JPWO2021005780A1 - Control method of hand drying device, wash basin with hand drying device and hand drying device - Google Patents

Abstract

This hand drying device is arranged with a nozzle portion provided with an outlet for blowing air in a predetermined blowing direction, a blower for sending air blown from the outlet to the nozzle portion, and a blower separated from the outlet in the blowing direction. Distance detecting means for detecting the distance between the object and the nozzle part, hand detecting means for detecting the hand inserted between the object and the nozzle part, and the number of rotations of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means. Is provided, and a control unit that drives the blower when the hand detecting means detects a hand is provided. The rotation speed of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is smaller than the first distance is higher than the rotation speed of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. small.

Description

The present invention relates to a hand drying device for blowing air to dry a user's hand, a wash basin with a hand drying device, and a control method for the hand drying device.

As a conventional hand-drying device, it supports the main body, a high-pressure air flow generator that sucks external air inside the main body, a nozzle provided in the main body that ejects high-pressure air from the high-pressure air flow generator as high-speed air, and the main body. It is known that the support member and the support member are attached to a detergent mounting arm attached to a wash basin or a wash bowl, and a fixing member for fixing the support member and the detergent mounting arm is provided (for example, a patent). Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-272806 (paragraph 0010, FIG. 1)

In the conventional hand drying device described above, the main body is fixed to the detergent mounting arm via a support member, and the air ejected from the nozzle provided in the main body is blown toward the wash bowl. At this time, if the depth of the wash bowl is shallow, the air collides with the wash bowl while maintaining a high speed, and water droplets adhering to the wash bowl are scattered around. This causes the user and the surroundings of the wash bowl to get wet, which causes a problem of causing discomfort to the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to prevent the water adhering to the washbasin from being scattered to the surroundings by the blown air, and it does not cause discomfort to the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of a hand drying device, a wash basin with a hand drying device, and a hand drying device.

The hand-drying device according to the present invention is separated from a nozzle portion provided with an outlet for blowing air in a preset blowing direction, a blower for sending air blown from the outlet to the nozzle portion, and a blower that blows air from the outlet in the blowing direction. Based on the distance detecting means for detecting the distance between the object and the nozzle portion, the hand detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object and the nozzle portion, and the distance detected by the distance detecting means. The blower is provided with a control unit that sets the rotation speed of the blower and drives the blower when the hand detecting means detects a hand, and is set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. The number of rotations of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is smaller than the first distance is smaller than the number of rotations.

The wash basin with a hand-drying device according to the present invention is provided above the wash bowl, a water discharge portion that discharges water, a wash bowl that receives the water discharged from the water discharge portion on the inner surface, and the inner surface of the wash bowl. The distance between the nozzle part provided with the outlet that blows air in the direction of the blowout, the blower that blows the air blown out from the outlet to the nozzle part, and the object and the nozzle part that are arranged apart from the outlet in the blowout direction. The distance detecting means for detecting, the hand detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object and the nozzle portion, and the hand detecting means for setting the rotation speed of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means. It is equipped with a control unit that drives the blower when the hand is detected, and the distance detected by the distance detecting means is higher than the rotation speed of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. Is smaller than the first distance, the number of rotations of the blower set is smaller.

The control method of the hand drying device according to the present invention includes a nozzle portion provided with an outlet for blowing air in a preset blowing direction, a blower for blowing air blown from the outlet to the nozzle portion, a distance detecting means, and a distance detecting means. A control method for a hand drying device having a hand detecting means and a control unit, wherein the distance detecting means detects a distance between an object arranged apart from the outlet in the blowing direction and a nozzle portion. , A step in which the control unit sets the rotation speed of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means, and a step in which the hand detecting means detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object and the nozzle part. The control unit includes a step of driving the blower at a set rotation speed when the hand detecting means detects a hand, and the blower is set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. The number of rotations of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is smaller than the first distance is smaller than the number of rotations.

According to the control method of the hand-drying device, the wash basin with the hand-drying device, and the hand-drying device of the present invention, water adhering to an object arranged away from the outlet such as a wash bowl by the blown air is applied to the surroundings. It is possible to prevent the scattering and prevent the user from being uncomfortable.

It is a schematic side sectional view of the wash basin with a hand drying device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the wash basin with a hand drying device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a bottom view of the nozzle part of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the main part related to the control of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the processing circuit of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart of operation control of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a table which shows an example of the relationship between the distance between an object and a nozzle part, and the rotation speed of a blower. It is a table showing an example of the relationship between the dimensionless distance and the rotation speed of the blower. It is a schematic side sectional view of another wash basin with a hand drying device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a bottom view of the nozzle part of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a wash basin 60 with a hand drying device (hereinafter, simply referred to as “wash basin 60”) provided with the hand drying device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wash basin 60.

The wash basin 60 includes a water discharge unit 61 and a wash basin 62. The water discharge unit 61 discharges water. The wash bowl 62 receives the water discharged from the water discharge unit 61 on the inner surface 62s. In this embodiment, the wash bowl 62 is supported by the counter portion 63. The counter portion 63 is composed of an upper portion of a box body 64 arranged on the floor FL adjacent to the wall WL. The upper surface of the counter portion 63 is formed so as to be horizontal, and an opening is formed in the central portion of the counter portion 63. The wash bowl 62 is arranged so as to cover the opening of the counter portion 63.

The water discharge unit 61 is erected between the wash bowl 62 and the wall WL in the counter unit 63, and is arranged so as to discharge water toward the inner surface 62s of the wash bowl 62. The water discharge unit 61 is, for example, a faucet connected to a water pipe. The water discharge unit 61 penetrates the counter unit 63 and is connected to a water supply (not shown) for supplying the discharged water. The water discharge unit 61 has a conventional sensor, a control circuit, and a solenoid valve (not shown). When this sensor detects the user's hand, the solenoid valve is automatically opened, and water is discharged from the water discharge unit 61.

The wash bowl 62 has a shape recessed so that the inner surface 62s has a smooth curved surface, and is formed of, for example, pottery. A drainage port 65 is formed at the lowest bottom of the washbasin 62. The drain port 65 is an opening provided for discharging the water discharged from the water discharge unit 61 and received in the wash bowl 62 to the sewer. A drainage pipe 66 is connected below the drainage port 65. The drainage pipe 66 has a drainage trap (not shown), and is connected to the sewer (not shown) via the drainage trap.

The drain port 65 is provided with a drain plug 67 capable of switching the opening and closing of the drain port 65. The drain plug 67 is configured to move up and down by the user operating a lever (not shown) provided on the wash basin 60, for example, to switch the opening and closing of the drain port 65. When the drain plug 67 is at the lower end position of the movable range, the drain port 65 is closed, and the water discharged from the water discharge unit 61 can be stored in the wash bowl 62. When the drain plug 67 is at the upper end position of the movable range, the drain port 65 is open, and the water discharged from the water discharge unit 61 is discharged through the drain pipe 66.

The wash basin 60 is provided with a hand drying device 1. The hand drying device 1 includes a nozzle unit 10, a blower 20, a distance detecting means 30, a hand detecting means 40, and a control unit 50.

The nozzle portion 10 is provided with an outlet 11 for blowing air in a preset blowing direction D1. In the present embodiment, the hand drying device 1 has a tubular main body portion 12. The main body portion 12 is erected between the wash bowl 62 and the wall WL in the counter portion 63 along with the water discharge portion 61, and is bent toward the wash bowl 62. The nozzle portion 10 is formed at the tip end portion of the bent main body portion 12, and is arranged above the wash bowl 62. The air outlet 11 is formed in a portion of the tip portion of the main body portion 12 facing the wash bowl 62. The outlet direction D1 of the outlet 11 is a direction toward the inner surface 62s of the wash bowl 62. Further, the blowing direction D1 is set so as not to intersect the drain port 65 formed in the wash bowl 62. As a result, it is possible to prevent the air blown out from the outlet 11 from directly flowing into the drainage pipe 66.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the nozzle portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the outlet 11 is formed in an elongated slit shape. The air outlet 11 extends long in the direction in which the tip portion of the main body 12 extends. The dimension of the slit width (width in the lateral direction) of the air outlet 11 is set to, for example, 2 mm or less.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body portion 12 extends through the counter portion 63, and is fixed to the counter portion 63 by using, for example, a fixing nut (not shown). Below the counter portion 63, the main body portion 12 is connected to the air duct 13. The blower duct 13 is formed in a tubular shape, and connects the main body portion 12 and the blower 20. The air duct 13 is made of a flexible resin, for example, so that it can be easily installed.

The blower 20 sends out the air blown from the outlet 11 to the nozzle portion 10. In the present embodiment, the blower 20 has a motor and a turbofan rotated by the motor, and is configured to generate high-pressure air. Further, the blower 20 is housed in a power unit case 21 provided below the counter unit 63. The power unit case 21 is installed on the wall WL inside the box body 64. The power unit case 21 is provided with an intake port (not shown) for the blower 20 to take in air from the outside of the power unit case 21. An air filter is detachably provided at the intake port to prevent dust from entering. As the air filter, for example, a mesh filter, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, a sterilization filter and the like can be used. This intake port communicates with the intake side of the blower 20. Further, the exhaust side of the blower 20 is connected to the blower duct 13. The high-pressure air generated by the blower 20 is sent to the nozzle portion 10 through the blow duct 13 and the main body portion 12, and is blown out as high-speed air from the outlet 11. The speed of the air blown out from the air outlet 11 depends on the number of rotations of the blower 20 (the number of times the fan of the blower 20 rotates per unit time). Specifically, as the rotation speed of the blower 20 increases, the pressure generated by the blower 20 increases, and the speed of the air blown out from the outlet 11 increases. With such a configuration, in the present embodiment, air can be blown out as a jet from the slit-shaped outlet 11. The velocity of the air at the time of blowing out is, for example, 80 m / s or more.

Further, the power unit case 21 is provided with a heater (not shown) for heating the high-pressure air generated by the blower 20. By using this heater, the air blown out from the air outlet 11 can be made into warm air.

The distance detecting means 30 detects the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 arranged apart from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1. In the present embodiment, the blowing direction D1 faces the inner surface 62s of the wash bowl 62. Therefore, the object BD arranged at a distance from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1 is, for example, a wash bowl 62. In this case, the distance detecting means 30 detects the distance between the wash bowl 62 and the nozzle portion 10. Further, for example, when the drain port 65 is closed by the drain plug 67 of the wash bowl 62 and water is collected in the wash bowl 62, the object BD is the water collected in the wash bowl 62. In this case, the distance detecting means 30 detects the distance between the water surface of the water accumulated in the wash bowl 62 and the nozzle portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the distance detecting means 30 is arranged next to the outlet 11 in the nozzle portion 10. For the distance detecting means 30, for example, an optical distance sensor can be used. In the optical distance sensor, when the light emitted from the light source inside the distance sensor hits the object BD, it is reflected and received by the light receiving element of the distance sensor. The distance is measured from the difference between the amount of light emitted by the light source and the amount of light received by the light receiving element.

The distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the distance detecting means 30 detects the distance L1 along the blowing direction D1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10. That is, the distance L1 is related to the flow of air blown from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1. Generally, when the air blown out from the outlet 11 collides with the object BD at a high speed, the water droplets adhering to the object BD are likely to be scattered. On the other hand, when the air blown out from the outlet 11 collides with the object BD at a slow speed, it is difficult to scatter the water droplets adhering to the object BD. Further, the velocity of the air blown out from the outlet 11 gradually decreases as the air flows from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1. Therefore, it is considered that the air blown out from the outlet 11 does not scatter the water droplets adhering to the object BD even if it collides with the object BD when the air moves a certain distance from the outlet 11 and the velocity is sufficiently attenuated. From this point of view, the distance L1 associated with the flow of air blown out from the outlet 11 is detected by the distance detecting means 30.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the distance between the outlet 11 and the object BD in the nozzle portion 10 is set as the distance L1. That is, the distance L1 corresponds to the distance that the air blown from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1 moves from the outlet 11 until it collides with the object BD. Here, when the flow of air blown out from the outlet 11 is a jet, the blowing direction D1 coincides with the jet axis. When the distance L1 is short, the air blown out from the outlet 11 collides with the object BD at a speed close to the speed at the time of blowing out, so that water droplets adhering to the object BD are likely to be scattered. On the other hand, when the distance L1 is long, the air blown out from the outlet 11 attenuates in speed before reaching the object BD and collides with the object BD at a speed slower than the speed at the time of blowing out, so that water droplets adhering to the object BD. Is hard to scatter.

When the distance between the outlet 11 of the nozzle unit 10 and the object BD is set as the distance L1, ideally, the distance detecting means 30 detects the distance between the outlet 11 of the nozzle unit 10 and the object BD. It is preferable to do so. However, since there is substantially no large error, the distance between the portion near the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10 and the object BD may be treated as the distance between the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10 and the object BD. In the present embodiment, as described above, the distance detecting means 30 is arranged next to the outlet 11 in the nozzle portion 10, and the distance between the distance detecting means 30 arranged next to the outlet 11 and the object BD is determined. It is used as the distance between the air outlet 11 and the object BD.

The hand detecting means 40 detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object BD arranged apart from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1 and the nozzle portion 10. In the present embodiment, as described above, the object BD is, for example, the wash bowl 62. In this case, the hand detecting means 40 detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the wash bowl 62 and the nozzle portion 10. .. When water is accumulated in the wash bowl 62, the hand detecting means 40 detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the water accumulated in the wash bowl 62 and the nozzle portion 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the hand detecting means 40 is arranged in the nozzle portion 10 next to the air outlet 11 on the opposite side of the distance detecting means 30. As the hand detecting means 40, for example, an optical infrared sensor or a distance sensor can be used. In the infrared sensor, when the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting element hit the user's hand, the hand is detected by receiving the infrared rays reflected by the hand with the light receiving element.

The control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30, and drives the blower 20 when the hand detecting means 40 detects a hand. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 is provided inside the power unit case 21. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main part related to the control of the hand drying device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 is communicably connected to each of the blower 20, the distance detecting means 30, and the hand detecting means 40, and is connected to each of them by, for example, a signal line. The distance detecting means 30 outputs a signal including information indicating the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 and sends it to the control unit 50. The hand detecting means 40 outputs a signal including information indicating the detection result of the presence / absence of the hand and sends it to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 outputs a signal for controlling the operation of the blower 20 based on the signal output from the distance detecting means 30 and the signal output from the hand detecting means 40, and sends the signal to the blower 20. The blower 20 operates according to the signal output from the control unit 50, and blows out air from the outlet 11 of the nozzle unit 10.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 includes a distance determination unit 51, an operation control unit 52, and a storage unit 53. The distance determination unit 51 compares the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 with the preset distance, and determines the magnitude relationship thereof. The operation control unit 52 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the determination result of the distance determination unit 51. Further, the operation control unit 52 drives the blower 20 based on the detection result of the hand detecting means 40. The storage unit 53 stores preset distances and rotation speeds. Each unit in the control unit 50 can communicate with each other.

A control in which the control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means 30 will be described. In the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the blower 20 set by the control unit 50 is larger than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means 30 is the first distance. There is a relationship that the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance detected by is smaller than the first distance is smaller.

As a specific example of setting the rotation speed of the blower 20, first, a preset distance and rotation speed are stored in the storage unit 53. For example, the storage unit 53 stores the first distance as a preset distance, and stores the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed as the preset rotation speed. Here, the first rotation speed is such that when the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 is the first distance, the air sent out from the blower 20 and blown out from the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10 collides with the object BD. Occasionally, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set so that the speed of the air is such that the water droplets adhering to the object BD are not scattered. The second rotation speed is such that when the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 is smaller than the first distance, when the air blown out from the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10 collides with the object BD, the velocity of the air is the object. The rotation speed of the blower 20 is set so that the speed does not scatter the water droplets adhering to the BD. As an example of a speed at which water droplets adhering to the object BD are not scattered, when the speed at which the air blown from the outlet 11 collides with the object BD is 20 m / s or less, the air flow at this speed causes the object BD to have a speed. Since there is not enough kinetic energy to blow off the attached water droplets, it is possible to suppress the scattering of the water droplets.

When the distance determination unit 51 of the control unit 50 receives the signal output from the distance detection means 30, it determines whether or not the distance L1 detected by the distance detection means 30 is equal to or greater than the first distance in the storage unit 53, and determines. The result is output to the operation control unit 52. When the distance determination unit 51 determines that the distance L1 detected by the distance detection means 30 is equal to or greater than the first distance, the operation control unit 52 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 to the first rotation speed. When the distance determination unit 51 determines that the distance L1 detected by the distance detection means 30 is smaller than the first distance, the operation control unit 52 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 to the second rotation speed.

Next, the drive control of the blower 20 based on the detection result of the hand detection means 40 by the control unit 50 will be described. The hand detection means 40 outputs a hand detection signal, which is a detection result of whether or not it has been detected that the user's hand has been inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, to the control unit 50. For example, the hand detecting means 40 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 50 when the hand is detected, and outputs a low level signal to the control unit 50 when the hand is not detected. When the hand detection signal received by the control unit 50 is a high level signal, the operation control unit 52 determines that the hand is inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, and drives the blower 20 to rotate. Allow or keep the blower 20 rotating. When the hand detection signal received by the control unit 50 is a low level signal, the operation control unit 52 determines that no hand is inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, and stops the blower 20 or stops the blower 20. The state in which the blower 20 is stopped is maintained.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the distance detecting means 30 is arranged next to the outlet 11 in the nozzle portion 10, and the hand detecting means 40 is next to the outlet 11 on the opposite side of the distance detecting means 30. Have been placed. That is, the distance detecting means 30 and the hand detecting means 40 are arranged close to each other. Therefore, when the control unit 50 simultaneously performs the control related to the distance detecting means 30 and the control related to the hand detecting means 40, the distance detecting means 30 recognizes the user's hand detected by the hand detecting means 40 as the object BD and this There is a possibility that the distance between the user's hand and the nozzle unit 10 will be detected, and the control unit 50 will set the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on this distance. Therefore, when the hand detecting means 40 detects the user's hand, the control unit 50 does not perform an operation of setting the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30. When the hand detecting means 40 does not detect the user's hand, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30.

The control unit 50 is realized, for example, as a processing circuit having a hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing circuit. Each component constituting the control unit 50 is realized, for example, by the processor 71 shown in FIG. 5 executing a program stored in the memory 72. Further, a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may cooperate to realize the above function. Further, a part of the functions of the control unit 50 may be implemented as an electronic circuit, and the other part may be realized by using the processor 71 and the memory 72.

Next, the operation of the hand drying device 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation control of the hand drying device 1.

When the power of the hand drying device 1 is turned on, the hand drying device 1 is put into a standby state. That is, the blower 20 is stopped, and the hand detecting means 40 is in a state where the hand is not detected. First, in step S1, the distance detecting means 30 detects the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, and outputs a signal including information indicating the detected distance L1 to the control unit 50.

Subsequently, in step S2, the control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30. More specifically, the distance determination unit 51 of the control unit 50 compares the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 with the preset distance, and determines the magnitude relationship thereof. The operation control unit 52 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the determination result of the distance determination unit 51.

Subsequently, in step S3, the hand detecting means 40 detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, and outputs a hand detection signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 50. In this step S3, it is determined whether or not the user's hand is inserted between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10. When the hand detection signal received by the control unit 50 from the hand detection means 40 indicates that the hand is being detected, it means that the user's hand is inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10. In this case, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process of step S4. When the hand detection signal received from the hand detection means 40 by the control unit 50 indicates that the hand is not detected, it means that the user's hand is not inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10. In this case, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process of step S7.

In step S4, the control unit 50 drives the blower 20 based on the detection result of the hand detection means 40. More specifically, when the operation control unit 52 of the control unit 50 indicates that the hand detection signal received from the hand detection means 40 is detecting the hand, the hand is inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10. It is determined that this is done, and the blower 20 is rotated at the rotation speed set in step S2. As a result, air flows in from the intake port through the air filter provided in the power unit case 21, is sent to the blower 20, and the pressure is increased by the blower 20. The air that has passed through the blower 20 and has been increased in pressure reaches the nozzle portion 10 through the air duct 13, is accelerated at the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10, and is blown out from the outlet 11 as high-speed air. The air blown out from the air outlet 11 hits the user's hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10, and begins to blow off the water adhering to the surface of the hand as water droplets.

Subsequently, in step S5, the hand detecting means 40 detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, and outputs a hand detection signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 50. In this step S5, it is determined whether or not the user's hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 has been pulled out. When the hand detection signal received from the hand detection means 40 indicates that the hand is being detected, the control unit 50 repeats the process of step S5. In this case, since it means that the user's hand is still inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10, the operation control unit 52 of the control unit 50 maintains the state in which the blower 20 is rotating. .. When the hand detection signal received from the hand detection means 40 indicates that the hand is not detected, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process of step S6.

When the hand detection signal received from the hand detection means 40 by the control unit 50 indicates that the hand is not detected, it means that the user's hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10 has been pulled out. do. In step S6, the operation control unit 52 of the control unit 50 stops the rotating blower 20. As a result, the air blown out from the air outlet 11 is stopped. After that, the process returns to the process of step S3.

In step S3, when the control unit 50 indicates that the hand detection signal received from the hand detection means 40 does not detect the hand, the operation control unit 52 of the control unit 50 is between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10. It is determined that the hand is not inserted, and the state in which the blower 20 is stopped is maintained.

Subsequently, in step S7, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a preset time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the blower 20 was set in step S2. If the set time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S3. When the set time has elapsed, the process returns to the process of step S1 in order to update the rotation speed of the blower 20 set in step S2. As a result, the rotation speed of the blower 20 can be reset in response to a change in the distance between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10, such as when water is stored in the wash bowl 62.

As described above, the hand drying device 1 according to the present embodiment has a nozzle portion 10 provided with an outlet 11 for blowing air in a preset blowing direction D1 and a nozzle for blowing air from the outlet 11. Between the blower 20 that sends out to the unit 10, the distance detecting means 30 that detects the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle unit 10 that are arranged apart from the outlet 11 in the blowing direction D1, and the object BD and the nozzle unit 10. The number of rotations of the blower 20 is set based on the hand detecting means 40 that detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted into the nozzle and the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30, and the blower 20 when the hand detecting means 40 detects a hand. A control unit 50 for driving the The blower set when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is the first distance. The number of revolutions of 20 is smaller.

With such a configuration, the rotation speed of the blower 20 when the blower 20 is driven when the hand detecting means 40 detects a hand is set based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30. Therefore, the rotation speed of the blower 20 can be changed according to the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10, and the speed of the air blown out from the outlet 11 can be changed correspondingly. Further, the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 is smaller than the first distance is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 is the predetermined first distance. Therefore, when the distance L1 is small, the speed of the air blown out from the outlet 11 can be slowed down, and the speed at which the air collides with the object BD can be slowed down. When the air blown out from the outlet 11 directly collides with the object BD, such as immediately after the inserted hand is pulled out, it is possible to prevent the water adhering to the object BD from scattering to the surroundings due to this air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from being uncomfortable and to use it hygienically.

Further, since the control unit 50 automatically sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30, the installer or the builder who installs the hand drying device 1 on the wash basin or the like installs it. It is possible to eliminate the work of setting the rotation speed of the blower 20 in consideration of the depth of the wash basin 62. In addition, even when the distance L1 changes as in the case where water is stored in the wash bowl 62, the control unit 50 automatically sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the changed distance L1. , It is possible to prevent the water accumulated in the wash bowl 62 from scattering.

When the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is equal to or greater than the preset first distance, the control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 to the preset first rotation speed and sets the distance detecting means. When the distance L1 detected by 30 is smaller than the first distance, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to a rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed. With such a configuration, when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is smaller than the reference first distance, the second rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed is set. Therefore, for example, the wash bowl 62. When the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 is shorter than a certain reference, such as when the depth is shallow, the rotation speed of the blower 20 can be automatically reduced, thereby adhering to the object BD. It is possible to make it more difficult for water droplets to scatter.

The control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means 30 when the hand detecting means 40 does not detect the hand. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the hand detection means 40 from simultaneously detecting the hand and the distance detection means 30 from detecting the distance, and for example, the hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 is targeted. It is possible to prevent the distance detecting means 30 from detecting the distance and setting the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance.

The distance detecting means 30 is arranged next to the air outlet 11 in the nozzle portion 10. With such a configuration, the distance to the object BD can be easily detected with the nozzle portion 10 as a reference. In particular, as the distance L1, the distance between the outlet 11 and the object BD in the nozzle portion 10 can be easily detected.

Further, the wash basin 60 with a hand drying device according to the present embodiment includes a water discharge unit 61 for discharging water, a wash bowl 62 for receiving water discharged from the water discharge unit 61 on the inner surface 62s, and a wash bowl 62. A nozzle portion 10 provided above and provided with an outlet 11 for blowing air in the blowing direction D1 toward the inner surface 62s of the washbasin 62, a blower 20 for sending air blown from the outlet 11 to the nozzle portion 10, and an outlet. The distance detecting means 30 for detecting the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 arranged apart from the object BD in the blowing direction D1 and the presence / absence of a hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 are detected. It includes a hand detecting means 40 and a control unit 50 that sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 and drives the blower 20 when the hand detecting means 40 detects a hand. .. The blower set when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is the first distance. The number of revolutions of 20 is smaller.

With such a configuration, the rotation speed of the blower 20 when the blower 20 is driven when the hand detecting means 40 detects a hand is based on the distance L1 between the object BD detected by the distance detecting means 30 and the nozzle portion 10. Is set. Therefore, the rotation speed of the blower 20 can be changed according to the distance L1, and the speed of the air blown out from the outlet 11 can be changed correspondingly. Further, the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 is smaller than the first distance is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 is the predetermined first distance. Therefore, when the distance L1 is small, the velocity of the air blown out from the outlet 11 can be slowed down, and the velocity when the air collides with the object BD can be slowed down, so that the air blown out from the outlet 11 becomes the object BD. At the time of a direct collision, it is possible to prevent the water adhering to the object BD from scattering to the surroundings due to this air, and it is possible to prevent the user from being uncomfortable. Further, since the control unit 50 automatically sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30, the installer or the like considers the depth of the wash bowl 62 and sets the rotation speed of the blower 20. The work of setting the work can be eliminated, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, the control method of the hand drying device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a nozzle portion 10 provided with an outlet 11 for blowing air in a preset blowing direction D1 and a nozzle portion 10 for blowing air from the outlet 11. It is a control method of the hand drying device 1 having the blower 20, the distance detecting means 30, the hand detecting means 40, and the control unit 50, and the distance detecting means 30 moves from the outlet 11 to the blowing direction D1. A step of detecting the distance L1 between the object BD arranged apart from each other and the nozzle unit 10, and a step of the control unit 50 setting the rotation speed of the blower 20 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30. A step in which the hand detecting means 40 detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 and a blower 20 are set when the hand detecting means 40 detects the hand. It includes a step driven by the number of revolutions. The blower set when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 is the first distance. The number of revolutions of 20 is smaller.

As a result, when the blower 20 of the hand drying device 1 detects a hand by the hand detecting means 40 at a rotation speed set based on the distance L1 between the object BD detected by the distance detecting means 30 and the nozzle portion 10. Driven. That is, the rotation speed of the blower 20 changes according to the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10, and the speed of the air blown out from the outlet 11 changes accordingly. Further, the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 is smaller than the first distance is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower 20 set when the distance L1 is the predetermined first distance. Therefore, when the distance L1 is small, the speed at which the air blown out from the outlet 11 collides with the object BD such as the wash bowl 62 or the water collected in the wash bowl 62 can be slowed down, so that the speed can be reduced from the outlet 11. When the blown air collides with the object BD, it is possible to prevent water droplets from scattering from the object BD due to this air, and it is possible to prevent the user from being uncomfortable.

In the above description, the control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 by comparing the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 with the first distance. For example, the blower 20 is based on the table shown in FIG. The number of rotations of may be set. FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 and the rotation speed of the blower 20. The table shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the storage unit 53 of the control unit 50. The control unit 50 sets the rotation speed of the blower 20 with reference to the table shown in FIG. 7 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30. For example, when the distance L1 is 200 mm or more, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to the high speed rotation speed N1. When the distance L1 is 100 mm or more and less than 200 mm, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to the medium speed rotation speed N2. When the distance L1 is less than 100 mm, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to the low speed rotation speed N3. Here, the number of revolutions N1> the number of revolutions N2> the number of revolutions N3. Further, the rotation speeds N1, the rotation speeds N2, and the rotation speeds N3 do not scatter water droplets adhering to the object BD when the air blown out from the outlet 11 collides with the object BD according to the respective distances L1. The rotation speed of the blower 20 is set so that the speed is about the same.

Further, the rotation speed of the blower 20 can be set based on the table shown in FIG. 8 instead of the table shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the dimensionless distance L0 and the rotation speed of the blower 20. Here, the dimensionless distance L0 is calculated by the formula (distance L1-distance L2) / distance L2. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance L2 is the distance in the blowing direction D1 between the edge 62r of the wash bowl 62 and the nozzle portion 10. More specifically, the distance L2 is the distance in the blowing direction D1 between the intersection of the virtual plane P1 including the upper end surface of the edge 62r of the wash bowl 62 and the blowing direction D1 and the nozzle portion 10. For example, the distance L2 is measured in advance and stored in the storage unit 53 of the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 does not use the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 and the distance L2 stored in the storage unit 53. The dimensional distance L0 is calculated.

In this case, the control unit 50 calculates the dimensionless distance L0 based on the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30, refers to the table shown in FIG. 8, and sets the rotation speed of the blower 20. For example, when the dimensionless distance L0 calculated from the distance L1 is 1.0 or more, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to the high-speed rotation speed N1. When the dimensionless distance L0 calculated from the distance L1 is 0.5 or more and less than 1.0, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to the medium speed rotation speed N2. When the dimensionless distance L0 calculated from the distance L1 is less than 0.5, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set to the low rotation speed N3.

In the above description, the rotation speed of the blower 20 is set in steps with respect to the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. The rotation speed of the blower 20 may be continuously set according to the distance L1. For example, the rotation speed of the blower 20 may be set to decrease as the distance L1 detected by the distance detecting means 30 decreases. Even in this way, the same effect as the above-described configuration can be obtained.

Further, with respect to the above-mentioned distance L2, for example, the rim 62r of the wash basin 62 is arranged below the upper surface of the counter portion 63, and the rim 62r of the wash bowl 62 is covered by the peripheral edge of the opening of the counter portion 63. In the case of a table, instead of the edge 62r of the washbasin 62, the distance D1 in the blowing direction D1 between the peripheral edge of the opening of the counter portion 63 and the nozzle portion 10 may be used as the distance L2. In this case, more specifically, the distance L2 is the distance in the blowing direction D1 between the intersection of the virtual plane including the upper surface of the peripheral edge of the opening of the counter portion 63 and the blowing direction D1 and the nozzle portion 10.

Here, another example of how to take the distance L1 and the distance L2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic side sectional view of another wash basin 60A according to the present embodiment. The main body 12A of the hand drying device 1A shown in FIG. 9 stands on the counter 63 and is bent toward the wash bowl 62 so as to extend diagonally upward. While the blowing direction D1 shown in FIG. 1 was substantially vertically downward, as shown in FIG. 9, the blowing direction D1A of the outlet 11A of the nozzle portion 10A provided in the main body 12A was the wash bowl 62. It faces diagonally downward toward the inner surface 62s. In this case, the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10A along the blowing direction D1A is as shown in FIG. Further, the distance L2 in the blowing direction D1A between the edge 62r of the wash bowl 62 and the nozzle portion 10A used when calculating the dimensionless distance L0 is as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10 is formed in an elongated slit shape as described above. Therefore, the potential core of the air flow blown out from the air outlet 11 becomes small, and the velocity of the air flow tends to decrease as the distance from the air outlet 11 increases. Therefore, at the position where the user's hand is inserted, the air flow is the object BD after the user finishes drying the hand and pulls out the hand while ensuring a sufficient wind speed to blow off the water droplets adhering to the hand. It is possible to suppress the wind speed when colliding with. As a result, it is possible to make it more difficult for water droplets adhering to the object BD to scatter, and it is possible to use the object more hygienically.

Further, as described above, the hand detecting means 40 is arranged next to the air outlet 11 on the opposite side of the nozzle portion 10 from the distance detecting means 30, and is separated from the water discharging portion 61 as shown in FIG. It is located next to the air outlet 11 on the side. Since the main body portion 12 on which the nozzle portion 10 is formed is arranged side by side with the water discharge portion 61, when the user moves his / her hand below the water discharge portion 61 to wash his / her hand, the lower part of the nozzle portion 10 is located. There is a possibility that a hand enters the portion, the hand detecting means 40 detects the hand, and a high-speed wind blows out from the outlet 11 of the nozzle portion 10. In this case, since the water from the water discharge unit 61 and the high-speed wind from the outlet 11 are simultaneously discharged, the water discharged from the water discharge unit 61 may be scattered by the high-speed wind. As described above, by arranging the hand detecting means 40 in the nozzle portion 10 at a position away from the water discharging portion 61, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user's hand unknowingly enters the detection range of the hand detecting means 40. It is possible to suppress the simultaneous release of water and high-speed wind.

In the present embodiment, the blower 20 and the control unit 50 are provided inside the power unit case 21, the power unit case 21 is provided below the counter unit 63, and the main body unit 12 on which the nozzle unit 10 is formed is the counter unit. It is provided above 63. By arranging the power unit case 21 for accommodating the blower 20 and the control unit 50 below the counter unit 63 in this way, the space occupied by the hand drying device 1 on the counter unit 63 can be reduced, and the counter can be reduced. The space that can be used by the user can be widened on the unit 63, and the usability can be improved. Further, since the blower 20 and the like cannot be seen by the user, the design can be improved.

In addition, the arrangement is not limited to the above, and for example, the nozzle portion 10 and the blower 20 may be provided in a single housing, and this housing may be provided above the counter portion 63. Further, although the control unit 50 is said to be provided inside the power unit case 21, it may be provided outside the power unit case 21.

In the present embodiment, the water discharge unit 61 is configured to discharge water by a sensor that detects the user's hand, but the present invention is not limited to this. The water discharge unit 61 may be configured to discharge water by manual operation with a faucet lever or the like. Further, although the wash bowl 62 is provided separately from the counter portion 63, it may be integrally formed with the counter portion 63. The shape of the wash bowl 62 is not particularly limited as long as it can receive the water discharged from the water discharge portion 61 on the inner surface 62s.

It is said that the main body 12 of the hand drying device 1 is erected from the counter 63, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main body portion 12 may be supported by the wall WL and extend from the wall WL toward the wash bowl 62 side.

Although an optical distance sensor is used as the distance detecting means 30, the distance sensor is not limited to this, and other distance sensors may be used. Further, although it is said that the distance detecting means 30 is arranged in the nozzle portion 10, the distance detecting means 30 is not limited to this. The distance detecting means 30 may be provided separately from the nozzle portion 10 as long as the distance between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 can be detected. The distance detecting means 30 detects the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10, but this is not limited to the one that directly detects it, but also includes the one that indirectly detects it. For example, the distance detecting means 30 may detect the distance L1 between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 by detecting another distance and geometrically transforming the distance.

An infrared sensor or a distance sensor is used as the hand detecting means 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a capacitance sensor may be used as the hand detection means 40. Further, the distance detecting means 30 and the hand detecting means 40 are provided separately, but the present invention is not limited to this. One sensor may have the functions of both the distance detecting means 30 and the hand detecting means 40. As such a sensor, for example, an optical distance sensor can be used. In this case, since the user's hand is usually located near the nozzle portion 10 provided with the outlet 11 for blowing air, for example, the distance sensor detects it within a predetermined distance from the nozzle portion 10. By determining an object as a hand and detecting an object at a position farther than a predetermined distance from the nozzle portion 10 as an object BD, the detection of the distance between the object BD and the nozzle portion 10 and the detection of the hand are distinguished. be able to.

Embodiment 2.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the nozzle portion 110 of the hand drying device 101 according to the present embodiment. The description of the part of the present embodiment similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

The nozzle portion 110 is provided with an outlet 111. Unlike the outlet 11 formed in a slit shape in the first embodiment, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the outlet 111 has a configuration in which a plurality of round holes are arranged in a row. ing. The plurality of round holes are arranged in a row in the direction in which the tip end portion of the main body portion 12 extends. The diameter of each round hole is set to, for example, 2 mm or less. Further, a hand detecting means 140 is arranged on the tip side of the outlet 111 in the nozzle portion 110. That is, the hand detecting means 140 is arranged on the nozzle portion 110 closer to the user. By arranging in this way, the accuracy of hand detection by the hand detecting means 140 can be improved, and the usability of the user can be improved.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Configurations can be added, omitted, replaced, and other modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

According to the above-mentioned control method of the hand-drying device, the wash basin with the hand-drying device, and the hand-drying device, the water adhering to the object arranged away from the outlet such as the wash bowl by the blown air is scattered around. It is possible to prevent this from happening and not to cause discomfort to the user.

1, 1A, 101 Hand drying device, 10, 10A, 110 Nozzle part, 11, 11A, 111 Air outlet, 12, 12A Main body part, 13 Blower duct, 20 Blower, 21 Power part case, 30 Distance detection means, 40 hands Detection means, 50 control unit, 51 distance determination unit, 52 operation control unit, 53 storage unit, 60, 60A wash basin, 61 water discharge unit, 62 wash bowl, 62r edge, 62s inner surface, 63 counter unit, 64 box body, 65 Drain port, 66 Drain pipe, 67 Drain plug, 71 Processor, 72 Memory, BD object, D1, D1A Blow-out direction, FL floor, L0 dimensionless distance, L1, L2 distance, N1, N2, N3 rotation speed, P1 virtual Flat, WL wall.

Claims (7)

A nozzle section provided with an outlet that blows air in a preset blowing direction, and
A blower that sends out the air blown from the outlet to the nozzle,
A distance detecting means for detecting the distance between the nozzle portion and an object arranged apart from the outlet in the blowing direction, and
A hand detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object and the nozzle portion,
A control unit that sets the rotation speed of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means and drives the blower when the hand detecting means detects a hand.
With
The blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. A hand-drying device characterized in that the number of rotations of is smaller. When the distance detected by the distance detecting means is equal to or greater than the first distance, the control unit sets the rotation speed of the blower to the first rotation speed, and the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. The hand drying device according to claim 1, wherein when the distance is smaller than one distance, the rotation speed of the blower is set to a rotation speed smaller than the first rotation speed. The hand drying device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the blower is set smaller as the distance detected by the distance detecting means becomes smaller. The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit sets the rotation speed of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means when the hand detecting means does not detect the hand. Hand drying device. The hand drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the distance detecting means is arranged next to the air outlet in the nozzle portion. A water discharge part that discharges water and
A wash bowl that receives the water discharged from the water discharge unit on the inner surface, and
A nozzle portion provided above the wash bowl and provided with an outlet for blowing air in the blowing direction toward the inner surface of the wash bowl.
A blower that sends out the air blown from the outlet to the nozzle,
A distance detecting means for detecting the distance between the nozzle portion and an object arranged apart from the outlet in the blowing direction, and
A hand detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object and the nozzle portion,
A control unit that sets the rotation speed of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means and drives the blower when the hand detecting means detects a hand.
With
The blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. A wash basin with a hand-drying device, which is characterized by a lower rotation speed. A nozzle portion provided with an outlet for blowing air in a preset blowing direction, a blower for sending air blown from the outlet to the nozzle portion, a distance detecting means, a hand detecting means, and a control unit. It is a control method of the hand drying device that has
A step in which the distance detecting means detects the distance between the nozzle portion and an object arranged apart from the outlet in the blowing direction.
A step in which the control unit sets the rotation speed of the blower based on the distance detected by the distance detecting means.
A step in which the hand detecting means detects the presence or absence of a hand inserted between the object and the nozzle portion.
A step in which the control unit drives the blower at the set rotation speed when the hand detecting means detects a hand.
With
The blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is smaller than the rotation speed of the blower set when the distance detected by the distance detecting means is the first distance. A method of controlling a hand drying device, which is characterized in that the number of rotations of the hand drying device is smaller.

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