Hand Dryer Light Guide for Hygienic Hand Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hand drying devices face challenges in positioning hands correctly within the drying chamber to efficiently blow off water droplets without touching the inner walls, leading to unsanitary conditions and uneven drying of the back and palm sides.
Innovation Solution
A hand drying device with a nozzle arrangement on the inner walls, a hand detection sensor, and an illuminating unit positioned to intersect with the nozzle's center axis, guiding users to place their hands at the proper position for effective air stream exposure and balanced drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hand is placed close to the nozzle to efficiently blow off water droplets, then drying efficiency is improved, but the hand is likely to touch the inner wall surface causing unsanitary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical guide (light guide) as an intermediary element that visually indicates the correct hand insertion position. The light guide creates a visual field that serves as a mediator between the nozzle and the user, guiding the hand to the appropriate position without direct contact with the nozzle or inner walls, thus maintaining both drying efficiency and hygiene.
2Loss of time
If nozzles are arranged on both sides of the hand to dry back and palm sides simultaneously, then drying time is reduced, but it becomes difficult to realize a proper hand insertion position
Solution Approach 1:
The optical guide serves as a visual intermediary that clearly marks the correct insertion position for hands when multiple nozzles are used. This visual mediator helps users understand where to place their hands relative to multiple nozzles, making it easy to achieve proper positioning for balanced drying of both hand surfaces simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes light (optical signal) to indicate the correct hand insertion position. The optical guide creates a visible field that changes or varies to guide users to the proper position, making it intuitive to understand where to insert hands for optimal drying with multiple nozzles.
3Illumination intensity
If the drying chamber is brightly illuminated to improve visibility, then user comfort is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly illuminating the entire drying chamber, the patent applies illumination locally only where needed - specifically at the hand insertion position and along the optical guide. This localized lighting approach improves visibility for users while minimizing overall power consumption by avoiding unnecessary illumination in other areas.
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 easy placement of hands at the proper position within the drying chamber, reducing contact with inner walls and ensuring balanced drying of both the back and palm sides, thus enhancing hygiene and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating unit that is arranged at a position on the first inner wall surface shifted from the nozzle in a direction along the first inner wall surface and is configured to emit light toward the second inner wall surface
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle that is arranged on the first inner wall surface and is configured to blow an air stream toward the second inner wall surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hand drying device includes: a drying chamber; a nozzle; a supply unit; a hand detection sensor; a control unit; and an illuminating unit. The drying chamber includes: an opening; a first inner wall surface; and a second inner wall surface facing the first inner wall surface. A hand is inserted from the opening into a space between the first inner wall surface and the second inner wall surface. The nozzle is arranged on the first inner wall surface and is configured to blow an air stream toward the second inner wall surface. A center axis of the nozzle and an optical axis of the illuminating unit intersect with each other at a proper position in the drying chamber where a hand is supposed to be inserted.