Auto-sensing hand dryer

• US 9,220,382 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2013
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Liu, Shen-Chen
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAVINI, STEPHEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/098,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20150159951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 341/05, 342/01, 392/380, 392/384, 392/385
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3668 Detection of the presence of a user

Abstract

An auto-sensing hand dryer includes an airflow generating device, a guiding duct connected to the airflow generating device, and a sensing unit disposed in the guiding duct. The airflow generating device generates a hand drying airflow. The guiding duct includes a connecting portion communicating with the airflow generating device, an air outlet portion communicating with the connecting portion. The air outlet portion comprises an air discharge opening and a housing encircling the air discharge opening and forming an internal space. The sensing unit is disposed in the internal space and electrically connected to the airflow generating device to determine whether to generate the hand drying airflow. The sensing unit includes a sensing region at least covering the air discharge opening. When a user hand is placed at the air discharge opening, the sensing unit senses the user hand and drives the airflow generating device to generate the hand drying airflow.

Claims

1. An auto-sensing hand dryer, comprising:

an airflow generating device for generating a hand drying airflow;

a guiding duct comprising a connection portion in communication with the airflow generating device and for obtaining the hand drying airflow, an air outlet portion communicating with the connecting portion for guiding and discharging the hand drying airflow and comprising an air discharge opening, and a housing encircling the air discharge opening and forming an internal space; and

a sensing unit disposed in the internal space and electrically connected to the airflow generating device for determining whether the airflow generating device is to generate the hand drying airflow, the sensing unit comprising a sensing region at least covering the air discharge opening.

2. The auto-sensing hand dryer of claim 1, wherein the airflow generating device comprises an air blower for generating the hand drying airflow.

3. The auto-sensing hand dryer of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit comprises a conductive wire arranged along the guiding duct and electrically connected to the airflow generating device.

4. The auto-sensing hand dryer of claim 1, wherein the internal space includes an installation portion for installing the sensing unit and an air inlet portion located between the installation portion and the air discharge opening and connected to the connecting portion.

5. The auto-sensing hand dryer of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit comprises a sensor for detecting thermal radiation and generating a sensing signal, and a control circuit electrically connected to the airflow generating device and receiving the sensing signal to drive the airflow generating device.

6. The auto-sensing hand dryer of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.

7. The auto-sensing hand dryer of claim 1, wherein the guiding duct comprises a nozzle disposed at the air discharge opening.