Through-Surface Hand Drying Spout for Sink-Integrated Air Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand drying solutions in washrooms, such as wall-mounted dryers and automatic hand dryers, are either cumbersome and noisy or require users to move, leading to water dripping on surfaces, and there is a need for a more convenient and noise-reducing hand drying apparatus that can be easily installed in existing setups.
Innovation Solution
An automatic air dispensing apparatus that can be mounted on a sink or counter, featuring a spout assembly with an infrared sensor and motor-driven fan for air drying, optionally including air filtering and fragrance dispensing, and can be configured to work with existing faucets to coordinate air and water delivery, ensuring hands-free operation and minimizing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wall-mounted hand dryers are installed, then hand drying function is provided, but users must move to the dryer location causing water to drip on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hand drying function with the existing sink/counter location by mounting the air dispenser apparatus directly on the sink or counter surface. This merging of functions allows users to dry hands in place without moving to a separate wall-mounted dryer, thereby preventing water dripping issues while maintaining hand drying convenience.
2Productivity
If high speed automatic hand dryers are installed, then drying speed is improved, but the devices become cumbersome and extremely noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hand drying system into a compact air dispenser apparatus that mounts on the sink/counter, separate from the main sink structure. This segmentation allows the drying function to be provided in a space-efficient manner without requiring large wall-mounted units, reducing device bulkiness while maintaining automatic operation capability through infrared sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-speed airflow system with an electrically-driven fan system that is controlled by an infrared sensor and processor. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity and noise associated with traditional high-speed hand dryers while maintaining automatic activation and effective drying performance.
3Productivity
If high speed automatic hand dryers are installed, then drying efficiency is improved, but noise level increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-speed mechanical airflow mechanism with an electrically-controlled fan system that operates at lower speeds and generates minimal noise. The system uses an infrared sensor to detect hand presence and activates the fan only when needed, maintaining drying efficiency while significantly reducing noise pollution in the washroom environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by activating the fan only when hands are detected by the infrared sensor, rather than operating continuously. This on-demand activation reduces overall noise exposure while maintaining effective drying efficiency during actual use periods.
4Reliability
If traditional hand drying systems are installed, then hand drying is provided, but installation in existing washrooms is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hand drying system into a self-contained air dispenser apparatus that can be mounted independently on existing sinks or counters. This modular segmentation allows the system to be installed in existing washrooms without requiring complex renovations or structural modifications, thereby maintaining reliable hand drying function while significantly improving installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal mounting system that can be adapted to various sink and counter configurations. The air dispenser apparatus is designed with flexible mounting options that work with different existing washroom setups, making installation straightforward while ensuring reliable hand drying functionality across diverse installation environments.
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 apparatus provides a robust, convenient, and noise-reducing hand drying solution that can be easily installed in existing washrooms, ensuring hands are dried without water dripping on surfaces, while being adaptable to various configurations and user preferences.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared sensor... Activation of the infrared sensor activates the drying module
Implementation Method 2
a motor-driven fan operable for forcing air flow through the outlet of the spout assembly
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus can be configured to include air filtering to remove impurities from the air used to dry hands
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for automatically dispensing air, for example, for hand drying, through either a dedicated air only spout (side mount embodiment) or through a multi-use spout configured for dispensing water, soap and/or air. The air drying module, which is typically positioned below a counter, can be modified according to the system needs to operate with hot and/or cold air and to optionally include a filter and/or fragrance dispenser.