WO2024256918A1 - A diffuser - Google Patents

A diffuser Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024256918A1
WO2024256918A1 PCT/IB2024/055489 IB2024055489W WO2024256918A1 WO 2024256918 A1 WO2024256918 A1 WO 2024256918A1 IB 2024055489 W IB2024055489 W IB 2024055489W WO 2024256918 A1 WO2024256918 A1 WO 2024256918A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
diffuser
hair styling
array
air inlet
airflow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2024/055489
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jacob PARMENTER
Nathan IMHASLY
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.)
Dyson Technology Ltd
Original Assignee
Dyson Technology Ltd
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 Ltd filed Critical Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority to CN202480038127.4A priority Critical patent/CN121335648A/en
Publication of WO2024256918A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024256918A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A45D20/122—Diffusers, e.g. for variable air flow

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a diffuser for attachment to a hair styling appliance.
  • a diffuser is attachable to an airflow outlet of a hair styling appliance, such as a hair dryer or hot air styler, and functions to diffuse the airflow over a wider area before it is incident upon the user’s hair.
  • a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a diffuser for attachment to an air outlet of a hair styling appliance, comprising: an air inlet for receiving airflow from the hair styling appliance, an array of air outlets for discharging the airflow, the air outlets being arrayed over an area that is larger than an area of the air inlet, an airflow path extending between the air inlet and the array of air outlets, and a plurality of vanes located in the airflow path, wherein a centroidal axis of the air inlet is offset from a centre position of the array of air outlets, and the vanes are arranged to encounter airflow flowing along the centroidal axis and deflect the airflow towards the centre position of the array of air outlets.
  • the diffuser may thus usefully disperse the airflow received at the air inlet across the large area of the array of air outlets.
  • the larger area and hence larger diameter of the array of air outlets compared to the area of the air inlet may tend to inhibit the hair styling appliance from laying flat on a work surface, such as a tabletop, when placed thereon.
  • a work surface such as a tabletop
  • the diffuser may lift an end of the hair styling appliance to which it is attached. This may undesirably reduce the stability of the hair styling appliance when placed on the work surface, which could cause the hair styling appliance to wobble or roll on the work surface, and potentially fall from the work surface.
  • the presently disclosed diffuser may desirably address the above issue because rather than being concentric, the air inlet is offset from the centre point of the array of air outlets towards a periphery of the array of air outlets. Consequently, the extent to which the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet is reduced, at least to one side, compared to a concentric configuration. As a result, the extent to which the hair styling appliance is lifted by the diffuser when attached may be reduced, and as such the tendency of the appliance to rock and roll when placed on a work surface with the diffuser attached may be reduced.
  • offsetting the air inlet from the centre of the area of the air outlet array may undesirably also offset the airflow towards the periphery of the array of air outlets.
  • the vanes counteract this effect by intercepting the influent airflow and deflecting the airflow towards the centre of the array of air outlets.
  • a periphery of the air inlet may be outboard of a periphery of the array of air outlets.
  • the air inlet may be offset to an extent such that an axis parallel to the centroidal axis of the air inlet that intersects a periphery of the air inlet is outboard of the area of the array of air outlets.
  • the airflow path may comprise a section having a same area as the air inlet, and at least a portion of the vanes are located in that section.
  • the airflow may remain relatively highly concentrated and high velocity whilst flowing through the section having the same cross- sectional area as the air inlet. Consequently, the airflow may be most efficiently deflected whilst in that section.
  • the vanes may be arcuate. The arcuate form of the vanes may smoothly turn the airflow, thereby reducing turbulence in the airflow and restriction to the airflow.
  • the diffuser may comprise an exterior surface of the diffuser extending parallel to the centroidal axis a major portion of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet and a periphery of the array of air outlets.
  • the exterior surface may desirably provide a flat surface to allow the diffuser to lay stably on a work surface.
  • the surface of the diffuser may run parallel with the surface of the hair drying appliance, which may allow the hair styling appliance with diffuser attached to lay stably on a work surface.
  • the exterior surface may be outboard of the periphery of the air inlet and the array of air outlets. The surface may thus contact a work surface when the diffuser and hair styling appliance is laid on the work surface, which may thereby allow the diffuser and hair styling appliance to lay stably on the work surface.
  • the diffuser may comprise a further exterior surface extending perpendicular to the centroidal axis a major portion of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet and a periphery of the array of air outlets at a diametrically opposite side of the air inlet and the array of air outlets to the exterior surface.
  • the perpendicular surface of the diffuser may desirably facilitate hooking of a hair care appliance with attached diffuser on an edge of a work surface, such as a table, when the hair care appliance is not in use.
  • the array of air outlets may be orientated at an angle relative to the centroidal axis. Angling the air outlet array relative to the centroidal axis may desirably reduce the dimension of the array perpendicular to the centroidal axis, and so reduce the extent to which the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet. This may desirably reduce the extent to which the diffuser may lift the hair styling appliance from a work surface when laid thereon, and so improve the stability of the hair styling appliance.
  • the array of air outlets may be orientated at an angle in the range of 30 to 55 degrees relative to the centroidal axis. This range has been found to represent a desirable balance between reducing the extent to which the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet, whilst avoiding excessive restriction to airflow along the airflow path.
  • a second aspect of the present disclosure provides a hair styling apparatus comprising a hair styling appliance comprising a fan for generating airflow and an air outlet for discharging the airflow, and a diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims that is releasably attachable to the hair styling appliance such that the air inlet of the diffuser is fluidically coupled to the air outlet of the hair styling appliance.
  • the hair styling appliance may be cylindrical and the air outlet may be on an end face of the appliance.
  • the diffuser may be attachable to the hair styling appliance such that the centroidal axis of the air inlet of the diffuser coincides with a centroidal axis of the air outlet of the hair styling appliance.
  • the hair styling appliance may comprise an exterior surface, wherein the hair styling appliance and the diffuser are configured such that the exterior surface of the hair styling appliance is flush with the exterior surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is attached to the hair styling appliance.
  • the hair styling appliance and the diffuser may be configured such that the exterior surface of the hair styling appliance is contiguous with the exterior surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is attached to the hair styling appliance.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a hair styling apparatus comprising a hair styling appliance and a diffuser attached to the hair styling appliance;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation view of the hair styling apparatus in which the diffuser is detached from the hair styling appliance;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the diffuser
  • Figure 4 is a second schematic side elevation view of the diffuser
  • Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the diffuser
  • Figure 6 is a schematic front elevation view of the wearable air diffuser
  • Figure 7 is a schematic top plan view of the wearable air diffuser
  • Figure 8 is a schematic bottom plan view of the diffuser
  • Figure 9 is a schematic rear elevation view of the diffuser
  • Figure 10 is a schematic side partial cross-sectional view of the diffuser
  • Figure 11 is a schematic side elevation view of the hair styling apparatus laid on a work surface
  • Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation view of a conventional hair styling apparatus laid on the work surface.
  • Figure 13 is a schematic side elevation of the hair styling apparatus hooked onto a work surface.
  • a hair styling apparatus 101 embodying aspects of the present disclosure, is shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the apparatus comprises a hair styling appliance 102 and a diffuser 103 attachable to the hair styling appliance.
  • the hair styling appliance 102 is configured to be handheld by a user and used for styling a person’s hair using airflow.
  • the hair styling appliance 102 comprises a cylindrical body 104 defining externally a handle portion 105 for grasping in a user’s hand, and defining internally a void in which a motor driven fan 106 is located.
  • the motor driven fan 106 is depicted as visible in Figures 1 and 2, but in actuality may be obscured from view by the body 104 which may be opaque.
  • the body 104 defines a plurality of air inlets 107 at a lower end and an air outlet 108 at an upper end.
  • the motor driven fan 106 is operable to draw airflow in through the air inlets 107 and discharge an airflow via the air outlet 108.
  • the hair styling appliance 102 could, for example, include a heater located in the airflow path to heat air flowing therethrough, and could include user-operable controls mounted to the body 104 for controlling the operation of the motor-driven fan 106 and or the heater.
  • the diffuser 103 comprises a body 109 defining an air inlet 110 and an array of air outlets 111.
  • the body 109 comprises bayonet features 112 arranged about the periphery of the air inlet 110 which cooperate with corresponding features of the main body 104 of the hair styling appliance 102, to thereby releasably attach the diffuser 103 to the hair styling appliance 102.
  • the air inlet 110 of the diffuser 103 is fluidically coupled to the air outlet 108 of the hair styling appliance 102 to receive airflow from the hair styling appliance.
  • the body 109 of the diffuser 103 comprises a neck portion 301 defining the air inlet 110 and a divergent portion 302 defining the array of air outlets 111, and the body 109 defines internally an airflow path 1001 for carrying airflow between the air inlet 110 and the array of air outlets 111.
  • the air inlet 110 is circular.
  • the array of air outlets 111 comprises a plurality of small openings that are distributed across a circular surface of the diffuser body 109 that is larger in area than an area of the air inlet 110.
  • the airflow received from the hair styling appliance may be discharged to the user’ s hair distributed across the relatively great area of the air outlet array 111, notwithstanding that the air outlet 110 of the hair styling appliance 102 and the air inlet 110 of the diffuser 103 may be relatively smaller.
  • the airflow path 1001 comprises an upstream section 1002 defined within the neck portion 301 and a downstream section 1003 defined within the divergent portion 302.
  • the upstream section 1002 has a generally uniform cross-sectional area along its length that is substantially the same as a cross-sectional area of the air inlet 110, and extends parallel to and concentric with a centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110.
  • the downstream section 1002 is generally cone-shaped and has a cross-sectional area that increases progressively in a direction towards the array of air outlets 111, thereby spreading airflow flowing along the airflow path.
  • the downstream section 1002 extends along a further centroidal axis 305 that is orientated at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the centroidal axis 304. Consequently, the airflow path 1001 is bent such that airflow flowing therethrough is turned from flowing in an average direction parallel to the centroidal axis 304 to flowing in an average direction parallel to the further centroidal axis 305.
  • the air inlet 110 and the upstream section 1002 of the airflow path 1001 are offset from a centre position 501 of the array of air outlets 111, inasmuch that the centroidal axis 304, representing an expected initial trajectory of airflow into the airflow path 1001 via the air inlet 110, intersects the array of airflow outlets 111 at a non-central position of the array of air outlets 111.
  • a side of the body of the diffuser 103 extending between a periphery of the air inlet 110 and a periphery of the array of air outlets 111 may extend closer to parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 than if the air inlet 110 were arranged concentrically with the array of air outlets 111.
  • the air inlet 110 is offset such that a periphery of the air inlet 110 is slightly outboard of a periphery of the array of air outlets 111.
  • an axis 1004 parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 that intersects a periphery of the air inlet 110 is outboard of the area of the array of air outlets 111.
  • the side 306 of the body 109 defined by an exterior surface of the body 109, extends parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 a majority of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet 110 and a periphery of the array of air outlets 111.
  • An opposite side 307 of the body 109 that extends a majority of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet 110 and a periphery of the array of air outlets 111 at a diametrically opposite side of the air inlet 110 and the array of air outlets 111, is arranged to extend perpendicular to the centroidal axis 304.
  • the body 109 of the diffuser 103 comprises a plurality of vanes 801 that extend diametrically across the airflow path 1001, to thereby encounter airflow flowing along the airflow path between the air inlet 110 and the array of air outlets 111.
  • the vanes 801 are arcuate in form, and curve from an upstream portion that is generally parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 to a downstream portion that is generally parallel to the centroidal axis 305 of the array of air outlets 111.
  • the upstream portion of each of the vanes 801 is located in the upstream section 1002 of the airflow path 1001. As the airflow encounters the vanes 801, the airflow is gradually turned by the curvature of the vanes and deflected towards the array of air outlets 111.
  • the circular surface over which the array of air outlets 111 are distributed is orientated at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the centroidal axis 304. Consequently, the extent to which the circular surface protrudes outboard of the air inlet 110 is reduced.
  • the openings forming the array of air outlets 111 are orientated to discharge airflow generally parallel to the further centroidal axis 305.
  • the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 of the diffuser 103 coincides with a centroidal axis 1101 of the hair styling appliance 102.
  • the side 306 of the diffuser 103 is flush with a side 1102 of the hair styling appliance 102, inasmuch that the sides 306, 1106 are colinear.
  • the side 306 of the diffuser 103 and the side 1102 of the hair styling appliance 102 present a continuous flat side.
  • this arrangement has an advantage, in that the hair styling appliance 102 with the diffuser 102 attached may rest stably on a flat work surface, such as table top 1103.
  • Figure 12 depicts schematically a conventional diffuser attachment 1201 not embodying the present disclosure, in which an air inlet of the diffuser is arranged concentrically with an array of air outlets of the diffuser.
  • the diffuser attachment may tend to lift and end of the hair styling appliance from the work surface, e.g., the table top 1102, which may prevent the hair styling appliance and diffuser from resting stably on the work surface.
  • the side 307 of the diffuser extends perpendicular to the centroidal axis 1001 of the hair styling appliance 102 and projects outboard of the sides of the hair styling appliance 102. Consequently, the perpendicular side 307 of the diffuser 103 may usefully be employed for hooking the hair styling apparatus onto an edge of a work surface, such as the table top 1102. Thus, the user may hook the hair styling apparatus onto the edge of the work surface when the hair styling apparatus is not in use, providing convenient storage of the hair styling apparatus.

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  • Cleaning And Drying Hair (AREA)

Abstract

A diffuser for attachment to an airflow outlet of a hair styling appliance is disclosed. The diffuser comprises an air inlet for receiving airflow from the hair styling appliance, an array of air outlets for discharging the airflow, an airflow path extending between the air inlet and the array of air outlets, and a plurality of vanes located in the airflow path, wherein a centroidal axis of the air inlet is offset from a centre position of the array of air outlets, and the vanes are arranged to encounter airflow flowing along the centroidal axis and deflect the airflow towards the centre position of the array of air outlets.

Description

A DIFFUSER
Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a diffuser for attachment to a hair styling appliance.
Background of the Disclosure
A diffuser is attachable to an airflow outlet of a hair styling appliance, such as a hair dryer or hot air styler, and functions to diffuse the airflow over a wider area before it is incident upon the user’s hair.
Summary of the Disclosure
A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a diffuser for attachment to an air outlet of a hair styling appliance, comprising: an air inlet for receiving airflow from the hair styling appliance, an array of air outlets for discharging the airflow, the air outlets being arrayed over an area that is larger than an area of the air inlet, an airflow path extending between the air inlet and the array of air outlets, and a plurality of vanes located in the airflow path, wherein a centroidal axis of the air inlet is offset from a centre position of the array of air outlets, and the vanes are arranged to encounter airflow flowing along the centroidal axis and deflect the airflow towards the centre position of the array of air outlets.
The diffuser may thus usefully disperse the airflow received at the air inlet across the large area of the array of air outlets.
However, when attached to a hair styling appliance, the larger area and hence larger diameter of the array of air outlets compared to the area of the air inlet, may tend to inhibit the hair styling appliance from laying flat on a work surface, such as a tabletop, when placed thereon. This issue occurs with conventional diffuser designs in which the air inlet and air outlet array are concentric, such that the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet. In such a configuration, the diffuser may lift an end of the hair styling appliance to which it is attached. This may undesirably reduce the stability of the hair styling appliance when placed on the work surface, which could cause the hair styling appliance to wobble or roll on the work surface, and potentially fall from the work surface.
The presently disclosed diffuser may desirably address the above issue because rather than being concentric, the air inlet is offset from the centre point of the array of air outlets towards a periphery of the array of air outlets. Consequently, the extent to which the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet is reduced, at least to one side, compared to a concentric configuration. As a result, the extent to which the hair styling appliance is lifted by the diffuser when attached may be reduced, and as such the tendency of the appliance to rock and roll when placed on a work surface with the diffuser attached may be reduced.
However, offsetting the air inlet from the centre of the area of the air outlet array may undesirably also offset the airflow towards the periphery of the array of air outlets. This risks airflow discharged from the array of air outlets being biased towards a periphery of the array of air outlets, whereas it may typically be more desirable for the airflow to centre on the centre of the array of air outlets. The vanes counteract this effect by intercepting the influent airflow and deflecting the airflow towards the centre of the array of air outlets.
A periphery of the air inlet may be outboard of a periphery of the array of air outlets. In other words, the air inlet may be offset to an extent such that an axis parallel to the centroidal axis of the air inlet that intersects a periphery of the air inlet is outboard of the area of the array of air outlets.
The airflow path may comprise a section having a same area as the air inlet, and at least a portion of the vanes are located in that section. The airflow may remain relatively highly concentrated and high velocity whilst flowing through the section having the same cross- sectional area as the air inlet. Consequently, the airflow may be most efficiently deflected whilst in that section. The vanes may be arcuate. The arcuate form of the vanes may smoothly turn the airflow, thereby reducing turbulence in the airflow and restriction to the airflow.
The diffuser may comprise an exterior surface of the diffuser extending parallel to the centroidal axis a major portion of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet and a periphery of the array of air outlets. The exterior surface may desirably provide a flat surface to allow the diffuser to lay stably on a work surface. In particular, where a surface of the hair styling appliance to which the diffuser is attached also runs parallel to the centroidal axis, as may be typical, the surface of the diffuser may run parallel with the surface of the hair drying appliance, which may allow the hair styling appliance with diffuser attached to lay stably on a work surface.
The exterior surface may be outboard of the periphery of the air inlet and the array of air outlets. The surface may thus contact a work surface when the diffuser and hair styling appliance is laid on the work surface, which may thereby allow the diffuser and hair styling appliance to lay stably on the work surface.
The diffuser may comprise a further exterior surface extending perpendicular to the centroidal axis a major portion of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet and a periphery of the array of air outlets at a diametrically opposite side of the air inlet and the array of air outlets to the exterior surface. The perpendicular surface of the diffuser may desirably facilitate hooking of a hair care appliance with attached diffuser on an edge of a work surface, such as a table, when the hair care appliance is not in use.
The array of air outlets may be orientated at an angle relative to the centroidal axis. Angling the air outlet array relative to the centroidal axis may desirably reduce the dimension of the array perpendicular to the centroidal axis, and so reduce the extent to which the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet. This may desirably reduce the extent to which the diffuser may lift the hair styling appliance from a work surface when laid thereon, and so improve the stability of the hair styling appliance. The array of air outlets may be orientated at an angle in the range of 30 to 55 degrees relative to the centroidal axis. This range has been found to represent a desirable balance between reducing the extent to which the air outlet array protrudes outboard of the air inlet, whilst avoiding excessive restriction to airflow along the airflow path.
A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a hair styling apparatus comprising a hair styling appliance comprising a fan for generating airflow and an air outlet for discharging the airflow, and a diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims that is releasably attachable to the hair styling appliance such that the air inlet of the diffuser is fluidically coupled to the air outlet of the hair styling appliance.
The hair styling appliance may be cylindrical and the air outlet may be on an end face of the appliance.
The diffuser may be attachable to the hair styling appliance such that the centroidal axis of the air inlet of the diffuser coincides with a centroidal axis of the air outlet of the hair styling appliance.
The hair styling appliance may comprise an exterior surface, wherein the hair styling appliance and the diffuser are configured such that the exterior surface of the hair styling appliance is flush with the exterior surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is attached to the hair styling appliance.
The hair styling appliance and the diffuser may be configured such that the exterior surface of the hair styling appliance is contiguous with the exterior surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is attached to the hair styling appliance.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a hair styling apparatus comprising a hair styling appliance and a diffuser attached to the hair styling appliance;
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation view of the hair styling apparatus in which the diffuser is detached from the hair styling appliance;
Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the diffuser;
Figure 4 is a second schematic side elevation view of the diffuser;
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the diffuser;
Figure 6 is a schematic front elevation view of the wearable air diffuser;
Figure 7 is a schematic top plan view of the wearable air diffuser;
Figure 8 is a schematic bottom plan view of the diffuser;
Figure 9 is a schematic rear elevation view of the diffuser;
Figure 10 is a schematic side partial cross-sectional view of the diffuser;
Figure 11 is a schematic side elevation view of the hair styling apparatus laid on a work surface;
Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation view of a conventional hair styling apparatus laid on the work surface; and
Figure 13 is a schematic side elevation of the hair styling apparatus hooked onto a work surface. Detailed Description of the Disclosure
A hair styling apparatus 101, embodying aspects of the present disclosure, is shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2. The apparatus comprises a hair styling appliance 102 and a diffuser 103 attachable to the hair styling appliance. The hair styling appliance 102 is configured to be handheld by a user and used for styling a person’s hair using airflow.
The hair styling appliance 102 comprises a cylindrical body 104 defining externally a handle portion 105 for grasping in a user’s hand, and defining internally a void in which a motor driven fan 106 is located. The motor driven fan 106 is depicted as visible in Figures 1 and 2, but in actuality may be obscured from view by the body 104 which may be opaque. The body 104 defines a plurality of air inlets 107 at a lower end and an air outlet 108 at an upper end. The motor driven fan 106 is operable to draw airflow in through the air inlets 107 and discharge an airflow via the air outlet 108.
The hair styling appliance 102 could, for example, include a heater located in the airflow path to heat air flowing therethrough, and could include user-operable controls mounted to the body 104 for controlling the operation of the motor-driven fan 106 and or the heater.
The diffuser 103 comprises a body 109 defining an air inlet 110 and an array of air outlets 111. The body 109 comprises bayonet features 112 arranged about the periphery of the air inlet 110 which cooperate with corresponding features of the main body 104 of the hair styling appliance 102, to thereby releasably attach the diffuser 103 to the hair styling appliance 102. In the attached condition, depicted in Figure 1, the air inlet 110 of the diffuser 103 is fluidically coupled to the air outlet 108 of the hair styling appliance 102 to receive airflow from the hair styling appliance.
Referring next collectively to Figures 3 to 10, the body 109 of the diffuser 103 comprises a neck portion 301 defining the air inlet 110 and a divergent portion 302 defining the array of air outlets 111, and the body 109 defines internally an airflow path 1001 for carrying airflow between the air inlet 110 and the array of air outlets 111. The air inlet 110 is circular. The array of air outlets 111 comprises a plurality of small openings that are distributed across a circular surface of the diffuser body 109 that is larger in area than an area of the air inlet 110. As a result, the airflow received from the hair styling appliance may be discharged to the user’ s hair distributed across the relatively great area of the air outlet array 111, notwithstanding that the air outlet 110 of the hair styling appliance 102 and the air inlet 110 of the diffuser 103 may be relatively smaller.
The airflow path 1001 comprises an upstream section 1002 defined within the neck portion 301 and a downstream section 1003 defined within the divergent portion 302.
The upstream section 1002 has a generally uniform cross-sectional area along its length that is substantially the same as a cross-sectional area of the air inlet 110, and extends parallel to and concentric with a centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110. The downstream section 1002 is generally cone-shaped and has a cross-sectional area that increases progressively in a direction towards the array of air outlets 111, thereby spreading airflow flowing along the airflow path. The downstream section 1002 extends along a further centroidal axis 305 that is orientated at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the centroidal axis 304. Consequently, the airflow path 1001 is bent such that airflow flowing therethrough is turned from flowing in an average direction parallel to the centroidal axis 304 to flowing in an average direction parallel to the further centroidal axis 305.
The air inlet 110 and the upstream section 1002 of the airflow path 1001 are offset from a centre position 501 of the array of air outlets 111, inasmuch that the centroidal axis 304, representing an expected initial trajectory of airflow into the airflow path 1001 via the air inlet 110, intersects the array of airflow outlets 111 at a non-central position of the array of air outlets 111. In this configuration, a side of the body of the diffuser 103 extending between a periphery of the air inlet 110 and a periphery of the array of air outlets 111 may extend closer to parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 than if the air inlet 110 were arranged concentrically with the array of air outlets 111. In the example, the air inlet 110 is offset such that a periphery of the air inlet 110 is slightly outboard of a periphery of the array of air outlets 111. In other words, in the example, an axis 1004 parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 that intersects a periphery of the air inlet 110 is outboard of the area of the array of air outlets 111. In the example configuration the side 306 of the body 109, defined by an exterior surface of the body 109, extends parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 a majority of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet 110 and a periphery of the array of air outlets 111. An opposite side 307 of the body 109, that extends a majority of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet 110 and a periphery of the array of air outlets 111 at a diametrically opposite side of the air inlet 110 and the array of air outlets 111, is arranged to extend perpendicular to the centroidal axis 304.
The body 109 of the diffuser 103 comprises a plurality of vanes 801 that extend diametrically across the airflow path 1001, to thereby encounter airflow flowing along the airflow path between the air inlet 110 and the array of air outlets 111. The vanes 801 are arcuate in form, and curve from an upstream portion that is generally parallel to the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 to a downstream portion that is generally parallel to the centroidal axis 305 of the array of air outlets 111. The upstream portion of each of the vanes 801 is located in the upstream section 1002 of the airflow path 1001. As the airflow encounters the vanes 801, the airflow is gradually turned by the curvature of the vanes and deflected towards the array of air outlets 111.
The circular surface over which the array of air outlets 111 are distributed is orientated at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the centroidal axis 304. Consequently, the extent to which the circular surface protrudes outboard of the air inlet 110 is reduced. The openings forming the array of air outlets 111 are orientated to discharge airflow generally parallel to the further centroidal axis 305.
Referring next to Figure 11, when the diffuser 103 is attached to the hair styling appliance 102, the centroidal axis 304 of the air inlet 110 of the diffuser 103 coincides with a centroidal axis 1101 of the hair styling appliance 102. In this arrangement, the side 306 of the diffuser 103 is flush with a side 1102 of the hair styling appliance 102, inasmuch that the sides 306, 1106 are colinear. Thus, the side 306 of the diffuser 103 and the side 1102 of the hair styling appliance 102 present a continuous flat side. As can be observed with reference to Figure 11, this arrangement has an advantage, in that the hair styling appliance 102 with the diffuser 102 attached may rest stably on a flat work surface, such as table top 1103.
For comparison, Figure 12 depicts schematically a conventional diffuser attachment 1201 not embodying the present disclosure, in which an air inlet of the diffuser is arranged concentrically with an array of air outlets of the diffuser. In this conventional configuration, the diffuser attachment may tend to lift and end of the hair styling appliance from the work surface, e.g., the table top 1102, which may prevent the hair styling appliance and diffuser from resting stably on the work surface.
Referring finally to Figure 13, when the diffuser 103 is attached to the hair styling appliance 102, the side 307 of the diffuser extends perpendicular to the centroidal axis 1001 of the hair styling appliance 102 and projects outboard of the sides of the hair styling appliance 102. Consequently, the perpendicular side 307 of the diffuser 103 may usefully be employed for hooking the hair styling apparatus onto an edge of a work surface, such as the table top 1102. Thus, the user may hook the hair styling apparatus onto the edge of the work surface when the hair styling apparatus is not in use, providing convenient storage of the hair styling apparatus.

Claims

Claims
1. A diffuser for attachment to an air outlet of a hair styling appliance, comprising: an air inlet for receiving airflow from the hair styling appliance, an array of air outlets for discharging the airflow, the air outlets being arrayed over an area that is larger than an area of the air inlet, an airflow path extending between the air inlet and the array of air outlets, and a plurality of vanes located in the airflow path, wherein a centroidal axis of the air inlet is offset from a centre position of the array of air outlets, and the vanes are arranged to encounter airflow flowing along the centroidal axis and deflect the airflow towards the centre position of the array of air outlets.
2. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein a periphery of the air inlet is outboard of a periphery of the array of air outlets.
3. The diffuser of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the airflow path comprises a section having a same area as the air inlet, and at least a portion of the vanes are located in that section.
4. The diffuser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vanes are arcuate.
5. The diffuser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffuser comprises an exterior surface extending parallel to the centroidal axis a major portion of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet and a periphery of the array of air outlets.
6. The diffuser of claim 5, wherein the exterior surface is outboard of the periphery of the air inlet and the array of air outlets.
7. The diffuser of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the diffuser comprises a further exterior surface extending perpendicular to the centroidal axis a major portion of a distance between a periphery of the air inlet and a periphery of the array of air outlets at a diametrically opposite side of the air inlet and the array of air outlets to the exterior surface.
8. The diffuser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the array of air outlets are orientated at an angle relative to the centroidal axis.
9. The diffuser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the array of air outlets are orientated at an angle in the range of 30 to 55 degrees relative to the centroidal axis.
10. A hair styling apparatus comprising a hair styling appliance comprising a fan for generating airflow and an air outlet for discharging the airflow, and a diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims that is releasably attachable to the hair styling appliance such that the air inlet of the diffuser is fluidically coupled to the air outlet of the hair styling appliance.
11. The hair styling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hair styling appliance is cylindrical and the air outlet is on an end face.
12. The hair styling apparatus of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the diffuser is attachable to the hair styling appliance such that the centroidal axis of the air inlet of the diffuser coincides with a centroidal axis of the air outlet of the hair styling appliance.
13. The hair styling apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 12, when dependent on claim 5, wherein the hair styling appliance comprises an exterior surface, and the hair styling appliance and the diffuser are configured such that the exterior surface of the hair styling appliance is flush with the exterior surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is attached to the hair styling appliance.
14. The hair styling apparatus of claim 13, wherein the hair styling appliance and the diffuser are configured such that the exterior surface of the hair styling appliance is contiguous with the exterior surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is attached to the hair styling appliance.
PCT/IB2024/055489 2023-06-14 2024-06-05 A diffuser Ceased WO2024256918A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202480038127.4A CN121335648A (en) 2023-06-14 2024-06-05 Diffuser

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2308893.3 2023-06-14
GB2308893.3A GB2630958A (en) 2023-06-14 2023-06-14 A diffuser

Publications (1)

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WO2024256918A1 true WO2024256918A1 (en) 2024-12-19

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CN (1) CN121335648A (en)
GB (1) GB2630958A (en)
WO (1) WO2024256918A1 (en)

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150335128A1 (en) * 2012-06-25 2015-11-26 Jemella Limited Hair dryer
US20170273428A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Dyson Technology Limited Attachment for a handheld appliance
US10874186B2 (en) * 2016-09-16 2020-12-29 John MacPherson Attachment for a hair dryer and a method of blow drying hair using such an attachment
EP4179916A1 (en) * 2021-11-12 2023-05-17 SharkNinja Operating LLC Hair care appliance

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GB2250193B (en) * 1990-07-24 1993-09-01 Wing Kin Chan Air diffusers
GB2281035A (en) * 1993-08-18 1995-02-22 John Mcarthur Hair dryer deflector nozzle
US5765292A (en) * 1997-02-28 1998-06-16 China Pacific Trade Ltd. Hair dryer attachment
DE202008016617U1 (en) * 2008-12-17 2010-04-29 Wik Far East Ltd. Volumiser attachment and hair styling device with such an attachment
US8732976B2 (en) * 2011-04-15 2014-05-27 Kiss Nail Products, Inc. Rotating air directing apparatus for a hair dryer
GB2614604B (en) * 2022-01-07 2024-10-02 Dyson Technology Ltd A comb

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150335128A1 (en) * 2012-06-25 2015-11-26 Jemella Limited Hair dryer
US20170273428A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Dyson Technology Limited Attachment for a handheld appliance
US10874186B2 (en) * 2016-09-16 2020-12-29 John MacPherson Attachment for a hair dryer and a method of blow drying hair using such an attachment
EP4179916A1 (en) * 2021-11-12 2023-05-17 SharkNinja Operating LLC Hair care appliance

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CN121335648A (en) 2026-01-13
GB202308893D0 (en) 2023-07-26
GB2630958A (en) 2024-12-18

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