GB2614548A

GB2614548A - Hair care device

Info

Publication number: GB2614548A
Application number: GB2200106.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kian Jin Chua Gerard; Ying Choo Hai; Shafiq Mustafa Mohd; Huang Junkai
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-06
Filing date: 2022-01-06
Publication date: 2023-07-12
Also published as: CN118488796A; WO2023131782A1

Abstract

A hair care device (10, fig.1) comprising an airflow mover 29 for moving air through a passage 27 from an inlet 11 to an outlet 12, and an opening (35, fig.4), preferably upstream of the air mover, fluidly connecting the passage with an electronics cavity 31 housing an electronic component 32, such as a PCB, battery, or ioniser. The opening may have an air permeable barrier that restricts passage of water, preferably with a mesh (42, fig.4) and a hydrophobic coating. An air heater 30 may be in the passage downstream of the opening. The electronics cavity may be in an annular space between a main body (18, fig.2) defining the passage, and a surrounding housing 19 that forms a handle (13, fig.1). A sealing member (37, fig.4) may be provided with a first portion (38, fig.5), which may include an aperture (39, fig.5) and skirt (44, fig.5), sealing between the main body and housing, and a second portion (40, fig.5), which may include an aperture (41, fig.5) and tab (45, fig.5), sealing about the opening.

Description

HAIR CARE DEVICE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a hair care device of the type that generates a flow of air for discharge onto a user's hair.

Background

Various hair care devices are known that generate a flow of air for discharge onto a user's hair. One example is a hair dryer, which supplies a heated flow of air for styling and/or drying a user's hair.

In such devices it is known to provide various electronic components that support the function of the device. These are typically housed in a compartment that is sealed from the airflow through the device to ensure that dust and/or water is unable to enter the compartment (from the airflow), which could otherwise affect operation of the electronic components.

It is common for hair care devices to be handheld in use, so it can be desirable to minimise the external dimensions of such a device to make it easier for a user to handle. To aid in this minimisation of the external dimensions, electronic components of such devices are often provided in compartments that are sized so as to closely match the dimensions of the components. This means that there is typically limited free space surrounding the electronic components.

Such an arrangement can mean, however, that heat generated by such electronic components has limited ability to dissipate. In practice, this heat will often conduct through one or more walls of the device to an external surface of the device. Wien that external surface is one that a user may come into contact with in use (for example, if it forms part of a handle), there is a risk of discomfort for a user using the device (or in extreme cases, there may be a risk of injury).

The present disclosure has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided a hair care device comprising: an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet; an airflow passage extending from the inlet to the outlet; an air mover for moving air through the passage from the inlet to the outlet; an electronics cavity housing an electronic component; and an opening fluidly connecting the electronics cavity with the airflow passage.

The provision of an opening fluidly connecting the electronics cavity to the airflow passage means that heat (generated by the electronic component) can escape from the electronics cavity into the airflow passage. This may reduce heat transfer from the electronics cavity to an external surface of the device, which could otherwise cause discomfort or injury to a user as discussed above.

Use of the airflow passage for heat dissipation as opposed to, for example, a separate airflow path to/from the electronics cavity minimises the complexity of the device. Such an arrangement may also minimise the number of openings in the exterior of the device, which can help with the management of dust and/or water ingress into the device.

Optional features of the first aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

The opening may be arranged so that air is drawn through the opening from the electronics cavity to the passage by movement of air along the passage in use. Thus, for example, the opening may be arranged such that (at least in operation) a portion of the airflow passage adjacent to the opening is at a lower pressure than the interior of the electronics cavity. This lower pressure may be generated by airflow through the airflow passage. That is, airflow in the airflow passage may induce airflow through and from the electronics cavity so as to facilitate heat dissipation from the electronics cavity.

The opening may be upstream of the air mover. Thus, the air mover may be arranged to draw air through the opening from the electronics cavity. The air mover may generate (in operation) a negative pressure (i.e. a pressure lower than in the interior of the electronics cavity) in the airflow passage adjacent to the opening.

The device may comprise an air heater disposed in the passage downstream of the opening. In this respect, the device may be configured to discharge a heated airflow onto a user's hair.

Positioning the opening upstream of the air heater avoids the possibility of heated air entering the electronics cavity.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "downstream" is used to describe a direction towards the outlet of the device and the term "upstream" is used to describe a direction towards the inlet of the device.

The inlet of the device may extend circumferentially about the device (e.g. entirely about the device). The inlet may comprise a filter, which in turn may comprise one or more grilles (e.g. providing a filtering function). Air may flow in a radial direction into the (circumferential) inlet and then turn and flow axially along the device (i.e. along the airflow passage). The provision of a filter at the inlet means that the opening (to the electronics cavity) is downstream of the filter and, as such, air that does flow through the opening into the electronics cavity will be filtered air.

The passage may define a primary airflow path. A secondary airflow path may extend through the electronics cavity to the opening. The electronic component may be disposed within the secondary airflow path. That is, airflow in the secondary airflow path may flow across the electronic component. Again, this may facilitate heat dissipation from the electronic component (and ultimately from the electronics cavity).

Air in the secondary airflow path may flow in the opposite direction to air in the primary airflow path. Air flowing along the secondary airflow path may enter the device through one or more joints formed in the structure of the device. Such joints may be sealed joints and the passage of air therethrough may represent incidental leakage of air into the device. In other words, the electronics cavity may be provided without a dedicated inlet (and instead airflow therethrough may rely on inevitable leakage of air into the device through substantially sealed joints).

An air permeable barrier may be provided across the opening. The air permeable barrier may be configured to restrict passage of water therethrough. For example, the air permeable barrier may be configured to restrict passage of water therethrough when the device is in a non-operational state (i.e. when the air mover is deactivated such that it is not moving air along the airflow passage). As may be appreciated, when the device is operating, movement of air through the opening (from the electronics cavity) may help to prevent water ingress. Accordingly, the electronics cavity may be more susceptible to water ingress when the air mover is not operating.

The air permeable barrier may comprise a mesh. The mesh may comprise a pore size of between 60 and 100 microns, or e.g. between 70 and 90 microns, or about 85 microns. Such a mesh pore size may be suitable for substantially preventing passage of water therethrough while permitting passage of air. The mesh may be formed of a polymer (e.g. polyester). The mesh may have a thickness of between 20 and 60 microns, or e.g. between 30 and 50 microns, or e.g. about 40 microns.

The air permeable barrier may comprise a hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic coating may be applied to a side of the air permeable barrier facing the airflow passage On some embodiments, the hydrophobic coating may only be applied to this side of the air permeable barrier). Such a coating may improve the ability of the air permeable barrier to resist water ingress into the electronics cavity.

The electronics cavity may be adjacent to an external wall of the device. An external surface of this wall may define an external surface of the device, and an internal surface of the wall may at least partly define the electronics cavity. The external wall may form at least part of a handle of the device (i.e. a portion of the device intended to be handled by a user in use). It may be particularly desirable to permit heat dissipation from an electronics cavity in such a location because the proximity of such a cavity to the handle means that heat could otherwise cause discomfort or injury to a user holding the handle.

The device may comprise a main body defining the airflow passage. The device may comprise a housing at least partly surrounding the main body. The housing may be tubular (e.g. may be a sleeve). The housing may have a circular cross-sectional shape. The electronics cavity may be disposed between the main body and the housing. The electronics cavity may form part of a space defined between the main body and the housing. The space may be substantially annular. The space may extend at least partly (e.g. entirely) about the airflow passage.

The opening may be formed in a wall that separates the electronics cavity from the airflow passage. The wall may separate the electronics cavity from an open portion of the main body that defines part of the airflow passage (the open portion may be adjacent the inlet to the airflow passage). The wall may be annular. A central hole of the annular wall may define an opening to a channel which extends through the main body (and defines part of the airflow passage). Thus, the wall may extend about the airflow passage. The electronics cavity may be adjacent to (radially outward of) the channel.

A portion of the (e.g. annular) wall may seat against a surface of the housing (when the housing is assembled on the main body). The surface of the housing (against which the wall seats) may be an inner surface of a circumferential step formed in the housing. The wall, and the inner surface of the step, may be oriented transversely with respect to an elongate axis of the device (e.g. of a handle of the device).

The device may comprise a sealing member. The sealing member may have a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 0. 7mm, or e.g. between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, or e.g. about 0.51 mm.

The sealing member may comprise a first portion sealing between the main body and the housing (e.g. between the wall in which the opening is formed and the housing (e.g. the step in the housing)). The sealing member may comprise a second portion defining an aperture for sealing about a periphery of the opening. Air passing through the opening may thus pass through the aperture in the sealing member.

The aperture sealing about the periphery of the opening may be a secondary aperture and the first portion may define a primary aperture aligned with the airflow passage. Air flowing through the airflow passage may pass through the primary aperture.

The first portion may comprise an inner support frame surrounding the primary aperture. The inner support frame may be formed of a plastic material, such as PET. The inner support frame may have a thickness of between 30 and 70 microns, or e.g. between 40 and 60 microns, or e.g. about 50 microns.

The first portion may comprise an outer peripheral skirt extending about a periphery of the inner support frame. The skirt may be more flexible than the support frame. The skirt may be formed of a foam material (e.g. a polyurethane foam). The inner support frame may be formed of a plastic material, such as PET.

The second portion may comprise a flexible tab extending from the first portion. The tab may be formed of a compressible foam material (e.g. a polyurethane foam). At least a portion of the flexible tab may extend in a direction that is generally normal to a plane in which the first portion extends (i.e. at least when mounted within the device). The flexible tab may be configured to at least partly wrap about a support structure of the device. The support structure may be a wire guide. The wire guide may extend from the electronics cavity (or a wall defining the electronics cavity, such as the wall in which the opening is formed). The wire guide may extend to a connector portion of the device (e.g. of the main body) that provides for connection of a power cable to the device (e.g. main body). The flexible tab may provide a seal between the wire guide and the housing.

The primary aperture of the sealing member may be larger than the secondary aperture of the sealing member.

The air permeable barrier may be mounted to (e.g. adhered to) or may be formed integrally with the sealing member so as to extend across the aperture/secondary aperture.

The electronic component may be one of a printed circuit board (PCB), ionizer, or battery.

In a second aspect there is provided a sealing member for sealing between first and second components of a hair care device, the sealing member comprising: a first portion defining a primary aperture for passage of a primary airflow therethrough; a second portion defining a secondary aperture for passage of a secondary airflow therethrough; and an air permeable barrier extending across the secondary aperture, the air permeable barrier configured to restrict passage of water therethrough.

Such a sealing member provides dual functionality (and thus minimises the complexity of a hair care device in which it is installed). In particular, the sealing member is able to seal between two components while also permitting heat dissipation from e.g. an electronics cavity of the hair care device.

Optional features of the second aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

The air permeable barrier may comprise a mesh. The mesh may comprise a pore size of between 60 and 100 microns, or e.g. between 70 and 90 microns, or about 85 microns. The mesh may be formed of a polymer (e.g. polyester). The mesh may have a thickness of between 20 and 60 microns, or e.g. between 30 and 50 microns, or e.g. about 40 microns.

The air permeable barrier may be flexible. The air permeable barrier may comprise a hydrophobic coating.

The sealing member may have a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 0. 7mm, or e.g. between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, or e.g. about 0.51 mm.

The first portion may comprise an outer peripheral skirt extending about a periphery of the inner support frame. The skirt may be more flexible than the support frame.

The second portion may comprise a flexible tab extending inwardly from the first portion into the primary aperture (e.g. pre-assembly). The tab may be formed of a compressible foam material (e.g. a polyurethane foam). The flexible tab may be movable between a first position in which it lies in the same plane as the first portion and a second position in which the flexible tab extends in a direction that is substantially normal to the plane of the first portion. The second position may represent the position of the tab when the sealing member is installed in a hair care device.

The primary aperture may be larger than the secondary aperture The primary and secondary portions may lie in a single plane (e.g. in a pre-assembled state). The sealing member may otherwise be as described above with respect to the first aspect.

Brief Summary of the Figures

Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hair care device; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hair care device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section view of the hair care device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detail view of a main body of the hair care device of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a front view of a sealing member for use with the hair care device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a hair care device 10 which is in the form of a hair dryer. The hair care device 10 comprises an airflow inlet 11 and an airflow outlet 12 at opposite ends of the device 10. As is apparent from the Figure 1, the device 10 includes a linear portion that defines a handle 13 of the device 10 and an arcuate portion 14 extending from a downstream end of the handle 13. The outlet 12 is disposed at an end of the arcuate portion 14 such that air is discharged from the device 10 in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle 13.

The airflow inlet 11, which is disposed at an upstream end of the handle 13, comprises a filter formed of tubular inner 17 and outer 16 grilles. The outer grille 16 is sleeved onto the inner grille 17, such that the outer grille 16 circumferentially surrounds the inner grille 17. Together, the inner 16 and outer 17 grilles help to reduce the ingress of dust and water into the interior of the device 10 through the inlet 11.

As is particularly apparent from Figure 2, the device 10 is formed of two main components: a main body 18 and a tubular housing 19 in the form of a sleeve that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the main body 18 when assembled.

The main body 18 generally includes four portions/regions along its length (listed in order from the outlet 12 to the inlet 11): the arcuate portion 14 (already mentioned above), a linear portion 20, an open portion 21 and a connector portion 22. The linear portion 20 and the open portion 21 are received within the tubular housing 19 such that, when assembled, these components define the handle 13 of the device 10 (the tubular housing 19 defining an outer wall of the handle 13 that a user grips in use). When the housing 19 is sleeved onto the main body 18 the inner grille 17, which forms an upstream end of the housing 19, axially aligns with the open portion 21 of the main body 18. In use, air therefore flows through the grilles 16, 17 and into the open portion 21 of the main body 18.

The open portion 21 separates the linear portion 20 from the connector portion 22. Two struts 23 and a wire guide 24 extend axially (i.e. parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle 13) across the open portion 21 from the connector portion 22 to the linear portion 20 to provide this separation (these are most easily viewed in Figure 4). The connector portion 22 is at an end of the device 10 at which a power cable 25 of the device 10 is connected. The connector portion 22 includes a stress relief feature 26 that helps to protect the cable 25 against damage in use.

An airflow passage 27 extends centrally through the device 10 from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12.

The open portion 21 of the main body 18 defines the downstream end of this airflow passage 27. The linear 20 and arcuate portions 14 of the main body 18 define a central channel 28 that forms the remainder of the airflow passage 27. An air mover 29, in the form of a motor comprising a driven impeller, is arranged in the airflow passage 27 to move air along the airflow passage 27. In operation, the air mover 29 draws air into the device 10 through the filter 15, moves the air along the airflow passage 27, and then causes the air to be discharged from the outlet 12 onto a user's hair.

Also disposed in the airflow passage 27 is an air heater 30. The air heater 30 is downstream of the air mover 29 and heats air in the airflow passage 27 before it is discharged from the outlet 12.

Surrounding the airflow passage 27 (so as to be between the airflow passage 27 and the housing 19) is a plurality of spaces that accommodate various components that support the function of the device 10. One of these spaces is an electronics cavity 31 that houses a PCB 32 of the device 10. Although not apparent from the figures, in the present embodiment the PCB 32 includes a pressure sensor that measures pressure in the airflow passage 27 for the purpose of controlling the device 10.

The electronics cavity 31 (best seen in Figure 3) is defined between a wall of the airflow passage 27 and a cover 34 that forms part of the main body 18. This cover 34 sits against an inner surface of the housing 19 when assembled. The electronics cavity 31 is disposed at an upstream end of the linear portion 20 of the main body 18, adjacent the open portion 21. The electronics cavity 31 is separated from the open portion 21 by an annular wall 33 that extends about an inlet to the central channel 28 of the main body 18 (i.e. the hole in the centre of the annular wall 33 defining the opening to the central channel 28).

An opening 35 is formed in the annular wall 33 that fluidly connects the electronics cavity 31 to the open portion 21 of the main body 18 (i.e. so as to fluidly connect the electronics cavity 31 to the airflow passage 27). The provision of this opening 35 facilitates dissipation of heat generated by the PCB during operation of the device 10. Such heat would otherwise be transmitted through the housing 19, which could cause discomfort to a user handling the device 10.

To further promote this dissipation of heat, the opening 35 is arranged so as to be adjacent the PCB 32. This means that air flowing through the opening 35 (from the electronics cavity 31 to the airflow passage 27) first passes across the PCB 32. Likewise, the location of the air mover 29 relative to the opening 35 helps to draw air from the electronics cavity 31 to the open portion 21 (through the opening 35). In particular, the location of the air mover 29 downstream of the open portion 21 (and thus downstream of the opening 35) means that the air mover 29 generates a negative pressure in the open portion 21 (relative to the pressure in the electronics cavity 31). This helps to generate an airflow through the opening 35 to the open portion 21.

Notably, the opening 35 is also upstream of the air heater 30. This ensures that air heated by the air heater 30 does not enter the electronics cavity 31 (e.g. via the opening 35).

Although the electronics cavity 31 is substantially sealed (other than the opening 35 to the open portion 21), in practice there is some leakage of air through various joints in the structure of the device 10. One example of such a joint is between the downstream end of the housing 19 and the arcuate portion 14. This leakage allows a small quantity of air to flow into the electronics cavity 31. This air replaces air that flows out of the electronics cavity 31 through the opening 35 (e.g. driven by the negative pressure created by the air mover 29). The joints that permit this inflow of air are predominantly located at a downstream end of the main body 18, which means that there is a general flow of air through the electronics cavity 21 from the downstream end of the device 10 to the upstream end of the device 10. This flow of air may be referred to as a secondary airflow, while the main flow of air along the airflow passage 27 may be referred to as a primary airflow.

As may be appreciated from Figure 2, the annular wall 33 of the main body 18 defines a junction between the main body 18 and the housing 19 (specifically, the annular wall 33 abuts the internal surface of a step 36 formed in the housing 19 that provides a transition from the inner grille 17 to the remainder of the housing 19). To provide a seal between the annular wall 33 and the housing 19, the device 10 comprises a sealing member 37. This sealing member 37 is shown in a pre-assembled state in Figure 5.

The sealing member 37 comprises a first portion 38 that defines a primary aperture 39 and a second portion 40 that defines a secondary aperture 41 (that is smaller than the primary aperture 39). The second portion 40, which is formed of a flexible foam material, comprises a circular tab 45 that, in the pre-assembled form of Figure 5, extends inwardly from the first portion 38 into the primary aperture 39 (such that in the pre-assembled (i.e. flat) state the portion of the primary aperture 39 that is not occupied by the tab 45 has a generally annular form).

As is apparent from Figure 4, when assembled, the sealing member 37 is positioned on the annular wall 33 such that the primary aperture 39 aligns with the inlet to the central channel 28, and the secondary aperture 41 aligns with the opening 35 to the electronics cavity 31.

The sealing member 37 further comprises an air permeable barrier, in the form of a flexible mesh 42 having a pore size of about 85 microns, that extends across the secondary aperture 41 (and thus across the opening 35 to the electronics cavity 31 when assembled). This mesh 42 is configured to restrict the passage of water therethrough from the open portion 21 of the main body 18 to the electronics cavity 31 (while still allowing passage of air in the opposite direction).

In operation, flow of air through the opening 35 also helps to prevent such water ingress. When the air mover 29 is not active, the opening 35 is more susceptible to water ingress, because there is no flow of air (or limited flow of air) to counteract such ingress. The mesh 42 is thus particularly useful in preventing water (and dust) ingress into the electronics cavity 31 when the device 10 is in a deactivated state. Although not apparent from the figures, to enhance the ability of the mesh 42 to prevent ingress of water, the mesh 42 is provided with a hydrophobic coating.

The first portion 38 of the sealing member comprises an inner support frame 43 formed of PET (which provides the sealing member 37 with a level of rigidity) and an outer peripheral skirt 44 that extends about the periphery of the inner support frame 43. The skirt 44 is formed of a foam material that is more flexible than the PET material of the support frame 43, which means the skirt 44 (which is received between the annular wall 33 and the step 36 in the housing) is able to provide a sealing function.

This tab 45 of the second portion 40 is provided for sealing between the housing 19 and one of the wire guide 24 of the main body 18, which houses wires passing from the connector portion 22 to the electronics cavity 31. \Mien assembled as shown in Figure 4, the tab 45 extends in a direction that is substantially normal to the plane in which the first portion 38 extends (which is parallel to the plane of the annular wall 33). In this way, the tab 45 extends along, and partly wraps about, the wire guide 24. The second aperture 41 (and thus the mesh 42) is positioned at a proximal end 46 of the tab 45 (proximate the first portion 38) such that when the sealing member 37 is assembled, it is provided in a portion of the tab 45 that transitions from being parallel to the annular wall 33 to being perpendicular to the annular wall 33. To provide this transition (while maintaining a seal with the wire guide 24), the second portion 40 further includes two laterally extending flaps 47 disposed either side of the proximal end 46 of the tab 45 The exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting.

Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +1-10%.

Claims

Claims: 1 A hair care device comprising: an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet; an airflow passage extending from the inlet to the outlet; an air mover for moving air through the passage from the inlet to the outlet; an electronics cavity housing an electronic component; and an opening fluidly connecting the electronics cavity with the airflow passage.
2 A hair care device according to claim 1 wherein the opening is arranged so that air is drawn through the opening from the electronics cavity to the passage by movement of air along the passage in use
3 A hair care device according to claim 2 wherein the opening is upstream of the air mover.
4. A hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an air heater disposed in the passage downstream of the opening.
5. A hair care device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the passage defines a primary airflow path, and a secondary airflow path extends through the electronics cavity to the opening, the electronic component disposed within the secondary airflow path.
6 A hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an air permeable barrier is provided across the opening, the air permeable barrier configured to restrict passage of water therethrough.
7. A hair care device according to claim 6 wherein the air permeable barrier comprises a mesh.
8. A hair care device according to claim 7 wherein the mesh comprises a pore size of between 60 and 100 microns.
9. A hair care device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the air permeable barrier comprises a hydrophobic coating.
10. A hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electronics cavity is adjacent to an external wall of the device.
11. A hair care device according to claim 10 wherein the external wall forms at least part of a handle of the device.
12. A hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a main body defining the airflow passage, and a housing at least partly surrounding the main body, the electronics cavity disposed between the main body and the housing.
13. A hair care device according to claim 12 wherein the electronics cavity forms part of an annular space defined between the main body and the housing, the annular space extending about the airflow passage.
14. A hair care device according to claim 12 or 13 comprising a sealing member comprising a first portion sealing between the main body and the housing, and a second portion defining an aperture for sealing about a periphery of the opening.
15. A hair care device according to claim 14 wherein the aperture sealing about the periphery of the opening is a secondary aperture and the first portion defines a primary aperture aligned with the airflow passage.
16. A hair care device according to claim 15 wherein the first portion comprises an inner support frame surrounding the primary aperture and an outer peripheral skirt extending about a periphery of the inner support frame, the skirt having greater flexibility than the support frame.
17. A hair care device according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the second portion comprises a flexible tab extending from the first portion.
18. A hair care device according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the primary aperture is larger than the secondary aperture.
19. A hair care device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, when dependent on claim 6, wherein the air permeable barrier is mounted to or formed integrally with the sealing member so as to extend across the aperture/secondary aperture.
20. A hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electronics component is one of a printed circuit board (PCB), ionizer, or battery.
21. A sealing member for sealing between first and second components of a hair care device, the sealing member comprising: a first portion defining a primary aperture for passage of a primary airflow therethrough; a second portion defining a secondary aperture for passage of a secondary airflow therethrough; and an air permeable barrier extending across the secondary aperture, the air permeable barrier configured to restrict passage of water therethrough.
22. A sealing member according to claim 21 wherein the air permeable barrier comprises a mesh.
23. A sealing member according to claim 22 wherein the mesh comprises a pore size of between 60 and 100 microns.
24. A sealing member according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the air permeable barrier comprises a hydrophobic coating.
25. A sealing member according to any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the first portion comprises an inner support frame surrounding the primary aperture and an outer peripheral skirt extending about a periphery of the inner support frame, the skirt haying greater flexibility than the support frame.
26. A sealing member according to any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the second portion comprises a flexible tab extending inwardly from the first portion into the primary aperture.
27. A sealing member according to any one of claims 21 to 26 wherein the primary aperture is larger than the secondary aperture.