Hair Styling Equipment

Abstract

A device for styling hair, comprising: a first arm; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a temperature sensor configured to: sense a temperature of hair and output a temperature signal indicating the sensed temperature of the hair; a state sensor configured to: detect whether the first arm and the second arm are open or closed, and output a state signal indicating the open / closed state of the first arm and the second arm; and a controller configured to: in response to detecting a change in the open / closed state of the first arm and the second arm, identify a current styling operation; determine a change in hair temperature between the current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and based on the change in hair temperature, determine a count of device operations on the same strand of hair, thereby controlling the hair styling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to hair styling devices or appliances. Background Art

[0002] In hair care applications, there is a need to analyze and assess hair condition and / or hair health. People often associate styling hair with hair damage using high temperatures. One way to assess hair condition is to assess the actual strength of the hair. Currently, people roughly measure strength loss based on the amount of hair on a brush, bed, etc. However, this measure is very rough and generally does not give a clear indication until the hair is severely damaged.

[0003] Tensile stress measures tensile strength properties and is used in the hair care and cosmetics industry to measure the effects of topical applications, chemical treatments, etc. Tensile strength properties are related to cortical properties and less so to the cuticle. This measurement allows understanding if the core has been damaged by heat, chemicals, etc. However, this requires specific equipment to make the measurement.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved method for estimating hair condition. Summary of the invention

[0005] Generally, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for styling hair.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method of operating a device for styling hair is provided. The method comprises: in response to detecting a change in the open / closed state of an arm of the device, identifying a current styling operation; determining a change in the temperature of the hair between the current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and based on the change in the temperature of the hair, determining a count of operations that have been performed by the device on the same strand of hair, thereby controlling the hair styling.

[0007] This method can provide a count of taps on the same strand of hair during hair styling by recording the hair temperature and counting the number of times the device is opened and closed. In this way, the operator can understand the hair condition based on the count of taps.

[0008] In some embodiments, identifying the current styling operation includes: in response to detecting that the arm is opened, determining that a previous styling operation ends and the current styling operation begins; and in response to detecting that the arm is subsequently opened, determining that the current styling operation ends. By defining the start and end times of the tap, the counter can determine counts more accurately and efficiently.

[0009] In some embodiments, determining the change in temperature includes: determining a first average temperature of the hair during a previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature of the hair during a current styling operation; and determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature. The average temperature is a more stable measure of the temperature of the hair, but other characteristic temperatures may also be used.

[0010] In some embodiments, determining the count includes: incrementing the count in response to the change indicating an increase in temperature from a previous styling operation to a current styling operation; and resetting the count to one in response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from a previous styling operation to a current styling operation. By designing a simple algorithm, the counter can determine the tap count on the same strand of hair without consuming too much computing resources.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold, shutting down at least one heater of the device; and / or providing at least one of a visual indication or an audible indication of the count.

[0012] In a second aspect, a device for styling hair is provided. The device includes: a first arm; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a temperature sensor configured to: sense the temperature of the hair and output a temperature signal indicating the sensed temperature of the hair; a state sensor configured to: detect whether the first arm and the second arm are open or closed, and output a state signal indicating the open / closed state of the first arm and the second arm; and a controller configured to: receive the temperature signal from the temperature sensor and the state signal from the state sensor; in response to detecting a change in the open / closed state of the first arm and the second arm, identify a current styling operation; determine a change in the temperature of the hair between the current styling operation and the previous styling operation; and based on the change in the temperature of the hair, determine a count of the device operating on the same strand of hair, thereby controlling the hair styling.

[0013] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to identify a current styling operation by: in response to detecting that the first arm and the second arm are opened, determining that a previous styling operation ends and a current styling operation begins; and in response to detecting that the first arm and the second arm are subsequently opened, determining that the current styling operation ends.

[0014] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to determine a change in the temperature of the hair by: determining a first average temperature of the hair during a previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature of the hair during a current styling operation; and determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature.

[0015] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the count by: incrementing the count in response to a change indicating an increase in temperature from a previous styling operation to a current styling operation; and resetting the count to one in response to a change not indicating an increase in temperature from a previous styling operation to a current styling operation.

[0016] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to: in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold, shut down at least one heater of the device; and / or provide at least one of a visual indication or an audible indication of the count.

[0017] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a first heating plate disposed on a surface of the first arm; and a second heating plate disposed on a surface of the second arm opposite to the first heating plate.

[0018] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor includes: a first non-contact temperature sensor arranged on the second arm, having a field of view facing the first arm and configured to measure the temperature of an object within the field of view; and / or a second non-contact temperature sensor arranged on the first arm, having a field of view facing the second arm and configured to measure the temperature of an object within the field of view.

[0019] With a non-contact temperature sensor, the temperature of an object such as hair can be measured in a direct manner, which helps to more accurately assess the hair condition and control the device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is arranged in the aperture in the second heating plate. In this way, the device can make full use of its space, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor includes an infrared temperature sensor having an optical window for receiving infrared light and facing the first arm.

[0022] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is arranged on the periphery of the first heating plate, and wherein the first heating plate includes at least one slit, the at least one slit is between the temperature sensor and the central portion of the first heating plate to isolate the temperature sensor from the central portion of the first heating plate; and / or the temperature sensor is arranged on the periphery of the second heating plate, and wherein the second heating plate includes at least one slit, the at least one slit is between the temperature sensor and the central portion of the second heating plate to isolate the temperature sensor from the central portion of the second heating plate. In this way, the sensor is not affected by the heat generated by the heater or the heating plate.

[0023] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of some embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hair styling appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Transmission image of a hair straightener;

[0028] Figure 4a and Figure 4b are front and rear views of a heating plate in a hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0029] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a hair styling appliance.

[0030] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the way described below.

[0032] As used herein, the term "including" and variations thereof should be understood as open terms meaning "including but not limited to." The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on." The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment." Additional definitions, both explicit and implicit, may be included below.

[0033] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hair styling device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the hair styling appliance may be a hair straightener, a hair curler, a curling iron, or a curling iron.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown in , the hair styling device 10 includes a first arm 30 and a second arm 32, which can be coupled to the first arm 30 at respective ends of the arms by a hinge. The arms can also be referred to as jaws or clamping members. The first heater 12 can be disposed in the first arm 30 and the second heater 14 can be disposed in the second arm 32. It should be understood that the first and second heaters 12 and 14 are provided for illustration purposes only, and that more or fewer heaters can be present in the hair styling device 10.

[0035] The hair styling device 10 includes a temperature sensor 22 that can sense the hair temperature and output a temperature signal indicative of the sensed hair temperature. The temperature sensor 22 can be disposed on any one of the arms 30 and 32. In addition, more than one temperature sensor 22 can be provided in the hair styling device 10.

[0036] The hair styling device 10 includes a state sensor 28 that can detect whether the arms 30 and 32 are open or closed and output a state signal indicating the open / closed state of the arms 30 and 32. For example, the state sensor 28 can be a switch.

[0037] The hair styling device 10 includes a controller 24 that receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 22 and a status signal from the status sensor 28. If a change in the open / closed state of the arms is detected, the controller may identify the current styling operation. A styling operation may also be referred to as a tap.

[0038] In some embodiments, if the arms 30 and 32 are opened, the previous styling operation ends and the current styling operation begins. Then, if the arms 30 and 32 are closed and opened again, the current styling operation ends and a new subsequent styling operation can begin.

[0039] There may be some alternative methods to identify a tap based on the open / closed state of the arms 30 and 32. For example, in an alternative embodiment, if the arms 30 and 32 are closed, the previous styling operation ends and the current styling operation begins. Then, if the arms 30 and 32 are opened and opened again, the current styling operation ends and a new subsequent styling operation may begin.

[0040] Controller 24 may determine a touch-by-touch change or variation in the hair temperature sensed by temperature sensor 22. For example, controller 24 may determine a change in hair temperature from a previous touch to a current touch. Controller 24 may then determine a count of times that hair styling device 10 has been operated on the same strand of hair based on the change in hair temperature, thereby controlling the hair styling process.

[0041] In some embodiments, the hair temperature may be the average temperature of the hair during a tapping or styling operation. In this manner, changes in hair temperature are indicated by changes in the average temperature from tap to tap. It should be understood that any other suitable characteristic temperature may be used, such as the maximum temperature during a tap.

[0042] For example, if the change indicates an increase in temperature from a previous tap to a current tap, the controller 24 may increment the count. Otherwise, the controller 24 may reset the count to one. In other words, if the temperature increases from tap to tap, the count of taps is incremented and the current tap is applied to the same tress as the previous tap. If the temperature does not increase from tap to tap, the count of taps is reset to one and the current tap is applied to a new tress.

[0043] In some embodiments, if the count exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller 24 can turn off the heaters 12 and / or 14. In this way, the hair bundle will not be damaged. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 24 can provide a visual indication and / or an audible indication of the count. In this way, the user can understand the actual tap count and hair condition. The user can then decide whether to continue processing the same bundle of hair.

[0044] In hair styling appliances, the temperature sensor is mounted inside the heating plate, usually close to the heater. During steady state, the actual heating plate outer surface temperature is unknown. The controller uses the heating plate's internal temperature, along with an offset temperature, to approximate the heating plate surface temperature. This approach is susceptible to variations such as sensor-to-heat plate distance, tolerances in heating element output power, ambient temperature, tolerances in material density, and assembly quality, which can affect the accuracy of the approximation and cause the heating plate outer surface to not match the user-selected temperature target.

[0045] Now refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 An example hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail. Directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "in front of," "back of," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. Because components of the embodiments described herein can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for illustration purposes only and is in no way limiting.

[0046] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An example configuration of a hair straightener 10 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a hair straightener 10 is shown, and Figure 2 A perspective view of a hair straightener 10 is shown. It will be appreciated that the configuration of the hair straightener 10 may also be adapted for use with any other suitable hair styling device, such as a hair curler.

[0047] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in , the hair straightener 10 includes a first arm 30 having a first heating plate 18 on its inner surface. In addition, the hair straightener 10 also includes a second arm 32 coupled to the first arm 30 by a hinge 26. In this way, the first arm 30 and the second arm 32 can be opened and closed to allow styling operations of the hair strands.

[0048] The hair straightener 10 can be operated in an open state (where the arms 30 and 32 are open) and a closed state (where the two arms 30 and 32 are closed). In the open state, it is desirable to stabilize the temperature of the outer surface of the heating plate 18 to a user-defined target temperature. In the closed state, it is desirable to raise the temperature of the hair to the desired styling temperature for the shortest amount of time without overheating the hair. To this end, the temperature of the heating plate 18 can be measured in the open state, and the temperature of the hair can be measured in the closed state.

[0049] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in , the second arm 32 is provided with a non-contact temperature sensor 22. The non-contact temperature sensor 22 has a field of view facing the first heating plate 18 and measures the temperature of the object within the field of view. For example, the effective surface of the non-contact temperature sensor 22 is exposed on the surface of the second arm 32. In the open state, there is no hair between the arm 30 and the arm 32, and the non-contact temperature sensor 22 can measure the temperature of the first heating plate 18. In the closed state, the hair bundle is sandwiched between the arm 30 and the arm 32, and the non-contact temperature sensor 22 can measure the temperature of the hair bundle. Since the temperature sensor 22 can directly sense the temperature of the surface of the heating plate and the temperature of the hair bundle, the accuracy of the temperature measurement can be greatly improved.

[0050] In some embodiments, the non-contact temperature sensor 22 may be an infrared temperature sensor including an optical window for receiving infrared light, the optical window facing the first heating plate 18. Although the non-contact temperature sensor 22 is described herein in conjunction with an infrared optical sensor, it should be understood that any suitable temperature sensor currently known or developed in the future may be used, for example, a non-contact temperature sensor, an optical sensor, or a thermistor.

[0051] For example, the first arm 30 may be provided with a first heater 12 for heating the first heating plate 18, and the first heater 12 may be arranged inside the first heating plate 18, for example, around the first heating plate 18 to improve the heating effect. Alternatively, the first heater 12 may also be arranged on the surface of the first heating plate 18. The second arm 32 may be provided with a second heating plate 20 on its inner surface opposite to the first heating plate 18. For example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in , the non-contact temperature sensor 22 can be arranged in an aperture in the second heating plate 20. The aperture can also at least partially pass through the heater 14. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 22 can also be arranged in any other suitable position of the second arm 32. The second arm 32 can be provided with a second heater 14 for heating the second heating plate 20, and the second heater 14 can be arranged in the second heating plate 20. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature sensor (not shown) can be similarly arranged in the first heating plate 18.

[0052] The controller 24 may be configured to receive a temperature signal from the non-contact temperature sensor 22 and adjust at least the power and heating time of the first heater 12 and / or the second heater 14 based on the temperature signal. For example, the controller 24 may receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 22, calculate an appropriate heater output, and generate an output signal to control the power and heating time of the heaters 12 and 14. The heat generated by the heater will affect the temperature of the hair in the closed state, or will affect the surface temperature of the heating plate in the open state. The temperature sensor 22 may perform temperature measurements periodically, and the controller 24 may generate a control signal based on the periodic temperature measurements. This working cycle may continue until the hair straightener 10 is turned off.

[0053] In the open state, the temperature sensor 22 can measure the temperature of the heating plate 18 and / or 20, and the controller 24 can adjust the power of the first heater 12 and / or the second heater 14 based on the measured temperature to control the temperature of the heating plate 18 and / or 20 to a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range. In the closed state, the temperature sensor 22 measures the temperature of the hair, and the controller 24 can adjust the power of the first heater 12 and / or the second heater 14 to control the temperature of the hair to a predetermined temperature. For example, in each tap, the temperature sensor 22 measures the hair strand. The controller 24 can use the temperature signal of the temperature sensor 22 to control the output of the heater to increase the temperature of the hair until the temperature of the hair reaches a predetermined temperature, at which the hair is not permanently damaged.

[0054] In addition, the controller 24 may also control the heating time of the first heater 12 and / or the second heater 14. For example, in the on state, when the measured hair temperature exceeds a predetermined hair temperature limit, the controller 24 may turn off the heater to prevent heat damage to the hair. In some embodiments, if it is determined that the hair temperature will exceed the predetermined hair temperature limit, the controller 24 may turn off the heater to reduce heat transfer to the hair and prevent heat damage to the hair. For example, the temperature sensor 22 may periodically measure a temperature signal, and the controller 24 may predict a trend of the hair temperature based on the temperature signal sensed by the temperature sensor 22 to determine whether the hair temperature will exceed the predetermined hair temperature limit.

[0055] In some embodiments, the state sensor 28 may be implemented by a switch configured to detect whether the first arm 30 and the second arm 32 are in a closed / open state, and output a state signal indicating the open / closed state of the arm 30 and the arm 32. The controller 24 may receive the state signal from the state sensor 28, and adjust at least one of the power and the heating time of the first heater 12 and / or the second heater 14 based on the state signal and the temperature signal from the temperature sensor 22. For example, the controller 24 may calculate an appropriate heater output based on the state signal and the temperature signal, and generate an output signal to control the power of the heater, etc.

[0056] Figure 4a and Figure 4b 1 is a front view and a rear view of a heating plate in a hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The heating plate may be one or two heating plates in a hair straightener or other hair styling device.

[0057] like Figure 4a and Figure 4b As shown in , the temperature sensor 22 is arranged at the periphery of the heating plate, and the heating plate includes a slit 42 between the temperature sensor 22 and the central portion of the heating plate. In this way, the heat generated by the heater can be isolated from the temperature sensor 22 to avoid thermal damage. The temperature sensor 22 can be a thermistor or a non-contact temperature sensor, such as an infrared temperature sensor.

[0058] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 50 of operating a hair styling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that method 500 may be used in device 10 or any other suitable hair styling device.

[0059] At box 52 , in response to detecting a change in the open / closed state of the arms of the device, a current styling operation is identified.

[0060] In some embodiments, identifying a current styling operation comprises: in response to detecting the arms being opened, determining that a previous styling operation ended and a current styling operation began; and in response to detecting the arms being subsequently opened, determining that the current styling operation ended.

[0061] At box 54, a change in temperature of the hair between a current styling operation and a previous styling operation is determined.

[0062] In some embodiments, determining the change in temperature includes: determining a first average temperature during a previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature during a current styling operation; and determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature.

[0063] At block 56, based on the change in temperature of the hair, a count of the number of times the device has been operated on the same strand of hair is determined, thereby controlling the hair styling.

[0064] In some embodiments, determining the count includes incrementing the count in response to the change indicating an increase in temperature from a previous styling operation to a current styling operation, and resetting the count to one in response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from a previous styling operation to a current styling operation.

[0065] In some embodiments, method 50 further includes: in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold, shutting down a heater of the device; and / or providing at least one of a visual indication or an audible indication of the count.

[0066] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Instead, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method of operating an apparatus for styling hair, comprising: responsive to detecting a change in an open / closed state of an arm of the device, identifying a current styling operation; determining a change in temperature of the hair between the current styling operation and a previous styling operation; as well as Based on the change in the temperature of the hair, a count of how many times the device has been operated on the same strand of hair is determined, thereby controlling the hair styling.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the current styling operation comprises: In response to detecting that the arm is opened, determining that the previous styling operation ends and the current styling operation begins; as well as In response to detecting that the arms are subsequently opened, it is determined that the current styling operation is ended.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining the change in temperature comprises: determining a first average temperature of the hair during said previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature of the hair during said current styling operation; as well as A difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature is determined.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining the count comprises: responsive to the change indicating an increase in temperature from the previous styling operation to the current styling operation, incrementing the count; as well as In response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from the previous styling operation to the current styling operation, resetting the count to one.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: responsive to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold, shutting down at least one heater of the device; and / or At least one of a visual indication or an audible indication of the count is provided.

6. A device for styling hair, comprising: First arm; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the hair and output a temperature signal indicative of the sensed temperature of the hair; a state sensor configured to detect whether the first arm and the second arm are open or closed, and output a state signal indicating an open / closed state of the first arm and the second arm; as well as The controller is configured as: receiving the temperature signal from the temperature sensor and the status signal from the status sensor; responsive to detecting a change in the open / closed state of the first and second arms, identifying a current styling operation; determining a change in said temperature of hair between said current styling operation and a previous styling operation; as well as Based on the change in the temperature of the hair, a count of how many times the device has been operated on the same strand of hair is determined, thereby controlling the hair styling.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to identify the current styling operation by: In response to detecting that the first arm and the second arm are opened, determining that the previous styling operation ends and the current styling operation begins; and In response to detecting that the first arm and the second arm are subsequently opened, it is determined that the current styling operation is ended.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine the change in the temperature of the hair by: determining a first average temperature of the hair during said previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature of the hair during said current styling operation; as well as A difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature is determined.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine the count by: responsive to the change indicating an increase in temperature from the previous styling operation to the current styling operation, incrementing the count; and In response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from the previous styling operation to the current styling operation, resetting the count to one.

10. The device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: In response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold, shutting down at least one heater of the device; and / or At least one of a visual indication or an audible indication of the count is provided.

11. The device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: a first heating plate disposed on a surface of the first arm; as well as A second heating plate is arranged on a surface of the second arm opposite to the first heating plate.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the temperature sensor comprises: a first non-contact temperature sensor disposed on the second arm, having a field of view facing the first arm, and configured to measure a temperature of an object within the field of view; and / or A second non-contact temperature sensor, disposed on the first arm, has a field of view facing the second arm and is configured to measure a temperature of an object within the field of view.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is arranged in an aperture in the second heating plate.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the temperature sensor comprises an infrared temperature sensor having an optical window for receiving infrared light and facing the first arm.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the temperature sensor is arranged on the periphery of the first heating plate, and wherein the first heating plate comprises at least one slit between the temperature sensor and a central portion of the first heating plate to isolate the temperature sensor from the central portion of the first heating plate; and / or wherein the temperature sensor is arranged on a periphery of the second heating plate, and wherein the second heating plate comprises at least one slit between the temperature sensor and a central portion of the second heating plate to isolate the temperature sensor from the central portion of the second heating plate.

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