Hand Dryer Airflow Channel Layout for Compact Fast Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand dryers are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and size, taking longer to dry hands and consuming more energy due to bulky designs, with a need for improved airflow exit efficiency and compactness.
Innovation Solution
The design features an airflow directing structure with a cylindrical air intake and exit passage parallel to a rotary axle, a tortuous heating passage, and flow directing vanes to enhance airflow efficiency, reduce size, and optimize heating speed, allowing for recycled airflow and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the air exit passage is positioned parallel to the rotary axle in a juxtaposed manner, then the height of the airflow directing case is reduced, but the airflow path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the air exit passage from a traditional vertical arrangement to a parallel arrangement with the rotary axle, utilizing horizontal space instead of vertical space. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the height of the airflow directing case while maintaining effective airflow path length through the heating section.
2Volume of moving object
If the air inlet and air outlet are positioned adjacent to each other, then the device size is reduced, but the risk of heated airflow recirculation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements directional control features within the air intake passage, including flow directing vanes and asymmetric passage geometry, to ensure that recirculated air is properly oriented and mixed with fresh air. This local quality enhancement allows adjacent inlet and outlet positioning while maintaining reliable airflow management.
3Productivity
If a tortuous passage is used for heating, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the passage length and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the tortuous heating passage within the compact airflow directing case, nesting the extended passage path within a reduced external footprint. The passage coils or winds through the available internal space, maximizing heating surface area while minimizing overall device volume and material consumption.
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 configuration results in a more compact hand dryer with improved airflow efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced drying speed, while minimizing material costs and noise from airflow shearing.
Implementation Method 1
The motor draws in air which is heated by the heating structure and generates a powerful heated airflow
Implementation Method 2
The motor draws in air which is heated by the heating structure and generates a powerful heated airflow to dispel or dry residual moisture on user's hands
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow directing structure for hand dryers includes an airflow directing case, an air inlet, an air outlet, a heating means, an air intake means and a flow directing channel. The air intake means has a rotary axle which has one end fastened to air intake blades. The flow directing channel has an air intake passage communicating with the air inlet, a tortuous passage communicating with the air intake passage and an air exit passage with one end communicating with the tortuous passage and the other end communicating with the air outlet. The air exit passage and the air intake means are parallel in a juxtaposed manner, and located on the same side with the air intake blades and the air outlet. Thus total size of the airflow directing structure is smaller and the cost is lower, and an optimal heating speed can be achieved to improve drying efficiency.