Hand Dryer with Lateral Nozzle Sections to Reduce Splash-Back
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand dryers either require opposing nozzles for two-sided drying, limiting depth and comfort, or use low-speed air for single-sided drying, necessitating hand-over-hand action and increased splash-back.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer design with dedicated left-hand and right-hand nozzle sections directing air outward and downward or forward, eliminating the need for opposing nozzles and reducing splash-back, allowing for comfortable one-sided drying without hand-over-hand action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If opposing nozzles are used for two-sided drying, then both sides of the hand can be dried simultaneously, but the depth of the machine increases and user comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying function is segmented into separate left and right nozzle sections, each handling one hand independently. This eliminates the need for opposing nozzles and deep machine cavity, reducing machine depth while maintaining effective drying capability through dedicated unilateral nozzle sections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a depth-oriented opposing nozzle arrangement to a width-oriented lateral nozzle arrangement. By directing nozzles laterally outward from the machine body rather than opposing each other in depth, the solution reduces machine depth while achieving effective hand drying through lateral air jet deployment
2Device complexity
If low-speed air is used for single-sided drying, then the machine can be simpler, but hand-over-hand action is required and splash-back increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the velocity parameter of the drying air from low-speed to high-speed jets. This high-speed air provides sufficient drying momentum to effectively remove water from hands in a single pass, eliminating the need for hand-over-hand rubbing actions and reducing splash-back through controlled lateral air jet direction
3Productivity
If opposing nozzles are used, then two-sided drying is achieved, but the overall depth of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying function is segmented into separate left and right nozzle sections, each handling one hand independently. This eliminates the need for opposing nozzles and deep machine cavity, reducing machine depth while maintaining effective drying capability through dedicated unilateral nozzle sections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a depth-oriented opposing nozzle arrangement to a width-oriented lateral nozzle arrangement. By directing nozzles laterally outward from the machine body rather than opposing each other in depth, the solution reduces machine depth while achieving effective hand drying through lateral air jet deployment
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
The design enhances user comfort by minimizing splash-back and blow-back, allowing for a more compact form factor and efficient drying without the need for opposing nozzles, while maintaining high-speed air momentum for effective moisture removal.
Implementation Method 1
a motor-driven fan to force air at high pressure through an opposing pair of narrow, slit-like nozzles
Implementation Method 2
This creates two opposing thin sheets, or 'blades', of high velocity (>100 m/s) air which act to strip water from the front and backs of a user's hands
Implementation Method 3
the left-hand nozzle section being arranged to emit drying air along a first direction—outwardly to the left of the dryer—and the right-hand nozzle section being arranged to emit drying air in a second direction—outwardly to the right of the dryer—said first and second directions having a downward and/or forward component
Data Source
AI summary
A hand dryer having a left-hand nozzle section which, in normal use, is used to dry a user's left hand and a right-hand nozzle section which, in normal use, is used separately to dry the user's right hand, the left-hand nozzle section being arranged to emit drying air along a first direction—outwardly to the left of the dryer—and the right-hand nozzle section being arranged to emit drying air in a second direction—outwardly to the right of the dryer—said first and second directions having a downward and/or forward component.