on a signal from the detection means (60), the blowing means (30) should not be operated regardless of whether or not a finger is detected. A hand drying device (10), characterized in that:

[2] In a case cover (11) having a hand insertion part (13), at least a blowing means (30) and a blowing means (50) for blowing the blown air toward the hand insertion part (13). ), A hand drying apparatus (10) assembled with an apparatus main body (20) provided with a tray base (1).
4A), tray (15A), detecting means (60),
Operation control means (70), and the tray pedestal (14
A) is disposed below the hand insertion section (13) at a position to receive water that falls during hand drying, and the tray (15A)
Is detachably mounted on the tray pedestal (14A), and the detecting means (60) is arranged at a position facing the hand insertion section (13) and the tray (15A) on the tray pedestal (14A) downward. A tray (15A) on the tray pedestal (14A) separated from the detection means (60) by a predetermined distance downward, and a finger inserted into the hand insertion portion (13) can be detected, respectively. The operation control means (70) activates the blower means (30) when the detection means (60) detects a finger, and based on a signal from the detection means (60), a tray base (14A).
The hand dryer (10), characterized in that when it is determined that there is no tray (15A) above, the blowing means (30) is not operated regardless of the presence or absence of finger detection.

[3] The water receiver (14) according to [1],
Alternatively, the tray pedestal (14A) according to [2] is provided at the lower end of the case cover (11).
A hand drying device (10) formed integrally with (1).

[4] The water receiver (14) according to [1],
Alternatively, the tray pedestal (14A) according to [2] is formed separately and independently from the case cover (11).

[5] The detecting means (60) comprises an ultrasonic range finder [1], [2], [3].
Or the hand dryer (10) according to [4].

[6] The detection means comprises an optical sensor, [1], [2], [3] or [4].
The described hand dryer (10).

[7] When the detection means (60) continuously outputs a value exceeding the predetermined distance for a certain period of time, the operation control means (70) outputs the detection means (6).
Until 0) outputs a value corresponding to the predetermined distance,
[1], [2], [3], characterized in that the blowing means (30) is not operated regardless of the presence or absence of finger detection.
Hand drying device (1) according to [4], [5] or [6]
0).

Next, the operation based on the above-mentioned solution will be described. In the hand drying device (10) according to the present invention, the detecting means (60) disposed on the device main body (20) includes:
Each finger inserted into the hand insertion section (13) can be detected. The detecting means (60) is provided with a water receiver (1).
4) and outputs a signal regarding the presence or absence of finger detection to the operation control means (70).

The operation control means (70) comprises a detection means (6)
0) activates the blowing means (30) when a finger is detected. On the other hand, when the operation control means (70) determines that the water receiver (14) is not at the use position, the operation control means (70) does not operate the air blowing means (30) regardless of whether or not a finger is detected. Thereby,
Based on the signal from one of the detection means (60), if there is no water receiver (14), the device does not operate, and it is possible to prevent the user from being exposed to water or operating in a state exposed to the outside. it can.

When the tray (15A) is removably mounted on the tray pedestal (14A) corresponding to the water receiver (14), the same principle is used to detect the detecting means (6).
By 0), not only the finger but also the tray (15A) on the tray pedestal (14A) can be detected. When the tray (15A) is not provided, the air blowing means (30) is not operated to prevent water from splashing on the tray pedestal (14A), thereby keeping the tray pedestal (14A) and the floor clean. Can be kept.

The water receiver (14) and the tray pedestal (14)
If A) is formed integrally with the lower end of the case cover (11), the work of assembling it to the apparatus main body (20) and the attachment and detachment during maintenance and inspection are easy. In addition, the water receiver (1)
4) Put the tray base (14A) on the case cover (11).
When the water receiver (14) and the like are cleaned separately, only the water receiver (14) and the like can be easily attached and detached.

As the detection means (60), specifically, an ultrasonic range finder or an optical sensor may be used. The predetermined distance from the detection means (60) to the water receiver (14) is, for example, 2
In the case of 0 cm, when the detecting means (60) continuously outputs a detection value exceeding 20 cm for a certain period of time, it is determined that the water receiver (14) is not at the use position. If the detecting means (60) detects the distance of less than 20 cm, it means that the finger inserted on the water receiver (14) has been detected.

The control by the operation control means (70) is as follows.
When the detecting means (60) continuously outputs a value exceeding the predetermined distance for a predetermined time, thereafter, the detecting means (6)
Until 0) outputs a value corresponding to the predetermined distance, that is, until the water receiver (14) is arranged at the normal position, even if a finger is detected, the electric parts such as the air blowing means (30) are not operated. Should be set to.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments representing the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The hand drying device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a case cover 1 having a hand insertion portion 13.
1, the apparatus main body 20 is incorporated. Generally, the hand drying device 10 is installed on a wall of a washroom or a toilet.

When the user inserts his / her washed hand into the hand insertion portion 13 of the case cover 11, warm air is blown out from the blowing means 50 disposed so as to face the inside of the hand insertion portion 13. This is a device for drying while blowing off water droplets attached to hands. Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the case cover 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a front part 12 which is mounted so as to cover the apparatus main body 20, a hand insertion part 13 which is formed as a space under which a hand can be inserted, and a water receiver 1 which is provided forward from the lowermost end.
4 The case cover 11 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin.

The water receiver 14 in the present embodiment is detachable integrally with the case cover 11 with respect to the apparatus main body 20 fixed at the installation location. The water receiver 14 is arranged at a use position for receiving water that falls during hand drying below the hand insertion portion 13 when the case cover 11 is normally attached to the apparatus main body 20. Further, a water receiving tray 15 is detachably attached to a lower side of the water receiving 14. The water receiving tray 15 receives the water that has fallen on the water receiving
It can be stored up to a predetermined amount.

As shown in FIG. 3, a front end outlet 51 of a blowing means 50, which will be described later, penetrates a bottom surface portion of the front portion 12, and a suction opening 16 for taking in air from outside is formed in a large rectangular shape. ing. A mesh-shaped air filter 17 formed in a thin plate shape is detachably attached to the suction port 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the detecting means 60 is disposed at the lower end of the apparatus main body 20 so that the hand insertion portion 13 and the water receiver 14 face downward. The detecting means 60 is capable of detecting the water receiver 14 located at a use position at a predetermined distance below the detecting means 60 and the finger inserted into the hand insertion portion 13, respectively.
Specifically, it comprises an ultrasonic range finder.

Here, the ultrasonic range finder includes a transmitting element and a receiving element, emits an ultrasonic wave from the transmitting element, receives a reflected wave from an object to be detected by the receiving element, and determines a distance from a time difference or a phase difference. It is to detect. Generally, the transmitting element is a speaker and the receiving element is a sensor. However, these transmitting and receiving elements may be provided separately, or one element may be shared.

The detecting means is not limited to the ultrasonic range finder, but may use an optical sensor. Here, the optical sensor corresponds to a distance measuring sensor that integrates a light emitting unit (light emitting diode) and a light receiving unit (PSD) and uses triangulation.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the distance from the detecting means 60 to the bottom of the water receiver 14 is set to 20 cm, and as shown in FIG.
When the value of m is detected, the operation control means 70 described below determines that the water receiver 14 is present. When the detecting means 60 detects a value exceeding the distance of 20 cm, the water receiver 14 is not at the use position, that is, the case cover 11 is not attached to the apparatus main body 20. Furthermore, when the detecting means 60 detects a value less than the distance of 20 cm,
This is a case where a hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 13 and the detecting means 6
When 0 detects a hand, a value of about 15 cm is output in the present embodiment.

The operation control means 70 shown in FIG. 2 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the drive motor 31 and the like of the blower means 30, which will be described later, in response to a signal from the detection means 60. It is. The operation control unit 70 is connected to the detection unit 60, the drive motor 31 of the blowing unit 30, the heat generation unit 40, and the like via signal lines.

The operation control means 70 activates the blowing means 30 and the heat generating means 40 when the detecting means 60 detects a finger, while the water receiver 14 is not at the use position based on a signal from the detecting means 60. If it is determined that the air blowing means 30 and the heat generating means 40 are not operated regardless of whether or not a finger is detected.

More specifically, when the detecting means 60 continuously outputs a value exceeding the above-mentioned 20 cm (predetermined distance) for a certain period of time, the detecting means 60 thereafter sets the value corresponding to the above-mentioned 20 cm. Until is output, it is programmed not to operate the blowing means 30 or the heat generating means 40 regardless of the presence or absence of finger detection.

The hand insertion section 1 together with the detection means 60
A power switch 18 on the lower surface of the switch 3 turns on / off the power of the entire apparatus. Further, the air volume changeover switch 34 adjusts the output of the air blowing means 30 in two stages of strong / weak. Further, the heater changeover switch 41 turns on / off the heating means 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9, the apparatus main body 20 includes a blowing means 30, a heating means 40 for heating the blown air to a predetermined temperature, and a hand inserting section for heating the heated air. It is assembled from a blowing means 50 for blowing out toward 13 and the like. Each component of the apparatus main body 20 is integrally combined as one unit.

As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus main body 20 is disposed near one side wall surface in the front portion 12, and the remaining space near the other side wall surface forms a main part of a ventilation path.
Here, the ventilation path is a path through which the air taken in from the suction port 16 reaches the blowing means 50.

The upper end of the apparatus main body 20 is
An air supply port 22 for sending air to the air blowing means 30 is formed on the upper end side of the apparatus main body 20. More specifically, the outer shell of the device body 20 is
At its uppermost end, a case lid 21 is included, and the air supply port 22 is formed as a round hole substantially at the center of the case lid 21.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air supply port 22 has:
A mesh-shaped filter 23 formed in a thin circular shape almost conforming to the shape is mounted, and a block-type filter 24 is mounted on the upper side of the mesh-shaped filter 23.
The filter 24 has air permeability that allows air to pass from the entire surface exposed to the outside toward the air supply port 22.

Specifically, a sponge-like filter is used as the filter 24. Here, the sponge-like filter is obtained by processing a resin foam into a three-dimensional skeleton structure. Such a sponge-like filter is
It has very low ventilation resistance and generally has a high dust collection ability. Note that the filter 24 also serves as a sound absorbing material that absorbs the sound emitted from the blower 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air blowing means 30 is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main body 20 and blows the air in the front part 12 downward inside the apparatus main body 20.
The blowing means 30 includes a drive motor 31 and the drive motor 31.
And a fan 32 driven to rotate. The drive motor 31 is connected to the operation control means 70 via a signal line.

The fan 32 is a so-called turbo fan, and has a cylindrical hollow portion on the rotation center side, and has a number of blades arranged radially from the rotation center. When a large number of blades rotate, suction pressure is generated in the hollow portion. A sound absorbing material 25 made of ordinary urethane foam is arranged around the drive motor 31 of the blowing means 30, and an anti-vibration rubber 26 is arranged around the fan 32.

The ventilation path communicates with the air supply port 22, the air blowing means 30, and the blowing means 50 also inside the apparatus main body 20, so that the air blowing means 30 and the blowing means 50 to be described later are connected to each other. Heating means 40 is provided between them.
The heating means 40 is also connected to the operation control means 70 via a signal line.
It is connected to the.

The heating means 40 heats the air blown downward from the blowing means 30 to an appropriate temperature. Specifically, the heat generating means 40 is formed, for example, by joining a corrugated aluminum fin to a PTC heater. PT
The C heater is formed of a semiconductor ceramic resistor containing barium titanate as a main component and having a property of rapidly increasing a resistance value at a predetermined temperature or higher.

In the heating means 40 composed of such a PTC heater, when a voltage is applied, a current flows and self-heats due to Joule heat, and the temperature rises. However, when a predetermined switching temperature is reached, the resistance value increases rapidly. As a result, the current decreases and becomes constant. That is, it has a function to automatically keep the temperature above a certain temperature and keep the temperature constant.

As shown in FIG. 8, a blowing means 50 is provided at the lowermost end of the apparatus main body 20. The blowing means 50
The air blown by the blowing means 30 and heated by the heat generating means 40 is jetted vigorously. The blowing means 50 is composed of a nozzle having a shape in which the distal end outlet 51 is horizontally long and narrowed down to a narrow width. The tip outlet 51 of the blowing means 50 is arranged so as to face the hand insertion portion 13 of the case cover 11.

Next, the operation of the hand dryer 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the detecting means 60 is disposed on the lower end side of the apparatus main body 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the detecting means 60 includes the hand insertion portion 13 of the case cover 11 and the water receiving portion. An ultrasonic wave is emitted downward toward 14. The ultrasonic waves are reflected by the water receiver 14, the finger, the floor, or the like, which is the object to be detected, and then received by the detecting means 60 again, and the distance is detected from the time difference or the phase difference.

The distance from the detection means 60 to the water receiver 14 is set to 20 cm, and the detection value of the detection means 60 is 2 cm.
If it corresponds to 0 cm, the operation control means 70 receiving the signal from the detection means 60 determines that the water receiver 14 is at a predetermined position, that is, the case cover 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 20. Is done. On the other hand, if the detecting means 60 continuously outputs a value exceeding 20 cm for a certain period of time, it is determined that the water receiver 14 is not at the use position (see FIG. 6).

When the detection means 60 detects a value less than the distance of 20 cm, it is usually when a hand is inserted into the hand insertion part 13, and the operation control means which receives a signal from the detection means 60 at this time. With 70, the presence of a finger in the hand insertion section 13 can also be identified.

Here, when a finger is inserted at a position about 15 cm below the detecting means 60, it is difficult to detect the water receiver 14, but ultrasonic waves pass through a gap between fingers while moving the finger. Since there are many cases, it is possible to detect the water receiver 14 intermittently as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the state in which the detecting means 60 does not detect a finger before the operation of the apparatus continues for a predetermined time, so that the water receiver 14 described above can be detected.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hand dryer 10. First, the operation control means 70 determines whether or not the water receiver 14
Is determined. Here, when the detection means 60 continuously outputs a value exceeding 20 cm for a certain period of time (N in S101), the operation control means 70 drives the drive motor 31 of the blowing means 30 regardless of whether or not a finger is detected. And operation without energizing the heating means 40.

On the other hand, when the detecting means 60 detects the water receiver 14 at a predetermined position (Y in S101), it is determined whether or not a finger is inserted into the hand insertion portion 13 (S102). ). Here, when a finger is inserted into the hand insertion portion 13, the detection unit 60 detects that 15 c
The detection value around m is output, and the presence of the finger is confirmed by the operation control means 70.

Then, based on a command from the operation control means 70, the drive motor 31 of the blower means 30 is started, and the fan 32 is rotated to start blowing (S103). At the same time, when the heater changeover switch 41 is ON, power is supplied to the heat generating means 40, and the air blown by the fan 32 is heated (S103).

As described above, based on the signal from one detecting means 60, if there is no water receiver 14, the apparatus does not operate, and water is applied to the user, the drive motor 31 of the blowing means 30 and the like are turned off. It can be prevented from operating when exposed to the outside. In the present embodiment, since the water receiver 14 is formed integrally with the case cover 11,
This makes it easy to assemble the unit and to attach and detach it during maintenance and inspection.

When the operation of the apparatus is started based on the flowchart of FIG.
Is taken into the front part 12 from the suction port 16 on the lower surface of the head. Here, the air sucked from the suction port 16 is
Since the hot air is blown out from the blowing means 50, the thermal efficiency is increased, and the power consumption when the air is heated by the heat generating means 40 is reduced.

Since the suction port 16 faces downward in a substantially horizontal state, water that falls from above does not enter the suction port 16 against gravity. The air first passes through the filter 17 to remove foreign substances such as dust to some extent. In addition, inside the suction port 16,
A water baffle may be provided to repel water splashing during hand drying or device cleaning.

The air taken into the front part 12 from the suction port 16 flows up the ventilation path and flows to the upper end side of the apparatus main body 20 as shown by an arrow in FIG. Such air is supplied to the sponge filter 24 and the mesh filter 2.
3, the air is taken into the air blowing means 30 from the air suction port 22. Since the sponge-like filter 24 is mounted so as to spread widely around the air suction port 22, the sponge filter 24 has an outer surface area larger than the opening area of the air suction port 22, and air is sucked in from the entire outer surface area. .

The air sent downward by the blowing means 30 is heated by the heat generating means 40 and then reaches the blowing means 50. The air is blown out vigorously from the distal end outlet 51 of the blowing means 50 and blown to the hand inserted into the hand insertion portion 13. In this manner, the user can quickly dry his / her wet hands by blowing off water due to the blowing air and warm air. When the user pulls his hand out of the hand insertion section 13, the detecting means 60 detects the current, the power supply to the blowing means 30 and the heat generating means 40 is cut off, and the operation of the hand drying apparatus 10 ends.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a tray 15A is detachably mounted on the tray base 14A. The detection means 60 determines whether the tray base 14A is in the normal use position, that is, whether the case cover 11 is attached to the apparatus main body 20, whether the finger inserted into the hand insertion portion 13, and the tray base 14A. It is possible to detect whether or not the tray 15A is present.

The tray pedestal 14A does not fulfill the function of receiving falling water but has a structure for supporting the tray 15A. The tray 15A is capable of storing falling water up to a predetermined amount. FIG.
As shown in (1), the tray 15A includes an upper tray 15A1 and a lower tray 15A2 which can be separated from each other. When using the tray 15A, the upper tray 15A1
Is placed on the upper surface side of the lower tray 15A2, and is used integrally.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), when the upper tray 15A1 is placed, the upper tray 15A1 is inclined downward in the direction opposite to the hand insertion direction (back side). . At the time of operation of the apparatus, water blown from hands falls onto the upper tray 15A1, but thereafter, water is removed from the upper tray 1A1.
Due to the inclination of 5A1, it falls on the bottom surface of lower tray 15A2. Here, the upper tray 15A1 serves as a lid for the lower tray 15A2, so that water stored in the tray 15A does not catch on the user.

As shown in FIG. 12, the distance from the detecting means 60 to the bottom of the tray base 14A is set to 25 cm,
As shown in FIG. 11, the tray 15 is placed on the tray base 14A.
If there is A, the distance from the detection means 60 to the tray 15A (specifically, the upper tray 15A1; the same applies hereinafter) is 2
It is set to 0 cm. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, when the detecting means 60 detects a value of a distance of 20 cm, the operation control means 70 determines that the tray 15A is present on the tray base 14A. The detecting means 60 detects the value of the distance 25 cm when the tray base 14A is at the use position but the tray 15A is not located thereon.

When the detecting means 60 detects a value exceeding the distance of 25 cm, it means that the tray base 14A is not present, that is, the case cover 11 is not attached to the apparatus main body 20. Furthermore, if the detecting means 60 is at a distance 20
When a value less than 1 cm is detected, a hand is inserted into the hand insertion unit 13. When the detection unit 60 detects a hand, a value of about 15 cm is output in the present embodiment. Has become.

The operation control means 70 includes the detection means 6
When 0 detects a finger, it activates the blowing means 30 and the heat generating means 40, based on a signal from the detecting means 60,
When it is determined that the tray 15A is not present on the tray base 14A, a control is performed so as not to operate the air blowing means 30 or the like regardless of whether a finger is detected. Thereby, the tray 15
If A does not exist, the apparatus does not operate, so that water can be prevented from scattering to the tray pedestal 14A, and the tray pedestal 14A and the floor can be kept clean.

More specifically, when the detection means 60 continuously outputs a value exceeding 20 cm for a certain period of time, the operation control means 70 sets
Until a value corresponding to cm is output, the air blower 30 and the heat generator 40 are programmed so as not to operate regardless of whether or not a finger is detected. Here, the detection means 60 outputs a value exceeding 20 cm because the tray base 14A
This is a case where the tray 15A is not present at all, or the tray base 14A itself is not at the use position.

The hand drying apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, instead of integrally forming the water receiver and the tray pedestal at the lower end of the case cover, the water receiver and the tray pedestal may be formed independently of the case cover as shown in FIG. In such a case, when cleaning the water receiver, only the water receiver can be easily attached and detached.

The fan constituting the blower means is a multi-layer disc which is a fan having a small operating noise instead of a turbo fan and which is formed by superimposing a large number of discs with a small gap in the fan rotation axis direction. A fan may be used. Further, the heating means is not limited to the one using the PTC heater, and may be constituted by a heater wire or the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to blow off water droplets or the like adhering to the hand only by blowing out high-pressure air without providing a heating means.

[0069]

According to the hand drying apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to detect the water receiver and the finger by one detecting means, and to prevent the air blowing means from being operated when the water receiver is not detected. By controlling, the number of parts can be reduced, without increasing costs or increasing the size of the product.
Electrical safety can be ensured, and water can be prevented from being applied to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially broken away, showing a hand dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing operation control means of the hand drying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 7;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a positional relationship between a detection unit and a water receiver of the hand drying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a case cover showing a positional relationship between a detection unit and a water receiver of the hand drying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a detection distance of a detection unit of the hand drying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view of the hand dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing an apparatus main body of the hand drying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an apparatus main body and a case cover of the hand drying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention separately from each other.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the hand drying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a positional relationship between a detection unit of a hand drying device and a tray on a water receiver according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a positional relationship between a detection unit and a water receiver of the hand drying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a right side view and a plan view schematically showing a tray of a hand dryer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view schematically showing a conventional hand drying device.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a water receiver of another conventional hand dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hand drying device 11 ... Case cover 12 ... Front part 13 ... Hand insertion part 14 ... Water receiver 14A ... Tray pedestal 15A ... Tray 16 ... Suction port 17 ... Air filter 18 ... Power switch 20 ... Device body 21 ... Case lid Reference Signs List 22 air supply port 23 mesh filter 24 sponge filter 30 blower 31 drive motor 32 fan 34 air volume switch 40 heat generator 41 heater switch 50 blower 51 tip outlet 60 ... Detection means 70 ... Operation control means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuo Rikimaru 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Kodama 100 Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Address Koito Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A hand drying device comprising: a case cover having a hand insertion portion; and a device body having at least a blowing device and a blowing device for blowing the blown air toward the hand insertion portion. A water receiver, a detection means, and an operation control means, wherein the water receiver is detachable integrally with or independently of a case cover with respect to an apparatus main body fixed to an installation location, and is usually detachable. A detecting unit disposed at a use position below the hand insertion unit for receiving water that falls during hand drying; and the detecting unit is disposed on the apparatus main body so as to face the hand inserting unit and the water receiver downward. The water receiver at a use position separated by a predetermined distance downward from, and a finger inserted into the hand insertion unit can be respectively detected, and the operation control unit is configured to detect the finger when the detection unit detects a finger. Sending On the other hand, when the air means is operated, if it is determined based on the signal from the detecting means that the water receiver is not at the use position, the air blowing means is not operated regardless of the presence or absence of a finger detection. apparatus. 2. A hand drying apparatus comprising: a case cover having a hand insertion portion; and a device body having at least a blowing means and a blowing means for blowing the blown air toward the hand insertion portion. A tray pedestal, a tray, a detection unit, and an operation control unit, wherein the tray pedestal is arranged at a position below the hand insertion unit to receive water that falls during hand drying, and the tray is the tray The detection means is removably mounted on a pedestal, and the detection means is disposed at a position facing the tray on the hand insertion portion and the tray pedestal downward, and the detection means is provided on the tray pedestal at a predetermined distance downward from the detection means. A tray and a finger inserted into the hand insertion portion can be respectively detected, and the operation control means activates the air blowing means when the detection means detects a finger, while detecting the detection. Based on a signal from the stage, if it is determined that on the tray base tray is not, hand drying apparatus characterized by not operating the blowing means or without detection of the finger. 3. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the tray or the tray base according to claim 1 is formed integrally with the case cover at a lower end portion of the case cover. 4. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the water receiver according to claim 1 or the tray pedestal according to claim 2 is formed independently of the case cover. 5. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises an ultrasonic range finder. 6. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises an optical sensor. 7. When the detecting means continuously outputs a value exceeding the predetermined distance for a certain period of time, the operation control means controls the operation control means until the detecting means outputs a value corresponding to the predetermined distance. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the blower is not operated regardless of whether or not a finger is detected.
7. The hand dryer according to 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.