Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LAVATORY SYSTEM WITH OVERFLOW PREVENTION AND OTHER FEATURES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of lavatory systems.
More particularly,
the present invention relates to a lavatory system containing a combination
wash basin with
faucet, soap dispensing system, and bidirectional hand dryer which are
triggered by sensors.
Preferably, the system also has a number of unique use, overflow prevention,
and cleaning
features.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As is known to those skilled in the art, lavatories in public places such as
schools,
libraries, airports, train and bus terminals, and shopping centers can be very
busy at times.
Further, depending on the volume of use and staffing, they can be messy, germ-
filled
environments that may be difficult for staff to adequately keep clean and
safe. Thus, a
previously recognized problem has been that often paper toweling runs out and
waste baskets
overflow. Further, the toweling and disposal thereof is costly. Moreover, hand-
washing and
drying stations, countertops, and floors in such public buildings easily
become wet and dirty
and are rarely configured for efficient use, cleaning, and maintenance.
While electronic hand dryers have been around for decades, this previously
recognized
solution also has the disadvantage of relatively high cost. Further, because
of how such dryers
are manufactured and sold, they are normally stand-alone units that are
mounted some distance
from the wash station. This forces users to wash, then drip water across the
floor and dry their
hands in another area of the room. The water on the floor may pool creating an
unsafe, slippery,
and germ-filled area. Further, as building construction and maintenance costs
have risen and
staffing is reduced, a preferred solution will be seen by the purchaser as
being cost effective. A
solution is cost effective when it is seen by the purchaser as compelling when
compared with
other potential systems that the purchaser could obtain with limited
resources.
In light of the above, it is desirable to have a lavatory system that is
efficiently configured
to use, maintain, and clean and that helps provide a more safe environment for
lavatory users.
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SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
By way of summary, the present invention is directed to a lavatory system. In
one
embodiment, the lavatory system includes a wash basin having a faucet operably
connected to
the wash basin and a soap dispensing system having a spout operably connected
to the wash
basin. A hand drying system is in fluid communication with the wash basin. The
hand drying
system includes a hand-receiving cavity, a top portion with an air outlet, and
a bottom portion
with an air outlet. The hand drying system also includes a motor in fluid
communication with the
air outlets for blowing air through the outlets. Multiple proximity sensors
are operably connected
to the motor and turn the motor on and off when triggered by an object. The
lavatory system
preferably also includes a mechanism to prevent water from entering the air
outlets and the
motor. For example, in one embodiment, small frustoconical protrusions
preferably extend from
the bottom portion air outlets to prevent water from entering into the air
outlets and the motor.
The lavatory system also preferably includes a countertop integral with the
wash basin. A
frame under the countertop generally supports the countertop, wash basin with
drainpipe, and
motor. The frame includes a first generally triangular bracket mounted to a
lavatory wall and a
second generally triangular bracket mounted to a lavatory wall. A cover and
end caps fit under
the wash basin and countertop and mask the frame, motor, and drainpipe. A
primary air inlet is in
fluid communication with the motor and includes a small gap between the cover
and/or at least
one end cap and a lavatory wall to further attenuate the sound and minimize
foreign object pick-
up. An overflow prevention mechanism may include a lip integral with the wash
basin that is
located on a left side front edge of the wash basin and is lower than the
bottom portion air
outlets.
hi use, at least one hand of a user is inserted into the hand drying system
cavity at nearly
an oblique angle, e.g., from about 5 to 50 degrees, from the horizontal. Four
sensors located in
and around the cavity are continuously queried by a microcontroller to detect
the presence of
such an object, e.g., the hand, in the cavity. The sensors are controlled by
the microcontroller
which is located on a sensor control board. A second microcontroller is
located on a motor
control board. This microcontroller operates the motor so that when the object
is detected, the
motor ejects air from the air outlets at preferably about 2.2 to 2.9 pounds
per square inch (PSI) at
the user's hand. Both microcontrollers control a preferable pre-programmed
activation delay of
approximately 400-800 milliseconds (ms) to delay, e.g., the starting of the
motor.
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The lavatory system has a service mode wherein one sensor is triggered to
allow the
hand-receiving cavity to be temporarily disabled. For example, if the right-
most sensor
consistently detects an object, the hand dryer is disabled for about 30 to 60
seconds to facilitate
cleaning of the hand cavity.
The motor is surrounded by a motor housing that has an upper or outer
casement, an
intake cover and a rubber motor mounting isolation ring and housing gasket
operably connected
to the motor. The microcontroller preferably operates the motor to push air
out a first and second
outlet port each connecting to a hose. A preferably high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) media
filter is contained in the housing to prevent debris from entering the motor
and provide filtered
air to the user. Sound-reducing techniques are also preferably employed in the
motor housing.
For example, foam insulation is provided to isolate and deaden the sound of
the motor. A filter
cover covers the filter and is configured to shift the direction of the air
stream entering the motor
housing. The filter cover also contains acoustical foam to reduce the
operating volume of the
motor and fan. As an added safety feature, the motor's air outlet ports are
preferably covered by
grates to prevent an object from being inserted into the ports.
The top portion air outlet and bottom portion air outlet are respectively
fluidly connected
to a first plenum and a second plenum that respectively connect via the hoses
to the first outlet
port and second outlet port in the motor housing. Each plenum is formed from
two pieces of
injection-molded plastic. In one embodiment, the central axes of the holes in
the first or upper
plenum are configured to emit air at an angle about 1 degree from vertical so
as to aim the air
toward the back side of the cavity. The central axes of the holes in the
second or lower plenum
are offset at an angle to emit air at about 37 degrees from horizontal and aim
the air toward the
back of the cavity. The plenums' two injection-molded pieces are preferably
bonded and screwed
together and a center post screw may be provided, as needed, to minimize the
deflection of the
plenums when pressurized.
Another embodiment of the lavatory system includes a wash basin, a faucet
protruding
from the wash basin, a soap dispensing spout protruding from the wash basin,
and a hand dryer
integral with the wash basin having a cavity, a top portion with air holes,
and a bottom portion
with air holes. Sensors along with lights, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs),
are operably
connected to the hand dryer to continuously illuminate the hand dryer cavity
at a low intensity
level when a sensor does not detect the presence of an object and at a high
intensity level when
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sensors detect that an object has entered into the dryer cavity. The LEDs may
also serve to
instruct a user to follow a certain path when using the system.
In one embodiment, a motor housing having a motor and an outer casement is
operably
connected to the hand dryer. Within the casement, a fan and an integral
control are operably
connected to the motor. A motor housing cap is operably connected to the
casement and has
perforations for air intake which are positioned to help reduce the sound
volume of the motor and
fan. A rubber motor mounting isolation ring and housing gasket operably
connect to the motor.
An outlet for connecting to a hose contains an integral grate to prevent a
user from touching any
of the motor's electrical or rotating parts. A filter is provided to prevent
debris from entering the
motor and foam is used to isolate the sound of the motor. A filter or intake
cover covers the
filter. The motor housing has an aluminum cover plate to provide a shield for
electrical
components, a heat sink, a structural mount for cable interfaces, and a common
grounding point.
The system preferably has an overflow mechanism for preventing the motor and
bottom
portion air holes of the hand dryer from being filled with water. The
mechanism may include an
overflow lip integral with the wash basin and lower than the bottom portion
air holes, and/or
frustoconical protruding nozzles connected to the air holes. Other overflow
mechanisms can
include a standard overflow in either the wash basin or cavity or an
overflow/drain located near
the lower nozzle portion or plenum.
In another embodiment, a hand dryer is operably connected with a wash basin
having a
faucet and soap dispenser. The hand dryer has a top wall, bottom wall, back
wall, and single side
wall that create a hand cavity with a front and single side opening to allow a
hand to enter only at
an oblique angle. A plurality of nozzles is provided along the top wall and
bottom wall for
ejecting air at the hand. A motor having a first output and second output is
in fluid
communication with the top and bottom wall nozzles. The motor has a motor
control circuit
board. A motor housing surrounds the motor and includes an air intake manifold
or cap and
further contains an air filter. A primary air inlet is in fluid communication
with the motor and
includes a small gap between a trap cover and a wall to minimize ingestion of
foreign materials
into the motor and improve acoustical sound attenuation.
Ultraviolet (UV) lighting or some other sterilization technique may be
provided to further
disinfect hands and the hand cavity. Certain dryer components, including the
nozzles, may have
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an antimicrobial additive that is added during the manufacture of the plastic
part or sprayed on
later.
Preferably, a single drain is contained in the wash basin and outside of the
hand cavity.
The drain is in fluid communication with the hand cavity and preferably
eliminates the need for
another device to catch water from the dryer and that must eventually be
emptied.
The wash basin, bottom wall, a back wall, and single side wall are formed from
a solid
polymeric or a polymeric and stone material and the top wall is formed, in
part, by a top plenum
portion that is relatively horizontal and further serves as a shelf.
The nozzles are configured to eject air at speeds of approximately 340-360
miles per hour
(MPH) at approximately 2.2-2.9 PSI. Preferably, the air creates high speed
cylindrical upper and
lower columns of air that collide to cause an s-shaped air flow pattern. The s-
shaped air pattern
directs water blown off of a user's hand to the bottom wall and back wall and
helps minimize
splashing of water back onto the user. The high speed cylindrical air columns
and air flow
pattern further minimize the net force exerted by the air on a users' hands
and arms so as not to
push the user's hands or arms into the top or bottom walls/surfaces of the
hand dryer cavity.
A second row of holes, a slot, or a port may be provided to present a lower
velocity air
stream and further minimize splashing of water onto a user.
A sensor circuit board preferably controls a single bank of the sensors. The
sensors are
proximity sensors that measure distance by triangulation. If one of the
sensors is activated by an
object in the hand cavity, the microcontroller on the sensor board rechecks
the activated sensor
multiple times to validate that an object is actually present in the hand
cavity and to minimize
false activations by the hand dryer.
A programmable unit is also preferably present on the sensor board and
includes a time
delay in communication with an on/off switch for the motor. The delay
mechanism allows the
user to enter the user's hands fully into the hand cavity prior to the motor
achieving full speed.
The microcontroller present on the sensor circuit board also controls LEDs.
Some of the
LEDs preferably continuously illuminate the hand cavity. However, when the
sensors detect a
user's hand in the cavity, LED illumination of the cavity increases.
In yet another embodiment, the lavatory system includes a bidirectional hand
dryer
having a top side, bottom side, back side, right side, and upper and lower
nozzles respectively
connected to upper and lower plenums. At least two flexible air delivery hoses
connect to the
plenums. A motor housing is provided including a motor, ports connected to the
hoses, and a
motor control.
A hand-receiving cavity between the top, back, right, and bottom sides
receives at least
one hand of a user. Upper and lower nozzle tips connect to the nozzles and
emit high speed
colliding columns of air to shear water off of the user's hand. The columns of
air are spaced and
calibrated in such a way as to reduce forces on the user's hand that would
otherwise move the
hand toward the upper or lower plenums or the sides and surfaces thereof.
The upper to lower nozzle tip spacing is about 3.5 inches with a hand cavity
width of
about 10 inches to provide the user with optimal comfort when using. The tips
are pointed
protrusions and help pull static air into the air columns. The pointed shape
also prevents water
from entering the nozzles.
In one embodiment, multiple distance sensors are present about the cavity and
utilize
triangulation or some other process to detect an object one sensor at a time
and from left to right
in the sensor's field of view. The sensors are positioned so that they are
slightly recessed and
aimed vertically into the hand cavity. The sensor board is preferably
programmed so that all
sensors are checked at about 130 ms intervals, and, when a sensor flags a
detection, it is then
rechecked 15 times over about a 15 ms period to ensure it was not a false
trigger.
The lavatory system preferably also includes a touchless cleaning mode feature
wherein
if one sensor is the only sensor activated within the last two seconds, and if
activated
continuously for about three seconds, the dryer will enter the mode to allow
cleaning of the dryer
for about 30-60 seconds without dryer activation and then return to normal
operation. Lights are
provided in the system that flash twice when entering a cleaning mode and
three times when
approaching a time near the end of a cleaning cycle which is approximately 5
seconds before the
end of an about 30-60 second cleaning cycle.
In another embodiment, there is provided a lavatory system comprising: a wash
basin; a
faucet operably connected to the wash basin; a soap dispensing system having a
spout operably
connected to the wash basin; a hand dryer in fluid communication with the wash
basin and
including a hand-receiving cavity, a top portion with an air outlet, and a
bottom portion with an
air outlet; a motor in fluid communication with the air outlets for blowing
air through the air
outlets; multiple proximity sensors operably connected to the motor; and a
mechanism to prevent
water from entering the air outlets, the mechanism comprising generally
frustoconical
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protrusions that extend from the bottom portion air outlet and prevent water
from entering into
the air outlets and the motor.
These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better
appreciated
and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description
and the
accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following
description, while
indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of
illustration and not
of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of
the present
invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention
includes all such
modifications.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present
invention and
of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the
present invention,
will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore
non-limiting,
embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of
this specification,
wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several
views, and in
which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a lavatory system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a lavatory system according to the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a front elevation cutaway view of a lavatory system according to the
present
invention showing upper portion and hand-washing features;
FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a cutaway portion of the lavatory system
according to
the present invention showing the faucet and soap dispenser;
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a cutaway portion of the lavatory system
according to
the present invention showing the upper portion and upper air outlet;
FIG. 6A is a side view of a cutaway portion of the lavatory system according
to the
present invention showing the upper portion, lower nozzles, and basin;
FIG. 6B is a side view of a cutaway portion of the lavatory system according
to the
present invention illustrating the hand dryer and lower nozzle tips;
FIG. 7 is a partially exploded lower view of the hand dryer showing the top
portion,
upper air outlet, and hand dryer sensors;
FIG. 8 is a partially exploded upper view of the top portion showing the upper
plenum;
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the lavatory system showing the hand
dryer,
motor, upper plenum, and lower plenum;
FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the lavatory system showing the hand
dryer
motor, upper plenum, and lower plenum;
FIG. 11 is a lower view of the hand dryer upper plenum of the lavatory system
according
to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the hand dryer upper plenum of the
lavatory
system according to the present invention;
7
FIG. 13 is an elevation view of the hand dryer lower plenum of the lavatory
system
according to the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the hand dryer lower plenum of the
lavatory
system according to the present invention;
FIG. 15 is an elevation view of the hand dryer motor of the lavatory system
according to
the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the hand dryer motor of the lavatory
system
according to the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a view of the sensor board of the lavatory system according to the
present
invention;
FIG. 18 is a lower front view of the lavatory system according to the present
invention
with a cover removed to show the mounting hardware;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a preferred air flow path from the hand
dryer motor;
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the hand dryer sensors according to the present
invention
interacting with a hand;
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the hand dryer electrical components;
FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a lavatory system
according
to the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a side view of a cutaway portion of still another embodiment of the
lavatory
system according to the present invention illustrating a hand dryer, drain
hole, and lower nozzle
portion;
FIG. 24 is a lower front view of the embodiment of FIG. 23 according to the
present
invention with a cover removed to show a drain tube and drainpipe;
FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the fields-of-view provided by a bank of
proximity
sensors according to one embodiment of the invention including first and
second proximity
sensors and another alternative embodiment of the invention including first
and second
proximity sensors; and
FIG. 26 is a front elevation cutaway view of a lavatory system according to a
further
embodiment of the present invention.
In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention that is illustrated in
the
drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.
However, it is not
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intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and
it is to be understood
that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a
similar manner to
accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the words "connected", "attached",
or terms
similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but
include connection
through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent
by those
skilled in the art.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention and the various features and advantageous details
thereof are
explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described
in detail in the
following description.
Now turning generally to FIGS. 1-24, the present invention is directed
generally to a
lavatory system 10. The lavatory system 10, preferably, has a wash basin 20,
including a wash
basin wall 22. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, faucet 24 is provided within the wash
basin 20. The
faucet 24 may include indicia etched thereon such as a water droplet symbol or
a faucet light 23
for directing a user. Such etched indicia may be particularly helpful to a
user that has poor
eyesight. The faucet 24 may also include a sensor located behind a sensor
window 25 which
automatically engages a faucet control to provide water to the user. The
faucet 24 is connected
to plumbing to provide hot and/or cold water to the faucet. Preferably, the
water is provided at a
comfortable temperature for the user's hands.
A soap dispensing system 26 is near the faucet 24 and in the wash basin 20.
The soap
dispenser 26 includes a spout 28 and a soap dispensing sensor (located behind
sensor window
29) to detect an object, such as a user's hand 166 (See, e.g., FIG. 20), and
provide soap thereto.
Indicia, such as soap bubbles, or a light 27 may also be etched on the spout
28. As best shown in
FIG. 1, a countertop 30 is preferably provided above and around the wash basin
20. The soap
dispenser or system 26 includes a liquid soap container (not shown) located
under the wash basin
20 and countertop 30 and that is connected to the spout 28. A backsplash 32
may also be present
and integral with the countertop 30. Thus, the soap container is masked, in
part, also by the
backsplash 32. Further disclosure of one embodiment of the soap dispensing
system 26 may be
found in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 13/088,512.
As best seen in FIG. 2, preferably a single drain 42, preferably with drain
cap, is provided
in the wash basin 20. This drain 42 takes soap and water from the wash basin
20 down to a
drainpipe (not shown). The drainpipe 127 is preferably located directly under
the wash basin 20
(see, e.g., FIG. 18). As seen in FIGS. 5-9, the lavatory system 10 preferably
includes an
integral drying system, e.g., a hand dryer 50. The dryer 50 has a hand-
receiving cavity 52 and a
motor 74. In one preferred embodiment, a mechanism 40 for preventing flooding
and damage to
the motor 74 is provided. The mechanism 40 may include a flood relief rim or
overflow lip 44
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located on the wash basin 20, see, e.g., FIG. 6A. The flood relief rim 44 is
provided below the
lower portion's air outlet 56 and the nozzle tips 162b as shown. Thus, water
that cannot make it
down the drain 42 will flow over the flood relief rim 44 and not down the
nozzle holes 162b and
into the motor 74. Other motor protection and flood prevention mechanisms 40
will be described
further below.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the hand dryer 50 may be provided with etched
instructional
indicia, a heat wave symbol, or light 31. A drain conduit 47 is preferably
present to fluidly
connect the hand-receiving cavity 52 and wash basin 20. The conduit 47 removes
excess water
from the user's hands that has been left through the hand-receiving cavity 52
down toward the
single drain 42 in the wash basin 20. This water then travels down the
drainpipe 127, see, e.g.,
FIG. 18.
As best seen in FIG. 5, the hand dryer 50 is preferably provided with a top
portion 53 and
a bottom portion 55. The top portion 53 may also include a hood 51 with a base
which forms a
top wall 57 of the cavity 52. The top portion hood 51 may also include a top
portion cover which
may form a shelf 58. An upper air outlet 54 is also provided in the upper
portion 53.
As best shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, a bottom portion 55 includes a lower air
outlet 56.
The bottom portion 55 is formed, in part, by bottom wall 59. The bottom
portion 55 of the hand-
receiving cavity 52 preferably also includes a back wall 60, front wall 61,
and single side wall 62
(see, e.g., FIG. 5). A front ledge 63 is preferably integral with the front
wall 61. The hand-
receiving cavity 52, therefore, is preferably configured to have a front
opening 64 and a single
side opening 65 (herein the left side) and allow users to enter their hands at
a generally oblique
angle. Further, instructions 69 for using the hand dryer may provided on the
front ledge 63 as
shown in FIG. 6B.
As best shown in FIG. 7, one embodiment includes a top wall or base 57 that
attaches to
the backsplash 32 (not shown) and countertop 30 (not shown) preferably with
bolts 68a and 68b.
A side anchoring screw 68c is also provided to attach the top portion to side
wall 62 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 9). The top portion 53 preferably also has multiple sensors 103a-d and
LED lights, e.g.,
108a-e located therein and preferably covered by a window to protect them from
splashing water
and debris.
FIG. 8 shows the top portion 53 of the hand dryer 50 with the top cover 58
removed.
Inside the top portion 53 is a hose 140a which attaches to a first or upper
plenum 142. The hose
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140a is connected to the first or upper plenum air inlet 143 (see, e.g., FIG.
11) to provide air to
the upper plenum 142.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a second, or lower plenum 144, is also provided.
The lower
plenum 144 is connected to a hose 140b which delivers air to the lower plenum
144 via a lower
plenum air inlet 145. The preferably flexible hoses 140a and 140b are attached
to a first outlet
port 88 and a second outlet port 90 which are preferably on or part of a motor
housing 70. A
motor 74, with a fan 76 (see, e.g. FIG. 16), provides air to the hand dryer
50. The air outlets 54,
56 are configured in such a way so that they provide air into the hand-
receiving cavity 52 (see,
e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6B) downwardly and back toward the back wall 60. For
example, in one
embodiment the two outlet or exhaust ports 54, 56 are offset from one another
in horizontal
planes, i.e., the lower plenum 144 nozzle holes 164b are at about a 37 degree
angle from
horizontal and located closer to the user than the upper plenum 142 nozzle
holes 164a which are
at about an angle of 1 degree rearward from vertical and located closer to the
backsplash 32 of
the hand dryer cavity 52. This configuration prevents water from splashing
onto the user once it
is removed from the user's hands. FIG. 10 shows the motor 74 and motor housing
70 operably
connected to plenums 142, 144. As shown, the motor housing 70 preferably has
an aluminum
cover plate 72 and an intake cover 96.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show the upper plenum 142 in detail. The upper plenum 142,
preferably, is constructed of top piece 146 and a bottom piece 148. The upper
plenum air inlet
143 is preferably integral with the upper plenum's 142 top piece 146 and
bottom piece 148. A
center post 150 and a screw 152 may be used to connect the top piece 146 to
the bottom piece
148. Plastic bonding techniques, such as adhesives, may also be used.
Additional screws and
posts may also be provided along the outside of the plenum 142. The plenum 142
preferably has
top nozzles 160a molded into it to provide the top portion upper air outlet
54. The top nozzles
160a preferably include pointed or frustoconical nozzle tips 162a that have
nozzle holes 164a
therethrough. The upper plenum 142 has multiple projections or tabs 147a
protruding therefrom.
The projections 147a act as connecting points for screws to attach the plenum
to the lavatory
system 10.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lower plenum 144 is similarly configured. The
lower
plenum 144 has a top piece 147 connected to a bottom piece 149, preferably, by
bonding and/or
posts and screws. A lower plenum air inlet 145 is also provided. The lower
plenum air inlet 145
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is preferably integral with the rest of the lower plenum 144. The lower plenum
144 also has
multiple projections or tabs 147b protruding therefrom which act as connecting
points for screws
to attach the plenum 144 to the lavatory system 10. Like the upper plenum, the
lower plenum
144 is preferably constructed of two injection-molded plastic top and bottom
pieces bonded
and/or screwed together. The lower plenum may also contain a center post screw
(not shown) to
minimize deflection of the plenum when pressurized.
Bottom nozzles 160b are provided, again, preferably by molding into the lower
plenum
144. Lower nozzles 160b, like the upper nozzles 160a, preferably have
protruding frustoconical
nozzle tips 162b each of which has a nozzle hole 164b therethrough. The shape
of the nozzle tips
162b on the lower plenum 144 further acts as a flood prevention mechanism 40
to protect the
motor 74.
The hand dryer blower motor 74 and motor housing 70 are best shown in FIGS. 15
and
16. Motor housing 70 includes an aluminum cover plate 72 and an upper or outer
casement 80.
An intake air manifold cap or housing cap 82 is provided toward a lower end of
the motor
housing 70. The motor 74 is inside the motor housing 70 and has a fan 76 with
blades (not
shown). Preferably, a rubber motor mounting ring and/or housing isolation
gasket 86 is also
provided. This gasket 86 helps reduce vibrations and deaden the motor's sound.
A filter 84 is
preferably provided within the housing 70 to filter the intake air. The filter
84 is preferably
constructed of HEPA media or some other suitable media. Also contained within
the motor
housing 70 is acoustic insulation foam 83 to further isolate and lessen motor
noise. The intake
air portion or lower portion of the housing cap 82 is configured with a solid
center section 95
surrounded by a circular pattern of holes 94. This configuration is spaced at
a distance similar to
the half wave length of the fan blade passing frequency of the fan motor 74.
As a result,
acoustical waves are reflected off of the solid center section 95 on the
bottom of the housing cap
82 at a fan cowling and the acoustical foam 83, and eventually propagate
through the circular
hole pattern 94 in an attenuated manner.
A filter or intake cover 96 may also be provided in the housing 70 to contain
or to hold
the filter 84 in place. To further attenuate sound generated by the fan motor
74, insulation or
acoustical foam 97 is placed on the inside of the intake cover 96. The cover
96 is preferably
further configured to redirect the intake air 90 degrees from the axial center
of the fan 76 and
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motor 74. This design promotes reflection of acoustical waves off of the noise
reducing
acoustical foam 97. A wire 87 is provided to keep the filter cover 96 in
place.
As shown in FIG. 15, the first outlet port 88 and second outlet port 90 may
include first
outlet port grate 92a and second outlet port grate 92b, respectively, to
prevent fingers or hands
from accidentally being pushed into the motor 74 (not shown). These grates are
preferably
integrally molded into the port outlets.
Referring to FIG. 16, in one preferred embodiment, a motor control board or
circuit board
98 is contained in the housing 70 and includes a motor control, e.g., a
microcontroller 99, for
turning the motor on/off and further controlling the motor 74. This
microcontroller 99 may be in
communication with several other sensors and/or subsystems, as will be
described more fully
below. The board 98 is preferably in communication with aluminum plate 72
which acts as a
heat sink to channel heat away from the board 98. The plate 72 also acts as
mounting platform
for the board 98.
As shown in FIG. 18, the lavatory system 10 is preferably attached to a
lavatory wall 118
and can be mounted at different heights to accommodate adults, children, and
those with
disabilities. A frame 120 may be connected to the lavatory wall to support the
lavatory system
10. The frame 120 preferably has two triangular-shaped brackets 121, 122
having flat surfaces
support columns 126, 128 on an underside of the wash basin 20 and hand dryer
portion 50. A
drain pipe 127 connects the drain 42 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) to the lavatory's
plumbing behind the
lavatory wall 118. Screws or other fastening means secure the brackets in
place.
The frame 120 and drain pipe 127 are preferably covered by a lavatory system
cover 130
(best seen in FIGS 1 and 2). The lavatory system cover 130 not only conceals
the frame, motor,
electrical connections, and plumbing, but it also preferably reduces the sound
level experienced
by the user. The cover 130 preferably also has brand indicia 131 and other
user instructional
indicia contained thereon. First end cap 115a and second end cap 115b help
secure the cover 130
to lavatory system 10. The end caps 115a, 115b are preferably made of
stainless steel and the
cover 130 is preferably made of a plastic and/or resin material, e.g., a Class
A fire-rated polymer.
A primary air inlet 136 (see, e.g., FIG. 9) is preferably provided by creating
a small gap between
the lavatory wall 118 and the cover 130. The gap provides noise attenuation
and also prevent
foreign objects from getting sucked into the primary air inlet 136.
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FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a preferred air flow from the motor 74 out the
first outlet
port 88 and second outlet port 90. From the first outlet port 88, the air
travels up through a grate
92a and via a hose 140a to a first or upper plenum 142 and out an air outlet
54. The air outlet 54
channels the air through individual upper nozzles 160a having upper nozzle
tips 162a with air
holes and into columns of air directed downwardly at a user's hands in the
cavity. From the
second outlet port 90, the air travels through a second outlet port grate 92b
and via a hose 140b
to a second or lower plenum 144 and out an air outlet 56. The air outlet 56
channels the air up
through lower nozzles 160b having lower nozzle tips 162b with air holes and
into columns of air
directed outwardly at a user's hands in the cavity.
In a preferred embodiment, upper and lower nozzle tips 162a, 162b connected to
the
nozzles 162a, 162b emit high speed colliding columns of air to shear water off
the user's hand.
The tips, holes, and resulting air columns are spaced and calibrated in such a
way as to reduce
forces on the user's hand which would otherwise move the hand toward the upper
or lower
plenums or the side surfaces. As mentioned, one way of accomplishing this
spacing and
calibration is to have the axis of the air flow from upper plenum 142 nozzle
holes 164a angled
about 1 degree from vertical and aimed toward the cavity back wall 60 (FIG. 9)
and the axis of
the air flow from lower plenum 144 nozzle holes 164b angled about 37 degrees
from horizontal
and aimed toward the cavity back wall 60. Moreover, the upper to lower nozzle
tip spacing may
be about 3.5 inches apart and the hand-receiving cavity 52 (see, e.g., FIG. 5)
may have width of
about 9.5 to 10 inches to provide the user with optimal comfort when using.
In one embodiment, the nozzles 160a, 160b preferably have tips 162a, 162b that
are
pointed protrusions that help pull static air into the air columns. These rows
of nozzles are
preferably mounted on two, approximately ten (10) inch, rectangular blocks or
blades that fit,
respectively, into the top and bottom air outlets 54, 56. The blades are
preferably integral with
the upper and lower plenums 142, 144. There are approximately 20 nozzles with
tips formed or
molded into each blade. These tips are approximately .050-.060 inches long and
have a diameter
at the base of approximately .160-.220 inches. The holes therein are
preferably about .101 inches
in diameter. From the center of one nozzle hole to the center of the next
nozzle hole, it is
preferably about .50 inches. As mentioned, the tips 162a, 162b preferably have
a generally
frustoconical shape to help prevent water from entering the nozzles 160a, 160b
and also have
about a 6 degree taper. In one preferred embodiment, the tips have a smooth,
slightly rounded
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side wall to prevent catching of clothing or jewelry. When the dryer 50 is in
use, the user's hands
are preferably about .75 inches away from the nozzle tips.
As discussed, in one embodiment the nozzles and holes on the top blade and the
nozzles
and holes on the bottom blade are at different angles from the horizontal
plane and vertically
aligned with one another so that the collision of the upper and lower streams
of air provide a
unique air flow pattern. This configuration helps to generate an s-shaped
airflow pattern.
However, in another alternative embodiment, the holes and nozzles are lined up
directly across
the cavity from each other.
In one embodiment, the bidirectional or dual-sided dryer uses 1600 watts (or
13.7 amps)
and will dry hands in about 15 seconds at 80 decibels (dB) with 70 cubic feet
per minute (CFM).
In this embodiment, the dryer runs off a 120V outlet and requires a dedicated
20 ampere (amp)
circuit. Ground fault interruption (GFI) circuit protection is preferred.
Referring now primarily to FIG. 17, a sensor control board 100 is preferably
provided in
the top portion 53 near the upper plenum 142 (see, e.g. FIG. 9). The sensor
control board 100
includes a microcontroller 78, and a multitude of sensors 103a, 103b, 103c,
103d. In the
preferred embodiment, four proximity sensors are provided in series. These
work together
through triangulation to detect an object or user hand in the cavity 52 (see,
e.g., FIG. 5). Lights
or LEDs 108a-m may also be mounted to the control board 100. Some or all of
the LEDs 108a-1
may be activated when the sensors 103a-d detect an object in the hand-
receiving cavity 52.
In one preferred embodiment, the LEDs 108a-m are operably connected to the
hand dryer
50. For example, LEDs 108a-d continuously illuminate the hand-receiving cavity
52 at a low
intensity level when a sensor does not detect the presence of an object, i.e.,
the cavity is not in
use or in "stand-by". However, when a sensor detects that an object has
entered into the hand-
receiving cavity 52, and during dryer 50 activation, preferably the LEDs 108e-
h and 108i-1 also
illuminate cavity and thus increase the overall intensity level of light in
the cavity. In another
embodiment, LEDs 108a-do not begin to illuminate the cavity until the soap is
dispensed or the
water begins to flow in the basin.
In a preferred embodiment, when a staff member wishes to clean and service the
lavatory
system 10 the staff member may engage a service mode. Here the LEDs 108a-d and
108e-h
continuously illuminate the hand¨receiving cavity 52. Activation of hand dryer
50 is also
suppressed by communication between microcontroller 78 and microcontroller 99.
In one
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embodiment, service mode activation is accomplished by triggering a sensor,
e.g., the right-most
sensor 103d in the upper portion of the hand-receiving cavity 52, for an
extended time period.
Thus, if this one sensor consistently detects an object in the hand-receiving
cavity 52, the hand
dryer 50 is disabled for about 30 to 60 seconds and some of the LEDs, e.g.,
LEDs 108e-h, may
be illuminated at a high-intensity level. This allows the hand-receiving
cavity 52 to be
temporarily cleaned without further engaging the hand dryer 50.
The LEDs, e.g., 108i-1, may flash in certain ways when the service mode has
been started
and/or is about to end. For example in one embodiment, prior to the service
mode, one row of 4
white LEDs provides lower level illumination of the hand dryer cavity.
However, if the rightmost
sensor is triggered within the last 2 seconds and if a hand is placed over the
rightmost sensor for
the period of 3 seconds, a row of 4 amber LEDs will rapidly flash twice to
designate that the unit
is entering the service mode. At the same time, a second row of 4 white LED's
will turn on to
increase the illumination of the hand cavity for approximately 30 seconds to
assist in cleaning.
After approximately 25 seconds from when the service mode was started, the row
of 4 amber
LEDs will flash three times to indicate that the service mode cycle is nearing
completion. At the
end of the service mode cycle (5 seconds after the 4 amber LEDs flash three
times or about 30
seconds in total service cycle length), the second row of white LEDs will turn
off and the hand
dryer cavity will remain lit at the lower level of illumination by the first
row of 4 LEDs.
In one embodiment, the service mode includes a microcontroller with a
programmed
touchless cleaning mode feature wherein if one sensor is the only sensor
activated within the last
two seconds and if activated continuously for about three seconds, the hand
dryer 50 will enter
the mode to allow cleaning of the hand dryer 50. This mode lasts for about 30
seconds without
activation of the dryer and then the microcontroller will return the system to
normal operation.
The microcontroller will flash the LED lights twice when entering the cleaning
mode and three
times when approaching a time near the end of a cleaning cycle which is
approximately 25
seconds into an about 30 second cleaning cycle. If the cleaning mode is longer
in another
embodiment, the lights will flash 3 times 5 seconds before the end of the
cleaning cycle.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing triangulation of the sensors 103a-103d in
detecting an
object in the hand-receiving cavity 52, e.g., a user's hand 166. In a
preferred embodiment, it
should be noted that hand entry occurs at an oblique angle. Hand 166 entry
angles range from
approximately 5 to 50 degrees from horizontal depending on the user's height
and the mounting
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height of the lavatory system 10. For example, sensors 103a-d may be infrared
(IR) sensors with
emitter sections emitting IR light 104a-d, respectively. The IR light 104a and
104b may be
reflected by hand 166. Each IR sensor 103a-d also has a detection module 105a-
d, respectively.
The sensor detection modules 105a and 105b utilize an internal triangulation
algorithm to
sense IR light, 106a and 106b respectively, when an object is in the sensor's
field of view. When
a user's hand 166 enters the hand-receiving cavity 52, the sensor detection
modules 105a and
105b output an electrical signal (e.g. a 5 volt signal). This signal is used
by the microcontroller
78 to deteimine whether to activate the hand dryer (50) and LED lights 108e-1
(see FIG. 17).
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a preferred electronic control communications
embodiment. In this embodiment, at least one microcontroller 78 communicates
with the various
subsystems, e.g., the first, second, third, and fourth hand dryer sensors 103a-
d, LED lights 108a-
1, and hand dryer 50 (including hand dryer motor's microcontroller 99). In
this embodiment, the
microcontroller 78 may include a pre-programmed programmable unit having a
time delay
mechanism for turning the subsystems on and off in a certain sequence. For
example, the delay
may be approximately 400-800ms. Of course, it is appreciated that one or more
microcontrollers
may be used, for example, one for each subsystem, and may therefore be
configured to
communicate with each other. In one embodiment, a sensor control board or
circuit board 100
(see, e.g., FIG. 17) is provided and includes a microcontroller 78 and a
single bank of sensors
(103a-d) to measure distance by triangulation. There may also be present on
this sensor control
board 100, LEDs 108a-d that will continuously illuminate the hand-receiving
cavity 52. LEDs
108e-h and LEDs 108i-1 may also be present and illuminate when the sensors
103a-d detect a
user's hand 166 in the cavity. In one embodiment, white lights are used when
the dryer is in
stand-by, and amber lights are used when the dryer is in use.
A programmable unit may be present on the sensor control board 100 ancUor
motor
control board 98 and preferably includes a time-delay mechanism, for example,
in
communication with an on/off switch for the motor 74. In this embodiment, when
one of the
sensors 103a-d is activated by an object in the hand-receiving cavity 52, the
microcontroller 78
rechecks the activated sensor multiple times to validate that an object is in
the hand-receiving
cavity 52. Then the delay mechanism allows users to enter their hands 166
fully into the hand-
receiving cavity 52 prior to the hand dryer motor 74 achieving full speed.
This minimizes the
potential of any splashing of water back on the user as a result of the fully
active hand dryer
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imposing a shearing action on water present on the user's hands. There may be
additional
sensors (not shown) that may inhibit the dispensing of water or soap or
activation of the dryer
when a critical water level is reached in the wash basin and thus prevent
overflow, flooding,
and/or motor damage.
In one embodiment, multiple distance sensors 103a-d utilize triangulation one
at a time
and from left to right in their field of view to detect an object. These
sensors are preferably
positioned so they are recessed in the upper portion 53 and aimed vertically
into the hand-
receiving cavity 52. Recessing is minimal, however, to avoid adversely
impacting sensor
operation. In one embodiment, the sensor board 100 is programmed to check all
sensors at about
130 milliseconds (ms) intervals. When a sensor flags a detection, it is then
rechecked 15 times
over about a 15ms period to ensure the detection was not a false trigger.
The temperature rise of the air during a drying cycle is dependent upon how
long the user
keeps the hand dryer 50 activated. Since the system 10 does not use an
auxiliary air heater, the
air temperature rise is a result of the heat generated by the inefficiency of
the motor 74. The
other factor dictating the motor temperature rise is how frequently the motor
74 is activated. In a
high usage environment (airport, sports arena, etc.), the motor 74 will not
typically cool down
very much between cycles and the air temperature rise experienced by the user
will be
significantly higher than that of a hand dryer which operates infrequently.
The following chart
shows some typically temperatures.
Drying Cycle Cycle Length Expected Temperature Rise Above Ambient
Temperature (F) @ 120V (rated operating voltage)
Normal 12¨ 12 ¨ 50
15seconds
Maximum 30seconds 22 - 50
In one embodiment, additional safety and cleaning features may be present. For
example,
UV lighting or some other sterilization technique to disinfect the hand-
receiving cavity 52 may
be provided. Further, only one drain may be provided between the wash basin 20
and outside of
hand-receiving cavity 52 to eliminate the need for another device to catch
water from the dryer
50 that must be emptied and can collect harmful molds or germs. Certain dryer
components, like
the nozzles 160a, 160b, may have an antimicrobial additive molded into the
plastic. Further, the
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entire wash basin 20 and hand-receiving cavity 52 may be constructed, in part,
of an
antimicrobial material or may be coated with such a material during
manufacture.
In one embodiment, a second row of holes, a slot, and a port are present to
provide a
lower velocity air stream to further minimize water splashing onto a user.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the drying system or dryer 250 may be a
stand
alone unit but still mounted in close proximity to the wash basin. In this
embodiment, lavatory
hand dryer 250 includes a hand-receiving cavity 252, a top portion 253, a
bottom portion 255, a
back side or wall 260, and at least one side wall 262. Note that while a right
side wall is shown,
the dryer may have only a left side wall. Alternatively, two side walls or
partial side walls may
be present. The top portion 253 may also include a hood 251 which forms a top
wall or side 257
of the cavity 252. The top portion hood 251 may also include a top portion
cover which may
form a shelf 258. An upper air outlet 254 is also provided in the top or upper
portion 253 and
incorporates nozzle holes 262a.
A bottom portion 255 includes a lower air outlet 256. The bottom portion 255
is formed,
in part, by a bottom wall or side 259. The bottom portion 255 of the hand-
receiving cavity 252
also includes a back wall or side 260, front wall or side 261, and side wall
262. A front ledge
263 is integral with the front wall 261. The hand-receiving cavity 252,
therefore, is preferably
configured to have a front opening 264 and a side opening 265 (shown on the
left side) so that
the user's hand may travel along path 267 (as shown in Fig. 1). In this
embodiment, the dryer's
configuration and placement preferably allows the user to easily transition
the hands from the
wash basin to the dryer without dripping water onto the floor.
In one preferred embodiment, a mechanism 240 for preventing flooding and
damage to
the hand dryer motor is provided as well as to prevent water blown from a
users' hands from
falling to the floor and creating a slip hazard or unsanitary conditions. The
mechanism 240 may
include a flood relief rim 244 located on, for example, the left side of the
hand-receiving cavity
252 at the opening 265. The flood relief rim 244 is provided below the lower
portion's air outlet
256 and the nozzle tips 262b as shown. Thus, water flows over the flood relief
rim 244 and not
down the nozzle holes 264b and into the motor (not shown). In addition,
another motor
protection mechanism 240 may be the frustoconical lower nozzle tips 262b which
resist the entry
of water.
19
Other preferred embodiments of the hand dryer 250 may include a side wall 262
on the
left side and an opening 265 on the right side. In yet another preferred
embodiment, the hand
dryer 250 may include both a left side side wall and a right side side wall.
The primary components of the inventive lavatory system including the dryer
bottom
wall, a back wall, and single side wall are preferably formed from a plastic
and/or resin material.
In one embodiment, the system components may be formed from a solid polymeric
and/or a
polymeric and stone material. In another embodiment, the system components may
be
manufactured from Terreon0 or TerrconRE which are low emitting, e.g.,
Greenguardim
materials and available from the Bradley Corporation of Wisconsin.
In another embodiment, as best shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, lavatory system 310
has
another mechanism 340 to prevent flooding of the motor (not shown). For
example, as shown a
drainage hole 350 is present in a lower portion of the hand-receiving cavity
352 to preferably
provide an integrated overflow drain. Hole 350 is connected a drainage tube
360 and is located
slightly below the plenum 365 and plenum outlet 355 and nozzle holes to
prevent flooding of the
motor. The drainage tube 360 connects to the drainpipe 347 located beneath the
basin 320. Of
course, as is know in the art, traditional drainage systems, like weep holes
in the basin itself, may
also be provided. While the preferred embodiments and best modes of utilizing
the present
invention have been disclosed above, other variations are also possible. For
example, the
materials, shape, and size of the components may be changed. Additionally, it
is understood that
a number of modifications may be made in keeping with the spirit of the system
10 of the present
invention. For example, the system 10 may include features of the various
embodiments set
forth in PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/051647 filed on 10/6/2010 and US Pub.
Nos.
US2008/0109956A1 published on May 15, 2008 and US2009/0077736A1 published on
March
26, 2009. Further, a number of lavatory systems like the one shown in FIG. 1
can be mounted in
a row or otherwise joined together as needed.
As described above with respect to FIG. 17, the top portion 53 of the upper
plenum 142
has, in one embodiment, first, second, third, and fourth proximity sensors
103a, 103b, 103c,
103d, respectively, that work independently through triangulation to detect an
object for drying,
i.e., user's hand(s), in the hand-receiving cavity 52. In one embodiment of
the lavatory system
10, as shown particularly in FIG. 7, the sensors 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d are
positioned adjacent
the leading edge of the top portion 53 of the upper plenum 142. As described
above, the sensors
CA 2833536 2019-01-07
use triangulation to detect an object for drying being presented to and
present within the hand-
receiving cavity 52. With additional reference to the schematic view in FIG.
25, the sensors
103a, 103b, 103c, 103d are configured and arranged to have non-overlapping
fields of view
("FOV") 266a, 266b, 266c, 266d, respectively. When a user's hand(s) are
presented to the hand-
receiving cavity 52, the left-most sensor 103a first detects the presentment
and provides a
corresponding electrical signal to the controller 78, which in turn provides a
command signal to
the hand dryer controller 99. As described above, in one preferred embodiment,
operation of the
hand dryer is delayed by a preset value, e.g., 400 ms, upon detection of a
user's hand being
presented to the hand-receiving cavity.
As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the hand-receiving cavity 52 allows a
user to
present his hand(s) for drying from the side opening 65 of the hand-receiving
cavity 52, such as
along arrow 267 of FIG. 1, or from the front opening 64 of the hand-receiving
cavity 52. In the
case of the latter, depending upon the lateral position of the user's hand(s),
any of the sensors
may first detect the user's hand(s) and provide a corresponding activation
signal, as described
above. It has been found that when hand(s) are front-presented, as opposed to
side-presented
(e.g., along 267), the observed inherent motor delay that results from
sampling, detection, and
processing times is insufficient to avoid splashback onto the user. That is, a
single motor delay
based solely on side-presentment to the hand-receiving cavity can result in
splashback onto the
user when the user presents his hand(s) to the hand-receiving cavity 52 from
the front.
Therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, one of two
motor
delays is selectively observed depending on how the user presents his hand(s)
for drying.
Referring now to the alternative embodiment shown in schematic view in FIG.
25, the sensors
103a, 103b, 103c, 103d are arranged such that the FOV 266a for sensor 103a is
rotated
approximately 90 degrees from the FOVs 266b, 266c, 266d. In this regard,
sensor 103a is
arranged to only detect side-presentment along arrow 267 to the hand-receiving
cavity 52. The
FOVs 266b, 266c, 266d for the other sensors 103b, 103e, 103d can detect front-
presentment
along arrow 268 as well as detect a user's hand(s) within the hand-receiving
cavity 52, as
described above. As sensor 103a only detects side-presentment along arrow 267
to the hand-
receiving cavity 52, actuation of the hand dryer motor 74 can be controlled
based on which
sensor detects presentment to the hand- receiving cavity.
20a
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For example, and in one preferred embodiment, if the first hand sensor 103
detects hand
presentment to the hand-receiving cavity 52, the sensor 103a provides a
corresponding electrical
signal to the controller 78. The controller 78 includes software or firmware
that distinguishes
between an electrical signal being received from first sensor 103a versus the
second, third, and
fourth sensors 103b, 103c, 103d. With knowledge that the first object
detection signal came from
sensor 103a, the controller 78 provides hand dryer motor activation signal to
the hand dryer
controller 99. This motor activation signal results in the hand dryer motor
being activated after a
first programmed delay period, e.g., 0-300 ms. However, if any of the other
sensors 103b, 103c,
103 d provides a first detection signal to the controller 78, the hand dryer
controller 99 causes
operation of the hand dryer motor 74 after a second programmed delay period,
e.g., 200-800 ms.
The first and second delay periods are selected such that the second delay
period preferably
exceeds the first delay period. Thus, in one embodiment, operation of the hand
dryer motor is
delayed further if a user presents his hand(s) to the hand-receiving cavity 52
from the front. This
allows more time for the user to move his hands deeper into the hand-receiving
cavity 52 before
the blower provides drying air to the hand-receiving cavity. Preferably, the
drying airstreams are
provided at approximately wrist level in the hand-receiving cavity 52, and
observing a longer
delay before commencing drying when hands are front-presented allows the user
sufficient time
to insert his hands to the wrist level position before air is injected into
the cavity 52.
It is contemplated that more than one controller may be used to provide
command signals
to the hand dryer controller 99. For example, the first hand dryer sensor 103a
may be coupled to
a dedicated controller whereas the other sensors 103b, 103c, 103d communicate
with a shared
controller, similar to that shown in FIG. 21.
In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the hand
dryer 50
may include a second bank or set of sensors. These sensors are mounted along a
side portion of
the upper plenum and are designed to sense side-presentment 267 of a user's
hand(s) to the hand-
receiving cavity. The afore-described sensors 103a, 10311 103c, 103d are
mounted adjacent the
front of the hand-receiving cavity. Preferably, the respective sets of sensors
have mutually
exclusive FOV so that side-presentment from opening 65 of a user's hand(s) is
not detected by
the front- facing sensors and front-presentment from opening 64 of the user's
hand(s) is not
detected by the side-facing sensors.
20b
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Each set of sensors is operative to provide activation commands to the motor
to
commence operation of the motor. I lowever, the front- facing sensors, upon
detecting an object
for drying 166 within their FOV, instruct the motor to commence activation
after observing a
longer second delay period than that provided to the motor by the side-sensing
sensors. In one
embodiment, the longer second delay period falls in the range of approximately
200-800 ms
whereas the shorter first delay period falls in the range of approximately 0-
300 ms. Note that
these values are merely exemplary, and the first and second delay periods are
preferably selected
such that the second delay period exceeds the first delay period.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a single
sensor is
used to detect side or front presentment of a user's hand(s) from openings 65
and 64 respectively
into the hand-receiving cavity 52. In this embodiment, which is shown in FIG.
26, a single sensor
270 with a rotating FOV is positioned at a corner of the top portion 53 near
the upper plenum
142. The single sensor 270 has a continuously rotating or wide FOV that
travels across the area
adjacent the side of the hand-receiving cavity 52, the front side of the hand-
receiving cavity, and
the within the hand-receiving cavity. As the FOV is rotated across the side
and the front of the
hand-receiving cavity, correlating the position of the FOV when the sensor 270
detects an object
for drying can be used to determine if the user is presenting his hand(s) in a
side-presentment or
a front-presentment manner. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor 270 has
a pulsating
emitter and a detector. The emitter is configured to iteratively pulse an IR
beam beside, in front
of, and within the hand-receiving cavity. Based on which reflected pulse is
detected by the
detector, the controller 78, e.g., microcontroller, can determine the
presentment position of the
user's hand(s) and control the hand dryer motor controller 99 accordingly. It
is contemplated that
other types of means may be used to sweep the FOV of the sensor 270 across the
drying zone
266.
In yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that the sensors are
sequentially pulsed to
determine the position of the user's hand(s). It will also be appreciated that
the present invention
can be embodied in a method of controlling the drying operation of a hand
dryer 50 based on the
position at which a user presents his hand(s) to a drying cavity or chamber 52
having at least two
points of entry, for example, the side opening of drying chamber 65 and the
front opening of
drying chamber 64. (See, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6A). The first point of entry or
ingress 65 is the side
of the drying chamber 52 while the second point of entry or ingress 64 is the
front of the drying
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chamber 52. In accordance with one embodiment of this method, as shown in FIG.
25, the
method includes iteratively scanning a first detection zone 266a including
near the first point of
ingress 65, iteratively scanning a second detection zone 266h including near
the second point of
ingress 64, supplying drying air with a first delay if an object is detected
in the first zone 266a,
and supplying drying air with a second delay if an object is detected in the
second zone 266b,
wherein the second delay period is greater than the first delay period In one
implementation, the
first delay period is a value between zero and 300 ms whereas the second delay
period is a value
between 200 and 800 ms, and the first and second delay periods are selected
such that the second
delay period exceeds the first delay period..
It will be appreciated that infrared sensors for detecting the ingress and
egress of hands to
and from the front of drying chamber 64 and the side of drying chamber 65 are
but one of a
number of different object-detecting technologies that could be used to detect
an object for
drying 166 in the drying chamber 52. For example, it is contemplated that
camera and image
processing technology could be used.
Thus, it is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to
the
embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but includes modified forms of
those
embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements
of different
embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.
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