US20160242524A1 - Hair dryer with air outlet arrangement - Google Patents

Hair dryer with air outlet arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
US20160242524A1
US20160242524A1 US14/130,578 US201314130578A US2016242524A1 US 20160242524 A1 US20160242524 A1 US 20160242524A1 US 201314130578 A US201314130578 A US 201314130578A US 2016242524 A1 US2016242524 A1 US 2016242524A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
air outlet
air
flow
hair dryer
outlet arrangement
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US14/130,578
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English (en)
Inventor
Hannes Uwe Floessholzer
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.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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Priority to US14/130,578 priority Critical patent/US20160242524A1/en
Assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. reassignment KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FLOESSHOLZER, HANNES UWE
Publication of US20160242524A1 publication Critical patent/US20160242524A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A45D20/122—Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow
    • 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
    • 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
    • A45D20/122—Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow
    • A45D20/124—Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow comprising rotating elements
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of hair dryers, and more specifically to an air outlet arrangement.
  • a hair dryer is a device for drying hair by blowing heated air over the hair in order to accelerate the evaporation of water.
  • An electrical hair dryer typically comprises a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan for generating a flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet and a heating element for heating the flow of air.
  • Nozzles also referred to as concentrators, are optionally positioned at the air outlet, for example to increase the air speed for styling purposes. The user of a hair dryer with attached nozzle has the impression that the dryer is more “powerful” than without nozzle.
  • the water held by the hair forms a thermal screen which prevents deterioration or burning of the hair or the scalp. As the water evaporates, it will be less and less of a screen. At high temperatures, the hair can be damaged and/or a burning sensation may arise, which may even lead to actual burning. The problem is to achieve fast drying without damaging the hair.
  • a nozzle does not only affect an increase of air speed but also forms a resistance for the air stream as well.
  • the resistance can cause a reduction of the rotation speed of the fan and decrease the air flow.
  • the decreased air flow corresponds to a lower air mass per unit time which passes the heating element. In consequence, the lower air mass is heated up to a higher temperature.
  • the air temperature can increase up to potentially dangerous, hair damaging values. Implementations according to the prior art suggest adapting the fan speed and/or heating power to solve the problem of overheating.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,749 discloses an electrical hair dryer with a sensor that measures the temperature of the hair and controls a fan speed of the fan and a heating power of the heating element to prevent overheating and damaging the hair. When the temperature of the hair gets too hot the fan speed and the heating power can be reduced.
  • the solution proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,749 involves additional effort for sensing and control circuitry. This leads to a high complexity of today's hair dryers and increases the overall costs.
  • the invention is defined by the independent claims.
  • the dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.
  • an electrical hair dryer comprising a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet arrangement, a fan for generating a flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet arrangement and a heating element for heating the flow of air.
  • the air outlet arrangement comprises a flow changing device for changing a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement depending on a pressure and/or temperature within the housing.
  • a nozzle for a hair dryer comprises a flow changing device for changing a flow of air at the nozzle depending on a pressure and/or temperature within the nozzle.
  • the nozzle can be part of an air outlet arrangement of an electrical hair dryer.
  • the nozzle can be an integral part of the housing or formed as a separate part that can be attached to the hair dryer. It is to be noted that the term “nozzle” is to be understood as any type of air outlet arrangement.
  • a “nozzle” in the sense of the present disclosure also includes a diffuser or an extension part that is attached to the front part of a hair dryer.
  • the hair dryer according to the present invention comprises a housing with an air outlet arrangement that comprises a flow changing device for changing a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement depending on a pressure and/or a temperature within the housing.
  • the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention features additional structural elements that modify the flow of air. These structural elements, referred to as flow changing device, alter the flow of air at the air outlet arrangement either by changing the direction of the flow of air or by providing alternative pathways for the flow of air.
  • the flow of air can be guided away from the obstacle by changing the flow direction. This way, the flow of air can freely pass by the obstacle.
  • the flow changing device provides additional pathways. For example, if one pathway is blocked or at least partially blocked, the heated air can exit through an alternative opening of the air outlet arrangement.
  • air outlet arrangement as used within the context of the present invention is to be understood as a part of the housing of the hair dryer preferably a front part of the housing.
  • a nozzle is part of the air outlet arrangement.
  • the air outlet arrangement comprises one ore more air outlet openings through which air can exit the housing.
  • the simplest example of an air outlet arrangement is one air outlet opening of disk shape through which the entire flow of air from the air inlet exits the housing.
  • the air outlet arrangement comprises a plurality of air outlet openings.
  • One or more of the air outlet openings can be located on a side of the housing.
  • the air outlet arrangement can comprise a flow guiding device for guiding the flow of air to desired air outlet openings.
  • a “nozzle” as used within the context of the present invention can comprise similar features.
  • an effective cross section of the air outlet arrangement for letting out air depends on the pressure and/or the temperature within the housing.
  • the term “effective cross section” as used within the context of the present invention relates to the sum of the cross sections or areas of the one or more openings of the air outlet arrangement for letting out air.
  • the effective cross section is automatically increased. If an obstacle (partially) blocks an opening of the air outlet arrangement, the air flow that can exit the air outlet arrangement is reduced.
  • the decreased air flow corresponds to a lower air mass per unit time which passes the heating element. In consequence, the lower air mass is heated up to a higher temperature.
  • the air outlet area of the air outlet arrangement is increased above a temperature threshold of, for example, 100° C. Experiment of the applicant have shown that thermal damages of the hair may already occur at a temperature of 100° C. At higher temperatures up to 200° C. heavy burnings of the hair and the scalp can be caused.
  • a larger air mass passes the heating element and exits the hair dryer. This larger air mass can only be heated to a lower temperature given that the heating power remains unchanged. Below the damage threshold, there is no need to change air flow at the air outlet arrangement.
  • a pressure threshold is selected. The pressure within the air outlet arrangement is indicative of the flow of air that exits the air outlet arrangement and also indicative of the air temperature.
  • An air outlet arrangement with a nozzle typically has a limited effective cross section during normal operation in order to ensure a fast, powerful stream of air.
  • a user may come too close to the hair with the nozzle and block a substantial part of the cross section.
  • the air flow that exits the housing through the air outlet arrangement reduces even more.
  • the reduced amount of air that now passes the heating element is heated up to a higher temperature.
  • the pressure within the housing increases as the obstacle increases the resistance for the flow of air.
  • the flow changing device of the air outlet arrangement change the flow of air that exits the outlet arrangement by increasing the effective cross section of the air outlet arrangement. In consequence, the flow of air increases.
  • the flow of air is not limited to exiting the air outlet arrangement through a narrow space besides the obstacle (e.g. a brush) but has a pathway of larger effective cross section.
  • the heating power of the heating element heats up the air mass that passes the heating element. As the flow of air and thus the air mass is increased, the air temperature is reduced.
  • the effective cross section remains unchanged until reaching a pressure threshold and/or a temperature threshold.
  • the effective cross section has a first value below the pressure threshold and/or the temperature threshold and a second effective cross section above the pressure threshold and/or the temperature threshold.
  • the effective cross section has a first value below the temperature threshold and/or the pressure threshold and increases continuously above said threshold.
  • the effective cross section increases in discrete steps above said threshold.
  • the flow changing device comprises a mechanical shutter.
  • a mechanical flap acts as a shutter that at least partially covers an air outlet opening of the air outlet arrangement. At low pressure, the flap can be in closed state, whereas the flap continuously opens with increasing pressure.
  • a slider covers an outlet opening of the air outlet arrangement at low temperature and slides back to an open state at higher temperatures, for example when the temperature exceeds a temperature threshold.
  • Any type of shutter can be used including flaps, slides or rotational shutters.
  • the shutter is operable with a folding, sliding or rotational movement respectively. It goes without mentioning that any type of mechanical shutter can be used and that the operation of said shutters can be continuous, in small steps, or a binary change between opened and closed state.
  • the mechanical shutter can also be combined with non-mechanic elements and further electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical actuators.
  • the flow changing device further comprises a spring element for exerting a closing force on the mechanical shutter that counteracts an opening force on the mechanical shutter, which opening force is caused by the pressure within the housing.
  • the flow changing device change a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement depending on a pressure within the housing. For example, if an obstacle (partially) blocks an opening of the air outlet arrangement, the pressure within the housing increases. The pressure within the housing causes an opening force that presses against the mechanical shutter.
  • the spring element of the flow changing device exerts a closing force on the mechanical shutter that tries to close the mechanical shutter or hold the mechanical shutter closed against the opening force. When the opening force caused by the pressure within the housing exceeds the closing force, the mechanical shutter opens.
  • an opening of the mechanical shutter can increase the effective cross section of the air outlet arrangement.
  • the flow of air can (partially) pass through the airway that was opened by the shutter.
  • the pressure within the housing decreases.
  • the closing force exceeds the opening force, the shutter has returned to its closed position.
  • the pressure threshold when the shutter opens can be set by the spring constant of the spring element.
  • the flow changing device further comprises a thermal actuator for operating the mechanical shutter wherein said thermal actuator is adapted to change its form depending on the temperature.
  • the thermal actuator is a bi-metallic strip. Bi-metallic strips are known from simple thermometers wherein the bi-metallic strips cause a temperature indicator to move over a temperature scale depending on a temperature.
  • the mechanical shutter could be operated by a bi-metallic strip. When the temperature within the housing increases, the deformation of the bi-metallic strip causes the mechanical shutter to open up. For example, the bi-metallic strip exhibits a bending movement and the mechanical shutter is directly coupled to the bi-metallic strip.
  • the bi-metallic strip causes a pushing or pulling movement that is then translated onto the mechanical shutter by further mechanics.
  • the thermal actuator is an element that elongates with increasing temperature and shortens with decreasing temperature or vice versa. This movement can again be translated to an opening or closing of a mechanical shutter.
  • a temperature threshold for the shutter to open depends on the characteristics of the bi-metallic strip.
  • the hair dryer further comprises a pressure sensor and/or a temperature sensor and an electro-mechanical actuator for operating the flow changing device.
  • the air outlet arrangement comprises a main air outlet and a bypass air outlet.
  • the bypass air outlet is an alternative pathway to the main air outlet for the air stream to exit the air outlet arrangement.
  • the bypass can be activated by an increase in pressure within the housing, for example when the air outlet is blocked.
  • the bypass air outlet can be activated by an increase of temperature within the housing.
  • the bypass air outlet can be arranged at any part of the air outlet arrangement other than the main air outlet.
  • the bypass air outlet can be arranged at a main part of the housing or at the nozzle.
  • the bypass air outlet is preferably arranged close to the main air outlet i.e. it is part of the air outlet arrangement.
  • the bypass air outlet is adapted to act as a safety valve.
  • safety valve refers to a device that ensures that a temperature and/or pressure within a system does not exceed a predetermined threshold and is adapted to release for example a stream of air from a housing. This additional release path ensures that the temperature and/or the pressure within the housing return to a value below said threshold.
  • the bypass air outlet comprises a mechanical shutter, wherein the mechanical shutter is adapted to operate the bypass air outlet.
  • the mechanical shutter at least partially closes the bypass air outlet.
  • the main air outlet does not feature a mechanical shutter and only the bypass air outlet features a mechanical shutter.
  • both the main air outlet and the bypass air outlet comprise a mechanical shutter.
  • a bypass air outlet can comprise a plurality of mechanical shutters or alternatively one shutter can be used for a plurality of bypass air outlets or a bypass air outlet and a main air outlet.
  • the bypass air outlet is configured to guide heated air substantially in direction of the main air outlet.
  • This embodiment is particularly desirable to avoid a waste of heating power.
  • this embodiment of the present invention maintains the heating power and distributes the heated air through a bypass air outlet.
  • the main air outlet may be covered, for example with hair on a brush, heated air that exits in direction of the main air outlet still serves to dry the surrounding hair.
  • an opening of the bypass air outlet is oriented in direction of the main air outlet. Hence, air that exits through this opening is guided in direction of the main air outlet.
  • the mechanical shutter of the bypass air outlet acts as an air guide that guides the flow of air in direction of the main air outlet.
  • a flap acts as an air guide.
  • the air outlet arrangement features additional air guiding elements or baffles adapted to guide the air in substantially direction of the main air outlet in order to dry the surrounding hair.
  • the bypass air outlet is configured to guide heated air substantially away from the direction of the main air outlet.
  • the stream of air that exits through the bypass air outlet is guided away from the hair of the user in order to avoid disturbances that could negatively affect the hair style. For example, if the user already fixed their surrounding hair beside the main air outlet it is not desirable to have a flow of air onto said surrounding hair.
  • the heating element and/or the fan is configured such that an air temperature of the flow of air is limited to a maximum value, when the flow of air exits through the bypass air outlet only. Assuming that the main air outlet is completely blocked, the entire flow of air will exit through the bypass air outlet. Even in this extreme scenario, the air temperature does not cause damage to the hair or discomfort to the user.
  • the power of the heating element and/or the fan speed is dimensioned such that even when the entire flow of air exits through the bypass air outlet only, an overheating is prevented. A bypass air outlet with large effective area will allow a higher maximum heating power.
  • a direction of letting air out of the air outlet arrangement depends on the pressure and/or temperature within the housing.
  • the flow direction can be manipulated.
  • a baffle can be used to steer the flow of air away from the obstacle. Similar to the above, said baffle can be operated by a spring element, a thermal actuator or an electro-mechanical actuator.
  • a mechanical shutter or flap can act as a baffle.
  • a nozzle or part of a nozzle can swivel to the side away from the obstacle.
  • the flow changing device further comprises a fixation device for fixing the flow changing device in a desired position.
  • a fixation device for fixing the flow changing device in a desired position.
  • FIG. 1 shows a general technical concept of an electrical hair dryer
  • FIG. 2 a shows an air outlet arrangement according to the present invention during operation with closed flow changing device
  • FIG. 2 b shows the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention during operation with open flow changing device
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a second embodiment of the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a third embodiment of the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show a fourth embodiment of the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 6 a to 6 c show a fifth embodiment of the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show a sixth embodiment of the air outlet arrangement according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows an electrical hair dryer 100 comprising a housing 110 with an air inlet 111 and an air outlet arrangement 112 .
  • the air outlet arrangement 112 also features a nozzle 113 .
  • the nozzle 113 is optional.
  • the housing 110 there are a fan 120 and a heating element 130 .
  • the fan 120 generates a flow of air from the air inlet 111 to the air outlet arrangement 112 .
  • Any type of air flow generating device can be used as a fan.
  • the heating element 130 heats the flow of air. Different types of heating elements are available for example coils of wire with high electric resistivity such as nichrome wires, infrared heaters and ceramic heating elements.
  • the fan speed is controlled via a fan control switch 122 that allows to set the fan speed.
  • the heating power of the heating element 130 is controlled via a heat control button 132 . In this embodiment it is possible to control fan speed and heating power independently from each other. However, in a different embodiment there can be a joint control element or
  • FIG. 2 a shows an electrical hair dryer and more particularly an air outlet arrangement 220 according to the present invention during operation.
  • a flow of heated air 230 is directed onto the hair 201 of a user 200 .
  • the flow of air 230 exits the air outlet arrangement 220 through a main air outlet 221 .
  • the air outlet arrangement 220 according to the present embodiment of the invention features an upper flow changing device 223 and a lower flow changing device 224 .
  • the flow changing devices 223 , 224 are implemented as flaps.
  • the flap remains in closed position.
  • the main air outlet 221 is located at a distance from the hair 221 of the user 200 such that the flow of air 230 can freely exit the air outlet arrangement 220 through the main air outlet 221 .
  • the flow of air 230 can exit the air outlet arrangement 220 without being blocked and thus without an increased dynamic pressure P 1 within the air outlet arrangement 220 as a part of the housing of the hair dryer.
  • the amount of air that flows by the heating element does not get overheated and stays in a safe temperature range.
  • the user 200 uses a round brush 210 for styling, in particular for curling hair ends.
  • the brush 210 acts as an obstacle that shuts off at least a part of the main air outlet 221 .
  • the flow of air 231 at the main air outlet 221 is blocked.
  • the pressure P 2 of the air within the air outlet arrangement 220 increases.
  • less air passes by the heating element such that also the temperature increases.
  • the air outlet arrangement 220 features an upper bypass air outlet 225 and a lower bypass air outlet 226 that are covered by an upper flow changing device 223 and a lower flow changing device 224 respectively.
  • the flow changing devices are adapted to act as a safety valve.
  • the flow changing devices 223 , 224 are implemented as a mechanical shutter in form of a flap that covers the bypass openings 225 , 226 .
  • FIG. 2 a With low pressure P 1 within the air outlet arrangement 220 , these flaps are in closed position, entirely covering the bypass air outlets 225 , 226 .
  • FIG. 2 b with higher air pressure P 2 within the air outlet arrangement 220 , the flaps open and allow the flow of air 232 to exit through the bypass air outlets 225 , 226 .
  • the heating power of the heating element is absorbed by a larger air mass that is heated to the lower temperature. In particular the temperature is below a temperature value that would cause damage to the hair 201 and/or discomfort to the user 200 .
  • the size of the bypass air outlets 225 , 226 is selected such that the air temperature is limited to a non-damaging maximum temperature value when the flow of air 232 exists through the bypass air outlets 225 , 226 only.
  • the size of the single air outlet 225 can be selected accordingly to prevent an overheating.
  • the bypass air outlets 225 , 226 are configured to guide the heated air substantially in direction of the main air outlet 221 . Even though the main air outlet 221 which is directed at the hair 201 of the user 200 is partly or completely blocked, the flow of heated air 232 that exits the air outlet arrangement 220 through the bypass air outlets 225 , 226 is still guided towards the hair 201 of the user 200 .
  • the heating power and/or fan speed are reduced, when it is detected that the hair 201 is overheating. Hence, the power of the known hair dryer is reduced such that the potential power of the hair dryer is not fully exploited.
  • the hair dryer according to the present invention does not require a reduction of power but opens an alternative pathway for the flow of air 230 , 232 to be guided in direction of the hair 201 of the user 200 .
  • the hair dryer according to the present invention can reduce the drying time.
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a more detailed cross section of an air outlet arrangement 300 .
  • the air outlet arrangement 300 comprises a front part 320 of the housing and an optional nozzle or concentrator 310 to increase the air speed.
  • the nozzle 310 is attached to the front part of the housing 320 by a clip mechanism 311 .
  • Alternative attachment devices such as a thread or latches are possible.
  • the flow changing device is not integrated into the nozzle but into the front part of the housing 320 of the dryer. This way, the flow changing device can change a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement 300 also if the device is operated without the nozzle 310 .
  • an upper flow changing device is implemented by a flap 331 that acts a mechanical shutter of a bypass opening 334 , a hinge or joint 332 that connects the flap 331 with the sidewall of the front part 320 of the housing.
  • a thermal actuator 343 can be used for operating a flap 341 that acts as a mechanical shutter of a bypass opening 344 .
  • the spring 333 exerts a closing force F S1 on the flap 331 that holds the flap closed against a first opening force F P1 on the flap 331 .
  • the opening force F P1 is caused by a pressure P 1 within the housing. In FIG. 3 a , the opening force F P1 is smaller than the closing force F S1 .
  • an obstacle 390 blocks a main air outlet 312 .
  • the pressure within the air outlet arrangement 300 increases to a pressure P 2 .
  • the opening force that acts on the mechanical shutter 331 increases.
  • the flap 331 opens and enables a flow of air 335 to exit through the bypass air outlet 334 .
  • the flap opens to a state where the opening force F P2 and the closing force F S2 are equal. It the pressure within the housing is reduced, e.g. when the obstacle 390 is removed, the flap 331 closes again.
  • the flap 341 is operated by a thermal actuator 343 .
  • the temperature within the air outlet arrangement 300 is at temperature T 1 .
  • the thermal actuator 343 holds the flap 341 in a closed position.
  • the thermal actuator 343 is implemented as bi-metallic strip.
  • the flap 341 is coupled to the thermal actuator 343 such that the flap 341 opens as the thermal actuator deforms. This opens a bypass air outlet 344 that enables the flow of air 345 to exit the air outlet arrangement 300 .
  • the flow of air out of the air outlet arrangement 300 increases, the air mass passing the heating element increases and thereby the temperature of the flow of air reduces. This reduction of air temperature prevents or at least reduces damage to the hair of the user.
  • the upper flow changing device changes the flow of air at the air outlet arrangement depending on the pressure P within the air outlet arrangement.
  • the lower flow changing device changes the flow of air at the air outlet arrangement depending on the temperature T within the air outlet arrangement. This is particularly beneficial if the temperature and the air speed of the hair dryer can be selected independent from each other.
  • both flow changing devices change the flow of air depending on the temperature.
  • both flow changing devices change the flow of air depending on the pressure.
  • a shutter is operated depending on the temperature and the pressure in parallel. The latter can be beneficial for a hair dryer within independent fan speed control 122 and heating element control 132 .
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show an alternative embodiment of an air outlet arrangement 400 according to the present invention.
  • the air outlet arrangement 400 comprises the front part of the housing 420 and a nozzle 410 .
  • the flow changing devices are implemented in the nozzle 410 .
  • Implementing the flow changing devices in a nozzle 410 is an advantage of the present invention over the prior art, because an existing device can be retrofitted with a nozzle 410 according to the present invention.
  • the nozzle 410 comprises a fixed portion 432 and a mechanical shutter implemented as a slider 431 .
  • the fixed portion 432 comprises an opening 435 .
  • the slider 431 comprises an opening 434 .
  • an obstacle 490 partially blocks the main air outlet 412 such that only a reduced flow of air 436 can exit the air outlet arrangement 400 through the main air outlet 412 .
  • the pressure P 2 within the air outlet arrangement 400 increases and also causes an increase of the opening force F P2 causing the slider 431 to slide to the side.
  • the slider opening 434 slides over the opening 435 of the fixed portion 432 of the nozzle 410 .
  • Both openings 434 , 435 now form a bypass air outlet that allows a flow of air 437 to exit the nozzle 410 of the air outlet arrangement 400 .
  • the pressure and temperature within the air outlet arrangement are affected accordingly and thereby prevent overheating.
  • the flow of air 437 exits to the side of the nozzle 410 and is not guided in direction of the main air outlet 412 . This can be desirable especially during hair styling in order to prevent disturbances that could mix up the hair.
  • FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show a similar embodiment with a slider 531 and a fixed portion 532 of the air outlet arrangement 500 .
  • a flow of air 537 existing through a bypass air outlet 538 is guided substantially in direction of the main air outlet in order to dry the surrounding hair.
  • FIGS. 6 a to 6 c show a fifth embodiment of an air outlet arrangement according to the present invention.
  • a single air outlet 612 changes a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement 600 by changing the opening of the air outlet 612 depending on a pressure and/or temperature within the air outlet arrangement 600 .
  • the air outlet arrangement 600 comprises a base 630 , an upper jaw 631 and a lower jaw 632 that are movably attached to the base 630 . Between the upper jaw 631 and the lower jaw 632 there is a wall element 633 that prevents air from leaking out at the side between the jaws.
  • the sidewall 633 is made from a material that expands with increasing temperature and contracts with decreasing temperature.
  • the sidewall 633 widens and thereby causes the jaws 631 and 632 to separate further. This increases the effective cross section of the air outlet 612 and allows the stream of air to (partially) pass by the obstacle 690 . In consequence, the temperature of the flow of air is reduced.
  • FIGS. 6 b and 6 c show a front view of the air outlet arrangement.
  • the pressure P 1 within the air outlet arrangement exerts an opening force F P1 on the jaws that is counteracted by a closing force F S1 from the spring element 640 .
  • F P1 opening force
  • F S1 closing force
  • the upper sidewall 634 and lower sidewall 635 at the side of the air outlet 612 prevent air from leaking out to the side.
  • the sidewalls comprise openings to form an additional air outlet similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b as they move with respect to each other.
  • FIGS. 6 b and 6 c instead of using a dedicated spring element as shown in FIGS. 6 b and 6 c , it is of course possible to use a sidewall 633 made from an elastic material that acts as a spring. Alternatively, a spring can be mounted at the joint 637 similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b.
  • the lower jaw 632 is fixed to the base 630 and only the upper jaw 631 is movably attached to the base 630 .
  • a temperature and/or pressure dependent movement of the upper jaw 631 also changes a direction of letting air out of the air outlet arrangement 600 .
  • the flow of air is partly guided over the obstacle 690 when the upper 631 jaw opens.
  • the direction of both upper jaw 631 and lower jaw 632 can be affected, for example by a thermo-actuator that acts on both jaws an causes a rotation of them about the joint 637 .
  • the joint 637 optionally comprises locking mechanism 638 for fixing the upper jaw 631 and the lower jaw 632 in a fixed position. This enables the user to selectively disable the automatic movement of the upper jaw 631 and/or lower jaw 632 . A fixation can be desirable, if the user wants to overrule the automatic adjustment of the flow changing device.
  • FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show a sixth embodiment of an air outlet arrangement 700 according to the present invention.
  • This embodiment comprises a temperature sensor 711 , and a pressure sensor 712 .
  • the flow changing device is implemented as a disk 720 that can be rotated with a motor 713 with respect to a front part 730 of the air outlet arrangement 700 depending on a pressure and/or temperature within the air outlet arrangement 700 .
  • the front part 730 comprises an oval main air outlet 732 and a plurality of bypass air outlets 733 that are arranged adjacent to the main air outlet 732 .
  • the disk-like flow changing device 720 comprises a main opening 722 and bypass air outlets 723 .
  • the disk 720 is rotated with respect to the front part 730 such that the main air outlet 732 is in front of the main opening 722 of the disk 720 .
  • the disk 720 is arranged inside the front part 730 in close proximity to the surface 735 of the front part 730 . Further, the disk is rotated such that bars 724 of the disk 720 overlap the bypass air outlets 733 of the front part 730 and that the bars 734 of the front part 730 overlap to the bypass air outlets 723 of the disk 720 . Hence, the bypass air outlets are completely blocked.
  • the disk 720 can be gradually rotated with respect to the front part 730 such that the bypass air outlets 733 of the front parts 730 are on top of the bypass air outlets 723 of the disk 720 .
  • the bars 734 of the front part 730 are on top of the bars 724 of the disk 720 .
  • the openings 723 and 733 form a plurality of bypass air outlets when arranged on top of each other.
  • the openings 723 and 733 are partially rotated on top of each other to partially increase the effective cross section of the air outlet opening of the air outlet arrangement 700 .
  • an electro-mechanical actuator could also be used for operating a mechanical shutter of the air outlet arrangement in form of a flap or a slider depending on a pressure and/or temperature within the air outlet arrangement.
  • advantageous embodiments relate to a hair dryer ( 100 ) and a nozzle ( 113 , 310 , 410 ) for a hair dryer ( 100 ), and more specifically to an air outlet arrangement ( 112 , 220 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 ).
  • the air outlet arrangement ( 112 , 220 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 ) comprises a flow changing device ( 223 , 224 , 331 , 341 , 431 , 531 , 631 , 632 ) for changing a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement ( 112 , 220 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 ), depending on a pressure and/or temperature within a housing ( 110 ), in particular within the nozzle ( 113 , 310 , 410 ).

Landscapes

  • Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)
US14/130,578 2012-08-09 2013-08-07 Hair dryer with air outlet arrangement Abandoned US20160242524A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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US14/130,578 US20160242524A1 (en) 2012-08-09 2013-08-07 Hair dryer with air outlet arrangement

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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US201261681171P 2012-08-09 2012-08-09
PCT/IB2013/056454 WO2014024143A1 (en) 2012-08-09 2013-08-07 Hair dryer with a device at the air outlet for changing the flow of air
US14/130,578 US20160242524A1 (en) 2012-08-09 2013-08-07 Hair dryer with air outlet arrangement

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US20160242524A1 true US20160242524A1 (en) 2016-08-25

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US (1) US20160242524A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP2713806B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP5607864B1 (zh)
CN (2) CN203538622U (zh)
IN (1) IN2014CN00453A (zh)
RU (1) RU2623958C2 (zh)
WO (1) WO2014024143A1 (zh)

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US20170150797A1 (en) * 2015-11-26 2017-06-01 Dyson Technology Limited Hand held appliance
US20180031318A1 (en) * 2016-07-29 2018-02-01 Spur Concepts Inc. Systems and methods for delivering heat in a battery powered blow dryer
CN110403326A (zh) * 2019-07-11 2019-11-05 追觅科技（天津）有限公司 一种干发器
US20210353030A1 (en) * 2020-05-12 2021-11-18 Lg Electronics Inc. Hair dryer
US20220071365A1 (en) * 2016-11-30 2022-03-10 Chaska French-Jackson Hair iron
USD1021238S1 (en) 2022-06-02 2024-04-02 Sharkninja Operating Llc Hair care appliance
US12004623B2 (en) 2020-05-12 2024-06-11 Lg Electronics Inc. Hair dryer

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GB2508589A (en) * 2012-12-03 2014-06-11 Jemella Ltd Hair dryer nozzle having a vent
CN105277394A (zh) * 2014-05-29 2016-01-27 深圳华盛昌机械实业有限公司 聚风罩及具有该聚风罩的pm2.5测试仪
EP3207957A1 (en) * 2016-02-22 2017-08-23 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Hair care device
JP6764239B2 (ja) * 2016-03-18 2020-09-30 シャープ株式会社 ヘアドライヤ
CN108577130A (zh) * 2018-06-26 2018-09-28 珠海市佳陶瓷有限公司 一种陶瓷内置加热体的电吹风
WO2020081733A1 (en) * 2018-10-17 2020-04-23 Dawkins Jean Hair styling system
AU2021412879A1 (en) * 2020-12-31 2023-07-06 Sharkninja Operating Llc Hair dryer attachment
US11832701B2 (en) 2020-12-31 2023-12-05 Sharkninja Operating Llc Hair dryer attachment
ES2942544A1 (es) * 2021-12-01 2023-06-02 Cecotec Res And Development S L Secador de pelo con flujo de aire regulable
KR20230156465A (ko) * 2022-05-06 2023-11-14 배연욱 빗형 노즐 및 이 빗형 노즐을 구비한 헤어드라이기
CN116801765A (zh) * 2022-10-18 2023-09-22 深圳汝原科技有限公司 一种干燥设备和控制方法
TWI821003B (zh) * 2022-11-04 2023-11-01 和碩聯合科技股份有限公司 吹風機

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US20170150797A1 (en) * 2015-11-26 2017-06-01 Dyson Technology Limited Hand held appliance
US20180031318A1 (en) * 2016-07-29 2018-02-01 Spur Concepts Inc. Systems and methods for delivering heat in a battery powered blow dryer
US10405630B2 (en) * 2016-07-29 2019-09-10 Spur Concepts Inc Systems and methods for delivering heat in a battery powered blow dryer
US10687596B2 (en) 2016-07-29 2020-06-23 Spur Concepts Inc Systems and methods for delivering heat in a battery powered blow dryer
US20220071365A1 (en) * 2016-11-30 2022-03-10 Chaska French-Jackson Hair iron
CN110403326A (zh) * 2019-07-11 2019-11-05 追觅科技（天津）有限公司 一种干发器
US20210353030A1 (en) * 2020-05-12 2021-11-18 Lg Electronics Inc. Hair dryer
US11896105B2 (en) * 2020-05-12 2024-02-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Hair dryer
US12004623B2 (en) 2020-05-12 2024-06-11 Lg Electronics Inc. Hair dryer
USD1021238S1 (en) 2022-06-02 2024-04-02 Sharkninja Operating Llc Hair care appliance
USD1028352S1 (en) 2022-06-02 2024-05-21 Sharkninja Operating Llc Hair dryer concentrator
USD1028523S1 (en) 2022-06-02 2024-05-28 Sharkninja Operating Llc Hair care accessory

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2014100882A (ru) 2015-07-20
CN203538622U (zh) 2014-04-16
JP2014527454A (ja) 2014-10-16
CN103565078A (zh) 2014-02-12
JP5607864B1 (ja) 2014-10-15
WO2014024143A1 (en) 2014-02-13
RU2623958C2 (ru) 2017-06-29
EP2713806B1 (en) 2015-03-04
CN103565078B (zh) 2019-08-23
IN2014CN00453A (zh) 2015-04-03
EP2713806A1 (en) 2014-04-09

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