JP2002345682A - Hand drying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] With a conventional hand drying device, when a room is dark and the inside of a drying room is dim, a user may feel hesitation, discomfort, discomfort, etc. when inserting a hand into the drying room. There is a problem that there is. SOLUTION: A high-pressure air flow generator 1 for generating a high-pressure air flow, a drying chamber 2 for drying wet hands by a high-speed jet,
It has an illuminator 9 for illuminating the interior of the drying chamber 2 and an illumination control means 7 for automatically controlling the illuminator 9. Especially when the surroundings are dark, the illuminator 9 is automatically turned on during use and the drying chamber The interior of the device 2 is illuminated to provide a user-friendly and comfortable hand drying device for the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hand drying apparatus for drying wet hands, used in a washroom, a toilet, a kitchen or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a hand wet by washing with water or the like,
Hand dryers that hygienically dry hands by putting their hands over the blown warm air instead of wiping with a towel or handkerchief have been put to practical use. For example, those that can be used as a hair dryer, those that have an additional function such as sterilization by ultraviolet rays, and those that improve the heating efficiency by forming a blowing fan blade with a heating element have been developed. These generate air flow by rotating the blowing means consisting of sirocco type blades by an induction motor,
The air flow is heated by heating means comprising an electric heater,
Although warm air is blown out to the hand insertion portion, it takes about 20 seconds to 1 minute to complete the drying because the moisture of the wet hand is basically evaporated and dried by heat, which is inconvenient. An improved version of this has been developed, in which a high-speed jet is blown from a high-pressure air flow generator to a hand through a nozzle to blow off moisture from the hand and dry the hand.

[0003]

However, in a hand drying apparatus that blows a high-speed jet, the inside of a hand drying room is dim due to lack of illuminance at an installation location. There is a problem that the user may hesitate to insert the hand into the drying chamber, and may feel uncomfortable, uncomfortable, etc. due to the use or the like.

[0004] The present invention solves the conventional problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a hand drying device in which a drying chamber is brightened to make it easy for a user to use.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, a hand drying apparatus of the present invention illuminates the drying chamber when the user inserts his hand into the drying chamber. It can reduce discomfort and discomfort.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention described in claim 1 is provided with an illuminating lamp for illuminating a drying chamber for drying wet hands by a high-speed jet of a high-pressure air flow generating device, and illumination control means for automatically controlling the illuminating lamp. This makes it possible to automatically illuminate the inside of the drying room brightly during use, thereby reducing the hesitation, discomfort, and discomfort of the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical sensor for detecting the brightness of the installation location of the apparatus, and the illumination control means controls the illumination lamp based on the output of the optical sensor.
When the installation place of the apparatus is dark, the inside of the drying chamber can be automatically made bright.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occupant sensor for detecting a person, and the lighting control means controls the illuminating lamp based on the output of the occupant sensor, so that when the user approaches the apparatus, the drying control is performed. The interior of the room can be automatically brightened.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entrance / exit sensor for detecting entry / exit of a person to / from the installation location, and the illumination control means controls the illuminating lamp based on the output of the entry / exit sensor, so that the user can set up the installation location. Upon entering, the interior of the drying chamber can be automatically lit.

The invention described in claim 5 is provided with a clock having time or calendar information, and the illumination control means controls the illumination lamp based on the output of the clock so that the inside of the drying chamber can be automatically controlled for a desired time or period. Can be made brighter.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a photocatalyst is disposed in the drying chamber, and the drying chamber can be kept clean and stain-proof and odor-proof by light from an illumination lamp or the like.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a luminous material is applied to the drying chamber so that, in the dark, the luminous material stores light in the bright state in addition to or instead of the illuminating lamp. Can be brightened.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

First, the configuration of the main body will be described. Reference numeral 1 denotes a high-pressure air flow generator for generating a high-pressure air flow, which is constituted by an electric blower or the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a drying chamber for drying wet hands inserted from substantially above, and a high-pressure air flow generator 1 is provided at the entrance thereof.
A plurality of ejection holes 3 for ejecting a high-pressure airflow from the air are arranged to face each other. Reference numeral 4 denotes a housing in which the high-pressure airflow generator 1 is housed below, and forms ventilation channels 4a and 4b that connect the blower side of the high-pressure airflow generator 1 to the ejection holes 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer shell that accommodates the above-described parts and forms an external appearance of the main body.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an illumination control means for controlling the high-pressure air flow generator 1 and the like.
And is provided in the outer shell 5. Reference numeral 9 denotes an illuminating lamp, which is installed outside the drying chamber 2 in this embodiment to illuminate the inside brightly. In this case, the constituent member 2a constituting the drying chamber 2 is formed of a light transmitting body at least at a position where the illumination lamp 9 is located. The illumination lamp 9 may be provided inside the drying chamber 2 to illuminate the interior directly.
The shape, size, and number are not limited.

Next, the sensor, the clock and the control means will be described. Reference numeral 10 denotes a plurality of hand detection sensors provided near the hand insertion opening of the drying chamber 2 and includes an optical object presence / absence determination sensor and the like, and detects a hand inserted into the drying chamber 2. Reference numeral 11 denotes an optical sensor disposed on the upper part of the outer shell 5, which is constituted by an amorphous material visible light detection sensor used for a solar cell or the like, and detects brightness, that is, light intensity (illuminance) by an analog value. Reference numeral 12 denotes an occupant sensor provided at the front of the outer shell 5, which is constituted by an infrared pyroelectric sensor or the like, and detects a person approaching the apparatus. Reference numeral 13 denotes an entrance / exit sensor installed at or near a door 14 of a public toilet or the like, and is configured by an infrared pyroelectric sensor or a switch for detecting opening / closing of the door 14, and the like.
Detects the entry and exit of people to the installation location of the device. Also, the in / out sensor 13 is wirelessly connected to the control means 6 (the cable may be used).
Perform communication. Reference numeral 15 denotes a clock provided at the top of the outer shell 5,
It is composed of a general digital clock with a display and reservation timer, and outputs calendar information such as time, year, month, day, day of the week, and holidays. The specific examples of the sensor and the timepiece described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these examples.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control means 6 controls the high-pressure airflow generator 1 based on the output of the hand detection sensor 10.
Is driven and controlled. Further, the outputs of the sensors 11 to 13 and the clock 15 are transmitted to the illumination control means 7. The lighting control means 7 controls turning on / off of the lighting lamp 9 or other control based on the information.

Next, a description will be given of a material which is mixed or applied to the inner wall of the drying chamber 2. First, the light storage material is a material that stores light in the light and shines in the dark, and is made of a material such as aluminum oxide, strontium oxide, and strontium carbonate. For example, the interior of the drying chamber 2 can be brightened in the dark in addition to or instead of the illumination lamp 9 such as storing light during the day and shining during the evening to night. The photocatalyst is a material that decomposes organic components (for example, keratin or sebum that has fallen from the hand surface to the drying chamber 2) through a catalytic reaction, and is made of a raw material such as titanium oxide. The organic matter on the inner wall of the drying chamber 2 is decomposed in response to external light, illumination lamp light or light storage material light to perform antifouling and deodorization. By arranging the photocatalyst on the inner wall of the drying chamber 2, the frequency of cleaning maintenance can be reduced, and the cleanliness given to the user can be improved. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned raw materials, and the place where the composition is applied or applied is not limited to the inner wall of the drying chamber 2. Furthermore, the range of compounding or application is not limited.

The drying chamber 2 has an intake port 16 on one side at the back (the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) for recovering the blown airflow spouted from the ejection hole 3, and the drying port 2 is provided with a high-pressure airflow generator. 1
The high-pressure air flow generator 1 has a suction side opposite to the suction port 16 (the left side in FIG. 2). A drain hole 18 is provided substantially below the intake port 16, and a detachable drain tank 19 is provided below the outer shell 5 of the main body. And drying room 2
Has a configuration surrounded by a wall except for an inlet 16 and an insertion port for inserting a hand. The side wall surface of the drying chamber 2 is constituted by a side plate 20 of a light transmitting body capable of receiving light.
Numeral 0 can be freely inserted and removed along grooves or claws (not shown) provided on the front and rear surfaces of the drying chamber 2 and can be freely attached and detached, and is provided with a luminous material and a photocatalyst. Inlet 1
6 is constituted by a net as shown in FIG.
This net is removable.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the overall arrangement of the public toilet, and a hand dryer is arranged near the door 14. The association with the sink 21 and the small and large toilets 22 and 23 is not limited to this.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
First, drying of hands will be described.

When a wet hand is inserted into the drying chamber 2 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 3), the hand detection sensor 10 detects this and drives the high-pressure air flow generator 1. The airflow that has exited from the blowing side of the high-pressure airflow generator 1 is guided to the ejection holes 3 through the blowing channels 4a and 4b, and is ejected as a high-speed jet. Vent 3
As shown in FIG. 3, the palm and the back of the hand are provided to face each other so as to spray a jet at the same time. Direction) slightly inclined. The airflow after the ejection is sucked into the intake port 16. Therefore, the jet strongly collides with the surface of the wet hand, and smoothly sweeps and separates water droplets in the depth direction of the drying chamber 2 at high speed, thereby drying the hand in a short time.

The air flow sucked in from the air inlet 16 is guided to the suction side of the high-pressure air flow generator 1 through the circulation flow path 17, and is blown again from the air flow paths 4a and 4b as a blown air flow. The temperature of the airflow is raised by repeatedly passing through the high-pressure airflow generation device 1 and repeatedly compressed in the circulation flow paths 4a and 4b, so that warm air is supplied from the ejection holes without providing additional heating means. become. And, by having a circulation configuration and a configuration in which the drying chamber 2 is surrounded by a wall surface, the scattering of water droplets to the user side and the outside of the main body can be reduced. At this time, the water droplets sucked into the intake port 16 together with the air current collide with the lower wall surface due to inertia, and are collected in the drain tank 19 through the drain hole 18.

Next, the output of each sensor, the judgment of the illumination control means 7 for the output, and the control pattern will be described.
The optical sensor 11 detects the brightness of the installation location of the device at the upper part of the outer shell 5, and outputs analog information according to the brightness. Based on this output, it is determined whether the image is bright or dark based on a predetermined threshold value set in advance. The resident sensor 12
A change in infrared rays caused by a person approaching the device is detected and output at the front of the shell 5. Based on this output, it is determined whether the user has approached the apparatus. The in / out sensor 13 is
Changes in the infrared radiation caused by people entering the installation location of the device
It is detected and output at the position of the door 14. Based on this output,
Determine whether a user has entered the installation location of the device.

[0025]

[Table 1]

The lighting control means 7 controls the turning on and off of the illuminating lamp 9 in accordance with each of the above-mentioned determinations. For example, in Example 1, the illumination lamp 9 is turned ON only by the output of the optical sensor 11. At this time, if the installation place of the device becomes dark, the illumination lamp 9 is automatically turned on, and a standby state where the user can always use it can be provided. In Example 2, the illumination lamp 9 is turned ON only by the output of the occupant sensor 12.
At this time, the lighting lamp 9 is turned on only when the user approaches the main body.
Therefore, energy can be saved. Alternatively, in Example 3, the illumination lamp 9 is turned ON only by the output of the in / out sensor 13.
At this time, when the user enters the installation place of the device, the lighting 9
Is turned on, the presence of the device can be appealed to the user. In Table 1, each of the sensors 11, 12, 1
An example in which the illumination lamp 9 is controlled by a combination of the three outputs is also shown, but the description is omitted. An optimal example may be selected according to the environment and needs of the installation site, including both the individual sensors and the combination. In addition, it is not limited to the example of Table 1.

Also, the judgment of each sensor output is ON / OFF.
In addition, if an intermediate stage is provided, or if the illumination lamp 9 is provided not only with lighting and extinguishing but also with lighting at an intermediate stage brightness,
A more detailed control pattern becomes possible. Watch 1
The operation using the output of the reservation information of No. 5 is also various, and for example, it may be optimized according to the situation and needs of the site, such as turning on at the same time every day, but turning off on holidays.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the illuminating lamp 9 is provided inside the drying chamber 2, and the illuminating lamp 9 is automatically turned on in accordance with the outputs of the optical sensor 11, the occupant sensor 12, and the in / out sensor 13. This or the light storage material can make the inside of the drying chamber 2 brighter, and can alleviate hesitation, discomfort, and discomfort when the user inserts his hand into the drying chamber 2. In addition, the inside of the drying chamber can be kept clean by the photocatalyst on the inner wall of the drying chamber 2 and the clean feeling given to the user can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the hand drying device is placed vertically and the hands are inserted into the drying chamber from above. However, the hands may be placed horizontally and the hands are inserted from the front. In that case, it is necessary to change the positions of the occupant sensor 12, the intake port 16, and the like at a minimum.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the user inserts his / her hand into the drying chamber, the drying chamber becomes brighter, so that the user can hesitate, feel uncomfortable, and feel uncomfortable. The device can provide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a hand drying device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an installation place of the apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 High-pressure air flow generator 2 Drying chamber 3 Spout hole 4a Blowing flow path 4b Blowing flow path 7 Lighting control means 9 Illumination light 11 Optical sensor 12 Occupant sensor 13 In / out sensor 15 Clock

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A high-pressure airflow generator for generating a high-pressure airflow, a drying chamber for drying wet hands by a high-speed jet of the high-pressure airflow generator, an illumination lamp for illuminating the drying chamber, and the illumination lamp. A hand-drying device provided with lighting control means for automatically controlling. 2. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising an optical sensor for detecting the brightness of the installation location, wherein the illumination control means controls the illumination lamp based on the output of the optical sensor. 3. The hand dryer according to claim 1, further comprising an occupant sensor for detecting a person, wherein the illumination control means controls the illuminating lamp based on an output of the occupant sensor. 4. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an in / out sensor for detecting a person entering / leaving the installation location, and a lighting control unit controlling a lighting lamp based on the in / out sensor. . 5. A clock having time or calendar information,
The hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the illumination control means controls the illumination lamp based on the output of the clock. 6. A photocatalyst is disposed in a drying chamber.
The hand drying device according to any one of the above. 7. A drying room provided with a luminous material.
The hand drying device according to any one of the above. 8. A hand comprising: a high-pressure airflow generator for generating a high-pressure airflow; a drying chamber for drying wet hands by a high-speed jet of the high-pressure airflow generator; and a hand having a phosphorescent material applied to the drying chamber. Drying equipment.