Hand drying device

Abstract

To provide a compact hand dryer having a good appearance and excellent handleability.SOLUTION: A hand dryer includes a dry spout attached to a wall part positioned above a bowl part, and having an air-jetting port for jetting out wide-shape wind toward the bowl part, a drying function part having a blower for supplying wind toward the dry spout, and a blast pipe for connecting the drying function part to the dry spout. The dry spout has a box-shaped flat cover forming the outline, and the cover has an upper surface part, a front surface part extending downward from the front end of the upper surface part, and a lower surface part extending rearward from the lower end of the front surface part, and the lower surface part has a first inclination part inclined downward from the front toward the rear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention generally relate to hand dryers. [Background technology]

[0002] Hand dryers that dry wet hands by blowing air are known. For example, there is a hand dryer integrated into a washbasin that has a water outlet that sprays water toward the bowl, a soap outlet that sprays soap, and an air outlet that blows air toward the bowl (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-304926 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The washbasin-integrated hand dryer described in Patent Document 1 has a functional unit located at the top back of the hand-washing space. Because the air outlet is located on the front of the functional unit, the front of the functional unit must be tilted toward the bowl, which may create a sense of oppression for users using the washbasin. Furthermore, in the washbasin-integrated hand dryer described in Patent Document 1, the air outlet is located in the same functional unit as the water outlet and soap outlet. Therefore, when such a unit is installed in a washbasin, the air outlet and functional unit are combined into a single unit, making it large and voluminous in the hand-washing space, potentially creating a sense of oppression for users. Furthermore, when users approach the air outlet, their hands may touch the rear of the hand-washing space, potentially causing discomfort for the users.

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the recognition of the above problem, and aims to provide a hand dryer that is compact, has a good appearance, and is easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention is a hand dryer comprising: a drying spout attached to a wall portion located above a bowl portion and having an air outlet that blows out a wide shaped air stream toward the bowl portion; a drying function portion having a blower that supplies air toward the drying spout; and an air supply duct that connects the drying function portion and the drying spout; wherein the drying spout has a flat, box-shaped cover that forms an outer shell, the cover having an upper surface portion, a front surface portion that extends downward from the front end of the upper surface portion, and a lower surface portion that extends rearward from the lower end of the front surface portion, and the lower surface portion has a first inclined portion that slopes downward from the front to the rear.

[0007] In this hand dryer, the cover has a first inclined portion that reduces the height (thickness) of the front portion facing the user. The first inclined portion is inclined downward from the front to the rear, making it difficult for the user to see. This prevents the drying spout from feeling oppressive to the user and gives the impression of a compact design.

[0008] The second invention is a hand dryer characterized in that, in the first invention, it further comprises a human body detection sensor that detects a human body, and the human body detection sensor is arranged on the first inclined portion so that its detection range faces downward and diagonally forward.

[0009] In this hand dryer, the human body detection sensor is positioned on the inclined surface of the first inclined section, so that the detection range faces downward and diagonally forward. As a result, the drying spout has an improved design and can efficiently detect hands inserted below the drying spout.

[0010] A third invention is the hand dryer according to the second invention, characterized in that the human body detection sensor is disposed closer to the wall portion than the air outlet.

[0011] With this hand dryer, the hands can be inserted further back than the air outlet, so that the air blown out from the air outlet can be efficiently directed at the hands, thereby efficiently drying the entire hands.

[0012] A fourth invention is a hand dryer according to the third invention, characterized in that the human body detection sensor is positioned forward of the center of the drying spout in the front-to-rear direction.

[0013] With this hand dryer, the human body detection sensor can be positioned at a suitable distance from the wall. As a result, when a user inserts their hand below the drying spout, the user's hand is prevented from touching the wall, which could cause discomfort. Furthermore, when a user inserts their hand below the drying spout, air can be blown out of the air outlet quickly, resulting in a user-friendly hand dryer.

[0014] A fifth invention is a hand dryer characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the lower surface portion of the cover has a first extension portion extending from the lower end of the front surface portion toward the first inclined portion.

[0015] With this hand dryer, the first inclined portion can be made less visible to the user, even if the user positioned in front of the bowl is short. This gives the impression of a slim and compact drying spout to more users. The drying spout also gives the impression of being slim and compact when viewed from the side. can.

[0016] A sixth invention is a hand dryer according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, characterized in that the lower surface portion of the cover has a second extension portion extending rearward from the first inclined portion.

[0017] This hand dryer prevents the vertical thickness of the drying spout from becoming unnecessarily large at its rear. That is, even if the inclination angle of the first inclined portion is increased to increase the vertical thickness of the drying spout at its rear, the second extension portion prevents the vertical thickness of the drying spout at its rear end (wall portion side) from becoming unnecessarily large. Furthermore, the second extension portion makes it difficult for users positioned in front of the bowl portion to see the rear end side of the first inclined portion. This allows more users to see the drying spout as being slim and compact.

[0018] The seventh invention is a hand dryer according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, characterized in that the cover has a left side surface portion extending downward from the left end of the upper surface portion and a right side surface portion extending downward from the right end of the upper surface portion, and the lower surface portion of the cover has a second inclined portion located rearward of the first inclined portion and extending diagonally downward to the right from the lower end of the left side surface portion, and a third inclined portion located rearward of the first inclined portion and extending diagonally downward to the left from the lower end of the right side surface portion.

[0019] According to this hand dryer, the drying spout has a cover with an overall shape of an inverted triangle, which allows the drying spout to have a slimmer design and improves its appearance.

[0020] The eighth invention is a hand dryer according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, characterized in that the first inclined portion is inclined at an angle with respect to the horizontal that is greater than 0 degrees and not greater than 75 degrees.

[0021] According to this hand dryer, the first inclined portion can be made less visible to a user positioned in front of the bowl portion, giving the user the impression that the hand dryer spout is slim and compact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects of the present invention provide a hand dryer that is compact, attractive, and easy to use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a washbasin unit equipped with a hand drying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the washbasin unit with the front door of the washbasin open. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical system and an airflow path system of the hand dryer. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bowl portion, the water spout, the liquid soap spout, and the drying spout in FIG. 1, seen from above. [Figure 5] This is an oblique view of the bowl portion, the water spout, the liquid soap spout, and the drying spout, viewed diagonally from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drying spout seen from diagonally below. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the drying spout viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of the drying spout. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the drying spout seen from below. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side view of the drying spout seen from the left side. [Figure 11] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drying spout in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow AA. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the drying spout as viewed from the direction of arrow BB in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the state in which the cover, the seal member, and the nozzle cover have been removed from the nozzle of the drying spout. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the nozzle of the drying spout with the cover and spacer removed. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state in which the drying spout is assembled. [Figure 16]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11, showing a drying spout according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a washbasin unit equipped with a hand drying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the washbasin unit with the front door of the washbasin unit open. 1, the washbasin unit 200 includes a hand drying device 100, a water discharger 130, and a liquid soap discharger 150. The hand drying device 100, the water discharger 130, and the liquid soap discharger 150 are installed on a washbasin 160, for example.

[0026] The hand dryer 100 has a drying function unit 10, an air supply duct 20, and a drying spout 30. The water discharger 130 has a water discharge spout 132 and a water function unit 134. The liquid soap discharger 150 has a liquid soap spout 152 and a liquid soap function unit 154.

[0027] The drying spout 30, the water spout 132, and the liquid soap spout 152 are attached to a mounting structure 90. In this example, the mounting structure 90 is a washbasin 165. The washbasin 165 is a wall-mounted type made of ceramic, for example, and is attached to the wall W1. Alternatively, the washbasin 165 may be provided on the counter 162 of the sink 160.

[0028] Washbasin 165 has bowl portion 166 (washbowl) and wall portion 168. Bowl portion 166 has a downwardly curved, concave bowl surface 166c between front end 166a and rear end 166b. Bowl surface 166c receives water discharged from spout 132. Drain hole 166d is provided at the bottom of bowl surface 166c, and water discharged onto bowl surface 166c is drained through drain hole 166d.

[0029] In this embodiment, wall portion 168 extends upward from rear end 166b of bowl portion 166. Wall portion 168 has a wall surface 168a (surface) facing toward bowl portion 166. Note that a portion of counter 162 may be provided between wall portion 168 and rear end 166b of bowl portion 166.

[0030] The drying spout 30, the water spout 132, and the liquid soap spout 152 are each attached to a wall portion 168 located above the bowl portion 166. The drying spout 30, the water spout 132, and the liquid soap spout 152 are located above the bowl surface 166c and are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0031] Each spout (drying spout 30, water spout 132, liquid soap spout 152) has a cylindrical or box-like appearance and is provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid or gas and an internal flow path for guiding the supplied liquid or gas to the discharge port. Each spout 30, 132, 152 extends forward from wall surface 168a.

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, the direction in which the drying spout 30 attached to the wall portion 168 protrudes from the wall surface 168a is referred to as "forward." In other words, "forward" is the direction in which the wall surface to which the drying spout 30 is attached faces. "Rear," "left side," and "right side" are directions seen from a user facing "forward." Furthermore, "upper" and "lower" are directions seen from a user standing in front of the drying spout 30.

[0033] The mounting structure 90 to which the drying spout 30 of the hand drying device 100 according to this embodiment is attached does not necessarily have to be the washbasin 165. The mounting structure 90 may be, for example, an appropriately provided panel or cabinet. That is, the portion to which the drying spout 30 is attached may be the wall portion of a panel or cabinet located above the bowl portion 166. In this embodiment, the space in front of the wall W1 and above the counter 162 in the washbasin unit 200 is the hand-washing space.

[0034] Furthermore, the wall portion to which the drying spout 30 is attached has a wall surface that extends vertically, for example. However, this wall surface is not limited to a surface that extends vertically, and may be inclined. For example, the angle 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.

[0035] The drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the liquid soap function unit 154 are each located below the bowl portion 166 of the washbasin 165. In other words, the drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the liquid soap function unit 154 are stored inside the washbasin 160. Maintenance of the drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the liquid soap function unit 154 can be performed by opening the front door 164 of the washbasin 160. The drying function unit 10, the water function unit 134, and the liquid soap function unit 154 may also be located, for example, on the back side of the wall W1.

[0036] The water function unit 134 is, for example, an electric water heater, and is connected to the water spout 132 by a water supply line 136. The liquid soap function unit 154 has, for example, a soapy water tank and a pump, and is connected to the liquid soap spout 152 by an air supply line 156 and a liquid soap supply line 158.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical system and airflow path system of the hand dryer. As shown in FIG. 3, the hand dryer 100 includes a drying function unit 10, an air duct 20, and a drying spout 30.

[0038] The drying function unit 10 is connected to the drying spout 30 via an air duct 20. The drying function unit 10 has a blower 12, a heater 14, and a control unit 16. The blower 12 is activated by detection by a human body detection sensor 60 provided in the drying spout 30. The blower 12 has, for example, a fan motor, and when the fan motor is activated, it takes in air from the outside and supplies it to the air duct 20. The blower 12 is connected to the control unit 16, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 16.

[0039] The heater 14 increases the temperature of the air (gas) supplied toward the drying spout 30. That is, the heater 14 increases the temperature of the air (gas) supplied from the blower 12. The heater 14 is activated by detection by a human body detection sensor 60 provided in the drying spout 30. The heater 14 is provided as needed and can be omitted. The hand dryer 100 may blow unheated air supplied from the blower 12 from the drying spout 30. For example, a fin heater is used as the heater 14. The heater 14 may be any heater capable of heating 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.

[0040] Control unit 16 controls the operation of hand dryer 100. Control unit 16 is connected to human body detection sensor 60 provided in drying spout 30 via signal line 18 and receives a detection signal from human body detection sensor 60. Based on the detection by human body detection sensor 60, control unit 16 activates blower 12 and heater 14.

[0041] The air duct 20 connects the drying function unit 10 and the drying spout 30. The air duct 20 is a flexible duct made of, for example, resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air duct 20 extends in the vertical direction below the bowl portion 166. In other words, the air duct 20 extends in the vertical direction inside the washbasin 160. The lower end of the air duct 20 is connected to the drying function unit 10, and the upper end of the air duct 20 is inserted between the wall W1 and the wall portion 168 and connected to the drying spout 30 (see FIG. 11).

[0042] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bowl portion, the water spout, the liquid soap spout, and the drying spout in FIG. 1, seen from above. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bowl portion, the water spout, the liquid soap spout, and the drying spout, seen obliquely from above. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drying spout as seen obliquely from below. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the drying spout as seen from above. FIG. 8 is a front view of the drying spout. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the drying spout as seen from below. FIG. 10 is a side view of the drying spout as seen from the left side. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the drying spout in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow AA. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the drying spout as viewed from the direction of arrow BB in FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the cover, the seal member, and the nozzle cover are removed from the nozzle of the drying spout. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the drying spout nozzle with the cover and spacer removed. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the state in which the drying spout is assembled. 6 to 10 and 13, the wall portion 168 is omitted.

[0043] Drying spout 30 has air outlet 52 that blows out a wide shaped air current in the left-right direction toward bowl portion 166. The wide shaped air current is intended to dry hands inserted below drying spout 30. Air outlet 52 that blows out the wide shaped air current will be described later.

[0044] The drying spout 30 is attached to a wall portion 168 located above the bowl portion 166. Specifically, the drying spout 30 is attached to the wall portion 168 via a base 70 inserted through the wall portion 168 and a nut 72 attached to the base 70.

[0045] 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. That is, 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 located behind 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 the feeling of pressure applied to the user.

[0046] Also, in the present embodiment, the front end 32a of the drying spout � is in 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.

[0047] 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 located behind (on the side of the wall portion 168) 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 prevent 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.

[0048] The cover 32 is a box body having an upper surface portion 33, a front surface portion 34 that extends downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 33, a left side surface portion 35 that extends downward from the left end of the upper surface portion 33, a right side surface portion 36 that extends downward from the right end of the upper surface portion 33, a lower surface portion 37 that extends rearward from the lower end of the front surface portion 34, and an opening portion 38 provided at the rear and facing the front surface portion 34 in the front-rear direction.

[0049] 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. As a result, the washbasin unit 200 can give a neat impression, thus improving the appearance.

[0050] The left side surface portion 35 and the right side surface portion 36 are convexly curved curved 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the cover 32 has a box - shaped flat shape in which the horizontal dimension L4 from the left side surface portion 35 to the right side surface portion 36 is longer than the vertical dimension L3 from the upper surface portion 33 to the second extension portion 37c (L3 < L4). As a result, the drying spout 30 can give an impression of being thin in thickness (vertical dimension) and compact, thus improving the appearance.

[0054] 9, 11, and 13, the second extending portion 37c has an internal thread portion 37c1 formed therethrough in the up-down direction. A setscrew 74 for fixing the drying spout 30 to the nut 72 and the base 70 is threadedly engaged with the internal thread portion 37c1.

[0055] 14, the second inclined portion 37d has an internal thread 37d1 extending in the front-rear direction on its inner surface. Meanwhile, the third inclined portion 37e has an internal thread 37e1 extending in the front-rear direction on its inner surface. The internal threads 37d1 and 37e1 are provided symmetrically in the left-right direction. Screws 68 for fixing the spacer 66 (described later) are threadedly engaged with the internal threads 37d1 and 37e1, respectively.

[0056] As shown in Figures 6 to 11, the underside 37 of the cover 32 has a first inclined portion 37b that slopes downward from the front to the rear. The length of the first inclined portion 37b in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the length of the first extending portion 37a and the length of the second extending portion 37c in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the cover 32 has a greater vertical height at the rear side than at the front side. In other words, the cover 32 has a greater height on the upstream side in the airflow direction than on the downstream side.

[0057] This allows the height (thickness) of the rear portion of cover 32 to be increased in the vertical direction, thereby ensuring sufficient space for diffusion chamber 45, which will be described later. Furthermore, first inclined portion 37b reduces the height (thickness) of front portion 34 of cover 32 that faces the user. Because first inclined portion 37b slopes downward from the front to the rear, it is difficult for the user to see. This allows hand dryer 100 to avoid giving the user a feeling of oppression and to appear compact.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the angle α of the first inclined portion 37b with respect to the horizontal is greater than 0 degrees and is inclined in the range of 75 degrees or less (0<α≦75 degrees). This makes it possible to make the first inclined portion 37b less visible to a user positioned in front of the washbasin 165, as shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the user is given the impression that the drying spout 30 is slim and compact. The angle α of the first inclined portion 37b with respect to the horizontal can be set by experimentation and simulation, taking into consideration, for example, the design, air discharge performance, and the protruding dimension (L1). In this embodiment, the angle α of the first inclined portion 37b with respect to the horizontal is 20 degrees.

[0059] The underside 37 of the cover 32 has a first extending portion 37a extending from the lower end of the front surface 34 toward the first inclined portion 37b. The first extending portion 37a connects the front surface 34 and the first inclined portion 37b. The first extending portion 37a extends from the lower end of the front surface 34 toward the first inclined portion 37b at an angle smaller than the angle α formed by the first inclined portion 37b. In this embodiment, the first extending portion 37a extends horizontally from the lower end of the front surface 34 toward the first inclined portion 37b. The first extending portion 37a has an air outlet 52 extending in the left-right direction in a through-hole 37f.

[0060] Because the inclination angle of the first extending portion 37a is smaller than that of the first inclined portion 37b, the first inclined portion 37b can be made less visible to the user, even if the user positioned in front of the washbasin 165 is short. This allows more users to have the impression that the drying spout 30 is slim and compact. In addition, the drying spout 30 also gives the impression of being slim and compact when viewed from the side.

[0061] The underside 37 of the cover 32 has a second extending portion 37c extending rearward from the first inclined portion 37b. The second extending portion 37c extends rearward from the lower end of the first inclined portion 37b at an angle smaller than the angle α formed by the first inclined portion 37b. In this embodiment, the second extending portion 37c extends horizontally rearward from the lower end of the first inclined portion 37b.

[0062] Because second extending portion 37c has a smaller inclination angle than first inclined portion 37b, it is possible to prevent the vertical thickness at the rear side of drying spout 30 from becoming unnecessarily large. That is, even if angle α of first inclined portion 37b is increased to increase the vertical thickness at the rear side of drying spout 30, second extending portion 37c can prevent the vertical thickness at the rear end (wall portion 168 side) of drying spout 30 from becoming unnecessarily large.

[0063] This makes it possible to make the rear end side of the first inclined portion 37b less visible to a user positioned in front of the washbasin 165. This allows more users to have the impression that the drying spout 30 is slim and compact.

[0064] Additionally, second extending portion 37c has a female thread 37c1 that penetrates in the vertical direction. A setscrew 74 for attaching drying spout 30 to wall portion 168 is threaded into this female thread 37c1. Because second extending portion 37c has a smaller inclination angle than first inclined portion 37b, setscrew 74 can be made less visible to a user positioned in front of washbasin 165. This improves the appearance of drying spout 30.

[0065] The underside 37 of the cover 32 has a second inclined portion 37d and a third inclined portion 37e behind the first inclined portion 37b. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 15, the second inclined portion 37d and the third inclined portion 37e are inclined downward toward the center of the drying spout 30. This gives the drying spout 30 an overall shape of an inverted triangle. As a result, the drying spout 30 can be designed slimmer, improving its appearance.

[0066] The drying spout 30 has 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 blocks the opening 38 of the cover 32.

[0067] The nozzle 40 is housed inside the cover 32. The nozzle 40 has a connection part 42 and a main body part 44. The connection part 42 is located at the rear side of the nozzle 40, in the center in the left-right direction. In other words, the connection part 42 is provided on the upstream side of the nozzle 40 in the direction of airflow through the nozzle 40.

[0068] The connecting portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The outer diameter of the connecting portion 42 corresponds to the inner diameter of the air duct 20. The connecting portion 42 is connected to the air duct 20 inside the cover 32. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 , the air duct 20 is fitted into the connecting portion 42 and fixed with a clamp 43. The inside of the connecting portion 42 allows the air supplied from the air duct 20 to flow toward the diffusion chamber 45.

[0069] The main body 44 is located in front of the connection part 42. The main body 44 is formed in a box shape with an open top. The main body 44 has a diffusion chamber 45, a barrier part 47, an air outlet 52, and a groove part 55.

[0070] Diffusion chamber 45 communicates with connection portion 42. The left-right dimension of diffusion chamber 45 is larger than the inner diameter of connection portion 42. As a result, the air supplied from connection portion 42 to diffusion chamber 45 is diffused in diffusion chamber 45. That is, diffusion chamber 45 is provided between connection portion 42 and air outlet 52, and diffuses the air supplied from connection portion 42.

[0071] The bottom plate 44a of the main body 44 extends obliquely upward from the connecting portion 42 in correspondence with the first inclined portion 37b of the cover 32. In other words, the bottom plate 44a serves as the bottom plate of the diffusion chamber 45. A recess 46 that is recessed upward toward the inside of the diffusion chamber 45 is formed in the bottom plate 44a.

[0072] 11 to 13, recess 46 is formed in the center in the front-rear and left-right directions of diffusion chamber 45. In other words, the center in the front-rear and left-right directions of bottom plate 44a of diffusion chamber 45 protrudes upward. A human body detection sensor 60, which will be described later, is housed in recess 46.

[0073] The recess 46 has a front surface 46a, a rear surface (barrier portion 47), a left side surface 46b, a right side surface 46c, and a top surface 46d. The front surface 46a is located rearward of the air outlet 52, which will be described later. The left side surface 46b faces the left wall portion 45a of the diffusion chamber 45. The right side surface 46c faces the right wall portion 45b of the diffusion chamber 45. The top surface 46d faces the nozzle cover 58.

[0074] The diffusion chamber 45 has a barrier portion 47 provided in front of the connection portion 42. This barrier portion 47 forms the rear surface of the recess 46. The barrier portion 47 forms the surface of the recess 46 that faces the connection portion 42 in the front-to-rear direction. The barrier portion 47 is provided at a position where the wind supplied from the connection portion 42 to the diffusion chamber 45 collides.

[0075] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the barrier portion 47 has a protrusion 47a on the right end side that protrudes rearward. That is, the barrier portion 47 is formed in a stepped shape in the left-right direction. The protrusion 47a is formed to allow the signal line 18 extending from the human body detection sensor 60 housed in the recess 46 to pass through. The barrier portion 47 does not necessarily have to have the protrusion 47a. That is, the barrier portion 47 may have a flat surface.

[0076] The barrier portion 47 is located rearward (closer to the connecting portion 42) from the center in the front-rear direction of the diffusion chamber 45. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the dimension L5 in the front-rear direction from the connecting portion 42 to the barrier portion 47 is shorter than half of the dimension L6 from the connecting portion 42 to the front end of the diffusion chamber 45 (L5 <L6 / 2)。

[0077] In this way, barrier portion 47 is provided upstream in the direction of the wind flowing through diffusion chamber 45. This allows the wind supplied from connection portion 42 to collide with barrier portion 47 early and be diffused efficiently within diffusion chamber 45. As a result, wind (gas) can be evenly filled in diffusion chamber 45, and the amount of wind blown out from air outlet 52 can be made closer to a uniform volume.

[0078] 12, the left-right dimension L7 of the barrier portion 47 is larger than the inner diameter L8 of the connection portion 42 (L7>L8). The upper end of the barrier portion 47 is located higher than the upper end of the inner diameter of the connection portion 42. This allows all of the airflow supplied from the connection portion 42 to the diffusion chamber 45 to collide with the barrier portion 47. As a result, the airflow (gas) can be efficiently filled in the diffusion chamber 45.

[0079] The diffusion chamber 45 has a first air passage 48 provided on the left side of the barrier portion 47 and communicating with the air outlet 52, and a second air passage 49 provided on the right side of the barrier portion 47 and communicating with the air outlet 52. The first air passage 48 is located between the left side surface 46b of the recess 46 and the left wall portion 45a of the diffusion chamber 45 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. On the other hand, the second air passage 49 is located between the right side surface 46c of the recess 46 and the right wall portion 45b of the diffusion chamber 45 and extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0080] The diffusion chamber 45 also has a third air passage 50 that is in communication with the air outlet 52 on one vertical side of the barrier portion 47. In this embodiment, the third air passage 50 is provided above the barrier portion 47. The third air passage 50 is located between the upper surface portion 46d of the recess 46 and the nozzle cover 58 and extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0081] The air supplied from the connection part 42 to the diffusion chamber 45 collides with the barrier part 47, and then flows into the first air passage 48, the second air passage 49, and the third air passage 50. That is, the air supplied from the connection part 42 to the diffusion chamber 45 flows toward the front (air outlet 52) ​​from three directions: both the left and right sides and the upper center. This allows the air blown out from the air outlet 52 to have a nearly uniform volume.

[0082] 12, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the first air blowing passage 48 and the second air blowing passage 49 at the position of the barrier portion 47 (the sum of areas S1 and S2 surrounded by the two-dot chain line) is larger than the total cross-sectional area of ​​the third air blowing passage 50 at the position of the barrier portion 47 (the area S3 surrounded by the one-dot chain line). This allows air to flow efficiently also to the left and right first air blowing passages 48 and second air blowing passage 49 located away from the connecting portion 42, making it possible to make the air blown out from the air outlet 52 have a more uniform air volume.

[0083] Air outlet 52 is located on the front end side of main body 44, at a position corresponding to first extension 37a of cover 32. Air outlet 52 communicates with diffusion chamber 45. As shown in FIG. 11, air outlet 52 is inclined diagonally downward and forward from diffusion chamber 45. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, air outlet 52 blows out air F diagonally downward and forward. This allows the user to dry their hands in the center of bowl portion 166 in the front-to-rear direction, without having to insert their hands all the way to the back side (toward wall portion 168).

[0084] 9 and 13, air outlet 52 has a horizontally elongated shape extending in the left-right direction. A length L9 of air outlet 52 in the left-right direction is greater than an inner diameter L8 of connecting portion 42 (L9 > L8). If diffusion chamber 45 did not have barrier portion 47, the amount of air supplied from connecting portion 42 to diffusion chamber 45 would increase as the amount of air traveling straight forward, which could cause the air blowing out from the center of air outlet 52 to be stronger than the air blowing out from either side.

[0085] In such a case, it is conceivable to make the air blown out from the air outlet 52 uniform by increasing the length of the diffusion chamber 45 in the front-to-rear direction. However, in such a case, there is a risk that the force of the air blown out from the air outlet 52 will be weakened. In addition, since the drying spout 30 must be made to protrude significantly forward from the wall portion 168 (mounting structure 90), there is a risk that the appearance will be poor.

[0086] Therefore, the diffusion chamber 45 is provided with a barrier portion 47. This allows the air to come into contact with the barrier portion 47 and be effectively diffused in the diffusion chamber 45, even if the length of the diffusion chamber 45 in the front-to-rear direction is reduced. As a result, the air outlet 52 blows out a wide-shaped air stream with a nearly uniform volume toward the bowl portion 166. By blowing out a wide-shaped air stream, the drying spout 30 can efficiently dry both hands, for example.

[0087] The air outlet 52 is divided by a plurality of partition plates 53. These partition plates 53 straighten the air flowing through the air outlet 52. For example, if the partition plates 53 were not provided, turbulence generated around the air outlet 52 could cause abnormal noise. On the other hand, if there are too many partition plates 53, the force and volume of the air blowing out from the air outlet 52 could be weakened. The number of partition plates 53 is set through experiments and simulations, taking into consideration the generation of abnormal noise, the force and volume of the air, etc.

[0088] A groove 55 is formed at the upper end of the main body 44 so as to surround the periphery of the diffusion chamber 45. A seal member 57 is fitted into this groove 55. The seal member 57 prevents wind (gas) from escaping to the outside from the diffusion chamber 45. The upper part of the main body 44 is closed off by a nozzle cover 58 being screwed in place.

[0089] Human body detection sensor 60 detects a human body (hand) inserted below drying spout 30. Human body detection sensor 60 is disposed on first inclined portion 37b so that detection range D faces diagonally downward and forward. Specifically, human body detection sensor 60 is located above first inclined portion 37b and housed in recess 46 of nozzle 40. In other words, human body detection sensor 60 is disposed between first inclined portion 37b and bottom plate 44a of nozzle 40.

[0090] For example, a reflective optical sensor is used as the human body detection sensor 60. However, the human body detection sensor 60 is not limited to this and may be any sensor that can detect the user's hand. For example, the human body detection sensor 60 may be a distance sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, a capacitance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a microwave sensor, or the like.

[0091] 11, the detection range D of the human body detection sensor 60 has a maximum directivity direction D1 that faces diagonally downward and forward, for example. The maximum directivity direction D1 is the part of the detection range D where the sensitivity is greatest, and is, for example, the center line of the detection range D. When a human body (hand) is inserted into the detection range D, the human body detection sensor 60 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 16.

[0092] 11, human body detection sensor 60 is disposed, for example, along the inclined surface of first inclined portion 37b so that its lower surface faces diagonally downward and forward. By disposing human body detection sensor 60 using the inclined surface of first inclined portion 37b in this manner, detection range D can be directed diagonally downward and forward. This allows for the drying spout 30 to have an improved design and can efficiently detect a hand inserted below the drying spout 30.

[0093] The human body detection sensor 60 is disposed closer to the wall portion 168 (rearward) than the air outlet 52. This allows the hand to be inserted further back than the air outlet 52, so that the air blown out from the air outlet 52 can be efficiently directed at the hand. This allows the whole hand to be efficiently dried.

[0094] The human body detection sensor 60 is disposed forward of the center (dashed line OO in FIG. 11) in the front-to-rear direction of the drying spout 30 (cover 32). In other words, the human body detection sensor 60 is disposed forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction of the drying spout 30 and rearward of the air outlet 52.

[0095] This allows the detection range D of the human body detection sensor 60 to be appropriately separated from the wall portion 168. As a result, when a hand is inserted below the drying spout 30, the hand is prevented from touching the wall portion 168, which may cause discomfort to the user. Furthermore, when a hand is inserted below the drying spout 30, air can be blown out from the air outlet 52 quickly, making the hand dryer 100 easy to use.

[0096] The first sensor cover 62 is located below the human body detection sensor 60 and engages with the recess 46. The first sensor cover 62 is formed, for example, from a material that is permeable to radio waves from the human body detection sensor 60, and closes the lower part of the recess 46.

[0097] The second sensor cover 64 is located below the first sensor cover 62 and is screwed to the nozzle 40. The second sensor cover 64 closes the through-hole 37f of the first inclined portion 37b, with the underside of the first sensor cover 62 exposed to the outside. An air outlet 52 is provided in front of the second sensor cover 64. The first sensor cover 62 and the second sensor cover 64 may be provided integrally.

[0098] The spacer 66 closes the opening 38 of the cover 32. As shown in Fig. 14, the outer shape of the spacer 66 corresponds to the opening 38 of the cover 32, and an insertion hole 66a through which the air duct 20 passes is formed in the center.

[0099] Spacer 66 is attached to cover 32 by threading screws 68 into female thread portions 37d1 and 37e1, respectively. In this way, spacer 66 prevents nozzle 40 from falling out of opening 38. Furthermore, when an external force is applied to cover 32, for example, spacer 66 comes into contact with cover 32 to prevent deformation of cover 32.

[0100] Thus, the hand dryer 100 of this embodiment comprises a drying spout 30 attached to a wall portion 168 located above the bowl portion 166 and having an air outlet 52 that blows out a wide shaped air stream toward the bowl portion 166, a drying function portion 10 having a blower 12 that supplies air toward the drying spout 30, and an air supply duct 20 that connects the drying function portion 10 and the drying spout 30, and the drying spout 30 has a box-shaped, flat cover 32 that forms the outer shell, and the cover 32 has an upper surface portion 33, a front surface portion 34 extending downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 33, and a lower surface portion 37 extending rearward from the lower end of the front surface portion 34, and the lower surface portion 37 has a first inclined portion 37b that slopes downward from the front to the rear.

[0101] As a result, the height (thickness) of the front surface 34 of the cover 32 that faces the user is reduced by the first inclined portion 37b. Furthermore, the first inclined portion 37b is inclined downward from the front to the rear, making it difficult for the user to see. This prevents the drying spout 30 from feeling oppressive to the user and gives the impression of being compact.

[0102] The drying spout 30 further includes a human body detection sensor 60 that detects a human body, and the human body detection sensor 60 is disposed on the first inclined portion 37b so that the detection range D faces diagonally downward and forward. Thus, by disposing the human body detection sensor 60 using the inclined surface of the first inclined portion 37b, the detection range D can be directed diagonally downward and forward. As a result, the drying spout 30 has an improved design and can efficiently detect a hand inserted below the drying spout 30.

[0103] Furthermore, the human body detection sensor 60 is disposed closer to the wall portion 168 than the air outlet 52. This allows the hand to be inserted further back than the air outlet 52, so that the air blowing out from the air outlet 52 can be efficiently directed at the hand. Therefore, the entire hand can be efficiently dried.

[0104] Furthermore, the human body detection sensor 60 is disposed forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction of the drying spout 30 (the dashed-dotted line OO in FIG. 11). This allows the detection range D of the human body detection sensor 60 to be appropriately separated from the wall 168. As a result, when a user inserts his or her hand below the drying spout 30, the user's hand is prevented from touching the wall 168, which would cause discomfort to the user. Furthermore, when a user inserts his or her hand below the drying spout 30, air can be blown out from the air outlet 52 early, making the hand dryer 100 easy to use.

[0105] Additionally, the underside 37 of the cover 32 has a first extending portion 37a that extends from the lower end of the front side 34 toward the first inclined portion 37b. This makes it possible to make the first inclined portion 37b less visible to the user, even if the user positioned in front of the washbasin 165 is short. This allows more users to have the impression that the drying spout 30 is slim and compact. Furthermore, the drying spout 30 also gives the impression of being slim and compact when viewed from the side.

[0106] Additionally, the underside 37 of the cover 32 has a second extending portion 37c extending rearward from the first inclined portion 37b. This prevents the vertical thickness of the drying spout 30 at the rear from becoming excessively large. That is, even if the inclination angle of the first inclined portion 37b is increased to increase the vertical thickness of the drying spout 30 at the rear, the second extending portion 37c prevents the vertical thickness of the drying spout 30 at the rear end (toward the wall portion 168) from becoming excessively large. Furthermore, the second extending portion 37c makes it difficult for a user positioned in front of the bowl portion 166 to see the rear end side of the first inclined portion 37b. This allows more users to have the impression that the drying spout 30 is slim and compact.

[0107] In addition, the cover 32 has a left side surface portion 35 extending downward from the left end of the upper surface portion 33, and a right side surface portion 36 extending downward from the right end of the upper surface portion 33, and the lower surface portion 37 of the cover 32 has a second inclined portion 37d located rearward of the first inclined portion 37b and extending diagonally downward to the right from the lower end of the left side surface portion 35, and a third inclined portion 37e located rearward of the first inclined portion 37b and extending diagonally downward to the left from the lower end of the right side surface portion 36.

[0108] As a result, the overall shape of the cover 32 of the drying spout 30 is an inverted triangle. As a result, the drying spout 30 can have a slimmer design, improving its appearance.

[0109] Additionally, first inclined portion 37b is inclined such that the angle it forms with the horizontal is greater than 0 degrees and not greater than 75 degrees. This makes first inclined portion 37b less visible to a user positioned in front of bowl portion 166. As a result, the user is given the impression that drying spout 30 is slim and compact.

[0110] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11, showing a drying spout according to a modified example of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a recess 46 is provided in the diffusion chamber 45 and the human body detection sensor 60 is housed in this recess 46. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a modified example shown in FIG. 16 , the human body detection sensor 83 may be disposed between the bottom plate 81 of the diffusion chamber 80 and the first inclined portion 82 of the cover 32 without providing a recess in the diffusion chamber 80. In the modified example shown in FIG. 16 , a screw seat 85 for screwing the nozzle cover 84 to the diffusion chamber 80 protrudes from the bottom plate 81 toward the inside of the diffusion chamber 80. A rear surface 85a of the screw seat 85 serves as a barrier.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, the case where human body detection sensor 60 is disposed on first inclined portion 37b has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and human body detection sensor 60 may be disposed, for example, in front of air outlet 52 or on wall portion 168. In other words, the human body detection sensor may be disposed in any position as long as it can detect a hand inserted below drying spout 30.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the underside 37 of the cover 32 has the first extending portion 37a, the first inclined portion 37b, and the second extending portion 37c has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the underside 37 of the cover 32 may have at least the first inclined portion. That is, the first inclined portion may extend from the lower end of the front side 34 of the cover 32 to the rear end of the cover 32, or the first inclined portion may extend from the rear end of the first extending portion 37a to the rear end of the cover 32, or the first inclined portion may extend from the lower end of the front side 34 of the cover 32 to the second extending portion.

[0113] The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each element of a hand dryer are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Drying function section 12 Blower 14 Heater 16 Control Unit 18 Signal Line 20. Air duct 30 Drying Spout 32 Cover 32a front end 33 Top part 34 Front part 35 Left side part 36 Right side part 37 Bottom part 37a 1st extension part 37b 1st slope 37c 2nd extension 37c1 Female thread 37d 2nd slope 37d1 Female thread 37e 3rd slope 37e1 Female thread 37f through hole 38 Opening 40 nozzles 42 Connection 43 Clamp 44 Main body 44a bottom plate 45 Diffusion Chamber 45a Left wall section 45b Right wall section 46 Recess 46a Front part 46b Left side part 46c Right side part 46d Top part 47 Barrier 47a Protrusion 48 First ventilation passage 49 Second ventilation passage 50 Third ventilation passage 52 Air outlet 53 Divider 55 Groove 57 Sealing material 58 Nozzle cover 60 Human body detection sensor 62 First sensor cover 64 Second sensor cover 66 Spacer 66a Insertion hole 68 Screw 70 pedestal 72 Nut 74 Set screw 80 Diffusion Chamber 81 Bottom plate 82 1st slope part 83 Human body detection sensor 84 Nozzle cover 85 Screw seat 85a rear part 90 Mounting structure 100 hand dryer 130 Water discharge device 132 Water spout 134 Water Function Department 136 Water supply pipeline 150 Water soap dispensing device 152 Water soap spout 154 Water soap function part 156 Air supply line 158 Soap supply pipe 160 Washbasin 162 counters 164 Front door 165 Washbasin 166 Bowl section 166a front end 166b rear end 166c Bowl surface 166d Drain hole 168 Wall 168a Wall 200 Washing unit W1 Wall

Claims

1. a drying spout attached to a wall portion located above the bowl portion and having an air outlet that blows out a wide-shaped airflow toward the bowl portion; A drying function unit having a blower that supplies air toward the drying spout; an air supply duct connecting the drying function unit and the drying spout, The drying spout has a box-shaped, flat cover that forms an outer shell, The cover is An upper surface portion; a front surface portion extending downward from a front end of the upper surface portion; a lower surface portion extending rearward from a lower end of the front surface portion; a left side surface portion extending downward from the left end of the upper surface portion; a right side surface portion extending downward from a right end of the upper surface portion; and The lower surface portion is a first inclined portion inclined downward from the front to the rear; a second inclined portion located rearward of the first inclined portion and extending obliquely downward to the right from a lower end of the left side surface portion; a third inclined portion located rearward of the first inclined portion and extending diagonally downward to the left from the lower end of the right side surface portion.

2. Further provided with a human body detection sensor for detecting a human body, The hand dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the human body detection sensor is disposed on the first inclined portion so that a detection range faces downward and diagonally forward.

3. The hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein the human body detection sensor is disposed closer to the wall portion than the air outlet.

4. The hand dryer according to claim 3, wherein the human body detection sensor is disposed forward of the center of the drying spout in the front-rear direction.

5. The hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower surface portion of the cover has a first extension portion extending from a lower end of the front surface portion toward the first inclined portion.

6. The hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower surface of the cover has a second extending portion extending rearward from the first inclined portion.

7. 7. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the first inclined portion is inclined such that an angle between the first inclined portion and the horizontal is in the range of more than 0 degrees and not more than 75 degrees.

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