Hand drying device

Abstract

To provide a convenient hand dryer.SOLUTION: A hand dryer comprises: a drying spout having an air-jetting port for jetting air toward a bowl part; a drying function part having a blower for supplying air toward the drying spout; and a blowing air duct for connecting the drying function part to the drying spout. The drying spout includes: a connection part to which the blowing air duct is connected; and a main body where the connection part is connected to the proximal end side and the air-jetting port is arranged at the distal end side. A width dimension of the air-jetting port is formed to be larger than a width dimension of the connection part. The main body includes: a bottom surface part; an upper surface part vertically opposing to the bottom surface part; and a plurality of guide surface parts positioned between the bottom surface part and the upper surface part and extending in an air flowing direction. The guide surface parts expandingly extends from a connection part side to an air-jetting port side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present invention generally relate to hand drying devices.

Background Art

[0002] There are known hand drying devices that dry wet hands by blowing air. For example, there is a hand drying device provided in a washbasin with a water discharge port that discharges water toward a bowl portion, a soap discharge port that discharges soap, and a blowing port that blows air toward the bowl portion (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The blowing port is formed, for example, in a wide shape. In such a case, if there is variation in the amount of air discharged from the blowing port, there is a risk that the hands cannot be dried efficiently.

[0005] Aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a user-friendly hand drying device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first invention is a hand dryer comprising a drying spout having an air outlet for blowing air towards a bowl portion, a drying function unit having a blower for supplying air towards the drying spout, and an air duct connecting the drying function unit and the drying spout. The drying spout has a connection portion to which the air duct is connected, and a main body portion having the connection portion connected to the base end side and the air outlet at the tip end side. The width dimension of the air outlet is formed larger than the width dimension of the connection portion. The main body portion has a bottom surface portion, an upper surface portion facing the bottom surface portion in the vertical direction, and a plurality of guide surface portions located between the bottom surface portion and the upper surface portion and extending in the direction of air flow. The plurality of guide surface portions extend so as to spread from the connection portion side towards the air outlet side.

[0007] According to this hand dryer, the air flowing out from the connection portion into the inside of the main body portion is guided to the air outlet along the guide surface portion by the Coandă effect. Therefore, variations in the air volume of the wide-shaped air blown out from the air outlet can be reduced. Thereby, the hands can be dried efficiently.

[0008] The second invention is a hand dryer according to the first invention, characterized in that the plurality of guide surface portions have a vertical wall portion provided inside the main body portion.

[0009] According to this hand dryer, variations in the air volume of the wide-shaped air blown out from the air outlet can be reduced. Thereby, the hands can be dried efficiently.

[0010] The third invention is a hand dryer according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the plurality of guide surface portions have a side wall portion of the main body portion.

[0011] According to this hand dryer, variations in the air volume of the wide-shaped air blown out from the air outlet can be reduced. Thereby, the hands can be dried efficiently.

[0012] The fourth invention is a hand dryer characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the plurality of guide surface portions include side surface portions of a block body provided inside the main body portion.

[0013] According to this hand dryer, it is possible to reduce the variation in the air volume of the wide-shaped air blown out from the air outlet. Thereby, the hands can be efficiently dried.

[0014] The fifth invention is a hand dryer characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the width dimension on the air outlet side of the two guide surface portions located most outside among the plurality of guide surface portions is equal to or greater than the width dimension of the air outlet.

[0015] According to this hand dryer, it is possible to spread the air flowing out from the connection portion into the main body portion to the end portions in the width direction of the air outlet.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, a user-friendly hand dryer is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wash unit equipped with a hand dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the wash unit as seen from the front with the front door of the washstand opened. As shown in FIG. 1, the wash unit 200 has a hand dryer 100, a water discharging device 130, and a liquid soap discharging device 150. The hand dryer 100, the water discharging device 130, and the liquid soap discharging device 150 are installed on, for example, a washstand 160.

[0020] The hand dryer 100 has a drying function unit 10, a blower duct 20, and a drying spout 30. The water discharging device 130 has a water discharging spout 132 and a water function unit 134. The liquid soap discharging device 150 has a liquid soap spout 152 and a liquid soap function unit 154.

[0021] The drying spout 30, the water discharge spout 132, and the liquid soap spout 152 are attached to the attachment structure 90. In this example, the attachment structure 90 is the washbasin 165. The washbasin 165 is, for example, a wall-mounted type made of pottery and is attached to the wall W1. Alternatively, the washbasin 165 may be provided on the counter 162 of the washstand 160.

[0022] The washbasin 165 has a bowl portion 166 (washbowl) and a wall portion 168. The bowl portion 166 has a concave bowl surface 166c that curves downward between the front end 166a and the rear end 166b. The bowl surface 166c receives the water discharged from the water discharge spout 132. A drain hole 166d is provided at the bottom of the bowl surface 166c, and the water discharged onto the bowl surface 166c is drained through the drain hole 166d.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the wall portion 168 extends upward from the rear end 166b of the bowl portion 166. The wall portion 168 has a wall surface 168a (surface) facing the bowl portion 166. Note that a part of the counter 162 may be provided between the wall portion 168 and the rear end 166b of the bowl portion 166.

[0024] The drying spout 30, the water discharge spout 132, and the liquid soap spout 152 are each attached to the wall portion 168 located above the bowl portion 166. The drying spout 30, the water discharge spout 132, and the liquid soap spout 152 are located above the bowl surface 166c and are arranged side by side at a distance from each other in the left - right direction.

[0025] Each spout (drying spout 30, water discharge spout 132, liquid soap spout 152) has an appearance of a cylindrical body or a box - shaped body and is provided with a discharge port for discharging a liquid or a gas and an internal flow path for guiding the supplied liquid or gas to the discharge port. Each of the spouts 30, 132, 152 extends forward from the wall surface 168a.

[0026] In the description of the present embodiment, the direction in which the drying spout 30 attached to the wall portion 168 protrudes from the wall surface 168a is defined as "front". In other words, "front" is the direction in which the wall surface to which the drying spout 30 is attached faces. "Rear", "left side", and "right side" are the directions as seen from the user facing the "front". Also, "upward" and "downward" are the directions as seen from the user standing in front of the drying spout 30.

[0027] Note that the mounting structure 90 to which the drying spout 30 of the hand dryer 100 according to the present embodiment is attached does not necessarily have to be the washbasin 165. The mounting structure 90 may be, for example, a panel or a cabinet provided as appropriate. That is, the portion to which the drying spout 30 is attached may be a wall portion of a panel or a cabinet located above the bowl portion 166. In the present embodiment, in the wash unit 200, the space on the front side of the wall W1 and above the counter 162 is the hand-washing space.

[0028] Also, the wall portion to which the drying spout 30 is attached, for example, has a wall surface extending in the vertical direction. However, this wall surface is not limited to a surface extending in the vertical direction and may be inclined. For example, the angle formed between the direction in which the wall surface extends and the vertical direction is 50° or less. In other words, the wall surface may be inclined within a range of ±50° with respect to the vertical direction.

[0029] The drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the water soap function unit 154 are each disposed below the bowl portion 166 of the washbasin 165. That is, the drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the water soap function unit 154 are housed inside the washstand 160. The drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the water soap function unit 154 can be maintained by opening the front door 164 of the washstand 160. Note that the drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the water soap function unit 154 may be disposed, for example, on the back side of the wall W1.

[0030] The water function unit 134 is, for example, an electric water heater and is connected to the water discharge spout 132 by a water supply pipe 136. The liquid soap function unit 154 has, for example, a liquid soap tank and a pump and is connected to the liquid soap spout 152 by an air supply pipe 156 and a liquid soap supply pipe 158.

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical system and the air flow path system of the hand dryer. As shown in Figure 3, the hand dryer 100 has a drying function unit 10, a blower duct 20, and a drying spout 30.

[0032] The drying function unit 10 is connected to the drying spout 30 via the blower duct 20. The drying function unit 10 has a blower 12, a heater 14, and a control unit 16. The blower 12 operates in response to detection by a human body detection sensor 60 provided at the drying spout 30. The blower 12 has, for example, a fan motor, and by operating the fan motor, it takes in air from the outside and supplies air to the blower duct 20. The blower 12 is connected to the control unit 16, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 16.

[0033] The heater 14 raises the temperature of the air (gas) supplied toward the drying spout 30. That is, the heater 14 raises the temperature of the air (gas) supplied from the blower 12. The heater 14 operates in response to detection by a human body detection sensor 60 provided at the drying spout 30. The heater 14 is provided as needed and can be omitted. The hand dryer 100 may blow out unheated air supplied from the blower 12 from the drying spout 30. For the heater 14, for example, a fin heater is used. The heater 14 may be any heater that can heat the gas flowing from the blower 12 toward the drying spout 30. The heater 14 is connected to the control unit 16, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 16.

[0034] The control unit 16 controls the operation of the hand dryer 100. The control unit 16 is connected to the human body detection sensor 60 provided in the drying spout 30 via the signal line 18 and receives the detection signal from the human body detection sensor 60. Based on the detection of the human body detection sensor 60, the control unit 16 operates the blower 12 and the heater 14.

[0035] The air supply duct 20 connects the drying functional unit 10 and the drying spout 30. The air supply duct 20 is, for example, a flexible duct made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air supply duct 20 extends vertically below the bowl portion 166. In other words, the air supply duct 20 extends vertically inside the washbasin 160. The lower end side of the air supply duct 20 is connected to the drying functional unit 10, and the upper end side is connected to the drying spout 30 through the space between the wall W1 and the wall portion 168.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bowl portion, the water discharge spout, the liquid soap spout, and the drying spout in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drying spout as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the cover, the seal member, and the upper surface portion are removed from the nozzle of the drying spout. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drying spout in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow A-A. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the main body portion. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the air flowing inside the main body portion. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the nozzle (vent passage) as viewed from above.

[0037] The drying spout 30 has an air outlet 47 that blows out a wide-shaped air flow in the left-right direction toward the bowl portion 166. The wide-shaped air flow corresponds to drying the hand inserted below the drying spout 30. The air outlet 47 that blows out the wide-shaped air flow will be described later.

[0038] The drying spout 30 is attached to a wall portion 168 positioned above the bowl portion 166. Specifically, the drying spout 30 is attached to the wall portion 168 via a pedestal 70 inserted through the wall portion 168 and a nut 72 attached to the pedestal 70.

[0039] The drying spout 30 has a cover 32 that forms an outer shell. The cover 32 protrudes forward from the wall portion 168 of the bowl portion 166. The cover 32 has a length in the front-rear direction of dimension L1. As shown in FIG. 4, in the drying spout 30, the front end 32a of the cover 32 is positioned rearward of the center in the front-rear direction of the bowl portion 166. That is, the dimension L1 from the rear end 166b of the bowl portion 166 to the front end 32a of the cover 32 is shorter than half of the dimension L2 from the rear end 166b to the front end 166a of the bowl portion 166 (L1 < L2 / 2). Thereby, even when the drying spout 30 protrudes from the wall portion 168, it is possible to reduce giving a sense of pressure to the user.

[0040] Also, in the present embodiment, the front end 32a of the drying spout 30 is at the same position as the front ends of the water discharge spout 132 and the soap spout 152. Thereby, in the washbasin unit 200, since the drying spout 30, the water discharge spout 132, and the soap spout 152 are aligned in a straight line in the left-right direction, the appearance can be improved.

[0041] Also, the front end 32a of the drying spout 30, the front end of the water discharge spout 132, and the front end of the soap spout 152 are positioned rearward (on the side of the wall portion 168) of the center in the front-rear direction of the bowl portion 166. Thereby, for example, when shaking the hand to drop water into the bowl portion 166, it is possible to suppress the hand from coming into contact with the drying spout 30, the water discharge spout 132, and the soap spout 152. Therefore, it is possible to give the user an impression of being compact and neat, and to provide a hand dryer 100 that is easy to use.

[0042] The cover 32 is a box body having an upper surface portion 33, a front surface portion 34 extending downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 33, a left side surface portion 35 extending downward from the left end of the upper surface portion 33, a right side surface portion 36 extending downward from the right end of the upper surface portion 33, a lower surface portion 37 extending rearward from the lower end of the front surface portion 34, and an opening 38 provided at the rear facing the front surface portion 34 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the height of the upper surface portion 33 of the cover 32 is substantially the same as the height of the water discharge spout 132 and the liquid soap spout 152. Thereby, the wash basin unit 200 can give a neat impression, so that the appearance can be improved.

[0044] The left side surface portion 35 and the right side surface portion 36 are curved convex surfaces. The lower surface portion 37 has a first extension portion 37a, a first inclined portion 37b, a second extension portion 37c, a second inclined portion 37d, and a third inclined portion 37e.

[0045] The first extension portion 37a extends rearward from the lower end of the front surface portion 34. The first inclined portion 37b is inclined obliquely downward rearward from the rear end of the first extension portion 37a. The second extension portion 37c extends rearward from the rear end of the first inclined portion 37b.

[0046] The second inclined portion 37d is located behind the first inclined portion 37b and is inclined from the lower end of the left side surface portion 35 toward the second extension portion 37c. The second inclined portion 37d is inclined obliquely downward to the right from the lower end of the left side surface portion 35. The third inclined portion 37e is located behind the first inclined portion 37b and is inclined from the lower end of the right side surface portion 36 toward the second extension portion 37c. The third inclined portion 37e is inclined obliquely downward to the left from the lower end of the right side surface portion 36. That is, the second inclined portion 37d and the third inclined portion 37e are inclined so as to approach each other in the left-right direction from the upper end to the lower end. The through hole 37f is formed across the first extension portion 37a and the first inclined portion 37b. The through hole 37f penetrates between the inside and the outside of the cover 32.

[0047] The cover 32 has a box-shaped flat shape in which the lateral dimension from the left side surface 35 to the right side surface 36 is longer than the vertical dimension from the upper surface portion 33 to the second extension portion 37c. Thereby, the drying spout 30 can give an impression of being thin in thickness (vertical dimension) and compact, so that the appearance can be improved.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a screw hole portion 37c1 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the second extension portion 37c. A set screw 74 for fixing the drying spout 30 to the nut 72 and the pedestal 70 is screwed into the screw hole portion 37c1.

[0049] The drying spout 30 includes a cover 32, a nozzle 40 provided inside the cover 32, a human body detection sensor 60 that detects a hand inserted below the drying spout 30, and a spacer 66 that closes the opening 38 of the cover 32.

[0050] The nozzle 40 is housed inside the cover 32. The nozzle 40 has a connection portion 42 and a main body portion 44. The connection portion 42 is located at the center in the lateral direction on the rear side of the nozzle 40. In other words, the connection portion 42 is provided on the upstream side of the wind flowing through the nozzle 40 in the nozzle 40.

[0051] The connection portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The outer diameter of the connection portion 42 corresponds to the inner diameter of the air supply pipe 20. The connection portion 42 is connected to the air supply pipe 20 inside the cover 32. As shown in FIG. 6, the air supply pipe 20 is fitted into the connection portion 42 and fixed by a clamp 43. The air supplied from the air supply pipe 20 flows inside the connection portion 42.

[0052] The main body portion 44 is located in front of the connection portion 42. The main body portion 44 is formed in a box shape with an open upper side. The main body portion 44 has a connection portion 42 connected to the base end side and an air outlet 47 on the tip end side. The inside of the main body portion 44 is a ventilation path 45 through which the air flowing out from the connection portion 42 flows toward the air outlet 47. The main body portion 44 has a bottom surface portion 44a, an upper surface portion 44b, and a guide surface portion 49.

[0053] The ventilation passage 45 communicates with the connection part 42. The ventilation passage 45 has a lateral dimension larger than the inner diameter of the connection part 42. Thereby, the air supplied from the connection part 42 to the ventilation passage 45 diffuses in the ventilation passage 45. That is, the ventilation passage 45 is provided between the connection part 42 and the air outlet 47 and diffuses the air supplied from the connection part 42.

[0054] The bottom surface part 44a extends obliquely upward from the connection part 42 corresponding to the first inclined part 37b of the cover 32. That is, the bottom surface part 44a serves as the bottom plate of the ventilation passage 45. A guide surface part 49 described later is provided on the bottom surface part 44a. Vertical wall parts 44c extending upward extend in the front-rear direction at both left and right ends of the bottom surface part 44a. The ventilation passage 45 is an area surrounded by the bottom surface part 44a, the upper surface part 44b, and the vertical wall parts 44c.

[0055] The upper surface part 44b faces the bottom surface part 44a in the vertical direction. The upper surface part 44b closes the upper part of the ventilation passage 45. That is, the upper surface part 44b serves as the cover of the main body part 44. A groove part 46 is formed at the upper end of the main body part 44 so as to surround the periphery of the ventilation passage 45. A seal member 50 is fitted into this groove part 46. The seal member 50 suppresses the outflow of air (gas) from the ventilation passage 45 to the outside. And the upper part of the main body part 44 is closed by screwing the upper surface part 44b.

[0056] The air outlet 47 is located on the front end side of the main body part 44 and is provided at a position corresponding to the first extension part 37a of the cover 32. The air outlet 47 communicates with the ventilation passage 45. As shown in FIG. 7, the air outlet 47 is inclined obliquely downward and forward from the ventilation passage 45. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet 47 blows out the air F obliquely downward and forward. Thereby, the user can dry the hand at the central position in the front-rear direction of the bowl part 166 without inserting the hand to the back side (the wall part 168 side).

[0057] The air outlet 47 is partitioned by a plurality of partition plates 47a. These partition plates 47a straighten the air flowing through the air outlet 47. For example, if the partition plates 47a are not provided, there is a possibility that abnormal noise may occur due to the turbulent flow generated around the air outlet 47. On the other hand, if the number of partition plates 47a is increased, there is a possibility that the momentum and volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 47 may become weak. The number of partition plates 47a is set by experiments and simulations in consideration of the occurrence of abnormal noise, the momentum of the air, the volume of the air, etc.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the air outlet 47 has a horizontally long shape extending in the left - right direction. In FIG. 9, the partition plates 47a are omitted. The width dimension of the air outlet 47 is larger than the width dimension of the connection portion 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the length dimension L3 in the left - right direction of the air outlet 47 is larger than the inner diameter L4 of the connection portion 42 (L3>L4).

[0059] Here, since the amount of air flowing straight forward is large for the air supplied from the connection portion 42 to the ventilation path 45, there is a possibility that the air blown out from the central portion of the air outlet 47 becomes stronger than the left and right sides. In such a case, by increasing the length of the ventilation path 45 in the front - rear direction, it is conceivable to make the air blown out from the air outlet 47 uniform. However, in such a case, there is a possibility that the momentum of the air blown out from the air outlet 47 may become weak. Also, since the drying spout 30 has to project largely forward from the wall portion 168 (mounting structure 90), there is a possibility that the appearance may deteriorate.

[0060] Therefore, a plurality of guide surfaces 49 are provided in the ventilation path 45. The plurality of guide surfaces 49 are provided at intervals in the left - right direction. At least two guide surfaces 49 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, four guide surfaces 49 are provided in the ventilation path 45. The guide surfaces 49 are located between the bottom surface portion 44a and the upper surface portion 44b and extend in the direction of air flow (from the connection portion 42 to the air outlet 47).

[0061] The guide surface portion 49 is a vertical wall portion provided inside the main body portion 44 (ventilation path 45). As shown in FIG. 7, the guide surface portion 49 rises from the bottom surface portion 44a toward the upper surface portion 44b. Note that the upper end of the guide surface portion 49 may or may not be in contact with the upper surface portion 44b. In the front-rear direction (the direction in which the wind flows), the proximal end 49a side of the guide surface portion 49 is close to the connection portion 42, and the distal end 49b side is close to the left and right ends of the air outlet 47.

[0062] That is, the plurality of guide surface portions 49 extend so as to spread from the connection portion 42 side (rear side) toward the air outlet 47 side (front side). As shown in FIG. 9, the dimension L5 on the air outlet 47 side is larger than the dimension L6 on the connection portion 42 side between the two outermost guide surface portions 49 among the plurality of guide surface portions 49 (L5 > L6).

[0063] The guide surface portion 49 guides the wind F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation path 45 to both ends in the left-right direction of the air outlet 47. That is, a part of the wind F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation path 45 flows along the wall surface of the guide surface portion 49 toward the air outlet 47 side due to the Coandă effect. The width dimension L5 on the air outlet 47 side of the two outermost guide surface portions 49 among the plurality of guide surface portions 49 is equal to or greater than the width dimension L3 of the air outlet 47 (L5 ≧ L3).

[0064] Thereby, even if the length in the front-rear direction of the ventilation path 45 is reduced, the wind F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation path 45 can be effectively guided to the air outlet 47. As a result, the air outlet 47 can blow out a wide-shaped wind close to a uniform air volume toward the bowl portion 166. The drying spout 30 can efficiently dry, for example, both hands by blowing out a wide-shaped wind.

[0065] The human body detection sensor 60 detects a human body (hand) inserted below the drying spout 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the human body detection sensor 60 is provided on the lower surface side of the bottom surface portion 44a. For the human body detection sensor 60, for example, a reflection type optical sensor is used. The human body detection sensor 60 is not limited to this, and any sensor capable of detecting the user's hand may be used. The human body detection sensor 60 may be, for example, a distance measuring sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, a capacitance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a microwave sensor.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the detection range D of the human body detection sensor 60 is, for example, directed obliquely downward and forward. When a human body (hand) is inserted into the detection range D, the human body detection sensor 60 transmits its detection signal to the control unit 16.

[0067] The first sensor cover 62 is screwed to the main body portion 44. The first sensor cover 62 closes the through hole 37f of the first inclined portion 37b. A blowing port 47 is provided in front of the first sensor cover 62.

[0068] The second sensor cover 64 is located below the human body detection sensor 60 and is attached to the first sensor cover 62. The second sensor cover 64 is formed of, for example, a material that can transmit the radio wave of the human body detection sensor 60. Note that the first sensor cover 62 and the second sensor cover 64 may be provided integrally.

[0069] The spacer 66 closes the opening 38 of the cover 32 by being screwed to the cover 32. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the spacer 66 has an outer shape corresponding to the opening 38 of the cover 32, and an insertion hole 66a through which the air supply pipe 20 is inserted is formed in the central portion.

[0070] Thus, the hand dryer 100 according to the present embodiment includes a drying spout 30 having a blowing port 47 that blows out the wind F toward the bowl portion 166, a drying function unit 10 having a blower 12 that supplies the wind F toward the drying spout 30, and an air supply pipe 20 that connects the drying function unit 10 and the drying spout 30.

[0071] The drying spout 30 includes a connection portion 42 to which the air supply duct 20 is connected, and a main body portion 44 having the connection portion 42 connected to the base end side and an air outlet 47 at the tip end side. The width dimension L3 of the air outlet 47 is formed to be larger than the width dimension L4 of the connection portion 42. The main body portion 44 includes a bottom surface portion 44a, an upper surface portion 44b facing the bottom surface portion 44a in the vertical direction, and a plurality of guide surface portions 49 located between the bottom surface portion 44a and the upper surface portion 44b and extending in the flowing direction of the air F. The plurality of guide surface portions 49 extend so as to expand from the connection portion 42 side toward the air outlet 47 side. Further, the plurality of guide surface portions 49 have vertical wall portions provided inside the main body portion 44.

[0072] Here, if the guide surface portion 49 is not provided, when the protruding dimension of the drying spout 30 from the wall portion 168 is small, the air F supplied from the air supply duct 20 will travel straight to the air outlet 47. Then, even if the air outlet 47 has a wide shape that is long in the left - right direction, there is a possibility that the air volume of the air F blown out from the air outlet 47 will vary in the left - right direction.

[0073] According to the hand - drying device 100 of the present embodiment, the drying spout 30 can cause the air F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the inside of the main body portion 44 to flow along the guide surface portion 49 by the Coanda effect. Therefore, even if the protruding dimension of the drying spout 30 from the wall portion 168 is not increased, the variation in the air volume of the air F blown out from the air outlet 47 having a width dimension L3 larger than the width dimension L4 of the connection portion 42 can be reduced. As a result, the hand can be efficiently dried, and a user - friendly hand - drying device 100 can be obtained.

[0074] In addition, the width dimension L5 of the two guide surface portions 49 located most outside among the plurality of guide surface portions 49 on the air outlet 47 side is equal to or larger than the width dimension L3 of the air outlet 47.

[0075] Thereby, the air F flowing along the guide surface portion 49 can be efficiently distributed to the left and right ends of the air outlet 47.

[0076] Next, the drying spout according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the main body of the hand dryer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view for explaining the state of the air flowing inside the main body. FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the nozzle (ventilation path) as viewed from above.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the drying spout 80 may use the side wall portions located in the left - right direction of the main body portion 81 as the guide surface portions 82. That is, the plurality of guide surface portions 82 include the side wall portions of the main body portion 81. In other words, the ventilation path 83 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that widens from the connection portion 42 side toward the air outlet 47 in plan view.

[0078] The guide surface portion 82 is the side wall portion located at both ends in the left - right direction of the ventilation path 83. That is, the guide surface portion 82 rises upward from both ends in the left - right direction (width direction) of the bottom surface portion 81a. And, as shown in FIG. 11, the width dimension L7 of the air outlet 47 is formed larger than the width dimension L8 of the connection portion 42 (L7 > L8).

[0079] The guide surface portion 82 extends so as to widen from the connection portion 42 side toward the air outlet 47 side. In this case, the width dimension L9 of the two guide surface portions 82 on the air outlet 47 side is equal to or larger than the width dimension L7 of the air outlet 47 (L9 ≧ L7).

[0080] The guide surface portion 82 guides the air F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation path 83 to both ends in the left - right direction of the air outlet 47. That is, a part of the air F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation path 83 flows along the wall surface of the guide surface portion 82 toward the air outlet 47 side due to the Coandă effect.

[0081] Even in the second embodiment configured as described above, it can have the same operations and effects as the first embodiment.

[0082] Next, the drying spout according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the inside of the main body of the hand dryer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the air flowing inside the main body. FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the nozzle (vent passage) as viewed from above.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the drying spout 85 may use the side surface portion of the block body 87 provided in the ventilation passage 45 as the guide surface portion 87b. That is, the plurality of guide surface portions 87b have the side surface portions of the block body 87 provided inside the main body 44.

[0084] The block body 87 has, for example, a triangular shape having vertices on the connection portion 42 side and both left and right ends of the air outlet 47 in a plan view. The vertex on the connection portion 42 side of the block body 87 is located, for example, at the center in the left - right direction of the connection portion 42. Also, the upper surface 87a of the block body 87 does not contact the upper surface portion 44b of the main body 44. In this case, the height dimension of the block body 87 from the bottom surface portion 44a is smaller than the height dimension of the inner diameter of the connection portion 42. Thereby, a part of the air F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation passage 45 flows toward the air outlet 47 from between the upper surface 87a of the block body 87 and the upper surface portion 44b.

[0085] The guide surface portion 87b extends so as to spread from the vertex on the connection portion 42 side of the block body 87 toward the air outlet 47 side. In this case, the width dimension L5 on the air outlet 47 side of the two guide surface portions 87b is equal to or larger than the width dimension L3 of the air outlet 47 (L5≧L3).

[0086] The guide surface portion 87b guides the air F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation passage 45 to both left and right ends in the left - right direction of the air outlet 47. That is, a part of the air F flowing out from the connection portion 42 into the ventilation passage 45 flows along the wall surface of the guide surface portion 87b toward the air outlet 47 side due to the Coandă effect.

[0087] Also in the third embodiment configured as described above, it can have the same operations and effects as the first embodiment.

[0088] In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the guide surface portion 49 is provided on the bottom surface portion 44a has been described as an example. However, the aspect of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the guide surface portion 49 may extend downward from the upper surface portion 44b. Further, the block body 87 in the third embodiment may also be provided on the upper surface portion 44b.

[0089] The drying spout may have at least two guide surface portions among the guide surface portion 49 according to the first embodiment, the guide surface portion 82 according to the second embodiment, and the guide surface portion 87b according to the third embodiment. That is, the guide surface portion 49 or the guide surface portion 87b may be provided inside the main body portion 81 (ventilation path 83) according to the second embodiment. Further, the guide surface portion 49 and the guide surface portion 87b may be provided inside the main body portion 44 (ventilation path 45) according to the first embodiment.

[0090] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the human body detection sensor 60 is provided below the bottom surface portion 44a has been described as an example. However, the aspect of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the human body detection sensor 60 may be provided in front of the air outlet 47 or on the wall portion 168. That is, the human body detection sensor can be provided at an arbitrary position as long as it can detect a hand inserted below the drying spout 30.

[0091] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Regarding the above-described embodiments, those in which those skilled in the art appropriately make design changes are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, etc. of each element included in a hand dryer or the like are not limited to those illustrated and can be appropriately changed. Further, each element included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and those obtained by combining these are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 10 Drying function unit 12 Blower 14 Heater 16 Control Unit 18 Signal Line 20 Air Duct 30 Drying Spout 32 Cover 32a Front End 33 Top Surface 34 Front Surface 35 Left Side Surface 36 Right Side Surface 37 Bottom Surface 37a First Extension 37b First Inclined Portion 37c Second Extension 37c1 Female Thread Portion 37d Second Inclined Portion 37e Third Inclined Portion 37f Through Hole 38 Opening 40 Nozzle 42 Connection Port 43 Clamp 44 Main Body 44a Bottom Face 44b Top Face 44c Vertical Wall 45 Ventilation Path 46 Groove 47 Air Discharge Port 47a Partition Plate 49 Guide Face (Vertical Wall) 49a Base End 49b Tip End 50 Sealing Member 60 Human Detection Sensor 62 First Sensor Cover 64 Second Sensor Cover 66 Spacer 66a Insertion Hole 70 Pedestal 72 Nut 74 Set Screw 80 Drying Spout 81 Main Body 81a Bottom Face 82 Guide Face (Side Wall) 83 Ventilation Path 85 Drying Spout 87 Block Upper part of 87a Guide surface part (side surface) of 87b Mounting structure 90 Hand drying device 100 Water discharging device 130 Water discharging spout 132 Water functional part 134 Water supply pipe 136 Soap discharging device 150 Soap spout 152 Soap functional part 154 Air supply pipe 156 Soap supply pipe 158 Washstand 160 Counter 162 Front door 164 Washbowl 165 Bowl part 166 Front end 166a Rear end 166b Bowl surface 166c Drain hole 166d Wall part 168 Wall surface 168a Washing unit 200 Wind F Wall W1

Claims

1. A drying spout having an air outlet for blowing air toward the bowl portion, A drying function unit having a blower for supplying air toward the drying spout, An air duct connecting the drying function unit and the drying spout, Comprising, The drying spout, A connection portion to which the air duct is connected, A main body portion having the connection portion connected to the base end side and the air outlet at the tip end side, Having, The width dimension of the air outlet is formed larger than the width dimension of the connection portion, The main body portion, A bottom surface portion, An upper surface portion facing the bottom surface portion in the vertical direction, A plurality of guide surface portions located between the bottom surface portion and the upper surface portion and extending in the direction of air flow, Having, The plurality of guide surface portions extend so as to widen from the connection portion side toward the air outlet side, and have a vertical wall portion provided inside the main body portion. A hand drying device characterized by this.

2. A drying spout having an air outlet for blowing air toward the bowl portion, A drying function unit having a blower for supplying air toward the drying spout, An air duct connecting the drying function unit and the drying spout, Comprising, The drying spout, A connection portion to which the air duct is connected, A main body portion having the connection portion connected to the base end side and the air outlet at the tip end side, Having, The width dimension of the air outlet is formed larger than the width dimension of the connection portion, The main body portion, A bottom surface portion, An upper surface portion facing the bottom surface portion in the vertical direction, A plurality of guide surface portions located between the bottom surface portion and the upper surface portion and extending in the direction of air flow, Having, The plurality of guide surface portions extend so as to widen from the connection portion side toward the air outlet side, and have side surface portions of a block body provided inside the main body portion. A hand drying device characterized by this.

3. The hand drying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the width dimension on the air outlet side of the two outermost guide surface portions among the plurality of guide surface portions is equal to or greater than the width dimension of the air outlet.

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