A digital motor for the green hand dryer

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Due to the improvements made in the digital motor and in the airflow handling, the new Dyson Airblade 9kj allows drying hands quickly, with energy saving and with a CO2 emission reduction that, compared to other electric appliances, shares in decreasing the environmental impact.

The increment of performances and the optimization of consumptions of the new hand dryer model Airblade 9kj are achieved through the application of the digital Dyson V4 motor. A result obtained after 3 years of development and the implementation of over 700 prototypes. We have asked the engineer Davide Leoni – Design Engineer – Advanced, who directed the team in the development process of Airblade 9kj – to trace back together the product design, which has involved the motor, the HEPA filter, aesthetics and various components. Various inputs have boosted it: energy saving; compliance with the provisions of Nsf certification (in force in the United States), improvement of the drying flow to decrease the air dispersion.

How does Dyson Airblade 9kj work and what are its most innovative characteristics?
The appliance is powered by Dyson V4 digital motor, which performs up to 75000 revolutions per minute and can displace 23 air litres per second. This allows the appliance to dry hands in just 10 seconds in max. modality. Moreover, thanks to the ameliorations made in the digital motor and to the airflow handling, Dyson Airblade 9kj allows saving even 87% of energy compared to hot-air dryers and to produce 85% less of C02 emissions versus paper towels.

How is the airflow trajectory regulated and how does this solution improve the use and energy saving performances compared to the previous product?
The design of Dyson Airblade 9kj has been engineered to grant an optimal product performance. In its interior, in fact, the air blade is guided along a redesigned simplified path and exits through two curved 0.45mm slots (curved bladeTM design) that have been designed to make the air follow hands’ profile, removing water faster and assuring optimal drying. Dyson engineers have determined the best angle of curves, 70°, to guarantee an optimal comfortable drying.

Where is HEPA filter positioned and how is its cleaning managed? Has it an exclusive shape purposely studied for Airbalde 9kj? What advantages are provided by its presence?
HEPA filter in fiberglass, with a fabric layer, captures from the bathroom’s air 99.95% of particles, bacteria and viruses included, allowing Dyson Airblade 9kj to use clean air to dry hands. With a length of 2.2 metres and folded 63-times on itself, it is positioned in the central body of Dyson Airblade 9kj. The product maintenance is very simple, we suggest the ordinary cleaning of the outer body. The hand dryer is provided with 5-year warranty, extended to HEPA filter, too.

What tests has it been asked to overcome to achieve the Nsf safety certification?
Dyson Airblade 9kj dries hands in just 10 seconds in max. modality. The drying time is measured using Dyson 769 test based on NSF P335 with 0.1g of residual wetness.

Are there any other fundamental mechanical components for its correct operation?
Besides the already mentioned elements (Dyson V4 digital motor, HEPA filter and curved bladeTM design) another peculiarity of Dyson Airblade 9kj consists in the silencers made of foam, to reduce the noise of the appliance during the air passage. The air path through the machine has been redesigned and simplified to decrease the sound emission, too. Moreover, the appliance uses “Time of flight” sensors that detect the presence of hands to activate the air in touch-free modality.

The unique product design can be interpreted for both wall- and table mounting. Is it a strategic choice that allows the product adaptability to any place and to any target?
Dyson Airblade 9kj is designed to suit any public bathroom, from offices to malls and restaurants and up to public spaces, amusement parks, schools, hospitals and hotels. It is designed for wall-mounting.