Front-Insert Hand Dryer Chamber to Prevent Splashing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand dryer devices either splash water or require users to insert their hands close to the device, leading to potential contact and hygiene concerns, and lack visibility of hand drying status.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer device with a superiorly open drying chamber that allows hand insertion from the front, featuring lateral arms for air flow orientation and infrared detection to ensure hands are not touched and can be visually monitored during drying, along with water evacuation means to prevent splashing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hands are placed under traditional hand dryers, then water does not fall on the ground, but water can splash the user
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from the traditional 'hands under' configuration to a 'hands in' configuration where users insert their hands horizontally into a chamber from the front, changing the spatial dimension of hand placement. This dimensional change allows water to drain to the rear without splashing the user while maintaining effective drying contact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hands are inserted into hand dryers from above, then water does not fall on the ground, but users must get hands very close to air outlets and contact the device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the insertion direction from vertical (top to bottom) to horizontal (front to back), creating a chamber that extends from the front region to the rear region. This allows users to insert hands from the front at a comfortable distance while water drains toward the rear without contacting the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a water collection tray or channel at the rear of the chamber as an intermediary structure to capture and drain water away from the user, mediating between the drying function and water management without requiring user contact with drainage components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hands are placed inside hand dryers, then water does not splash the user, but hands are not visible and user cannot visually appreciate if hands are dry
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates transparent or translucent materials in the chamber construction, allowing users to visually observe their hands through the chamber walls. This optical property change maintains the enclosed drying environment while providing visual feedback on hand dryness.
4Loss of information
If hands are inserted from front of device, then hands are visible to user, but water may fall to ground and splash user
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a horizontal chamber extending from front to rear, with water drainage oriented toward the rear. This spatial arrangement allows front-facing hand insertion for visibility while directing water flow away from the user through rearward drainage channels or trays.
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 device effectively prevents water splashing and allows for hands to be dried without contact with the device, providing visibility and hygiene assurance, combining the benefits of 'hands under' and 'hands in' types while minimizing cleaning complexities.
Implementation Method 1
aeration means provided for orienting an air flow rate towards an outlet located in the area of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
detection means for detecting the presence of the hands of the user in the drying chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hand dryer device includes a casing, a drying chamber superiorly open formed in the upper portion of the same casing for placing the hands of the user, aeration means provided for orienting an air flow rate towards an outlet located in the area of the drying chamber, and detection means for detecting the presence of the hands of the user in the drying chamber. The drying chamber runs transversely from the front region to the rear region of the casing, the drying chamber being laterally delimited by two arms facing each other, which extend vertically from the corresponding lateral regions, the drying chamber having dimensions configured for the insertion of the two hands of the user from the front area of the casing. The air outlet is located on the internal face of the two arms; the air flow rate is laterally oriented towards the hands of a user.