WO2021152656A1 - Hand-drying device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a hand-drying device with which it is possible to inhibit any increase in cost by using a single sensor to sense the presence/absence of a hand and the presence/absence of water in a washbasin.　The hand-drying device 100 according to the present disclosure comprises: a nozzle 3 for blowing out an airflow toward a drying process space 50 for drying hands; a blower 2 for generating the airflow; a capacitance sensor 4 provided with two electrodes, the capacitance sensor 4 detecting the capacitance between the two electrodes; a sensing unit 41 for sensing that water is present in a washbasin 410 that receives the airflow if the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than a first water sensing threshold value, and sensing that a hand is present in the drying process space 50 if the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than a first hand sensing threshold value, which is less than the first water sensing threshold value; and an operation control unit 42 for controlling the action of the blower 2 on the basis of the result of sensing by the sensing unit 41.

Description

Hand drying device

The present disclosure relates to a hand drying device that dries wet hands.

In order to keep the hands hygienic, it is necessary to dry the hands hygienically after washing. Therefore, instead of wiping the wet hands after washing with a towel or a handkerchief, a hand-drying device is used in which a high-speed air stream is sprayed onto the hands to blow off the water adhering to the hands to dry the hands.

As a conventional hand drying device, a washbasin having a space for storing water, an air nozzle that blows high-speed air into the washbasin, a blower that generates high-speed air, a hand detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a hand, and a washbasin. It is equipped with a capacitance sensor that detects the water accumulated in the basin by capacitance, and when the capacitance sensor detects that water has accumulated in the basin, the hand detection sensor detects the hand. However, there is known a washbasin-integrated hand-drying device that prevents the water accumulated in the washbasin from scattering by not supplying driving power to the blower (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-50473

However, in the above-mentioned hand drying device, there is a problem that the cost increases because a capacitance sensor for detecting the accumulation of water in the washbasin is provided in addition to the hand detection sensor.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by detecting the presence / absence of hands and the presence / absence of water in the basin with one sensor, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost. The purpose is to provide the device.

The hand drying device according to the present disclosure includes a nozzle that blows an air flow toward a drying processing space for drying hands, a blower that generates an air flow, and two electrodes, and detects the capacitance between the two electrodes. When the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor and the capacitance sensor is equal to or higher than the first water detection threshold, the capacitance sensor detects that there is water in the washbasin that receives the air flow. Based on the detection unit that detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space when the detected capacitance is less than or equal to the first hand detection threshold that is smaller than the first water detection threshold, and the detection result of the detection unit. , An operation control unit that controls the operation of the blower is provided.

Further, the hand drying device according to the present disclosure includes a nozzle that blows an air flow toward a drying processing space for drying hands, a blower that generates an air flow, an infrared light emitting element that emits infrared rays, and an infrared receiver that receives infrared rays. An infrared sensor that has an element and detects the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared light receiving element, and water in the washbasin that receives the air flow when the amount of light received by the infrared sensor is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold. A detector that detects the presence and detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space when the amount of light received by the infrared sensor is greater than or equal to the third hand detection threshold, which is larger than the third water detection threshold. It is provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of the blower based on the detection result of the unit.

According to the hand drying device according to the present disclosure, it is possible to detect that there is a hand in the drying treatment space and the presence of water in the basin with one sensor, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in cost. can.

It is a figure which looked at the wash basin provided with the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 from above. It is sectional drawing of the wash basin provided with the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1, and is sectional drawing which shows the AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the wash basin provided with the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1, and is sectional drawing which shows the sectional view BB of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wash basin provided with a hand-drying device according to a first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a CC cross section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the principle of the capacitance sensor of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1, and is the figure which shows the state when the hand is not close to the capacitance sensor. It is a schematic diagram explaining the principle of the capacitance sensor of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1, and is the figure which shows the state when a hand approaches the capacitance sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the processing circuit of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the control part of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a time chart diagram which shows the change of the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor of the hand drying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wash basin provided with a hand drying device according to a modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a CC cross section of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wash basin provided with a hand drying device according to a modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a CC cross section of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wash basin provided with a hand drying device according to a modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a CC cross section of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wash basin provided with a hand drying device according to a modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a CC cross section of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the control part of Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the control part of Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which looked at the wash basin provided with the hand drying apparatus of Embodiment 4 from above. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wash basin provided with the hand-drying device of the fourth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a CC cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the wash basin provided with the hand drying apparatus of Embodiment 5, and is sectional drawing corresponding to CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the control part of Embodiment 5. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a change in the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor of the hand drying device according to the fifth embodiment.

Embodiment 1.
The configuration of the hand drying device 100 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a BB cross section of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG.

For convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 1 to 4, the x-axis direction is defined as the front-back direction, the y-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction, and the z-axis direction is defined as the up-down direction. Further, the positive direction in the z-axis direction is defined as the upward direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hand-drying device 100, the water discharge device 200, and the detergent discharge device 300 are installed side by side in the left-right direction on the box-shaped wash basin 400. The hand drying device 100 dries the hands by blowing out a high-speed air flow and blowing off the water adhering to the hands. The hand drying device 100 penetrates through the through hole 401 formed in the wash basin 400 and is fixed to the wash basin 400.

The water discharge device 200 discharges water for washing hands. The water discharge device 200 penetrates through the through hole 402 formed in the wash basin 400 and is fixed to the wash basin 400. As shown in FIG. 3, the water discharge device 200 has a water discharge pipe 210 through which water flows. The water discharge pipe 210 is formed with a water discharge port 211 for discharging water. The water discharge device 200 may, for example, automatically discharge water by detecting a hand with a sensor such as an infrared sensor, or may manually discharge water by pressing a button. ..

The detergent discharge device 300 discharges the detergent for washing hands. The detergent discharge device 300 penetrates the through hole 403 formed in the wash basin 400 and is fixed to the wash basin 400. The detergent discharge device 300 has a detergent discharge pipe 310 through which detergent flows. The detergent discharge pipe 310 is formed with a detergent discharge port 311 for discharging the detergent. The detergent discharge device 300 may, for example, be a device that detects a hand with a sensor such as an infrared sensor and automatically discharges the detergent, or may be a device that manually discharges the detergent by pressing a button. ..

The wash basin 400 is installed on the floor 501 so as to be in contact with the wall 500. A bowl-shaped washbasin 410 is provided above the washbasin 400. The wash basin 410 receives the air flow blown from the hand drying device 100, the water discharged from the water discharge device 200, and the detergent discharged from the detergent discharge device 300. A drain port 411 for discharging water is formed on the bottom surface of the washbasin 410. A drain pipe 600 is connected to the drain port 411.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hand drying device 100 includes a box body 10 provided below the wash basin 400, a main body 20 provided above the wash basin 400, and a duct connecting the box body 10 and the main body 20. Has 30.

The box body 10 is housed inside the wash basin 400. In the first embodiment, the box body 10 is attached to the wall 500. The box body 10 may be installed on the floor 501. Inside the box body 10, a blower 2 that generates a high-pressure air flow and a control unit 40 that controls the blower 2 are provided. An air filter (not shown) is detachably attached to the intake side of the blower 2. The air filter collects dust and debris in the air. As the air filter, for example, a mesh filter or a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate) filter is used. One end of the duct 30 is connected to the exhaust side of the blower 2.

The other end of the duct 30 is connected to the main body 20. Inside the duct 30, a ventilation passage 31 through which the air flow generated by the blower 2 passes is formed. The duct 30 is made of a flexible and bendable resin in order to improve workability. The duct 30 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel.

The main body 20 penetrates the through hole 401 formed in the wash basin 400 and is fixed to the wash basin 400. When the detergent discharge device 300 is not installed on the wash basin 400, the main body 20 may be passed through the through hole 403 for passing the detergent discharge pipe 310. Further, the main body 20 may not be fixed to the wash basin 400, but may be fixed to the wall 500 above the wash basin 400.

The main body 20 is provided with a nozzle 3 that blows an air flow toward the drying processing space 50 for drying hands. One end of the nozzle 3 is connected to the duct 30. At the other end of the nozzle 3, an outlet 3a for blowing out the air flow generated by the blower 2 is formed. The drying processing space 50 is a space formed below the outlet 3a of the nozzle 3, and is a space formed between the outlet 3a and the bottom of the basin 410.

Further, the hand drying device 100 includes a capacitance sensor 4. The capacitance sensor 4 is a mutual capacitance type capacitance sensor provided with two electrodes and detecting the capacitance between the two electrodes. The capacitance sensor 4 is connected to the first electrode 4a, the second electrode 4b, and the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b, and is between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b. It has a circuit unit (not shown) that detects the capacitance. The capacitance sensor 4 is connected to the control unit 40 by a wiring (not shown).

In the first embodiment, the first electrode 4a is installed inside the main body 20, and the second electrode 4b is installed inside the duct 30. Specifically, the first electrode 4a is arranged inside the main body 20 above the through hole 401 of the wash basin 400, and the second electrode 4b is arranged below the through hole 401 inside the duct 30. NS.

The first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b have, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and are installed side by side in a state where the main surfaces are parallel to each other. Further, the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are installed so that the main surface faces the front, that is, the drying processing space 50 and the washbasin 410. As a result, the capacitance sensor 4 can detect the capacitance in the drying processing space 50 and the basin 410.

The first electrode 4a is installed inside the main body 20 and outside the nozzle 3 in order to prevent a collision of high-speed air flows passing through the inside of the nozzle 3. The second electrode 4b is installed inside the duct 30 and outside the ventilation passage 31 in order to prevent a collision of high-speed air flows passing through the inside of the ventilation passage 31.

Here, the principle of the mutual capacitance type capacitance sensor 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of the capacitance sensor 4 of the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state when the hand is not close to the capacitance sensor 4. .. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of the capacitance sensor 4 of the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state when a hand approaches the capacitance sensor 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the capacitance sensor 4 applies a voltage from the circuit unit to the second electrode 4b to form an electric field between the first electrode 4a and the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4a. The capacitance formed between the electrode 4b and the electrode 4b is detected. When a potential difference occurs between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b, an electric field due to capacitive coupling is formed between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b. Since the magnitude of capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b, a metal-like conductor is close to the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b. Then, the capacitance becomes large. Further, even when a dielectric material such as water having a permittivity larger than that of air is close to each other, the capacitance between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b becomes large.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when a conductor such as a hand, which is a part of the human body, is close to the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b, a part of the electric field is guided to the human body, and the second electrode is used. The capacitance between the electrode 4a of 1 and the electrode 4b of the second electrode becomes smaller. That is, since the human body close to the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b can be regarded as being in contact with the ground, the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are in a state of electrostatic shielding. The capacitance between them becomes smaller. In this way, when a grounded conductor such as a hand is close to the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b, the capacitance between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b is electrostatic. The capacity becomes smaller.

In the present embodiment, when there is water in the basin 410, the capacitance between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b becomes large, and when there is a hand in the drying treatment space 50, there is a hand. The capacitance between the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b becomes smaller. Therefore, when the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 exceeds the water detection threshold used for determining whether or not there is water in the basin 410, it is detected that there is water in the basin 410. Then, when the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 becomes equal to or less than the hand detection threshold used for determining whether or not the drying processing space 50 has a hand, it is detected that the drying processing space 50 has a hand. Thereby, one capacitance sensor 4 can detect the presence / absence of hands in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410. In addition, "there is water in the washbasin 410" means, for example, "water is stored in the washbasin 410" or "water discharged from the water discharge device 200 flows into the washbasin 410". It means "is."

Next, the configuration of the control system of the hand drying device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 40 receives the detection result of the capacitance sensor 4 as a signal. The control unit 40 controls the operation of the blower 2 based on the received signal.

The control unit 40 has a detection unit 41 and an operation control unit 42. The detection unit 41 detects the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410 based on the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4. The detection unit 41 transmits the detection result of the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the washbasin 410 as a signal to the operation control unit 42. The operation control unit 42 controls the operation of the blower 2 based on the detection result of the detection unit 41.

The control unit 40 is realized as, for example, a processing circuit having a hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing circuit of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 40 includes, for example, a processor 91 as a calculation unit and a memory 92 as a storage unit. When the processor 91 executes the program stored in the memory 92, each function of the control unit 40 is realized. That is, the control of the detection unit 41 and the operation control unit 42 is realized by the processor 91 and the memory 92. It should be noted that a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may be linked to realize each function of the control unit 40.

Next, the operation of the hand drying device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. When the user places his / her hand in the drying processing space 50 after washing his / her hand, the detection unit 41 receives the detection result of the capacitance sensor 4 and detects that the drying processing space 50 has a hand. The operation control unit 42 receives the detection result of the detection unit 41 and drives the blower 2. As a result, the high-speed air flow generated by the blower 2 is blown out from the nozzle 3, and the water droplets adhering to the hand are blown off. The blown water droplets fall into the basin 410 and are drained from the drain port 411.

Here, the wash basin 410 is provided with a shutoff valve (not shown) capable of closing the drain port 411. Therefore, the user may try to dry his / her hands with water stored in the basin 410. At this time, the high-speed air flow blown out from the nozzle 3 may collide with the water stored in the washbasin 410 without touching the hands, and the water may scatter. Further, even when water is not accumulated in the washbasin 410, when water is discharged from the water discharge device 200, a high-speed air flow collides with the water discharged from the water discharge device 200. , Water may scatter. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the presence or absence of water in the basin 410 is detected based on the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4, and if there is water in the basin 410, the blower 2 Stop driving.

Next, the operation of the control unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 40 of the first embodiment.

When the power of the hand drying device 100 is turned on, the control unit 40 starts the control from the "start" of FIG. In step S1, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value. The reference value is a value obtained from the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4, and is, for example, an average value of the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4.

Next, in step S2, the detection unit 41 sets a water detection threshold value used for determining whether or not there is water in the basin 410 and a hand detection threshold value used for determining whether or not there is a hand in the drying processing space 50. Set. In the first embodiment, the water detection threshold has a first water detection threshold, and the hand detection threshold has a first hand detection threshold and a second hand detection threshold.

The detection unit 41 sets the first water detection threshold value by adding the first fixed value to the reference value updated in step S1. Further, the detection unit 41 sets the first hand detection threshold value by subtracting the second fixed value from the reference value. Further, the detection unit 41 sets the second hand detection threshold value by adding the first fixed value to the first hand detection threshold value. That is, the first hand detection threshold is smaller than the first water detection threshold, and the second hand detection threshold is larger than the first hand detection threshold.

The capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 fluctuates due to changes in the installation environment of the hand drying device 100 such as temperature and the installation state of surrounding conductors, and changes over time. Therefore, the reference value is updated from the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4, and the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value are set based on the reference value. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the influence of changes in the installation environment of the hand drying device 100 and changes over time.

Here, even if the first water detection threshold is set so that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 when water is accumulated in the washbasin 410 is equal to or higher than the first water detection threshold. Alternatively, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 when the water discharged from the water discharge device 200 is flowing in the washbasin 410 may be set to be equal to or higher than the first water detection threshold. good.

Further, the first hand detection threshold is such that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 when there is no water in the basin 410 and the drying processing space 50 has a hand is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold. Set to be. Further, the second hand detection threshold is such that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 when there is water in the basin 410 and the hand is in the drying processing space 50 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold. Set to be. The second hand detection threshold value is set by adding the first fixed value to the first hand detection threshold value, but a value different from the first fixed value may be added.

Next, in step S3, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the first set time has elapsed after setting the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value. do. The first set time is a preset value and is a time corresponding to the update cycle of the water detection threshold value and the hand detection threshold value. The first set time is stored in the detection unit 41.

In step S3, when the detection unit 41 determines that the first set time has elapsed after setting the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value, the process proceeds to step S1. The reference value is updated by returning, and the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value are set again.

As a result, the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value can be updated periodically, and the influence of changes in the installation environment of the hand drying device 100 and aging is eliminated. can do.

In step S3, when the detection unit 41 determines that the first set time has not elapsed since the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value have been set, the step S3. Proceed to S4.

In step S4, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value. When the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 detects that there is water in the washbasin 410 and detects it with the capacitance sensor 4. When the capacitance is smaller than the first water detection threshold value, it is detected that there is no water in the washbasin 410.

In step S4, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value. When the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space 50, and detects it by the capacitance sensor 4. When the capacitance is larger than the second hand detection threshold value, it is detected that there is no hand in the drying processing space 50.

In step S5, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 returns to step S5 and returns to step S5 and detects the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4. Step S5 is repeated until it is determined that is larger than the second hand detection threshold value. As described above, even if it is detected in step S5 that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value and the drying processing space 50 has a hand, the blower 2 is driven. Since it is stopped, it is possible to drive the blower 2 when there is water in the basin 410 to prevent the water in the basin 410 from scattering.

In step S5, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is larger than the second hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the detection unit 41 repeats the operations of steps S4 and S5 until it determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is smaller than the first water detection threshold value. In step S4, the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is smaller than the first water detection threshold value, and when it detects that there is no water in the basin 410, the process proceeds to step S6. ..

In step S6, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value. When the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space 50, and the capacitance is the first hand. If it is larger than the detection threshold value, it is detected that there is no hand in the drying processing space 50.

If it is determined in step S6 that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is larger than the first hand detection threshold value, the process returns to step S3. If it is determined in step S6 that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value, the process proceeds to step S7, and the operation control unit 42 drives the blower 2 with the first air volume. ..

In step S7, when the operation control unit 42 drives the blower 2, in step S8, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value. do. In step S8, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 returns to step S8 again and detects the static electricity by the capacitance sensor 4. Step S8 is repeated until it is determined that the capacitance is larger than the first hand detection threshold.

In step S8, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is larger than the first hand detection threshold value, the process proceeds to step S9, and the operation control unit 42 stops driving the blower 2. do. In step S9, when the operation control unit 42 stops driving the blower 2, the process proceeds to step S3.

FIG. 10 is a time chart diagram showing a change in capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 of the hand drying device 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 10, the first water detection threshold value is shown by a broken line, the first hand detection threshold value and the second hand detection threshold value are shown by a alternate long and short dash line, and the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is shown by a solid line. The time intervals of the times T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T8, T9, and T10 are the update cycles of the first water detection threshold, the first hand detection threshold, and the second hand detection threshold. be.

At time T1, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value, and further updates the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value. At time T1a, water begins to collect in the basin 410. At time T1b, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 becomes equal to or higher than the first water detection threshold value, and the detection unit 41 detects that there is water in the basin 410. At times T2 and T3, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value, and it is detected that there is water in the washbasin 410, so that the detection unit 41 is the first. The update of the water detection threshold value 1, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value has been stopped.

When a hand is placed in the drying processing space 50 at time T3a, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 becomes equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value, and the detection unit 41 has a hand in the drying processing space 50. Detect that. In the first embodiment, even if the detection unit 41 detects that the drying processing space 50 has a hand at the time T3a, the operation control unit 42 stops driving the blower 2. At times T4 and T5, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value, and it is detected that there is water in the washbasin 410, so that the detection unit 41 is the first. The update of the water detection threshold value 1, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value has been stopped.

At time T4a, the water in the basin 410 begins to be discharged. At time T5a, when the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 falls below the first water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 detects that there is no water in the basin 410. At times T6 and T7, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value, and further updates the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value.

When a hand is placed in the drying processing space 50 at time T7a, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 becomes equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value, and the detection unit 41 has a hand in the drying processing space 50. Detect that. At time T7a, the detection unit 41 detects that there is no water in the basin 410 and detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space 50, so that the operation control unit 42 sets the blower 2 to the first position. Driven by air volume. At times T8, T9, and T10, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value, and further updates the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value.

According to the hand drying device 100 of the first embodiment, the presence / absence of a hand is detected by detecting the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410 with one capacitance sensor 4. It is not necessary to provide a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of water in the washbasin 410 separately from the sensor. As a result, it is possible to realize the hand drying device 100 having a hand detection function and a water detection function while suppressing an increase in cost.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide a space for installing a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of water in the washbasin 410 separately from a space for installing a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a hand, the size of the hand drying device 100 is suppressed. It is possible to realize a hand drying device 100 having a hand detection function and a water detection function.

Further, if a sensor that detects the presence or absence of water in the basin 410 is used separately from the sensor that detects the presence or absence of a hand, it is necessary to update the reference value with each sensor. By performing water detection, it is possible to update the reference value at once.

Further, since the blower 2 is driven only when there is no water in the washbasin 410 and the drying treatment space 50 has a hand, the blower 2 is driven when there is water in the washbasin 410. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water in the washbasin 410 from scattering.

Further, when there is no water in the basin 410 and there is no hand in the drying treatment space 50, the reference value is periodically updated and the water detection threshold value and the hand detection threshold value are set. It is possible to eliminate the influence of changes in the installation environment of the hand drying device 100 such as the temperature and the installation state of the surrounding conductors and changes over time.

Further, when there is water in the basin 410 and when there is a hand in the drying treatment space 50, the update of the reference value is stopped, so that there is water in the basin 410 and the drying treatment space 50. When there is a hand, the reference value can be updated to prevent the water detection threshold and the hand detection threshold from being changed to erroneous values.

In the first embodiment, the first electrode 4a is installed inside the main body 20, and the second electrode 4b is installed inside the duct 30, but the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4a Both the electrodes 4b may be installed inside the main body 20, or both may be installed inside the duct 30. Further, although the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b were installed so as to sandwich the through hole 401 of the washbasin 400 in the vertical direction, both the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are through holes. It may be installed above the 401, or both may be installed below the through hole 401. Even in this case, the main surfaces of the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are installed so as to face forward, that is, in the direction of the drying treatment space 50 and the washbasin 410, and the drying treatment space 50 and the washbasin are installed. If the capacitance in the vessel 410 can be detected, the control of the first embodiment can be performed.

Further, the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b may be installed outside the hand drying device 100 instead of inside the main body 20 or the duct 30. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first electrode 4a may be attached to the outer surface of the main body 20, and the second electrode 4b may be attached to the outer surface of the duct 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b may be attached to the outer surface of the washbasin 410, that is, the inner side of the washbasin 400 on the outer circumference of the washbasin 410. Even in this case, the main surfaces of the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are installed so as to face forward, that is, in the direction of the drying treatment space 50 and the washbasin 410, and the drying treatment space 50 and the washbasin are installed. If the capacitance in the vessel 410 can be detected, the control of the first embodiment can be performed.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are installed side by side in the vertical direction with the main surfaces parallel to each other and the side surfaces facing each other. The arrangement relationship between the electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b is not limited to this. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 according to the modified example of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first electrode 4a is installed inside the main body 20 so that the main surface faces downward in front of the outlet 3a of the nozzle 3, and the second electrode 4b is a nozzle inside the main body 20. It may be installed so that the main surface faces downward behind the outlet 3a of 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the first electrode 4a is installed inside the main body 20 so that the main surface faces downward in front of the outlet 3a of the nozzle 3, and the second electrode 4b is inside the main body 20. The nozzle 3 may be installed so that the main surface faces forward behind the outlet 3a of the nozzle 3. In this case, it is necessary to widen the detection range so that the capacitance sensor 4 can detect the capacitance in the drying processing space 50 and the basin 410, and the presence or absence of hands in the drying processing space 50 and the inside of the basin 410. Although the accuracy of detecting the presence or absence of water is reduced, the main surfaces of the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b are installed so as to face the direction of the drying treatment space 50 and the basin 410, and the drying treatment space 50 and the wash basin are installed. If the capacitance in the vessel 410 can be detected, the control of the first embodiment can be performed.

Further, in the first embodiment, the detection unit 41 inside the control unit 40 determines the presence or absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the water in the basin 410 based on the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4. Although the presence / absence is detected, the detection unit 41 may be provided outside the control unit 40. For example, a detection unit 41 is provided inside the capacitance sensor 4, and the operation control unit 42 in the control unit 40 receives the detection result of the detection unit 41 inside the capacitance sensor 4 as a signal. The operation of the blower 2 may be controlled.

Embodiment 2.
In the second embodiment, the configuration of the hand drying device 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the operation of the control unit 40 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when it is detected that there is water in the washbasin 410, the operation of the blower 2 is stopped even if it is detected that there is a hand in the drying processing space 50. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when it is detected that there is water in the basin 410, and when it is detected that there is a hand in the drying treatment space 50, the blower has a smaller air volume than when there is no water in the basin 410. Drive 2. Items not particularly described will be the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same functions and configurations will be described using the same reference numerals. Further, the description of the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 40 of the second embodiment. In step S4, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value.

In step S5, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is larger than the second hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 returns to step S4. In step S5, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the operation control unit 42 drives the blower 2 with the second air volume. The second air volume is smaller than the first air volume, which is the air volume when the blower 2 is driven in step S7. For example, when the operation control unit 42 can drive the blower 2 with two air volumes of "strong" and "weak", the first air volume is "strong" and the second air volume is "weak".

Next, in step S11, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value. In step S11, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 returns to step S11 again and the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 Step S11 is repeated until it is determined that the capacitance is larger than the second hand detection threshold.

In step S11, if the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is larger than the second hand detection threshold value, the process proceeds to step S12, and the operation control unit 42 drives the blower 2. To stop. When the drive of the blower 2 is stopped in step S12, the process proceeds to step S4.

In the hand drying device 100 of the first embodiment, since the drive of the blower 2 is stopped when there is water in the basin 410, the hands can be dried when there is water in the basin 410. However, there is a problem that it is not easy to use. According to the hand drying device 100 of the second embodiment, when there is water in the basin 410 and there is a hand in the drying processing space 50, the blower 2 has a second air volume smaller than the first air volume. Even if there is water in the basin 410, it is possible to dry the hands while suppressing the scattering of the water in the basin 410.

Embodiment 3.
In the third embodiment, the configuration of the hand drying device 100 is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the operation of the control unit 40 is different from that of the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the washbasin 410 has a second water detection threshold value used for determining whether or not the inside of the washbasin 410 is full. Items not particularly described will be the same as those in the second embodiment, and the same functions and configurations will be described using the same reference numerals. Moreover, the description of the same function and configuration as in the second embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 40 according to the third embodiment. When the reference value is updated in step S1, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the detection unit 41 sets the water detection threshold value and the hand detection threshold value. In the third embodiment, the water detection threshold has a first water detection threshold and a second water detection threshold, and the hand detection threshold has a first hand detection threshold and a second hand detection threshold.

The detection unit 41 sets the first water detection threshold value by adding the first fixed value to the reference value updated in step S1, and adds the third fixed value to the reference value to add the second water. Set the detection threshold. The third fixed value is larger than the first fixed value. That is, the second water detection threshold is larger than the first water detection threshold. Further, the detection unit 41 sets the first hand detection threshold value by subtracting the second fixed value from the reference value, and adds the first fixed value to the first hand detection threshold value to obtain the second hand detection threshold value. Set the hand detection threshold.

The second water detection threshold value is a value used for determining whether or not the inside of the washbasin 410 is full, and the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 when the inside of the washbasin 410 is full is the second value. Set so that it is equal to or greater than the water detection threshold value of 2. Here, "full water" means, for example, a state in which 80% or more of the capacity of the washbasin 410 is filled with water. The full water is not limited to the state where 80% or more of the capacity of the washbasin 410 is filled with water, and even if the blower 2 is driven by a second air volume smaller than the first air volume, the inside of the washbasin 410 is filled with water. It means that the inside of the basin 410 is filled with water to some extent that there is a risk of water splashing.

Next, in step S22, the detection unit 41 sets the first water detection threshold value, the second water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value, and then sets the first preset. Judge whether or not the set time of is elapsed. When the detection unit 41 determines that the first set time has elapsed since the first water detection threshold value, the second water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value have been set. Return to step S1. In step S22, the first set time has elapsed since the detection unit 41 set the first water detection threshold value, the second water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value. If it is determined that the above is not the case, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the second water detection threshold value. When the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the second water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 detects that the inside of the basin 410 is full, and detects it with the capacitance sensor 4. When the capacitance is smaller than the second water detection threshold value, it is detected that the inside of the washbasin 410 is not full.

In step S23, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the second water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 returns to step S23 again and the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 Step S23 is repeated until it is determined that the capacitance is smaller than the second water detection threshold. In step S23, when the detection unit 41 determines that the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4 is smaller than the second water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S4.

In the hand drying device 100 of the second embodiment, when there is water in the basin 410 and there is a hand in the drying treatment space 50, even if the basin 410 is full of water, the air volume is higher than that of the first air volume. Since the blower 2 is driven by a small second air volume, the water in the basin 410 may be scattered. According to the hand drying device 100 of the third embodiment, when the inside of the washbasin 410 is full, the driving of the blower 2 is stopped, so that the water in the washbasin 410 can be prevented from scattering.

Further, when the inside of the washbasin 410 is not full, even if there is water in the washbasin 410, the blower 2 is driven by a second air volume smaller than the first air volume, so that the water in the washbasin 410 is driven. You can dry your hands while suppressing scattering.

As described above, according to the hand drying device 100 of the third embodiment, the operation of the blower 2 can be changed according to the amount of water in the washbasin 410. In the third embodiment, the first water detection threshold value and the second water detection threshold value are set as the water detection threshold value, but three or more water detection threshold values are set according to the amount of water in the washbasin 410. Then, the air volume of the blower 2 may be adjusted according to the amount of water in the washbasin 410.

Embodiment 4.
In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the hand drying device 100 is different from that of the first to third embodiments. The hand drying device 100 of the first to third embodiments has a box body 10, a main body 20, and a duct 30, but the hand drying device 100 of the fourth embodiment has a main body installed on the wash basin 400. Has 60. Items not particularly described shall be the same as those in the first to third embodiments, and the same functions and configurations shall be described using the same reference numerals. Further, the description of the same functions and configurations as those of the first to third embodiments will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 of the fourth embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 of the fourth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the CC cross section of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18, the main body 60 installed on the wash basin 400 is directed toward a blower 2 that generates a high-pressure air flow, a control unit 40 that controls the blower 2, and a drying processing space 50 that dries hands. A nozzle 3 for blowing out an air flow is provided. The main body 60 is fixed to the wash basin 400 by inserting a screw 5 into a through hole 404 formed in the wash basin 400 and tightening the screw 5 into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the main body 60.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the first electrode 4a of the capacitance sensor 4 is installed at the lower part of the main body 60 so that the main surface faces the front, that is, the direction in which the drying processing space 50 and the basin 410 are located. Will be done. Further, the second electrode 4b of the capacitance sensor 4 is installed on the outer surface of the washbasin 410, that is, on the inner side of the washbasin 400 on the outer circumference of the washbasin 410.

The first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b may both be installed on the outer surface of the washbasin 410, or both may be installed inside the main body 60.

Since the operation of the control unit 40 of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first to third embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

Even if the configuration of the hand drying device 100 is different from that of the first to third embodiments as in the hand drying device 100 of the fourth embodiment, the first electrode 4a and the second electrode 4b provide the drying processing space 50 and the drying processing space 50 and the second electrode 4b. If the capacitance in the washbasin 410 can be detected, the same effect as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

Embodiment 5.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410 are detected based on the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 4. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, the infrared sensor 6 is used instead of the capacitance sensor 4 to detect the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410. Items not particularly described shall be the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments, and the same functions and configurations shall be described using the same reference numerals. Further, the description of the same functions and configurations as those of the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the wash basin 400 provided with the hand drying device 100 of the fifth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the CC cross section of FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the hand drying device 100 includes an infrared sensor 6 instead of the capacitance sensor 4. The infrared sensor 6 is provided, for example, inside the main body 20 in front of the outlet 3a of the nozzle 3.

The infrared sensor 6 includes an infrared light emitting element that emits infrared rays and an infrared light receiving element that receives infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting element, and detects the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared light receiving element. The infrared sensor 6 is connected to the control unit 40 by a wiring (not shown).

The infrared sensor 6 is installed so that the infrared light emitting element emits infrared rays toward the inside of the washbasin 410. The infrared light receiving element receives infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting element and reflected by the washbasin 410, and outputs a signal indicating the amount of infrared rays received to the detection unit 41.

The detection unit 41 detects the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410 based on the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6. The operation control unit 42 controls the operation of the blower 2 based on the detection result of the detection unit 41.

Here, when the drying processing space 50 has a hand, the infrared ray emitted from the infrared light emitting element is reflected by the hand, so that the amount of infrared light received increases. Further, when there is water in the washbasin 410, the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting element are absorbed by the water, so that the amount of infrared rays received is reduced.

Therefore, when the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 becomes equal to or less than the water detection threshold used for determining whether or not there is water in the basin 410, it is detected that there is water in the basin 410. By detecting that the drying processing space 50 has a hand when the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 exceeds the hand detection threshold used for determining whether or not the drying processing space 50 has a hand. One infrared sensor 6 can detect the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410.

The operation of the control unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment.

In step S31, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value. The reference value is a value obtained from the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6, and is, for example, an average value of the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6.

In step S32, the detection unit 41 sets a water detection threshold value used for determining whether or not there is water in the basin 410 and a hand detection threshold value used for determining whether or not there is a hand in the drying processing space 50. In the fifth embodiment, the water detection threshold has a third water detection threshold, and the hand detection threshold has a third hand detection threshold. The detection unit 41 sets the third water detection threshold value by subtracting the third fixed value from the reference value updated in step S31. Further, the detection unit 41 sets the third hand detection threshold value by adding the fourth fixed value to the reference value.

In step S33, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not a preset first set time has elapsed after setting the third water detection threshold value and the third hand detection threshold value. When the detection unit 41 determines that the first set time has elapsed after setting the third water detection threshold value and the third hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 returns to step S31 to update the reference value, and the third water The detection threshold and the third hand detection threshold are set again.

In step S33, if the detection unit 41 determines that the first set time has not elapsed since the third water detection threshold value and the third hand detection threshold value have been set, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold value. The detection unit 41 detects that there is water in the washbasin 410 when the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold, and receives infrared rays detected by the infrared sensor 6. When the amount is larger than the third water detection threshold, it is detected that there is no water in the washbasin 410.

In step S34, when the detection unit 41 determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold value. The detection unit 41 detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space 50 when the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold, and receives infrared rays detected by the infrared sensor 6. When the amount is smaller than the third hand detection threshold, it is detected that there is no hand in the drying processing space 50.

In step S35, when the detection unit 41 determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold, the process returns to step S35, and the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is the third. Step S35 is repeated until it is determined that the value is smaller than the hand detection threshold of 3. In step S35, when the detection unit 41 determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is smaller than the third hand detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S34. In step S34, the detection unit 41 repeats the operations of steps S34 and S35 until it determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is larger than the third water detection threshold.

In step S34, when the detection unit 41 determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is larger than the third water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold value.

If it is determined in step S36 that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is smaller than the third hand detection threshold value, the process returns to step S33. If it is determined in step S36 that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold value, the process proceeds to step S37, and the operation control unit 42 drives the blower 2 with the first air volume.

In step S38, the detection unit 41 determines whether or not the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold value. In step S38, when the detection unit 41 determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold, the process returns to step S38 again, and the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is increased. Step S38 is repeated until it is determined that the value is smaller than the third hand detection threshold.

In step S38, when the detection unit 41 determines that the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is smaller than the third hand detection threshold value, the process proceeds to step S39, and the operation control unit 42 stops driving the blower 2. .. When the drive of the blower 2 is stopped in step S39, the process proceeds to step S33.

FIG. 21 is a time chart showing a change in the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 of the hand drying device 100 according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 21, the third water detection threshold value is shown by a dash-dotted line, the third hand detection threshold value is shown by a broken line, and the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is shown by a solid line. The time interval of the times T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T8, T9, and T10 is an update cycle of the third hand detection threshold value and the third water detection threshold value.

At time T1, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value, and further updates the third hand detection threshold value and the third water detection threshold value. At time T1a, water begins to collect in the basin 410. At time T1b, the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 becomes equal to or less than the third water detection threshold value, and the detection unit 41 detects that there is water in the basin 410. At times T2 and T3, the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold value, and it is detected that there is water in the basin 410, so that the detection unit 41 is the third. The update of the hand detection threshold value and the third water detection threshold value has been stopped.

When a hand is placed in the drying processing space 50 at time T3a, the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 becomes equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold, and the detection unit 41 has a hand in the drying processing space 50. Is detected. In the fifth embodiment, even if the detection unit 41 detects that the drying processing space 50 has a hand at the time T3a, the operation control unit 42 stops driving the blower 2. When the detection unit 41 detects that the drying processing space 50 has a hand at time T3a, the blower 2 is driven by a second air volume smaller than the first air volume, as in the second embodiment. You may.

At times T4 and T5, the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold value, and it is detected that there is water in the basin 410, so that the detection unit 41 is the third. The update of the hand detection threshold value and the third water detection threshold value has been stopped.

At time T5a, the water in the basin 410 begins to be discharged. At time T5b, when the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 exceeds the third water detection threshold value, the detection unit 41 detects that there is no water in the basin 410. At times T6 and T7, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value, and further updates the third hand detection threshold value and the third water detection threshold value.

When a hand is placed in the drying processing space 50 at time 7a, the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared sensor 6 becomes equal to or greater than the third hand detection threshold, and the detection unit 41 has a hand in the drying processing space 50. Is detected. At time 7a, since the detection unit 41 detects that there is no water in the basin 410 and detects that the drying processing space 50 has a hand, the operation control unit 42 sets the blower 2 to the first position. Driven by air volume. At times T8, T9, and T10, the detection unit 41 updates the reference value, and further updates the third hand detection threshold value and the third water detection threshold value.

According to the hand drying device 100 of the fifth embodiment, a sensor that detects the presence / absence of a hand by detecting the presence / absence of a hand in the drying processing space 50 and the presence / absence of water in the basin 410 with one infrared sensor 6. Separately, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of water in the washbasin 410. As a result, it is possible to realize the hand drying device 100 having a hand detection function and a water detection function while suppressing an increase in cost. As described above, even if the infrared sensor 6 is used instead of the capacitance sensor 4, the effect of the present disclosure can be obtained by detecting the presence / absence of a hand and the presence / absence of water in the basin with one sensor. Be done.

The configuration shown in the above-described embodiment shows an example of the contents of the present disclosure, can be combined with another known technique, and is one of the configurations as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. It is also possible to omit or change the part.

2 blower, 3 nozzle, 3a outlet, 4 capacitance sensor, 4a first electrode, 4b second electrode, 5 screw, 6 infrared sensor, 10 box body, 20 body, 30 duct, 31 ventilation path, 40 Control unit, 41 detection unit, 42 operation control unit, 50 drying processing space, 60 main body, 91 processor, 92 memory, 100 hand drying device, 200 water discharge device, 210 water discharge pipe, 211 water discharge port, 300 detergent discharge device , 310 detergent discharge pipe, 311 detergent discharge port, 400 wash basin, 401-404 through hole, 410 wash basin, 411 drain port, 500 wall, 501 floor, 600 drain pipe.

Claims (8)

1. A nozzle that blows air flow toward the drying processing space where the hands are dried,
   The blower that generates the air flow and
   A capacitance sensor having two electrodes and detecting the capacitance between the two electrodes,
   When the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor is equal to or greater than the first water detection threshold value, it is detected that there is water in the washbasin that receives the air flow, and the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor is detected. A detection unit that detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space when the capacity is equal to or less than the first hand detection threshold value smaller than the first water detection threshold value.
   An operation control unit that controls the operation of the blower based on the detection result of the detection unit, and
   Hand drying device equipped with.
2. When the detection unit detects that there is water in the basin, the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor is greater than the first hand detection threshold and equal to or less than the second hand detection threshold. The hand drying device according to claim 1, wherein the hand drying device detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space.
3. The detection unit detects the first water when a preset set time elapses after setting the first water detection threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value. The hand drying device according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value, the first hand detection threshold value, and the second hand detection threshold value are updated.
4. When the detection unit detects that there is water in the basin or detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space, the first water detection threshold value and the first hand detection threshold value The hand drying device according to claim 3, wherein the update of the second hand detection threshold value is stopped.
5. The hand drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation control unit stops driving the blower when the detection unit detects that there is water in the washbasin.
6. When the detection unit detects that there is no water in the basin and that there is a hand in the drying processing space, the operation control unit drives the blower with the first air volume. When the detection unit detects that there is water in the basin and that there is a hand in the drying processing space, the blower is set to a second air volume smaller than the first air volume. The hand drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is driven by.
7. The detection unit detects that the inside of the basin is full when the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor is equal to or greater than the second water detection threshold value which is larger than the first water detection threshold value. ,
   The hand drying device according to claim 6, wherein the operation control unit stops driving the blower when the detection unit detects that the inside of the basin is full.
8. A nozzle that blows air flow toward the drying processing space where the hands are dried,
   The blower that generates the air flow and
   An infrared sensor that includes an infrared light emitting element that emits infrared rays and an infrared light receiving element that receives the infrared rays and detects the amount of infrared rays received by the infrared light receiving element.
   When the amount of light received by the infrared sensor is equal to or less than the third water detection threshold value, it is detected that there is water in the basin that receives the air flow, and the amount of light received detected by the infrared sensor is the third. A detection unit that detects that there is a hand in the drying processing space when it is equal to or higher than the third hand detection threshold value that is larger than the water detection threshold value.
   An operation control unit that controls the operation of the blower based on the detection result of the detection unit, and
   Hand drying device equipped with.

Images