Dual-Plenum Lavatory Hand Dryer to Minimize Splashback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated lavatory systems, users often fail to present their hands correctly to the hand dryer, leading to splashback of water onto themselves, the floor, or the countertop, due to the proximity sensors activating before their hands are fully positioned, causing inefficiencies and potential germ-infested areas.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a delayed activation mechanism based on the position of the user's hands, with sensors detecting side or front presentation, allowing for a longer delay when hands are presented from the front to ensure proper alignment before initiating the drying cycle, and includes features like ultraviolet sterilization, noise cancellation, and energy harvesting from air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the hand dryer is activated immediately when sensors detect hands, then the drying response is fast, but water splashback occurs onto the user, floor, or countertop
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of hand position and orientation before activating the drying function. The control unit receives signals from multiple sensors to determine if hands are properly positioned in the drying zone, and only then activates the air blower, preventing splashback while maintaining rapid response when hands are correctly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors hand position through multiple sensors and provides feedback control. The control unit adjusts the timing of dryer activation based on real-time sensor data about hand position and orientation, ensuring the dryer starts at the optimal moment to avoid splashback while maintaining drying effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If the hand dryer is mounted away from the wash basin, then it is easier to install and access, but water accumulates on the floor creating slippery conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the hand dryer with the wash basin structure, merging two previously separate functions into a single unified unit. The dryer is positioned adjacent to the basin with its air outlet directed toward the basin interior, allowing users to dry hands without leaving the basin area, thereby preventing water from reaching the floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The wash basin acts as an intermediary structure that receives both washing water and drying air flow. By positioning the dryer adjacent to the basin and directing air into the basin, the system uses the basin as a mediator to contain water and prevent it from reaching the floor, while still providing accessible hand drying functionality.
3Productivity
If the hand dryer blows air strongly to dry hands quickly, then drying efficiency is improved, but water is blown onto the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is locally directed into the specific zone of the wash basin where water accumulates. The air outlet is positioned and angled to target the basin interior, creating a localized high-velocity air stream that efficiently removes water from hands while containing the force within the basin boundaries, preventing water from being blown onto the floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of strong air flow (blowing water onto the floor) into a beneficial effect by directing it into the basin. The strong air stream that would otherwise cause splashback or floor contamination is now used to actively remove water from hands within the contained basin environment, improving drying efficiency while preventing harm.
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
This solution minimizes splashback, enhances sanitation through UV sterilization, reduces noise, and conserves energy by optimizing air flow and integrating energy generation, creating a more efficient and hygienic hand-drying experience.
Implementation Method 1
proximity sensors have allowed for touch-free hand dryers that can be activated automatically when a user places his hands in a drying zone adjacent the hand dryer
Implementation Method 2
a first plenum outlet extending from a rear portion of the lavatory at a first height... a second plenum outlet incorporated in the basin at a second height lower than the first height, wherein the first plenum outlet and the second plenum outlet deliver a pressurized air to dry a user's hands
Implementation Method 3
a sterilization feature attached to the lavatory system including ultraviolet light configured to sterilize at least one of the basin, the pressurized air, and the user's hands
Data Source
AI summary
A lavatory system includes a hand dryer with a first plenum above a basin and a second plenum incorporated within the basin. A display screen, which may be a touch-screen, can display operational data such as run time, energy consumed, water consumed, soap dispensed, soap remaining, etc. A noise-cancelling feature may actively and/or passively suppress noise from the hand dryer. Electrical energy spent by the hand dryer may also be re-captured with the use of a device within the air plenums that converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electric energy.