WO2015128988A1

WO2015128988A1 - Hand dryer device

Info

Publication number: WO2015128988A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/054860
Authority: WO
Inventors: 繕弘深谷
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2014-02-27
Filing date: 2014-02-27
Publication date: 2015-09-03
Also published as: JP6341991B2; CN105992543A; JPWO2015128988A1; CN105992543B; TWI548383B; TW201532578A

Abstract

　A hand dryer (1) having a high-pressure airflow generation device (4) arranged inside a casing (2) in which are formed a front-wall nozzle (5a) and a rear-wall nozzle (5b) leading to a hand insertion part (3) where a user can insert their hands, and a hand-detecting sensor (8c) for detecting that a user's hands have been inserted into the hand insertion part (3), the hand dryer (1) jetting the airflow generated by the high-pressure airflow generation device (4) into the hand insertion part (3) when the hand-detecting sensor (8c) has detected a user's hands, wherein: the hand dryer also has an operation unit provided with a switch for switching the device between an operation-enabled state and a resting state; the switch is configured to include an operation panel (21) provided in the outer surface of the casing (2) at a position lower than the hand insertion part (3), and a plurality of electrode parts (24) provided to the rear side of the operation panel (21); and the switch has a capacitance scheme in which operation is detected on the basis of a change in capacitance produced in the electrode parts (24) due to a finger of the user touching the operation panel (21).

Description

Hand dryer

The present invention relates to a hand dryer for drying wet hands after cleaning.

Conventionally, instead of wiping the wet hand after washing with a towel or handkerchief, etc., the wet hand is inserted into the hand insertion section (hand drying chamber), and a high-speed air flow is injected into the inserted hand. A hand dryer that blows away water adhering to the hand and dries the hand is used.

Patent Document 1 discloses an electric blower that blows air, a drying chamber that dries a hand inserted from above, an ejection hole that blows an air flow of the electric blower disposed on the inner surface of the drying chamber, and an electric blower A blower channel that connects the blower side and the blowout hole, an outer shell that covers the electric blower and the blower channel, and that forms the exterior of the main body, and a power switch are provided, and the power switch is arranged on the lower or rear surface when the main body is installed. A hand dryer is disclosed.

JP 2001-327433 A

The hand dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is arranged on the power switch against water spraying to the equipment assumed when cleaning the main body installation space by arranging the power switch on the lower or rear surface in the main body installation state. It is intended to make a hand-drying device with high safety by preventing direct water from entering and preventing water from entering.

However, since the hand dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot easily operate the power switch disposed on the lower or back surface of the main body housing at the time of cleaning, the hand detection sensor reacts when wiping and cleaning the hand insertion portion. Since operation started, there was a problem that it was difficult to clean.

In addition, even if the power switch is placed at the bottom of the main unit casing, there is a risk of water splashing from the floor surface. If the power switch is arranged on the back side of the main unit casing, When water is sprayed or splashed during hand drying, water droplets may be applied from the gap with the wall surface, and it cannot be said that water can be reliably prevented from entering.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand drying device that can be easily turned on and off during cleaning, and that water does not easily enter even if water droplets scatter around the operation unit. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is provided in a case in which a hand insertion part into which a user can insert a hand and a nozzle formed in the hand insertion part are formed, and the case. A high-pressure airflow generator and a hand detection sensor that detects that a user's hand has been inserted into the hand insertion portion. When the hand detection sensor detects the user's hand, the high-pressure airflow generator is A hand-drying device that injects the generated airflow nozzle into a manual insertion portion, and has an operation unit that includes a switch for switching between an operable state and a dormant state of the device. Capacitance generated in the electrode when the user's finger touches the operation panel, and includes an operation panel provided on the outer surface at a position below and a plurality of electrodes provided on the back side of the operation panel. Detect actions based on changes in Characterized in that it is a capacitive type.

The hand dryer according to the present invention can be easily turned on and off during cleaning, and the switch of the operation unit is a capacitance type, so that even if water droplets scatter around the operation unit, water hardly enters. There is an effect.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand dryer according to a first embodiment of a hand dryer according to the present invention as viewed from one side. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the hand dryer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a hand dryer in which an operation panel is provided on the side surface of the housing. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the operation panel. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement around the operation panel. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the hand dryer in which the power switch is installed on the back surface. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the hand dryer according to the second embodiment of the hand dryer according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hand dryer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand dryer according to a first embodiment of a hand dryer according to the present invention as viewed from one side. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the hand dryer according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hand dryer 1 is provided with an opening 9 in a housing 2 that forms an outline of the hand dryer 1. The opening 9 is an insertion port for the user of the hand dryer 1 to insert a hand into the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 2, a hand insertion portion 3, which is a space where the user of the hand dryer 1 inserted from the opening 9 covers the hand, is provided at the top of the housing 2. The hand insertion unit 3 can freely insert and remove the user's hand from the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. The manual insertion part 3 has a U-shaped cross section in a side view, and is slightly inclined from the front side to the back side as it goes from the upper part to the lower part in the manual insertion part 3.

As described above, the manual insertion portion 3 has a U-shaped cross section, and the front wall 3a that is the inner wall on the front side and the rear wall 3b that is the inner wall on the back side face each other. And the front wall 3a and the rear wall 3b are connected by the bottom wall 3c which is an inner wall of the bottom face side in the lowest part. As described above, the hand insertion portion 3 has a bottomed cross-sectional U shape with an open top in a side view. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the both side surfaces in the width direction of the manual insertion part 3 are open | released.

Thus, the lower part of the hand insertion portion 3 is a space surrounded by the front wall 3a, the rear wall 3b, and the bottom wall 3c. The upper portion of the hand insertion portion 3 is a space in which the front wall 3a and the rear wall 3b face each other and both side surfaces are open, and the user's hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 3 from the outside of the housing 2. Can be done.

Further, the front wall 3a, the rear wall 3b and the bottom wall 3c are formed of a resin impregnated with an antibacterial agent. Furthermore, the surface of the front wall 3a, the rear wall 3b, and the bottom wall 3c is provided with a water-repellent coating such as silicon or fluorine, or a hydrophilic coating such as titanium oxide. For this reason, while suppressing that the dirt adheres to the front wall 3a, the rear wall 3b, and the bottom wall 3c of the manual insertion portion 3, it is possible to reduce the propagation of germs.

In the manual insertion portion 3, a front wall nozzle 5a for ejecting air is provided in the vicinity of the opening 9 at the upper portion of the front wall 3a, and air is ejected in the vicinity of the opening 9 at the upper portion of the rear wall 3b. A rear wall nozzle 5b is provided. The front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b face each other. The front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b are a plurality of opening holes arranged substantially linearly in the width direction, and each opening hole has a slit shape extending in a wave shape in the width direction in a front view. Further, the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b have their tips inclined slightly downward from the horizontal direction, and the air ejected from the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b is formed in the lower part (back Side).

An upper hand detection sensor (light emitting side) 8a for detecting the presence or absence of a hand is provided at a position closer to the opening 9 on the front wall 3a than the front wall nozzle 5a. A back side hand detection sensor (light emitting side) 8b for detecting the presence or absence of a hand is provided on the back side. The rear wall 3b is provided with a hand detection sensor (light receiving side) 8c in the vicinity of the center between the upper hand detection sensor 8a and the rear hand detection sensor 8b, and the upper hand detection sensor 8a and the rear hand detection sensor 8b. Each constitutes a transmission sensor paired with the hand detection sensor 8c, and the infrared light emitted from the upper hand detection sensor 8a and the rear hand detection sensor 8b is blocked by the hand inserted into the hand insertion portion 3. The presence or absence of a hand is detected.

A drain outlet (not shown) for draining water from the hand insertion portion 3 is provided at the width direction end of the bottom wall 3c constituting the bottom surface of the hand insertion portion 3. An upper end portion of a drainage channel 17 extending in the vertical direction of the housing 2 is attached to the drainage port. A drain tank 18 is connected to the lower end of the drain channel 17. The drainage tank 18 collects water drained through the drainage channel 17 and is detachably attached to the bottom of the housing 2. The drainage tank 18 has a shape that maximizes the cross-sectional area of the horizontal projection plane.

As shown in FIG. 2, a high-pressure air flow generator 4 that generates high-pressure air is installed inside the housing 2 below the manual insertion portion 3. Then, the high pressure air generated by the high pressure air flow generator 4 is discharged to an exhaust chamber 10 provided above the high pressure air flow generator 4. The exhaust chamber 10 surrounds the exhaust side of the high-pressure airflow generator 4. An exhaust port 11 for exhausting the air in the exhaust chamber 10 is provided in the upper part of the exhaust chamber 10. The exhaust port 11 is exhausted into the exhaust chamber 10 after being generated by the high-pressure airflow generator 4. An electric heater 12 is provided for heating the high pressure air. A front exhaust duct 13 a and a rear exhaust duct 13 b which are ventilation paths branched to the front side and the back side of the housing 2 are connected to the exhaust port 11. The front exhaust duct 13a passes through the front side of the front wall 3a of the hand insertion portion 3 and extends upward from the exhaust port 11, and the rear exhaust duct 13b is located behind the rear wall 3b of the hand insertion portion 3. While passing, it extends upward from the exhaust port 11.

The front exhaust duct 13a is connected to the front wall nozzle 5a provided on the front wall 3a at the upper end, and the rear exhaust duct 13b is connected to the rear wall nozzle 5b provided on the rear wall 3b at the upper end. It is connected to the. Thereby, the high-pressure air discharged from the high-pressure airflow generator 4 passes through the exhaust chamber 10, the exhaust port 11 and the front exhaust duct 13a, and is converted into high-speed air by the front wall nozzle 5a. It is ejected into the hand insertion part 3 from 5a. The high-pressure air discharged from the high-pressure airflow generator 4 passes through the exhaust chamber 10, the exhaust port 11, and the rear exhaust duct 13b, and is converted into high-speed air by the rear wall nozzle 5b. It is ejected into the hand insertion part 3 from 5b.

On the intake side of the high-pressure airflow generator 4, the upper end portion of the intake duct 14 extending in the vertical direction of the housing 2 is connected to the high-pressure airflow generator 4. A sound absorbing material 20 is attached to the inner wall of the intake duct 14 in order to reduce noise generated from the high-pressure airflow generator 4. The intake duct 14 extends to the bottom of the casing 2, and the lower end of the intake duct 14 is connected to an intake port 15 that opens downward at the bottom of the casing 2. An air filter 16 is detachably attached to the inlet of the intake port 15. A front panel 19 is attached to the front of the housing 2, and an operation panel 21 for switching the operation state of the hand dryer 1 is provided above the drainage tank 18 in a part of the front panel 19. .

Next, the control unit 31 of the hand dryer 1 will be described. Inside the housing 2, the control unit 31 is provided below the high-pressure airflow generator 4. The control unit 31 includes a control circuit 31a that controls the operation of the high-pressure airflow generator 4 and the electric heater 12, a case 31b that houses the control circuit 31a, a cover 31c that protects the control circuit 31a, a radiator 31d, It has.

For the control circuit 31a, a switching element such as a FET (Field Effect Transistor) element or an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) element or a relatively large electronic component such as an electrolytic capacitor is used. Since the switching element on the control circuit 31a generates heat when the high-pressure airflow generator 4 is driven, it is necessary to radiate the generated heat and suppress the failure. The radiator 31d is generally installed in order to dissipate the heat generated by the switching element. In the present embodiment, the radiator 31d is also included in the control circuit 31a of the high-pressure airflow generator 4. It is in close contact with the switching element. Further, the radiator 31d has a structure inserted into the intake duct 14, whereby the radiator 31d is caused by the air flow flowing through the intake duct 14 during operation of the high-pressure airflow generator 4. To be cooled. The radiator 31d is made of aluminum having good thermal conductivity and has a fin shape.

The control unit 31 is output from the upper hand detection sensor (light emission side) 8a, the back side hand detection sensor 8b, and the hand detection sensor 8c that detect the presence or absence of a hand in the hand insertion unit 3 provided in the hand insertion unit 3. Based on the signal, the operation of the high-pressure airflow generator 4 is controlled. Then, the air flow generated by the high pressure air flow generator 4 is transferred from the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b provided on the front wall 3a and the rear wall 3b of the inner wall of the manual insertion portion 3 to the manual insertion portion. 3 is ejected.

Next, the operation of the hand dryer 1 will be described. A user of the hand dryer 1 stands on the front side of the hand dryer 1 and inserts a wet hand into the hand insertion portion 3 from the opening 9 provided in the upper portion of the hand dryer 1. Then, when the hand is allowed to enter the lower part (back side) of the hand insertion unit 3 and the infrared light emitted from the back side hand detection sensor 8b is blocked by the fingertip or the like of the inserted hand, the control circuit 31a is not shown. The microcomputer determines that a hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 3. Thereby, the microcomputer issues an instruction so that the high-pressure airflow generator 4 starts operation. When the high-pressure airflow generator 4 is activated, external air from which dust has been removed by passing through the air filter 16 is sucked from the intake port 15, and this air passes through the intake duct 14 and is taken into the intake air of the high-pressure airflow generator 4. Sucked into the side. The high-pressure airflow generator 4 generates high-pressure air from the air thus sucked.

The high-pressure air that has been increased in pressure by the high-pressure airflow generator 4 is exhausted into the exhaust chamber 10 from the exhaust side of the high-pressure airflow generator 4. At that time, when a heater switch described later is on, a part of the high-pressure air is heated by passing through the electric heater 12. And the high pressure air heated by passing through the electric heater 12 and the high pressure air not heated by passing through the exhaust port 11 not provided with the electric heater 12 are mixed, and the front exhaust duct 13a and It flows separately through the rear exhaust duct 13b. The hot high-pressure air that has been divided and passed through the front exhaust duct 13a and the rear exhaust duct 13b is supplied to the front wall nozzle 5a provided on the front wall 3a and the rear wall nozzle 5b provided on the rear wall 3b, respectively. To high speed air. And this high-speed air of warm air is jetted in the manual insertion part 3 from the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b.

A plurality of these front wall nozzles 5a and rear wall nozzles 5b are arranged in a straight line in the width direction of the hand insertion portion 3 in the vicinity of the opening 9, so that the hand insertion portion in the vicinity of the opening 9 is provided. The air curtain-like high-speed air extending in the width direction 3 is ejected. This air curtain-like high-speed air hits both the back and palm of the user's wrist inserted in the hand insertion portion 3 or the vicinity of the wrist, and the water adhering to the front and back of the hand is blown off as water droplets. .

At that time, the ejection direction of the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b is inclined slightly downward from the horizontal direction and is directed toward the back side of the hand insertion portion 3. For this reason, the high-speed air ejected from the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b is also ejected in a direction slightly inclined downward from the horizontal direction, that is, toward the back side of the hand insertion portion 3. In other words, high-speed air collides at an angle inclined toward the fingertip direction (downward) rather than perpendicular to the hand. Therefore, most of the high-speed air ejected from the front wall nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b collides with the hand and then flows along the hand from the wrist toward the fingertip, and much of the water adhering to the hand also follows the hand. Flowing from the wrist toward the fingertip. Then, the water that has reached the fingertip is peeled off from the fingertip in the vicinity of the bottom of the hand insertion portion 3 to form water droplets, and most of the water is blown downward, that is, toward the bottom wall 3 c of the hand insertion portion 3.

The water droplets blown off from the wet hands and peeled hit the front wall 3a, the rear wall 3b or the bottom wall 3c of the hand insertion portion 3. Then, water droplets hitting the front wall 3a, the rear wall 3b, and the bottom wall 3c flow down toward the bottom wall 3c, which is the bottom of the hand insertion portion 3, and are not shown provided on the bottom wall 3c of the hand insertion portion 3. From the drainage outlet, the wastewater is collected in the drainage tank 18 through the drainage channel 17.

When the user's hand is pulled out from the hand insertion portion 3 and the light emitted from the upper hand detection sensor (light emission side) 8a reaches the hand detection sensor 8c, the control circuit 31a stops the high-pressure airflow generator 4. .

Next, the operation panel 21 of the hand dryer 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 21 for switching the operation state of the hand dryer 1 is operated from the outside in a part of the front panel 19 below the hand drying chamber in the housing 2 and above the drainage tank 18. It is provided to be exposed. The drain tank 18 is set by being inserted into a concave attachment / detachment port 100 provided in the housing 2. The operation panel 21 is provided in the vicinity of the attachment / detachment port 100.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the operation panel 21 is provided on the front surface of the housing 2 has been described. However, the operation panel 21 may be provided on the side surface of the housing 2. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a hand dryer in which an operation panel is provided on the side surface of the housing.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the operation panel. The operation panel 21 is provided with a plurality of switches 22a to 22d for changing various settings of the hand dryer 1. Specifically, the operation panel 21 is provided with an on / off switch 22a, an air volume adjustment switch 22b, a heater switch 22c, and a key lock switch 22d.

The on / off switch 22a is a switch for switching the hand dryer 1 between an operable state and a resting state. When the on / off switch 22a is in the “on” state, the hand dryer 1 is ready for operation, and high-pressure airflow is generated in response to hand detection by the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b, and the hand detection sensor 8c. The device 4 operates. On the other hand, when the on / off switch 22a is in the “off” state, the hand dryer 1 is in a resting state, and the high-pressure airflow generator 4 does not operate even if the hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 3. Therefore, the on / off switch 22a switches between the operable state and the resting state of the hand dryer 1.

Specifically, by switching the ON / OFF switch 22a to the “OFF” state corresponding to the operation OFF, a signal is sent to the relay in the control circuit 31a, the relay contact opens, and the high-pressure airflow generator 4 is opened. Since the power supply is interrupted, power is supplied to the control circuit 31a, but the hand dryer 1 cannot be used. The hand dryer 1 in the resting state is in a state where the power is turned off for the user. By switching the ON / OFF switch 22a to the “ON” state corresponding to the operation ON, a signal is sent to the relay in the control circuit 31a, the contact of the relay is closed, and power is supplied to the high-pressure airflow generator 4. Therefore, the hand dryer 1 is in an operable state where it can be used. The hand dryer 1 in a drivable state is as if the power is on for the user.

When the on / off switch 22a is in the “off” state without mounting the relay for turning on / off the power supply to the high-pressure airflow generator 4, the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b, By disabling hand detection by the hand detection sensor 8c, even if a hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 3, the high pressure airflow generator 4 may not operate so that the hand dryer 1 may be in a resting state.

The air volume adjustment switch 22 b is a switch that adjusts the air volume during operation of the high-pressure airflow generator 4. The heater switch 22 c is a switch for switching on / off the electric heater 12. In addition, a display unit 23 is provided above the various switches to display the state of the apparatus (setting state of each switch) using LEDs.

The display unit 23 is notified of the respective states set by the on / off switch 22a, the air volume adjustment switch 22b, and the heater switch 22c above the on / off switch 22a, the air volume adjustment switch 22b, and the heater switch 22c. An LED lamp 23e is provided for notifying that the LED lamps 23a ₁ to 23d and the drain tank 18 are full. The on / off switch 22a is provided with LED lamps 23a ₁ and 23a ₂ corresponding to the display characters “ON” and “OFF”, respectively, and the respective LED lamps 23a ₁ and 23a ₂ are turned on. The state in which the driving is turned on or the state in which the driving is turned off is notified. In addition, five LED lamps 23b ₁ to 23b ₅ are arranged in a horizontal row above the air volume adjustment switch 22b to notify the magnitude of the air volume blown out from the air blowing port, in order from the left. It is informed that the air volume is large by lighting.

Further, an LED lamp 23c is provided above the heater switch 22c. The LED lamp 23c is turned on when the electric heater 12 that heats the air blown from the blower opening is “ON”, and is turned off when the electric heater 12 is “OFF”. Then, the on / off state of the electric heater 12 is notified. Further, an LED lamp 23d is provided above the key lock switch 22d. The LED lamp 23d is turned on when the key lock is set, and is turned off when the key lock is not set. Is displayed.

Capacitance switches change the capacitance depending on the contact area of the finger, so the change in capacitance increases by touching the finger firmly, but if you touch it lightly or touch the end of the capacitance switch, The change in capacitance is small. Further, in the capacitance switch, when a conductor such as water is touched, the capacitance changes in the same manner as when touched with a finger. In the case of small water droplets, the change in capacitance is small, but when a large water droplet passing through the main body passes over the capacitance switch, the change in capacitance is slightly large.

Here, in order to prevent erroneous detection due to water adhesion, if the switch detection threshold is set high, it will not be possible to detect by simply touching the switch, resulting in poor operational feeling. Conversely, if the threshold value is set low, it is erroneously detected that a finger touches when a large water droplet adheres. In addition, large water droplets that travel through the main body are removed in a short time without staying on the capacitance switch. Therefore, when a change exceeding the threshold value continues for a certain period of time, detection is performed to prevent false detection. However, it is necessary to touch the capacitance switch for a certain period of time during operation. In the case of a switch that needs to be operated a plurality of times, such as the air volume adjustment switch 22b, the operation time per operation becomes longer, and the operability becomes worse.

Therefore, in the hand dryer 1, the time required to accept the operation is changed depending on the function of the switch to be operated. The time required for switching the on / off switch 22a, the air volume adjusting switch 22b and the heater switch 22c and setting the key lock with the key lock switch 22d is the same, but is necessary only when releasing the key lock with the key lock switch 22d. The operation is not accepted unless the time is extended and, for example, the touch is continued for about 2 seconds or more. By doing so, the operability can be maintained as good as possible, and malfunction can be prevented even in the flow of water droplets.

Next, an outline of the operation will be described. The state in which the red LED lamp 23a ₁ corresponding to “OFF” of the ON / OFF switch 22a of the operation panel 21 is lit is a state in which the operation of the hand dryer 1 is turned off. First, when touching a finger to the on / off switch 22a, on / off switch 22a is operated operation is turned on, along with the LED lamps 23a ₂ is turned corresponding to "ON", a red corresponding to "Off" LED lamp 23a ₁ is turned off. When the operation is turned on, the hand dryer 1 is ready for use at any time. Therefore, if a wet hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 3, the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b, and the hand detection sensor 8c detect the hand to operate the high-pressure airflow generator 4, and the front wall Air is blown out from the nozzle 5a and the rear wall nozzle 5b, and the hands can be dried.

When the operation is turned on, the LED lamps 23b ₁ to 23b ₅ corresponding to the air volume adjustment switch 22b, the LED lamp 23c corresponding to the heater switch 22c, and the LED lamp 23d corresponding to the key lock switch 22d are at that time. Depending on the setting state, the light remains on or off, and the respective setting state is notified. Touching the ON / OFF switch 22a of the operation panel 21 in a state where the operation is on, power off the hand dryer 1, together with the LED lamp 23a ₁ is lit corresponding to the "OFF" of the display unit 23, "ON The LED lamp 23a ₂ corresponding to "" is turned off, the LED lamps 23b ₁ to 23b ₅ corresponding to the air volume adjusting switch 22b, the LED lamp 23c corresponding to the heater switch 22c, and the LED lamp 23d corresponding to the key lock switch 22d are all Turns off.

Only when the operation is on, the air volume adjustment switch 22b, the heater switch 22c, and the key lock switch 22d of the operation panel 21 can be received. When the air volume adjustment switch 22b is touched while the operation is on, the air volume increases by one step each time the air volume adjustment switch 22b is touched, and the corresponding LED lamps 23b ₁ to 23b ₅ are lit in order from the left. The air flow is provided in five stages, and the state where all the _five LED lamps 23b ₁ to 23b ₅ arranged side by side are lit is set to the maximum air flow. When the air volume adjustment switch 22b is further operated once in the state where the maximum air volume is set, the flow returns to the minimum air volume, and only the leftmost LED lamp 23b ₁ is turned on among the _five LED lamps 23b ₁ to 23b ₅ arranged side by side. The remaining

LED lamps

23b ₂ , 23b ₃ , 23b ₄ , 23b ₅ are turned off.

When the heater switch 22c is touched while the operation is on, the electric heater 12 can be switched between “ON” and “OFF”. If the heater is set to “ON”, the electric heater 12 operates. The corresponding LED lamp 23c is lit. If the heater is set to “OFF”, the electric heater 12 does not operate and the LED lamp 23c is turned off. For switching the heater on / off, every time the heater switch 22c is touched, “ON” and “OFF” are repeated in order.

When the key lock switch 22d is touched while the operation is on, the key lock setting can be switched. When the key lock is set, the corresponding LED lamp 23d blinks, and when the key lock is not set, the corresponding LED lamp 23d is turned off. When the key lock switch 22d is touched without the key lock being set, the key lock is set, and when the key lock switch 22d is touched with the key lock being set, the key lock is released.

When the key lock is set, reception of all operations of the on / off switch 22a, the air volume adjustment switch 22b, and the heater switch 22c of the operation panel 21 as operation switches is prohibited. For this reason, in the state where the key lock is set, no operation is accepted even if any of the on / off switch 22a, the air volume adjustment switch 22b and the heater switch 22c is touched, and the setting cannot be switched or changed. It is like that.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement around the operation panel. On the inner side of the operation panel 21 which is a part of the front panel 19, there are electrode portions that capture changes in capacitance at positions corresponding to the on / off switch 22a, the air volume adjustment switch 22b, the heater switch 22c, and the key lock switch 22d. 24 is arranged, and an elastic elastic material that prevents an air layer from being interposed between the inner wall surface of the operation panel 21 and the electrode part 24 and closely contacts the inner side surface of the front panel 19 and the electrode part 24. A conductive rubber 25 is provided as a body. The electrode part 24 is connected to the control circuit 31a of the control part 31, and the electrostatic capacitance change which arises in the electrode part 24 is detected by the control circuit 31a. The electrode part 24 may be constituted by a printed board obtained by printing a copper foil on the board, or may be an electrode plate constituted by a metal plate.

In the above configuration, when the cleaner or manager touches to operate the various switches of the operation panel 21, the microcomputer of the control circuit 31a detects the change in capacitance generated in the electrode unit 24, and the contents of the various switches. Perform processing according to

For example, when the cleaner cleans the hand dryer 1, when the on / off switch 22 a is pressed (touched), the capacitance of the electrode unit 24 changes via the operation panel 21 and the conductive rubber 25. When the control circuit 31a in the control unit 31 monitors the capacitance value of the electrode unit 24 and detects a value greater than or less than a preset value, the control circuit 31a determines that the on / off switch 22a has been operated. If the detection by the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b and the hand detection sensor 8c is effective, the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b and the hand detection sensor are disabled before the operation. If the detection of 8c is invalid, it is validated. Therefore, when the detection of the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b, and the hand detection sensor 8c is invalidated by operating the on / off switch 22a during cleaning, the on / off switch 22a is operated again after cleaning. Thus, the detection by the upper hand detection sensor 8a, the rear hand detection sensor 8b, and the hand detection sensor 8c becomes effective.

The same applies to the air volume adjustment switch 22b. When the control circuit 31a determines that the air volume adjustment switch 22b has been operated, the air volume is increased by one step when the high-pressure airflow generator 4 is operated than before the air volume adjustment switch 22b is operated. To do. However, if it is determined that the air volume adjustment switch 22b is operated in a state where the air volume is set to the maximum, the air volume is set to the minimum. Note that FIG. 4 shows an example in which the air volume can be set in 5 stages, but the air volume may be adjustable in 4 stages or less or 6 stages or more.

The same operation is performed for the heater switch 22c, so that the electric heater 12 can be turned on / off.

With this structure, even if water droplets adhere to the periphery of the operation panel 21 when water is sprayed around the hand dryer 1 or when the water droplets are scattered during use, there is no portion where water enters the product area around the operation unit. (Since there is no joint in the casing 2 around the operation panel 21), there is no electric shock due to the ingress of water into a circuit or the like where electricity is energized, and the safe hand dryer 1 can be realized. The casing 2 is made of a plastic resin having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm (ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), etc.), so that it can be touched with a finger even when operating the operation unit. Since the electrode can detect the change in capacitance and there is no movable part at the time of operation, there is no problem of durability such as a crack caused by the operation.

When using a mechanical switch, it is necessary to provide a cover with elastic rubber or a resin sheet for waterproofing. However, if the number of times of use increases, there is a risk that water will enter due to cracks. there were. In this embodiment, since a capacitance switch is used, such a problem does not occur.

For comparison, a hand dryer with a power switch installed on the back will be explained. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the hand dryer in which the power switch is installed on the back surface. A power switch 41 for turning on / off the power of the hand dryer 40 is disposed on the back surface of the hand dryer 40. Since the power switch 41 cannot be easily operated when the hand dryer 40 is installed on the wall surface, the cleaner wipes and cleans the hand insertion portion 42 without turning off the power of the hand dryer 40, and the hand detection sensor detects insertion of the hand. Driving is often started. If wiping and cleaning is performed while the hand dryer 40 is in operation, the cleaning water may be sprinkled around or the sprayer itself may be splashed, making it difficult to perform the cleaning operation.

On the other hand, in the hand dryer 1 of the present embodiment, the operation panel 21 is arranged around the drainage tank 18 that the cleaner always cleans, so there is no need to find where the on / off switch 22a is. It is possible to prevent a problem that water drops are scattered around due to forgetting to turn off the power.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the various switches of the operation panel 21 are provided with a display unit 23 in the vicinity of the top of the various switches as means for notifying the setting state by the operation of the switches. As described above, when the control circuit 31a determines that various switches have been operated, the display unit 23 is turned on / off in conjunction with each other so as to indicate the setting state by the operation, and informs the operator of the state. . With this configuration, the operational feeling when operated is good, and it is possible to reliably notify the cleaner of the set state.

Further, the operation panel 21 is provided with a key lock switch 22d for enabling / disabling operation of various switches. By pressing and holding the key lock switch 22d once, the operation panel 21 is set in a locked state so that all the operations of the other switches (ON / OFF switch 22a, air volume adjustment switch 22b and heater switch 22c) are not accepted. . By setting the operation panel 21 to the locked state, it is possible to prevent tampering by the user and to prevent the problem that the operation setting of the hand dryer 1 is switched when the periphery of the operation panel 21 is wiped and cleaned during cleaning. . Although FIG. 4 shows a long press for 2 seconds, this is merely an example, and the long press time is not limited to this.

When the key lock switch 22d is pressed and held in the locked state, the locked state of the operation panel 21 is released, the operation of various switches is accepted, and the administrator or the cleaner changes the settings of the hand dryer 1. Is possible.

In the above description, various switch operations are enabled / disabled by operating the key lock switch 22d. However, as another specification, a time set in advance after various switches of the operation panel 21 are operated. Even when the operation is not performed, the operation panel 21 may be automatically set to the locked state, and the operation of various switches may be invalidated. In this case, by pressing and holding the key lock switch 22d, the locked state of the operation panel 21 is released, and other various switch operations are enabled again. By adopting this specification, it is possible to prevent a cleaner or administrator from forgetting to lock various switches and changing the setting due to mischief by the user.

The key lock switch 22d switches between setting and releasing the key lock, and “key lock” is displayed on the key lock switch 22d, but a preset time after various switches are operated. When the operation panel 21 is automatically locked when the operation is not performed, the key lock switch 22d is operated mainly for the purpose of releasing the key lock, so “key unlock” is displayed. You may do it.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the hand dryer according to the second embodiment of the hand dryer according to the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted, and only different parts will be described below.

In the second embodiment, an electrode control circuit 26 in which the electrode unit 24 and the control unit 31 described in the first embodiment are integrated is disposed on the inner surface of the operation panel 21. In this structure, since the electrode portion where the capacitance change occurs and the microcomputer of the control unit 31 that processes the capacitance change are integrated in the substrate, the capacitance changes due to variations in wiring length and routing. The problem of not being able to catch up can be prevented.

In addition, since it is possible to process the capacitance within a single substrate, the radiation noise received by the wiring of the electrode-control unit can reduce the influence of noise in the device generated by the high-pressure airflow generator 4. Is possible.

As described above, the hand dryer according to the present invention can be easily turned on and off during cleaning, and the switch of the operation unit is a capacitance type, so even if water droplets are scattered around the operation unit. This is useful in that it is difficult for water to enter.

1,40 hand dryer, 2 housing, 3,42 hand insertion part, 3a front wall, 3b rear wall, 3c bottom wall, 4 high pressure air flow generator, 5a front wall nozzle, 5b rear wall nozzle, 8a upper hand detection Sensor, 8b Back side hand detection sensor, 8c Hand detection sensor, 9 opening, 10 exhaust chamber, 11 exhaust port, 12 electric heater, 13a front exhaust duct, 13b rear exhaust duct, 14 air intake duct, 15 air intake port, 16 air filter, 17 drainage, 18 drain tank, 19 front panel, 21 operation panel, 22a on / off switch, 22b adjust flow rate switch, 22c heater switch, 22 d keylock switch, 23 a display _{_{unit, 23a 1, 23a 2, 23b}} 1 _{_{_{_{, 23b 2, 23b 3, 23b}}}} 4,

23b

5, 23c, 23d, 23e LED lamp, 24 electrode portion, 25 conductive rubber , 26 electrode control circuit, 31 control unit, 31a control circuit, 31b cases, 31c cover, 31d radiator 41 power switch, 100 mounting port.

Claims

A hand insertion part into which a user can insert a hand, a casing in which a nozzle leading to the hand insertion part is formed, a high-pressure airflow generator installed inside the casing, and a user's hand in the hand insertion part A hand detection sensor for detecting that the hand has been inserted, and when the hand detection sensor detects a user's hand, an air flow generated by the high-pressure air flow generator is transmitted from the nozzle to the hand insertion unit. A hand dryer for spraying
It has an operation unit with a switch for switching between the operable state and the resting state of the device,
The switch includes an operation panel provided on an outer surface of the housing at a position below the hand insertion portion, and a plurality of electrodes provided on the back side of the operation panel. A hand-drying apparatus that is an electrostatic capacity type that detects an operation based on a change in electrostatic capacity generated in the electrode by touching the operation panel.
The housing has a drainage tank for storing water droplets blown from the user's hand at the hand insertion portion,
The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel is disposed adjacent to an attachment / detachment port of the drainage tank.
The hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein the operation panel is arranged on a front side of the casing.
A conductive elastic body is disposed between the inner surface of the casing of the operation panel and the electrode, and the inner surface of the casing and the electrode are brought into close contact with each other via the conductive elastic body. The hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
A control unit that activates the high-pressure airflow generator when the hand detection sensor detects a user's hand, and an electrode control circuit in which the electrode and the control unit are integrated is disposed on the inner surface of the operation panel. The hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein