US20050100436A1 - Hand-drying device - Google Patents
Hand-drying device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050100436A1 US20050100436A1 US10/917,045 US91704504A US2005100436A1 US 20050100436 A1 US20050100436 A1 US 20050100436A1 US 91704504 A US91704504 A US 91704504A US 2005100436 A1 US2005100436 A1 US 2005100436A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- volute
- air
- input
- output
- hand
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/48—Drying by means of hot air
Definitions
- the invention disclosed broadly relates to the field of hand drying devices, and more particularly relates to a reduced-dimension hand-drying device.
- Known hand dryer devices generally include a fairly powerful motor to draw in and expel an amount of air sufficient to fulfill the purpose of drying hands.
- Such a motor consumes a certain amount of electricity and is of a certain size, which has an effect of generally requiring a fairly powerful motor to draw in and expel an amount of air sufficient to fulfill the purpose.
- This has an effect on the overall size of the device, of requiring complex configurations which, to make the size smaller, have an adverse impact on the performance of the device. Therefore, there is a need for a hand dryer device that overcomes these detriments.
- the claimed invention relates to a hand-drying device of the type that includes a turbine powered by a motor for drawing in outside (environmental) air and, after passing the air through a volute, expelling it at a higher speed through an air outflow duct.
- the device includes a volute in whose air intake area the turbine-motor assembly is located.
- the volute has from its initial point, coiling around the turbine's centrifugal impeller, a spiral configuration whose cross section widens progressively up to the point where it connects with the air outflow duct.
- the duct ends in a progressively narrowing segment that ends in an air outlet nozzle. This configuration makes it possible for the hand dryer device to have reduced dimensions and power consumption, in addition to leveraging to the maximum fluid-dynamic performance.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation schematic view of a hand-drying device according to the present invention, sectioned as indicated by the A-A cutoff line shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation schematic view of the device of FIG. 1 without the motor.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a transversal section schematic view of the device, sectioned as indicated by the B-B cutoff line in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan schematic view of the device without the motor.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view in perspective of the device without the motor-turbine assembly.
- a hand-drying device comprises a single-intake chamber or volute 1 that has an off-center area or opening 2 (see FIG. 2 ) for entry or intake of ambient air. Inside the volute 1 there is a motor-turbine assembly 3 used to pull in air (see FIG. 3 ). A single-intake centrifugal impeller 4 is placed inside the volute 1 while the motor 5 protrudes from the volute (see FIG. 3 ).
- the above-mentioned air intake area or opening 2 is tilted peripherally towards the inside of the volute 1 and has a variable width, being wider at the front-end and narrower at the mouth of the impeller 4 (see also FIGS. 3 and 5 ).
- This configuration minimizes blockage of the air intake due to the presence of the motor 5 .
- the volute 1 is spiral-shaped 7 from its front end 6 , it coils around the impeller 4 (see FIG. 1 ) and progressively increases in cross-section until its back-end 7 ′ connects with a duct 8 from which the suctioned air will flow out.
- the duct 8 duct may be an extension of the volute 1 , as illustrated.
- the duct 8 can be straight, and uniformly shaped along its whole length.
- the duct 8 may have a rectangular shape, as illustrated, or an alternative shape.
- the interior of the duct 8 comprises a flow-equalization chamber 8 ′ that minimizes the blockage therein of the outgoing air using a heating element 9 and multiple transverse and parallel fins 10 ′ incorporated into the chamber 8 ′ (see FIG. 1 ).
- the fins 10 ′ comprise a grill 10 lodged between the heating element 9 and a progressively narrowing segment 11 ending the duct 8 .
- the narrowing segment 11 which is free from sharp angles and ends in the air outlet nozzle 12 , ensures that the air will be progressively channeled and concentrated as it exits, reducing the turbulence level and minimizing the loss of pressure.
- the air outlet nozzle 12 can be rectangular (as illustrated) or have an alternative shape.
- the volute 1 and the impeller 4 include a double intake.
- the device is mounted in a suitable housing for holding the components of the device.
- the housing is fastened to a pertinent wall or partition through the device.
- the housing includes a flat, quadrangular vertical base 13 consisting of an expanded lateral face of the volute-duct assembly 1 , 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 4 ) that are opposite the face including the ambient air intake area 2 .
- the base 13 includes openings 14 suitable for fastening the device to a wall or partition, as indicated.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
Abstract
A hand-drying device is disclosed. The hand-drying device includes a volute defining a spiral air passage, the volute comprising a spiral conduit for air, the conduit having an input at its center, a peripheral output, and a cross section that increases from the input to the output. The hand-drying device further includes a motor, located at the center of the volute and connected to the input of the volute for pulling in air from the environment at an input velocity and for passing the air through a the volute input to the volute output to expel the air at an output velocity that is greater than the input velocity. The spiral conduit comprises a cross-section that increases progressively from the input to the output.
Description
- Applicant claims priority of Spanish Patent Application No. P200301954, filed Aug. 13, 2003.
- Not Applicable.
- Not Applicable.
- The invention disclosed broadly relates to the field of hand drying devices, and more particularly relates to a reduced-dimension hand-drying device.
- Known hand dryer devices generally include a fairly powerful motor to draw in and expel an amount of air sufficient to fulfill the purpose of drying hands. Such a motor consumes a certain amount of electricity and is of a certain size, which has an effect of generally requiring a fairly powerful motor to draw in and expel an amount of air sufficient to fulfill the purpose. This has an effect on the overall size of the device, of requiring complex configurations which, to make the size smaller, have an adverse impact on the performance of the device. Therefore, there is a need for a hand dryer device that overcomes these detriments.
- Briefly, the claimed invention relates to a hand-drying device of the type that includes a turbine powered by a motor for drawing in outside (environmental) air and, after passing the air through a volute, expelling it at a higher speed through an air outflow duct. The device includes a volute in whose air intake area the turbine-motor assembly is located. The volute has from its initial point, coiling around the turbine's centrifugal impeller, a spiral configuration whose cross section widens progressively up to the point where it connects with the air outflow duct. The duct ends in a progressively narrowing segment that ends in an air outlet nozzle. This configuration makes it possible for the hand dryer device to have reduced dimensions and power consumption, in addition to leveraging to the maximum fluid-dynamic performance.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation schematic view of a hand-drying device according to the present invention, sectioned as indicated by the A-A cutoff line shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation schematic view of the device ofFIG. 1 without the motor. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a transversal section schematic view of the device, sectioned as indicated by the B-B cutoff line inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan schematic view of the device without the motor. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view in perspective of the device without the motor-turbine assembly. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a hand-drying device comprises a single-intake chamber or volute 1 that has an off-center area or opening 2 (seeFIG. 2 ) for entry or intake of ambient air. Inside thevolute 1 there is a motor-turbine assembly 3 used to pull in air (seeFIG. 3 ). A single-intakecentrifugal impeller 4 is placed inside thevolute 1 while themotor 5 protrudes from the volute (seeFIG. 3 ). - The above-mentioned air intake area or
opening 2 is tilted peripherally towards the inside of thevolute 1 and has a variable width, being wider at the front-end and narrower at the mouth of the impeller 4 (see alsoFIGS. 3 and 5 ). This configuration minimizes blockage of the air intake due to the presence of themotor 5. Thevolute 1 is spiral-shaped 7 from its front end 6, it coils around the impeller 4 (seeFIG. 1 ) and progressively increases in cross-section until its back-end 7′ connects with aduct 8 from which the suctioned air will flow out. In an embodiment of the present invention, theduct 8 duct may be an extension of thevolute 1, as illustrated. - The
duct 8 can be straight, and uniformly shaped along its whole length. Theduct 8 may have a rectangular shape, as illustrated, or an alternative shape. The interior of theduct 8 comprises a flow-equalization chamber 8′ that minimizes the blockage therein of the outgoing air using aheating element 9 and multiple transverse andparallel fins 10′ incorporated into thechamber 8′ (seeFIG. 1 ). Thefins 10′ comprise agrill 10 lodged between theheating element 9 and a progressively narrowingsegment 11 ending theduct 8. The narrowingsegment 11, which is free from sharp angles and ends in theair outlet nozzle 12, ensures that the air will be progressively channeled and concentrated as it exits, reducing the turbulence level and minimizing the loss of pressure. Theair outlet nozzle 12 can be rectangular (as illustrated) or have an alternative shape. - In an embodiment of the present invention, the
volute 1 and theimpeller 4 include a double intake. The device is mounted in a suitable housing for holding the components of the device. The housing is fastened to a pertinent wall or partition through the device. The housing includes a flat, quadrangularvertical base 13 consisting of an expanded lateral face of the volute-duct assembly 1, 8 (seeFIGS. 1 and 4 ) that are opposite the face including the ambientair intake area 2. Thebase 13 includesopenings 14 suitable for fastening the device to a wall or partition, as indicated. - Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (8)
1. A hand-drying device, comprising:
a volute defining a spiral air passage, the volute comprising a spiral conduit for air, the conduit having an input at its center, a peripheral output, and a cross section that increases from the input to the output; and
a motor, located at the center of the volute and connected to the input of the volute for pulling in air from the environment at an input velocity and for passing the air through a the volute input to the volute output to expel the air at an output velocity that is greater than the input velocity;
wherein the spiral conduit comprises a cross-section that increases progressively from the input to the output.
2. The hand-drying device of claim 1 , wherein the output comprises a segment comprising an extension of the volute.
3. The hand-drying device of claim 1 , wherein the volute comprises a point where the volute narrows and wherein the output comprises an air outlet nozzle.
4. The hand-drying device of claim 3 , further comprising a segment leading to the air outlet nozzle wherein the segment comprises a constant width along substantially its whole length.
5. The hand-drying device of claim 4 , wherein the segment comprises a chamber comprising a heating element mounted thereto.
6. The hand-drying device according to claim 2 , wherein the air output comprises a nozzle having a narrower section than a duct leading to the nozzle.
7. A method for providing a stream of air for drying hands, the method comprising:
pulling environmental air into an input of a volute; and
passing the environmental air through a volute having a cross section that increases from the input to its output.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising heating the environmental air before it is expelled at the output.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ESP200301954 | 2003-08-13 | ||
ES200301954A ES2224871B1 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2003-08-13 | DRY-HAND DEVICE. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050100436A1 true US20050100436A1 (en) | 2005-05-12 |
Family
ID=34178758
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/917,045 Abandoned US20050100436A1 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-08-12 | Hand-drying device |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050100436A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1654971B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE424750T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602004019936D1 (en) |
ES (2) | ES2224871B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005016104A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080216343A1 (en) * | 2005-07-30 | 2008-09-11 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dryer |
US20100209080A1 (en) * | 2007-03-12 | 2010-08-19 | Richard Rubin | Airflow system and apparatus and method for airflow system |
US8155508B2 (en) | 2006-01-12 | 2012-04-10 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
GB2491891A (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2012-12-19 | Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd | Hand drying apparatus |
US8341853B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-01-01 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US8347522B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-01-08 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US8347521B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-01-08 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US8490291B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-07-23 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dryer |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2007201120B1 (en) * | 2007-03-12 | 2007-09-13 | Alpha Technologies Corporation Ltd | Improved Airflow System |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US758303A (en) * | 1902-08-15 | 1904-04-26 | Martin Petersen | Electric heater. |
US1594906A (en) * | 1925-04-28 | 1926-08-03 | Eastern Lab Inc | Electric drier |
US2634514A (en) * | 1949-03-01 | 1953-04-14 | Nat Dryer Mfg Corp | Drier |
US3407995A (en) * | 1966-10-12 | 1968-10-29 | Lau Blower Co | Blower assembly |
US3775029A (en) * | 1972-02-09 | 1973-11-27 | Lau Inc | Direct driven blower |
US4999928A (en) * | 1989-10-02 | 1991-03-19 | Tozier Michel C | Air concentration nozzle |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH298458A (en) * | 1951-07-05 | 1954-05-15 | Gerber Karl | Electric heating apparatus for heating and drying, in particular for drying hands. |
US2646629A (en) * | 1952-09-26 | 1953-07-28 | Nat Dryer Mfg Corp | Forced air drier |
IT1028298B (en) * | 1975-01-10 | 1979-01-30 | Boccardi C | IMPROVEMENT OF HOT AIR DEVICES PARTICULARLY USED IN THE OPERATION OF WASHING AND BENDING HAIR AND RELATED IMPROVED DEVICES |
ES248455U (en) * | 1980-02-08 | 1980-05-01 | Electro Jofel,S.L. | Perfected electric secamants (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
JPH0998908A (en) * | 1995-10-09 | 1997-04-15 | Teranishi Denki Seisakusho:Kk | Hot air drying device |
-
2003
- 2003-08-13 ES ES200301954A patent/ES2224871B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-07-27 WO PCT/ES2004/000349 patent/WO2005016104A1/en active Search and Examination
- 2004-07-27 AT AT04766888T patent/ATE424750T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2004-07-27 ES ES04766888T patent/ES2323704T3/en active Active
- 2004-07-27 DE DE602004019936T patent/DE602004019936D1/en active Active
- 2004-07-27 EP EP04766888A patent/EP1654971B1/en active Active
- 2004-08-12 US US10/917,045 patent/US20050100436A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US758303A (en) * | 1902-08-15 | 1904-04-26 | Martin Petersen | Electric heater. |
US1594906A (en) * | 1925-04-28 | 1926-08-03 | Eastern Lab Inc | Electric drier |
US2634514A (en) * | 1949-03-01 | 1953-04-14 | Nat Dryer Mfg Corp | Drier |
US3407995A (en) * | 1966-10-12 | 1968-10-29 | Lau Blower Co | Blower assembly |
US3775029A (en) * | 1972-02-09 | 1973-11-27 | Lau Inc | Direct driven blower |
US4999928A (en) * | 1989-10-02 | 1991-03-19 | Tozier Michel C | Air concentration nozzle |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080216343A1 (en) * | 2005-07-30 | 2008-09-11 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dryer |
US7946055B2 (en) * | 2005-07-30 | 2011-05-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dryer |
US8341853B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-01-01 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US8347522B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-01-08 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US8347521B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-01-08 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US8490291B2 (en) | 2005-07-30 | 2013-07-23 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dryer |
US8155508B2 (en) | 2006-01-12 | 2012-04-10 | Dyson Technology Limited | Drying apparatus |
US20100209080A1 (en) * | 2007-03-12 | 2010-08-19 | Richard Rubin | Airflow system and apparatus and method for airflow system |
GB2491891A (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2012-12-19 | Personnel Hygiene Services Ltd | Hand drying apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1654971A1 (en) | 2006-05-10 |
ES2224871A1 (en) | 2005-03-01 |
EP1654971B1 (en) | 2009-03-11 |
WO2005016104A1 (en) | 2005-02-24 |
ES2224871B1 (en) | 2006-02-01 |
ES2323704T3 (en) | 2009-07-23 |
DE602004019936D1 (en) | 2009-04-23 |
ATE424750T1 (en) | 2009-03-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP2004283549A (en) | Attachment for hand-held dryer | |
US20050100436A1 (en) | Hand-drying device | |
US6195907B1 (en) | Air blower apparatus | |
EP1230888A3 (en) | Vacuum cleaner with muffled detachable blower exhaust | |
DE60140777D1 (en) | centrifugal blower | |
EP3639717A3 (en) | Fan motor | |
WO2007077040A3 (en) | Hairdryer device | |
EP1555342A3 (en) | A laundry dryer and an air inlet structure thereof | |
CN104074159B (en) | Handheld blower | |
US20160106280A1 (en) | Vacuum attachment for a blower | |
HK1124901A1 (en) | Multiblade centrifugal blower | |
US8672614B1 (en) | Exhaust fan systems | |
ATE466512T1 (en) | HAND DRYER | |
CN104074158B (en) | Handheld blower | |
EP1253249A3 (en) | Blower with interchangeable fixed and flexible tubes | |
US20230072366A1 (en) | Concentrator attachment for blower air tube | |
JP3746253B2 (en) | Fan filter unit | |
US20040022627A1 (en) | Blower adapter assembly | |
FR2840046B1 (en) | QUICK AIR DISCHARGE DEVICE WITH IMPROVED EJECTION LINE | |
WO2009124339A1 (en) | Fluid pump | |
RU2160393C2 (en) | Centrifugal roof fan | |
JPH0610894A (en) | Axial fan | |
JPH09191924A (en) | Axial fan | |
RU2003107779A (en) | GUIDE DEVICE | |
RU2003118974A (en) | PUMP UNIT |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEDICLINICS, S. A., SPAIN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EGUSQUIZA, EDUARD;REEL/FRAME:015540/0909 Effective date: 20041230 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |