High-speed Hand Dryer MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

In1993, Mitsubishi Electric introduced the world's first dual-jet high-speed hand dryer to the Japanese market (under the Jet Towel product brand name), which ushered in a new paradigm for hand-drying technology and equipment. Since then, the company has lead the industry, fulfilling customers' needs with a spate of technological advances that continually succeeded in reducing hand-drying time and machine noise while improving convenience and hygiene.

The High-speed Hand Dryer is manufactured at Mitsubishi Electric's Nakatsugawa Works plant in Japan, a facility with skilled engineers who have, since production of electric fans commenced in 1945, been discovering new ways to improve the air quality in homes and offices. In 1991 development began on the High-speed Hand Dryer in response to customer feedback that standard warm-air dryers require too much time to use.

1991	R&D project initiated to develop a new type of hand dryer that can dry hands in three seconds	Drying time depends on both air speed and air volume; R&D team discovers that a minimum speed of 60 meters/second is required to blow water from hands. After considering different ways to blow water droplets from fingertips, team arrives at a solution: directing jet blasts of air at both palms and backs of hands simultaneously. Experiments conducted with jet blasts of up to several hundred meters per second result in fast drying, but process is noisy and painful (subjects are concerned about possible skin lacerations).
1992	First prototype High-speed Hand Dryer completed	Optimum air speed and volume calculated for ensuring acceptable drying speed, noise, and user comfort. Research is conducted into nozzle shape, angle and position to solve the problem of "shaking of hands" when inserting hands into a strong airstream. When requesting colleagues to test a prototype, they refuse to insert their hands into the dryer, saying the shape of the "basin" is frightening. Basin then redesigned to make it more open.
1993	First High-speed Hand Dryer, the JT-16A, goes on sale under the name "Jet Towel"	Optimum nozzle pattern found after conducting tests with more than 50 different prototypes. New basin shape devised to prevent floor and main dryer unit from becoming wet. Because its primary development objective had been a shorter drying time, the JT-16A gains a reputation for being noisy; consequently, it is only installed in locations where noise is not a problem, such as amusement arcades. Designers join sales staff, visiting prospects and demonstrating how to use the unit.
1993	JT-16B launched	Nozzle design is further enhanced, power consumption reduced, and operating noise level greatly improved to 65dB. In response to market feedback (hands feel cold), a model is developed that draws heat from the built-in motor to warm the air.
1995	JT-16C launched	In addition to improving operating noise (reducing unpleasant high-frequency sounds), the dryer is given a slimmer profile, responding to the needs of restaurants, hospitals, etc. Design improvements are made to the waste water outlet to prevent dirt blockages.
1996	Thermal-storage heater stand launched	Further product improvement.
1997	JT-16C3 launched	Wins Good Design award.
1999	JT-116C4/C4K & JT-216CS4/CS4K launched	Production of 200V slim-type model starts. Model with antimicrobial treatment launched.
2000	Jet Towel launched on overseas markets, starting with Taiwan	The rest of the world begins to discover the High-speed Hand Dryer.
2001	JT-SB116D launched	After heated debate between the product designers and structural engineers, final decision is made to adopt a monoform design that will suit architectural interiors. Angular nozzle is devised to help prevent air blowing back in the user's face. Start of overseas sales in Asia, Europe, North America, etc. on a full commercial basis.
2005	JT-SB116EH, JT-SB216ESH, JT-SB116GN & JT-SB216GSN launched	Three-second drying time is achieved using hyper-nozzles. Also, operating noise reduced to 59dB. New basin design adopted to facilitate cleaning. New model is launched with thermal-storage heater unit equipped as standard. Refined styling of GN & GSN models wins Good Design award: well-defined contours blend with curves that make the dryer easy to use.

Find out more of the High-speed Hand Dryer development in "Heritage"

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