Integrated Basin Hand Dryer Layout to Prevent Floor Flooding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lavatory systems require users to leave the wash basin to access a hand dryer, leading to water dripping on the floor and potential flooding, which is inconvenient and unsanitary.

Innovation Solution

An integrated lavatory system with a wash basin, faucet, soap dispenser, and hand dryer that includes sensors and a motorized air flow system to dry hands without leaving the basin, featuring a flood relief rim and antimicrobial materials to prevent flooding and maintain hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users leave the wash basin to access a hand dryer, then hand drying function is provided, but water drips on the floor causing flooding and unsanitary conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of floodingVSAvoidconvenience of hand drying
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand dryer is integrated directly into the wash basin structure, combining the drying function with the washing station. This allows users to dry hands without leaving the basin area, preventing water spillage while maintaining convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A flood relief rim is introduced as an intermediary structure between the wash basin and the floor. This rim redirects spilled water back into the basin before it can reach the floor, providing a safety mechanism that prevents flooding while allowing free movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional hand dryers are used separate from the wash basin, then hand drying is provided, but users must leave the washing area which is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of hand dryingVSAvoidintegration of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand dryer is merged with the wash basin structure, creating an integrated unit where both washing and drying functions are available at one location. This eliminates the need for users to move between separate fixtures while managing moderate structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If water is allowed to drip freely from hands, then natural drying occurs, but water spills on the floor creating unsanitary conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater spillage on floorVSAvoidwater waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The flood relief rim captures water that would otherwise spill onto the floor and converts this potentially harmful spillage into beneficial water that returns to the basin. This redirects waste water back into the system, preventing floor contamination while minimizing water loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enables users to wash and dry hands in a clean and convenient manner, reducing water spillage and flooding risks while maintaining a sanitary environment.

Implementation Method 1

a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

The ratio of the voltages corresponding to the total current values and the current value output from the one end terminal is calculated so as to measure the distance between the object and the range sensor by triangulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriangulation:

Data Source

PatentEP2828440B1Basin and hand drying system
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 BRADLEY FIXTURES CORP
  • EP2828440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2828440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2828440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A basin and hand drying system includes a hand dryer attached to a basin. The hand dryer includes a top air plenum and a bottom air plenum. The air plenums include a plurality of air outlets that direct pressurized air from a blower motor for hand drying. A soap dispenser and faucet mount on the basin for dispensing liquefied soap and water for hand washing.