Sanitizing hand dryer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a hand dryer that not only reduces drying time but also sanitizes hands by eliminating bacteria, germs, and viruses, which existing high-speed hand dryers do not address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing hand dryer is designed with a dryer housing, air filter assembly, blower, and an ion generator that accelerates and filters air to provide sanitized air, incorporating features like high-efficiency particulate air filters, ozone generators, photocatalytic oxidation systems, and ion generators to sanitize both incoming and outgoing air streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If high-speed air flow is used for rapid hand drying, then drying time is reduced, but the hand dryer may spread bacteria and germs in the ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The hand dryer performs preliminary sanitization of hands before the high-speed drying process. The ion generator and photocatalytic oxidation system are activated during the drying cycle to sanitize both the hands and the ambient air, preventing the spread of bacteria and germs while maintaining rapid drying capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high-speed air flow that could spread bacteria into a beneficial sanitizing force. The ion generator and photocatalytic oxidation system transform the air stream into a sanitizing medium that eliminates bacteria, germs, and viruses on hands and in the surrounding air, turning the drying process itself into a sanitizing treatment
2Reliability
If multiple sanitizing components are added to the hand dryer, then sanitizing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sanitizing functions into a single integrated system. The ion generator and photocatalytic oxidation system share common components including the high-voltage power supply, control circuitry, and housing integration. This merging approach maintains effective sanitizing capability while reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate standalone units
Solution Approach 2:
The hand dryer is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a high-speed drying device and a sanitizing system. The ion generator and photocatalytic oxidation system are integrated into the existing hand dryer structure, allowing the same device to perform both drying and sanitizing functions simultaneously, thereby avoiding the need for separate devices
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 sanitizing hand dryer effectively reduces bacterial and viral loads on hands and in the ambient air, providing a hygienic drying experience while maintaining high-speed drying capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an ion generator that includes a high voltage wire grid through which the high speed filtered air passes to provide high speed sanitized air
Implementation Method 2
an ion generator that includes a high voltage wire grid through which the high speed filtered air passes
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitizing hand dryer comprises a dryer housing having an inlet air channel and an outlet air channel. A blower draws air into the dryer housing through the inlet air channel, and directs the air out of the dryer housing through the outlet air channel A sanitizing system sanitizes the air within the inlet air channel and the air within the outlet air channel, wherein the sanitizing system within the inlet air channel includes at least one of a first air filter, a first ozone generator, a first sanitizing light source, a first photocatalytic oxidation system, a first ion generator, and a first electrostatic precipitator. The sanitizing system within the outlet air channel includes at least one of a second air filter, a second ozone generator, a second sanitizing light source, a second photocatalytic oxidation system, a second ion generator, and a second electrostatic precipitator.