CN210055006U

CN210055006U - Attachment for a hair styling device

Info

Publication number: CN210055006U
Application number: CN201821538649.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: A.F.阿特金森; P.J.斯蒂芬斯
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-29
Filing date: 2018-09-19
Publication date: 2020-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-19
Also published as: GB2566976A; JP2019063524A; EP3461363A1; GB201715815D0; US20190098979A1; CN109567360A

Abstract

An accessory for a hair styling device comprising: an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling device; an air outlet; a duct for conveying air from the air inlet to the air outlet; at least one hole in the wall of the conduit; and a guide wall within the conduit and proximate to the at least one aperture, wherein the guide wall forms a barrier at an upstream side of the at least one aperture. Cooled ambient air is drawn into the attachment through each of the apertures by the flow of heated air from the hair styling device. The entrained air flow passes internally along the wall of the duct for minimizing the temperature of the wall.

Description

Attachment for a hair styling device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a nozzle for a hair dryer.

Background

It is known to provide hair dryers with one or more nozzles for selective attachment to the air flow outlet of the hair dryer to modify the profile of the air flow emitted from the hair dryer. One form of nozzle or attachment is a collector for collecting the air flow toward a selected portion of the user's hair for localized styling or drying. Typically, the converger has a main body portion having a circular air inlet for receiving the air stream from the hairdryer, and a slot-like air outlet for emitting the air stream.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an accessory for a hair styling device, comprising: an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling device; an air outlet; a duct for conveying air from the air inlet to the air outlet; at least one hole in the wall of the conduit; and a guide wall within the conduit and proximate to the at least one aperture, wherein the guide wall forms a barrier at an upstream side of the at least one aperture.

Ambient air is drawn into the attachment through each of the apertures by the air flow from the hair styling device. In the event that the air stream received from the hair styling device is hot, the entrainment air stream will be relatively cool. Thus, in use, the guide wall separates a flow of heated air passing along one side from a flow of relatively cooled air passing along the other side.

Preferably, the air outlet is an elongate slot. The duct may further comprise a side wall extending from each end of the elongate air outlet slot towards the air inlet.

If the air outlet slot is accidentally blocked or restricted in use of the attachment (when attached to the hairdryer), the stream of heated air can escape through the aperture, thereby reducing heat build-up within the nozzle, and particularly at the outlet slot. Thus, the holes may also be referred to as "louvers".

Each hole is preferably located in each side wall and may have a rounded rectangular shape. Preferably, the holes are about 3mm by 5 mm.

The aperture may be a groove extending partially or completely around the outer surface of the pipe. Preferably, the guide wall extends downstream of each aperture by a distance of at least 5 mm.

Preferably, the elongate air outlet slot has dimensions such that the ratio of the length L to the height H is in the range of 13: 1 to 15: 1, and more preferably still 14: a ratio of 1.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an accessory for a hair styling device, comprising: an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling device; an air outlet; and a duct for conveying air from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the duct comprises an arrangement of tactile protrusions.

Preferably, the air outlet is an elongate slot. The inner surface of the body is preferably shaped as a slot-like opening at the air outlet end of the body to allow a user to direct the air stream emitted from the nozzle towards selected portions of hair, such as portions of hair wound around a brush for styling.

Preferably, the arrangement of tactile protrusions comprises a series of parallel, elongated ribs, each rib having a height h, a width w, and a distance d between adjacent ribs.

The ribbed outer surface of the nozzle provides a visual guide for the user indicating where their fingers should be placed when grasping the nozzle. Furthermore, the series of protrusions provides thermal insulation via the ambient air present in the ridges and provides additional depth of the plastic material present in the protrusions.

The height h of each rib is preferably in the range of 0.5mm to 2.5mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.8mm to 1.2 mm. The distance d between each rib is in the range of 0.5mm to 2.5mm, and more preferably in the range of 1.3mm to 1.7 mm. The width w of each rib is preferably in the range of 0.5mm to 2.0mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.8mm to 1.2 mm.

Preferably, the attachment further comprises a side wall on each narrow edge of the duct, wherein each side wall extends from the end of the air outlet slot towards the air inlet. The arrangement of tactile protrusions may be arranged on an outer surface of the sidewall.

Preferably, the air inlet is generally circular in shape. Further, the air inlet may comprise at least one groove, and the groove may be annular.

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 front perspective view of the nozzle from above;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the nozzle from above;

FIG. 3a is a top view of the nozzle;

FIG. 3b schematically shows an enlarged portion of the top view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the nozzle;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the nozzle;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a cross-section through the A-A axis of the nozzle shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an enlarged portion of the cross-section shown in FIG. 7, showing the air flow path;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a cross-section through the B-B axis of the nozzle shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the ring magnet of the nozzle; and

fig. 11 is a front perspective view of one example of a hair dryer to which a nozzle can be attached.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 3a,3b and 4 to 6 are external views of the nozzle 10. The nozzle 10 includes an air inlet 12 for receiving a flow of air from the air flow outlet end of the hairdryer, and an air outlet 14 for emitting a flow of air. The air inlet 12 is generally annular in shape and is in the form of an annular groove 16 located at one end of the nozzle 10. The air outlet 14 is in the form of an elongate slot 18 located at the opposite end of the nozzle 10.

The nozzle includes a body 20, and a plug 22 positioned partially within the body 20. The body 20 has a first portion 24 comprising the air inlet 12 and a second portion 26 comprising the air outlet. The first portion 24 is generally conical in shape and the second portion 26 has a flat form and has a cross-section that increases in area towards the air outlet 14. The first portion 24 and the second portion 26 together comprise a single piece without seams or joints. The air inlet end of the first portion 24 is generally circular in shape. The plug 22 has a generally cylindrical upstream section 28 and a generally conical downstream section 30, as shown in FIG. 7. The generally conical downstream section 30 is positioned within the generally conical first portion 24 of the body, both oriented about the same longitudinal axis X. Thus, the air inlet 12 of the nozzle has an annular form with an annular air flow path extending between the first portion 24 of the body and the plug 22.

The second portion 26 of the body 20 includes a first wall 32 and a second wall 34 opposite the first wall. Both the first wall 32 and the second wall 34 are generally planar, and the distance between the first wall 32 and the second wall 34 is constant. Two smoothly curved

minor walls

36, 38 join the first wall 32 and the second wall 34. Referring to fig. 3, the

small walls

36, 38 taper outwardly from the air inlet end 12 of the nozzle 12 to the air outlet end 14 of the nozzle.

The second part 26 of the body has a generally rectangular cross-section. The elongate slot form of the air outlet has a length L of between 50mm and 90mm, and preferably about 70mm, and a height H of between 3mm and 7mm, and preferably about 5 mm. The cross-sectional area of the second portion 26 is greatest at the air outlet 18 of the second portion 26. The cross-section of the air outlet 18 of the second portion 26 of the body 20 has a cross-section in the range 13: 1 to 15: length (L) to height (H) ratio between 1, and preferably 14: 1.

the outer surface of each

minor wall

36, 38 has a series of ribs extending partially along the length of each minor wall. Each rib 40 has a width w of generally 0.5mm to 2mm, and preferably a width of 1 mm. The gap between each rib is a distance d of substantially 0.5mm to 2.5mm, and preferably the distance is 1.5 mm. Each rib 40 has a height h of generally 0.5mm to 3mm, and preferably a height of 1 mm. The series of ribs follow the contour of each minor wall and are castellated as shown in figures 3a and 3 b. The profile of each rib may be square or circular. Each rib 40 has a length similar to the dimension of the external height of the small wall on which it is arranged, and the height h of each rib may taper towards each end of said rib 40.

An aperture 42 is positioned in each

minor wall

36, 38, proximate to the air inlet 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 42 has a generally rounded rectangular shape and is about 5mm by 3 mm. The longer dimension of the aperture is parallel to the length of the minor wall. As shown in fig. 7, an inner guide wall 44 is disposed within the body 20 adjacent each aperture 42. Each guide wall 44 extends between the first wall 32 and the second wall 34 of the second portion 26 of the body and extends about 10mm to 15mm downstream from each aperture 42.

Referring to fig. 7, the plug 22 may include at least one fin 46 extending from an outer surface of the plug 22 such that the at least one fin 46 is in the same orientation as the flat second portion 26 of the body. Such fins direct the air flow towards the air outlet and minimize turbulence of the air flow at the junction between the first portion 24 of the body 20 and the second portion 26 of the body 20. The at least one fin 46 has an airfoil form 48 in cross-section that tapers toward a flat distal section 50, as shown in fig. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the fin 46 is divided into two sections.

The outer surface of the downstream section 30 of the plug 22, while having a generally conical profile, may have small concave or convex variations. The outer surface of the downstream section 30 of the plug 22 may have the same profile as the inner surface of the first portion 24 of the body. The outer surface of the body may not have the same profile as the inner surface of the body, particularly around the interface of the first and second portions of the body. For example, the inner surface of the body may have a transitional curved profile at the joint between the first portion of the body and the second portion of the body 20, rather than an angled joint of the outer surface. Such a transitional curved profile of the inner surface of the body minimizes any turbulence and backflow of the air flow within the nozzle 10.

As shown in fig. 7, the locator 52 is generally centrally located within the body 20 at the apex of the first portion 24 of the body. The locator 52 is a molded part of the body 20. During assembly, a fastener 54, such as a screw, passes through a preformed hole along the axis of the plug 22 and into the retainer 52, thereby securely and centrally securing the plug 22 within the first portion 24 of the body 20. In addition, at least one post 56 projects from the inner surface of the first portion 24 of the body 20 to facilitate connection to the outer surface of the plug 22. The connection is for the plug to be in the correct position within the body and may be secured by ultrasonic welding or adhesive. With the receiving groove 58 formed in the outer surface of the plug 22 to receive each post 56, the stability of the plug within the body is further improved. Two legs 56 projecting from opposite sides of the inner surface of the body 20 can be seen in fig. 6 and 9.

In the embodiment of the nozzle shown in figures 1 to 3a,3b and 4 to 9, the upstream end of the plug 22 projects from the first section 24 of the body. The rounded upstream end of the first section 24 of the body includes a flat face 60. The flat face 60 comprises attachment means for attaching the nozzle 10 to a hairdryer. Such attachment means may comprise, for example, magnetic components or a press-fit arrangement.

In use, a stream of air emitted from the hairdryer enters the air inlet 12 of the nozzle 10 and then passes through the flow path between the plug and the first part of the body. The air flow then passes through a second portion of the nozzle 10 and is emitted at the air outlet 14. In the event that the air stream emitted from the hairdryer is hot, the heat transfer causes the temperature of the nozzle to rise, potentially overheating the outer surface of the nozzle for user contact. By placing their fingers on a series of ribs on each small wall of the body, the temperature experienced by the user can be minimized. Firstly, this is due to the series of protrusions which provide thermal insulation via the ambient air present in the ridges and provide additional depth of the plastics material present in each protrusion 40. Second, the air flow emitted from the hairdryer and passing through the nozzle 10 entrains the cooling atmosphere through the holes 42 in each of the

minor walls

36, 38. Thus, as schematically illustrated in fig. 8, an internal air flow path 62 of entrainment air extends from each aperture 42 to the air outlet 14. The guide wall 44 separates the entrainment air flow 62 from the heating air flow 64 near the aperture 42 and guides the entrainment air flow along the inner surface of the respective minor wall. This air flow reduces the temperature of the nozzle along each minor wall, thereby enabling the nozzle to be more comfortably grasped by the outer surface of the

minor walls

36, 38 by a user.

Another significant effect of the entrainment air flow 62 is that the heating air flow 64 is forced to exit the elongated outlet slot 18 at a divergent angle that is greater than the exit angle without the entrainment air flow 62. Furthermore, the locating holes 42 are in a wall (such as the

minor walls

36, 38 in this embodiment) that forms at least a portion of the containment duct, advantageously directing the cooled entrainment air flow within the containment duct.

The attachment means for attaching the nozzle 10 to the hairdryer may use magnetic attraction and figure 10 schematically shows an annular magnetic member 66 positioned in the upstream end face of the nozzle. The magnetic members 66 have regularly spaced and alternating magnetic poles. In the preferred embodiment, 24 alternating poles are used, 12 positive poles and 12 negative poles. In use, this serves to increase the strength of the attachment between the hairdryer and the nozzle. It is also contemplated that other numbers of alternating poles may be used and that the poles may be irregularly spaced.

An example of a hairdryer 68 is shown in fig. 11, where the nozzle 10 may be attached to it. Such a hairdryer is described in WO2015/001306, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein a stream of hot air is emitted from an annular groove 70 located at the air outlet end of the hairdryer. The annular groove extends around the aperture 72 of the hairdryer. The emitted hot air flow passes through the annular air inlet of the nozzle into the body of the nozzle.

In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle includes a rounded upstream end for attachment to the hairdryer and does not include a plug. Such a nozzle may be attached to a hairdryer comprising a circular air outlet.

As an alternative to providing the air inlet in the form of an annular groove, the nozzle may comprise a plurality of curved, slot-shaped air inlets, a plurality of circular air inlets arranged in a circular pattern at the nozzle inlet end.

In alternative embodiments, the outer surface of each minor wall may have various forms of patterns of insulating protrusions, such as circular, rectangular, or annular. The pattern of insulating protrusions may extend at least partially or fully along the length of each minor wall, downstream of each aperture.

The orifice(s) may be positioned upstream of any portion of the nozzle where reduced temperature is desired. The aperture may be a slot which extends partially or mostly around the entire periphery of the first or second portion of the body. The aperture may alternatively extend along a V-shaped interface between the first and second portions of the body. The guide wall is positioned upstream of and adjacent to the aperture for blocking air flow upstream of the slot and guiding air flow downstream of the aperture. In the case where the orifice is a slot extending substantially around the nozzle, the structural integrity of the nozzle may be maintained by guide walls or joints regularly positioned across the structure.

In the case of an aperture, i.e. a slot extending substantially around the nozzle, the pattern of insulating protrusions on the outer surface of the body may also extend around the nozzle downstream of the slot.

In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic means in the upstream end of the nozzle may comprise a magnetisable material and the cooperating magnetic means in the outlet end of the hairdryer may comprise one or more magnets in the form of a ring.

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

Claims

1. An attachment for a hair styling device, the attachment comprising:

an air inlet for receiving an air flow from the hair styling device;

an air outlet;

a duct for conveying air from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is an elongate air outlet slot having dimensions such that the ratio of the length L to the height H is in the range of 13: 1 to 15: 1 in the range of;

at least one aperture in a sidewall of the duct and positioned proximate to the air inlet; and

a guide wall within the conduit and proximate to the at least one aperture, wherein the guide wall forms a stop at an upstream side of the at least one aperture and extends downstream of the aperture a distance in a range from 5mm to 15 mm.

2. An attachment for a hair styling device according to claim 1, further comprising side walls of the duct extending from each end of the elongate air outlet slot towards the air inlet.

3. An attachment for a hair styling device according to claim 1 or 2 in which the aperture has a rounded rectangular shape.

4. An attachment for a hair styling device according to claim 3 in which the aperture is substantially 3mm by 5 mm.

5. An attachment for a hair styling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the aperture is a groove extending partially around the outer surface of the conduit.

6. An attachment for a hair styling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the aperture is a slot extending around the outer surface of the conduit.

7. An attachment for a hair styling device according to claim 1 in which the elongate air outlet slot has dimensions such that the ratio of the length L to the height H is 14: 1.