Hand dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hand dryer designs obstruct the user's view, making it difficult to assess the drying efficiency and degrading user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer with a housing that includes a draft passage connected to a high-pressure air source and a nozzle that ejects air in a fan shape, positioned on the sides of the housing to allow for better visibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air-knife discharge outlets are arranged side by side over the basin of the sink with the hand dryer extending over the sink, then the hand drying function is achieved, but the parts of the hand dryer become obstructive, making it difficult for the user to see how well his or her hands are dried
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the air-knife discharge outlets from a horizontal arrangement over the sink basin to a vertical arrangement on the side of the housing. This dimensional change allows the air flow to be directed downward onto the hands without the discharge outlets obstructing the user's forward view, thus maintaining hand drying functionality while improving visibility.
2Productivity
If the air-knife discharge outlets are positioned to extend over the sink basin, then effective hand drying is provided, but the obstructive parts degrade user-friendliness
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge outlets are moved from a position extending over the sink basin to a position on the side of the housing, with air flow directed vertically downward. This maintains effective hand drying by positioning the air flow directly over the hands while removing the visual obstruction, thereby improving user-friendliness without sacrificing drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different spatial arrangements to different components: the housing is positioned to provide structural support and house the air source, while the discharge outlets are positioned on the side to provide localized air flow directly onto the hands. This localized positioning optimizes both drying efficiency and user comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle ejects air in a fan shape from the side of the housing, then a wider range for hand movement is provided and direct air blow to the face is prevented, but the air flow distribution must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed to eject air in a fan shape, distributing air flow across a wider vertical angle. This allows users to move their hands more freely within the drying zone while the downward-directed fan shape prevents air from reaching the face. The fan shape geometry inherently provides this distribution pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan-shaped nozzle creates a non-uniform air flow distribution with higher velocity at the center and lower velocity at the edges, and directs flow primarily downward. This localized variation in air flow characteristics ensures effective drying across different hand positions while preventing face exposure to high-velocity air.
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 users to easily check the drying status of their hands while using the hand dryer, enhancing user-friendliness by providing a wider range for hand movement and preventing direct air blow to the face or water droplet dispersal.
Implementation Method 1
a housing (20) internally including a draft passage (22) connected to a high pressure air source
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle (40) which ejects air flowing through the draft passage (22) in a fan shape
Data Source
AI summary
A hand dryer includes: a housing that internally includes a draft passage connected to a high pressure air source; and a nozzle that is provided at a side of the housing and ejects air flowing through the draft passage in a fan shape.