JP2000093348A - Hand drying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hand dryer that can improve thermal efficiency and minimize water entering inside the case cover. SOLUTION: The case cover 11 has a front portion 12, at the upper side of a hand insertion section 13, that stores a dryer body 20, and an air sucking portion 71 is provided in the underside 60 of the front portion 12. The air sucking portion 71 has an opening 72 and a water fending-off member 73, and the water fending-off member 73 is formed in a size that allows it to match the peripheral edge of the opening 72, and the water fending-off member 73 is separated from the peripheral edge of the opening 72, and arranged in a position that allows it to overlap the direction of opening.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus having at least a blowing means, a heat generating means, and a blowing means for blowing the blown air toward the hand inserting section in a case cover having a hand inserting section. The present invention relates to a hand drying device incorporating a main body, and is a device for drying a washed hand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of hand drying apparatus, for example, the one shown in FIG. 13 is known. That is, when a user inserts a hand into the hand insertion section 2 provided on the case cover 1, warm air blows out from a blowing nozzle 3 arranged to face the inside of the hand insertion section 2 to remove water droplets attached to the hand. It is configured to dry while blowing.

[0003] The main body of the apparatus in the case cover 1 is composed of the blow nozzle 3, a turbo fan 4 for blowing air to the blow nozzle 3, a motor thereof, a hot air heater for heating the blown air, and the like. These electric devices are unitized in a dense state and incorporated in the case cover 1. An air inlet 5 for sending air to an internal turbo fan 4 is provided on the bottom surface of the case cover 1. In addition,
A filter 6 was attached to the air inlet 5.

[0004]

However, in the conventional hand dryer as described above, the temperature of the air sucked from the air suction port 5 is room temperature (low temperature), and this air is heated by a hot air heater. Requires a lot of power consumption. Here, in order to increase the thermal efficiency, it is preferable to provide an air suction port in the hand insertion section 2 so that the warm air blown out from the blowing nozzle 3 is circulated and sucked.

However, if the air inlet is provided at a position facing the hand insertion portion 2, water drops blown by the high-speed air blown from the blow-out nozzle 3 will cause the case cover 1 to drop.
There is a risk of being sucked inside and damaging the internal electronic components. Therefore, there has been a long-felt need for a waterproof measure for preventing water from entering the case cover 1 as much as possible without impairing the air permeability at the air suction port.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a hand dryer capable of improving thermal efficiency and preventing water from entering the case cover as much as possible. It is intended to be.

[0007]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object lies in the following items. [1] Case cover (11) having hand insertion portion (13)
Inside, at least the blowing means (30) and the heat generating means (4)
0), and a blowing means (50) for blowing the blown air toward the hand insertion portion (13).
0), the case cover (11) has a front part (1) for storing the apparatus body (20) above the hand insertion part (13).
2) having a lower surface portion (60) of the front portion (12).
A hand drying device (10), further comprising an air suction part (71) for taking in the air sent to the blowing means (30) from the outside.

[2] The air suction portion (71) has an opening (72) and a water blocking member (73). The water suction member (73) is connected to the opening (72). The hand drying device (10) according to [1], wherein the hand drying device (10) is disposed at a position for blocking water coming from below toward the opening (72) without closing the opening (72).

[3] The water blocking member (73) is formed so as to have a size matching at least the peripheral edge of the opening (72), and the water blocking member (73) is connected to the opening (72). The hand drying device (10) according to [2], wherein the hand drying device is disposed at a position separated from a peripheral edge of the device and vertically overlapped therewith.

[4] The hand drying device (1) according to [2] or [3], wherein the water blocking member (73) has a slope for causing water adhering to the front and back surfaces to flow downward.
0).

[5] The opening (72) is opened substantially horizontally downward, and the water blocking member (73) is disposed substantially horizontally below the opening (72). The hand drying device (10) according to [2], [3], or [4], wherein the hand drying device is formed in a shape inclined downward from substantially the center toward both ends.

[6] The filter [1], [2], [3], [4] or [5], wherein a filter (74) for covering the air suction section (71) is provided detachably. Hand drying device (10).

Next, the operation based on the above-mentioned solution will be described. According to the hand drying device (10) of the present invention, the lower surface portion (6) of the front portion (12) facing the hand insertion portion (13).
0), the air suction part (71) is provided, so that the air sucked from the air suction part (71) is blown out by the blowing means (50).
It becomes warm air blown out from. Therefore, the thermal efficiency is improved, and the power consumption when the air is heated by the heating means (40) is reduced.

The water blocking member (73) of the air suction portion (71) is disposed at a position where the water flowing from below toward the opening (72) is blocked without closing the opening (72). It is good to set. Thereby, even if the water scattered at the time of hand drying or cleaning of the apparatus flies toward the opening (72), the water is splashed back by the water blocking member (73) covering the opening (72).

As described above, it is possible to prevent water from entering the case cover (11) from the air suction portion (71) as much as possible. Therefore, water does not adhere to the apparatus main body (20) in the case cover (11), and there is no risk of damage to internal electronic components. On the other hand, the air is easily taken into the case cover (11) from the gap between the peripheral edge of the opening (72) and the outer edge of the water blocking member (73).

The water blocking member (73) is specifically formed, for example, in a size that matches at least the periphery of the opening (72), and the water blocking member (73) is connected to the opening (72). It is preferable to dispose it at a position separated from the peripheral edge of (72) and vertically overlapped. In such a case, intrusion of water can be reliably prevented with a simple configuration.

Further, if the front and back surfaces of the water blocking member (73) are inclined with respect to a substantially horizontal plane, water flows from a gap between the peripheral edge of the opening (72) and the outer edge of the water blocking member (73). In the case where water enters the water blocking member (73) and enters, the water adhering to the front and back surfaces of the water blocking member (73) can be quickly discharged to the outside.

When the opening (72) is opened substantially horizontally downward, the water blocking member (73) is disposed substantially horizontally below the opening (72), and The shape may be inclined downward from the center toward both ends. According to the water blocking member (73) of such a shape, the water blocking member (73)
The water on the upper surface can be discharged to the outside more quickly, and a wide gap can be secured between the periphery of the opening (72) near both ends of the water blocking member (73).

Further, if a filter (74) for covering the air suction portion (71) is detachably provided, foreign substances such as dust in the air can be prevented to some extent from entering the air suction portion (71). . Further, if dust or the like is clogged in the filter (74), it can be easily removed and cleaned.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 show an embodiment of the present invention. The hand drying device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a case cover 11 having a hand insertion portion 13.
The apparatus main body 20 is incorporated therein. Generally, the hand drying device 10 is installed on a wall of a washroom or a toilet.

When the user inserts his / her hand with water into the hand insertion portion 13 of the case cover 11, warm air is blown out from the blowing means 50 provided so as to face the inside of the hand insertion portion 13. This is a device for drying while blowing off water droplets attached to hands. Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 12, the case cover 11 has a front portion 12 mounted so as to cover the apparatus main body 20, and a hand insertion recess formed as a space under which a hand can be inserted. It comprises a portion 13 and a water receiving portion 14 protruding forward from the lowermost end. The case cover 11 is substantially integrally formed of a synthetic resin.

The lower surface of the front part 12 facing the hand insertion part 13 is separately formed as a filter case 60 to be attached later. A water receiving tray 15 is detachably mounted below the water receiving portion 14. Water receiver 14
Is provided with a drain hole (not shown) through which water falls to the lower water receiving tray 15.

As shown in FIG. 11, the filter case 6
In addition to a power outlet switch 51, a detection sensor 19, and an air volume changeover switch 3, a front end outlet 51 of a blowing means 50, which will be described later, penetrates a lower surface portion of the front portion 12 where 0 is a main part.
4. A heater switch 41 is provided. The power switch 18 turns on / off the power of the entire apparatus.

The detection sensor 19 detects a hand when the user puts a hand in the hand insertion portion 13. Specifically, the detection sensor 19 includes, for example, a Doppler type ultrasonic distance detector or an infrared sensor. Good to do. Air volume changeover switch 3
Numeral 4 is for adjusting the output of the blowing means 30 to two levels of strong / weak. Further, the heater changeover switch 41 turns on / off the heating means 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the filter case 60
The base substrate 61 has a stepped portion 70 protruding on the back side thereof.
The step 70 is provided with an air suction section 71 which forms the basis of the present invention. Also, the base substrate 6
1 has a switch mounting hole 6 corresponding to the power switch 18.
2. Switch mounting hole 6 corresponding to air volume changeover switch 34
3, and a switch mounting hole 64 corresponding to the heater changeover switch 41 is opened.

At the front edge of the base substrate 61, a notch edge 65 is provided which extends in both sides and matches the tip outlet 51 of the blowing means 50 described later. In addition, between the notch edge 65 and the step portion 70, a sensor mounting portion 66 for mounting the detection sensor 19 is recessed so as to protrude above the lower surface. A flange 67 is formed on the rear edge of the base substrate 61, and a mounting piece 68 for screwing to the apparatus main body 20 is protruded near both ends thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air suction portion 71
Has an opening 72 and a water blocking member 73. In the middle of the inner wall of the step portion 70, an edge piece 70a extending at a constant width is formed inside the four sides thereof, and the inside of the edge piece 70a is opened in a rectangular shape as the opening 72. Here, the opening 72 is opened substantially horizontally downward.

The water blocking member 73 is formed in a rectangular plate shape having a size matching the periphery of the opening 72. The water blocking member 73 can open the opening 7 without closing the opening 72.
It is arranged at a position where water coming from below toward 2 is blocked. More specifically, the water blocking member 73 is spaced below the periphery of the opening 72 and is disposed at a position vertically overlapping the opening 72. Here, the water blocking member 73 only needs to be at least as large as the periphery of the opening 72, and may be set larger than the opening 72.

The water blocking member 73 has an outer edge and an opening 72.
It is supported substantially horizontally below the opening 72 through the ribs 70b and 70c so as not to block the gap in the lateral direction between the outer edge and the peripheral edge of the opening 72. In addition, the front and back surfaces of the water blocking member 73 are formed in a shape inclined downward from substantially the center toward both ends.

As shown in FIG. 1, a filter 74 for covering the air suction portion 71 is detachably attached to the lowermost end of the step portion 70. As shown in FIG. 11, the filter 74 is formed in a mesh shape and a thin plate shape. At both ends of the lowermost end of the step portion 70, mounting claws 75 are provided so as to hook both side edges of the filter 74.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
Is a heating means 40 for heating the blown air to a predetermined temperature;
3 is assembled from the blowing means 50 for blowing out the air toward the outside. Each component of the apparatus main body 20 is integrally combined as one unit.

As shown in FIG. 8, the air blowing means 30 is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main body 20 and blows the air in the front portion 12 downward inside the apparatus main body 20.
The blowing means 30 includes a drive motor 31 and the drive motor 31.
And a fan 32 driven to rotate. Fan 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes a so-called turbo fan, which has a cylindrical hollow portion on the rotation center side, and has a large number of blades arranged radially from the rotation center. When a large number of blades rotate, suction pressure is generated in the hollow portion.

As shown in FIG. 8, a circulation path 33 for sending air to the blowing means 30 is formed inside the front part 12. In the front portion 12, the apparatus main body 20 is set so as to be disposed near one side wall surface thereof.
The remaining space near the side wall forms the main part of the circulation path 33.

The above-described air suction part 71 forms the starting end of the circulation path 33. The upper end of the apparatus main body 20 is spaced below the upper surface wall of the front portion 12, and an air suction port 22 for sending air to the blower 30 is formed at the upper end of the apparatus main body 20. The air suction port 22 terminates the circulation path 33.

As shown in FIG. 9, the outer shell of the apparatus main body 20 includes a case lid 21 at the uppermost end thereof. The case lid 21 can be opened when the air blowing means 30 is incorporated into the inside of the apparatus main body 20, and the air suction port 22 is formed as a round hole at substantially the center of the case lid 21. .

As shown in FIG. 9, a mesh filter 23 formed in the shape of a thin circular plate is fitted in the air suction port 22.
On the upper side, a block-type filter 24 is mounted. The filter 24 has air permeability that allows air to pass from the entire surface exposed to the outside toward the air suction port 22.

Specifically, a sponge-like filter (hereinafter, referred to as a sponge-like filter 24) is used as the filter 24. Here, the sponge-shaped filter 24 is obtained by processing a resin foam into a three-dimensional skeleton structure. Such a sponge-like filter 24 is
It has very low ventilation resistance and generally has a high dust collection ability.

The sponge-like filter 24 also serves as a sound absorbing material for absorbing the sound emitted from the blower 30. Further, around the drive motor 31 of the blower means 30, a sound absorbing material 25 made of ordinary urethane foam is arranged, and around the fan 32, an anti-vibration rubber 26 is arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a heating means 40 is disposed inside the apparatus main body 20 between the blowing means 30 and a blowing means 50 described below.
The heating means 40 heats the air blown downward from the blowing means 30 to an appropriate temperature.

The heating means 40 is, for example, a PT
It is formed by joining a corrugated aluminum fin to a C heater. The PTC heater is formed of a semiconductor ceramic resistor containing barium titanate as a main component and having a property that a resistance value rapidly increases at a predetermined temperature or higher.

The heating means 40 composed of such a PTC heater causes a current to flow when a voltage is applied, self-heats due to Joule heat, and rises in temperature. However, when a predetermined switching temperature is reached, the resistance value sharply increases. As a result, the current decreases and becomes constant. That is, it has a function to automatically keep the temperature above a certain temperature and keep the temperature constant.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
A blowout means 50 is provided at the lowermost end of the. The blowing means 50 blows out the air blown by the blowing means 30 and heated by the heat generating means 40. The blowing means 50 is composed of a nozzle having a shape in which the distal end outlet 51 is horizontally long and narrowed down to a narrow width. The tip outlet 51 of the blowing means 50 is connected to the hand insertion portion 13 of the case cover 11.
It is arranged to face.

Next, the operation of the hand dryer 10 will be described. When the hand is inserted into the hand insertion portion 13 of the case cover 11, the detection sensor 19 detects the hand, and based on the detection, the drive motor 31 of the blowing means 30 is activated, and the fan 32 is rotated to start blowing. At the same time, when the heater changeover switch 41 is ON, power is supplied to the heat generating means 40 and the air blown by the fan 32 is heated.

The outside air is first taken into the front section 12 from the air suction section 71 on the lower surface of the front section 12. Here, the air sucked from the air suction part 71 becomes the warm air blown out from the blowing means 50. Therefore, the thermal efficiency is increased, and the power consumption when the air is heated by the heating means 40 is reduced.

The air is first supplied to the filter 74 (FIG. 11).
), Foreign matter such as dust is removed to some extent. Subsequently, as indicated by the arrow in FIG.
It is easily taken into the front part 12 from the gap between the outer edge of the water blocking member 73 of the air suction part 71 and the peripheral edge of the opening 72. If foreign matter such as dust is clogged in the filter 74, it can be easily removed from the air suction part 71 and cleaned.

Since the opening 72 is directed downward in a substantially horizontal state, water that falls from above does not enter the opening 72 against gravity. The water blocking member 73 is supported by the ribs 70b and 70c so as to vertically overlap the opening 72 in a state separated from the opening 72 below.

Therefore, even if water scattered during hand drying or cleaning of the apparatus flies from below toward the opening 72, it is splashed back by the water blocking member 73 covering the opening 72.
In this way, it is possible to prevent water from entering the front part 12 from the air suction part 71, so that water does not adhere to the apparatus main body 20 in the front part 12, and the air blowing means 3
There is no danger of damage to internal electronic components such as the heating element 40 and the heat generating means 40.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front and back surfaces of the water blocking member 73 are inclined downward from substantially the center toward both ends thereof. Even if water enters from the gap between the outer edge of the member 73 and water splashes on the water-repellent member 73, the water can be quickly discharged to the outside even if water adheres to the front and back surfaces of the water-repellent member 73. . Further, according to the shape of the water blocking member 73, a gap between the water blocking member 73 and the periphery of the opening 72 near both ends, that is, a wide ventilation path can be secured. Further, since the water blocking member 73 covers the opening 72, noise leaking from the opening 72 to the outside is reduced.

The air taken into the front part 12 from the air suction part 71 flows up the circulation path 33 and flows to the upper end side of the apparatus main body 20 as shown by an arrow in FIG.
After the air passes through the sponge filter 24 and the mesh filter 23, the air is taken into the blowing means 30 from the air suction port 22.
Is mounted so as to spread widely around the air inlet 22, the outer surface is larger than the opening area of the air inlet 22, and air is sucked in from the entire outer surface area.

The air sent downward by the blowing means 30 is heated by the heat generating means 40 and then reaches the blowing means 50. The air is blown out vigorously from the distal end outlet 51 of the blowing means 50 and blown to the hand inserted into the hand insertion portion 13. In this manner, the user can quickly dry his / her wet hands by blowing off water due to the blowing air and warm air. When the user pulls his hand out of the hand insertion section 13, the detection sensor 19 detects this and the blowing means 30 and the heating means 40
When the power supply to is stopped, the hand dryer 10 stops operating.

The hand drying apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. For example, the specific shape of the opening of the air suction unit and the water-blocking member is:
The present invention is not limited to the illustrated one. For example, the water blocking member may be formed to be larger than the opening, or may be formed in a round shape instead of a rectangular shape.

The fan constituting the blowing means is a multi-layered disk which is a fan having a small operating noise instead of a turbo fan, and is formed by superposing a large number of disks with a small gap in the fan rotation axis direction. A fan may be used.

The heat generating means is not limited to the one using a PTC heater, but may be constituted by a heater wire or the like. Furthermore, a mechanism capable of changing the wind direction may be provided in the blowing means.

[0055]

According to the hand drying apparatus of the present invention, since the air suction portion is provided on the lower surface of the front portion facing the hand insertion portion, the air sucked from the air suction portion is blown out from the blowing means. Since the hot air is used, the thermal efficiency is improved, and the power consumption when the air is heated by the heat generating means can be reduced.

The air suction portion provided on the case cover has an opening and a water blocking member, and the water blocking member flies toward the opening without closing the opening. When placed in a position that blocks water, it is possible to prevent water from entering the case cover from the outside as much as possible without hindering the intake of air into the case cover, and there is a risk of damage to internal electronic components. Can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially broken away, showing a hand dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a filter case of the hand dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a filter case of the hand dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a filter case of the hand dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a filter case of the hand dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front view of the hand dryer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view of the apparatus main body of the hand drying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an apparatus main body of the hand drying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing an apparatus main body and a case cover of the hand drying apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention separately.

FIG. 13 is a side view schematically showing a conventional hand drying device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hand drying device 11 ... Case cover 12 ... Front part 13 ... Hand insertion part 14 ... Water receiving part 15 ... Water receiving tray 18 ... Power switch 19 ... Detection sensor 20 ... Device main body 21 ... Case lid part 22 ... Air suction port Reference Signs List 23 mesh filter 24 sponge filter 25 sound absorbing material 26 anti-vibration rubber 30 blowing means 31 driving motor 32 fan 33 circulation path 34 air flow rate switch 40 heating means 41 heater switch 50 Blowing means 51 ... tip outlet 60 ... filter case 61 ... base board 62 ... switch mounting hole 63 ... switch mounting hole 64 ... switch mounting hole 65 ... notch edge 66 ... sensor mounting part 67 ... flange 68 ... mounting piece 70 ... step 70a … Border piece 71… Air suction part 72… Opening part 73… Water proof member 74… Filter 75… Claw

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuo Rikimaru 2-1-1, Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Touchi Kiki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsunetaka Hashimoto 100 Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Koito (72) Inventor Junichi Yano 100, Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hand incorporating an apparatus main body having at least an air blowing means, a heat generating means, and a blowing means for blowing out the blown air toward the hand inserting section, in a case cover having a hand inserting section. In the drying device, the case cover has a front portion that houses the device main body above the hand insertion portion, and a lower surface portion of the front portion has an air suction portion that takes in air to be sent to the blower from outside. A hand drying device characterized by being provided. 2. The air suction section has an opening and a water blocking member, and the water blocking member flies from below toward the opening without closing the opening. 2. The hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the hand dryer is disposed at a position where the water is blocked. 3. The water blocking member is formed in a size that matches at least the peripheral edge of the opening, and the water blocking member is disposed at a position spaced apart from the peripheral edge of the opening and vertically overlapping. The hand drying device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein the water blocking member has a slope for causing water adhering to the front and back surfaces to flow downward. 5. The opening portion is opened substantially horizontally downward, and the water barrier member is disposed substantially horizontally below the opening portion so as to extend from substantially the center toward both ends. 5. The hand drying device according to claim 2, wherein the hand drying device is formed in a shape inclined downward. 6. A hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein a filter for covering said air suction portion is detachably provided.