Banked Nozzle Hand Dryer Layout for Shallow High-Speed Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand dryers either require a deep design to accommodate opposing nozzles for two-sided drying or rely on low-speed air for single-sided drying, which is inefficient and requires user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mountable hand dryer with separately banked nozzle sections for each hand, allowing for one-sided drying at a time, using high-speed air jets to effectively strip water without the need for opposing nozzles, and a shallow design that allows comfortable hand positioning and reduced spray-back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If opposing nozzles are used for two-sided drying, then both sides of hands can be dried simultaneously, but the overall depth of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand dryer is divided into separate nozzle sections for each hand, with each section containing nozzles directed at specific hand surfaces. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each nozzle group's direction and angle, enabling effective drying without requiring deep opposing nozzle arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using opposing nozzles arranged in depth (z-dimension), the invention uses laterally separated nozzle sections arranged side-by-side (x-dimension). Each nozzle section directs air at appropriate angles to cover different hand surfaces, transitioning the spatial arrangement from depth-based to width-based configuration
2Length of stationary object
If a single large nozzle is used for single-sided drying, then the machine depth can be reduced, but the drying efficiency decreases and user intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The single large nozzle is segmented into multiple smaller nozzles arranged in groups, with each group directed at specific hand surfaces. This segmentation maintains the compact depth while improving drying efficiency by providing targeted air streams across different hand areas simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different nozzle sections within each nozzle group are directed at different hand surfaces (palms, backs, sides) with locally optimized angles and positions. This local quality optimization ensures effective drying coverage without requiring a large single nozzle or deep machine configuration
3Length of stationary object
If opposing nozzles are positioned close together, then the machine depth is reduced, but spray-back and blow-back increase
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing nozzle arrangement is segmented into laterally separated nozzle sections, with each section containing nozzles directed at specific hand surfaces. This lateral separation prevents air streams from conflicting and causing spray-back, while maintaining compact depth
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle sections are asymmetrically arranged and directed, with each nozzle group optimized for its specific hand surface target. This asymmetric configuration allows precise control of air direction toward hands while avoiding backward spray, replacing the symmetric opposing nozzle arrangement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient hand drying without the need for opposing nozzles, allowing for a compact design and comfortable user experience while minimizing spray-back and blow-back.
Implementation Method 1
directing drying air down onto the front or back of said hand when it is inserted lengthwise underneath the nozzle section
Implementation Method 2
The air is heated to promote evaporative drying of water moisture on the hands of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A wall-mountable hand dryer arranged for drying one side of a user's hands at a time. The dryer has two nozzle sections—one for each hand—which nozzle sections are positioned towards the front of the dryer so that they are spaced away from the wall in use. The nozzle sections each extend to span the width of a user's open hand and are arranged for directing drying air down onto the front or back of said hand as it is inserted lengthwise underneath the nozzle sections from the front of the dryer. The left-hand nozzle section is banked to the right and the right-hand nozzle section is banked to the left such that the user may bank his hands accordingly in use—this makes the drying action comfortable for the user.