EP0020441B1 - Hairdryers - Google Patents

Hairdryers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0020441B1
EP0020441B1 EP19790901223 EP79901223A EP0020441B1 EP 0020441 B1 EP0020441 B1 EP 0020441B1 EP 19790901223 EP19790901223 EP 19790901223 EP 79901223 A EP79901223 A EP 79901223A EP 0020441 B1 EP0020441 B1 EP 0020441B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
motor
hairdryer
housing
casing
heater element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19790901223
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0020441A1 (en
Inventor
Edric Trenchard Dyer-Hugh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Firth Cleveland Ltd
Original Assignee
Firth Cleveland Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Firth Cleveland Ltd filed Critical Firth Cleveland Ltd
Publication of EP0020441A1 publication Critical patent/EP0020441A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0020441B1 publication Critical patent/EP0020441B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D20/00—Hair drying devices; Accessories therefor
    • A45D20/04—Hot-air producers
    • A45D20/08—Hot-air producers heated electrically
    • A45D20/10—Hand-held drying devices, e.g. air douches
    • A45D20/12—Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
    • F04D25/08—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to hairdryers.
  • a conventional hairdryer incorporates an electrical heater element, a fan to provide an air current over the heater element and an electric motor to drive the fan. These essential components are normally mounted in a common housing which incorporates a handle and appropriate controls.
  • Smaller and lighter hairdryers are becoming popular as they are easier to handle than larger hairdryers and also there is a tendency to use a heater element of higher power to increase the effectiveness of the hairdryer.
  • One feature which helps in the provision of a small and lightweight hairdryer is the use of a simple permanent magnet DC electric motor. Small and compact lightweight DC motors are readily available at low cost. A low voltage DC motor can be used in conjunction with a normal mains supply voltage by making use of the invention disclosed in U.K. Patent 1,100,823 or the equivalent U.S. Patent 3,348,020.
  • a simple lightweight motor installed in a small housing close to a high output heater element tends to have a service life which is sufficient for a domestic hairdryer.
  • hairdryers used by professional hairdressers - which are known as professional hairdryers - require a much longer service life than a domestic hairyer and the expected life of a simple DC motor is normally inadequate for a professional hairdryer.
  • Replacement of a faulty motor even where this can be achieved without removing the heater with the motor is normally a time consuming operation requiring a high degree of skill and special tools such as soldering irons so it is not normally practical to replace the motor as a matter of routine service by the user of the hairdryer. r.
  • U.K. patent specification 639,113 discloses a hairdryer in which a combined unit of heater- motor-fan is inserted into a housing during assembly of the hairdryer and in which the electrical connections to this unit from a mains supply through one or more switches is auto--matically made on insertion of the heater- motor-fan unit into the housing.
  • This arrangement is intended to facilitate initial assembly of the hairdryer during manufacture and there is no suggestion in this U.K. specification that the unit incorporating the motor can be removed from the housing or can be removed and replaced by a further unit. Furthermore, there is no suggestion that the end cover of the housing, which has to be mounted in position after insertion of the unit incorporating the motor, is subsequently removeable. Furthermore, the fact that the heater is part of the unit incorporating the motor gives rise to the possibility of damaging the fragile heater while handling the complete unit during assembly in the housing.
  • French patent specification 1,496,573 discloses a hairdryer in which the motor and fan are mounted as a unit in grooves in a housing by means of a rubber or rubber-like support, in such a way that the motor and fan can be installed in the housing in a simple manner.
  • the specification also indicates that the mounting and demounting the heater with respect to the motor support can be carrier out easily.
  • the wiring and electrical connections are said to be conventional, so presumably the connections between the switch, motor and heater are conventional wires with soldered or similar semi-permanent connections. Thus one would expect to remove the heater and motor and possibly the switch together from the housing.
  • the flexibility of the rubber support for the motor would make it difficult to plug the motor into the housing in an accurately determined position such as would be required to mount the motor to a heater already in situ in the housing or to establish automatic electrical connections on insertion of the motor.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a hairdryer which can be satisfactory for use as a professional hairdryer despite the fact that it uses a simple low cost electric motor with a limited life.
  • a hairdryer incorporating a housing, an electric heater element, an electric motor and a fan arranged to be driven by the motor to blow air over the heater element to an outlet, the motor and housing being provided with mutually co-operating alignment guides arranged to guide the motor into the housing with the motor and housing in alignment with each other, the hairdryer being characterised in that the electric motor and fan together are removeable from the housing and replaceable without removing or exposing the heater element, and in that the electric motor is a DC .
  • permanent magnet electric motor and incorporates electrical terminals which are automatically connected to other electrical terminals in the remaining part of the hairdryer as the hairdryer is inserted into the housing and are automatically disconnected when the motor is removed from the housing, whereby a new motor can be substituted for a faulty motor without disturbing the heater element or electrical wiring interconnecting parts of the hairdryer.
  • the motor is mounted in a casing and the casing is removeable from the housing with the electric motor.
  • the casing is removeable from the housing with the electric motor.
  • the casing comprises an inner casing closely surrounding the motor, an outer casing and vanes between the inner and outer casing supporting the inner casing and motor within the outer casing.
  • This arrangement provides a convenient air flow path round the motor.
  • the inner casing and vanes are removeable from the outer casing with the motor so that the motor, inner casing and vanes are replaced when the motor is replaced and the original outer casing can be re-used.
  • the housing may incorporate a main body accommodating the heater element and also incorporates a handle portion projecting laterally from the main body and accommodating controls for the hairdryer and wherein the motor is mounted in a casing which includes a rear handle portion arranged to cooperate with the first mentioned. handle portion to form a complete handle.
  • the mains connecting lead to the hairdryer may lead into the handle so that it is accessible for connection and disconnection when the casing with its rear handle portion is removed.
  • the hairdryer shown in the drawings incorporates a housing 11 which may be moulded from tough plastics material.
  • the housing incorporates a generally axial portion 12 which is of circular cross section and is tapered from a larger diameter at its rear end to a smaller diameter at the front end.
  • the forward part of the housing carries a conventional electric heater element 13.
  • the heater element comprises a cruciform support formed from heat resisting sheet material.
  • the support comprises an upright sheet member 15 and two transverse interlocking sheet members 16.
  • a series of notches 17 are spaced out along an elongated recess 18 at all four extremities of the cruciform.
  • the recesses serve to receive a coiled wire heater coil 14 which is wound in a helix around the cruciform and the notches serve to locate and space apart the individual convolutions of the element.
  • a shroud 19 of heat resistant material surrounds the heater coil and also serves to strengthen the cruciform.
  • the heater element also incorporates a conventional thermal cut-out 21 which is arranged to break the electrical circuit through the heater coil if the local temperature rises above an acceptable level.
  • the heater element 13 is secured in the housing 11 between a front end closure 22 and a printed circuit board 23 both of which will be described in further detail.
  • the closure 22 incorporates a series of radial and circumferential ribs 24 as best seen in Figure 2 and is such that air can flow freely through it but fingers of a user cannot penetrate into the heater element.
  • the closure 22 is secured in position by a wedge action and possibly also by means of an adhesive or by positive engagement of interlocking lugs.
  • the printed circuit board 23 carries several electrical components and connections for the hairdryer including the power supply to the heater element.
  • the circuit board may also carry a bridge rectifier to produce DC from AC. Details of the electrical components and connections are a matter of choice dependent on the type of circuitry and controls required for the hairdryer and so are not shown in detail.
  • the printed circuit board is secured to the upright 15 of the cruciform by means such as rivets at 25 and 26 and this mechanical connection may also serve as the electrical connection between the circuit board and the heater element.
  • the printed circuit board 23 is secured in an accurately predetermined position within the housing by means such as guide grooves 27 in the interior of the housing.
  • the printed circuit board also carries two socket members 28 and 29 best seen in Figure 4 which are intended for connection to the electric motor as will be described in further detail subsequently.
  • the housing also has a handle portion 31 incorporating an electrical switch assembly 32.
  • the switch assembly may be a simple on-off switch or may be a more complex switch assembly such as a slow-off-fast switch and a separate hot-warm switch.
  • the switch assembly constitutes a control for the hairdryer.
  • the handle portion of the housing also carries a terminal block 33 by means of which a mains lead 34 which extends from the base of the handle is connected to the hairdryer.
  • a small compact permanent magnet DC electric motor 35 is supported in an inner casing 36 best seen in Figure 4 which is formed integrally with four radial vanes 37.
  • the vanes 37 are provided to support the motor in an outer casing 38.
  • the outer casing 38 is generally cylindrical and in the assembled hairdryer forms a rearward extension of the housing 11.
  • Lugs 39 project outwardly from the outer edge of the vanes 37 and locate in corresponding notches in the inner surface of the outer casing 38 and thus serve as guides to guide the motor into the outer casing 38 in alignment with each other to locate the motor 35 accurately within the outer casing.
  • the motor drives an axial flow fan 41 which is secured directly to the motor output shaft. Air propelled by the fan enters the outer casing through an end grille 43 and flows over the motor between the inner and outer casings.
  • the outer casing 38 also incorporates a handle portion 44 which co-operates with the handle portion 31 of the housing to form a completely closed handle.
  • the handle portion 44 closes off access to the switch assembly 32 and also closes off access to the terminal block 33 for the mains connection.
  • access to these components is available.
  • the casing 38 is secured to the housing 11 by means of three screws.
  • One of these screws 45 is shown clearly in the handle in Figure 1.
  • the other screws 46 and 47 are associated with lugs 48 and 49 respectively which are formed partly on the housing and partly on the outer casing.
  • these lugs act as support brackets which enable the hairdryer to be supported in a stand.
  • the forward end of the motor 35 carries an insulating board 51 which carries two electrical connection pins 52 and 53 which are electrically connected through to the motor itself.
  • the pins 52 and 53 engage in the sockets 28 and 29 on the printed circuit board 23 to establish an electrical connection to the motor.
  • the controls are set to give a suitable motor and fan speed and a suitable heat output from the heater element and the fan blows air through the heater element so that the heated air flows out of the front end of the hairdryer. If the motor 35 bums out or otherwise ceases to function, the thermal cut-out 21 prevents the heater element from overheating. It is then a simple matter to disconnect the hairdryer from the mains supply, unfasten the three screws 45, 46 and 47 and thereby sepa rate the casing from the housing.
  • the motor 35 comes away from the housing with the outer casing 38.
  • the motor 35, fan 41, inner casing 36 and vanes 37 can then be removed as a unit from the outer casing and discarded. A similar new unit is then inserted in the outer casing and the outer casing is again joined to the housing by the three screws.
  • the hairdryer is then fully serviceable again.
EP19790901223 1978-10-20 1979-10-18 Hairdryers Expired EP0020441B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7841341 1978-10-20
GB4134178 1978-10-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0020441A1 EP0020441A1 (en) 1981-01-07
EP0020441B1 true EP0020441B1 (en) 1982-09-22

Family

ID=10500469

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19790901223 Expired EP0020441B1 (en) 1978-10-20 1979-10-18 Hairdryers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0020441B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPS55501128A (ja)
DE (1) DE2963745D1 (ja)
WO (1) WO1980000783A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2520844A1 (fr) * 1982-02-03 1983-08-05 Chausson Usines Sa Support pour mecanismes divers du genre moto-ventilateurs, compresseurs, pompes et analogues
US4658511A (en) * 1984-09-19 1987-04-21 Robert Krups Stiftung & Co. Kg Electric hair dryer with air dispersing hood
EP0306765B1 (de) 1987-09-05 1992-04-22 Robert Krups GmbH & Co. KG Elektrisch betriebener Handhaartrockner
DE3807287C2 (de) * 1988-03-05 1997-07-10 Krups Fa Robert Elektrisch betriebener Handhaartrockner
DE3802638C2 (de) * 1988-01-29 1995-11-02 Krups Fa Robert Elektrisch betriebener Handhaartrockner
US4794225A (en) * 1987-10-09 1988-12-27 Maese Hector L Tube axial handheld blow dryer for hair
WO1989008414A1 (en) * 1988-03-07 1989-09-21 Leader Snc. Di Di Bon & Centazzo Composite hair-drier
DE4234147A1 (de) * 1992-10-09 1994-04-14 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Gehäuse zur Aufnahme eines elektrischen Gerätes
TR27590A (tr) * 1993-11-15 1995-06-13 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Bir elektrikli cihazi icine almaya mahsus mahfaza.
CN201341552Y (zh) * 2008-12-29 2009-11-11 刘亚福 电吹风
TWI507149B (zh) * 2009-09-14 2015-11-11 Tai Wah Distributors Pte Ltd 吹風機
GB201211253D0 (en) 2012-06-25 2012-08-08 Jemella Ltd Hair dryer
GB2500733B (en) 2012-06-25 2014-05-21 Jemella Ltd Hair styling appliance
GB2505171A (en) 2012-08-20 2014-02-26 Jemella Ltd A hair styling apparatus with a resiliently flexible portion
GB2508590C (en) 2012-12-03 2021-05-05 Jemella Ltd Hair styling apparatus
GB2518656B (en) * 2013-09-27 2016-04-13 Dyson Technology Ltd Hand held appliance
CN108548320A (zh) * 2018-05-10 2018-09-18 嘉兴众衡电气科技有限公司 一种控制器外置的家用暖风机

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH179598A (de) * 1935-01-18 1935-09-15 Kummler & Matter Ag Elektrische Heissluftdusche.
GB639113A (en) * 1944-09-26 1950-06-21 Albert Reynolds Improvements relating to hair drying appliances
US2678376A (en) * 1952-07-29 1954-05-11 Harry A Lockwood Hair drier
GB845236A (en) * 1957-10-28 1960-08-17 Salo David Rand Improvements in or relating to electric fans
US2962576A (en) * 1958-07-21 1960-11-29 Handy Hannah Products Corp Hair dryer
FR1310403A (fr) * 1962-01-16 1962-11-23 Elettroplastica Sèche-cheveux réalisé sous la forme d'un corps de volatile
FR1496573A (fr) * 1965-10-22 1967-09-29 Sèche-cheveux électrique
CH541305A (de) * 1972-06-26 1973-09-15 Gimelli & Co Ag Heissluftgerät für Haarbehandlung
CH588835A5 (en) * 1975-10-27 1977-06-15 Gimelli & Co Ag Hot air hair dryer - has two stage control by grip switch and rod acting on pressure switches in lengthways movements from handle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2963745D1 (en) 1982-11-04
WO1980000783A1 (en) 1980-05-01
EP0020441A1 (en) 1981-01-07
JPS55501128A (ja) 1980-12-18

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