Airflow device

Abstract

The airflow device for processing air and drying an object (6) comprises a housing (11) having an internal space (11') and a base (13) facing a lid (12), in which the object (6) to be dried can be inserted through an opening in the partially opened lid (12) of the housing (11). A pump (15) is connected to the internal space (11') on the inlet side so that a negative pressure is generated in the internal space (11') by its pumping action, and an airflow (7) for drying the object (6) is generated through the opening in the internal space (11'). In a flow path arrangement having a controllable overpressure generator (27, 44), an inlet pipe (28) and at least one nozzle (29), the overpressure generator (27, 44) is connected at its outlet side to the internal space (11') via the inlet pipe (28) and the at least one nozzle (29) and configured to create an overpressure in the inlet pipe (28) and generate a second air flow (30) via the at least one nozzle (29) directed into the internal space (11') for drying the object (6).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an airflow device for treating air to dry objects, for example human hands, especially those contaminated with bacteria.

[0002] This application is supported by the Osterreichische Forschungsforderungsgesellschaft mbH, FFG885038.

[0003] Conventional dryers, for example for hand drying, use fans that contribute to the spread of bacteria into the room air and into the environment outside the dryer, which can then be further transmitted by airborne or smear infection.

[0004] An example of this is a conventional hand dryer, which blows air at the highest possible velocity onto an object to be dried, such as hands. For example, a conventional hand dryer may include a housing, an opening in the housing for introducing an object to be dried, and a blower or positive pressure pump for generating an air flow that is directed through a nozzle onto the object to be dried, such as hands.

[0005] The drawback of such methods is that they use air currents generated by fans or positive pressure pumps to blow contaminated water droplets or aerosols off the drying hands, while simultaneously scattering them into the room air and onto all objects in the room.

[0006] For pathogens such as influenza viruses, COVID-19 pathogens, or multidrug-resistant bacteria transmitted via respiratory or smear infections, this type of hand drying can significantly increase the risk of infection in the washroom due to bacterial accumulation, which is why hospitals are increasingly returning to older methods of hand drying using disposable paper towels.

[0007] It is known to combine blowing and exhaust air to at least partially address the problem of contaminating the surrounding air, such as in EP 2 656 762 A2, which uses a trailing air-cleaning fan at the bottom of an open-topped chamber, which returns the exhaust air through a tube in the side wall to the area of ​​the opening. The air is then expelled at high velocity through a nozzle.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved concept suitable for both air cleaning and drying of objects, which reduces or overcomes the drawbacks associated with conventional drying methods.

[0009] This object is achieved by the invention as set forth in the independent claims. Further embodiments and implementations can be found in the dependent claims.

[0010] The improved concept is based on the idea that the airflow device achieves a suction effect instead of blowing air by generating an airflow by negative pressure or a suction pump that is directed inwards, i.e. towards the interior space of the housing.

[0011] The inward air flow sucks liquid particles, especially those contaminated with bacteria, inwards and expels them in a protected manner through the pump outlet, thereby ensuring that the liquid particles contaminated with bacteria are not expelled into the environment outside the air flow device.

[0012] The improved concept is further based on the idea that, in addition to the suction pump, a flow path arrangement is provided with a controllable overpressure generator, which is connected to the inner space on its outlet side via at least one nozzle. This generates a second air flow, which is directed into the inner space for drying objects. This allows, for example, the air flow device to be used purely for drying objects, in which case the first and second air flows can prevent air contaminated with bacteria from escaping from the inner space. Furthermore, the air flow device can also be used purely for extracting air from the environment, in which case the overpressure generator can remain inactive. Thus, the surrounding air contaminated with bacteria can be purified.

[0013] In one embodiment of the improved concept, the airflow device is configured to process air and dry objects, for example human hands. In this case, the airflow device comprises a housing having an internal space into which an object to be dried can be introduced via an opening in a partially opened lid of the housing. The airflow device also comprises a base opposite the lid. The pump is connected to the internal space at its inlet side, and by pumping action of the pump, a negative pressure is generated in the internal space and a first air flow is generated that is directed from the opening into the internal space, for example dedicated to the internal space, for drying the object. In this respect, the pump is configured to discharge an output air flow flowing through the pump at its outlet side.

[0014] The airflow device further includes a flow path mechanism having a controllable overpressure generator, an inlet pipe, and at least one nozzle. The overpressure generator is connected to the interior space via the inlet pipe and the at least one nozzle at the outlet side, and is configured to create an overpressure in the inlet pipe and generate a second airflow directed to the interior space via the at least one nozzle for drying the object.

[0015] The pump is configured, for example, as a suction pump, in particular as a vacuum pump, and is connected to the interior, for example at its inlet side, via a corresponding pressure line. The pump is connected, for example, via a base to the interior space in order to maximize the suction effect on the opening and thereby optimize the air flow.

[0016] For example, the opening in the lid has a shape that minimizes the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening between the object and the lid, for example, the inner edge of the opening in the lid. In this way, the opening in the lid is provided to match the object to be dried, for example, a human hand or the general shape of a hand, as much as possible. By reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening, the efficiency of the air flow is improved.

[0017] For example, in this case the opening in the lid has a shape such that the air flow in the area of ​​the lid reaches a maximum velocity according to the nozzle principle at a given suction force of the pump.

[0018] The lid of the housing, and in particular the opening in the lid, can have a fixed and invariable shape, so that for example the opening is adapted to different sizes and shapes of objects to be dried, for example hands.

[0019] If a very small opening is used to increase the flow rate of the first air flow, which may cause contact between the object to be dried and the air flow device, a cleaning device may be additionally provided which is automatically activated by one or more sensors after the object to be dried is removed.

[0020] On the other hand, the opening may be provided to be large enough to prevent inadvertent contact with the lid or the internal space when putting in or taking out the object to be dried, and to prevent smear infection.

[0021] A unit for removing and / or decontaminating an output air flow, for example an output air flow contaminated with bacteria, is attached to the outlet pipe of the pump. In various embodiments, the overpressure generator is formed by a separate pump. Alternatively, the overpressure generator is formed by an electrically controlled valve connected at its input side to the output of the unit for decontamination. In this case, the pressure generation is performed by the pump, with a negative pressure at the input side and a positive pressure at the output side being generated via the airflow device.

[0022] In various embodiments, the airflow device further comprises a control member electrically connected to the pump and the overpressure generator for controlling an operational mode of the airflow device. In this regard, the control member is configured to activate the pump and the overpressure generator to generate the first and second air flows in a drying mode. Further, the control member is configured to activate the pump and deactivate the overpressure generator to generate the first air flow but not the second air flow in an air purification mode.

[0023] Switching between operating modes can be done manually, but alternatively or additionally, the operating mode may be selected by sensor control.

[0024] For example, the airflow device further includes at least one detection sensor configured to detect an object within the interior space. In this case, the control member is configured to activate the drying mode when an object is detected within the interior space, deactivate the drying mode when no object is detected within the interior space, or deactivate the drying mode when detection of the object within the interior space ceases. Deactivation may also be time-dependent, for example, such that the drying mode is terminated only a predetermined time after the object is removed from the interior space and this condition is detected.

[0025] The at least one sensor may, for example, be implemented as a distance sensor, for example a radar sensor or a radio frequency sensor, or a LIDAR sensor or other optical sensor.

[0026] In various embodiments, at least one sensor is configured to detect the type of object and / or the size of the object and / or the position of the object within the interior space, which information may also be used to control the pump and / or change the opening of the lid, respectively, to a controllable extent.

[0027] In some embodiments, the airflow device further comprises at least one sensor for bacterial detection and / or air quality or measurement of various parameters of air quality, which sensor is mounted on the outside of the housing or in the external space or outside the internal space, respectively, and is configured to detect the bacterial load or the air quality in the external space, respectively. The control member is configured to activate the air cleaning mode if the at least one sensor for bacterial detection or measurement of air quality detects that the bacterial load of the air in the external space exceeds a predefined threshold. Activation of the air cleaning mode may, for example, be dependent on whether drying of an object is currently being performed, i.e. whether the drying mode is activated. For example, the air cleaning mode is activated only when the airflow device is in a standby mode in which neither the pump nor the overpressure generator is activated.

[0028] Thereby, the airflow device can be controlled to operate essentially continuously as an air cleaner when the lid is open, for example when the lid is fully open, and to switch to a dry operating mode only when one or more sensors detect hands to be washed or dried. Using one or more sensors additionally installed on the outer casing of the device or in the room for measuring the bacterial load of the breathing air or the ambient air, the air cleaning mode of the device can be controlled such that the pump is only switched on when a critical threshold of the air load in the room is exceeded. In the case of a sensor installed in the room separately from the airflow device for determining the bacterial load, a wireless module is installed in the sensor and in the airflow device, respectively, for transmitting and receiving the sensor data. When a threshold is detected to be exceeded, the pump is deactivated.

[0029] The sensor for measuring the bacterial load can be a biological sensor for measuring common germs such as viruses and bacteria, or a simple air quality sensor, such as a multi-gas sensor for volatile organic compounds (VoC) or a CO2 sensor, which detects the CO2 content of the used breathing air and correlates it with the bacterial load caused by humans, similar to air conditioning systems.Other sensors for a complete detection of indoor air quality, such as radon, CO, NOx, relative humidity, formaldehyde, etc., can also be optionally provided on or in the airflow device.

[0030] The airflow device may further comprise a display or screen for displaying the bacterial load and / or air quality data measured by the sensor, in which case the airflow device also functions as a device for monitoring the air quality of the external space, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the data acquired by the airflow device, i.e. the air quality data, may be transmitted to another device, such as a smartphone or smartwatch of a user of the airflow device.

[0031] In various embodiments, the airflow device comprises at least one pressure sensor in the interior space and / or on the exterior side and / or in the exterior space of the housing. In this regard, the control member is configured to control the pump and / or the overpressure generating device based on pressure values ​​recorded by the at least one pressure sensor. Furthermore, other sensors, such as airflow sensors or humidity sensors, may be mounted inside the airflow device for pump control.

[0032] In various embodiments, a valve is installed in the pump outlet tube to prevent backflow of moisture particles, bacteria contaminated airflow, etc. This prevents particles contained in the airflow from flowing back into the pump and beyond the pump into the interior of the airflow device, for example when the pump is switched off.

[0033] In another embodiment, a unit for exhausting and / or decontaminating the airflow, in particular the airflow contaminated with bacteria, is attached to the exhaust pipe of the pump. Such a unit prevents bacteria from re-entering the surroundings of the airflow device and potentially infecting people there, as for example in conventional drying devices. Alternatively or additionally, such a unit can also be attached to the inlet pipe of the pump, for example inside or between the base and the pump.

[0034] Such a unit may be, for example, a simple drain connected to a sewer or the like, a UV disinfection unit connected or not connected to such a drain, a container partially filled with disinfectant that may be replaceable or connected to a drain, a combination of multiple filter stages (particle filters, HEPA filters, UV filters, ionic filters, etc.) as used in typical air purification devices, or any other suitable disinfection device, possibly with a drain tank for collecting the contaminated moist mixed air or connected to a drain.

[0035] If the unit for decontaminating the air stream effectively kills bacteria and filters the air accordingly, the exhaust pipe can be omitted if the condensed liquid particles are also collected in a container connected to the filter unit. The air thus purified can be returned to the room through the exhaust. This is particularly useful in cases where the surrounding air is moderately contaminated with bacteria, and the air stream device also has an additional continuous operating mode for purifying the surrounding air.

[0036] In various embodiments, the airflow device further comprises at least one injector mounted above the lid for introducing a germicide onto the lid and into the first airflow. In this regard, the control member is configured, for example, to operate the injector and the pump to generate the first airflow in a self-cleaning mode. This allows bacteria in the airflow to be immediately treated. At the same time, the drying object can also be disinfected. Furthermore, the airflow device itself can be cleaned in this manner.

[0037] For example, the injector can be mounted above the lid, allowing the lid to be washed with a disinfectant in situ or programmatically after the drying process is completed. This can reduce or prevent smear infections, for example, when a bacterially contaminated object comes into contact with the lid. In the above-mentioned embodiment, multiple suction areas of the pump can be provided on the bottom and / or side walls of the interior, for example, to shape the air flow in a more desired way.

[0038] In various embodiments of the airflow device, the first airflow is preferably greater than the second airflow. In other words, the negative pressure in the interior space generated by the pump is accordingly greater than the positive pressure in the interior space generated by the positive pressure generator. This ensures that air is safely drawn from the first and second airflows, and that no germ-contaminated air escapes through the lid opening, even when the positive pressure generator is activated.

[0039] If the overpressure generator is formed by a further pump, the airflow device may for example comprise a filter system for cleaning the surrounding air sucked in by the further pump via the inlet, in order to prevent air contaminated with bacteria from entering the room via the flow arrangement.

[0040] Alternatively, another pump can be connected to the outlet of the decontamination unit on the suction side via a valve. This also ensures that the air delivered by the additional pump is not contaminated with bacteria. For example, the decontamination unit is provided with an inlet for the supply of ambient air. This allows for improved control of the air flow. The supply of ambient air can be controlled, for example, by an electrically controlled valve.

[0041] As mentioned above, in an alternative embodiment, the overpressure generator can also be formed by an electrically controlled valve connected on the input side to the output of the decontamination system, the controllability then being exerted, for example, by the ability to open, close and / or regulate the air flow.

[0042] In the above-described embodiments, multiple suction areas of the pump may be provided on the floor and / or on the side walls of the interior space, for example to allow for a more desirable shaping of the airflow.

[0043] For example, the suction areas can be independently controlled to adjust the air flow and thus optimally position the object to be dried. For example, an independently controllable control valve is attached to at least one, in particular to each, of the suction areas for this purpose. A useful combination is a combination of a permanently open suction area and a controllable suction area, for example in combination with a valve.

[0044] In various embodiments, the floor has one or more holes that direct the airflow from the interior space to the pump. Such floor holes also represent, in a sense, suction areas.

[0045] In various embodiments, the airflow device has one or more additional suction lines directed towards the interior space and connected to a pump or vacuum pump, which are located near the partially opened lid and connect the pump to the interior space. In particular, the suction area of ​​these suction lines is located near the partially opened lid. At least one suction line opens into the interior space in the vicinity of the partially opened lid, for example, so that an air flow parallel or substantially parallel to the lid occurs, and for example serves simply as an "airflow lid" or "air lid". In this way, the machine lid can have a relatively large opening, allowing the object to be dried to be conveniently inserted and removed without touching the blower device, and at the same time preventing the escape of germs from the interior space as much as possible or completely.

[0046] In each configuration, instead of a single pump, multiple pumps can be used, for example connected in parallel to different suction areas. Instead of or in addition to valves, each pump can be controlled separately.

[0047] The improved concept will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, by way of examples, in which like elements or elements having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and therefore repeated description of each element will be omitted where appropriate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates an airflow device according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B illustrates an airflow device according to an embodiment. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C illustrates an airflow device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an airflow device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B illustrates an airflow device according to another embodiment.

[0049] In the following, various embodiments of the airflow device are described which highlight individual aspects of the invention, each of the drawings showing only partial aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, each of which can be combined with other aspects, unless expressly excluded.

[0050] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an airflow device according to an embodiment. The airflow device comprises a housing 11 in which an internal space 11' is formed and which has a lid 12 at its upper end, the lid 12 being partially open. Through the opening of the lid 12 an object to be dried 6, which in this example is a human hand, can be inserted. The airflow device further comprises a pump 15 connected to the internal space 11' on the inlet side. The pump 15 is designed, for example, as a vacuum or suction pump, and during operation of the pump 15 an air flow 7 is generated from the opening of the lid 12 towards the internal space 11' for drying the object 6. In this way, a negative pressure is generated in the internal space 11' by the pump 15.

[0051] The interior 11' is provided with a base 13 with holes 14 opposite the lid 12, through which the air flow 7 is led from the interior 11' as an output air flow 9 via an intake or inlet pipe 15' to a pump 15. On its outlet side, the pump 15 is connected via an outlet pipe 15'' to a diagrammatically shown unit 17 for collecting moisture particles 7'. The unit 17 may be connected to the pump via an optional valve 16, for example, to prevent the output air flow 9 from flowing back into the pump. The liquid or moisture particles 7' may be contaminated with bacteria, which are extracted from the object 6 to be dried during operation.

[0052] 1B and 1C are top views of the airflow device, where in 1B the opening of the lid 12 and the base 13 with the holes 14 are shown in detail. In 1C furthermore an object 6 to be dried, for example in the wrist area, is shown in cross section, where the object 6 has a certain distance 6' to the edge of the opening of the lid 12. In this embodiment, this distance 6' results in a flow cross-sectional area which substantially corresponds to the size of the opening of the lid 12.

[0053] 1A, one or more sensors 21 may be provided in the interior space 11' arranged to detect objects 6 in the interior space 11'. Also, in the airflow device, a control member 23 may be provided, for example, on an electric circuit board, electrically connected to the sensor 21 or sensors 21 and the pump 15. Thereby, the control member 23 may, for example, activate or stop the pump depending on the detection of the objects to be dried in the interior space 11'.

[0054] The at least one sensor 21 is for example a distance sensor, such as a high frequency radar sensor or a LIDAR sensor, or any other optical sensor suitable for detection, so that the pump can be automatically switched on and the drying process can start as soon as the insertion of an object to be dried, such as for example a hand, is detected by the at least one sensor 21.

[0055] As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the principle of suction is that, in contrast to conventional airflow devices, certain liquid or moisture particles 7', possibly contaminated with bacteria, are removed or moved away from the external chamber 8 by an airflow 7 which is directed only inside the housing 11. The airflow 7 generated for drying flows through a base 13 provided with holes 14 under the action of a suction or vacuum pump 15, via a suction pipe 15', a pump 15, a discharge pipe 15'' and a valve 16 into a unit 17 for discharging the output airflow 9 contaminated with a germicide. As mentioned above, the valve 16 has the function of preventing, for example, a backflow of the moist air mixture containing bacteria. The unit 17 thereby prevents bacteria from re-entering the surrounding area 8, where they may become infected by a person.

[0056] Such a unit 17 may be, for example, a simple drain, a UV disinfection unit (with or without connection to a drain), a container partially filled with disinfectant (which is replaced periodically or connected to a drain), or any other suitable disinfection unit having a drain tank for collecting the bacteria-laden moist air mixture or connected to a drain.

[0057] If the unit for decontamination of the air stream effectively kills bacteria and filters the air accordingly, the exhaust pipe can be omitted if the condensed liquid particles are also collected in a container connected to the filter unit. The air thus purified can be returned to the room through the exhaust. This is particularly suitable if the surrounding air is adequately contaminated with bacteria and the air stream device also has an additional continuous operation mode for cleaning the surrounding air.

[0058] 1B and 1C, it can be seen that the distance 6' between the object 6 and the inner edge of the lid 12 determines the effective flow cross section and therefore the flow velocity of the air flow 7 entering the airflow device through the lid 12 for a given suction power of the pump. The higher the flow velocity, the better the cleaning effect.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2A, by properly shaping the lid, it is also possible to limit the size of the opening in the lid 12, minimizing the suction required by the pump or maximizing its efficiency, thereby reducing the distance 6' compared to Figure 1A. This is also shown in detail in Figures 2B and 2C.

[0060] However, to minimise the risk of smear infection due to contamination of the hands being dried, the opening must be large enough to prevent the object 6 being washed (e.g. hands) from coming into contact with the edge of the lid 12.

[0061] 3A and 3B show another variation based on the embodiment of the above figures.

[0062] In Fig. 3A an optional device 19 for injecting a disinfectant into the air flow 7 is arranged in the area above the lid 12. Also shown are disinfectant particles 20. This achieves an in-situ disinfection of the lid 12 and of the air flow 7, so that for example a simple drain or UV disinfection system suffices as unit 17. By special programming it may be ensured that when the washing cycle or drying process of the objects 6 is finished, i.e. when the objects 6 are removed again from the interior space 11', the lid 12 is washed by the air flow 7 generated by the disinfecting device 19 and the pump 15 in preparation for the next user.

[0063] 3A and 3B show a conformable lid 12 with one (or more) movable members 18 for minimizing the distance 6' and thus the flow cross section of the air flow 7 in the area of ​​the lid 12. Upon insertion of the object 6, the lid further opens or can open automatically and as soon as the sensor 21 detects that an object 6, e.g. a hand, has been placed in the interior space 11', the lid 12 closes the movable members 18 accordingly, thereby minimizing the flow cross section.

[0064] Figures 4A and 4B show another variant based on the embodiment of figures 3A and 3B. Unlike the previous example, in this example the lid is formed by at least two movable members 18, the shape of which minimizes the distance 6' and thus the flow cross section around the object 6 (hand).

[0065] 1A-1C and 2A-2C, a lid portion 12 having one or more movable members may also be used, independent of the sterilization device 19. In the embodiment of FIG.

[0066] The airflow device may also be provided with separate suction zones which may optionally be individually controlled, for example by providing holes 14 in the side walls and floor 13 of the interior space 11'. Independent control of the suction zones may be achieved by separate pumps 15, or valves 24 as illustrated in FIG.

[0067] The pump and / or valve may also be controlled based on a signal from the sensor 21 via a control member 23. The purpose of using multiple suction areas is to obtain a more precise control of the air flow 7, which allows optimal positioning of the object 6 during the drying process.

[0068] To further increase the effectiveness, the suction area may further be provided with a heating element capable of rapid heating, for example an infrared lamp, provided that excessive temperature gradients are not created in the interior space 11' so as to prevent the vertical downward air flow 7 being disturbed.

[0069] If the air around the airflow device is already significantly contaminated with bacteria, the problem can be solved by first introducing a dermatologically safe cleaning agent into the airflow 7 by means of one or more syringes 19, thereby sterilizing the airflow.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, additionally or alternatively, the airflow device can be controlled to essentially operate continuously as an air purifier, for example with the lid portion 12 fully open, via any movable member 18, and when an object 6, such as hands to be washed or dried, is detected by one or more sensors 21, to switch to a drying mode of operation as shown in the above figures.

[0071] Using one or more additional sensors 25 mounted in the room or in the outer shell of the device for measuring the bacterial load of the breathing air, the air cleaning mode of the device can be controlled to be switched on only when a critical threshold of the air load in the room is exceeded, for example by activating the pump 15. In case of a sensor for determining the bacterial load in the room installed separately from the airflow device, the sensor and the airflow device are each provided with a wireless module for transmitting and receiving the sensor data. Such a sensor for measuring the bacterial load can be a biological sensor for measuring common germs such as viruses or bacteria, or a simple air quality sensor, such as an air conditioning system, that detects the CO2 content of the consumed breathing air and makes a corresponding correlation with the bacterial load caused by the person, for example a multi-gas sensor for volatile organic compounds (VoC), or a CO2 sensor. Also, other sensors for a complete detection of the indoor air quality, such as radon, CO, NOx, relative humidity, formaldehyde, etc., can be optionally provided on or in the airflow device.

[0072] As an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the interior space 11' can be defined by a nozzle-shaped insert 26 instead of the lid 12, such that the flow cross section 6' shown in Figure 7B decreases towards the rear and then increases towards the rear of the base 13. This nozzle shape can also have a correspondingly reduced flow cross section, which can increase the flow rate and shorten the drying time.

[0073] However, to achieve a flow rate of 50-100 m / s in the narrowest range, for example, the typical distance 6' between the hands 6 to be dried and the insert 26 must be sufficiently smaller than 10 mm. In this case, however, it is unavoidable that the hands 6 to be washed frequently come into contact with the side walls of the insert 26 during the washing process, making washing with a syringe 19 necessary. Similarly, in order to better accommodate hands 6 of different sizes (not shown), a nozzle-shaped insert may be provided together with a movable member.

[0074] 8A, 8B and 9-13, the above principle is supplemented according to the improved concept of the present application, in which in addition to the pump 15, a flow path mechanism is provided having a controllable overpressure generator 27 or 44 connected at the outlet side to the internal space 11' via an inlet pipe 28 and at least one nozzle 29. The overpressure generator thereby creates a positive pressure in the inlet pipe 28. While the pump 15 creates a negative pressure in the internal space 11' and thus the first air flow 7 by pumping action, a second air flow 30 directed into the internal space 11' is generated by the positive pressure in the inlet pipe 28 via at least one nozzle 29, which contributes to drying the object 6.

[0075] This allows the generation of a global negative pressure in the airflow device via the pump, which can be used for air cleaning of air from the external environment 8 as well as for manual cleaning. Also, the generation of a local overpressure, particularly at the outlet of the nozzle 29, enhances the local drying effect on the object 6. This increases the efficiency of cleaning the object, for example a human hand. In particular, in order to maximize the drying effect without a particularly narrow distance 6' between the wall of the interior space 11' and the hand to be dried, the first and second airflows realize independent control of the maximum airflow speed at the surface of the hand.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8A, an overpressure generator is formed by another pump 27 which draws air from the external environment 8 through an opening 31 and a subsequent filter 32 .

[0077] The pump 27 compresses the air, generating an overpressure Δp2, which results in a second air flow dV2 / dt30 via the pipe system 28 and the nozzle 29. The vacuum pump 15 and the overpressure pump 27 are preferably dimensioned and controlled such that a negative pressure always results in the internal space 11', in order to avoid contamination of the external environment 8 by drying the hands 6. Thus, for the resulting pressure change Δp in the internal space 11', caused by the operation of the vacuum pump 15 generating the negative pressure Δp1, and the operation of the overpressure pump 27 generating the overpressure Δp2, Δp<0 at all times. That is, Δp1+Δp2<0, with Δp1<0 (negative pressure) and Δp2>0 (positive pressure). Thus, |Δp1|>|Δp2| holds. Furthermore, during the drying process, a negative pressure prevails in the internal space 11', compared to the pressure p in the external environment 8.

[0078] Assuming that a steady state flow is established immediately after switching on the pumps 15, 27, it follows from Bernoulli's equation that the volumetric flow rate Q=dV / dt is directly proportional (with constant c and constant density ρ) to the root of the pressure difference Δp created by the pump in the internal space 11'. Q=dV / dt=c*√((2 / ρ*Δp))

[0079] Also, in the case of a steady flow, this means that the amount of volumetric flow dV1 / dt generated by the vacuum pump 15 is always greater than the amount of volumetric flow dV2 / dt generated by the overpressure pump 27, to ensure that a vacuum always prevails in the interior space 11'.

[0080] As an example, in Fig. 8A, a vacuum pump 15 with a power of 1400 W can be employed to generate a volume flow rate of about 75 liters / s at a vacuum degree of about 250 mbar. In the case of the overpressure pump 27, for example, a volume flow rate of about 50 liters / s can be generated with an overpressure of about 150 mbar and a power of up to 900 W. If the diameter of the nozzle 29 is less than 1 mm, a speed of the second air stream of 80 m / s or more can be achieved, which is more than enough to obtain a very good drying effect in a time significantly shorter than 15 seconds.

[0081] 9 also comprises a sensor 37 for measuring the pressure in the exterior space 8 and a sensor 38 for measuring the pressure in the interior space 11'. These are then connected to the control member 23, enabling the control member 23 to selectively control the overpressure generating devices, designed as pump 15 and pump 27, on the basis of the corresponding sensor data.

[0082] In these embodiments, the control member 23 is also arranged to control, for example, the operating mode of the airflow device. For example, in a drying mode, the control member 23 activates the pump 15 and the positive pressure generator 27 to generate a first air flow and a second air flow. Similarly, in an air purification mode, the control member 23 can activate the pump 15 while deactivating the positive pressure generator 27 to generate the first air flow 7 but not the second air flow 30. Thereby, as explained in detail above, the airflow device can be used for drying objects, in particular human hands 6, and for treating air, in particular in connection with a device 17 for removing air flows contaminated with bacteria, as shown in FIG. 8A.

[0083] For example, the control member 23 activates the drying mode when an object 6 is detected in the interior space 11' via the at least one detection sensor 21. Furthermore, the drying mode is stopped if the detection of the object 6 in the interior space 11' is absent or has ceased. This can be done in a time-controlled manner, for example after the detection of the object 6 has ceased.

[0084] Typically, the vacuum pump 15 is started first and continues to run after the positive pressure generator 27 is turned off at the end of the drying process. If the airflow device is operated as an air cleaner, the positive pressure generator 27 remains off and only the negative pressure pump 15 is operated.

[0085] Figures 8B and 8C also show top views of the airflow device. In Figure 8B a common internal space is used for two hands, while in Figure 8C the internal space is divided into two internal spaces, but each internal space is constructed according to the same principle. The nozzles 29 run, for example, in a ring around the hands to be dried. The nozzles 29 can be constructed, for example, as circular, dot-like or slot-like openings, and are formed, for example, in such a way that the air entering from the inlet pipe 28 is accelerated to the greatest possible speed, for example 50-100 m / s, by an outlet having the smallest possible diameter, for example a diameter of 1 mm or less. If the diameter is particularly small, even velocities significantly greater than 100 m / s can be achieved.

[0086] Figure 9 shows a variant of the airflow device shown in figure 8. Here, instead of a single outlet area of ​​the nozzle 29, several nozzles are integrated into the inner wall of the interior space 11'.

[0087] 8A and 9, the angle of the second air flow 30 emitted from the nozzle 29 is inclined with respect to the surface normal of the hands 6 to be dried. For example, the inclination angle can be set between approximately 15 and 90 degrees to avoid back scattering of liquid particles and bacteria 7' off the hands into the external space 8.

[0088] In figure 10 another embodiment of the airflow device is shown, based on the embodiment of figures 8A and 9 respectively, in which only two-stage nozzles 29 are used in front and behind the hand 6 respectively. The nozzle on the right hand side in the figure is connected to an inlet pipe 28 or to an overpressure pump 27, for example by a cross connection 28''.

[0089] FIG. 11 shows the nozzle 29 used in FIG. 10 in more detail. The nozzle 29 comprises a first flat nozzle 29' for distributing and accelerating the second air flow 30 from the inlet pipe 28. With reference to FIG. 11, the outlet cross-sectional area 41 of the first flat nozzle 29' is smaller than the corresponding inlet cross-sectional area 40 and has a significantly larger width 41'' on the outlet side compared to the inlet width 40'' for distributing the air flow, but a significantly smaller height 41' than the corresponding height 40' at the inlet, in order to achieve a first acceleration of the air flow 30. The second flat nozzle 29'' has its inlet cross-sectional area 42 corresponding to the outlet cross-sectional area 41 of the first flat nozzle 29' and its outlet cross-sectional area 43 smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area 42, allowing a further acceleration of the air flow 30. The width 43'' at the outlet of the second flat nozzle 29'' corresponds, for example, to the width 41''.

[0090] Figure 12 shows another embodiment based on the example embodiment of figure 10, which aims to simplify the arrangement while ensuring effectiveness. An inlet 31 for a pump 27 generating a second air flow 30 is connected to an outlet of a unit 17 for decontamination of the output air flow 9, preferably via a valve 16 and a pipe 31'. Here, for the purpose of decontamination and dehumidification of the output air flow 9, an embodiment of a plant 17 with a filter system 17' (e.g. dehumidifier, HEPA filter, UV filter) is used. This allows a part of the purified output air flow 9 to be used as the second air flow 30, and the filter system 32 upstream of the pump 27 in the previous embodiment of figures 8A, 9 and 10 can be omitted. Also in this case, the system 17 includes an outlet 17'' for sending bacteria-free and dehumidified air 7'' to the external environment 8, and an inlet 17 for air flowing from the external environment 8 into the system 17, optimizing the air flow. In this case, the outlet 17'' can also be used for selective recirculation of purified room air when the airflow device is operating in air purification mode.

[0091] Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the airflow device. In contrast to figure 12, the pump 27 is replaced by an electrically controlled valve 44, which generates the second air flow 30 only when there is already a sufficient negative pressure in the inner space 11' of the airflow device by the first air flow 7, and which switches off again before the pump 15 is switched off. An overpressure generator is thereby formed by the electrically controlled valve 44.

[0092] Figures 14A and 14B show another embodiment of the airflow device, in which the power of the vacuum pump 15 can be further reduced by a special design of the lid 12. In this case, the lid 12 has a movable member 33 with a deformation 36 that allows to completely or almost completely close the space between the hand and the object 6 to be dried, respectively. On the other hand, the lid 12 is provided with an opening 34, preferably formed as a nozzle 35, so that only the first air flow 7 generated by the pump 15 generates a high-velocity air flow over the surface of the hand 6 to be dried. This allows a further reduction in power consumption compared to the previous embodiment.

[0093] However, since the hands 6 to be dried come into contact with the deformations 36, it may be advisable to carry out an additional cleaning step with the syringe 19 and cleaning agent 20 during and after the drying step. This is not necessary for the embodiments described above, particularly for Figures 8 to 13, since contact between the hands and the airflow device can be avoided.

[0094] Although not shown in detail, in the embodiment of Figures 14A and 14B, it is also possible to support the generation of an overall negative pressure with the generation of localized positive pressure to further improve air flow within the interior space 11'.

[0095] In addition to the overall negative pressure, the lid in the embodiment of FIGS. 14A and 14B also functions to prevent moisture particles and bacteria 7' from flowing back into the inlet opening and then out into the external environment 8.

[0096] FIG. 15 shows an additional or alternative embodiment based essentially on the embodiment of FIG. 10, in which the deformation 36 of the lid 12 of FIG. 14A is replaced by an "air flow lid" or "air lid" 39, which generates a horizontal air flow 45' by means of at least one additional suction line 45. In this case, the pump 15 is additionally connected to the interior space 11' on the inlet side via at least one suction line 45. In this case, the at least one suction line 45 opens into the interior space 11' near or below the partially opened lid 12, so that a horizontal air flow 45' parallel or approximately parallel to the lid 12 is generated. This creates an air cover 39, which requires a somewhat higher power output of the pump 15, but has hygienic advantages since contact with the human hand 6 at the deformation 36 is avoided.

[0097] The airflow device according to the invention uses a number of sensors for system control, including a sensor 25 for measuring the air quality of the external environment 8. As shown in Figures 16A and 16B based on Figure 15, this information can be used not only to control the air cleaning function, but also to provide information about the air quality (AirQualityIndex, measurements of gases such as CO2 (including correlations with viruses, bacteria, VoC, biological contaminants such as formaldehyde, and even correlations with radon)) to the user of the blower or hand dryer via display 46. Alternatively, the information can be sent wirelessly (not shown) to the user's device (mobile phone, smartwatch, etc.) to notify or warn of danger.

[0098] As explained with reference to Figures 6A and 6B, the operating mode of the airflow device can in all embodiments also be controlled via one or more sensors 25 for measuring bacterial load or other air quality parameters. For example, the control member 23 is configured to activate the air purification mode when an exceedance of a set threshold of bacterial load or other contamination of the air in the exterior space 8 is detected by the at least one sensor 25 for measuring bacterial load or other parameter of air quality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 6. Objects 7 Air Flow 7' Moisture particles, bacteria 7'' Moisture and bacteria free air 8. Exterior Space 9 Output Air Flow 11. Cabinet 11' Interior space 12 Lid 13 Base 14 Hole 15 Pump 15' inlet pipe 15'' discharge pipe 16 valves 17 units 17' Filter section 17'' Air outlet 17'' Supply Air 18 Movable parts 19 Sterilizer 20 Sterilizing particles 21 Sensors 23 Control member 24 valves 25 Sensors 26 Insertion section 27 Pump 28 Inflow pipe 29 Nozzle 29',29'' flat nozzle 30 Air Flow 31 Inlet 31' tube 32 Filter System 33 Movable parts 34 Aperture 35 Nozzle 36 Deformation section 37,38 Pressure sensor 39 Air Cap 40-43 Flat nozzle dimensions 44 Control valve 45 Suction Line 45' horizontal airflow 46 Display section

Claims

1. 1. An airflow device arranged to treat air and in particular to dry an object (6), which is a human hand, A housing (11) having an internal space (11') and a base (13) facing a lid portion (12), the object (6) to be dried can be inserted into the internal space (11') through an opening in the partially opened lid portion (12) of the housing (11); a pump (15), in particular a suction pump, which is connected at its inlet side to the interior space (11') in such a way that a negative pressure is generated in the interior space (11') by the pumping action of the pump (15) and a first air flow (7) for drying an object (6) is generated from an opening in the interior space (11'), in particular directed only into the interior space (11'), and which is designed to discharge at its outlet side an output air flow (9) passing through the pump; a flow path arrangement having a controllable overpressure generator (27, 44), an inlet pipe (28) and at least one nozzle (29), the overpressure generator (27, 44) being connected at its outlet side to the internal space (11') via the inlet pipe (28) and the at least one nozzle (29) and configured to create an overpressure in the inlet pipe (28) and to generate, via the at least one nozzle (29), a second air flow (30) directed into the internal space (11') for drying the object (6), Airflow device.

2. a control member (23) electrically connected to the pump (15) and the overpressure generating device (27, 44) for controlling an operation mode of the airflow device; The control member (23) in a drying mode, operating the pump (15) and the overpressure generator (27, 44) to generate the first and second air flows; In an air cleaning mode, the pump (15) is operated while the overpressure generator (27, 44) is stopped, thereby generating the first air flow while not generating the second air flow. The airflow device of claim 1 .

3. and at least one detection sensor (21) configured to detect an object (6) within said internal space (11'), the control member (23) is configured to activate the drying mode when the object (6) is detected in the interior space (11') and to deactivate the drying mode when the object (6) is not detected in the interior space (11') or when detection of the object (6) has ceased.

3. The airflow device of claim 2.

4. The at least one detection sensor (21) is arranged to detect at least one of the following: The type of the object (6), The size of the object (6), the position of the object (6) in the interior space (11′), 4. The airflow device of claim 3.

5. at least one sensor (25) for detecting bacteria and / or measuring air quality, mounted on the exterior of the housing (11) or on the exterior space (8) and configured to detect the bacterial load of the air in the exterior space (8), said control member (23) being configured to activate said air purification mode when it is detected by at least one sensor (25) for the detection of said bacteria and / or for the measurement of the air quality that the bacterial load of the air in said external space (8) exceeds a predefined threshold value. An airflow device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. a display unit for displaying data of the bacterial load and / or the air quality measured by the at least one sensor (25) for detecting the bacteria and / or for measuring the air quality, 6. The airflow device of claim 5.

7. further comprising at least one pressure sensor (37, 38) in said interior space (11') and / or outside said housing (11) and / or in the exterior space (8); the control member (23) is configured to control the pump (15) and / or the overpressure generator (27, 44) based on the pressure value recorded by the at least one pressure sensor (37, 38). An airflow device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. at least one injector (19) mounted above the lid (12) for introducing a disinfectant onto the lid (12) and into the first air flow (7); the control member (23) is configured to operate the injector (19) and the pump (15) to generate the first air flow in a self-cleaning mode. An airflow device according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

9. the first air flow (7) is greater than the second air flow (30), and the negative pressure in the internal space (11') generated by the pump (15) is greater than the positive pressure in the internal space (11') generated by the overpressure generator (27, 44); An airflow device according to any preceding claim.

10. a valve (16) for preventing backflow of the output air flow (9) is fitted in the discharge pipe (15'') of the pump (15); An airflow device according to any preceding claim.

11. a unit (17) for exhausting and / or decontaminating said output air flow (9), in particular said output air flow (9) contaminated with bacteria (7'), is attached to the inlet pipe (15') and / or to the outlet pipe (15'') of said pump (15); An airflow device according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. the overpressure generator being formed by another pump (27), An airflow device according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. a filter system (32) for purifying the ambient air drawn in by said other pump (27) through an inlet (31); 13. The airflow device of claim 12.

14. the overpressure generator being formed by another pump (27) connected at its inlet side to the outlet of the unit (17) for decontamination via a valve, in particular a control valve; 12. The airflow device of claim 11.

15. The decontamination unit (17) has an inlet for supplying ambient air, 15. The airflow device of claim 14.

16. a unit (17) for decontamination of the output air flow (9) is attached to the discharge pipe (15'') of the pump (15), the overpressure generator being formed by an electrically controlled valve (44) whose inlet side is connected to the outlet of the unit (17) for decontamination; An airflow device according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. A plurality of suction areas are provided on the side walls of the internal space (11') and / or on the base (13), The pump (15) is further connected at its inlet side to the interior space (11') via at least one suction line (45), the at least one suction line opens into the interior space (11') in the vicinity of the partially opened lid (12) so as to generate an air flow parallel or substantially parallel to the lid (12); An airflow device according to any preceding claim.

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