JP2015084961A - Hand dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hand dryer that automatically detects an occurrence of contamination of a drain water channel that cannot be visually observed from the outside and notifies accordingly in water treatment of the hand dryer.SOLUTION: A hand dryer includes: frames 9 and 10 having air outlet 44a and 44b, and a hand insertion part 11; an air blower 42 for supplying dry air to the hand insertion part from the air outlets; a drain tank 12 disposed below the hand insertion part for accumulating water droplets; a water channel 19 connected to the hand insertion part for guiding the water in the water insertion part to the drain tank; contamination detection sensors 22c and 22d for detecting the contamination of the water channel; and control means 30 for controlling the operation of the air blower.

Description

The present invention relates to a hand-drying device for drying wet hands after a user has washed hands in hand-washing such as a hand-washing place for food hygiene management such as a restroom, a public washroom, and a food factory.

As a conventional hand-drying device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a high-pressure airflow generator that generates a high-pressure airflow, a nozzle that ejects a high-pressure airflow generated by the high-pressure airflow generator, and a nozzle that is ejected from the nozzle. A hand insertion part having a drain outlet for draining water blown from the hand by the high-pressure air flow, a drain tank provided detachably below the main body for storing water, and water from the drain outlet connected to the drain outlet A drain pipe is formed by an extension part formed by extending a part of the bottom part of the manual insertion part downward, and the end part of the extension part and the inner wall of the water pipe A hand drying device in which a gap is formed between the two is disclosed.
And, by forming a gap between the end of the extension part and the inner wall of the water pipe, the water attached to the extension part does not enter the contact part between the extension part and the water pipe, Prevents residual dirt at the contact area.

JP 2003-180553 A (Claim 1, paragraph “0014”, paragraph “0021”)

However, the water removed from the hands contains dirt (grease, detergent, dust, dirt, sand, hair, etc.), so the location where water flows change, physical corners and edges, Dirt contained in water tends to accumulate in places with protrusions. In particular, the inlet of the drainage port where the flow of water suddenly changes in the vertical direction from the bottom of the relatively flat hand insertion part, the lower end of the extension part of the drainage port extending downward in a cylindrical shape, the bent part of the drainage pipe, Dirt easily accumulates at the lower end of the water pipe. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically clean the water channel, but it is not possible to visually check the inside of the water channel other than the entrance of the drainage from the outside, and it is not possible to confirm the accumulation of dirt in the water channel. There was a problem of being left unattended without noticing the accumulation of the material. In addition, when it is left unattended, there is a problem that a strange odor is generated from the accumulated dirt, or the accumulation of dirt proceeds and the water channel is clogged.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a hand-drying device that can automatically detect dirt in a water channel without directly checking the water channel visually. Is.

  In the hand drying device according to the present invention, a housing having a blower opening and a hand insertion part, a blower for supplying drying air from the blower opening to the hand insertion part, and a drain for storing water drops provided below the hand insertion part A tank, a water channel connected to the manual insertion unit and guiding the water in the manual insertion unit to the drain tank, a detection sensor for detecting contamination of the water channel, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the blower are provided.

According to the hand dryer according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically detect dirt in the water channel without directly checking the water channel visually.

It is a perspective view of the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of this invention. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of this invention, (a) It is the conceptual diagram which looked at the inner side of the casing of the hand dryer from the back side, (b) is the cross-sectional conceptual diagram seen from the right side. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, (a) and (b) are a perspective view and a plan view showing a groove portion including an opening provided in the inner wall of the casing. In the hand-drying apparatus shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, (a) and (b) are a perspective view and a plan view showing a groove portion according to the modification of FIGS. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is the whole block diagram regarding control. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is front sectional drawing which shows the water channel of drainage. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is left side sectional drawing which shows another modification of the water channel of drainage. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 2 of this invention, it is front sectional drawing which shows the water channel of drainage. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 2 of this invention, it is a front view of a printed circuit board (PCB). In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 3 of this invention, it is left side sectional drawing which shows the water channel of drainage. In the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 4 of this invention, it is front sectional drawing which shows the water channel of drainage.

Embodiment 1.
Hereinafter, referring to the attached drawings, an electrostatic capacitance type detection sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as “detection sensor” or “detection unit”) according to the present invention and a hand dryer (hand dryer) using the same will be described. A form is demonstrated. In the following description of the embodiments, terms representing directions (for example, “left-right direction” or “front-rear direction”) are used as appropriate for easy understanding. Is not intended to limit the present invention. Moreover, in each accompanying drawing, the same component is illustrated using the same referential mark.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hand dryer 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The hand drying device 1 is for drying hands by applying dry air to hands wet with water after the user has washed their hands. This hand dryer 1 forms a casing and a casing 10 that forms a hand insertion portion 11 that is a concave space for inserting a user's hand, and an outer shell on the back of the hand dryer 1. And a back cover 9 (housing) that forms the entire outline of the hand dryer 1. The hand dryer 1 also has a drain tank (drainage tank) 12 that stores water droplets splashed from the user's hand. Further, the hand drying device 1 includes a green LED lamp that indicates that the hand drying device 1 is in a usable state (standby state), an orange LED lamp that indicates that dirt has occurred in the drainage water channel, and a red LED that indicates an abnormality. It has a main body display unit 13 composed of a lamp and a drain display unit 14 composed of a red LED lamp indicating that the drain water (drainage) stored in the drain tank 12 is full. The drain tank 12 can be attached to and detached from the casing 10 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and the drain display unit 14 allows the user to drain the red LED lamp by turning on the red LED lamp when the drain tank 12 is full. It warns you to dispose of water.

Fig.2 (a) is the back conceptual diagram which looked at the casing 10 which removed the back cover 9 from the hand dryer 1 shown in FIG. 1 from the back side (installed wall side), FIG.2 (b) 3 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the right side surface of the hand dryer 1. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the casing 10 of the hand-drying apparatus 1 includes a rear overhanging portion 72 (an overhanging portion far from the user) and a front overhang that are arranged forward and backward with respect to the user. A portion 74 (an overhang portion close to the user) is provided, and the hand insertion portion 11 is formed therebetween. The main body display unit 13 is provided in the rear overhanging unit 72. In the casing 10, when a user's hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 11, a blower 42 for forming a drying air for drying the wet hand, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated into the hand insertion portion 11. By sterilizing and sterilizing the surface of the user's hand or brightening the inside of the hand insertion portion 11 by this, a static detection for detecting whether or not the user's hand has been inserted into the hand insertion portion 11 The circuit board 29 includes a capacitance type detection sensor (details will be described later), a capacitance type detection sensor (details will be described later) for detecting dirt in the drainage water channel. The circuit board 29 includes electrical / electronic components (not shown) for generating an internal power source from a power source received from the outside, a control unit 30 and the like. The control unit 30 controls the main body display unit 13, the drain display unit 14, the blower 42, and the like.

The hand dryer 1 has air outlets 44a and 44b in the rear overhanging portion 72 and the front overhanging portion 74 of the casing 10, respectively, and is blown from the blower 42 as indicated by arrows in FIG. The drying air is guided through the air passages formed in the rear overhanging portion 72 and the front overhanging portion 74 from the air blowing ports 44a and 44b toward both the palm of the user and the back of the hand. Yes.

  As the blower 42, any air blower can be used as long as it forms dry air to dry wet hands. Preferably, the amount of air can be adjusted freely by controlling the rotation speed. Those are preferred. Further, the blower 42 is not limited to a blower motor, but may be one that stores compressed air in a tank with a compressor or the like and controls it by opening / closing a variable valve, and does not limit the present invention.

Between the manual insertion part 11 and the drain tank 12, a water channel is provided that guides the water removed from the hand and flew to the hand insertion part 11 from the manual insertion part 11 to the drain tank 12. The water channel includes a drain port 18 and a drain pipe 19. The drain port 18 has a hole shape formed in a part of the bottom surface of the hand insertion portion 11, and includes a cylindrical extension portion 18 a (FIG. 6) in which a hole in the hole extends downward. Is led to the drain pipe 19. The drain pipe 19 is in the shape of a hollow pipe, and one end of the drain pipe 19 is fitted to the outside of the extending portion 18 a of the drain port 18 and connected below the drain port 18. The other end of the drain pipe 19 extends downward, and the lower end of the drain pipe 19 faces the opening hole 12a above the opening hole 12a (FIG. 6) provided in the upper surface of the drain tank 12 provided in the lower part of the hand dryer 1. So that they are close to each other. Therefore, the water droplets removed from the hand are transferred to the drainage port 18 through the inner wall of the hand insertion portion 11, and flow from the drainage port 18 through the drainage pipe 19 to the drain tank 12 to the drain tank 12. Is done.

The detection sensor (details will be described later) includes a conductive wire 22 connected to the control unit 30, and the conductive wire 22 extends to the inner wall of the casing 10 and passes along the inner wall of the casing 10 through the periphery of the air blowing port 44. A pair of conductive wires 22a and 22b extending below the insertion portion 11, a conductive wire 22c extending to the drain port 18 and surrounding the drain port 18, and extending to the vicinity of the lower end of the drain tube 19 The conductive line 22d is provided so as to surround the periphery near the lower end.

The conductive wires 22a and 22b are arranged along the inner wall of the casing 10 only from the control unit 30 so as to surround the air outlet 44a, thereby making it easier to detect the user's hand. doing. The conductive wires 22a and 22b are preferably conductive wires coated with an insulating film, and any material and any material can be used as long as the capacitance of the conductor is changed by inserting the user's hand into the hand insertion portion 11. A configuration can be employed. In FIG. 2A, the conductive wires 22 a and 22 b are illustrated as having a simple rectangular planar shape, but the inner wall of the rear overhanging portion 72 of the casing 10 that faces the manual insertion portion 11 is wider. For example, it may have a zigzag shape or a spiral shape (not shown) so as to cover the area. Alternatively, both ends of the conductive lines 22a and 22b may be connected to form a single conductive line.

The conductive wire 22c or the conductive wire 22d extends from the control unit 30 and is wound around the outer periphery so as to surround the periphery of the extended portion 18a of the drain port 18 or the lower end of the drain pipe 19, so that dirt easily accumulates. This makes it easy to detect dirt on the lower end of the drain port 18 or the drain pipe 19. The conductive wires 22c and 22d are also preferably conductive wires coated with an insulating film, and any material and configuration may be adopted as long as it is a conductor whose capacitance changes due to accumulation of dirt contained in the waste water. Can do.

  3A and 3B are a perspective view and a plan view showing a groove portion 16 including an opening 15 provided in the inner wall of the casing 10 in the hand dryer shown in the first embodiment of the present invention. . 4 is a perspective view and a plan view showing a groove portion according to the modification of FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) in the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the groove portion 16 including the opening 15 is provided on the inner wall of the casing 10, and the conductive wire 22 has the same outer diameter and the same width as the groove 16. The width of 15 is configured to be narrower than its outer diameter, and a relatively soft insulating coating is pushed through the opening 15 to be disposed along the inner wall of the casing 10. That is, the casing 10 has a protrusion 17 that assists in accommodating the conductive wire 22 in the groove 16. By configuring in this way, the arrangement position and shape of the conductive wire 22 can be made constant, and the working efficiency of the assembly can be improved. In this case, as compared with the case where the conductive wire 22 is fixed to the casing 10 using a fixing member such as an adhesive tape, an excellent effect in increasing the stray capacitance, stabilizing the arrangement position of the conductive wire 22 and reducing the number of work steps. Can be realized.

  As a modified example, instead of continuously forming the protrusions 17 constituting the opening 15 that is narrower than the outer diameter of the conductive wire 22 on the inner wall of the casing 10, FIG. 4 (a) and FIG. 4 (b). As shown, the same effects as described above can be obtained even when the signals are intermittently arranged at a plurality of positions. This modification is particularly useful when it is difficult to integrally form the protrusions 17 that extend continuously in the casing 10 but it is relatively easy to integrally form the intermittent protrusions 17. It is.

The conductive wire 22 is, for example, a conductive wire material (electric wire, antenna wire, etc.) whose surface is coated with an insulating film, and a dielectric user's hand inserted into the hand insertion portion 11 or a dielectric. Any material and configuration can be adopted as long as the electrical conductivity changes in a non-contact manner through the casing 10 due to the accumulation of dirt in the water channel. Therefore, instead of a single conductive wire, it may be a printed circuit board (PCB) in which the conductive wire 22 is printed on the substrate. If the printed circuit board (PCB) is used, the conductive wire 22 can be easily arranged even if it is finely and complicatedly arranged. be able to.

Next, a capacitance type detection sensor will be described. FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram relating to the control of the hand dryer 1 shown in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, conductive wires 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d, a drain conductive plate 24, a main body display unit 13, a drain display unit 14, and a blower 42 are connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a detection unit 31 that is connected to the conductive lines 22a to 22d and independently detects the capacitances of the conductive lines 22a to 22d, and the capacitances of the conductive lines 22a and 22b detected by the detection unit 31. Hand detecting means 32 for detecting the presence / absence of a hand in the hand insertion portion 11 based on the value, and a dirt detecting means for detecting dirt on the drain outlet 18 based on the capacitance value of the conductive wire 22c detected by the detecting means 31. 33, a dirt detecting means 34 for detecting dirt at the lower end of the drain pipe 19 based on the capacitance value of the conductive wire 22d detected by the detecting means 31, and detection by the hand detecting means 32 or the dirt detecting means 33, 34. On the basis of the result, a control means 35 for controlling the operation of the main body display unit 13, the blower 42 and the like is provided. Thus, the capacitance type detection sensor for detecting the hand of the hand insertion portion 11 is composed of the conductive wires 22a and 22b, the detection means 31, and the hand detection means 32, and detects the dirt of the water channel. The detection sensor includes conductive wires 22c and 22d, detection means 31, and dirt detection means 33 and 34.

Further, the drain conductive plate 24 is also connected to the detection unit 31, and a water amount detection unit (not shown) provided in the control unit 30 based on the capacitance value of the conductive plate 24 detected by the detection unit 31 is a drain tank. The control unit 35 controls the drain display unit 14 based on the detection result of the water amount detection unit (not shown). Further, when the capacitance of the conductive plate 24 is less than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the drain tank 12 is not attached to the casing 10, and the control unit 35 prohibits the operation of the blower 42.

Next, hand detection and dirt detection by the detection sensor will be described. First, hand detection will be described. Each conductive line 22a, which changes according to a change in relative permittivity in the hand insertion portion 11 by a dielectric such as a user's hand inserted into the hand insertion portion 11 by the detection means 31. An analog signal indicating the capacitance of 22b is detected, the hand detection means 32 compares the capacitance detected by the detection means 31 with a predetermined threshold value, and the electrostatic capacitance of each conductive line 22a, 22b detected by the detection means 31 is detected. When it is determined that the capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that “hand is present” in the hand insertion portion 11. Further, when the hand detection unit 32 sees the capacitance detected by the detection unit 31 and determines that the value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the hand insertion unit 11 determines that there is no hand. When the hand detection unit 32 determines that “hand is present”, the control unit 35 operates the blower 42. When the hand detection unit 32 determines that “hand is absent”, the control unit 35 stops the blower 42. When the hand is inserted into the hand insertion unit 11, the blower 42 operates to blow dry air from the blower port 44 toward the hand insertion unit 11. When the hand is removed from the hand insertion unit 11, the blower 42 stops and blows air. The blowing of dry air from the mouth 44 stops.

  The dirt detection will be described. An analog signal indicating the capacitance of the conductive line 22c that changes according to the change in relative permittivity in the vicinity of the drain port 18 due to a dielectric such as dirt accumulated in the vicinity of the drain port 18 by the detecting means 31. The contamination detection unit 33 compares the capacitance of the conductive line 22c detected by the detection unit 31 with a predetermined first threshold value, and the capacitance of the conductive line 22c is a predetermined first level. When it is determined that the threshold value is exceeded, it is determined that “dirt is present”. When the dirt detection unit 33 determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire 22c is equal to or greater than the predetermined first threshold (when it is determined that “contamination is present”), the control unit 35 detects the orange color of the main body display unit 13. The LED lamp is turned on to notify that dirt (deposition) has occurred in the drainage channel.

Further, the accumulation of dirt progresses, and the dirt detection means 33 compares the capacitance of the conductive wire 22c detected by the detection means 31 with a predetermined second threshold value that is predetermined in a value larger than the first threshold value, When it is determined that the capacitance of the conductive line 22c is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold, it is determined that “dirt accumulation has progressed”. When the dirt detection means 33 determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire 22c is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold (when it is determined that “dirt accumulation has progressed”), the control means 35 causes the main body display unit 13 to The red LED lamp is lit to notify that an abnormality has occurred, and the operation of the blower 42 is prohibited, and the blower 42 is not operated even if the hand detection means 32 detects “hand present”. Maintain the stopped state.

  Similarly, an analog signal indicating the capacitance of the conductive line 22d that changes according to a change in relative permittivity near the lower end of the drain pipe 19 due to a dielectric such as dirt accumulated near the lower end of the drain pipe 19 by the detecting means 31. And the dirt detection means 34 compares the capacitance of the conductive line 22d detected by the detection means 31 with a predetermined first threshold value, and the capacitance of the conductive line 22d is a predetermined first value. When it is determined that the threshold value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined that “dirt is present”. When the dirt detection unit 34 determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire 22d is equal to or greater than the predetermined first threshold (when it is determined that “contamination is present”), the control unit 35 displays the orange color of the main body display unit 13. The LED lamp is turned on to notify that dirt (deposition) has occurred in the drainage channel.

Similarly, the accumulation of dirt further proceeds, and the electrostatic capacitance of the conductive wire 22d detected by the dirt detecting means 33 by the detecting means 31 and a predetermined second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value are set. In comparison, when it is determined that the capacitance of the conductive line 22d is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold, it is determined that “deposition of dirt has progressed”. When the dirt detection means 33 determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire 22d is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold (when it is determined that “dirt accumulation has progressed”), the control means 35 causes the main body display unit 13 to The red LED lamp is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred, and the operation of the air blowing unit 42 is prohibited, and the air blowing unit 42 is operated even if the hand detection means 32 detects “hand present”. Without stopping it.

The lighting of the orange or red LED of the main body display unit 13 and the prohibition of the operation of the blower 42 are carried out if there is a determination of either the dirt detection means 33 or the dirt detection means 34. Therefore, the dirt is removed and the capacitances of the conductive line 22c and the conductive line 22d are reduced, and both the dirt detection means 33 and the dirt detection means 34 have the predetermined capacitance of the conductive line 22c or the conductive line 22d. If it is determined that it is less than the second threshold value, the control unit 35 cancels the prohibition of the operation of the blower 42, and if the hand detection means 32 detects “hand is present”, the blower 42 is operated and the red on the main body display unit 13. The LED is turned off to cancel the abnormal state. Further, if both the dirt detection means 33 and the dirt detection means 34 determine that the capacitance of the conductive line 22c or the conductive line 22d is less than a predetermined first threshold, the control unit 35 of the main body display unit 13 The orange LED is turned off, and the notification of the occurrence of dirt is terminated.

The second threshold value may be set to a capacitance value in such a state that the accumulation of dirt progresses and the water channel is almost blocked and water does not flow so much. In addition, when the initial values of the capacitance of the conductive lines 22c and 22d before the contamination occurs are different from each other, or when the size of the water channel where the conductive lines 22c and 22d are installed is different from each other, The first threshold value and the second threshold value determined by the dirt detection means 33 and the dirt detection means 34 may be appropriately set individually by the dirt detection means 33 and the dirt detection means 34, respectively.

In the first embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set, the occurrence of dirt is detected on the basis of the first threshold value, and the orange LED is lit on the main body display unit 13 to cause dirt. In addition to notifying the occurrence, the progress of dirt accumulation is detected based on the second threshold, the red LED of the main body display unit 13 is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred, and further the operation of the blower 42 is prohibited. However, the second threshold value may not be provided, and the orange LED and the red LED of the main body display unit may be turned on and the operation of the blower 42 may be prohibited with the first threshold value.

  Further, accumulation of dirt in the drainage channel will be described. FIG. 6 is a partial front sectional view showing a drainage channel in the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the drainage port 18 has a hole shape formed in a part of the bottom surface of the hand insertion portion 11, and an extension portion 18 a in which a hole ridge extends downward is formed. The water that has been removed from the hand and flew to the hand insertion portion 11 is received and stopped by the inner wall of the hand insertion portion 11 and collected in the drain port 18. The collected water includes dirt adhering to the hand and dirt adhering to the inner wall of the hand insertion portion 11 (for example, oil component of the hand, detergent component, soil, sand, dust, hair, etc.) It is. Accordingly, water containing dirt is concentrated at the drain port 18, and the drain port 18 is a place where the water flow suddenly changes in the vertical direction from the bottom of the substantially horizontal manual insertion portion. Dirt easily accumulates in the mouth 18. In addition, dirt easily adheres to a physical end such as the lower end of the drain pipe 19 and easily accumulates. Once the dirt starts to accumulate, new dirt tends to be caught on the accumulated dirt, and the accumulation of the dirt concentrates and grows). For this reason, in the first embodiment, conductive wires 22c and 22d are wound around the outer periphery of the drain port 18 where dirt easily accumulates and the outer periphery near the lower end of the drain pipe 19, respectively, to detect a change in capacitance due to the accumulation of dirt. And monitoring the accumulation of dirt.

The first embodiment shows an example in which the accumulation of dirt is monitored by providing conductive wires 22c and 22d in the vicinity of the lower ends of the drain port 18 and the drain pipe 19, which are generally places where dirt easily accumulates in the water channel. However, depending on the shape of the drain pipe 19, there may be other places where dirt easily accumulates. For example, in another modification of the drainage water channel shown in FIG. 7, the drain pipe 19 has a suddenly changing portion 19b that is suddenly bent, and the suddenly changing portion 19b also causes a sudden change in the flow of water, and it is easy for stagnation to accumulate dirt. The conductive wire 22e may be wound around the outer periphery so as to surround the outer periphery of the sudden change portion 19b. Further, since the flow of water suddenly changes even in the sudden change portion 19c where the cross-sectional area of the drain pipe 19 suddenly decreases, stagnation easily occurs and dirt is likely to accumulate. Therefore, the conductive wire 22f is provided around the outer periphery of the sudden change portion 19c. It is good to install it. Of course, the sudden change portion 19c shown in FIG. 7 shows a shape that suddenly bends and suddenly decreases in cross-sectional area. Needless to say, it is included in the sudden change portion 19c.

In the hand dryer having the above-described configuration, the conductive wire 22 is disposed in the drainage water channel that guides the water in the manual insertion portion 11 to the drain tank 12, and the water channel is detected based on the capacitance of the conductive wire 22. Since the detecting means 33 or the dirt detecting means 34 is provided, it is possible to automatically detect dirt in the water channel without directly checking the inside of the water channel visually.

In addition, since dirt in waterways that cannot be seen from the outside can be detected, it is easy to know the accumulation of dirt in waterways that cannot be seen from the outside, and it is easy to perform cleaning management, and cleaning the waterways at an appropriate time. Odor generation and clogging of waterways can be prevented.

Further, since the conductive wire 22c is provided in the vicinity of the drain port 18 so as to surround the extended portion 18a of the drain port 18, it is possible to detect the accumulation of dirt on the drain port 18 where dirt easily accumulates in the water channel. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently detect the accumulation of dirt in the water channel without providing a conductive wire over the entire wide water channel.

Further, since the conductive wire 22d is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the water distribution pipe 19 so as to surround the vicinity of the lower end of the water distribution pipe 19, the accumulation of dirt in the vicinity of the lower end of the drain pipe 19 that easily accumulates dirt in the water channel is detected. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently detect the accumulation of dirt in the water channel without providing a conductive wire over the entire wide water channel.

Further, since the conductive wire 22e is provided in the vicinity of the sudden change portion 19b so as to surround the vicinity of the sudden change portion 19b in which the angle of the water distribution pipe 19 changes suddenly, the vicinity of the sudden change portion 19b in which dirt easily accumulates in the water channel is provided. The accumulation of dirt can be detected, and the accumulation of dirt in the water channel can be efficiently detected without providing a conductive wire in the entire wide water channel.

In addition, since the conductive wire 22f is provided in the vicinity of the sudden change portion 19c so as to surround the vicinity of the sudden change portion 19c in which the cross-sectional area of the water distribution pipe 19 is abruptly reduced, the sudden change portion 19c in which dirt easily accumulates in the water channel. The accumulation of dirt in the vicinity can be detected, and the accumulation of dirt in the water channel can be efficiently detected without providing a conductive wire in the entire wide water channel.

Further, the casing 10 which is a casing is provided with a main body display unit 13 which is a notification means for notifying the occurrence (accumulation) of dirt, and the dirt detection means 33 or the dirt detection means 34 is electrostatically connected to the conductive wire 22c or the conductive wire 22d. When it is determined that the capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the control means 35 turns on the orange LED lamp of the main body display unit 13 to notify that the drainage water channel is contaminated (deposited). Even without looking inside, it can be easily confirmed whether or not dirt has accumulated (deposited) in the waterway.

Further, when the dirt detection means 33 or the dirt detection means 34 determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire 22c or the conductive wire 22d is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control means 35 prohibits the operation of the blower 42. Without noticing the occurrence of dirt (deposition), the hand dryer 1 is not used as it is, and it is possible to prevent the accumulation of dirt in the water channel and prevent clogging of the water channel. Moreover, since the use of the hand dryer 1 can be stopped before the water channel is completely clogged, it is possible to prevent water from overflowing from the hand insertion portion 11.

In addition, a two-stage threshold value configured by a first threshold value and a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value is provided, and the capacitance of the conductive line 22c or the conductive line 22d is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value. When a certain determination is made, the control means 35 turns on the orange LED of the main body display unit 13 to notify the occurrence (deposition) of dirt, and the capacitance of the conductive line 22c or the conductive line 22d is the second capacitance. When it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the control unit 35 prohibits the operation of the blower 42 and further turns on the red LED of the main body display unit 13 to notify that an abnormality has occurred. It is possible to separately detect and notify both the accumulation) and the progress of the accumulation of dirt. Therefore, the hand drying apparatus 1 can be used continuously while notifying that the dirt has been generated at the initial stage where the dirt has occurred, and if the dirt has progressed to the extent that the water channel is clogged, it is manually dried before the water channel is completely clogged. The use of the device 1 can be stopped and water can be prevented from overflowing from the hand insertion portion 11.

In the first embodiment, the main body display unit 13 configured as an LED lamp is shown as an example of the notification unit. However, the notification unit is not limited to the above, and a display such as a liquid crystal instead of the LED lamp is used. However, it may be audibly notified with a buzzer or the like.

In the first embodiment, the conductive wires 22c to 22f are wound around the outer periphery of the drain port 18 or the outer periphery of the drain pipe 19. However, if the winding method is wound a plurality of times in a spiral manner, dirt accumulates. The detection accuracy of the occurrence (accumulation) of dirt can be improved by further improving the detection accuracy of the electrostatic capacity accompanying the accumulation of dirt at locations where dirt is likely to be clogged. I'm going.

In the first embodiment, the drain port 18 has a hole shape and the drain pipe 19 has a pipe shape as an example, but any shape may be used as long as both can circulate water. Further, the drain port 18 and the drain pipe 19 may each be composed of a plurality of parts, and the inside of the water channel of the drain port 18 or the drain pipe 19 may be exposed to the outside by separating the plurality of parts during cleaning.

In the above description of the effect, the conductive lines 22c and 22d have been described, but it goes without saying that the same applies to the conductive lines 22e and 22f.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing a drainage channel in the hand dryer shown in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, printed circuit boards (PCBs) 120 are provided in the vicinity of the outside of the drain outlet 18 where dirt easily accumulates and in the vicinity of the outside near the lower end of the drain pipe 19. Further, the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 is provided so that the board surface is along the water flow direction along the outside of the drain port 18 or the outside of the drain pipe 19. FIG. 9 is a front view of a printed circuit board (PCB) 120 in the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, a conductive wire 122 is printed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 120 so as to meander. The conductive wire 122 of the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 near the drain port 18 is connected to the conductive wire 22c connected to the control unit 30, and the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 near the lower end of the drain pipe 19 is connected. The conductive wire 122 is connected to a conductive wire 22 d connected to the control unit 30. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

The hand dryer having the above-described configuration has the same effect as that of the first embodiment, and the conductive wire 122 is provided on the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 so as to meander. The range can be comprehensively detected, and the detection accuracy of the occurrence (accumulation) of dirt can be improved by improving the detection accuracy of the capacitance accompanying the accumulation of dirt at locations where dirt is likely to clog. .

In the second embodiment, an example of the meandering conductive wire 122 is shown on the printed circuit board (PCB) 120. However, a plurality of conductors arranged in a spiral shape in parallel are connected at once with another copper wire. Shape (similar to the shape of a fish bone) and other various arrangement patterns, and if the entire range is detected in a predetermined range where the capacitance is to be detected, the arrangement pattern is limited to a serpentine shape is not.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 10 is a left side cross-sectional view showing a drainage channel in the hand dryer shown in the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the conductive line 22p and the conductive line 22q are placed near the conductive line 22c or the conductive line 22d at a place where dirt hardly accumulates in the water distribution pipe 19 (a place extending in a substantially vertical direction). Provided. The conductive wire 22p and the conductive wire 22q are also connected to the control unit 30, respectively, and the electrostatic capacity generated in the conductive wire 22p and the conductive wire 22q is detected by the detection means 31. The dirt detector 33 or the dirt detector 34 compares the capacitance values of the conductive wire 22c and the conductive wire 22p, or the conductive wire 22d and the conductive wire 22q, respectively, and the difference (comparison) is a predetermined threshold value. When judged as above, it is judged as “dirty”. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

The hand dryer having the above configuration has the same effect as that of the first embodiment, and is calculated by the difference (comparison) between the electrostatic capacitance at the location where the contamination occurs and the electrostatic capacitance at the location where the contamination is difficult to occur. Since “dirty” is determined based on the difference in capacitance, even if noise occurs during detection of capacitance, it is generated simultaneously in the conductive wire 22c and the conductive wire 22p or in the conductive wire 22d and the conductive wire 22q. Therefore, the detection accuracy of contamination (accumulation) can be improved by improving the detection accuracy.

In the second embodiment, the conductive wire p and the conductive wire q are provided in the drain pipe 19, but noise generated in the conductive wire 22c or the conductive wire 22d is similarly generated, and static electricity due to accumulated dirt is also shown. If the change in electric capacity is small, it may not be provided in the drain pipe 19 and may not be in the vicinity of the conductive wire 22c or 22d. The installation location of the conductive wire p or the conductive wire q is in this embodiment. It is not limited.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 11: is front sectional drawing which shows the water channel of drainage in the hand dryer shown in Embodiment 4 of this invention. A conductive wire 22c connected to the control unit 30 or a printed circuit board (PCB) 120 connected to the conductive wire 22d is provided near the outside of the drain port 18 where dirt easily accumulates and near the outside near the lower end of the drain pipe 19, respectively. Is provided. A printed circuit board (PCB) 121 is provided so as to face each printed circuit board (PCB) 120 with the drain port 18 or the drain pipe 19 interposed therebetween. A printed circuit board (PCB) 121 is a board equivalent to the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 shown in FIG. 8, and a conductive wire 122 is printed so as to meander. The conductive wire 122 of the printed circuit board (PCB) 121 is grounded. Accumulation of dirt by detecting electrostatic capacity between the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 121 using the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 121. Is detected. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

The hand dryer having the above configuration has the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments, and further detects the electrostatic capacitance between the printed circuit board (PCB) 120 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 121. Since 31 can detect, it is possible to detect the capacitance only in a range where it is desired to directly detect dirt, so that it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the occurrence (accumulation) of dirt.

1 Hand dryer 9 Back cover (housing)
10 Casing (housing)
11 Manual insertion part 12 Drain tank 13 Main body display part 18 Drain port (water channel)
18a Extension part (waterway)
19 Drain pipe (water channel)
19b Sudden change (waterway)
19c Sudden change (waterway)
22 Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22a Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22b Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22c Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22d Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22e Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22f Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22p Conductive wire (detection sensor)
22q conductive wire (detection sensor)
30 Control unit (detection sensor)
31 Detection means (detection sensor)
32 Hand detection means (detection sensor)
33 Dirt detection means (detection sensor)
34 Dirt detection means (detection sensor)
35 Control means 42 Blower 44 Blower port 120 Printed circuit board (PCB) (detection sensor)
121 Printed circuit board (PCB) (detection sensor)
122 Conductive wire (detection sensor)

Claims (9)

  A housing having a blower opening and a manual insertion part, a blower for supplying dry air from the blower opening to the manual insertion part, a drain tank for storing water drops provided below the manual insertion part, and the manual insertion part A hand-drying device comprising: a water channel connected to the drain for guiding the water in the hand insertion section to the drain tank; a detection sensor for detecting dirt in the water channel; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the blower. .   The said detection sensor is equipped with the electrically conductive line arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the said water channel, and the dirt detection means which detects the dirt of the said water channel based on the electrostatic capacitance of the said conductive wire. The hand dryer described. The water channel includes a drain port provided at a bottom portion of the manual insertion portion, and a drain pipe having one end connected to the drain port and guiding water from the drain port to the drain tank, and the conductive wire The hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein the hand dryer is provided in at least one of the vicinity of the outside of the drain port and the vicinity of the outside of the lower end of the drain pipe. The water channel includes a drain port provided at the bottom of the manual insertion portion, and a drain pipe having one end connected to the drain port and guiding water from the drain port to the drain tank, The hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein the hand dryer is provided near the outside of the sudden change portion where the angle of the drain pipe changes.   The water channel includes a drain port provided at the bottom of the manual insertion portion, and a drain pipe having one end connected to the drain port and guiding water from the drain port to the drain tank, The hand-drying device according to claim 2, wherein the hand-drying device is provided in the vicinity of the outside of the sudden change portion where the cross-sectional area of the drainage pipe is small.   6. The contamination detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the contamination detection unit detects the occurrence of contamination when it is determined that the capacitance of the conductive wire is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. 7. Hand drying equipment. Informing means for notifying the occurrence of dirt on the casing, and when the dirt detecting means determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control means operates the notifying means to cause dirt. The hand-drying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the occurrence of water is notified. The hand dryer according to claim 6, wherein when the dirt detection unit determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit prohibits the operation of the blower. .   Informing means for notifying the occurrence of dirt on the casing, and when the electrostatic capacity of the conductive wire is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, the control means operates the notifying means to generate dirt. When the control means determines that the capacitance of the conductive wire is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, the control means controls the operation of the blower. The hand dryer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the hand dryer is prohibited.

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