CN111248594B

CN111248594B - Accessory for a handheld device

Info

Publication number: CN111248594B
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: 2023-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-28
Also published as: WO2020109751A1; CN111248594A; SG10201810752RA; CN211984215U

Abstract

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

Description

Accessory for a handheld device

Technical Field

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

Background

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

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 a hair styling apparatus; a hair engagement member supported by the housing; an air flow outlet located between the housing and the hair engagement member and shaped to direct air over an outer surface of the hair engagement member; and an air flow guiding device extending over an outer surface of the hair engagement member, wherein the air flow guiding device comprises a further air flow outlet. Preferably, the air flow outlet is defined by a side of the hair engagement member and a side wall of the housing.

Preferably, the hair engagement member has a first side and a second side, the air flow outlet being provided on the first side and the other air flow outlet being provided on the second side. The air flow from the other air flow outlet attracts the air exiting the air flow outlet toward the outer surface of the hair engaging member and the accessory. It increases the Coanda effect on the outer surface and this helps dry the hair and smooth and align the hair follicle.

The hair engagement member is preferably elongate in shape and the air flow outlet extends substantially the length of the hair engagement member.

Preferably, the airflow directing means comprises a series of ribs. Each rib of the series of ribs is preferably positioned parallel to an adjacent rib and defines a channel therebetween. Each rib of the series of ribs preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the hair engagement member. Preferably, the ribs in 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 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 blow down the hair of the user.

Preferably, the further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of isolated apertures. Preferably, the further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of spaced apart 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 engagement members. Preferably, each of the plurality of apertures is located within an end wall of the rib.

Preferably, the hair engagement member is movable relative to the housing. Preferably, the hair engagement member comprises 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 engagement member.

The hair engagement member is adapted to move relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein a first airflow aperture is formed between the housing and the hair engagement member when the hair engagement member is in the first position; a second air flow outlet spaced from the first air flow outlet is formed between the housing and the hair engagement member when the hair engagement member is in the second position; and wherein when the hair engagement member is in the first position, the first airflow outlet is open and the second airflow outlet is closed; and when the hair engagement member is in the second position, the first airflow outlet is closed and the second airflow outlet is open. Likewise, when the hair engagement member is in one position, the first additional air flow outlet is open and the second additional air flow outlet is closed; and when the hair engagement member is in the other position, the first additional air flow outlet is closed and the second additional air flow 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 end wall and the second end wall each comprise one of a first further airflow outlet and a second further airflow outlet. The first end wall includes a first additional airflow outlet and the second end wall includes a second additional airflow outlet.

When the first airflow outlet is open, the hair engagement member is in a first position, and the first end wall is recessed into the housing and the first additional airflow outlet is also recessed into the housing. In this position, the second additional airflow outlet is exposed and air flows through the first airflow outlet and the second additional airflow outlet. Conversely, when the second air flow outlet is open, the hair engagement member is in the second position and the second end wall is recessed into the housing and the second additional air flow outlet is also recessed into 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 practice, when the bristles are under tension, for example by pulling the hair, one of each air flow outlet and the other air flow outlet is open, while the other of each air flow outlet and the other air flow outlet is closed.

First and second additional air flow outlets are provided to promote adhesion of air 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 air flow outlets provide the further advantage that they reduce the pressure within the accessory and thus reduce noise due to the exhaust air.

The hair engagement member is preferably adapted for rocking movement relative to the housing. Preferably, the hair engagement member is pivotally supported within the housing and passes through a central axis of the hair engagement member. Preferably, the hair engagement member is pivotally supported by a pivot pin mounting the hair engagement member within the housing. The hair engagement member preferably has a movement angle in the range of 5 ° to 30 °.

Preferably, the hair engagement member moves to the first position when the accessory is pulled in a first direction through the hair of the user and to the second position when the accessory is pulled in a second direction opposite the first direction through the hair of the user.

Preferably, each of the first air flow outlet and the second air flow outlet is defined by a respective side of the hair engagement member and a respective portion of the housing. Each of the first airflow outlet and the second airflow outlet is preferably slot-shaped. Preferably, the hair engagement member has an elongate form, and each of the first air flow outlet and the second air flow outlet preferably extends substantially the length of the hair engagement member.

Preferably, the housing comprises an inner wall and the ledge of the inner wall forms part of the outer surface adjacent the hair engagement member. In the first configuration of the accessory, the hair engagement member is preferably in a first position defining a first airflow aperture with the ledge. In the second configuration of the accessory, the hair engagement member is preferably in a second position defining another air flow outlet with the housing.

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

Advantages are found in an eccentric mechanism for movement of the movable member for biasing 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 device" refers to a vane, baffle, rib, or any other arrangement that directs airflow along an airflow path.

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

The hair engagement member preferably has an elongate form and each of the first air flow outlet and the second air flow outlet preferably extends substantially the length of the hair engagement member.

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

Preferably, the outer surface of the hair engagement member has a generally arcuate profile perpendicular to the length of the hair engagement member.

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.

The 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 an accessory;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of an accessory;

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 accessory;

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

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is an external appearance of the accessory 10. The attachment 10 includes an air inlet 12 for receiving an air flow from an air outlet end of a hot air molding machine or similar device. 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 airtight connection with the generally annular outlet end of the hot air molding machine. The annular collar portion 14 forms a smooth edge from the outer surface of the hot air molding device to the housing 44 of the accessory 10.

The accessory includes a hair engagement member for engaging hair during use of the hot air styling apparatus. The hair engagement member comprises 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 toward the air inlet end of the attachment 10 and the second end of the movable member is positioned toward 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 accessory by a fixed plate 62 for movement relative to the housing. The end 24 is located at the distal end of the accessory, housing 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 therebetween. The total area of the ribs 30 on each movable member has a rectangular shape 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 channel 90 and an inner wall 54, with the channel 90 therebetween serving as an insulated cold wall cavity. An internal support 52 is provided, and the support 52 is also attached to a base 53 of an inner wall 54. A series of side lobes 56 are positioned internally on each

side wall

40, 42 of the housing 44. The side vanes 56 help direct 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, components located at the distal end of the attachment 10 are primarily used 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 second end 38 of the movable member. The pivot pin 58 enters the fixed plate 62, the fixed plate 62 is attached to the end 24 via an arm 68, and the arm 68 extends from the housing 44 through a hole 66 in the fixed plate 62. The movement angle of the movable member is in the range of 5 ° to 30 °. In a preferred embodiment, the movement angle is 12 °.

A torsion spring pin (not shown) is located within the end 24 and acts as an eccentric mechanism between the stable first and second positions, ensuring that the movable member 16 can tilt between the stable first and second positions without obstruction. This feature will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and is additionally described in published uk patent application No. GB2548822 a.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory 10 shown from an air inlet end 12. Collar 14 has four regularly spaced tabs 84 that form a snap fit feature by which accessory 10 is fitted to the hot air molding device.

The "teeter-totter movement" of the movable member will now be described with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 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 accessory through the hair creates tension in the bristles 20 in the opposite direction. Thus, tension in the bristles exists in the movable member, which moves according to the direction of the tension, so that during use of the accessory 10, the movable member adopts either the first configuration or the second configuration.

Fig. 4 shows the position of the movable member in a first configuration when the attachment 10 is moved in use in a left to right direction as indicated by arrow 88 through the hair of a user. 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 outer surface of the accessory at each of the first side 34 and the second side 46 of the movable member. At the air flow 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 surface 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 air flow 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 a plurality of apertures formed in each rib 30 to form the further airflow outlet 95. Air from the air flow outlet 94 and the other air flow outlet 95 flows in the same direction as indicated by the arrow 78.

The side vanes 56 function to direct the air flow to an 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 an interior passage 96 through which some air may flow, the curvature of the movable member 16 promotes adhesion of air to the outer surface, and thus, recirculation in any negative form of impact, for example, is minimal.

When the direction of the brushing action of the user is reversed and, as such, the direction of the tension in the bristles 20 is reversed, 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 54b. The other air flow outlet 95 becomes an inner passage similar to the inner passage 96, and the inner passage 96 also becomes a second other air flow outlet. The movable member 16 is a mirror image as shown in the figures in this other configuration.

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

Due to the size of the airflow outlet and the contour of each movable member, ambient airflow is drawn into the surface airflow. Thus, the air flow through the channel 32 and along the length of the user's hair is enhanced by the ambient air flow. In addition, the form and size of the channels 32 enhance flow attachment as the air flow moves over the surface of the movable member.

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

The bristles 20 for the accessory are formed in rows. The base ends of the bristles 20 (located adjacent the movable member 16) are wider than the tips 102 of the bristles (the bristle balls 99 acting 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 arrangement of the bristles 20 held within a single rib 30 is not parallel.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a hot air molding machine 104 to which the accessory 10 may be connected. The hot air molding machine 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 provide an air inlet 108. The fan unit within handle 106 includes a fan and a motor. In use, the motor drives the fan and draws air through the air inlet along an air flow path extending through the length of the handle 106. The air is optionally heated by a heater and then exits the hot air molding machine at air outlet 110.

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

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

In this example of the accessory 10, as shown in the drawings, five rows of bristles 20 are shown on the movable member. 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 than 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 passing 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. Furthermore, embodiments having more than one movable member may not have bristles located 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 a hair styling apparatus;

a hair engagement member supported by the housing;

an air flow outlet located between the housing and the hair engagement member and shaped to direct air over an outer surface of the hair engagement member; and

an air flow guiding means extending over an outer surface of the hair engagement member, wherein,

the air flow guiding device comprises a further air flow outlet,

wherein the air flow guiding means comprises a series of ribs,

wherein the further airflow outlet comprises a plurality of isolated apertures and each of the plurality of apertures is received within a rib.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the hair engagement member is elongate in shape and the air flow outlet extends the length of the hair engagement member.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each rib of the series of ribs is positioned parallel to an adjacent rib and defines a channel therebetween.

4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein each rib of the series of ribs extends perpendicular to a length direction of the hair engagement member.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each rib includes an end wall adjacent the airflow outlet.

6. The attachment of claim 5 wherein the end wall is perpendicular to the length of the hair engagement member.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is located within an end wall of a rib.

8. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hair engagement member is movable relative to the housing.

9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein the hair engagement member is movable between a first position and a second position, the housing includes an outer housing portion and an inner housing portion, and the ledge of the inner housing portion is located between the hair engagement members.

10. The accessory of claim 8, comprising a further airflow outlet between the housing and a further hair engagement member, and wherein the further airflow outlet is shaped to direct air over an outer surface of the further hair engagement member.