WO2024075037A1 - Appareil de soins capillaires comprenant un dispositif indicateur visuel - Google Patents

Appareil de soins capillaires comprenant un dispositif indicateur visuel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024075037A1
WO2024075037A1 PCT/IB2023/059961 IB2023059961W WO2024075037A1 WO 2024075037 A1 WO2024075037 A1 WO 2024075037A1 IB 2023059961 W IB2023059961 W IB 2023059961W WO 2024075037 A1 WO2024075037 A1 WO 2024075037A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
haircare
haircare appliance
indicator device
visual indicator
appliance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/059961
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nathan IMHASLY
Thomas Carlyle
Sally ASTON
Abigail STRINGER
Original Assignee
Dyson Technology Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dyson Technology Limited filed Critical Dyson Technology Limited
Publication of WO2024075037A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024075037A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D20/00—Hair drying devices; Accessories therefor
    • A45D20/04—Hot-air producers
    • A45D20/08—Hot-air producers heated electrically
    • A45D20/10—Hand-held drying devices, e.g. air douches
    • A45D20/12—Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a haircare appliance comprising a visual indicator device.
  • a haircare appliance may incorporate one or more visual indicator devices to indicate information associated with the haircare appliance, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance.
  • visual indicator devices may present challenges.
  • a haircare appliance comprising: a body having a central bore and an annular outlet configured to expel an airflow; and a visual indicator device located within the bore and configured to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance.
  • the visual indicator device allows for a user to be provided with information associated with the haircare appliance, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance.
  • the visual indicator device may therefore allow for an improved user-appliance interface.
  • the visual indicator device being located within the bore may allow a visual indicator device to be incorporated into the haircare appliance (a) without requiring significant modification of the packaging of the body of the haircare appliance itself and/or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective; and (b) without negatively affecting or impacting the expelled airflow.
  • An improved haircare appliance may therefore be provided for.
  • locating the visual indicator device within the bore may allow for visual indicator device to be relatively physically isolated from other components located in the body, such as a heater, which may reduce heat transfer and/or other interference from those components.
  • the visual indicator device is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface defining the bore to visually indicate the information. Illuminating at least a portion of a surface defining the bore may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a large area of the appliance and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface.
  • the at least a portion of the surface that the visual indicator device is configured to illuminate spans an internal perimeter of the surface.
  • the illuminated portion of the bore spanning an internal perimeter of the surface may allow to further increase the angles or perspectives from which the visual indication is visible. For example, this may produce a ring of illuminated surface, which ring may be visible from a wide variety of angles and perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface.
  • the visual indicator device comprises a light source and an optical element configured to direct light from the light source onto the at least a portion of the surface.
  • an optical element configured to direct light from the light source onto the surface may allow for the visual indication to be provided via the surface, for example spanning an internal perimeter of the surface, in an efficient manner. For example, this may be as compared to using multiple light sources each illuminating respective different parts of the surface. Efficient operation of the haircare appliance may therefore be provided for.
  • the optical element may comprise one or more of a reflective element such as a mirrored surface, a diffusive element such as frosted transparent material such as frosted plastic, and a lensing element such as a lens, and a dispersive element such as a prism.
  • the optical element comprises a diffusive element configured to diffuse light from the light source onto the at least a portion of the surface.
  • the visual indicator device comprises component configured to block or redirect a central portion of light emitted by the light source.
  • the central portion of the light emitted by the light source may be particularly bright. This may be uncomfortable for a user to look at directly. Blocking or redirecting this central portion while directing light to the surface may allow for the visual indication to be provided that is comfortable for a user to look at from any angle. Alternatively or additionally, blocking or redirecting the central portion may allow for the visual indication to be provided by relatively even illumination, and hence for the visual indication to be provided consistently, over a wide range of viewing angles and perspectives.
  • the component may comprise an opaque component configured to block a central portion of light emitted by the light source.
  • the component may comprise a component, such as a reflective component, configured to redirect a central portion of light emitted by the light source.
  • the optical element configured to direct light from the light source onto the at least a portion of the surface may also be configured to redirect the central portion of light emitted by the light source.
  • the optical element such as a reflective component, may redirect the central portion of light onto at least a portion of the surface.
  • At least a portion of the surface that is illuminated is reflective.
  • the surface that is illuminated being reflective may further increase the perceived illumination of the surface, and hence the effectiveness of the visual indication.
  • the surface being reflective may allow the intensity of the illumination (and hence the power consumed by the light source) to be decreased for a given effectiveness of visual indication. This may provide for an efficient haircare appliance.
  • the surface may be configured have specular or diffusive reflectivity. Diffusive reflectivity may provide for the visual indication to be visible from a wide range of angles or perspectives, and hence improve the appliance-user interface.
  • the reflective surface may comprise one or more of the part of the body comprising the surface being made from a reflective material; the surface being provided by a reflective coating on the body; and surface being treated to be reflective.
  • metal powders may be mixed into paints applied to the surface or into the material used to injection mould the body or a part thereof, thereby to provide a reflective surface.
  • the visual indicator device is located on a central axis of the bore.
  • the visual indicator device may allow that the visual indicator device is viewable equally from any one of a wide range of angles or perspectives. This may also help provide an even illumination of a surface defining the bore, and hence for a more consistent visual indication. This may also provide that the visual indicator device is relatively physically isolated from other components of the haircare appliance such as a heater. This may help prevent the visual indicator device from overheating. This may also help reduce the likelihood of hotspots forming on particular parts of the visual indicator device, which may help the visual indicator device from overheating.
  • the visual indicator device is configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction in which the airflow is expelled.
  • the visual indication device may be configured to provide the visual indication in the same direction as the expelled airflow.
  • the visual indication comprises one or more of a colour, intensity, and modulation of light emitted by the visual indication device.
  • the visual indicator device may emit light when sensor-based control features are activated by the user (for example via a control interface).
  • An intensity of the light may indicate a current flow level, and a colour of the light may indicate a current heat level.
  • a colour and/or intensity of light emitted by the visual indicator device may change when the presence of hair is detected, which may also correspond to a change in operational state of the haircare appliance, such as a change to higher airflow and heat settings.
  • a steady intensity may indicate that the haircare appliance is in a full performance mode, and a pulsed or modulated intensity may indicate that the haircare appliance is in an idle mode.
  • the visual indicator device comprises a Light Emitting Diode to provide the visual indication.
  • a Light Emitting Diode may provide a relatively simple and relatively low power consuming means by which to provide the visual indication.
  • the LED may be a ‘Red-Green-Blue-White’ (RGBW) LED, which may be controllable to emit light in a wide range of colours, intensities, and modulations.
  • RGBW Red-Green-Blue-White
  • the information associated with the haircare appliance comprises information associated with a sensor of the haircare appliance, and wherein the visual indicator device is provided in part of the haircare appliance including the sensor.
  • a sensor and the visual indicator device may be provided by a common part of the haircare appliance, such as a housing or capsule located in the bore.
  • the visual indicator may be visually associated with the sensor part.
  • the information associated with the sensor may be intuitively associated with the sensor part.
  • the information associated with the sensor may be one or more of an operational state of the sensor and a sensed property.
  • the sensed property may be a property of hair to which the haircare appliance is being applied.
  • locating the sensor in a part located in the bore may allow for the sensor to be relatively physically isolated from the rest of the haircare appliance, which may in turn reduce heat transfer or other interference, which may improve sensor function.
  • the information associated with the haircare appliance comprises an operational state of the haircare appliance.
  • Indicating an operational state of the haircare appliance may allow a user to visually determine a current working state of the haircare appliance. This may, in turn, provide an improved user-appliance interface. For example, this may allow a user to visually confirm that the haircare device is in a particular state, for example the state that the user believes that they have controlled the haircare appliance to be in. As another example, being provided with the current working state of the haircare appliance, the user may be better placed to decide how to control the haircare appliance to be in a desired operational state.
  • the visual indication conveys that the haircare appliance is in a Tow airflow level’ state, and the user desires the airflow level to increase
  • the user can readily appreciate that this can be achieved by controlling the haircare appliance to be in a ‘high airflow level’ state.
  • the operational state of the haircare appliance being provided by the visual indication device may reduce or remove the need for this information to be communicated in other ways (such as by other indicators or by dials). This may, in turn, provide for a more efficient interface and/or free up packaging volume within the haircare appliance that may otherwise have been taken up by such other indicators or dials.
  • the operational state may comprise one or more of a ‘sensor activated’ state; a heater level or setting; an airflow level or setting; an active or performance state; an idle or sleep state; a ‘hair detected’ state; and an error or fault or maintenance state.
  • the information associated with the haircare appliance comprises a property sensed by the haircare appliance.
  • the haircare appliance may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of the haircare appliance itself.
  • the property of the haircare appliance may be its motion or orientation, for example as determined using an accelerometer.
  • the haircare appliance may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of hair (or another target) to which it is being applied.
  • the property may comprise one or more of the presence of hair; distance of hair from the haircare appliance; temperature of the hair; and moisture level of the hair.
  • the visual indication device is configured to change the visual indication in response to a change in the operational state and/or sensed property.
  • the change in visual indication comprises one or more of a change in colour, intensity, and modulation of light emitted by the visual indication device.
  • the visual indicator device is housed in a capsule connected to the body by a support member.
  • the capsule may be connected to the main body by a single rib, which may minimise the heat transferred from the main body to the capsule and hence the visual indicator device. This may, in turn, help prevent the visual indicator from overheating, which may, in turn, improve the operational lifespan of the visual indicator device, such as an LED.
  • the capsule also houses a sensor arrangement.
  • the sensor arrangement may be configured to sense a property, for example a property of hair proximate the haircare appliance and/or a property of the haircare appliance itself.
  • Including the visual indicator device in a capsule that also houses a sensor arrangement may allow for both the sensor arrangement and the visual indicator device to be incorporated into the haircare appliance without requiring significant modification of the packaging of the haircare appliance and/or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective. Further, this may allow that heat and/or other interference sensitive equipment can be included together in the capsule and hence be relatively physically isolated from the body of the haircare appliance.
  • the capsule is elongate in a direction parallel to that of the expelled airflow.
  • a haircare appliance comprising: a body having a central bore and an annular outlet configured to expel an airflow; and a visual indicator device configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface defining the bore to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance.
  • the visual indicator device allows for a user to be provided with information associated with the haircare appliance, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance.
  • the visual indicator device may therefore allow for an improved user-appliance interface. Illuminating at least a portion of a surface defining the bore may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a large area of the appliance and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface.
  • the visual indicator device is located in the bore. For example, light may be directed from a light source onto the surface thereby to illuminate the surface.
  • a portion of the body having the at least a portion of the surface defining the bore may be transparent, and the visual indicator device may be located in the body.
  • the visual indicator device may back-illuminate the portion of the body, thereby to illuminate the surface.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a haircare appliance according to an example
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view of the example haircare appliance
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial front view of the example haircare appliance
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross sectional view of the example haircare appliance
  • Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the example haircare appliance
  • Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detail of the side cross sectional view of Figure 4.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross sectional view of a visual indicator device according to another example.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a haircare appliance according to yet another example.
  • the haircare appliance 102 comprises a body 104 having a central bore 334 and an annular outlet 108 configured to expel an airflow 109.
  • the haircare appliance 102 also comprises a visual indicator device 367 located within the bore 334 and configured to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102.
  • Locating the visual indicator device 367 within the bore 334 may allow a visual indicator device 367 to be incorporated into the haircare appliance 102 without (a) requiring significant modification of the packaging of the body 104 of the haircare appliance 102 itself and/or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective; and (b) without negatively affecting or impacting the expelled airflow 109.
  • the expelled airflow 109 may be heated.
  • locating the visual indicator device 367 within the bore 334 may allow for the visual indicator device 367 to be located away from a heated airflow 109 or other components such as a heater 330 of the haircare appliance 102 which may otherwise interfere or degrade the visual indicator device 367. This may, in turn, reduce heat protection or other protection that may otherwise be needed for the visual indicator device 367 and/or allow for a visual indicator device 367 that may be damaged or otherwise negatively affected by heat or other interference to nonetheless be used.
  • the visual indicator device 367 comprises a light source 660, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
  • Light 668 emitted by the light source 660 is the means by which the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 is visually indicated, for example to a user (not shown).
  • the visual indicator device 367 therefore allows for a user to be provided with information associated with the haircare appliance 102, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance 102 and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance 102.
  • the visual indication may comprise one or more of a colour, intensity, and modulation of light 668 emitted by the visual indication device 367. This may allow for different combinations of different operational states and/or sensed properties to be visually indicated, but with a relatively simple visual indication device 367, such as a single light source 660.
  • the haircare appliance 102 is a hairdryer.
  • the main body or body 104 of the haircare appliance 102 comprises a handle section 110 and a barrel section 106.
  • the handle section 110 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a housing 337 that houses an airflow generator 332.
  • the housing 337 comprises an inlet 112 through which an airflow is drawn into the handle section 110 by the airflow generator 332, and an outlet 350 through which the airflow is discharged into the barrel section 106.
  • the airflow generator 332 may comprise, for example, a fan driven by an electric motor.
  • the barrel section 106 is likewise generally cylindrical in shape, but is shorter in length and wider in diameter than the handle section 112.
  • the barrel section 106 is attached to an end of the handle section 110 and is oriented such that the longitudinal axes of the handle section 110 and the barrel section 106 are orthogonal. As a result, the shape of the body 104 resembles a gavel or mallet.
  • the barrel section 106 comprises a housing 301 that houses a heater 330 and a control module 315.
  • the housing 301 comprises an outer wall 301a and an inner wall 301b that are generally concentric and define a chamber, specifically an annular chamber, within which the heater 330 and the control module 315 are housed.
  • the heater 330 is generally annular in shape.
  • the housing 301 comprises an inlet 351 through which airflow from the handle section 110 enters the chamber, and the annular outlet 108 at an end of the barrel section 104 through which the airflow 109 is discharged.
  • the heater 330 is located between the inlet 351 and the outlet 108 and, when powered, heats the airflow.
  • the inner wall 301b defines the bore 334 that extends through the centre of the barrel section 106.
  • the inner wall 301b is generally annular in shape, and the central bore 334 defined thereby is generally cylindrical in shape.
  • the central bore 334 extends along the axis A of the barrel section 106 of the body 104.
  • the bore 334 is an open bore in the sense that it passes all the way through the body 104 and is open at both ends. For example, the bore 334 is not covered at either end.
  • the body 104 further comprises user controls 222, 224, 226, 227, 228.
  • the user controls 222, 224, 226, 227 228 are provided on both the handle section 110 and the barrel section 106, and comprise a first button 226 or slider to power on and off the appliance 102, a second button 228 to momentarily power off the heater 330 such that the appliance 102 delivers a cold shot of air, a third button 222 to control the flow rate of the airflow, a fourth button 224 to control the temperature of the airflow, and a fifth button 227 to activate and deactivate sensor functionality provided by the haircare appliance 102.
  • the control module 315 may control electric components 332, 330, 361 in response to user controls.
  • the control module 315 may power on and off the airflow generator 332 and/or the heater 330. Additionally, the control module 315 may control the power or speed of the airflow generator 332 in order to vary the flow rate of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the third button 228 may cause the control module 315 to cycle through different flow rates (e.g., low, medium and high). Similarly, the control module 315 may control the power of the heater 330 in order to vary the temperature of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the fourth button 224 may cause the control module 315 to cycle through different temperature settings (e.g., cold, warm, hot).
  • different temperature settings e.g., cold, warm, hot.
  • Activating the sensor functionally via the fifth button 227 may cause the control module 315 to receive sensor data from a sensor arrangement 220 and control, for example automatically control, the flow rate and/or temperature setting in accordance with the sensor data.
  • the sensor arrangement 220 may be configured to sense a proximity of hair to the haircare appliance 102.
  • the control module 315 may be configured to, when the sensor data indicates that hair is within a given proximity to the haircare appliance, control the appliance 102 according to a ‘hair detected’ state. For example, this may comprise controlling the heater 330 to increase the heat setting and/or control the airflow generator 332 to increase the flow rate.
  • the outlet 108 is annular and is configured to expel the airflow 109.
  • the airflow is expelled in the form of an annular column 109.
  • the annular outlet 108 may be continuous or discontinuous.
  • the haircare appliance 102 may comprise thin ribs 107 connecting the outer wall 301a and the inner wall 301b and which cross the annular outlet 108.
  • the annular outlet 108 may be described as discontinuous, but nonetheless is an annular outlet 108.
  • the annular outlet 108 may be described as continuous.
  • the annular column 109 of expelled airflow may take different forms.
  • the annular column 109 may take the general form of a hollow cylinder. However, other forms may be used. For example, as perhaps best seen in Figure 4, the sides of the annular column 109 may be angled towards a central axis A of the barrel section 106 of the main body 104. In this case, the annular column 109 may be said to take the form of a hollow frustrum of a cone. In the illustrated example, the annular outlet 108 and accordingly the annular column 109 of expelled airflow are circular. This may provide, for example, for an even airflow and hence even drying.
  • the inner wall 301b is circular and accordingly the bore 334 is cylindrical.
  • annular outlet 108 and annular column 109 and/or the inner wall 301b need not necessarily be circular and for example may take the form of other shapes, such as any polygonal annular outlet (not shown) and/or any polygonal annular column (not shown) and/or any polygonal annular inner wall (not shown) defining a bore having any polygonal cross section (not shown).
  • the outlet 108 may be annular in the sense that the outlet is in the form of a ring or loop (of some shape) with a central hole and/or part where the outlet 108 is not provided (in the illustrated example the central hole and/or part where the outlet 108 is not provided is formed of the inner wall 310b and the bore 334).
  • the airflow generated by and within the haircare appliance 102 and which is to be expelled from the haircare appliance 102 may not be provided to or in this central hole or part 310b, 334.
  • the column of air 109 that is expelled may be annular in the sense that the column of expelled air 109 has a central hole where the expelled airflow 109 is not present.
  • the airflow generated by and within the haircare appliance 102 and which is expelled from the haircare appliance 102 at the outlet 108 is not present in this central hole.
  • the visual indicator device 367 located in the bore 334 is not in the path of the airflow 109 generated by and within the haircare appliance 102 and which is to be expelled from the haircare appliance from the annular outlet 108. Accordingly, the visual indicator device 367 does not interfere with the generated airflow, which may provide for efficient operation of the haircare appliance 102.
  • the visual indicator device 367 is located within the bore 334.
  • the visual indicator device 367 is located on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108 (which in the illustrated example is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel section 106 of the main body 104). In other examples visual indicator device 367 may be placed anywhere within the bore 334.
  • the visual indicator device 367 is provided or housed in a capsule 338.
  • the capsule 338 also houses the sensor arrangement 220.
  • the capsule 338 is connected to the body 104, and specifically the inner wall 301b of the barrel section 106, by a support member 335. This arrangement may allow for minimal heat to be transferred from main body 104, such as the heater 330 thereof, to the capsule 338.
  • the capsule 338 may be connected to the main body 104 by a single rib 335, which may minimise the heat transferred from the main body 104 to the capsule 338.
  • the capsule 338 may be elongate in a direction D parallel that of the expelled airflow 109.
  • the support member 335 also provides a conduit for electrical connections between the body 104 and the visual indicator device 367 and/or sensor arrangement 220.
  • the electrical connections may be used for communicating sensor data from the sensors of the sensor arrangement 220 to the control module 315, powering the sensor arrangement 220 and/or the visual indicator device 367, and/or controlling the sensor arrangement 220 and/or the visual indicator device 367.
  • the sensor arrangement 220 may be configured to sense in the same direction D as the expelled airflow 109, and the visual indicator device 367 may be configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D of the expelled airflow, for example both along the same central axis A of the bore, but in opposite directions. This may help provide that the sensor is aligned with the expelled airflow 109 (and hence the target of the airflow), whilst also allowing that a visual indication may be provided to a user.
  • This arrangement may also improve packaging of the capsule 338, and hence may allow for a capsule 338 with a relatively small diameter to be provided.
  • the visual indicator device 367 comprises a light source 660.
  • the light source 660 is configured to emit light 668, 664 to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102.
  • the visual indicator device 367 is configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D in which the airflow 109 is expelled. This may allow a user to view the visual indication without an expelled airflow 109 being directed at the user.
  • the light source 660 is configured to emit light 668, 664 in the direction opposite to the direction D in which the airflow 109 is expelled.
  • the light source 660 may be, for example, an LED.
  • An LED may provide a relatively simple and relatively low power consuming means by which to provide the visual indication.
  • the LED may be a ‘Red-Green-Blue-White’ (RGBW) LED, which may be controllable to emit light in a wide range of colours, intensities, and modulations. This may allow for different combinations of different operational states and/or sensed properties to be visually indicated, but with a relatively simple visual indication device, such as a single light source.
  • RGBW Red-Green-Blue-White
  • the visual indicator device 367 is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface 370 defining the bore 340 to visually indicate the information.
  • a haircare appliance 102 comprising a body 104 having a central bore 334 and an annular outlet 108 configured to expel an airflow 109; and a visual indicator device 367 configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface 370 defining the bore 340 to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102.
  • the bore 334 is defined by the exterior surface 370 of the inner wall 301b of the body 104.
  • Illuminating at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 340 may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a relatively large area 370 of the appliance 102 and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface. For example, even from a perspective where the visual indicator device 367 is itself not visible to a user, the illuminated portion of the surface 370 may nonetheless be visible to the user. In the illustrated example, the portion of the surface 370 that the visual indicator device is configured to illuminate spans an internal perimeter of the surface 370. That is, in this example, light is directed all the way around the generally cylindrical surface 370 defining the bore 340, and accordingly a ring of illuminated surface 370 is provided. This ring may be visible from a wide variety of angles and perspectives.
  • the visual indicator device 367 comprises an optical element 574 configured to direct light 668 from the light source 660 onto the at least a portion of the surface 370. This may allow for the visual indication to be provided via the surface 370 in an efficient manner. For example, this may be as compared to using multiple light sources each illuminating respective different parts of the surface.
  • the optical element 574 forms part of the protective housing provided by the capsule 228.
  • the optical element 574 is positioned in front of the light source 660.
  • the optical element 574 is annular (and generally circular) in shape and co-axial with the optical axis of the light source 660.
  • the optical element 574 comprises a diffusive element 574 configured to diffuse light 668 from the light source onto the surface 370.
  • the diffusive element 574 may be provided by frosted transparent material such as frosted plastic.
  • Using a diffuse optical element 574 may allow for the light 668 to be directed evenly over a relatively large area of the surface 370. This may allow for the area of illumination to be maximised in an efficient way.
  • light 668 emitted by the light source 660 is diffused by the diffusive element 574 into diffused light 670 which illuminates the surface 370. This diffused light in turn may reflect or otherwise be scattered from the surface 370 to provide scattered light 672 which exits the bore 334, and which may be visible to a user.
  • the optical element 574 may comprise one or more of a reflective element such as a mirrored surface, a lensing element such as a lens, and a dispersive element such as a prism, for example.
  • the visual indicator device comprises a blocking component 662 configured to block a central portion 664 of light emitted by the light source 660.
  • the blocking component 662 masks or occludes a central portion of the field-of-illumination (FOI) of the light source 660.
  • FOI field-of-illumination
  • the central portion 664 of the light emitted by the light source 660 such as light emitted along the optical axis an LED, may be particularly bright. This may be uncomfortable for a user to look at directly. Blocking this central portion 664 while directing light 668 to the surface 370 may allow for the visual indication to be provided that is comfortable for a user to look at from any angle. Alternatively or additionally, blocking the central portion 664 may allow for the visual indication to be provided by relatively even illumination, and hence for the visual indication to be provided consistently, over a wide range of viewing angles and perspectives.
  • the blocking component 662 comprises an opaque component 662, for example an opaque plastic element 662.
  • the blocking component 662 is placed directly in front of the light source 660, and is coaxial with the optical axis of the light source 660.
  • the blocking component 662 has the general shape of a cone, whose base faces towards the light source.
  • the blocking component 662 is received into hole or bore within the annular optical element 574.
  • the optical element 574 provides a conduit via which light 668 can escape the capsule 338 and be directed onto the surface 370 defining the bore 340.
  • the optical element 574 is visible from a head on back view (such as that in Figure 2) as well as from some perspective views (such as that in Figure 5).
  • the visual indication may also be provided by light scattered, e.g. diffused, directly from the optical element 574 to the user’s eye (e.g. without necessarily being reflected from the surface 370).
  • This may have the appearance of an illuminated ring, and may provide for effective visual indication, for example even in situations with relatively bright ambient light levels.
  • the surface 370 that is illuminated may be reflective. This may further increase the perceived illumination of the surface 370, and hence the effectiveness of the visual indication.
  • the surface being reflective may allow for the intensity of the illumination (and hence the power consumed by the light source) to be decreased for a given effectiveness of visual indication.
  • the surface 370 may be configured have specular or diffusive reflectivity. Diffusive reflectivity may provide for the visual indication to be visible from a wide range of angles or perspectives, and hence improve the appliance-user interface.
  • the reflective surface 370 may be provided by the inner wall 331b (or an external surface 370 thereof) of the body 104 being made from a reflective material.
  • the reflectivity may be provided by providing a reflective coating the inner wall 331b of the body 104.
  • the reflectivity may be provided by treating the surface 370 to be reflective.
  • metal powders may be mixed into paints or other coatings applied to the surface 370, or into the material used to injection mould the body 104 or a part 33 lb thereof, thereby to provide a reflective surface 370.
  • the visual indicator device 367 is located on the central axis A of the bore 334. This may allow that the visual indicator device 367 is viewable equally from any one of a wide range of angles or perspectives. This may also help provide an even illumination of the surface 370 defining the bore 334, and hence for a more consistent visual indication. This may also provide that the visual indicator device is relatively physically isolated from other components of the haircare appliance 102 such as the heater 330. This may help prevent the visual indicator device 367 from overheating. This may also help reduce the likelihood of hotspots forming on particular parts of the visual indicator device 367, which may help prevent the visual indicator device 367 from overheating. In the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D in which the airflow 109 is expelled. This may allow a user to view the visual indication without an expelled airflow being directed at the user.
  • the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 that is visually indicated may comprise an operational state of the haircare appliance 102. Indicating an operational state of the haircare appliance may allow a user to visually determine a current working state of the haircare appliance. Further, the operational state of the haircare appliance being provided by the visual indication device 367 may reduce or remove the need for this information to be communicated in other ways (such as by other indicators or by dials).
  • the haircare appliance 102 comprises indicators 221, 223.
  • the first indicator 221 displays a present air flow level of the hair care appliance 102
  • the second indicator 223 displays a present heater level of the haircare appliance 102.
  • the operational state of the haircare appliance 102 may be determined by the control module 315.
  • the control module 315 may, in turn, control the visual indicator device 367 to visually indicate the operational state.
  • the operational state may comprise one or more of a heater level or setting; an airflow level or setting; an active or performance state; an idle or sleep state; and an error or fault or maintenance state.
  • the colour of the light emitted by the visual indicator device 367 may correspond to the present heater level selected, the intensity of the light may correspond to the present air flow level selection, a steady light may correspond to the appliance 102 being in a full performance state, a pulsed or modulated light may correspond to the appliance 102 being in an idle state, and a differently modulated light (e.g. more rapid pulsed light) may correspond to an error state.
  • an idle state may be automatically detected by the control module 315 by detection, e.g. using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), that the appliance 102 has been put down.
  • IMU Inertial Measurement Unit
  • the modulation of the light may be a change in intensity or brightness for example an idle mode may be indicated by a reduction in intensity or brightness that may last until the product is powered off or re-activated in which case the light could be turned off or fully on respectively.
  • the modulation may be a pulsing of the light which may change in frequency over time and the pulsing may be between and on and off state for the visual indicator or between two other intensities.
  • the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 may comprise a property sensed by the haircare appliance 102.
  • the property may be sensed by the sensor arrangement 220. This may, for example, inform how the user should move or control the haircare appliance 102, for example in order to get a desired result.
  • the haircare appliance 102 e.g. the sensor arrangement 220 thereof
  • the haircare appliance 102 may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of the haircare appliance 102 itself.
  • the property may be the motion or orientation of the haircare appliance 102, for example as determined using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
  • IMU Inertial Measurement Unit
  • the IMU may be part of the sensor arrangement 220 located in the capsule 338.
  • the property may be which type of attachment (not shown) is attached to the body 104 of the haircare appliance 102.
  • the haircare appliance 102 e.g. the sensor arrangement 220 thereof
  • the haircare appliance 102 may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of hair 404 (or another target) to which the haircare appliance 102 is being applied.
  • the property may comprise one or more of the presence of hair 404; distance of hair from the haircare appliance 102; temperature of the hair 404; and moisture level of the hair 404.
  • the presence of hair 404 (or another target object) and/or the distance of hair from the haircare appliance 102 may be determined, for example, using a Time-Of- Flight sensor.
  • the temperature of the hair 404 may be determined, for example, using a remote temperature measurement device such as an infrared thermometer.
  • the moisture level of the hair 404 may be determined, for example, using a moisture level measurement device such as a relative humidity sensor. Other properties and other sensors may be used. Locating the sensor arrangement on the axis A may help ensure that the sensors thereof may be well aligned with the expelled airflow 109 and hence with the target of that airflow 109 such as a user’s hair 404.
  • the sensor arrangement 220 comprises a sensor 361 configured to sense a property of hair proximate the haircare appliance 102.
  • the sensor 361 is a proximity sensor 361, and specifically a Time-Of-Flight sensor 361, configured to sense a proximity of hair 404 to the haircare appliance 102.
  • the TOF sensor 361 emits emissions 440 (e.g. photons of electromagnetic radiation or acoustic pulses) and receives reflected emissions 440, which have been reflected and returned to the TOF sensor 361.
  • a processor determines time differences between emitting and receiving the emissions and from this calculates a distance between the TOF sensor 361 and a target responsible for the reflected emissions.
  • the processor then outputs this distance data to the control module 315.
  • the TOF sensor 361 may be used to sense the proximity of a user’s head or other object to the haircare appliance 102.
  • the control module 315 may be configured to turn the light source 660 on when a user presses the fifth button 227 to activate the sensor functionality of the appliance 102.
  • a proximity sensor e.g. the TOF sensor 361 of the sensor arrangement 220 may thereby be activated to measure a proximity of the appliance 102 to the user’s hair (or other target).
  • the control module 315 may be configured to, when the sensor data indicates that hair is within a given proximity to the haircare appliance 102, control the light source 660 of the visual indicator device 367 to increase the intensity of the light emitted by the light source 660 to indicate to the user that it has been sensed that hair is proximate to the haircare appliance 102. This may also correspond to the control module 315 causing the appliance to operate in a ‘hair detected’ state, which may, for example, comprise controlling the heater 330 to increase the heat setting and/or control the airflow generator 332 to increase the flow rate.
  • the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 comprises information associated with a sensor of the sensor arrangement 220, and the visual indicator device 367 is provided in a part of the haircare appliance 102 including sensor arrangement 202 (in these examples, the capsule 338).
  • the visual indicator device 367 is provided in a part of the haircare appliance 102 including sensor arrangement 202 (in these examples, the capsule 338).
  • the information associated with the sensor may be intuitively associated with the sensor arrangement 220.
  • the information associated with the sensor may be one or more of an operational state of the sensor and a sensed property.
  • the operational state may be “sensor activated” where the functionally provided by the sensor arrangement 220 is provided or “sensor deactivated” where it is not.
  • the sensed property may be a property of hair 404 to which the haircare appliance 102 is being applied.
  • the visual indicator device 367 may provide feedback to the user on a property (e.g. the proximity of the haircare appliance to a target) as sensed by the sensor arrangement 220. Mounting of this feedback source 367 proximal to the sensor arrangement 220 may create an intuitive association between the output of the visual indicator device 367 and the related sensing functionality. This may in turn improve user experience and ease of effective use of the appliance 102. Locating the sensor arrangement 220 in the capsule 338 in the bore 334 may allow for the sensor(s) thereof to be relatively physically isolated from the rest of the haircare appliance 102 (including e.g. the heater 330), which may in turn reduce heat transfer or other interference, which may improve sensor function.
  • the visual indication device 367 (and/or the control module 315) may be configured to change the visual indication in response to a change in the operational state and/or sensed property.
  • a change in operational state and/or a change in sensed property may be indicated by a change in one or more of a colour, intensity, and modulation of light emitted by the light source 660.
  • the optical component 574 comprised a diffusive component.
  • a visual indicator device 367’ there is illustrated a visual indicator device 367’ according to another example.
  • the visual indicator device 367’ may be the same as or similar to the visual indicator device 367 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and it may be used in the same way as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, however in the example of Figure 7, the optical component 574’ of the visual indicator device 367’ comprises a reflective component 574’.
  • the reflective component 574’ is configured to direct light 668, 664 emitted from the light source 660 to illuminate the surface defining the bore (not shown in Figure 7).
  • the reflective component 574’ comprises a reflective surface 575 that is included with respect to the optical axis of the light source 660.
  • the reflective component 574’ may be conical in shape, with the point of the cone pointing towards the light source 660 along the optical axis of the light source 660. This reflects light 664, 668 emitted by the light source 660 onto the surface defining the bore (not shown in Figure 7).
  • the reflective component 574’ also acts as a blocking component 662’, as it is configured to redirect a central portion 664 of light emitted by the light source 660.
  • the central portion 664 of light may be redirected to the surface 370 defining the bore, and/or back within the capsule 338.
  • the optical element 574’ 662’ configured to direct light from the light source 660 onto the at least a portion of the surface may also be configured to redirect the central portion 664 of light emitted by the light source 660.
  • the visual indication device 367 could be arranged in different ways to provide the visual indication to the user only via the illumination of the surface 370, only via light provided directly (e.g. without reflecting from the surface 370), or some combination of these (as per the illustrated example).
  • the visual indication device 367 comprises a light source 660, which in the above examples is in the form of a single LED. However, in other examples, other light sources 660 may be used.
  • the light source 660 may be provided by an array of LEDs.
  • the visual indicator device 367 may comprise a plurality of LEDs or other lights configured to illuminate at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 340 and/or emit light out of the bore 334.
  • the visual indicator device 367 may comprise a display screen, such as a colour display screen, configured to visually indicate the information.
  • the display screen may be configured to display information, for example in the form of alphanumeric symbols.
  • the light source 660 need not necessarily illuminate the surface 370 defining the bore 334, and may, for example, only emit light directly out of the bore 340.
  • the visual indication device 367 is configured to provide the visual indication in a general direction opposite the direction D of the expelled airflow 109.
  • the visual indication device may be configured to provide the visual indication alternatively or additionally in the general direction D of the expelled airflow 109.
  • the visual indicator device may comprise a light source configured to emit light in a general direction D of the expelled airflow 109.
  • the visual indication device may be configured to emit light out of the bore 334 in the direction of the expelled airflow D so as to illuminate at least a portion of a target (such as a person’s hair). In this case, for example, the visual indication may be provided to a user via the illumination of the target.
  • the visual indicator device 367, 367’ was located within the bore 334 of the body 104 of the haircare appliance 102. However, in other examples, this may not necessarily be the case.
  • Figure 8 there is illustrated a haircare appliance 102” according to another example. The functions and features of the haircare device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 may be the same or similar to those of the haircare device 102” of Figure 8.
  • a haircare appliance 102 comprising a body 104 having a central bore 334 and an annular outlet 108 configured to expel an airflow 109; and a visual indicator device 367” configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface 370 defining the bore 340 to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102.
  • a portion 301b” of the body 104 having the at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 334 is transparent, and the visual indicator device 367” is located in the body 104.
  • the visual indicator device 367 back-illuminates the portion 301b” of the body 104, thereby to illuminate the surface 370.
  • the visual indicator device 367 comprises an array (as illustrated six) of light sources 660”, such as LEDs, distributed around the perimeter of the inner wall 301b” in a circular pattern.
  • the light sources 660” are each configured to emit light through the transparent (which may include partially transparent, such as frosted) inner wall 301b” so as to illuminate the surface 370 defining the bore. This may allow for information associated with the haircare appliance 102”, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance 102 and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance 102, to be visually indicated to the user.
  • illuminating at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 334 may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a large area of the appliance 102 and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface.
  • the transparent portion of the inner wall 301b” may be made from transparent (including frosted) injection moulded plastic, for example.
  • the light sources 660’ ’ may be provided, for example, by RGBW LEDs, which may be controlled by a control module 315 to each provide different colours, intensities, and modulations, in order to visually indicate the information a user. Although six light sources 660” are shown, in other examples any number of light sources 660” may be used.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil de soins capillaires comprenant un corps qui présente un orifice central et une sortie annulaire conçue pour faire sortir un flux d'air. L'appareil de soins capillaires comprend un dispositif indicateur visuel situé à l'intérieur de l'orifice et conçu pour indiquer visuellement des informations associées à l'appareil de soins capillaires.
PCT/IB2023/059961 2022-10-07 2023-10-04 Appareil de soins capillaires comprenant un dispositif indicateur visuel WO2024075037A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2214732.6A GB2623115A (en) 2022-10-07 2022-10-07 Haircare appliance with a visual indicator device
GB2214732.6 2022-10-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024075037A1 true WO2024075037A1 (fr) 2024-04-11

Family

ID=84817990

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2023/059961 WO2024075037A1 (fr) 2022-10-07 2023-10-04 Appareil de soins capillaires comprenant un dispositif indicateur visuel

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2623115A (fr)
WO (1) WO2024075037A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2929799A1 (fr) * 2014-04-11 2015-10-14 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Soufflante de chauffage
WO2018021309A1 (fr) * 2016-07-29 2018-02-01 日立マクセル株式会社 Sèche-cheveux
JP2019025143A (ja) * 2017-08-01 2019-02-21 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 ヘアドライヤー
WO2021071061A2 (fr) * 2019-10-08 2021-04-15 엘지전자 주식회사 Sèche-cheveux
WO2021228169A1 (fr) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 追觅科技(上海)有限公司 Ventilateur et sèche-cheveux électrique
WO2022085527A1 (fr) * 2020-10-19 2022-04-28 シャープ株式会社 Sèche-cheveux

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6285828B1 (en) * 2000-05-23 2001-09-04 Helen Of Troy Infrared hair dryer heater
ITMI20010566U1 (it) * 2001-10-25 2003-04-25 Troletti Adriano Apparecchio asciugacapelli, ad elevata praticita' di impiego
US10835007B2 (en) * 2017-07-14 2020-11-17 Spectrum Brands, Inc. Hair dryer
KR102584430B1 (ko) * 2018-09-19 2023-09-27 엘지전자 주식회사 드라이어
KR102326703B1 (ko) * 2019-10-08 2021-11-16 엘지전자 주식회사 헤어 드라이어

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2929799A1 (fr) * 2014-04-11 2015-10-14 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Soufflante de chauffage
WO2018021309A1 (fr) * 2016-07-29 2018-02-01 日立マクセル株式会社 Sèche-cheveux
JP2019025143A (ja) * 2017-08-01 2019-02-21 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 ヘアドライヤー
WO2021071061A2 (fr) * 2019-10-08 2021-04-15 엘지전자 주식회사 Sèche-cheveux
WO2021228169A1 (fr) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 追觅科技(上海)有限公司 Ventilateur et sèche-cheveux électrique
WO2022085527A1 (fr) * 2020-10-19 2022-04-28 シャープ株式会社 Sèche-cheveux

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2623115A (en) 2024-04-10
GB202214732D0 (en) 2022-11-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11859807B2 (en) Vanity mirror
US11314298B2 (en) Heat dissipating device having colored lighting and persistence effect
TWI776261B (zh) 吹風機及用於吹風機的擴散器
US20150060431A1 (en) Anti-fogging mirrors and methods
KR20210126348A (ko) 디퓨저 및 이를 포함하는 헤어드라이어
JP2011025028A5 (fr)
JP7535541B2 (ja) 動作状態を示す光インジケータを備えた携帯型パーソナルケア装置
TW202137912A (zh) 擴散器及具有擴散器的吹風機
KR101850420B1 (ko) 표시부를 갖는 배식대
US20040070513A1 (en) Multicolor function indicator light
WO2024075037A1 (fr) Appareil de soins capillaires comprenant un dispositif indicateur visuel
EP2426405B1 (fr) Module d'éclairage avec couleurs variables et lampe
WO2010000822A1 (fr) Appareil de chauffage soufflant électrique portatif
GB2623324A (en) Haircare appliance with a sensor-emitter arrangement
US20230134292A1 (en) Home appliance and refrigerator
GB2624433A (en) An appliance

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 23786760

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1