Hand Dryer Sensor Layout for Different User Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand dryers are not user-friendly for individuals of varying heights, as the sensor placement and design make it difficult for shorter users, such as children, to effectively insert their hands and receive adequate airflow for drying, leading to inefficient use and potential hand contamination.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer design with a box body having open upper and side portions, featuring first and second sensors positioned to detect hands from different angles, allowing for easy hand insertion and operation regardless of height, and a control unit to manage airflow generation based on sensor inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hand dryer is arranged at adult height, then adults can easily use it, but shorter persons cannot sufficiently insert their hands to trigger the sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to sensor placement by providing sensors at multiple heights (upper and lower sensors). This allows the system to detect hands inserted from different depths, accommodating both adults and children regardless of their height, thus resolving the contradiction between adult ease of use and adaptability to different heights.
2Measurement precision
If deep sensors are placed far from the opening, then they can detect hands inserted deeply, but the distance from sensors to nozzles increases reducing drying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function into multiple sensors positioned at different locations (upper and lower, front and back). This segmentation allows the system to detect hands at various insertion depths while maintaining optimal distance from nozzles for efficient drying, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and drying efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on the deep side, then they can detect hands inserted far enough, but users cannot see where to insert hands and may contaminate washed hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes sensors across multiple dimensions (upper/lower, front/back) so that at least some sensors are visible from the opening while others are positioned deep inside. This multi-dimensional arrangement provides both user guidance through visible sensors and reliable detection through deep sensors, preventing hand contamination while ensuring accurate detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand dryer includes a box body that includes a hand drying chamber whose upper portion and side portion are open, an airflow generating device that generates an airflow, a nozzle that is provided in the hand drying chamber and ejects an airflow generated in the airflow generating device, a first sensor provided in the hand drying chamber, a second sensor that is provided in the hand drying chamber and is provided at a position that is below the first sensor and is more outward than the first sensor in a horizontal direction, and a control unit that controls an operation of the airflow generating device in accordance with a signal from the first sensor or the second sensor.