JP2011189048A - Hand dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hand dryer used for drying wet hands by jetting air, which prevents poor hygiene of nozzles for jetting the air due to water blown and entered into the nozzles, adhered stains, and propagated bacteria. <P>SOLUTION: The hand dryer 1 includes: a drying chamber 2 to and from which hands to be dried are inserted and removed; an upper nozzle 3 which injects air downward to the wet hands and dries the hands; a lower nozzle 4 which injects air upward to the wet hands and dries the hands; a fan motor 5 which blows air; a heater 7 which warms the blown air; infra-red ray receiving and emitting elements 8 which detect the hands removed and inserted; and a control 9 which controls the motor 5 and the heater 7 in response to the output from the elements 8. The dryer also provides a device which controls water entering to the nozzle 4, which prevents poor hygiene of the nozzles due to stains adhered to the nozzles or water entered into an air passage and propagating bacteria and which enables users to dry the hands with clean air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hand-drying apparatus that is installed in a toilet or the like and applies a jet to a wet hand for drying.

  Conventionally, this type of hand drying device is known in which when a wet hand is inserted into the device, the moisture of the hand is blown and dried by a wind having a high wind speed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, the hand dryer will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the hand drying apparatus 101 includes a drying chamber 102 having a U-shaped cross section for inserting and removing a wet hand, an upper nozzle portion 103 that blows air downward toward the wet hand, and a wet hand. A lower nozzle portion 104 for blowing air upward, a blower means 105 for sending air to the upper nozzle portion and the lower nozzle portion, and an upper nozzle portion 103 and a lower nozzle portion 104 for sending the air sent by the blower means 105. The air passage unit 106 that leads to the drying chamber, the detection unit 107 that detects the hand inserted into and removed from the drying chamber, the control unit 108 that receives the output of the detection unit 107 and controls the ON / OFF of the blower unit 105, and the hand is skipped from the hand. The wet hand can be removed from the drying chamber 102 by the configuration including the drain portion 109 for removing the moisture from the drying chamber 102 and the removable water storage portion 110 for temporarily storing the water passing through the drain portion 109. To When the control unit 108 receives the output of the detection unit 107, the blower unit 105 is activated, and the sent air is guided to the air passage unit 106 and blown out from the upper nozzle unit 103 and the lower nozzle unit 104, and the wet hand Blow off the moisture and dry.

  When the hand is extracted from the drying chamber 102, the control unit 108 that has received the output of the detection unit 107 stops the blowing unit 105. The water blown from the hand passes through the drain part 109 and is temporarily stored in the water storage part 110. When a certain amount of water has accumulated, the water storage part 110 is removed to remove the water.

JP 2002-153399 A (page 9, FIG. 6)

  In such a conventional hand drying apparatus, in order to shorten the drying time of wet hands and to save energy, it is configured to blow moisture on both sides of the hand to blow moisture. When the air is extracted, the air blowing from the nozzle stops, so the water that has been blown off and remains in the drying chamber enters the lower nozzle, clogging the nozzle due to dirt, and the propagation of germs in the air passage It had the problem of becoming unsanitary due to such reasons.

  Then, this invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the hand-drying apparatus which suppressed that water penetrate | invades into a lower nozzle part.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention is provided with a moisture intrusion suppressing means in the lower nozzle part, thereby achieving the intended object.

  According to the present invention, since the lower nozzle portion is provided with the moisture invasion suppressing means, when the hand is dried, the moisture remaining in the drying chamber after being blown away is prevented from entering the lower nozzle portion. In addition, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the nozzle or to propagate undesired bacteria in the air passage and to dry the hands with clean air.

Side sectional view which shows the hand-drying apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view which shows the surface shape of the water absorbing sheet of this invention Detailed view of the control unit of the first and second embodiments of the present invention The flowchart in the control part of Embodiment 1 and 2 of this invention Side sectional view which shows the hand-drying apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention Side sectional view which shows the hand-drying apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention Detailed view of control units of embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention The flowchart in the control part of Embodiment 3 and 4 of this invention Side sectional view showing a conventional hand dryer

  The hand drying device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a drying chamber for inserting and removing a hand to be dried, an upper nozzle part for blowing air downward to dry a wet hand, and a hand wet by blowing air upward. A lower nozzle part to be dried, a blowing means for sending air to the upper nozzle part and the lower nozzle part, an air passage part for guiding the air sent from the blowing means to the upper nozzle part and the lower nozzle part, and A heating unit that warms the air sent from the blowing unit; a hand detection unit that detects a hand that is inserted into and removed from the drying chamber; and a control unit that receives the output of the detection unit and controls the blowing unit and the heating unit. The hand dryer includes a drain unit that discharges the moisture blown off to the drying chamber and a storage unit that temporarily stores the water that has passed through the drain unit. Adjust ON / OFF That has a blower drive unit, a heating drive means for adjusting the heating amount of said heating means, the configuration with a moisture penetration inhibiting means inhibits the penetration of moisture into the lower nozzle section.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the lower nozzle part and moisture that has entered the air passage part from growing and becoming unsanitary, so dry your hands with clean air. There is an effect that can be.

  The moisture intrusion suppression unit may be configured to operate the blowing unit for a certain period of time even after the hand detection unit stops detecting the hand by the blowing driving unit.

  As a result, the wind comes out from the lower nozzle part even when the hand is not dried, so that it is possible to easily suppress the moisture that is blown off by the jet and adheres to the drying chamber from entering the lower nozzle part. Play.

  Further, after the hand detecting unit stops detecting the hand, the air sent from the air blowing unit may be guided only to the lower nozzle part.

  Thereby, since it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the lower nozzle portion due to the influence of the jet flow of the upper nozzle portion, it is possible to effectively prevent moisture from entering the lower nozzle portion.

  Moreover, after the said hand detection means stops detecting a hand by the said ventilation drive means, you may make it the structure which reduces the air volume sent from the said ventilation means compared with the case where a hand is dried.

  Thereby, since power consumption can be suppressed, there exists an effect that energy saving is realizable.

  Further, it may be configured to include a moisture detection unit that activates the blowing drive unit, and when the moisture detection unit detects moisture, the blowing unit is activated by the ventilation drive unit.

  Accordingly, since it is possible to detect that moisture is about to enter the lower nozzle portion, there is an effect that moisture can be prevented from entering at any time using the air blowing drive unit.

  The moisture intrusion suppression unit may be a lid that opens and closes the lower nozzle part.

  As a result, when the hand is dried, the lid is opened by the jet flow, and otherwise the lid is closed, so that the intrusion of water into the lower nozzle portion can be easily suppressed.

  Moreover, you may make it the said ventilation drive means blow off warm air from the said upper nozzle part except when drying a hand.

  Thereby, since the water remaining in the drying chamber is vaporized by applying air from the upper nozzle portion in a state where the lower nozzle portion is covered with the lid, it is possible to easily prevent moisture from entering.

  The heating driving means may be configured to increase the heating temperature as compared with the case of drying the hand.

  Thereby, there exists an effect that the water | moisture content which remains in the said drying chamber can be vaporized earlier.

  The lid may include a sealing means between the lower nozzle portion.

  Thereby, since the gap between the lower nozzle part and the lid is closed, it is possible to easily prevent moisture from entering.

  Moreover, you may make it the structure provided with the water-repellent means in the said lower nozzle part.

  Thereby, since it is possible to repel the moisture entering the lower nozzle portion, it is possible to easily prevent the moisture from entering.

  Moreover, you may make it the structure provided with the water absorption member which hold | maintains the water which penetrate | invaded the said air path part.

  As a result, even when moisture enters the air passage, the water is absorbed by the water absorbing member, and the hand is vaporized by the wind when it is dried. There is an effect that it can be dried.

  Further, the water absorbing member may be provided in a concave portion equal to the height of the water absorbing member provided in the air passage portion.

  Thereby, since the said water absorption member does not block the wind which passes through the said air path part, there exists an effect that the increase in a noise and power consumption can be suppressed.

  Moreover, you may make it the structure provided with innumerable protrusion on the surface of the said water absorption member.

  Thereby, since the surface area of the said water absorbing member increases, there exists an effect that the water | moisture content absorbed by the said water absorbing member can be vaporized effectively.

  Further, the water absorbing member may be provided with a mold suppressing means.

  Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of the mold of the said water absorption member can be suppressed, there exists an effect that the wind when drying a hand can be kept clean.

  Further, the air passage portion may include an opening for removing the intruded moisture to the storage portion, and a drainage portion for guiding moisture from the opening to the storage portion.

  Thereby, since the water | moisture content which penetrate | invaded to the said air path part can be removed to the said waste_water | drain part, there exists an effect that adhesion of stain | pollution | contamination and propagation of various bacteria can be suppressed and a hand can be dried with a clean wind.

  Further, the drainage portion may be configured to have a gradient in the opening.

  Thereby, since it can suppress that a water | moisture content becomes difficult to enter into the said drainage part by the influence of surface tension, there exists an effect that a water | moisture content can be easily guide | induced to the said drainage part.

  Moreover, you may make it the structure provided with the inflow promotion means in the said drainage part.

  Thereby, it becomes easy to guide moisture into the drainage part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hand drying device 1 includes a drying chamber 2 having a U-shaped cross section through which a hand to be dried is inserted and removed, and an upper nozzle that blows air downward to dry the wet hand. 3, a lower nozzle 4 that blows air upward against a wet hand, and a fan motor 5 that blows air to the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4, and air sent from the fan motor 5 An air passage 6 for guiding the air to the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4, a heater 7 as a heating means for warming air sent out from the fan motor 5, and an infrared light receiving / emitting element as a detection means for detecting a hand inserted into and removed from the drying chamber 2. 8, a moisture detection sensor 26 using a light emitting diode having a wavelength that is easily absorbed by water molecules as a detection light source as a moisture detection means for detecting moisture entering the lower nozzle 4, and the upper nozzle 3 side A damper 15 for closing the air passage 6, a control unit 9 for controlling the fan motor 5, the heater 7, and the damper 15 in response to the outputs of the infrared light receiving / emitting element 8 and the moisture detection sensor 26, and moisture blown off to the drying chamber 2 It has the structure provided with the drain 10 which discharges | emits, the water receiving cup 11 which stores the water | moisture content which passed the drain 10 temporarily, and the water absorption sheet | seat 12 as a water absorption member which hold | maintains the water | moisture content which entered the air path 6. .

  Further, the water absorbent sheet 12 is stored in the recess 16 provided on the wall surface of the air passage 6 so as to have the same height (here, as an example, when the width of the air passage 6 in the vicinity of the lower nozzle 4 is assumed to be about 20 mm, The dimensions of the water-absorbing sheet are 20 × 20 × 2 mm), and the surface has projections 17 innumerable cylindrical shapes as shown in FIG. 2 (here, as an example, a cylinder having a diameter of 1 mm and a height of 2 mm), An antibacterial agent (not shown) is applied to suppress the propagation of various bacteria on the water-absorbing sheet.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of lower nozzles 4, it is preferable that the moisture detection sensor 26 be installed so as to include one moisture detection sensor 26 for each nozzle.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 includes a blower driving unit 13 for driving the fan motor 5, a heating driving unit 14 for driving the heater 7, and a damper driving unit for driving the damper 15. 25.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation flowchart of the control unit 9. When a wet hand is placed in the drying chamber 2, the infrared light emitting / receiving element 8 detects the hand, and the fan drive unit 13 to the fan motor 5 and the heating drive are detected. When the heater 7 is operated from the means 14 and the drying of the hand is completed and the hand is removed from the drying chamber 2 and the hand is not detected, the fan motor 5 is operated at a low output, and the damper 15 is driven to drive the upper nozzle 3 side. The air path 6 is closed and after a set time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed, the operation of the fan motor 5 is stopped.

  Further, even when the moisture is detected by the moisture detection sensor 26 in a state where the infrared light emitting / receiving element 8 does not detect a hand, the fan motor 5 is operated at a low output, the damper 15 is driven, and the air path on the upper nozzle 3 side. When 6 is closed and the blowing time reaches the set time, the operation stops.

  According to such a configuration, after the hand is dried, even if water blown into the drying chamber 2 tries to enter the lower nozzle 4 through the wall surface, the jet flow from the lower nozzle 4 until the set blowing time is reached. Since the upper nozzle 3 is the damper 15 and no jet flows, the possibility that the water blown off due to the wind pressure of the upper nozzle 3 enters the lower nozzle 4 can be more effectively suppressed.

  Further, after a certain amount of time has passed after the hand is dried, the moisture that flows into and enters the lower nozzle 4 also passes the wavelength of the light from the light source of the moisture detection sensor 26 when passing over the moisture detection sensor 26. Is absorbed by moisture, the fan motor is driven at a low output from the light absorption signal, and the damper is driven, and a jet flows from the lower nozzle 4 until the set blowing time is reached. Since the upper nozzle 3 does not generate a jet because of the damper 15, it is possible to more effectively suppress the possibility that moisture blown off due to the wind pressure of the upper nozzle 3 enters the lower nozzle 4.

  In addition, moisture that has not been fully suppressed can be absorbed by the water absorbent sheet 12 and can be removed from the air passage 6 by being vaporized by warm air from a state in which the surface area is increased by the protrusions 17. Since the propagation of various germs is also suppressed, the contamination of the lower nozzle 4 and the air passage 6 connected thereto and the propagation of germs due to the blown-off water can be suppressed, and the hands can be dried with clean air at any time.

  In the embodiment, the damper 15 is provided so that the jet flow does not come out from the upper nozzle 3 when the moisture is prevented from entering the lower nozzle 4. However, since the jet flow comes out from the lower nozzle 4 at a minimum. Since the possibility of moisture intrusion is low, the damper 15 may not be provided, and the complexity of the structure of the air passage 6 and the cost increase due to the provision of the damper 15 can be reduced.

  In the embodiment, the cylindrical protrusion 17 is provided to increase the surface area in order to promote the vaporization of moisture absorbed by the water absorbent sheet 12, but the shape of the protrusion may be provided as a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped, There is no difference in the effect.

(Embodiment 2)
5, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Instead of the water absorbent sheet 12, the air passage 6 is provided with an opening 18 that removes moisture from the air passage 6 and a drainage passage 19 that guides moisture from the opening 18 to the drain 10. The opening 18 has a taper 20 and a drainage passage 19. As a hydrophilic treatment, for example, a Teflon (registered trademark) resin-based hydrophilic coating (not shown) is provided on the wall surface.

  In the above-described configuration, the drainage channel 19 suppresses moisture from becoming difficult to enter due to surface tension by the opening taper 20, and facilitates the introduction of moisture to the drain 10 by the hydrophilic coating, so that the water receiving cup 11 can easily receive moisture. It is possible to remove the contamination of the lower nozzle 4 and the air passage 6 connected to the lower nozzle 4 and the proliferation of germs due to the blown-off water, and the hand can be dried with clean air at any time.

(Embodiment 3)
In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 6, a lid 22 provided with a rotation shaft on the opening side of the drying chamber 2 with respect to the opening of the lower nozzle 4, and a rubber packing (not shown) as a sealing material on the surface in contact with the lower nozzle 4 of the lid 22. In addition, a damper 23 is provided in a portion for sending air to the lower nozzle 4 through the air passage 6.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 9 includes a blower driving unit 13 for driving the fan motor, a heating driving unit 14 for driving the heater, and a damper driving unit 25 for driving the damper 23. It is configured.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of the control unit 9.

  First, when the wet hand is dried, the infrared light emitting / receiving element 8 detects the hand, and the fan motor 5 and the heater 7 are operated to emit warm air to dry the hand. Next, after the hand is dried, when the infrared light emitting / receiving element 8 is in a state where it does not detect the hand, the control unit 9 drives the damper 23 that closes the air passage 6 that communicates with the lower nozzle 4 to reduce the output of the fan motor. The output of the heater is increased, and the operation of the fan motor 5 is stopped after a set time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed.

  In the above configuration, when the hand is dried, the lid 22 is opened by the pressure of the jet flow coming out from the lower nozzle 4, the hand is dried together with the upper nozzle 3, and the damper 23 is activated after the hand is dried. Then, the intrusion of moisture is suppressed by covering the opening of the lower nozzle 4. In addition, by sending warm air at a higher temperature than when the hand is dried from the upper nozzle 3, moisture remaining in the drying chamber 2 can be vaporized and removed earlier.

(Embodiment 4)
In the present embodiment, instead of the water absorbent sheet 12 used as a means for removing the moisture that could not be suppressed from entering the lower nozzle 4 of the third embodiment, FIG. As shown in the drawing, a drainage channel 19 is connected to the drain 10 in the air passage 6, and a taper 20 is provided at the opening thereof. As a hydrophilic treatment on the wall surface of the drainage channel 19, for example, a Teflon (registered trademark) resin system is used here. It is the structure provided with this hydrophilic coating.

  Since the hand drying device according to the present invention can prevent the moisture blown away by drying the hand from entering the nozzle, the hand drying device is installed in a toilet or the like, It is useful as a hand dryer used for drying by applying a jet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hand dryer 2 Drying chamber 3 Upper nozzle 4 Lower nozzle 5 Fan motor 6 Air path 7 Heater 8 Infrared light receiving and emitting element 9 Control part 10 Drain 11 Water receiving cup 12 Water absorption sheet 13 Blowing drive means 14 Heating drive means 15 Damper 16 Concave part 17 Protrusion 18 Opening 19 Drainage channel 20 Taper 22 Lid 23 Damper 25 Damper driving means 26 Moisture detection sensor

Claims (17)

A drying chamber for removing and inserting the hand to be dried; an upper nozzle portion for blowing air downward to dry wet hands; a lower nozzle portion for blowing air upward to dry wet hands; and the upper nozzle portion and lower A blowing means for sending air to the nozzle part, an air passage part for guiding the air sent from the blowing means to the upper nozzle part and the lower nozzle part, and a heating means for warming the air sent from the blowing means, Hand detecting means for detecting a hand inserted / removed into / from the drying chamber, a control section for receiving the output of the detecting means and controlling the blowing means and the heating means, and a drain section for discharging water blown off to the drying chamber And a hand dryer that temporarily stores the water that has passed through the drain part, wherein the control unit is configured to control the air volume and ON / OFF of the air blowing unit, and the heating unit. Addition of means A heating drive means for adjusting the amount, hand drying apparatus comprising the moisture penetration inhibiting means inhibits the penetration of moisture into the lower nozzle section. 2. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisture intrusion suppressing unit is configured to operate the blowing unit for a certain period of time even after the hand detecting unit stops detecting the hand by the blowing driving unit. 3. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the hand detecting unit stops detecting a hand, the air sent from the blowing unit is guided only to the lower nozzle part. 4. 4. The air blowing device according to claim 2, wherein after the hand detecting unit stops detecting the hand, the air volume sent from the air blowing unit is reduced as compared with the case where the hand is dried. The hand dryer described. 5. The hand according to claim 2, further comprising a moisture detection unit that activates the blowing drive unit, and when the moisture detection unit detects moisture, the ventilation unit is activated by the ventilation drive unit. 6. Drying equipment. The hand-drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisture intrusion suppression unit is a lid that opens and closes the lower nozzle part. The hand blower according to claim 6, wherein the blower driving unit blows warm air from the upper nozzle part except when the hand is dried. 8. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the heating driving unit raises the heating temperature by the heating unit than when the hand is dried. The hand dryer according to claim 6, wherein the lid includes a sealing unit between the lower nozzle portion and the lid. The hand drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lower nozzle portion is provided with water repellent means. The hand-drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a water-absorbing member that holds water that has entered the air passage portion. The hand-drying device according to claim 11, wherein the water-absorbing member is provided in a concave portion equal to a height of the water-absorbing member provided in the air passage portion. The hand-drying device according to claim 11, wherein the surface of the water-absorbing member has innumerable protrusions. The hand-drying device according to claim 11, wherein the water absorbing member is provided with a mold suppressing means. The said air path part was equipped with the opening part which removes the water | moisture content which penetrate | invaded to the said storage part, and the waste_water | drain part which guides a water | moisture content from the said opening part to the said storage part, The any one of Claim 1 to 10 characterized by the above-mentioned. The hand dryer as described in the item. The hand-drying device according to claim 15, wherein the drainage portion has a gradient in the opening. The hand-drying device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the drainage portion is provided with inflow promoting means.

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