CN111248594A

CN111248594A - Accessory for handheld device

Info

Publication number: CN111248594A
Application number: CN201911188595.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G.拉梅什; T.S.努; W.P.利姆; W.奇亚
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-30
Filing date: 2019-11-28
Publication date: 2020-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-28
Also published as: WO2020109751A1; CN211984215U; SG10201810752RA; CN111248594B

Abstract

An accessory, comprising: a housing having an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling apparatus; a hair engagement member supported by the housing; an air flow outlet located between the housing and the hair engaging members and shaped to direct air over the outer surfaces of the hair engaging members; and an air flow guide extending over an outer surface of the hair engaging member, wherein the air flow guide comprises a further air flow outlet.

Description

Accessory for handheld device

Technical Field

The invention relates to an accessory for a hand-held device, in particular a hair care device such as a hot air styling device.

Background

In conventional hot air styling apparatus, air is drawn into an inlet by a fan unit and directed toward the hair by an accessory or head. The air may or may not be heated, depending on the desired configuration. The attachment typically includes bristles over which the hair is wrapped and held for styling. Air is blown out of the attachment generally normal to the longitudinal surface of the attachment.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an accessory for a hair styling apparatus, comprising: a housing having an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling apparatus; a hair engagement member supported by the housing; an air flow outlet located between the housing and the hair engaging members and shaped to direct air over the outer surfaces of the hair engaging members; and an air flow guide extending over an outer surface of the hair engaging members, wherein the air flow guide comprises a further air flow outlet. Preferably, the air flow outlet is defined by a side of the hair engaging members and a side wall of the housing.

Preferably, the hair engaging members have a first side and a second side, the airflow outlet being provided at the first side and the further airflow outlet being provided at the second side. The air flow from the other air flow outlet draws air exiting the air flow outlet toward the hair engaging members and the outer surface of the attachment. It increases the Coanda (Coanda) effect on the outer surface and this helps to dry the hair and smooth and align the follicle.

The hair engaging members are preferably elongate in shape and the air flow outlets extend substantially the length of the hair engaging members.

Preferably, the airflow directing means comprises a series of ribs. Each rib in the series of ribs is preferably positioned parallel to an adjacent rib and defines a channel therebetween. Each rib in the series of ribs preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the hair engaging members. Preferably, the ribs of the series of ribs have a uniform rib width. Each channel in the series of ribs preferably has a uniform channel width, and the channel width is preferably greater than the width of the ribs. In a preferred embodiment, the width of each channel is in the range of 2mm to 4 mm.

Advantageously, the channels between adjacent ribs serve to direct the air flow over the surface of the movable member, so that even parallel air flows are blown along the user's hair.

Preferably, the further gas flow outlet comprises a plurality of isolated apertures. Preferably, the further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of spaced apertures, and each of the plurality of apertures is received within a rib.

Preferably, each rib comprises an end wall adjacent the airflow outlet. Preferably, the end walls are perpendicular to the length direction of the hair engaging members. Preferably, each of the plurality of apertures is located in an end wall of the rib.

Preferably, the hair engagement member is movable relative to the housing. Preferably, the hair engaging members comprise first and second air flow outlets and first and second further air flow outlets, so that air can flow in either direction along the hair engaging members.

The hair engaging members are adapted to move relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein when the hair engaging members are in the first position, a first airflow outlet is formed between the housing and the hair engaging members; a second air flow outlet spaced from the first air flow outlet is formed between the housing and the hair engaging members when the hair engaging members are in the second position; and wherein when the hair engaging member is in the first position, the first airflow outlet is open and the second airflow outlet is closed; and when the hair engaging member is in the second position, the first airflow outlet is closed and the second airflow outlet is open. Similarly, when the hair engaging member is in one position, the first further airflow outlet is open and the second further airflow outlet is closed; and when the hair engaging member is in the other position, the first further airflow outlet is closed and the second further airflow outlet is open.

Preferably, each rib has a first end wall adjacent the first airflow outlet and a second end wall adjacent the second airflow outlet. Preferably, the first and second end walls each comprise one of a first and second further airflow outlets. The first end wall comprises a first further airflow outlet and the second end wall comprises a second further airflow outlet.

When the first airflow outlet is open, the hair engagement member is in the first position and the first end wall is recessed within the housing and the first additional airflow outlet is also recessed within the housing. In this position, the second further airflow outlet is exposed and air flows through the first airflow outlet and the second further airflow outlet. Conversely, when the second airflow outlet is open, the hair engagement member is in the second position and the second end wall is recessed within the housing and the second further airflow outlet is also recessed within the housing. In this position, the first further airflow outlet is exposed and air flows through the second airflow outlet and the first further airflow outlet.

In effect, when the bristles are under tension, for example by pulling on hair, one of each airflow outlet and the further airflow outlet is open and the other of each airflow outlet and the further airflow outlet is closed.

First and second additional airflow outlets are provided to promote air adhesion to the outer surface of the hair engaging members using the coanda effect over the entire length of the hair engaging members. The first and second further airflow outlets provide a further advantage in that they reduce the pressure within the attachment and therefore reduce the noise generated by the exhaust air.

The hair engaging members are preferably adapted to move in a rocking motion relative to the housing. Preferably, the hair engaging members are pivotally supported within the housing and pass through a central axis of the hair engaging members. Preferably, the hair engaging members are pivotally supported by pivot pins that mount the hair engaging members within the housing. The hair engaging members preferably have an angle of movement in the range of 5 ° to 30 °.

Preferably, the hair engaging members move to the first position when the attachment is pulled through the user's hair in a first direction and move to the second position when the attachment is pulled through the user's hair in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Preferably, each of the first and second airflow outlets is defined by a respective side of the hair engaging member and a respective portion of the housing. Each of the first and second airflow outlets is preferably slot-shaped. Preferably, the hair engaging members have an elongate form and each of the first and second airflow outlets preferably extends substantially the length of the hair engaging members.

Preferably, the housing comprises an inner wall and the ledge of the inner wall forms part of the outer surface adjacent the hair engaging members. In a first configuration of the attachment, the hair engaging members are preferably in a first position defining a first airflow outlet with the ledge. In a second configuration of the accessory, the hair engaging members are preferably in a second position defining a further air flow outlet with the housing.

Furthermore, the attachment is preferably moved between the first configuration and the second configuration under the action of the eccentric mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the over-center mechanism is a torsion spring connected between the first hair engaging members and the second hair engaging members. The biasing function of the torsion spring may be achieved in a number of alternative ways. For example, a magnetic latch in a detent mechanism or a weighted movable member or an integrated ball bearing may be used.

An advantage is found in an eccentric mechanism for the movement of the movable member for biasing the movement of the movable member in a direction opposite to the current orientation of the movable member, thereby ensuring that the movable member can tilt in the opposite direction without obstruction.

The term "airflow directing means" refers to vanes, baffles, ribs or any other arrangement that directs airflow along an airflow path.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner airflow directing means comprises a plurality of vanes. The inner airflow directing means preferably comprises a plurality of casing blades connected to the casing. Further, the plurality of shell blades includes: a first series of housing vanes located on a first sidewall of the housing and adjacent the first airflow outlet; and a second series of housing vanes located on a second sidewall of the housing and adjacent the second airflow outlet. Preferably, each vane of the first series of casing vanes is oriented approximately perpendicular to an edge of a first side wall of the casing defining the first airflow outlet, and each vane of the second series of casing vanes is oriented approximately perpendicular to an edge of a second side wall of the casing defining the second airflow outlet. Preferably, the blades in the first and second series of housing blades are approximately evenly spaced.

The hair engaging members preferably have an elongate form and each of the first and second airflow outlets preferably extends substantially the length of the hair engaging member.

Advantageously, turbulence is minimized within the attachment and thus the audible volume of the hot air styling apparatus with the attachment is reduced in use.

Preferably, the outer surface of the hair engaging members has a generally arcuate profile perpendicular to the length direction of the hair engaging members.

Preferably, the housing comprises an array of bristles protruding from an outer surface of the housing. The array preferably comprises bristles arranged in parallel rows. Each bristle preferably has a bristle ball at the distal end.

Features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to each of the other aspects of the invention, and vice versa.

Drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the attachment;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the attachment;

FIG. 3b is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the attachment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an example of a hot air molding apparatus to which accessories may be attached.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is an external appearance of the attachment 10. The attachment 10 includes an air inlet 12 for receiving an air flow from an air outlet end of a hot air molding apparatus or the like. Referring also to fig. 2, 3a, 3b and 4, the air inlet 12 is defined by a housing 44, the air inlet 12 being generally circular in shape to enable an air-tight connection with a generally annular outlet end of the hot air molding apparatus. The annular collar portion 14 forms a smooth edge from the outer surface of the hot air molding apparatus to the housing 44 of the attachment 10.

The attachment includes hair engaging members for engaging hair during use of the hot air styling apparatus. The hair engagement member includes a movable member and a set of bristles supported by the movable member. In this example, the movable member 16 is elongate in form. The first end of the movable member is positioned towards the air inlet end of the attachment 10 and the second end of the movable member is positioned towards the distal end of the attachment 10. The movable member 16 is located in the housing 44 and is supported at the distal end of the attachment by a fixed plate 62 for movement relative to the housing. The end 24 is located at the distal end of the attachment and houses a movement mechanism for moving the movable member relative to the housing.

The movable member has a curved outer surface. A plurality of parallel ribs 30 are located on the outer surface, and the ribs 30 extend perpendicular to the length of the movable member. Two adjacent ribs 30 form a channel 32 between them. The total area of the ribs 30 on each movable member has a rectangular shape, which is surrounded by a smooth peripheral surface. Each rib 30 supports a respective row of bristles 20.

In this embodiment, the width of each channel 32 is preferably equal to or less than the height of the ribs 30. In an alternative embodiment, the width of each channel 32 is wider than the width of the rib 30.

The movable member 16 has a first side 34 adjacent the first side wall 40 of the housing 44 and a second side 46 adjacent the side wall 42 of the housing 44. The housing 44 is provided with a passage 90 and an inner wall 54, with the passage 90 therebetween serving as an insulated cold wall chamber. An internal support 52 is provided and the support 52 is also attached to a base 53 of an internal wall 54. A series of side vanes 56 are positioned internally on each

side wall

40, 42 of the housing 44. The side vanes 56 help direct the flow from the inlet 12 (where the flow is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment) to a vertical direction for discharge from any airflow outlet.

With further reference to fig. 3a, the components located at the distal end of the attachment 10 primarily serve to enable the pivoting mechanism to move the movable member 16 relative to the housing 44. Specifically, the pivot pin 58 extends from an end surface of the movable member second end 38. The pivot pin 58 enters the fixed plate 62, and the fixed plate 62 is attached to the end 24 via an arm 68, the arm 68 extending from the housing 44 through an aperture 66 in the fixed plate 62. The movable member has a movement angle in the range of 5 ° to 30 °. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of movement is 12 °.

A torsion spring pin (not shown) is located within the end 24 and acts as an over-center mechanism between the stable first position and the stable second position, thereby ensuring that the movable member 16 can tilt between the stable first position and the stable second position without obstruction. This feature will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and is additionally described in published british patent application No. GB 2548822A.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 shown from the air inlet end 12. The collar 14 has four regularly spaced projections 84 that form a snap fit feature by which the attachment 10 is fitted to the hot air molding device.

The "seesaw movement" of the movable member will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the accessory when the movable member is in a first configuration relative to the housing. In use, the action of the user pulling the attachment through the hair creates tension in the bristles 20 in the opposite direction. Thus, tension in the bristles is present in the movable member, which moves according to the direction of the tension, so that during use of the attachment 10, the movable member adopts the first configuration or the second configuration.

Fig. 4 shows the position of the movable member in the first configuration when the attachment 10 is moved through a user's hair in a left-to-right direction as shown by arrow 88 in use. The movable member 16 is in a first position relative to the housing 44. The inner wall 54 includes a ledge 54a, the ledge 54a extending beyond the housing 44 forming a portion of the exterior surface of the attachment at each of the first and

second sides

34, 46 of the movable member. At the airflow outlet, on the first side 34 of the movable member, the inner side 34a of the first movable member 16 is located below the ledge 54a and vertically overlaps the ledge 54 a. A first air outlet 94 is formed between the ledge 54a and the inner side 34a of the first movable member 16.

At the second side 46 of the movable member, the ledge 54b is in flush, airtight contact with the movable member. However, another airflow outlet 95 is provided, which is formed in the end wall 30a of the plurality of ribs 30. The further airflow outlet 95 coincides with the ledge 54b and enables air to be expelled from the plurality of apertures formed in each rib 30 to form the further airflow outlet 95. Air from the airflow outlet 94 and the further airflow outlet 95 flows in the same direction as indicated by arrow 78.

The side vanes 56 function to direct the airflow toward the open outer air outlet 94. When the movable member is in this first configuration, the airflow passage 96 is an internal passage, but when the movable member is in the second position, the internal passage becomes another airflow outlet. Although it is the internal passage 96 through which some air may flow, the flexing of the movable member 16 promotes adhesion of air to the outer surface, and therefore, any negative form of recirculation is, for example, minimal.

When the direction of the user's brush action is reversed and likewise the direction of the tension in the bristles 20 is reversed, then the movable member moves to its opposite position. In this case, the airflow outlet 94 is blocked by movement of the movable member 16 and the second airflow outlet opens the adjacent ledge 54 b. The other airflow outlet 95 becomes an internal passage similar to the internal passage 96, and the internal passage 96 also becomes a second other airflow outlet. The movable member 16 is a mirror image as shown in the figures in this other configuration.

In use, the attachment 10 is connected to the air flow outlet end of the hot air molding apparatus. Air flow enters the attachment 10 from the hot air molding apparatus through air inlet 12.

Due to the size of the airflow outlet and the profile of each movable member, the ambient airflow is drawn into the surface airflow. Thus, the airflow through the passage 32 and along the length of the user's hair is enhanced by the ambient airflow. Furthermore, the form and size of the channels 32 enhances flow attachment as the airflow moves over the surface of the movable member.

Referring to fig. 4, when the attachment 10 is moved in a left to right direction as shown by the top arrow 88 of the figure in use, then the airflow on the surface of each movable member is in the opposite direction, as shown by the smaller airflow arrows. When the direction of use of the attachment 10 is reversed, the direction of airflow over the entire surface of each movable member is reversed.

The bristles 20 for the attachment are formed in rows. The base ends of the bristles 20 (located adjacent the movable member 16) are wider than adjacent the tips 102 of the bristles (the bristle balls 99 serve as the tops thereof). The cross-section through the bristles 20 is circular. In a preferred embodiment, the bristles 20 are capable of bending and may be about 15mm in length. The bristles 20 may be formed with or without bristle balls 99.

Referring to fig. 1, the upper surface of each movable member has an arc shape, and thus, the ribs 30 are described as the same arc shape. Thus, the vertical alignment of the bristles 20 held within a single rib 30 is not parallel.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a hot air molding apparatus 104 to which the attachment 10 may be connected. The hot air molding apparatus includes a generally tubular handle 106, the handle 106 having an air inlet 108 and an air outlet 110 at opposite ends. At the air inlet end of the handle, an array of apertures extending around and partially along the handle 106 provides an air inlet 108. The fan unit within the handle 106 includes a fan and a motor. In use, the motor drives the fan and draws air in through the air inlet along an air flow path that extends through the length of the handle 106. The air is optionally heated by a heater and then exits the hot air molding apparatus at air outlet 110.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that the biasing function of the torsion spring may be achieved in a number of alternative ways. For example, a magnetic latch in a detent mechanism or a weighted movable member or an integrated ball bearing may be used.

The attachment may be made of any suitable heat resistant material and in a preferred embodiment the housing and the movable member are made of glass filled nylon. The maximum preferred operating temperature of such accessories connected to the hot air molding apparatus is about 130 c.

In the present example of the attachment 10, five rows of bristles 20 are shown on the movable member, as shown in the drawings. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of rows of bristles on each movable member may be greater or less than five. In particular, advantages are found in attachments without bristles so that the user can benefit from the hair smoothing action of the airflow path without the harsher action of the bristles through the hair. Alternatively, the bristles 20 may be positioned on the outer housing portion 44 instead of or in addition to the bristles 20 on each movable member. Further, embodiments having more than one movable member may not have bristles on each movable member.

The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An accessory for a hair styling apparatus comprising:

a housing having an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling apparatus;

a hair engagement member supported by the housing;

an air flow outlet located between the housing and the hair engaging members and shaped to direct air over the outer surfaces of the hair engaging members; and

an air flow guide extending over an outer surface of the hair engaging members, wherein,

the airflow directing means comprises a further airflow outlet.

2. An accessory according to claim 1 wherein the hair engaging members are elongate in shape and the air flow outlets extend substantially the length of the hair engaging members.

3. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein the airflow directing means comprises a series of ribs.

4. The accessory of claim 4, wherein each rib of the series of ribs is positioned parallel to an adjacent rib and defines a channel therebetween.

5. An accessory according to claim 4 or 5 wherein each rib of said series of ribs extends substantially perpendicular to the length direction of said hair engaging members.

6. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein said further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of isolated apertures.

7. An accessory according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of spaced apertures and each of said plurality of apertures is received within a rib.

8. An accessory according to claim 7 wherein each rib includes an end wall adjacent the airflow outlet.

9. An accessory according to claim 8 wherein said end walls are perpendicular to the length direction of said hair engaging members.

10. An accessory according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein each of said plurality of apertures is located within an end wall of a rib.

11. An accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein said hair engaging member is movable relative to said housing.

12. An accessory according to claim 11 wherein said hair engaging members are movable between a first position and a second position, the housing comprises an outer housing portion and an inner housing portion, and the ledge of said inner housing portion is located between said hair engaging members.

13. An accessory according to any one of claims 11 to 13, including a further air flow outlet between the housing and a second hair engaging member, and wherein the further air flow outlet is shaped to direct air over an outer surface of the second hair engaging member.