Hand-dryer

Abstract

Hand dryer 1 wherein the control means 9 are configured for operate at least in two operating regimes, a normal operating regime wherein the motor 5 pumps the air for drying the hands and which is activated by the sensor detection 8 and a motor heating operating regime 5 wherein the stator 7 and/or the rotor 6 of the motor 5 are fed for increasing its temperature and maintain it to a predetermined temperature for accumulating heat which is activated by no detection of the sensor 8, such that at the start of the normal operating regime, the motor 5 has stored heat for ensuring that the air exits already heated.

Claims

1. Hand dryer (1) comprising: a housing (2); a volume (3) for receiving hands (4); a circuit for pumping air; a drive motor (5) which drives a fan (T) arranged in the circuit provided with a rotor (6) and a stator (7); a hand presence sensor (8) in a volume (3); operation control means (9); wherein the operation control means (9) are configured for operating at least in two operating regimes: a normal operating regime wherein the drive motor (5) pumps air for drying hands and which is activated by the hand presence sensor detection (8); a motor heating operating regime (5) wherein the stator (7) and/or the rotor (6) of the motor (5) are fed for increasing temperature and maintain a predetermined temperature for accumulating heat activated by no detection of the hand presence sensor (8); such that at a start of a normal operating regime, the drive motor (5) is provided with stored heat for ensuring that the air exits heated.

2. Hand dryer according to claim 1, which does not comprise a separate heating circuit apart from motor circuits.

3. Hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein the motor is an alternating current motor.

4. Hand dryer according to claim 3, comprising, arranged in series: a first portion of stator winding (L1); a second portion of stator winding (L2); rotor-brushes assembly; a third portion of stator winding (L3); a fourth portion of stator winding (L4).

5. Hand dryer according to claim 4, comprising: a first relay (RL1) between supply voltage (F) and first portion of stator winding (L1); a second relay (RL2) between neutral point (N) and fourth portion of stator winding (L4); a third relay (RL3) for grounding of connecting point between second portion of stator winding (L2) and rotor-brushes assembly; a fourth relay (RL4) for the grounding of connecting point between third portion of stator winding (L3) and the rotor-brushes assembly; the relays (RL1, RL2, RL3, RL4) being connected to the operation control means (9).

6. Hand dryer according to claim 4, comprising: a first relay (RL1) between the supply voltage (F) and the first portion of stator winding (L1); a second relay (RL2) between the neutral point (N) and the fourth portion of stator winding (L4); a third relay (RL3) for short-circuiting terminals of the rotor-brushes assembly; the relays (RL1, RL2, RL3) being connected to the operation control means (9).

7. Hand dryer according to claim 4, comprising: a first relay (RL1) between the supply voltage (F) and the first portion of stator winding (L 1); a second relay (RL2) between the neutral point (N) and the fourth portion of stator winding (L4); a third relay (RL3) between the first portion of stator winding (L 1) and the second portion of stator winding (L2); a fourth relay (RL4) between the third portion of stator winding (L3) and the fourth portion of stator winding (L4); the third relay (RL3) being arranged for connecting terminal of the first winding either with the second portion of stator winding (L2) or with the neutral point (N); the fourth relay (RL4) being arranged for connecting the terminal of the fourth portion of stator winding either with the third portion of stator winding (L3) or with the supply voltage; the relays (RL1, RL2) being connected to the operation control means (9).

8. Hand dryer according to claim 4, comprising: a first relay (RL1) between the supply voltage (F) and the first portion of stator winding (L1); a second relay (RL2) between the neutral point (N) and the fourth portion of stator winding (L4); the relays (RL1, RL2) being connected to the operation control means (9).

9. Hand dryer according to claim 3, comprising, arranged in series: a first portion of stator winding (L1); a second portion of stator winding (L2); the rotor-brushes assembly; a third portion of stator winding (L3); a fourth portion of stator winding (L4).

10. Hand dryer according to claim 9, comprising a relay (RL1) for short-circuiting the terminals of the rotor-brushes assembly connected to the operation control means (9).

11. Hand dryer according to claim 9, comprising: a first relay (RL1) between the first portion of stator winding (L1) and the second portion of stator winding (L2); a second relay (RL2) between the third portion of stator winding (L3) and the fourth portion of stator winding (L4); the relays being connected between them such that the first and fourth portions can be connected between them; the relays (RL1, RL2) being connected to the operation control means (9).

12. Hand dryer according to claim 9, comprising: a first relay (RL 1) between the first portion of stator winding (L1) and the second portion of stator winding (L2); a second relay (RL2) between the third portion of stator winding (L3) and the fourth portion of stator winding (L4); the first relay (RL1) being arranged for connecting the terminal of the first winding or either with the second portion of stator winding (L2) or either with the neutral point (N); the second relay (RL2) being arranged for connecting the terminal of the fourth portion of stator winding either with the third portion of stator winding (L3) or with the supply voltage; the relays (RL1, RL2) being connected to the operation control means (9).

13. Hand dryer according to claim 5, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

14. Hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein the motor is a brushless motor.

15. Hand dryer according to claim 6, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

16. Hand dryer according to claim 7, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

17. Hand dryer according to claim 10, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

18. Hand dryer according to claim 11, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

19. Hand dryer according to claim 12, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

20. Hand dryer according to claim 8, comprising a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For a better understanding of all that has been outlined, some drawings are attached, in which, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, practical cases of embodiment are shown.

(2) FIG. 1 is a scheme of a hand dryer according to the invention.

(3) FIGS. 2 to 5 are four block diagrams of four variants of the control elements for the preheating with direct current used in preferred embodiments of the hand dryer of the invention.

(4) FIGS. 6 to 10 are four block diagrams of variants of the control elements for preheating with alternating current the hand dryer of the invention.

(5) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hand dryer according to the invention.

(6) FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the hand dryer.

(7) FIG. 13 shows the part comprising the surfaces provided with holes of the side not having the lateral holes for the production of air curtains.

(8) FIG. 14 shows the part comprising the surfaces provided with holes of the side having the lateral holes for the production of air curtains.

(9) FIG. 15 is an enlarged view showing the arrangement of the oblong holes for forming the air curtain, which are vertically arranged in a row.

(10) FIG. 16 is a front view of the surface comprising the holes for forming a lateral air curtain. Normal drying holes are also visible.

(11) FIG. 17 diagrammatically shows the effect of projection of drops of a hand dryer of the prior art.

(12) FIG. 18 schematically shows the effect of the air curtain of a hand dryer according to the present invention.

(13) FIG. 19 diagrammatically shows the effect of the air curtain of a hand dryer according to the present invention wherein the side curtains have different blowing senses.

(14) FIG. 20 shows the section of the silencing elements arranged in the air intake path.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) As it can be seen in FIG. 1 the invention relates to a hand dryer 1 comprising a housing 2, a volume 3 for receiving the hands 4, a circuit for pumping air, a drive motor 5 which drives a fan T arranged in the circuit provided with a rotor 6 and a stator 7, a hands presence sensor 8 in the volume 3 and operation control means 9.

(16) Specifically, as it can be seen in the figures, the control means 9 are configured for operate at least in two operating regimes: A normal operating regime wherein the motor 5 pumps the air for drying the hands and which is activated by the sensor detection 8; A motor heating operating regime 5 wherein the stator 7 and/or the rotor 6 of the motor 5 are fed for increasing its temperature and maintain it to a predetermined temperature for accumulating heat which is activated by no detection of the sensor 8;
such that at the start of the normal operating regime, the motor 5 has stored heat for ensuring that the air exits already heated.

(17) Below, the different options of motor control to achieve the purposes of the invention will be described. All these variants include a voltage regulating unit REG arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point.

(18) It is to be understood that the operation control means 9 include both the motor control, i.e. it includes the REG unit, and the motor and ambient temperature sensors such as thermocouples, ptc, or the like.

(19) I. Embodiments of Hand Dryers Provided with an Alternating Current Universal Motor

(20) In these embodiments the motor is an alternating current motor, wherein the stator can be divided in many sub-stators or winding portions, L1, L2, L3 and L4.

(21) As will be seen below, the preheat function can be done with direct current or alternating current. We will also see that we can preheat either the stator+rotor assembly or the stator only. A Preheating with Excitation with Direct Current A.1 Preheating of the Stator Only

(22) As it can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5, the preheating of the motor 5 can be done by feeding the windings with direct current, and comprises, arranged in series: A first portion of stator winding L1; A second portion of stator winding L2; The rotor-brushes assembly; A third portion of stator winding L3; A fourth portion of stator winding L4.

(23) According to a first variant, illustrated in FIG. 2, the hand dryer comprises: A first relay RL1 between the supply voltage F and the first portion of stator winding L1; A second relay RL2 between the neutral point N and the fourth portion of stator winding L4; A third relay RL3 for the grounding of the connecting point between the second portion of stator winding L2 and the rotor-brushes assembly; A fourth relay RL4 for the grounding of the connecting point between the third portion of stator winding L3 and the rotor-brushes assembly;
the relays RL1, RL2, RL3, RL4 being connected to the operation control means 9.

(24) In this case, the control of the relays RL1 and RL2 allows choosing the supply type, AC or DC, that has to be sent to the motor. When working with DC, for starting the heating function, the relays RL3 and RL4 must be commuted to ground for preventing the current to pass through the rotor.

(25) The power supplies E may be the same, then they would work in parallel, or may be different, in which case they would work in series.

(26) On the other hand, each lateral part can be preheated at once or may be preheated independently.

(27) According to a second variant based in preheating with direct current, illustrated in FIG. 3, the hand dryer comprises: A first relay RL1 between the supply voltage F and the first portion of stator winding L1; A second relay RL2 between the neutral point N and the fourth portion of stator winding L4; A third relay RL3 for short-circuiting the terminals of the rotor-brushes assembly;
the relays RL1, RL2, RL3 being connected to the operation control means 9.

(28) In this case, the control of the relays RL1 and RL2 allows choosing the type of supply, AC or DC, to be applied to the motor. When working in DC, for starting the preheating function, the relay RL3 commutes the rotor, for preventing the current from passing therethrough. With this scheme we can only work in series and the current going from right to left depending on how the power supply and the ground are arranged.

(29) According to a third variant based in preheating with a direct current excitation, illustrated in FIG. 4, the hand dryer comprises: A first relay RL1 between the supply voltage F and the first portion of stator winding L1; A second relay RL2 between the neutral point N and the fourth portion of stator winding L4; A third relay RL3 between the first portion of stator winding L1 and the second portion of stator winding L2; A fourth relay RL4 between the third portion of stator winding L3 and the fourth portion of stator winding L4; The third relay RL3 being arranged for connecting the terminal of the first winding or either with the second portion of stator winding L2 or either with the neutral point N; The fourth relay RL4 being arranged for connecting the terminal of the fourth portion of stator winding or either with the third portion of stator winding L3 or either with the supply voltage;
the relays RL1, RL2 being connected to the operation control means 9.

(30) In this case, the control of the relays RL1 and RL2 allows choosing the type of supply (AC or DC) to be applied to the motor. When working in DC, the preheating is started. Here the relays RL3 and RL4 physically isolate the rotor from the stator when this function is started. The power supplies E could be the same, such that they would operate in parallel. Or they could be different and then would work in series. On the other hand, either each lateral part can be preheated at once, or they can be independently preheated. A.2 Preheating of the Rotor and the Stator

(31) According to a fourth variant based in preheating with excitation with direct current, illustrated in FIG. 5, the hand dryer comprises: A first relay RL1 between the supply voltage F and the first portion of stator winding L1, A second relay RL2 between the neutral point N and the fourth portion of stator winding L4;

(32) In this case, the control of the relays RL1 and RL2 allows choosing the type of supply (AC or DC) to be applied to the motor. When working in DC, the preheating function starts. The current can flow from right to left or left to right, depending on the placement of the power supply E and the ground. B. Preheating with Alternating Current B.1 Preheating of the Stator Portions Only, Isolating the Rotor

(33) As it can be seen in FIGS. 6 to 9, the preheating can be carried out with alternating current, in which case the motor comprises, arranged in series: A first portion of stator winding L1; A second portion of stator winding L2; The rotor-brushes assembly; A third portion of stator winding L3; A fourth portion of stator winding L4;

(34) As it can be seen, according to a first variant based in an alternating current motor illustrated in FIG. 6, the hand dryer comprises a relay RL1 for short-circuiting the terminals of the rotor-brushes assembly connected to the operation control means 9.

(35) In this case, with the voltage regulator REG, the minimum voltage necessary for the preheating is set when the relay RL1 is activated, thus bypassing the rotor.

(36) As it can be seen in FIG. 7, according to a second variant based in preheating with alternating current, the hand dryer comprises: A first relay RL1 between the first portion of stator winding L1 and the second portion of stator winding L2; A second relay RL2 between the third portion of stator winding L3 and the fourth portion of stator winding L4; The relays being connected between them such that the first and fourth portions can be connected between them;
the relays RL1, RL2 being connected to the operation control means 9.

(37) In this case, with the alternating voltage regulator REG the minimum voltage required is set for preheating, but in this case, the relays RL1 and RL2 act for physically isolating the rotor when the preheating function is activated.

(38) FIG. 10 shows a variant comprising the same elements than in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, but wherein the relays are connected with an interposed capacitive load.

(39) As it can be seen in FIG. 8, according to a third variant based in preheating with alternating current, the hand dryer comprises: A first relay RL1 between the first portion of stator winding L1 and the second portion of stator winding L2; A second relay RL2 between the third portion of stator winding L3 and the fourth portion of stator winding L4; The first relay being RL1 arranged for connecting the terminal of the first relay or either with the second portion of stator winding L2 or either with the neutral point N; The second relay being RL2 arranged for connecting the terminal of the fourth relay or either with the third portion of stator winding L3 or either with the supply voltage;
the relays RL1, RL2 being connected to the operation control means 9.

(40) In this variant, with the alternating voltage regulator REG the minimum voltage required is set for preheating, but in this case, the relays RL1 and RL2 act for physically isolating the rotor when the preheating function is activated. In this case the preheating function can be independent on each side, by operating RL1 or RL2, or it can be done independently, operating RL1 and RL2 in parallel. B.1 Preheating of the Stator Portions Only, Isolating the Rotor

(41) Finally, as it can be seen, according to a third variant based in preheating with alternating current illustrated in FIG. 8, the hand dryer comprises a voltage regulating unit (REG) arranged in series between the fourth portion of stator and the neutral point, such that with the alternating voltage regulator REG the minimum voltage required is set for carrying out the preheating.

(42) II. Variants of Hand Dryer Provided with Brushless Motor

(43) In This case, the preheating is achieved by maintaining multiple stators active for some time without creating a rotation frequency. Activating only some stators can make the stator act as a resistor.

(44) Therefore, the general principle of the invention consists in automatically preheating the motor while the hand dryer is connected to the power.

(45) Taking advantage of the great mass of the motor (rotor and stator) and that the air is passing therethrough, the invention is based in preheating the motor so that when used in the first drying cycle it is already hot and provides warm air from the start.

(46) When the motor has already conducted several cycles of drying thanks to the normal operation, the motor has already warmed and the temperature of the air that reaches the hands is the right one.

(47) The problem is in the first cycle. The motor is cold and the air exits at the room temperature, affected by the high air flow which causes a sensation of cold due to the evaporation of the water in the hands, making it very unpleasant and with a poor drying performance.

(48) On the other hand, as it can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the invention also generally relates to a hand dryer 1 of the type comprising a reception cavity V for the hands opened upwardly and laterally, such that a top opening 2, a first lateral opening 3 and a second lateral opening 4 are defined, the cavity for receiving the hands V being bounded by a first surface 5 and a second surface 6 provided with air injection holes 7 for drying the hands.

(49) Specifically, according to the invention, and as it can be seen in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, the hand dryer is characterized in that the air injection holes 8 closest to the lateral openings 3, 4 of the first surface 5 or of the second surface 6 are arranged closer to the lateral openings 3, 4 than the air injection holes 9 closest to the lateral openings 4, 3 of the second surface 5 or of the first surface 6 respectively, such that said holes 8 arranged closer to the lateral openings 3, 4 of the first 5 and/or of the second surface 6 do not have air injection holes arranged in front of them, thus allowing that the air injected by said holes arranged closer to the lateral openings 3, 4 to form air curtains which minimize or prevent the projection of drops of water towards the outside by said lateral openings 3, 4.

(50) Preferably, these holes 8 are a plurality of holes. However, a solution may be obviously a to single elongated hole which stretches vertically enough to constitute an air curtain.

(51) As it can be seen in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 18 the air injection holes 9 closest to the lateral openings 3, 4 that do not have injection holes in front of them are arranged in the same surface, that is in the first surface 5 or in the second surface 6.

(52) According to another embodiment, the end holes can be placed to achieve the effect shown in FIG. 19.

(53) In the embodiments shown, the air injection holes 9 closest to the lateral openings 3, 4 that do not have injection holes in front of are arranged in vertical rows. Even then, they could be arranged in zigzag, or any other vertical arrangement that would create an air curtain.

(54) As shown for example in FIGS. 15 and 16 the air injection holes 9 closest to the lateral openings 3, 4 that do not have injection holes in front of them have an oblong section with the longest axis oriented in the vertical direction.

(55) According to another aspect of the present invention, the injection holes are distributed in at least three groups: a first group of holes which air passage sections are inside a first range of air passage sections; a second group of holes which air passage sections are inside a second range of air passage sections; a third group of holes which air passage sections are inside a third range of air passage sections;

(56) The three ranges being different.

(57) According to a specially preferred embodiment, The holes of the first group have a section of 8.5 mm.sup.2; The holes of the second group have a section of 10 mm.sup.2; The holes of the third group have a section of 11.5 mm.sup.2;

(58) The first surface 5 is the closest to the user and the second surface 6 is the closest to the fixing surface of the hand dryer and: The first surface 5 has between 14 holes of the first group, 16 holes of the second group and 18 holes of the third group; the second surface 6 has between 16 holes of the first group, between 16 holes of the second group and between 16 holes of the third group;

(59) As it can be seen for example in FIG. 16 the holes of the first, second and third are oblong and are arranged with the longest axis oriented along a substantially horizontal direction.

(60) Also a fourth group of oblong holes 8 is provided, vertically arranged and with a section of 10.5 mm.sup.2, said holes being arranged at the sides of the first surface or of the second surface, such that they form air curtains 10, as it can be seen in FIGS. 18 and 19.

(61) As it can be seen in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 the holes of the first, second and third each have an associated channel which extends as a protrusion in an air distribution chamber arranged behind each one of the first 5 and second 6 surfaces.

(62) As it can be seen in FIG. 20, the hand dryer comprises a driving motor-fan group M and air silencing elements arranged upstream of said driving motor-fan group M, said air silencing elements comprising, arranged in the sense of the air circulation: An air inlet grille 20; An air passage surrounded by a crown of foam 21; A foam block 22 interposed in the air path; An air inlet grille to the motor 23;

(63) The internal circulation of air circulation comprises an ion generation unit 25, preferably of ozone, to provide the air with sterilizing characteristics.

(64) As it can be seen in FIG. 14, the reception cavity V of the hands can comprise a hole of evacuation of water 10 at the bottom.

(65) As shown in FIG. 12, the first surface 5 is tilted 15 and a second surface 6 tilted between 8 and 10 with respect to the vertical direction.

(66) Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the hand dryer described is susceptible of numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced with other technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.