WO2013186507A1 - Appareil sanitaire comportant une buse de distribution d'eau et un sèche-mains à orifices de décharge de forme allongée - Google Patents

Appareil sanitaire comportant une buse de distribution d'eau et un sèche-mains à orifices de décharge de forme allongée Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013186507A1
WO2013186507A1 PCT/GB2012/051370 GB2012051370W WO2013186507A1 WO 2013186507 A1 WO2013186507 A1 WO 2013186507A1 GB 2012051370 W GB2012051370 W GB 2012051370W WO 2013186507 A1 WO2013186507 A1 WO 2013186507A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
knife
fixture
duct
elongate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/051370
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Dyson
Original Assignee
Dyson Technology Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dyson Technology Limited filed Critical Dyson Technology Limited
Priority to US14/407,926 priority Critical patent/US20150135429A1/en
Priority to JP2015516672A priority patent/JP2015523126A/ja
Priority to EP12728310.9A priority patent/EP2861112B1/fr
Priority to PCT/GB2012/051370 priority patent/WO2013186507A1/fr
Priority to CN201280074002.4A priority patent/CN104363808A/zh
Publication of WO2013186507A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013186507A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/0404—Constructional or functional features of the spout
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • A47K2210/00—Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of hand drying, and in particular to arrangements which use an air-knife to dry the hands.
  • Warm air hand dryers are very well known. They are invariably low flow, low speed machines which rely on heating the air to promote an evaporative drying effect at the surface of the hand. Examples include the Model A Series of hand dryers manufactured and marketed by World Dryer Corporation. The heated airflow is typically discharged through a single nozzle and the drying action is a "hand-over-hand” action, requiring the user to rub the hands together under the nozzle with the aim of encouraging the evaporative drying effect.
  • High speed hand dryers use high speed airflow (>80 m/s) to provide a momentum-drying effect at the surface of the hands.
  • Examples include the Xlerator® hand dryer manufactured and marketed by Excel Dryer Inc. Again the airflow is typically discharged through a single relatively large nozzle and the mode of use is somewhat similar to the "hand-over-hand" action of the warm air dryer, with the hands being held or cupped together underneath the nozzle to dry them. However, instead of being evaporated, the vast majority of the water on the surface of the hands is instead driven or blasted from the hands by the high-momentum airflow, with evaporation accounting for only a small proportion of water removal. The airflow tends not to be heated, though waste heat from the motor may in some cases be used to heat the airflow to a degree.
  • the third general type of hand dryer is the air-knife hand dryer, examples of which include the Dyson Airblade range of Hand Dryers manufactured by Dyson (UK)
  • the hands are inserted between the air-knives and then withdrawn slowly to effect the required relative movement between the hands and the air knives.
  • the air knives are discharged through narrow, continuous slots (only the rear slot a is visible in Figure 1), each less than 1mm wide.
  • the air-knife is instead discharged through opposing rows of individual discharge apertures (only the rear row b is visible in Figure 2): here, the individual jets combine to produce the air knife downstream of the discharge apertures.
  • the air knife is discharged at high speed (>80 m/s) to provide for an efficient wiping action across the surface of the hand.
  • the present invention is concerned with air-knife hand dryers.
  • a fixture for fitting next to the basin of a sink comprising a water spout arranged to project over the basin of the sink, the water spout having a water nozzle arranged for connection through the spout to a water supply, the fixture further comprising an elongate air-knife discharge outlet for discharging an air-knife onto a user's hand to dry it, the discharge outlet being arranged for connection to an air supply via an air duct , the air duct having a side wall extending between a first end of the duct and a second end of the duct, the first end of the duct connecting to the air supply, the second end of the duct forming - or being connected to - the air-knife discharge outlet, which outlet extends across the second end of the duct.
  • air-knife dryers One of the problems identified with air-knife dryers is that of managing the disposal of waste water. This is a particular problem for air-knife dryers because the nature of the air-knife drying mechanism means that the water removal is non-evaporative: instead, the water is driven from the hands by the relatively high momentum of the airflow. In the conventional air-knife dryer arrangements described above, the waste water removed from the hands may be collected in a drip tray - which must periodically be emptied - or else is not collected at all and instead simply allowed to evaporate from surfaces on and around the dryer. Neither scheme is particularly hygienic.
  • the invention advantageously makes use of the existing mains drainage system to manage the waste water more effectively: by incorporating the air-knife dryer on a fixture for a sink so that water driven from the hands can simply drain to mains through the standard drain- hole in the basin of the sink.
  • the air-knife discharge outlet is not provided in a sidewall of the air duct. Instead, the air-knife discharge outlet extends across the second end of the air duct.
  • This offers a simple air- feed configuration, in which the air is fed axially along the air duct in generally parallel alignment with the principal exit direction of the air-knife.
  • the fixture can be positioned at the back of the basin of the sink - the commonplace position for sink fixtures - to direct the air-knife forwardly towards the user. This is achieved without having to turn the airflow inside the fixture, which would introduce losses and create noise.
  • Each air-knife outlet may comprise an elongate discharge aperture or elongate line of discharge apertures.
  • each air-knife outlet comprises an elongate air slot or plurality of elongate air slots.
  • the slot, or air slots may be less than 2mm wide, intended to provide a laminar, well- defined air knife with minimal wind shear.
  • the elongate air-knife outlet(s) may be at least 80mm long, intended to span the width of a typical user's hand.
  • a preferred range of lengths is 110mm to 150mm.
  • the fixture comprises two elongate air-knife discharge outlets - one for each hand.
  • the discharge outlets may be arranged to extend laterally either side of the water nozzle.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 are simplified perspective views of conventional air-knife hand dryers
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an arrangement comprising a fixture in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is sectional view through the fixture shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a plan view of the arrangement in Figure 3;
  • Figure 6 is a view from the front of the fixture shown in Figures 3 to 5, illustrating the fixture in use; and Figure 7 is a simplified perspective view of an arrangement comprising a wall-mounted fixture in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figures 3-5 show an arrangement comprising a fixture 1 in combination with a sink 3.
  • the sink 3 may itself be conventional. A "Belfast-type" sink is shown, though other types of sink may alternatively be used.
  • the sink 3 has a standard drain- hole 3 a, in this case positioned towards the rear wall of the basin 3b of the sink 3 ( Figure 4).
  • the fixture 1 is fitted next to the basin 3b of the sink 3 using a locknut 5 underneath the sink 3 which engages with an externally threaded, hollow fixing stud 7 to clamp the fixture 1 in place (the fixture 1 may alternatively be fitted adjacent the sink rather than to the sink itself, according to the style of sink).
  • the fixture 1 comprises a hollow, curved spout 9 which projects out over the basin 3b of the sink 3.
  • the spout 9 has a rectangular cross-section, defined by opposing pairs of side walls 9a, 9b.
  • the inside of the spout 9 forms an air duct 11, shown in Figure 4.
  • This air duct 11 has a first end 11a and a second end l ib.
  • the air duct 11 is connected at the first end 1 la to the hollow fixing stud 7.
  • the second end l ib being the end positioned over the sink basin 3b in use, is provided with two air-knife discharge outlets: a left-hand air-knife discharge outlet 13 and a right-hand air-knife discharge outlet 15.
  • the air-knife discharge outlets 13, 15 extend laterally across the second end 1 lb of the air duct 11.
  • Each air-knife discharge outlet 13, 15 takes the form of an elongate narrow air slot, less than 2mm in width - intended to provide a narrow, well-defined air-knife, and more than 80mm in length - intended to span the width of a typical user's hand.
  • the hollow fixing stud 7 is connected to a motor-driven fan 17 via a flexible hose 19.
  • the fan 17 is configured in use to drive airflow in through the air duct 11 - via the hose 19 and hollow fixing stud 7 - and out through the air-knife discharge outlets 13, 15 at a speed in excess of 80 m/s. The airflow is thus discharged from the outlets in the form of two high-speed air-knives.
  • a water nozzle 21 is provided on the fixture 1, positioned in between the two air-knife discharge outlets 13, 15 so that the outlets extend laterally either side of the central water nozzle 21.
  • the water nozzle 21 connects to the mains water supply line via a flexible pipe 23 which runs through the inside of the air duct 11 and out through the hollow fixing stud 7 (adequate provision will need to be made to route this pipe externally of the air supply line - or alternatively the flexible water pipe may run externally of the air supply line altogether).
  • the fixture 1 On demand, water is delivered through the water nozzle 21 for washing.
  • the fixture 1 is configured for "hands-free" operation to supply the water, using a conventional sensor and control loop which automatically opens a stop valve in the supply line, in response to detection of a user's hands in a washing position.
  • the fixture 1 may be configured for manual operation to supply water.
  • air-knives 13a, 15a are ejected through the air-knife outlets 13, 15 to dry the user's hands. Again, this is achieved via a conventional sensor and control loop, which automatically switches on the fan 17 in response to detection of a user's hands in a drying position (which should be distinguishable from the aforementioned washing position - which automatically activates the water supply).
  • the fixture may be configured for manual operation.
  • a user presents his (or her) wet left-hand - palm open - in front of the left-hand air-knife discharge outlet 13 and similarly presents his wet right hand - palm open - in front of the right-hand air-knife outlet 15 on the right hand of the spout 9.
  • the sensor and control loop then operates to activate the fan 17, which forces air under high pressure through the air-knife outlets 13, 15: directing two high-momentum air-knives forwards onto the user's hands.
  • the hands are dried one side at a time: first, the user passes his hands lengthwise up and down in front of the air- knife outlets 13, 15 with the back of the hand facing the air-knife outlets (referred to below as the "standard pass” - illustrated in Figure 6). Then - after turning over the hands - the user passes his (or her) hands lengthwise up and down in front of the air- knife outlets 13, 15 with the palms facing the air-knife outlets (referred to below as the "reverse pass”).
  • the "standard pass” and “reverse pass” may each be repeated, as required, and carried out in any order.
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative arrangement in which the fixture 10 is wall-mounted above the sink 3, rather than being fitted next to the basin 3b of the sink 2.
  • a relatively narrow, tubular spout 90 forms the air duct 110 connecting the fan to the air- knife discharge outlets (not visible: on the underside of the spout 90), and the outlets are provided extending across a flared forward end 110a of the air duct 110.
  • Two outlets are provided, which deliver respective air-knives 130a and 150a.
  • the water nozzle (not visible on the underside of the spout 90) is provided between the air-knife discharge outlets to deliver a stream of water 210a, via a flexible pipe 230 running inside the air duct 110.
  • air-slots are not essential.
  • the air knife discharge outlets may be formed from a line of air-holes or individual, shorter air slots - similar to the Mitsibishi scheme shown in Figure 2.
  • a single, elongate air-knife discharge outlet may instead be provided on the fixture - either with the intention that the user dries one hand at a time, in which case the outlet should preferably be more than 80mm long, or with the intention that the outlet spans the width of both hands together in which case the outlet should preferably be than 150mm long.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil sanitaire destiné à être fixé adjacent au bassin d'un évier. L'appareil comporte une buse de distribution d'eau agencée pour être en saillie sur le bassin de l'évier. La buse de distribution d'eau comporte un gicleur agencé pour être connecté à travers la buse de distribution d'eau à une alimentation en eau. L'appareil comporte également un orifice de décharge de lame d'air de forme allongée pour la décharge d'une lame d'air sur la main d'un utilisateur pour la sécher. Cet orifice de décharge est agencé pour être connecté à une alimentation d'air à travers un conduit d'air, le conduit d'air comprenant une paroi latérale s'étendant entre une première extrémité du conduit et une seconde extrémité du conduit. La première extrémité du conduit est connectée à l'alimentation d'air, la seconde extrémité du conduit constitue -ou est connectée à- l'orifice de décharge de lame d'air. Selon l'invention, l'orifice de décharge s'étend sur l'ensemble de la seconde extrémité du conduit, au lieu d'être prévu dans la paroi latérale du conduit.
PCT/GB2012/051370 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 Appareil sanitaire comportant une buse de distribution d'eau et un sèche-mains à orifices de décharge de forme allongée WO2013186507A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/407,926 US20150135429A1 (en) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 Developments in or relating to hand drying
JP2015516672A JP2015523126A (ja) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 手乾燥の又は手乾燥に関する開発
EP12728310.9A EP2861112B1 (fr) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 Dispositif comprenant un bec et une orifice allongée d'evacuation d'une lame d'air pour sêcher les mains
PCT/GB2012/051370 WO2013186507A1 (fr) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 Appareil sanitaire comportant une buse de distribution d'eau et un sèche-mains à orifices de décharge de forme allongée
CN201280074002.4A CN104363808A (zh) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 包括水喷头和细长空气刃排放出口手干燥的固定设备

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/GB2012/051370 WO2013186507A1 (fr) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 Appareil sanitaire comportant une buse de distribution d'eau et un sèche-mains à orifices de décharge de forme allongée

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013186507A1 true WO2013186507A1 (fr) 2013-12-19

Family

ID=46319798

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2012/051370 WO2013186507A1 (fr) 2012-06-14 2012-06-14 Appareil sanitaire comportant une buse de distribution d'eau et un sèche-mains à orifices de décharge de forme allongée

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20150135429A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2861112B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2015523126A (fr)
CN (1) CN104363808A (fr)
WO (1) WO2013186507A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150164287A1 (en) * 2012-06-14 2015-06-18 Dyson Technology Limited Improvements in or relating to hand drying
GB2530413A (en) * 2014-09-16 2016-03-23 Justin Lovell Dryer head
WO2016040986A1 (fr) * 2014-09-16 2016-03-24 Li Jun Xia Système de distribution de fluide, système de traitement de déchets et système de surveillance de fluide
US9743812B2 (en) 2012-06-14 2017-08-29 Dyson Technology Limited Developments in or relating to hand drying

Families Citing this family (9)

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US10100501B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2018-10-16 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Multi-purpose hand washing station
MY192193A (en) * 2014-02-27 2022-08-05 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Hand dryer apparatus
DE15777394T9 (de) 2014-04-07 2018-07-19 Tiger Tool International, Incorporated Antriebskopf für Vakuumsysteme
US9565980B2 (en) * 2015-06-17 2017-02-14 Casey B. Welch Air diversion devices, systems, and methods
US10697160B2 (en) * 2016-06-08 2020-06-30 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Multi-function fixture for a lavatory system
US10041236B2 (en) * 2016-06-08 2018-08-07 Bradley Corporation Multi-function fixture for a lavatory system
CN106580175B (zh) * 2017-02-17 2017-11-24 连云港市赣榆区生产力促进中心 一种干手器装置
US11965321B2 (en) 2019-02-22 2024-04-23 Zurn Water, Llc Non-contact system and method for detecting fluid flow
WO2021005780A1 (fr) * 2019-07-11 2021-01-14 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif de séchage de mains, lavabo avec dispositif de séchage de mains et procédé de commande du dispositif de séchage de mains

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JP2006304926A (ja) * 2005-04-27 2006-11-09 Matsushita Ecology Systems Co Ltd 洗面一体型手乾燥装置
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WO2009039290A2 (fr) * 2007-09-20 2009-03-26 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Système de lavabo
WO2011044247A1 (fr) * 2009-10-07 2011-04-14 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Système de lavabo avec sèche-mains
WO2011074018A1 (fr) * 2009-12-17 2011-06-23 Heidur Appareil et procédé de lavage
EP2394123A1 (fr) 2009-02-03 2011-12-14 Neptun S.r.l. Sechoir a lame d'air, en particulier pour feuilles de verre et autres

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CN101594812B (zh) * 2007-04-26 2011-11-16 三菱电机株式会社 手干燥装置
JP4937352B2 (ja) * 2007-07-18 2012-05-23 三菱電機株式会社 手乾燥装置
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GB201108240D0 (en) * 2011-05-17 2011-06-29 Dyson Technology Ltd A fixture for a sink

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006192250A (ja) * 2004-12-15 2006-07-27 Inax Corp 手乾燥装置
JP2006304926A (ja) * 2005-04-27 2006-11-09 Matsushita Ecology Systems Co Ltd 洗面一体型手乾燥装置
JP2008272086A (ja) * 2007-04-26 2008-11-13 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 手乾燥装置
WO2009039290A2 (fr) * 2007-09-20 2009-03-26 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Système de lavabo
EP2394123A1 (fr) 2009-02-03 2011-12-14 Neptun S.r.l. Sechoir a lame d'air, en particulier pour feuilles de verre et autres
WO2011044247A1 (fr) * 2009-10-07 2011-04-14 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Système de lavabo avec sèche-mains
WO2011074018A1 (fr) * 2009-12-17 2011-06-23 Heidur Appareil et procédé de lavage

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150164287A1 (en) * 2012-06-14 2015-06-18 Dyson Technology Limited Improvements in or relating to hand drying
US9743812B2 (en) 2012-06-14 2017-08-29 Dyson Technology Limited Developments in or relating to hand drying
GB2530413A (en) * 2014-09-16 2016-03-23 Justin Lovell Dryer head
WO2016040986A1 (fr) * 2014-09-16 2016-03-24 Li Jun Xia Système de distribution de fluide, système de traitement de déchets et système de surveillance de fluide
US10450732B2 (en) 2014-09-16 2019-10-22 Li Jun Xia Fluid dispensing system, a system for processing waste material and a fluid monitoring system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2015523126A (ja) 2015-08-13
CN104363808A (zh) 2015-02-18
US20150135429A1 (en) 2015-05-21
EP2861112B1 (fr) 2017-11-08
EP2861112A1 (fr) 2015-04-22

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