GB2503686A

GB2503686A - An attachment for a hairdryer

Info

Publication number: GB2503686A
Application number: GB1211833.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Benjamin Courtney; Patrick Joseph William Moloney; Edward Shelton; David Michael Jones
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-04
Filing date: 2012-07-04
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-04
Also published as: GB2503686B; GB201211833D0

Abstract

A hairdryer comprises a handle 204, a body 202 and a fluid outlet 1122, 1124. Occluding means 1130 for covering at least part of the fluid outlet 1122 are provided, said means 1130 being moveable relative to the fluid outlet 1124. An attachment such as a nozzle 1100 for varying the shape of a fluid flow may be received by the hairdryer. The attachment 1100 effects movement of the occluding means 1130 relative to the fluid outlet 1124. Engaging means 1108 may be provided on the attachment and arranged to move the occluding means 1130 away from the fluid outlet 1124 as the attachment 1100 is received. The occluding means 1130 is preferably biased towards a closed position.

Description

I

Attachment For A Hand field Aimliance

This invention relates to an attachment for a hand held appliance, in particular an attachment for a hairdryer and an appliance, particularly a hairdryer comprising such an attachment.

Blowers and in particular hot air blowers are used for a variety of applications such as drying substances such as paint or hair and cleaning or stripping surface layers.

Generally, a motor and fan are previded which draw fluid into a body; the fluid may be heated prior to exiting the body. The motor is susceptible to damage fixm foreign objects such as dirt or hair so conventionally a filter is pmvided at the fluid intake end of the blower. Conventionally such appliances are pmvided with a nozzle which can be attached and detached from the appliance and changes the shape and velocity of fluid flow that exits the appliance. Such nozzles can be used to focus the outflow of the appliance or to diffuse the outflow depending on the requirements of the user at that time.

According to a first aspect, the invention pmvides a hairdryer comprising a handle; a body comprising a fluid outlct, thc fluid outlet comprising at lcast onc apcrturc; a fan unit for gcncrating a fluid flow from a fluid inlct thmugh which thc fluid flow cntcrs thc hairdryer to the fluid outlet; means for occluding at least part of the fluid outlet the occluding means being moveable relative to the fluid outlet; and means for receiving an attachment for varying the shape of a fluid flow emitted from the hairdryer, wherein the attachment comprises means for engaging the occluding means as the attachment is received by the receiving means to effect movement of the occluding means relative to the fluid outlet.

Preferably, the engaging means is arranged to move the occluding means away flxm said at least part of the fluid outlet as the attachment is received by the receiving means.

It is preferred that the occluding means is arranged to move in a direction parallel to a plane in which said at least part of the fluid outlet is located. Preferably, the occluding means is slidably moveable in said direction relative to said at least part of the fluid outlet.

Alternatively, the occluding means is arranged to move in a direction substantially orthogonal to a plane in which said at least part of the fluid outlet is located.

It is preferred that the engaging means is arranged to move the occluding means from a first position to a second position as the attachment is received by the receiving means.

Preferably, the fluid outlet comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein in the first position the occluding means is arranged to occlude only the second aperture.

It is preferred that the first aperture is spaced from the second aperture.

Preferably, the first aperture is located in a first plane and the second aperture is located in a second plane which is angled relative to the first plane. It is preferred that the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane.

Preferably, the second aperture is located at an end of the hairdrycr.

In onc cmbodimcnt, the fluid outlet comprises an apcrturc which is partially occluded when the occluding means is in the first position, and wherein the engaging means is arranged to move the occluding means away from said aperture as the attachment is received by the receiving means. It is preferred that wherein the occluding means is biased towards the first position Preferably, the engaging means extends about part of the attachment. It is preferred that the attachment comprises a side wall, and wherein the engaging means extends about the wall. Preferably, the engaging means surrounds the side wall.

It is preferred that the side wall is tubular in shape, and the engaging means comprises a lip upstanding from the side wall.

Preferably, the hairdryer includes a bore extending through the body, and wherein said at least part of the fluid outlet is arranged to emit fluid into the bore.

It is preferred that said at least part of the fluid outlet is annular in shape.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figures la to le show a nozzle and hairdryer having two inlets into a single flow path; Figures 2a to 2d show an alternate two outlet arrangernent; and Figures 3a to 3d show a further nozzle and hairdiyer combination.

Figures la to lc show a nozzle 1100 and hairdryer 1120 combination where the nozzle 1100 has a generally tubular body 1103 with a longitudinal axis D-D extending along the length of the body and having a first inlet 1102 and a second inlet 1104 into the fluid flowpath 1106 of the nozzle 1100.

Figure Ia shows the nozzle 1100 attached to a hairdryer 1120. The nozzle 1100 is inserted into the downstream end 11 20b of the hairdryer until a stop is reached. In this position, a first fluid inlet 1102 of the nozzle 1100 is in fluid communication with a primary fluid outlet 1122 of the hairdrycr 1120. The nozzle is an attachment for adjusting at least one parameter of the fluid flow emitted from the hairdryer and the downstream end 1 lOOb of the nozzle protrudes from the downstream end 1120b of the hairdryer 1120.

The hairdryer 1120 has a handle 204, 206 and a body 202 which comprises a duct 282, 284. A primary fluid flow path 260 starts at a primary inlet 220 which in this example is locatcd at thc upstream cnd I I20a of the hairdrycr ic. at thc distal end of thc hairdryer from the fluid outlet I 120b. Fluid is drawn into the primary fluid inlet 220 by a fan unit 250, fluid flows along primary fluid flow path 260 located on the inside of the outer body 202 of the hairdryer between the outer body 202 and the duct 282, along a first handle portion 204 to the fan unit 250.

The fan unit 250 includes a fan and a motor. The fluid is drawn through the fan unit 250, along a second handle portion 206 and returns to the body 202 of the hairdryer in an inner tier 260a of the body. The inner tier 260a of the body 202 is nested within the primary fluid flow path 260 bctwccn the primary fluid flow path 260 and the duct 282 and includes a heater 208. The heater 208 is annular and heats the fluid that flows through the inner tier 260a directly. Downstream of the heater 2O, fluid exits the primary fluid flow path at the primary outlet 1122.

With the nozzle 1100 attached to the hairdryer 1120, the primaty outlet 1122 is in fluid communication with the fIrst fluid inlet 1102 of the nozzle 1100 and the second primary outlet 1124 is in fluid communication with the second inlet 1104 of the nozzle 1100 Fluid that flows out of the primary outlet 1122 and second primary outlet 1124 flows along thc body 1103 of the nozzle 1100 to the nozzlc outlet 1130.

The hairdryer 1120 has a second fluid flow path 280. This second fluid flow path 280 flows from a second inlet 270 along the length of the body 202 of the hairdryer through duct 282 to a second outict 290 outlet whcrc, whcn thcrc is no nozzle attachcd to thc hairdrycr, fluid flowing through the sccond fluid flow path 280 mixcs with the primary fluid at the primary fluid outlet 1122. This mixed flow continues along duct 24 to the fluid outlet 1 120b of the hairdryer. The fluid that flows through the second fluid flow path 280 is not processed by the fan unit 250; it is entrained by the primary fluid flow through the primary fluid flow path 260 when the fan unit is switched on.

The second fluid flow path 280 can be considered to flow along a tube defined by an upstream duct 282 and a downstream duct 284 where the primary outlet 230 is an aperture in the tube bctween thc ducts 282 and 284. The nozzlc is partially inscrted into the tube defined by the ducts 284, 282. In this example the nozzle 1100 is slidably inserted into hairdryer outlet 1 120b along downstream duct 284 past the aperture or primary fluid outlet 230 into the upstream duct 282. The nozzle 1100 is retained in the duct 282, 284 by friction. In this example, the friction is provided between stop 1110 and the duct 284 of the hairdryer.

This arrangement means that the primary flow through the primary fluid flow path 1126 of the hairdryer has two outlet regions. The use of a nozzle 1100 on a hairdryer 1120 introduccs a restriction to thc flow through the hairdryer rcsulting in a drop in output by the hairdryer of up to around 41/s. By introducing a second primary outlet 1124 for the primary flow the drop in output is mitigated.

The second inlet 1104 of the nozzle is similar to first inlet 1102 in that is extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and radially round through outer wall 1110 of the generally tubular body 1103 of the nozzle 1100. The second inlet 1104 consists of a number of discrete apertures 11 04a separated by reinforcing sfruts 11 04b.

Refening to Figurc ib, which shows a portion of a hairdrycr having a primary fluid outlet comprising first 1122 and second 1124 primary outlets when them is no nozzlc attached to the hairdryer 1120, the second primary outlet 1124 is closed as it is not required to increase flow through the pdmary fluid flow path 1126 of the hairdryer 1120. A closure 1130 is providcd which occludcs, blocks, covers or rcstricts thc sccond primary outlct 1124. The closure 1130 is biascd into thc closcd position by a spring 1132, in this example, which pushes against the closure 1124 to occlude the second primary outlet 1124. The fir st 1122 and second 1124 primary outlets both comprise apertures and are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis D-D of the nozzle 1100.

Referring now to Figure Ic, the nozzle 1100 is provided with a lip 1108 which is upstanding from the generally tubular wall 1101 of the nozzle. The lip 1108 can be continuous or discontinuous around thc perimeter of thc generally tubular outer wall 1105 of the body 1103 of the nozzle 1100 and is of sufficient depth or height upstanding from the wall 1105 to firstly engage with the closure 1130 and secondly to allow the nozzle to be inserted up to the point of engagement of the lip 1108 with the closure 1130 without snagging of the nozzle 1100.

The lip in this example is formed from an 0-ring which is held in a recess formed in the body 1103 of the nozzle. Alternatives will be apparent to the skilled person and include, but are not limited to an integral moulded lip, a plastic/hard rubber ring, a living hinge, an overmoulded lip and a push fit arrangement.

The closure 1130 is ring shaped and has an S-shaped profile. Central to the ring is an aperture 1126 to enable fluid flowing through the primary fluid flow path 1126 of the hairchyer to exit the downstream end I 120b of the hairdryer from the first primary fluid outlet 1122 of the hairdryer. A first end 1125 of the S-shaped profile of the closure 1130 engages with one end of spring 1132 and provides the means by which the closure 1130 is biased into an occluded or closed position. A second end 1127 of the S-shaped profile protrudes into the fluid flow path 1129 of the hairdryer between the primary outlet 1122 and the downstream end 1 120b of the hairdrycr. This sccond end 1127 of thc closurc 1130 engages with thc lip 1108 of thc nozzlc 1100 whcn thc nozzle is inserted far enough into the downstream end 1 120b of the hairdryer 1120 (see Figure I a) and as the nozzle is inserted past the point of engagement, the closure 1130 is pushed against the action of the spring 1132 and slides, opening the second primary outlet 1124 to allow fluid flowing in the primary fluid flow path 1126 to exit via either the first primary outlet 1122 or the second primary outlet 1124 thus mitigating any restriction on fluid flow through the hairdryer from the use of a nozzle.

In order to prevent egress of fluid from the primary fluid flow path 1126 from the hairdryer outlet I 120b around the outside of the nozzle 1100. The outer wall 1103 is provided with an upstanding collar 1110 that extends about the outer wal 11103 and seals the nozzle with respect to the hairdryer outlet 1120. The collar 1110 additionally provides a point of friction between the nozzle and the hairdryer that retains the nozzle within the hairdryer.

The nozzle 1100 has a downstream end I lOb where fluid is output through a nozzle outlet 1112 and an upstream end 11 OOa. In one embodiment the upstream end 11 OOb of the nozzle comprises an end wall 1114. In this embodiment, the primary flow from the hairdryer is the only flow that is output from the nozzle outlet 1112. Alternatively, the upstream end 1 lOOa of the nozzle comprises an opening 1116 which provides a further nozzle inlet for a second fluid flow path 1140 in the hairdryer. The second fluid flow path is for fluid that is entrained into the hairdryer by the action of the fan unit (not shown) drawing fluid into the primary fluid flow path 1126. The entrained fluid enters the hairdiyer at a second inlet 1142, flows along the second fluid flow path 1140 into the further nozzle inlet 1116. The entrained fluid mixes with primary fluid flow within the nozzle before exiting at the nozzle outlet 1112.

Figures 2a to 2d show a different anangement. In this example, the second primary outlet 1174 from the primary fluid flow path 1176 is in an end wall 1160 of the hairdtyer 1150 rather than through an internal wall.

Referring now to Figure 2a, the hairdrycr has a generally tubular body 1152 having an inner wall 1 154a 1 154b and an outer or external wall 1156. At the downstream end 11 SOb of the hairdryer an end wall 1160, 1180 is provided between the inner 11 54b and outer 1156 wall. The end wall is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis E-E of the body 1152 and includes a fixed portion 1160 and a moveable portion or closure 1180. The closure 1180 is annular and is biased by a spring 1182 to be substantially flush with the fixed portion of the end wall 1160. When a nozzle is inserted into the hairdryer 1150, the closure 1180 is pushed against the spring 1182, causing the spring to compress and open the second primary outlet 1174. In this example, the closure 1180 is adjacent to the inner wall 1 154b of the hairdryer however the closure could be located anywhere between the inner and outer walls. In addition, the closure need not be continuous around the end wall.

Referring now to Figure 2d, the nozzle 1190 has a generally tubular body 1192 having S an outer wall 1194. A first inlet 1196 is provided in the outer wall 1194 between an upstream or first end 1 190a and a downstream or second end I 190b of the nozzle but towards the upstream end I 190a of the nozzle. This first inlet 1196 is in fluid communication with a first primaiy outlet 1172 of the hairdryer provided in the inner wall 1154 of the body of the hairdryer and a fluid flow path 1197 is provided through the nozzle from the first inlet 1196 through the body 1192 of the nozzle to a nozzle outlet 1198 at the downstream end 11 90b of the nozzle. The outer wal 11194 of the nozzle is designed to be insertable into the outlet end 1 150b of the hairdryer. At the downstream end 11 94b of the outer wall 1194 a hook shaped lip 1193 is provided.

When the nozzle 1190 is inserted in the hairdryer, the hooked shaped lip 1193 covers the end of inner wall 1 154b of the hairdryer and engages with closure 1180 pushing it against the action of the spring 1182. In order to provide a second fluid flow path 1184 from the second opening 1174 to the downstream end 1 190b of the nozzle, a collar 1195 is provided on the nozzle. When the nozzle is inserted into the hairdryer, the collar 1195 fits over the outer wall 1156 of the body 1152 of the hairdryer and forms together with the fixed portion of the end wall 1160 and the hook shaped lip 1193 a second fluid inlet 1184 for the nozzle which combines with fluid from the first inlet 1196 in the fluid flow path 1197 within the nozzlc.

The nozzle 1190 is inserted as shown in Figures 2b and 2e; the lip 1193 engages with the closure 1180 and forces the closure back against the action of the spring 1182 opening the second primary outlet 1174.

Figures 3a to 3d show an altemate arrangement for mitigating flow restriction when a nozzle 1200 is used on a hairdiyer 1252. In this example, insertion of a nozzle 1200 results in the primary fluid outlet 1250 of the hairdryer 1252 increasing in size.

The nozzle 1200 has a generally tubular body 1202 with a longitudinal axis F-F extending along the length of the body 1202. A fluid inlet 1208 comprising a number of apertures 1210 separated by struts 1212 has a length that extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis F-F of the nozzle 1200 and is located between a first or upstream end 1200a and a second or downstream end 1200b of the nozzle 1200 in an outer wall 1204 of the body 1202.

The hairdryer 1252 has a generally tubular body having an inner wall l254a, 1254b, an outer wall 1256 and a primary fluid flow path 1258 provided therebetween. The primary fluid flow path 1258 flows from a primary inlet 1220 to a primary outlet 1250 provided as an aperture between two sections of the inner wall 1254a, 1254b and then through a central bore 1260 in the body of the hairdryer 1252 to a hairdryer outlet 1262.

The primary outlet 1250 is formed from a fixed surface 1270 attached to the downstream section of inner wall 1254b and a moveable surface 1272 which is connected to an upstream section of the inner wall I 254a. In order that the primary outlet 1250 can be opened, a moveable portion 1254aa of the upstream inner wall 1254a is slidably moveable against the direction of fluid flow at the primary fluid outlet 1250 towards the upstream end 1252a of the hairdryer 1252. The upstream section of the inner wall I 254a and the moveable portion 1254aa form a lap joint 1282 (Figure 3d) which is biased apart by a spring 1280 (Figures 3a and 3b). The moveable portion 1254aa has an internal surface which describes a duet 1262 within the hairdryer and is provided with a rim or lip 1264 which is upstanding from the duet 1262 and extends radially into the duct 1262. When a nozzle 1200 is inserted into the outlet 1262 of the hairdryer, the upstream end 1200a of the outer wall 1204 of the nozzle engages with the rim or lip 1262 on the moveablc portion 1254aa and pushes the moveable portion 1254aa against the biasing action of the spring 1280 so the moveable portion 1254aa slides towards the upstream inner wall 1254a and opens the primary fluid outlet 1250 (Figures 3c and 3d).

When the nozzle 1200 is subsequently removed, the moveable portion I 254aa slides back towards the downstream end 1252b of the hairdryer 1252 causing the primary outlet 1250 to rcducc back to its' origina' size.

The nozzle is retained with respect to the hairdryer by one of a number of alternatives which include but are not limited to a felt seal, a bump stop, an o-ring, magnets, friction fit, a mechanical clip, snap fit or actuated snap fit.

The hairdryers are preferably provided with a filter 222 (Figure Ia) which covers at least the primary fluid flow inlet 220 of the hairdryer. The filter 222 is provided as is prevents ingress of dust, debris and hair into the primary fluid flow path upstream 260 of thc fan unit25O which includes a fan and a motor. Thcsc forcign objccts could damage the motor and cause premature failure of the hairdryer. The filter 222 can cover the entire intake of the hairdryer i.e. both the primary fluid flow path 260 and the second fluid flow path 280 however this is not preferred as it interferes with a line of sight through the appliance. A line of sight through the appliance is restricted by the use of a nozzle on the appliance.

The invention has been described in detail with respect to a nozzle for a hairdryer and a hairdryer comprising a nozzle howeyer, it is applicable to any appliance that draws in a fluid and directs the outflow of that fluid from the appliance.

The appliance can be used with or without a heater; the action of the outflow of fluid at high velocity has a drying effect. The fluid that flows through the appliance is generally air, but maybe a diffcrcnt combination of gases or gas and can includc additivcs to improve performance of the appliance or thc impact the appliance has on an objcct thc output is directed at for example, hair and the styling of that hair.

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

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hairdryer comprising a handle; a body comprising a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet comprising at least one aperture; a fan unit for generating a fluid flow from a fluid inlet through which the fluid flow enters the hairdryer to the fluid outlet; means for occluding at least part of the fluid outlet, the occluding means being moveable relative to the fluid outlet; and means for receiving an attachment for varying the shape of a fluid flow emitted from the hairdryer, whcrein the attachment comprises means for engaging the occluding means as the attachment is received by the receiving means to effect movement of the occluding means relative to the fluid outlet.
2. A hairdryer according to claim 1, wherein the engaging means is arranged to move the occluding means away from said at least part of the fluid outlet as the attachment is received by the receiving means.
3. A hairdryer according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the occluding means is arranged to move in a direction parallel to a plane in which said at least part of the fluid outlet is located.
4. A hairdryer according to claim 3, wherein the occluding means is slidably moveable in said direction relative to said at least part of the fluid outlet.
5. A hairdryer according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the occluding means is arranged to move in a direction substantially orthogonal to a plane in which said at least part of the fluid outlet is located.
6. A hairdryer according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging means is arranged to move the occluding means from a first position to a second position as the attachment is received by the receiving means.
7. A hairdryer according to claim 6, wherein the fluid outlet comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, and wherein in the first position the occluding means is arrangcd to occludc only thc sccond apcrturc.
8. A hairdryer according to claim 7, wherein the fir st aperture is spaced from the second aperture.
9. A hairdryer according to claim 8, wherein the first aperture is located in a first plane and the second aperture is located in a second plane which is angled relative to the first plane.
10. A hairdryer according to claim 9, whcrcin the sccond plane is orthogonal to the first plane.
11. A hairdryer according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the second aperture is located at an end of the hairdryer.
12. A hairdryer according to claim 6, wherein the fluid outlet comprises an aperture which is partially occluded when the occluding means is in the first position, and wherein the engaging means is arranged to move the occluding means away from said aperture as the attachment is received by thc receiving means.
13. A hairdryer according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the occluding means is biased towards the first position
14. A hairdrycr according to any prcccding claim, whcrcin thc engaging mcans extends about part of the aftacliment.
15. A hairdryer according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment comprises a side wall, and wherein the engaging means extends about the wall.
16. A hairdryer according to claim 15, wherein the engaging means surrounds the side wall.
17. A hairdryer according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the side wall is tubular in shape, and the engaging means comprises a lip upstanding from the side wall.
18. A hairdryer according to any preceding claim, comprising a bore extending through the body, and wherein said at least part of the fluid outlet is arranged to emit fluid into the bore.
19. A hairdryer according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least part of the fluid outlet is annular in shape.