JP2001128885A - Hand dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical and highly reliable hand dryer with excellent handleability for surely blowing away waterdrops stuck to hands with less components. SOLUTION: This hand drier for inserting/removing the hands from the opening of walls facing each other and drying the hands is provided with respective nozzles provided on almost the same position of the respective walls facing each other for jetting high-speed air, a light emitting element group formed in a columnar shape so as to be orthogonal to the inserting/removing direction of the hands on the inner wall of one of the walls facing each other for emitting light and a light receiving element group formed in the columnar shape so as to be orthogonal to the inserting/removing direction of the hands on the inner wall of the other wall for receiving the light from the light emitting element group. One of the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is disposed on the entrance side and back side of the opening, the other element group is singly disposed, the insertion/removal state of the hands is detected from the light between the element groups and the high-speed air is jetted from the respective nozzles based on the detected result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hand drying device for drying wet hands.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional hand drying apparatus having a hand insertion chamber for drying wet hands, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-4784 is known.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a hand drying apparatus having a hand insertion chamber described in the above-mentioned publication, and FIG.
4 is a sectional view of FIG. In these figures, reference numeral 10 denotes a box which is the main body of the hand drying apparatus, reference numeral 20 denotes a hand insertion chamber in which a hand is provided in front of the box 10, and a hand is put in and out; It is a high-pressure air flow generator equipped with a blower for blowing a flow.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a light emitting element sensor provided at the center of one wall surface of the hand insertion chamber 20 and emits light such as infrared light. Reference numerals 23a and 23b denote left side portions of the other wall surface of the hand insertion chamber 20 on the insertion side. The light receiving element sensor is provided at each of the right and left rear sides and detects the presence or absence of light from the light emitting element sensor 22 to detect the presence or absence of hand insertion. Reference numerals 18a and 18b denote nozzles provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the wall of the hand insertion chamber 20 so as to oppose each other, and blow out a high-pressure air flow. An exhaust duct for guiding air from the flow generator to the nozzles 18a and 18b.

Next, this operation will be described. First,
When a hand is inserted into the hand insertion chamber 20, the inserted hand blocks light between the light emitting element 22 provided on the wall surface of the hand insertion chamber 20 and the plurality of light receiving elements 23a and 23b. The output of the light receiving element detects that the hand has been inserted, and the blower 3 operates to generate high-pressure air in the high-pressure airflow generating device. This high-pressure air is passed through the exhaust duct 16 to the upper and lower nozzles. 18a, 18b to the back side of the hand insertion chamber 20,
That is, since water is ejected to the side opposite to the insertion side of the hand, water droplets and the like adhering to the hand are blown off by high-pressure air.

At this time, since the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are provided as a single unit, in other words, they are provided as points, respectively, so that a hand must be inserted on a line connecting the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. Not detectable. That is, for example, even if the palm is inserted almost vertically from the center of the hand insertion chamber to the sensor wall, or if the palm is not inserted almost perpendicular to the sensor wall, the palm is simply If a hand is inserted between the light receiving elements due to its small size, it is detected that the hand has not been inserted even though the hand has been inserted, and the nozzle 18a,
No high-pressure air is blown out of 18b, and water droplets and the like attached to the hand do not scatter.

[0007] As another conventional example, although not shown, there is a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged in a row so as to face upper and lower wall surfaces. However, a light emitting element and a light receiving element as such components, which are provided in two rows at the top and bottom, can accurately grasp the insertion state of the hand in the hand insertion chamber, but the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are large. As a result, the number of parts around the element, which is a cleaning location, has increased, and maintenance has taken a long time.

[0008]

As described above,
The conventional hand drying device has a problem that the detection area for detecting the presence or absence of the hand is narrow, so that water drops or the like attached to the hand cannot be accurately scattered even though the hand is inserted. . In addition, the number of parts, the number of assembling steps, and the number of cleaning locations are increased, so that there is a problem that maintenance is poor and the cost is high.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is economical, easy to use, and highly reliable in that when a hand is inserted, water droplets or the like attached to the hand are scattered accurately. The purpose is to obtain a hand drying device. It is another object of the present invention to obtain a hand drying device which is hardly stained with water or hand grit and does not propagate germs.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hand drying apparatus for drying hands by inserting and removing hands from openings between opposing walls, provided at substantially the same position on each of the opposing walls. A nozzle for emitting high-speed air, a light-emitting element group that emits light, and is provided in a row on one of the inner walls of the opposing walls so as to be orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction of the hand, and the other of the walls A light-receiving element group is provided on the inner wall in a row so as to be orthogonal to the direction of insertion and withdrawal of the hand, and receives light from the light-emitting element group, and one of the light-emitting element group and the light-receiving element group is provided. Provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening, the other element group is provided singly, the insertion / extraction state of the hand is detected from light between the element groups, and the high-speed It blows out air.

Further, the other element group is disposed on the other wall so as to be located at a position substantially opposite to an intermediate position of the element group provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening.

Further, the light emitting element group or the light receiving element group provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening are arranged on the opening side with respect to the position of each nozzle.

[0013] Further, after a predetermined time from the determination that the control means determines that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is blocked, the high speed light from each of the nozzles is output. This is to stop the ejection of air.

Further, when the control means determines that both the light on the entrance side and the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group have been blocked, high-speed air is ejected from each of the nozzles. .

When the control means determines that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is blocked, the high-speed air ejection from each nozzle is stopped. It is to let.

When the control means determines that at least one of the lights is blocked again within a predetermined time after determining that none of the lights is blocked, when the control means determines that at least one of the lights is blocked, the high-speed air flows from each nozzle. It gushes.

Further, an illuminator is provided between the elements of the light receiving element group, and illuminates the space between the opposing walls.

The inner surface between the opposing walls is coated with a water-repellent material such as silicon or fluorine or a hydrophilic material such as titanium oxide.

Further, the coating material has an antimicrobial agent substance.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hand drying apparatus, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view as viewed from the hand insertion direction P of FIG. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a box that forms the outer shell of the hand drying device, and 2 denotes an opening of only the upper surface of the box 1 or, furthermore, opening of the side surface of the box, and a substantially U
It is a hand insertion chamber in which the inner wall surfaces facing each other are formed, and the hand can be inserted and withdrawn, and the hand insertion chamber is inclined toward the lower part of the box 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a drain port provided at a substantially U-shaped bottom of the hand insertion chamber 2 for draining water scattered from the hand, 5 denotes a drain pipe connected to the drain port 4, and 11 denotes a drain from the drain pipe. This is a drain tank for storing water.

Reference numerals 12a and 12b denote upper portions (entrance sides) of one of the U-shaped mutually facing inner walls of the hand insertion chamber 2.
And light-emitting elements for emitting light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays, which are provided in a row on each of the lower and rear (rear side) wall surfaces so as to be orthogonal to the hand insertion / removal direction.
A row of light receiving element groups provided on the other inner wall surface of the U-shaped wall surface and receiving light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays from the respective row light emitting element groups 12a and 12b to detect the presence or absence of hand insertion. It is.
Hereinafter, the light receiving element group is abbreviated as a light receiving element and the light emitting element group is abbreviated as a light emitting element.

Reference numerals 18a and 18b denote row-shaped nozzles provided above the U-shaped inner wall surfaces of the hand insertion chamber 2 which oppose each other, and blow out a high-pressure air flow. An exhaust duct is provided adjacent to the U-shaped wall surface and guides air from the high-pressure airflow generator to the nozzles 18a and 18b. Reference numeral 30 is connected to the exhaust duct 32 and includes a blower for blowing the high-pressure airflow. A high-pressure airflow generator,
Reference numeral 42 denotes a detachable filter that is provided at the intake port 30a of the high-pressure air flow generator 30 and that removes dust and the like in the intake air.

Next, this operation will be described. First,
When a wet hand is inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2, the inserted wet hand is arranged in a horizontal row of light emission provided on each of the upper and lower U-shaped inner wall surfaces of the hand insertion chamber 2. Element 12a,
In order to block any light such as infrared light between the light receiving element 13 and the light receiving elements 13 arranged in a row, the light receiving level of the light receiving element 13 is reduced,
As a result, it is determined that the hand has been inserted, and the control means (not shown) operates the blower 3 to generate high-pressure air in the high-pressure airflow generator 30.

That is, at this time, even if the hand blocks light such as infrared rays between the row-shaped light-emitting elements 12a and the row-shaped light-receiving elements 13 provided on the upper wall surface, the control means can control the row-shaped light-receiving elements 13a. Receives infrared rays from the light emitting element 12b provided on the lower wall surface, and determines from the received light amount that the hand has not been completely inserted yet and does not operate the blower. However, when the hand is further inserted deep into the insertion chamber portion 2 and blocks any light such as infrared rays between the upper and lower rows of light emitting elements 12a and 12b and the row of light receiving elements 13, the hand is completely inserted. It is determined that the air has been blown, the blower is operated, air is sucked from the air inlet 30a, dust and the like in the sucked air are removed by the filter 42, and clean high-pressure air is produced.

Next, this high-pressure air is sent to an exhaust duct 32 adjacent to the hand insertion chamber 2 into which the hand is inserted, and
The nozzles are blown obliquely from the row-shaped nozzles 18a, 18b provided on the substantially U-shaped inner wall face of the U-shaped inner wall so as to form a pressure gradient from the hand insertion side to the back side, and hit the hand. As a result, without rubbing the hand (not shown) inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2, water droplets adhering to the hand are blown off from the front and back of the hand to the bottom of the U-shaped wall on the back side, and are eliminated, so that wetness is eliminated. While the hand is in a dry state, the blown water drops flow from the drain pipe 5 to the drain tank 11 and accumulate in the drain tank, so that the scattered water does not wet the area around the hand dryer.

Thereafter, the hand is pulled upward from the hand insertion chamber 2 and
Even if the hand does not block the light such as the infrared light between the light emitting element 12b and the light receiving element 13 below, the light blocks the light such as the infrared light between the light emitting element 12a and the light receiving element 13 as described above. Since high-pressure air is produced and blown out from the nozzles 18a and 18b, the hand is further dried to further remove moisture and the like on the surface of the hand.

When the hand is completely removed from the hand insertion chamber 2, the row-shaped light emitting elements 12a and 12b and the row-shaped light receiving element 13
Because there is no longer a hand blocking the light such as infrared rays between
Since the light receiving element 13 receives light such as infrared rays from the light emitting element 12b and the light receiving level is increased, the control means determines that the hand is no longer present and stops the blower 3 and the high pressure air flow generator 30 Since the production of air is stopped, high-pressure air is not blown from the nozzles 18a and 18b.

Next, after the above operation is completed and the blowing of the high-pressure air is stopped, the hand is inserted again within a predetermined time, and the hand between the row light emitting elements 12a and 12b and the row light receiving element 13 is removed. When the light such as infrared rays is blocked and the light reception level falls to a predetermined value, the control means determines that the hand has been reinserted within a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), and operates the blower 3 to remove high-pressure air. The air is blown out again from the nozzles 18a and 18b, and the same hand is dried again, or even if a different hand is continuously inserted, the same hand is dried.

In the subsequent operation, any one of the operations described above is performed.

In a series of these operations, one row-shaped light receiving element group 13 is used to enter the entrance (upper) side row-shaped light emitting elements 12.
Although both the infrared ray of the light emitting element 12a and the infrared ray of the rear (lower) side row light emitting element 12b are received, the light emitting signals transmitted from the entrance side and the rear side light emitting elements 12a and 12b are pulse-like in timing. Since the light-emitting elements emit light in a mutually shifted manner, and the light-receiving element group 13 receives light in synchronization with the shifted light-emitting timing, the control means determines whether the signal is an entrance-side emission signal or a back-side emission signal.

When the pulse timing of the light emitting signal transmitted from each of the light emitting elements 12a and 12b is not shifted, the light receiving elements toward the entrance side light emitting element and the light receiving elements toward the back side light emitting element are arranged in a horizontal line. A configuration in which they are arranged may be used.

As described above, with this configuration, the insertion state of the hand can be accurately detected with a small number of components.
To ensure that water drops on your hands are blown away,
An economical, easy-to-use and highly reliable hand dryer can be obtained.

When the control means determines that both the light on the entrance side and the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group are shut off, high-speed air is ejected from the nozzles. Since the high-speed air is blown out after the hand is inserted to the back, a highly reliable hand dryer that reliably blows off water drops separated from the hand without flying to the user side can be obtained.

When the control means determines that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is blocked, the high-speed air ejection from each nozzle is performed. Since it is stopped, high-speed air is blown out only when a hand is inserted, so that an economical hand dryer is obtained.

When the control means determines that at least one of the lights is shut off again within a predetermined time after determining that none of the lights is shut off, high-speed air is discharged from each nozzle. Because it blows out, the hand does not block the light on either side of the entrance side or the back side, that is, because it blows out high-speed air without inserting the hand to the back, the hands can be dried quickly or different hands An easy-to-use hand drying device that continuously and speedily dries the product is obtained.

In this configuration, when the illuminator 14 is provided between the elements of the light receiving element group, the light receiving element group
Since the influence of the light is not so large, a more reliable hand dryer can be obtained.

In this configuration, a water-repellent material such as a silicon-based or fluorine-based material is provided on the inner wall surface 2a of the hand insertion chamber 2.
Alternatively, if a hydrophilic material such as titanium oxide is coated on the surface, dirt of water scale and hand scale adhesion is reduced, so that a clean hand drying apparatus can be obtained. .

Further, when the coating material is impregnated with an antibacterial agent, the growth of various bacteria on the inner wall surface 2a is suppressed, so that a cleaner hand drying device can be obtained.

FIG. 10 shows another example in which only the upper surface of the box 1 in this embodiment 1 is opened and the side surface is not opened, and FIG. 11 shows the hand insertion method Q in FIG. It is the arrow view seen.

Even if the structure described above is placed horizontally, the same operation as described above is performed, and substantially the same effect can be obtained. FIG. 7 shows the light emitting element groups 12a and 12b and the light receiving element 13 provided on the wall surface of the hand insertion chamber in the first embodiment.
Is reversed with respect to the wall surface.

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, only one row of light-emitting element groups in a horizontal row is arranged perpendicular to the hand insertion / extraction direction. The light receiving element group is provided on one side, and the light receiving element group in a horizontal row is provided on each of the upper part (entrance side) and the lower part (rear side) of the other inner wall surface so as to be orthogonal to the hand insertion / extraction direction. That is, in these figures, 12
Are a row of light emitting elements provided on one of the inner wall surfaces of the hand insertion chamber 2 facing each other and emitting light such as infrared rays, and 13a and 13b are upper portions of the other of the wall surfaces of the hand insertion chamber. Row-shaped light emitting element group 1 provided on the wall surface and the lower wall surface, respectively.
Each light receiving element group detects the insertion of a hand by receiving light such as infrared light from the second. Other configurations are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, this operation will be described. First,
When the wet hand is inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2, the inserted wet hand is aligned with the horizontal row of light emitting elements 12 and the horizontal row provided on the U-shaped inner wall surface of the hand insertion chamber 2. Light receiving element 13a,
b, so that it is determined that a hand has been inserted. As a result, the control means (not shown) activates the blower 3 and the high-pressure air in the high-pressure airflow generator 30. make.

That is, at this time, the control means is provided on the lower wall surface even if the hand blocks light such as infrared rays between the row of light emitting elements 12 and the row of light receiving elements 13a provided on the upper wall surface. Since the arrayed light receiving elements 13b receive the infrared light from the light emitting element 12, none of the infrared light is blocked, that is, it is determined that the hand is not completely inserted yet, and the blower is not operated. However, when the hand is further inserted into the insertion chamber portion 2 to block any light such as infrared rays between the upper and lower rows of light emitting elements 12a and 12b and the row of light receiving elements 13,
It is determined that the hand is completely inserted, the blower is operated, air is sucked from the air inlet 30a, dust and the like in the sucked air are removed by the filter 42, and clean high-pressure air is produced.

Next, this high-pressure air is sent to an exhaust duct 32 adjacent to the hand insertion chamber 2 into which the hand is inserted, and
The nozzles are blown obliquely from the row-shaped nozzles 18a, 18b provided on the substantially U-shaped inner wall face of the U-shaped inner wall so as to form a pressure gradient from the hand insertion side to the back side, and hit the hand. As a result, without rubbing the hand (not shown) inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2, water droplets adhering to the hand are blown off from the front and back of the hand to the bottom of the U-shaped wall on the back side, and are eliminated, so that wetness is eliminated. While the hand is in a dry state, the blown water drops flow from the drain pipe 5 to the drain tank 11 and accumulate in the drain tank, so that the scattered water does not wet the area around the hand dryer.

Thereafter, the hand is pulled upward from the hand insertion chamber 2 and
Even if the hand does not block light such as infrared light between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13b, the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13a
As described above, high-pressure air is generated and blown out from the nozzles 18a and 18b, so that moisture on the surface of the hand is further eliminated. Further dry.

When the hand is completely removed from the hand insertion chamber 2, the light emitting elements 12 in rows and the light receiving elements 13a, 13b in rows are formed.
Because there is no longer a hand blocking the light such as infrared rays between
Since the light receiving elements 13a and 13b receive the infrared rays from the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving level rises, the control means determines that the hand is no longer present and stops the blower 3 and the high pressure air flow generator 30 Therefore, the high pressure air is not blown out from the nozzles 18a and 18b.

Next, after the above operation is completed and the blowing of the high-pressure air is stopped, the hand is inserted again within a predetermined time, and the hand between the row light emitting element 12 and the row light receiving elements 13a and 13b is disconnected. When the light such as infrared rays is blocked and the light reception level falls to a predetermined value, the control means determines that the hand has been reinserted within a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), and operates the blower 3 to remove high-pressure air. The air is blown out again from the nozzles 18a and 18b.

In the subsequent operation, any one of the operations described above is performed.

In a series of these operations, light such as infrared light from one row-shaped light emitting element group 12 enters the inlet (upper).
Side row light receiving element 13a and back (lower) side row light receiving element 13b
However, the light from the row light emitting element group 12 is emitted so as to cover the range of the entrance (upper) side row light receiving element 13a and the back (lower) side row light receiving element 13b. Therefore, the light receiving element group 13 detects whether the light of the entrance side row of light receiving elements 13a or the light of the back side row of light receiving elements 13b is blocked by hand, and transmits the detection result to the control means. The control means makes a determination based on this detection result.

The technical concept of the invention in the second embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and the effects of the invention are almost the same.

Embodiment 3 FIG. The third embodiment is different from the first or second embodiment in that the light emitting element groups 12a and 12b provided above and below one wall surface (the first embodiment) as shown in FIGS. ) Or light receiving element groups 13a, b
The light receiving element group 13 which is the other element is provided on the other wall so as to be located at a position substantially opposite to the intermediate position of (Embodiment 2).
Alternatively, the light emitting element group 12 is provided. The other configurations are almost the same as the configurations corresponding to the first and second embodiments.

Next, this operation will be described. As described above, when the other element group is arranged on the other wall surface so as to be located substantially at the middle position of the one element group provided above and below, the hand is inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2, When the hand blocks light between the element group provided below one inner wall and the element group provided on the other wall, that is, from the nozzles 18a and 18b after the wrist of the hand enters the hand insertion chamber 2. When the high-speed air is blown out and the hand is removed from the hand insertion chamber 2 as shown in FIG. 4, the blow of the high-speed air is stopped after the hand is almost completely removed from the hand insertion chamber 2, so that the hand adheres to the hand. Blow off water etc. without fail.

However, as shown in FIG. 5, when the other element group is provided corresponding to the position of the element group provided below, when the hand is pulled out of the hand insertion chamber 2, the hand Is still in the hand insertion chamber 2, in other words, in the state where the hand is located under the nozzles 18a and 18b, the hand emits light upward and downward even though the hand is wet. Since the air is not blocked, the blowing of the high-speed air from the nozzles 18a and 18b is stopped, so that the stop timing is advanced, and the water adhering to the hand remains.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the other element group is provided corresponding to the position of the element group provided above, even if the hand is not completely inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2, Regardless, the hand blocks the light above and below, so the nozzle 18a,
Since high-speed air is blown out from b, moisture adhering to the vicinity of the wrist does not go to the back side of the hand insertion chamber 2 but flies toward the user.

As described above, with such a configuration, the timing of blowing high-speed air and the timing of stopping the hand with respect to the hand insertion / extraction position are improved, so that a highly reliable hand drying that surely blows off water droplets and the like adhering to the hand. A device is obtained.

Embodiment 4 The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that, as shown in FIG.
The element groups located above the light-emitting element groups 12a, b (Embodiment 1) or the light-receiving element groups 13a, b (Embodiment 2) provided above and below the nozzles 18a, b, that is, above the inner wall surface of the hand insertion chamber than the nozzles 18a and 18b. The other configurations are almost the same as the configurations corresponding to the first and second embodiments.

Next, this operation will be described. A nozzle 18 for jetting a high-speed air flow is connected to the element group located above.
When provided above the inner wall surface of the hand insertion chamber 2 than a and b, when the hand inserted into the hand insertion chamber 2 is pulled out from the hand insertion chamber, the high-speed air from the nozzles 18a and b hits the hand. The state from the state until the light is no longer applied is changed from FIG. 3 to FIG. 4, and as shown in these figures, the lower part than the entrance-side element group until the light of the element group located above is no longer interrupted by the hand. When the high-speed air flow is blown out from the nozzles 18a and 18b and the light is no longer interrupted, the blower is stopped and the blowing of the high-speed air flow is stopped, so that the fingertip of the hand can be dried.

That is, especially when the hand is slowly pulled out, such a structure is not established. In other words, when the nozzles 18a and 18b are always above the element group, the nozzle 18a, b is located between the nozzle and the entrance-side element group. Since the blowing of the high-speed air flow is stopped in a state where the high-speed air flow has not yet hit the hand portion, drying is performed halfway, and the fingertip of the hand cannot be dried.

Even if the upper element group is not provided above the inner wall surface of the hand insertion chamber 2 than the nozzles 18a and 18b for jetting the high-speed air flow, the blower can be stopped after the light is no longer blocked. If you use a timer or delay relay to control the operation of the blower so that it runs for a long time, high-speed air is blown out until the fingertip of the hand is pulled out beyond the nozzle, so it can be dried to the fingertip of the hand it can.

As described above, in such a configuration, the high-speed air is blown out unless the hand is constantly pulled out above the inlet-side element group above the nozzle that blows the high-speed air. A highly reliable hand dryer that dries to a maximum is obtained.

Further, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the control means has determined that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group has been blocked, the high speed Since the ejection of air is stopped, high-speed air is blown out until the fingertip of the hand is pulled out beyond the nozzle, so that a highly reliable hand drying device for drying the fingertip of the hand is obtained.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a hand drying apparatus for drying a hand by inserting and removing a hand from an opening between mutually facing walls, substantially the same of each of the mutually facing walls is provided. Each nozzle is provided at a position, and ejects high-speed air, and a light emitting element group that emits light, which is provided in a row so as to be orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction of the hand on any one of the inner walls facing each other, A light receiving element group provided in a row on the other inner wall of the wall so as to be orthogonal to the hand insertion / extraction direction, and receiving light from the light emitting element group; and Either one is provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening, and the other element group is provided singly, the insertion / extraction state of the hand is detected from light between the element groups, and based on the detection result, Since high-speed air is blown out from each nozzle With fewer components, the hand insertion state accurately detected, because so blow ensuring the water droplets hand, economical, good usability, hand dryer having high reliability can be obtained.

Further, the other element group is arranged on the other wall surface so as to be located at a position opposed to a substantially middle position of the element group provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening.
Since the timing of blowing and stopping the high-speed air with respect to the hand insertion / extraction position is improved, a highly reliable hand dryer that reliably blows off water droplets and the like attached to the hand can be obtained.

Further, since the light emitting element group or the light receiving element group provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening are arranged on the opening side from the position of each nozzle, the hand can always be operated at high speed. As long as high-speed air is blown unless the air is blown above the inlet-side element group above the nozzle that blows air, a highly reliable hand dryer that dries to the fingertips of the hand can be obtained.

Further, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the control means has determined that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group has been blocked, Since the ejection of air is stopped, high-speed air is blown out until the fingertip of the hand is pulled out beyond the nozzle, so that a highly reliable hand drying device for drying the fingertip of the hand is obtained.

When the control means determines that the light on both the entrance side and the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group has been blocked, high-speed air is ejected from each of the nozzles. Since the high-speed air is blown out after the hand is inserted to the back, a highly reliable hand dryer that reliably blows off water drops separated from the hand without flying to the user side can be obtained.

When the control means determines that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is blocked, the high-speed air ejection from each nozzle is performed. Since it is stopped, high-speed air is blown out only when a hand is inserted, so that an economical hand dryer is obtained.

When the control means determines that at least one of the lights is again blocked within a predetermined time after determining that none of the lights is blocked, high-speed air is discharged from each of the nozzles. Easy-to-use hand-drying device that dries hands quickly, because it blows out high-speed air even if hands do not block light on either the entrance side or the back side, that is, without inserting your hands to the back. Is obtained.

Since the illuminator is provided between the elements of the light receiving element group and illuminates the space between the opposing walls, the light receiving element group is not significantly affected by the light of the illuminator 14. Therefore, a more reliable hand dryer can be obtained.

Further, since the inner surface between the opposing walls is coated with a water-repellent material such as silicon or fluorine, or a hydrophilic material such as titanium oxide, it is possible to prevent the formation of scale or hand-dust. Since dirt is reduced, a clean hand dryer is obtained.

Further, the above-mentioned coating material further comprises:
Since an antibacterial agent is provided, a more clean hand drying device can be obtained in order to suppress the growth of various bacteria on the inner wall surface 2.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hand dryer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view seen from an arrow P in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a hand dryer according to Embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a hand dryer according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a hand drying device for supplementary explanation of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hand drying device for supplementary explanation of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hand dryer according to Embodiments 1, 3, and 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a hand drying device according to Embodiments 2, 3, and 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a hand dryer according to Embodiments 2, 3, and 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of another hand drying device according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

11 is a view as seen from an arrow P in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a layout view of a light receiving element and an illuminator of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a conventional hand drying device.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Hand drying device, 2 Hand insertion chamber, 2a, b Inner wall of hand insertion chamber, 4 Drain port, 11 drain tank, 1
2, 12a, 12b Light emitting element, 13, 13a, 13
b light receiving element, 14 illuminator, 18a, b nozzle, 30 high pressure air flow generator, 30a suction port of high pressure air flow generator, 32 exhaust duct, 40
Chamber, 42 filters.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A hand drying apparatus for drying a hand by inserting and removing a hand from an opening between mutually facing walls, wherein each nozzle is provided at substantially the same position on each of said mutually facing walls and ejects high-speed air. And a light emitting element group that is provided in a row on one of the inner walls facing each other so as to be orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction of the hand and emits light, and the insertion / extraction direction of the hand on the other inner wall of the wall And a light-receiving element group that receives light from the light-emitting element group, and one of the light-emitting element group and the light-receiving element group is provided on the entrance side and the rear side of the opening. The other element group is provided singly, the insertion / extraction state of the hand is detected from light between the element groups, and high-speed air is ejected from each of the nozzles based on the detection result. Hand drying equipment. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the other element group is arranged on the other wall so as to be located at a position substantially opposite to an intermediate position of the element group provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening. The hand drying device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A light-emitting element group or a light-receiving element group provided on the entrance side and the back side of the opening on the entrance side are arranged closer to the opening than the positions of the nozzles. The hand drying device according to claim 1. 4. After a predetermined period of time, the control means determines that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light-emitting element group and the light-receiving element group is blocked. 3. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the ejection of air is stopped. 5. When each of the control means determines that light on both the entrance side and the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is blocked, high-speed air is ejected from each of the nozzles. The hand drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. When the control means determines that neither the light on the entrance side nor the light on the back side between the light emitting element group and the light receiving element group is blocked, the high speed air ejection from each nozzle is stopped. The hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hand dryer is operated. 7. When the control means determines that at least one of the lights has been blocked again within a predetermined time after determining that none of the lights has been blocked, the high-speed air flow from each of the nozzles. 7. The hand drying device according to claim 4, wherein the device is ejected. 8. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein an illuminator is provided between the elements of the light receiving element group and illuminates the space between the opposing walls. 9. The inner surface between the opposing walls,
The hand drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a coating is formed of a water repellent material such as a silicon-based or fluorine-based material or a hydrophilic material such as a titanium oxide. 10. The hand dryer according to claim 9, wherein the coating material comprises an antimicrobial agent substance.