Hand Dryer Cover-Mounted Intake Pathway With Water-Entry Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water droplets blown off a hand can enter the casing of a hand dryer through the air inlet port, which is placed rearward of the nozzle, especially when the cover is removed for maintenance, causing water to pass through the connection portion between the air inlet port and the intake air pathway.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer apparatus with a casing that includes a removable cover with the air inlet port and an intake air pathway body fixed on the cover, ensuring the air inlet port is placed upward of the nozzle, and using a gasket between the cover and the intake air pathway body to prevent water entry, with the intake air pathway extending from the air inlet port toward the fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air inlet port is formed in the cover for easy access and maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but water droplets can enter the casing through the connection portion between the air inlet port and the intake air pathway, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A water guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the air inlet port and the intake air pathway. This water guide member has a water guide groove that directs water droplets away from the connection portion, preventing water from entering the casing while allowing the air inlet port to remain accessible in the cover for easy maintenance.
2Device complexity
If the air inlet port is placed rearward of the nozzle for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but water droplets blown off the hand can be admitted through the air inlet port, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The water guide member serves as a mediator that resolves the conflict between compact positioning and water protection. By placing the water guide groove in the water guide member at the connection portion, water droplets are directed away from the intake air pathway even though the air inlet port is positioned rearward near the nozzle for compact design.
3Ease of repair
If the cover is made removable for maintenance access, then the ease of repair is improved, but the connection portion between the cover and the intake air pathway becomes exposed to water entry, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The water guide member is positioned at the connection portion between the removable cover and the intake air pathway body. It acts as a protective intermediary that prevents water from entering through the connection interface during maintenance operations when the cover is removed, while still allowing easy access for repairs.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If water droplets enter the casing through the air inlet port connection, then the harmful factors affecting the object increase, but adding complex sealing structures would increase the device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The water guide member is a simple intermediary component with a water guide groove that prevents water entry without requiring complex sealing structures. The groove geometry alone directs water away from the connection portion, providing effective water protection while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
Prevents water from entering the casing, maintaining the apparatus' internal dryness and reducing the complexity of the connecting structure, thus enhancing reliability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that is housed in the casing and generates an airflow directed from the air inlet port toward the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
blows a high-speed airflow discharged through a nozzle toward a hand to blow off water droplets clinging to the hand
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hand dryer apparatus includes: a casing (2) having an air inlet port (4) that admits air and a nozzle that discharges the air admitted through the air inlet port (4); a fan that is housed in the casing (2) and generates an airflow directed from the air inlet port (4) toward the nozzle; and an intake air pathway body (19) placed in the casing (2) and forming an intake air pathway (13) extending from the air inlet port (4) toward the fan. The casing (2) includes a base supporting the fan and a cover (5) having the air inlet port (4) and removable from the base. The intake air pathway body (19) is fixed on the cover (5).