Hand Drying Apparatus with Squeezing and Dispensing Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand drying apparatuses face issues such as high energy consumption, environmental unfriendliness, and lack of automation, particularly with heated air dryers and disposable paper towel dispensers, while fabric towel dispensers require manual squeezing and can become inefficient over time.

Innovation Solution

A hand drying apparatus featuring a squeezing and dispensing arrangement that automatically exerts pressure on a fabric sheet to absorb moisture from a user's hand, using a rotatable driving rotor and supporting members to guide and tension the fabric sheet, allowing for automatic drying without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If heated air is used for drying hands, then drying speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heated air) with a mechanical field (squeezing mechanism). The squeezing assembly mechanically presses the fabric sheet against the hand to force moisture transfer, eliminating the need for high-energy heating systems while achieving effective hand drying through mechanical pressure alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If disposable paper towels are used, then drying effectiveness is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the disposable concept by making the fabric sheet reusable rather than disposable. The fabric sheet is designed to be washed and reused multiple times, eliminating the continuous consumption and waste generation associated with disposable paper towels while maintaining effective drying performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a recovery system where the fabric sheet is collected after use, washed to remove accumulated moisture and contaminants, and then reused. This closed-loop system recovers the fabric sheet's drying capability without discarding it, significantly reducing environmental impact compared to single-use paper towels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Extent of automation

If fabric towels are manually squeezed, then automation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the squeezing assembly automatically performs the squeezing action without requiring user intervention. The system detects hand insertion and autonomously activates the squeezing mechanism to press the fabric sheet against the hand, then automatically advances a fresh portion of the fabric sheet, completely eliminating manual squeezing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares the fabric sheet in advance by pre-positioning it on the squeezing assembly and pre-tensioning it before hand insertion. When the user places their hand in the apparatus, the squeezing action is already configured and ready to execute immediately, providing seamless automated operation without requiring the user to perform any preparatory actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If fabric towels are used for extended periods, then environmental friendliness is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoiddrying performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This solution provides an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and automated hand drying experience by ensuring effective moisture absorption without the need for manual squeezing, maintaining fabric towel usability and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

a fabric sheet squeezing arrangement which is capable of automatically exerting pressure to a user's hand for drying thereof by a fabric sheet, such as a towel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

fabric sheet supported on the first supporting panel and the second supporting panel to contact with the user's hand in the drying cavity so as to absorb moisture from the user's hand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20210267421A1Hand Drying Apparatus with Squeezing and Dispensing Arrangement

Publication Date: 2021.09.02 WEI HUANG

AI summary

A hand drying apparatus includes an outer case and a squeezing and dispensing arrangement. The squeezing and dispensing arrangement includes a first supporting panel, a second supporting panel which is spacedly apart from the first supporting panel, and a plurality of driving rotors rotatably supported in the outer case for driving the fabric towel to move in a predetermined direction. The hand drying apparatus is operated between an idle mode and a drying mode, wherein in the idle mode, the first supporting panel and the second supporting panel are positioned and retained to space apart from each other, wherein in the drying mode, at least one of the first supporting panel and the second supporting panel is driven to move toward the other supporting panel for allowing the fabric sheet to contact with the user's hand.