RU2605064C2 - Personal appliance with sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: cosmetology; personal use appliances.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to hairdressing equipment, in particular, to hair straighteners. Hair straightener comprises a grooming element which is provided with a grooming surface, as well as and a first sensor and a second sensor. Said first and second sensors are each provided with a sensor housing. Each of said sensor housings is provided with a sensor contact surface, sensor contact surface is adjacent to and at level with and/or with step free transition with the grooming surface, wherein each of said sensor housings are both integral with the grooming surface. Said housings are situated at two opposing sides of the grooming surface, sensor contact surface and the grooming surface are integral, both surfaces are made from one piece of material and form part of one larger surface of that piece of material. Sensor housing comprises a contact plate comprising a front surface and a rear surface, and the front surface provides the sensor contact surface.

EFFECT: providing optimal mode of usage for different users and for different usage situations.

12 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to devices for individual use and relates to an improved device for individual use containing a sensor.

BACKGROUND

In various fields of technology related to devices for individual use, attempts are being made to make the device efficient and convenient for the user. Some devices contain sensors.

German Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3112384 A1 (filed by Müholos-Werk Alfred Müller) discloses sushuar. Traditional dryers are described, as a rule, as allowing the choice of heating temperature and fan speed. Both of these values can often be selected continuously. However, according to this disclosure, making the right choice requires a lot of experience even for a hairdresser. Therefore, it often happens that the hair remains still wet when the dryer is turned off in accordance with the choice made when starting the drying process. The disclosed invention is an attempt to avoid this by providing a humidity sensor. This moisture sensor is supposed to complete the drying process when the hair becomes dry enough. The air circulating in the dryer is directed to the humidity sensor, and the sensor is connected to an electrical circuit that can end the drying process by turning off the fan and heater.

Sushuar is a relatively roomy device for individual use. Therefore, one or more sensors are relatively easily placed in the dryer. Since sushuar is a very specific type of device for individual use, containing a cap as a confined space, it is relatively easy to find a suitable place for the sensor and to carry out representative measurements.

US 4,602,143 (Clairol Incorporated) discloses an infrared hair styling device. This device is made in the form of curling irons with a source of infrared radiation. Curling irons contain a hollow cylinder for emitting infrared radiation. This cylinder is essentially transparent to radiation. Curling irons are also equipped with a circuit for cycling energy to an infrared source to maintain the temperature of the cylinder within a predetermined interval. This device also includes a temperature sensor for detecting cylinder temperature in order to activate a control unit to maintain a predetermined temperature range. Thus, within a predetermined temperature range, the infrared source will cycle on and off.

The use of infrared curling irons requires, among other things, the use of a transparent cylinder in curling irons. This approach is very expensive and not necessary in all curling irons. In curling irons with simpler resistive heating, similar sensors and installations cannot be used. In addition, the scheme allows you to maintain only one pre-selected temperature. The needs and habits of an individual user are not fully taken into account.

The present invention is an attempt to improve concepts known in the art. In particular, the present invention is an attempt to create a device for individual use, which provides for optimal use by different users and in different situations of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for individual use and relates to an improved device for individual use containing a sensor. In particular, the invention relates to a device for individual use, designed to perform the task of caring for the appearance of the user, while the specified device contains an element for caring for the exterior, while the specified element for caring for the exterior contains a surface for caring for the exterior, while the device contains a sensor and a sensor housing, while the sensor housing contains a contact surface of the sensor, while the contact surface of the sensor is near and at the same level with the surface Style for the care of appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Device for individual use in the form of curling irons. In such curling irons, the technical features of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2. A hair straightener, which is a device for individual use, embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3. Schematic representation of the spatial arrangement of the element to care for the exterior and the sensor housing.

FIG. 4. Another schematic representation of another spatial arrangement of the two above elements.

FIG. 5. Another version of the spatial arrangement of the element to care for the exterior and two sensors.

FIG. 6. A diagram illustrating the interaction of key elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device for individual use according to the present invention can be made in many forms. The device for individual use may be a device for caring for the exterior, for example, an electric razor, trimmer, beard trimmer, epilator, a device for hair care, such as curling irons, a hair straightener, a brush, a hairdryer, and the like. Depending on the device for individual use, the task of caring for the appearance is different, and therefore the element for caring for the exterior, as well as the sensor, may be different. If the device for individual use is a razor, the exterior care element may include a hair removal element and may further comprise a heating or cooling element. Such heating or cooling elements can provide a more effective and more enjoyable shave. If the device for individual use is a device for hair care, the task of caring for the exterior, as a rule, is the task of drying hair, or straightening hair, or curling hair. In hair care tasks when looking after your appearance, the temperature at which this task is performed is critical. Thus, the exterior care element will typically be a heating element.

According to the present invention, the device for individual use contains an element for caring for the exterior, and this element for caring for the exterior contains a surface for caring for the exterior. The exterior care surface is the surface of the exterior care item in contact with the skin when the device for personal use is used appropriately.

The device for individual use further comprises a sensor. The choice of sensor also depends on the task of caring for the exterior. Suitable sensors are temperature sensors, or humidity sensors, or pressure sensors. A temperature sensor, for example, can measure the temperature of the skin or surface of the hair being treated with an exterior care item. A humidity sensor may, for example, measure the moisture of hair requiring drying. The pressure sensor can measure, for example, the pressure applied to the skin or hair being treated, as well as the pressure applied by the exterior care element.

According to the present invention, the sensor is enclosed in a housing, and the housing comprises a contact surface of the sensor. The contact surface of the sensor is located near (i.e., in spatial proximity) and at the same level with the surface to care for the exterior.

It has been found that a beneficial effect is provided when the contact surface of the sensor and the exterior care surface are coplanar. Thus, two surfaces are made in one plane.

In useful embodiments of the present invention, the contact surface of the sensor and the surface for caring for the exterior are made in one piece. Thus, both surfaces can be made of one piece of material and can form part of one larger surface of a given piece of material. It has been found useful to provide a sensor housing, the housing comprising a contact plate. The contact plate may include a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface of the contact plate may provide the contact surface of the sensor. It has also been found that the use of a back surface containing a recess is beneficial. Thus, the sensor may at least partially lie in a recess. If the recess has sufficient depth and size, the sensor can be completely located in the recess. It has been found useful to provide a recess having a V-shape.

A recess with decreasing width, such as, in particular, a V-shaped recess, is useful in providing a certain position of the sensors and can safely accommodate sensors of various sizes. The sensors are supported by two walls of the recess and, thus, are in contact with two walls of the recess. Thus, these sensors are in contact with the sensor housing at least at two points. Such contact is usually useful for improving the accuracy of measurements made by a sensor, such as temperature measurements. In another important aspect, a tapering recess, such as, and in particular, a V-shaped recess, will only have a minimal negative effect on the mechanical strength of the sensor body. In yet another important aspect, a decreasing width recess, such as, and in particular, a V-shaped recess, will provide a simple arrangement of the sensor in a predetermined position within the recess.

The sensor may be mechanically held in the recess, for example, by means of a downward pressing device, such as a spring or the like. Alternatively, as well as additionally, the sensor can be held in the recess by means of an adhesive.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise two sensor housings, wherein each sensor housing may comprise a contact surface of the sensor, wherein each of the contact surfaces of the sensors may be near and at the same level as the exterior care surface. In another embodiment according to the present invention, comprising two sensor housings, both sensor housings are integrally formed with the exterior care surface. In such an embodiment, said sensor bodies may also be located on two opposite sides of the exterior surface.

According to the present invention, the device for individual use may be a device for hair care. The specified device, in particular, may be a hair straightener.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the data measured using at least one sensor form the first data set. The first data set contains the first amount of data. In such embodiments, a second data set containing a second amount of data may be generated using data from the first data set, wherein the second amount of data is less than the first amount of data. In other words, a data set is reduced to a smaller data set. Since a smaller data set contains less data, in a sense it contains less information. However, in relation to the task, a data set containing less data may be more informative. However, to provide an informative second data set, it is critical that the first data set is informative. Since the data for the first data set comes from information from the sensor, in such situations it is important to position the sensor so that it provides reliable data.

In embodiments of the present invention, a device for personal use may comprise at least one sensor measuring data, wherein said data forms a first data set containing data representing a first physical property, and using a second data set, data is generated from the first data set containing data representing the second physical property, and wherein said second physical property is different from the first physical property. In this embodiment, data representing a first physical property, such as temperature, is used to create a data set representing another physical property. This other physical property may, for example, be hair moisture. It was found that the temperature curves measured by the sensors are responsible for the moisture of the hair, since the hair, depending on its moisture, reacts differently to thermal effects. Naturally, the quality of the data and, therefore, the mechanical arrangement of the sensors providing the first data are critical in order to efficiently convert the first data set to the second data set.

The use of two sensors has been found extremely useful. These two sensors can measure one characteristic, such as temperature. Two sensors can provide a more accurate temperature measurement compared to a single sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, temperature data obtained from two sensors may be processed to obtain information about a different property than temperature information. For example, the temperature difference between the front end and the rear end of the thermoplates of the hair straightener may indicate dry hair. Wet hair, as a rule, absorbs more heat from heated plates of the hair straightener, and thus, the temperature drop between the front sensor and the rear sensor (in a given straightening direction) is more pronounced. Thus, the temperature dataset can be converted to a dryness dataset. Dryness data is referred to as a dataset of a different entity compared to temperature data.

In the context of the present invention, a device for individual use is considered useful when the data measured by at least one sensor form a first data set containing data representing the first physical property, and when a second data set containing data is generated using data from the first data set representing the second physical property, and this second physical property is different from the first physical property. With reference to the above example, the first data set may be temperature data, and the second data set may be dry data.

In one useful way of putting the invention into practice, this conversion can be achieved by relying on the data stored in the data warehouse memory. For example, a data warehouse may contain typical data for temperature drops depending on dry hair. Thus, relying on the data stored in the memory, it is possible to reliably convert the temperature data into dry data. When a single data set is created by a single sensor, the quality of the second data set can be improved by relying on data from the data warehouse.

Also, the device for individual use may contain a third sensor that measures data of a different nature than the first and second sensors. For example, in the case of a hair straightener, a third sensor can directly measure dry hair. The third sensor data can then be compared with the processed data of the first two sensors. Such a comparison can provide an assessment of the reliability of the sensors and, in general, a more accurate measurement. In general, according to the present invention, any sensor, including a third sensor used in an individual device comprising an exterior care element, can be placed in a recess, for example in a recess with decreasing width, such as, in particular, a V-shaped recess .

Alternatively, data from a third, different sensor can be used to create a data set of yet another, different quality. For example, when dry hair is known from the data generated by the third sensor, temperature data generated by the first and second sensors can be used to estimate the speed at which the device moves through the hair. The third sensor or the fourth sensor may also be a sensor that measures the position of the hair straightener.

In FIG. 1 shows a typical hair curler in the form of curling irons, in which all the features of the present invention can be embodied. The curling tongs 100 comprise a gripping component 110. The gripping component comprises a display window 112. The gripping component may also include a switch or interface 120. The device 100 as an additional integral component contains a block 130 for hair care. The hair care unit comprises a central heated cylinder 132 and a clip 134. A drive button 136 is provided for opening the clip. Sensors are provided in two areas of the heated cylinder 132. The first region 140 is suitable for the first sensor, and the second region 142 is suitable for the second sensor. These areas may abut either side of clamp 134.

In FIG. 2 shows a hair straightener, which may also embody the present invention. The hair straightener 200 comprises a gripping component 210. The gripping component essentially comprises a first arm 212 and a second arm 214. Both arms are articulated on a hinge 216. A cable 218 is provided at one end of the hair straightener 200. The rectifier comprises a rotary switch 220 as an interface.

The straightener 200 also includes a hair care unit 230. This hair care unit also includes a first shoulder 232 and a second shoulder 234. At one end of the first shoulder 232, a gripping component 236 is provided. Both shoulders contain heated surfaces, and the first heated surface 250 is clearly visible to the second shoulder 214. Adjacent to the first heated surface 250 area 240 for the first sensor and area 242 for the second sensor.

In FIG. 3 schematically shows the spatial arrangement of the exterior care element and the sensor, as well as its body according to the present invention. The exterior care member 10 provides an exterior care surface 12. Near the exterior care member is a sensor housing 20. The housing 20 of the sensor contains the contact surface 22 of the sensor and the sensor 24. The housing 22 of the sensor is located near the element 10 to care for the exterior. Thus, there is only a small gap between these two elements. In general, in the context of the present invention, the clearance is preferably less than 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm or 0.1 mm. The exterior care surface 12 and the sensor contact surface 22 are shown in a coplanar configuration. These surfaces can also form an angle. Such a configuration is shown by dashed lines showing the position of the housing of the sensor 22 ′ otherwise located. In such a configuration, the two surfaces are not coplanar, however, the contact surface 22 of the sensor is still close to and flush with the surface 12 to care for the exterior. In general, in the context of the present invention, “at the same level” means that a stepless transition is present between the two surfaces.

In FIG. 4 schematically shows another configuration of the exterior care member 10 and the sensor housing 20. In this configuration, the sensor housing has a contact surface 22 of the sensor, which is coplanar and made in one piece with the surface 12 to care for the exterior. The sensor housing 20 encloses the sensor 24. The upper part of the sensor housing 20 is made in the form of a contact plate 26. The contact plate 26 contains a front surface that serves as a contact surface 22 of the sensor and includes a rear surface 28.

In FIG. 5 shows a useful embodiment of the present invention in cross section. The central part of the integrated exterior care element and the sensor bodies is enclosed in the exterior care element 10. The exterior care member 10 includes an exterior care surface 12. Opposite the exterior care surface 12 is a rear surface 14 of the exterior care item. The rear surface 14 can be used to accommodate a functional element, preferably a heating element 16, as shown. On the right side of the exterior care member 10 is a sensor housing 20. The sensor housing includes a sensor contact plate 26 containing the sensor contact surface 22, and on the opposite side it includes a rear surface 28. The rear surface 28 of the sensor contact plate 26 contains a recess. This recess is V-shaped, as seen in this cross section. The sensor 24 is located in the recess 30. The recess 30 is made of sufficient depth to fully accommodate and enclose the sensor 24. The position of the sensor 24 in the recess 30 is provided by the downwardly pressing member 32.

An additional sensor housing 20A is provided on the left side. It is made mirror symmetrically to the sensor housing 20 on the right side. It also contains all the elements contained in the sensor housing 20. Corresponding elements are indicated by the corresponding position numbers, to which the letter "A" is added.

The exterior care element 10 is made in the form of a profile, preferably made by continuous casting of metal, which is flat on its front surface to ensure alignment of hair and which on its rear side is provided with protruding parts designed to separate the heating element (16) from the sensors (24). These protruding parts limit the effect of heat generated from the heating element on the sensor and, thus, increase the accuracy of measuring the temperature of the hair. Preferably, the rear surface of the combined exterior care element and the sensor housings is in the form of three inverted “U” letters — see FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the operation of the present invention, without giving the actual details of the invention, embodied as a device for individual use. The device for individual use can generate data SD1 of the first sensor and data SD2 of the second sensor. In addition, the user can enter data using a suitable interface so that additional ED data is available. All this data is transmitted to the central processor unit P. This unit then generates an output signal O, which can be used to select the desired appearance care mode.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the indicated exact numerical values. On the contrary, unless otherwise indicated, each such size should be implied both as a specified value and as a functionally equivalent range covering a given value. For example, a dimension indicated as “40 mm” should be understood as “approximately 40 mm”.

Claims (12)

1. A hair straightener comprising an exterior care element, comprising an exterior care surface, and also first and second sensors, wherein each of said first and second sensors is provided with a sensor body, wherein each of said sensor bodies contains a contact surface a sensor, wherein each of these contact surfaces of the sensor is located close to and at the same level with the surface for caring for the exterior and / or providing a stepless transition to the surface for caring for the exterior w, each of these sensor housings is made integrally with the surface for caring for the exterior and these housings are located on two opposite sides of the surface for caring for the exterior, while the contact surface of the sensor and the surface for caring for the exterior are made as a whole, both surfaces are made of one piece of material and form one large surface of the specified piece of material, and the sensor housing contains a contact plate containing a front surface and a rear th surface, said front surface provides a contact surface of the sensor. 2. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact surface of the sensor and the surface for caring for the exterior are coplanar. 3. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that the element for caring for the exterior and the body of the sensor are combined, while their central part contains a surface for caring for the exterior. 4. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear surface of the specified Central part of the surface to care for the exterior contains a functional element, which is a heating element. 5. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that said rear surface comprises a recess and wherein the sensor is at least partially enclosed in said recess. 6. The hair straightener according to claim 5, characterized in that the recess is made V-shaped. 7. The hair straightener according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor is mechanically held in the recess. 8. The hair straightener according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor is fixed in the recess by means of an adhesive. 9. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that the exterior care element is made in the form of a profile made by continuous casting of metal, is flat on its front surface to ensure alignment of hair and contains protruding parts on its rear side for separating the heating element from the sensors. 10. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that the data measured by at least one sensor form a first data set containing a first amount of data, and wherein a second data set containing a second amount of data is generated using data from the first data set, while the second quantity is less than the first quantity. 11. The hair straightener according to claim 1, characterized in that the data measured by at least one sensor form a first data set containing data representing the first physical property, and the second data set containing data showing the second physical property is generated using data from the first data set, wherein the second physical property is different from the first physical property. 12. The hair straightener according to claim 11, characterized in that the first physical property is temperature and / or the second physical property is humidity.

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