JP3850964B2 - Finger drying device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a finger drying device, and more particularly to a finger drying device that is disposed in a washroom or a toilet and blows air to the fingers after washing to remove moisture from the fingers.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in a hand dryer that removes moisture from a finger by blowing air such as warm air on the hand after washing, it transmits and receives infrared light through a detection window. The proximity detection means such as a photoelectric sensor that detects proximity detects the approach of the finger, and in response to the detection, the warm air heated by the heater is blown to the finger by a fan to dry the cleaned finger. Yes.
Here, when warm air is blown to the fingers, the moisture attached to the fingers is scattered or blown up by the blow, and the splashes adhere to the detection window of the photoelectric sensor.
[0003]
As a result, dust, lint, paper, and other fibers floating in the air adhere to the moistened detection window, or chlorine, detergent, or dirt contained in the water coagulates in the detection window, and infrared There is a problem that the detection window through which light is transmitted and received is dirty and the detection sensitivity is lowered.
Conventionally, as a method for preventing such contamination of the photoelectric sensor and maintaining the detection sensitivity, the detection window of the photoelectric sensor is periodically cleaned with a cloth or the like.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional finger drying apparatus, the detection window of the photoelectric sensor is periodically cleaned with a cloth or the like, which is a work burden on the user and is actually periodically cleaned. In many cases, the detection sensitivity cannot be maintained.
In addition, a method of applying a silicone-based antifouling agent to the detection window of the photoelectric sensor is also conceivable, but in order to maintain the effectiveness of antifouling, operations such as cleaning and re-application are required. Similar problems are expected to occur.
[0005]
A method of providing a transparent cover on the front surface of the detection window of the photoelectric sensor is also conceivable. However, in this case, the transparent body is contaminated by splashes from fingers, which is not an effective method.
The present invention is for solving such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a finger drying apparatus that can suppress a decrease in sensitivity of the proximity detection means without imposing a burden on the user.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the finger drying apparatus according to the present invention has proximity detection means for detecting the proximity of an object through a detection window, and when proximity of the finger is detected by the proximity detection means, In a finger drying apparatus that blows air to the fingers by a predetermined blowing means, a part of the air blown from the blowing means to the fingers is blown between the finger position during the blowing operation and the detection window of the proximity detecting means. A wind means is provided.
The air blowing means is a side surface of the first air passage for blowing the air from the air blowing means in a predetermined direction, and is composed of an air blowing hole provided near the detection window of the proximity detecting means.
Further, the air blowing means is provided from a second air passage that guides a part of the air from the side surface of the first air passage for blowing air from the air blowing means in a predetermined direction to the vicinity of the detection window of the proximity detecting means. It will be.
Therefore, a part of the air blown to the finger is blown between the finger position during the blowing operation and the detection window of the proximity detection means by the wind blowing means , and this wind blow causes a gap between the finger and the detection window. The air curtain is formed, and the splash that has flown from the finger being dried toward the detection window is repelled in the other direction.
[0007]
In addition, it has a heater that heats the air from the air blowing means and blows it to the fingers, and the air blowing means is the air blown from the air blowing means, and a part of the air that is not heated by the heater is proximity detection means The wind is blown near the detection window. Therefore, air that is not heated by the heater is blown out in the vicinity of the detection window of the proximity detection means .
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a hand drying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a fan (air blowing means) that blows air by driving a fan motor from a control unit (not shown), and 1A denotes air blown from the fan 1 to a heater casing (first air passage) 2. A ventilation housing 3 for guiding is a heater which is disposed inside the heater casing 2 and heats the air blown from the fan 1 to hot air 11 having a predetermined temperature.
[0009]
4 is a hot air outlet provided at the bottom of the main body case 5 to blow the hot air 11 from the heater casing 2 downward to the outside of the apparatus, and 6 is an infrared light (or visible light) that is transmitted and received through the detection window 6A. Thus, a photoelectric sensor (proximity detecting means) for detecting the proximity of the finger to the vicinity of the hot air outlet 4 and notifying the controller, and 7 is provided on the side of the heater casing 2 and in the vicinity of the photoelectric sensor 6. 6 is an air discharge hole (air discharge means) for blowing out part of the hot air 11 as an air curtain 12.
[0010]
Next, the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The photoelectric sensor 6 always sends out infrared light from the detection window 6A to the downward direction of the hot air outlet 4 and receives the reflected light through the detection window 6A.
Here, when the user brings a finger close to the vicinity of the hot air outlet 4, the reflection of the infrared light transmitted from the photoelectric sensor 6 increases, and the level of the reflected light received by the photoelectric sensor 6 increases.
[0011]
In response to this, the control unit drives the fan motor of the fan 1 to blow air from the fan 1 and drives the heater 3 to heat the air blown from the fan 1.
Thereby, the warm air 11 is blown from the heater casing 2 to the user's fingers through the warm air outlet 4.
[0012]
Further, a part of the warm air 11 in the heater casing 2 is also blown out from the air discharge hole 7 provided in the heater casing 2 to the vicinity of the detection window 6 </ b> A of the photoelectric sensor 6 as the air curtain 12.
In this case, the air curtain 12 made of an air flow is provided between the finger position during drying, that is, below the hot air outlet 4 and the detection window of the photoelectric sensor 6, and extends along the side surface of the photoelectric sensor 6 from the air outlet 7. Thus, it is formed by the airflow of warm air blown in the direction of the detection window 6A of the photoelectric sensor 6.
[0013]
Therefore, even when the droplets of water droplets from the user's fingers near the hot air outlet 4 fly in the direction of the photoelectric sensor 6, the air curtain 12 from the air discharge hole 7 causes the other direction, in this case downward. To be skipped.
This makes it difficult for water droplets or dust to adhere to the detection window 6A of the photoelectric sensor 6, and periodically cleans the detection window of the photoelectric sensor with a cloth or the like, or cleans the detection window with a silicone-based antifouling agent. It is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity of the photoelectric sensor without coating.
[0014]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a hand drying apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, the same or equivalent parts as those described above (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In the first embodiment, the air blowing hole 7 is provided in the heater casing 2 to blow out the air curtain 12, but in the second embodiment, an air duct (second air passage) 8 is provided. Thus, the air curtain 12 is blown out to the photoelectric sensor 6.
[0015]
That is, one end of the air duct 8 is provided on the side surface of the blower housing 1A, a part of the blown air from the fan 1 is taken into the air duct 8, and this is discharged as air curtain 12 to the photoelectric sensor 6. .
In this case, the air curtain 12 is provided between the finger position at the time of drying, that is, below the hot air outlet 4 and the detection window 6A of the photoelectric sensor 6, and from the front end of the air duct 8 to the front surface of the detection window 6A of the photoelectric sensor 6. Formed by a flow of air that is blown across the air.
[0016]
As a result, as in the first embodiment, water drops, dust, and the like are less likely to adhere to the detection window 6A of the photoelectric sensor 6, and the detection window of the photoelectric sensor is periodically cleaned with a cloth or the like. A decrease in sensitivity of the photoelectric sensor can be suppressed without applying a silicone-based antifouling agent to the window.
[0017]
One end of the air duct 8 may be provided on the side surface of the heater casing 2, and a part of the warm air 11 in the heater casing 2 may be blown out to the photoelectric sensor 6 as the air curtain 12.
However, since one end of the air duct 8 is provided at an upstream position from the heater 3, for example, on the side of the blower housing 1 </ b> A, the air before being heated by the heater 3 is blown out to the photoelectric sensor 6 as the air curtain 12. The deterioration of the sensor 6 due to heat can be reduced.
[0018]
In the above description, the example using the photoelectric sensor that transmits and receives infrared light (or visible light) through the detection window as the proximity detection means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When a sensor capable of detecting the proximity of an object through a window, such as a CCD camera, is used, the present invention can be applied in the same manner as described above, and the above-described effects can be obtained.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention, since so as to吐風between the detection window of the proximity detector part of the air blown to the finger and finger position during blowing operation, this吐風, finger An air curtain is formed between the detection window and the detection window, and splashes flying from the fingers being dried toward the detection window are repelled in other directions.
As a result, splashes such as water in the direction of the detection window from the fingers are surely eliminated and it is difficult to adhere to the detection window.As in the conventional method, the detection window of the proximity detection means is periodically cleaned with a cloth or the like. Compared with the method of applying a silicone-based antifouling agent to the detection window, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity of the proximity detection means due to the detection window dirt without requiring a regular work load.
[0020]
Further, a part of the air to be blown to the fingers is provided on the side surface of the first air passage for blowing the air from the blowing means in a predetermined direction and from the air blowing hole provided in the vicinity of the detection window of the proximity detecting means. Since the air is blown out in the vicinity of the detection window, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity of the proximity detection means due to contamination of the detection window with an extremely simple configuration.
In addition, from the side of the first air passage for blowing the air from the blowing means in a predetermined direction, a part of the air blown to the finger is discharged near the detection window of the proximity detecting means through the second air passage. Since it is made to wind, the air which flows through a desired position can be blown out in the vicinity of a detection window at a desired angle.
[0021]
In addition, it has a heater that heats the air from the air blowing means and blows it to the fingers, and the air blowing means is the air blown from the air blowing means, and a part of the air that is not heated by the heater is proximity detection means Since the air is blown out near the detection window, deterioration of the proximity detection means due to heat can be avoided .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a finger drying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a finger drying apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fan (blowing means), 1A ... Blower housing (1st air passage), 2 ... Heater casing, 3 ... Heater, 4 ... Hot air blowing outlet, 5 ... Main body case, 6 ... Photoelectric sensor (proximity detection means) , 6A ... detection window, 7 ... air outlet (air outlet means), 8 ... air duct (second air passage), 11 ... warm air, 12 ... air curtain.

Claims (4)

In the hand drying device that has proximity detection means for detecting the proximity of the object through the detection window and detects proximity of the finger by the proximity detection means, the air is blown to the finger by a predetermined blowing means.
An apparatus for drying a finger, comprising: air blowing means for blowing a part of the air blown from the blowing means to the finger between the finger position during the blowing operation and the detection window of the proximity detecting means . The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1,
The wind blowing means
A finger drying device comprising a side surface of a first air passage for blowing air from a blowing means in a predetermined direction, and a ventilation hole provided in the vicinity of a detection window of the proximity detecting means. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1,
The wind blowing means
It comprises a second air passage for guiding part of the air from the side surface of the first air passage for blowing air from the blowing means in a predetermined direction to the vicinity of the detection window of the proximity detecting means. Finger drying device. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1,
Having a heater that heats air from the blowing means and blows it to the fingers;
The wind blowing means
A hand drying apparatus characterized in that a part of the air that is blown from the blowing means and is not heated by the heater is blown out in the vicinity of the detection window of the proximity detection means.

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