Hair care appliance

Abstract

A hair care appliance is disclosed comprising a housing having a first end and a second end and a fluid inlet extending around the housing proximate the first end of the housing, a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path extending within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet is provided with a filtration system comprising a removable portion and a fixed portion, wherein the removable portion comprises separable first and second portions, and wherein the first portion can be secured to the housing only when the second portion is attached to the first portion. The first portion is a sleeve slidable over the second portion. The second portion comprises a tubular portion and a base portion extending radially outwardly from the tubular portion at one end of the tubular portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hair care appliance, and more particularly to a filter for use in a hair care appliance. Background Technology

[0002] In conventional heat styling appliances, air is drawn in through a fan unit and directed to the hair through an outlet. Typically, an appliance is equipped with different attachments, each with a different outlet and therefore a different function, such as drying, curling, or styling. Depending on the desired style, the air may or may not be heated. Attachments may include brushes around which hair is wrapped and held for styling. Traditionally, filters are provided to filtration the fluid entering the appliance to remove dust and hair.

[0003] Traditionally, hair dryers have a housing and a handle, with the housing housing components such as filters, fan units, and heaters. In contrast, hair styling tools are held in place by the housing.

[0004] Multi-layer filtration systems are known, such as those with a grille having a relatively large pore size and an internal filter with a relatively small pore size. Typically, the grille is removable to allow for cleaning of the internal filter or even replacement of one layer if the filter is damaged. The grille can be friction-fitted, twisted, mechanically attached, or interlocked to the appliance housing.

[0005] Typically, appliances include cables for supplying power to the appliance's fluid inlet and near the filter. If the filter is removed for cleaning, it remains on the cable and is preferably removed from the cable. This invention seeks to provide a filter that can be completely removed from the appliance for cleaning and replacement without damaging the filter itself. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a hair care device comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end, and a fluid inlet extending around the housing and near the first end of the housing, a fluid outlet, and a fluid flow path extending within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet is provided with a filtration system comprising a removable portion and a retaining portion, wherein the removable portion comprises a separable first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion is retaining to the housing only when the second portion is attached to the first portion.

[0007] The first part can be a sleeve that can slide on the second part.

[0008] The second part may include a tubular portion and a base portion extending radially outward from one end of the tubular portion.

[0009] The base portion may be provided with a circumferential flange that engages with the end of the first portion of the removable portion when the first portion is connected to the second portion.

[0010] The removable portion can be held relative to the fluid inlet by a magnetic coupling, wherein a first portion of the magnetic coupling is housed within the base. The removable portion can be attached to the housing by sliding it on the fixed portion in a first direction.

[0011] The first part can be attached to the second part by sliding the first part along a second direction opposite to the first direction on the second part.

[0012] The second part may include a framework surrounding and defining one or more layers of filter media.

[0013] The fixed portion may include a filter screen surrounded and supported by a mesh frame. The mesh frame may include channels that form the first element of a mechanical connection between the fixed portion and the removable portion.

[0014] The removable portion may include second and third mechanical couplings between the fixed portion and the removable portion of the filtration system, wherein the second and third mechanical couplings are adapted to mate with channels in the mesh frame.

[0015] The removable portion of the fluid inlet can have an open state and a closed state, wherein the removable portion can only be attached to the fixed portion when it is in the closed state.

[0016] When the removable portion is removed from the fixed portion, the second and third parts of the mechanical coupling can be separated into two parts. The first part of the removable portion may include the second part of the mechanical coupling, which includes a housing accommodating a protrusion in the first section of the mechanical coupling and a mating recess in the second section of the mechanical coupling. The second part of the removable portion may include the third part of the mechanical coupling, which includes a connecting portion having one or more of a magnet or a magnetizable material in both the first and second sections.

[0017] The fluid inlet may also include a switch that senses the presence of a removable part of the filtration system and allows the appliance to be activated only when the removable part of the filtration system is attached.

[0018] The switch can be a reed switch housed within a mesh frame, which detects a third element of the mechanical connection, closing a pair of electrical contacts when the removable part of the filtration system is attached, and opening the pair of electrical contacts when the removable part of the filtration system is removed.

[0019] The appliance can be a hair dryer with airflow, a hair styling tool, a hot styling brush, or a straightening device. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A hair dryer with a removable filter is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The cross-section of the hair dryer;

[0023] Figure 3a An isometric view of a hair dryer with the removable portion of the fluid inlet removed is shown.

[0024] Figure 3b yes Figure 3a A magnified partial view of the fluid inlet;

[0025] Figure 4a , 4b Figures 4c and 4c show the inlet of the hair dryer, where the removable portion of the fluid inlet is in different removal stages;

[0026] Figure 5 An isometric view is shown when the removable portion of the fluid inlet is divided into a filter grid and an intermediate layer;

[0027] Figure 6a A side view of the removable portion of the fluid inlet in the open state is shown;

[0028] Figure 6b A top view shows the removable portion of the fluid inlet in the open position;

[0029] Figure 6c A top view shows the removable portion of the fluid inlet in the closed state;

[0030] Figure 7a and 7b Two exploded isometric views of the filter grid are shown;

[0031] Figure 8 An alternative embodiment of the fixed portion of the fluid inlet according to the invention is shown; and

[0032] Figure 9 A sensing device is shown that has a removable portion for sensing the filter. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 , 2Figures 3 and 4 show an example of a hair dryer 10 having a handle 20 and a body 30. The handle has a first end 24, located away from the body 30, including a main fluid inlet 40, and a second end 22 connected to the body 30. The hair dryer 10 is powered via a cable 50. A plug (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the cable 50 away from the hair dryer 10, which provides an electrical connection, for example, to a main power source or battery pack. The main fluid inlet 40 is provided with a filtration system including a multi-layer filter. The filtration system includes a removable portion 54 and a fixed portion 52. The removable portion 54 can be removed by the user for cleaning, and when the removable portion 54 has been removed, the fixed portion 52 can be accessed by the user for cleaning.

[0034] A fan unit 70 is positioned upstream of the main fluid inlet 40. The fan unit 70 includes a fan and a motor. The fan unit 70 draws fluid through the main fluid inlet 40, through a main fluid flow path 400 towards the body 30, which extends from the main fluid inlet 40 and enters the body 30 at the junction 90 between the handle 20 and the body 30. The body 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34. The main fluid flow path 400 continues through the body 30 toward the second end 34, extending around the heater 80 to the main fluid outlet 440, where the fluid drawn in by the fan unit exits the main fluid path 400. The main fluid flow path 400 is non-linear, flowing through the handle 20 in a first direction and through the body 30 in a second direction (perpendicular to the first direction).

[0035] The main body 30 includes an outer wall 360 and an internal conduit 310. The main fluid flow path 400 extends along the main body from the junction 90 of the handle 20 and the main body 30 between the outer wall 360 and the internal conduit 310 toward the main fluid outlet 440 at the second end 34 of the main body 30.

[0036] The inner wall 260 extends within the outer wall 360. The inner wall 260 at least partially defines the main fluid outlet 440, which extends from the second end 34 of the body between the outer wall 360 and the internal conduit 310.

[0037] Another fluid flow path is provided within the main body; this flow is not directly handled by the fan unit or heater, but is drawn into the dryer by the action of the main fluid generated by the fan unit through the main fluid flow path 400. This fluid flow is drawn into the dryer by the fluid convection flowing through the main fluid flow path 400.

[0038] A first end 32 of the body includes a fluid inlet 320, and a second end 34 of the body includes a fluid outlet 340. Both the fluid inlet 320 and the fluid outlet 340 are at least partially defined by an internal conduit 310, which serves as an inner wall of the body 30 and extends within the body. A fluid flow path 300 extends from the fluid inlet 320 to the fluid outlet 340 within the internal conduit 310. At the first end 32 of the body 30, a sidewall 350 extends between an outer wall 360 and the internal conduit 310. This sidewall 350 at least partially defines the fluid inlet 320. The main fluid outlet 440 is annular and surrounds the fluid flow path.

[0039] The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 75 includes control electronics for the hair dryer, positioned within the body 30, near the sidewall 350 and fluid inlet 320. The PCB 75 is annular in shape and extends around the internal conduit 310 between the internal conduit 310 and the outer wall 360. The PCB 75 flows through the main fluid flow path 400. The PCB 75 extends around the fluid flow path 300 and is isolated from the fluid flow path 300 by the internal conduit 310.

[0040] The PCB 75 controls parameters such as the temperature of the heater 80 and the rotational speed of the fan unit 70. Internal wiring (not shown) electrically connects the PCB 75 to the heater 80 and the fan unit 70, as well as to the cable 50. Control buttons 62 and 64 are provided and connected to the PCB 75, allowing the user to select from, for example, a range of temperature settings and flow rates.

[0041] Downstream of the PCB 75 is the heater 80, and a PCB baffle 700 is provided between the PCB 75 and the heater 80. The PCB baffle provides thermal protection for the PCB 75 when the heater 80 is turned on.

[0042] In operation, fluid is drawn into the main fluid flow path 400 by the action of the fan unit 70, selectively heated by the heater 80, and discharged from the main fluid outlet 440. This treated flow causes fluid to be drawn into the fluid flow path 300 at the fluid inlet 320. The fluid combines with the treated flow at the second end 34 of the main body. Figure 2 In the example shown, the treated flow is discharged from the main fluid outlet 440 and the dryer as a ring flow (which surrounds the entrained flow discharged from the dryer through the fluid outlet 340). Thus, the fluid treated by the fan unit and heater is enhanced by the entrained fluid.

[0043] The main body 30 is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis AA, which extends along the length of the main body 30. The pipe 310 and the outer wall 360 are concentric, and the heater 80 is positioned between the pipe 310 and the outer wall 360.

[0044] The handle 20 has an outer wall 200 extending from the body 30 toward a first end 24 of the handle. A fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet is located adjacent to the first end 24 of the handle 20. The fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet 40 has a filter screen 44 surrounded and supported by a mesh frame 56. The filter screen 44 is permanently fixed to the appliance and performs several functions. It serves as a structural finger guard to prevent entry into the appliance; it can function as a flow rate regulator to improve clogging rates and depth loading of upstream filter media; and it acts as a final stage of filtration when any upstream layer is removed or damaged.

[0045] In this embodiment, the mesh diameter is 80 to 500 micrometers, preferably in the range of 200-300 micrometers. The filter screen 44 can be cleaned by brushing or wiping.

[0046] For reference Figures 3a to 3b In the described embodiment, the removable portion 54 is held relative to the fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet 40 by mechanical and magnetic couplings. The fixed portion 52 includes a filter screen 44 (FIG. 3) and a mesh frame 56 that supports the filter screen 44, provides a mechanical connection to the removable portion 54, and houses magnets or magnetizable materials 66, 68 for magnetically attaching the removable portion 54 of the fluid inlet 40 to the fixed portion 52. The frame 56 has a first edge 152 and a second edge 154 extending circumferentially around the filter screen 44, the first edge 152 being located near the distal end 200a of the outer wall, and the second edge 154 being located near the first end 24 of the handle. A connecting portion 156 extends longitudinally between the first edge 152 and the second edge 154. The connecting portion 156 provides a housing for the mechanical coupling between the fixed portion 52 and the removable portion 54 of the fluid inlet 40, which will be described later. Magnets or magnetizable materials 66, 68 are disposed in the end face 154' of the second edge 154 of the frame 56.

[0047] The removable portion 54 has two separable parts: the first part 54a includes an outer layer formed by a filter grid 48, and the second part 54b is an intermediate layer 140. Now refer to... Figure 5 The removable portion 54 includes a filter grille 48 and an intermediate layer 140, the intermediate layer 140 including a filter 142 and a support frame 144. The removable portion 54 can be removed for cleaning or replacement. The removable portion 54 has two states: open and closed. When closed, a mechanical joint 60 is formed, and the removable portion 54 can be attached to the fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet 40. When open, the mechanical joint is disconnected.

[0048] The filter grille 48 has two states and is flexible; it is molded from plastic material. In the first state, it is open in a naturally relaxed state. It has a wall 92, which is curved, forming an open loop or C-shape, and has end faces 190, 192 extending axially along the wall 92, separated by a gap 94 or notch in the wall. The end faces 190, 192 extend along the wall between a first end 96 and a second end 98. The first end 96 of the wall is adapted to engage or abut against the distal end 200a of the handle. In the second state, the filter grille 48 is closed. Figure 4a The wall 92 forms a closed loop; the gap 94 is closed. The wall 92 has an array of holes 42, which surround the wall 92 and extend along the wall 92 in a series of rows and / or columns. In addition, the mechanical joint 60 ( Figure 6c The removable portion 54 extends longitudinally. A mechanical joint 60 is formed when the removable portion 54 is in the second state or when a closed loop is formed. In this embodiment, a portion of the mechanical joint is provided by the filter grille 48, which helps maintain the circular shape of the filter grille 48 in the closed state. One end face 190 is provided with a protrusion 194, and the other end face 192 is provided with a correspondingly sized recess 196. Figure 6a The mortise and tenon joint are formed. The protrusion 194 and the recess 196 are located within the housing 198, which extends longitudinally along the filter grid 48 on both sides of the gap 94; the housing is partially formed along the first edge 190 and the second edge 192.

[0049] The filter grille 48 helps prevent hair and other foreign objects from entering the main fluid flow path 400 of the hair dryer and provides a coarse filtration stage; in this embodiment, the holes 42 have a diameter of approximately 2.7 mm (2700 micrometers), and the filter grille is formed of molded thermoplastic.

[0050] The functions of filter grille 48 include protecting downstream filter media from direct user contact to prevent hand contamination and debris buildup, removing the largest particles from the airflow to extend filter life and optimize clogging rates, and improving the cleanability of downstream media. Filter grille 48 also regulates the flow rate and velocity distribution through the downstream filter media to optimize filter life and clogging rates, acts as a structural guard typically used to protect downstream media, and provides isolation between the pre-filter and downstream media. If the user holds the product directly on the pre-filter, it helps reduce flow restriction. Filter grille 48 forms part of the product's visual language, is designed to have low pressure loss through the filter, and can be used to attenuate broadband and tonal sounds.

[0051] The intermediate layer 140 is also formed as a C-shaped open loop, and the support frame 144 extends around the periphery of the filter 142. The filter 142 provides most (if not all) fine filtration of the fluid flowing into the fluid inlet 40 and consists of multiple layers of filter media. The intermediate layer 140 is sized to fit within the filter grid 48 and includes a magnetic coupling that holds the removable portion 54 relative to the fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet 40. The support frame 144 forms part of a mechanical coupling 60 between the removable portion 54 and the fixed portion 52. The support frame 144 has a first edge 240 and a second edge 242 extending circumferentially around the intermediate layer 140, with the first edge 240 located near the distal end 200a of the outer wall and the second edge 242 located near the first end 24 of the handle when the intermediate layer 140 is attached to the appliance 10. A connecting portion 244 extends longitudinally between the first edge 240 and the second edge 242 and forms two parts when the intermediate layer 140 is in the open state. The connecting portion 244 has multiple functions. The first section 244a forms part of the mechanical joint 60 formed when the removable part 54 is in the closed state, and the second section 244b is shaped to accommodate some features of the filter grille 48, which will be described in detail later.

[0052] The intermediate layer includes the end wall 210 of the fluid inlet 40. The end wall 210 has three main functions: it provides a central aperture through which the cable 50 enters the appliance; it provides a circumferential flange on which the filter grille 48 rests; and it provides a housing for a pair of magnets or magnetizable materials 26, 28, which form part of a magnetic connection with the fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet 40. This means that the filter grille 48 cannot remain relative to the fixed portion 52 unless the intermediate layer 140 is in place within the filter grille 48. There is no direct connection between the filter grille 48 and the fixed portion 52. If a user attempts to attach the filter grille 48 to the fixed portion 52 without the intermediate layer 140, the filter grille 48 will detach.

[0053] Cable 50 enters the hair dryer through hole 212 in end wall 210. Cable 50 is located approximately in the middle of end wall 210 and thus extends from the center of handle 20. Handle 20 has a longitudinal axis XX, along which outer wall 200 extends from body 30 toward first end 24.

[0054] The removable portion 54 can be washed by hand or in a dishwasher, so any residue left in the removable portion can be washed away relatively easily, and any clogged holes can be cleaned from both the outside and the inside, making cleaning highly efficient. In contrast, the fixed portion 52, including the inner grille, can only be accessed from the outer surface, so any cleaning is less effective.

[0055] The end wall 210 is co-molded with the support frame 144, and in this embodiment, the connecting portion 244 is adjacent to the end wall 210. When in the closed state, the first section 244a of the connecting portion 244 forms part of the mechanical joint 60 of the removable portion 54. The first section 244a of the connecting portion can be considered as a third piece of the mechanical coupling.

[0056] In this embodiment, both the filter grille 48 and the intermediate layer 140 form part of the mechanical joint 60. Each portion is longitudinally spaced along the length of the removable portion 54. A first segment 244a of the connecting portion 244 of the intermediate layer 140 is disposed adjacent to the end wall 210 and extends toward the first edge 240. The filter grille 48 includes a housing 198 that, when the removable portion 54 is intact, abuts the connecting portion 244 at a first end and extends toward a first end 96 of the wall of the filter grille 48. The housing 198 is conveniently located approximately at the midpoint along the length of the filter grille 48, as this best helps to maintain a circular shape. The housing 198 is generally rectangular, and its dimensions allow the protrusion 194 to fit within the recess 196; it does not extend to obscure or cover any holes 42 of the filter grille. A second portion 244b of the connecting portion 244 of the intermediate layer 140 is shaped to receive the housing 198. The connecting portion 244 is "L-shaped", wherein the first section 244a includes legs and is in physical contact with the intermediate layer 140 when it is closed, and the second portion 244b includes an upright portion having a gap sized to accommodate the housing 198 when the intermediate layer 140 is closed.

[0057] To keep the removable portion 54 in a closed configuration, a magnetic coupling 170 is used. A pair of magnets, or a magnet and a piece of magnetizable material, are located on each side of the connecting portion 244. The magnetic coupling 170 is received in a suitably sized recess 172 provided in the connecting portion 244. When the magnetic couplings 170 are assembled together, the connecting portions 244 are connected to form a closed loop. When the filter grille 48 is attached to the intermediate layer 140, the second portion 244b of the connecting portion 244 engages with the housing 198 and closes the gap 94, causing the protrusion 194 to engage with the recess 196. This forms the second piece of the mechanical joint 60, which can then be engaged with the fixed portion 52 of the filtration system. The engagement and disengagement of the magnetic coupling 170 allow the removable portion 54 of the filtration system to be closed and opened, respectively. The mechanical and magnetic couplings can be disconnected and re-established by hand.

[0058] Mechanical connector 60 provides a means of mechanically retaining the filter grid 48 and intermediate layer 140 relative to the fixed portion 52 of the filtration system. Mechanical connector 60 provides a rectangular extension within the filter grid 48 and intermediate layer 140; it extends radially inward from the inner surface 92a of the wall 92 and the support frame 144. The connecting portion 156 of the fixed portion 52 of the fluid inlet 40 includes a groove 158 adapted to retain mechanical connector 60 when the removable portion 54 is attached to the handle 20. The connecting portion 156 can be considered as the first piece of mechanical connector 60 and is formed as a channel within the mesh frame.

[0059] Now for reference Figures 4a to 4c The removable portion 54 is initially attached to the appliance and collects hair and dirt from the surrounding air when the appliance is turned on. Over time, some clogging may occur in the holes 42 and the intermediate layer 140 of the filter grille 48, which can affect the overall performance of the appliance. The appliance may include an indicator that notifies the user that the appliance's performance has deteriorated and that the filtration system should be checked for clogging. This indicator may be visual, i.e., an illuminating LED, or mechanical, such as tactile feedback that causes the appliance handle to vibrate.

[0060] The removable portion 54 of the filtration system is removed from the fixed portion 52 by sliding the removable portion 54 longitudinally away from the outer wall 200 of the handle 20 in the direction indicated by arrow B. Once the mechanical connector 60 disengages from the slot 158, the removable portion 54 (including the filter grille 48 and the intermediate layer 140) can be removed from the cable. The magnetic coupling 170 disengages, which puts the intermediate layer 140 and the filter grille 48 in the open position, i.e., opens the gap 94 formed between the opposing end faces 190, 192 of the wall 92. The gap 94, together with the flexible nature of the removable portion 54, allows it to be detached from the cable 50 for hand or dishwasher cleaning.

[0061] Once the removable portion 54 is removed from the cable 50, the intermediate layer 140 detaches from the filter grille 48 via a relative linear movement between the two portions. The filter grille 48 moves away from the end wall 210 until it can separate from the intermediate layer 140. The direction in which the filter grille 48 detaches from the intermediate layer 140 is opposite to the direction in which the removable portion 54 detaches from the fixed portion 52, as shown by arrow C. Figure 7aThis process can be performed with the magnetic coupling engaged or disengaged. Both parts of the removable portion 54 can be removed by hand or in a dishwasher to remove the intruder. The filter grille 48 can be considered as a sleeve capable of sliding on the intermediate layer 140 until it engages with the end wall 210. The intermediate layer 140 can be considered as comprising a tubular portion, with the end wall 210 being a base portion extending radially outward from one end of the tubular portion. The base portion has a circumferential flange that engages with the end of the filter grille when it is attached to the intermediate layer.

[0062] In Figure 3 to Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic attachment between the removable portion 54 and the fixed portion 52 is formed by a pair of magnets 26, 28 and a second pair of magnets 66, 68. The pair of magnets 26, 28 is housed in the end wall 210 of the intermediate layer 140, and the second pair of magnets 66, 68 is disposed in the frame 56 of the fixed portion 52. The two pairs of magnets 26, 28 and 66, 68 are radially spaced from the mechanical joint 60 and ideally positioned radially opposite each other to provide uniform force on both sides of the mechanical joint 60.

[0063] Those skilled in the art will understand that each of magnet pairs 26, 28 and 66, 68 can be replaced with a magnetizable material.

[0064] The connecting portion 156 of the frame 56 is wider than the mechanical joint 60, or extends over a larger portion of the circumference of the fixed portion 52 compared to the mechanical joint 60. This is to ensure that any stray fluid drawn in through the mechanical joint 60 is filtered by the filter screen 44.

[0065] In this embodiment, the filter grid 48 is made of a thermoplastic material such as PET; however, this is not mandatory. Alternatives include, but are not limited to, perforated (e.g., by etching, stamping, drilling, molding, or laser cutting) thermoplastic, thermosetting, rubber, aluminum, ceramic, or steel filter grids. The filter grid can be 0.05 mm to 6 mm thick, with openings of any shape ranging from 0.04 mm to 10 mm, and an opening area of ​​5% to 80%. These openings can be a regular array, randomly positioned, with a constant or varying density along and around the filter grid. The grid can have any orientation relative to the airflow, including any form of 3D shape, such as conical, circular, flat, or pleated, or any combination thereof, to maximize surface area. Coatings or embedded additives can have hydrophobic, oleophobic, fully hydrophobic, or low surface energy properties to facilitate cleaning.

[0066] Now for reference Figure 7bThe intermediate layer 140 will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the intermediate layer 140 is formed of three layers of filter media. In this embodiment, the inner layer 150 and the outer layer 146 comprise a nylon mesh with 600-micron pores, and the encapsulated central layer 148 is made of 0.8 mm thick 3D nonwoven 20GSM M5 filter classification project reference HF110 / 4 from Haerdi.

[0067] The intermediate layer 140 has several functions or desired properties. The first function is to limit the number of long and short hairs that can pass through the medium and the number of fiber fragments that can enter the product—any fragments large enough to be captured internally and act as nucleation sites for additional buildup or captured by moving parts (e.g., the fan of a fan unit)—through sieving, friction (swirling path), probabilistic methods, or electrostatics. The second function is to limit the likelihood that viscous liquid contaminants (e.g., hairspray, hair serum, etc.) bound to suspended particles (e.g., skin cells) have sufficient surface tension to form a blockage on a single filter pore, thus adversely affecting the clogging rate of the filter medium. Effectively achieving low-particle filtration, or the lowest particle filtration the product can withstand during its design life, minimizes filter clogging. This increases the time required before a cleaning process is needed. It limits the possibility of fiber media tangling and being difficult to remove from the filter. It allows for easy cleaning in a salon using readily available surfactants, water, and tools. It captures enough visible dirt debris before any noticeable performance loss. It is robust enough to withstand multiple cleaning cycles using mechanical methods to remove debris. It features low initial pressure loss through the filter and attenuates wideband and tonal sounds.

[0068] In the detailed embodiment, three different filter media layers are used. However, this is merely an example, and the multi-layered structure may include seven or more layers, tailored to the appliance. The multi-layered structure may consist of physically separate media types or combined into a single layer of graded media, typically comprising an inner and outer layer as encapsulation for assembly and robustness purposes. The upstream or outer layer also serves as a second pre-filter (filter grid 48 is considered the first pre-filter), improving cleanability and clogging rate. The downstream or inner layer may also act as a flow rate regulator to enhance the filter's depth-load performance and cleanability. The encapsulated central layer, typically a depth-loaded media type or layered mesh, serves as the primary filter media.

[0069] Examples of filter media that can be used in the upstream or outer layer of the pre-filtration layer, i.e., filter grid (in addition to those listed above), or the middle layer for encapsulation, or the downstream or inner layer, include, but are not limited to, the following: woven, spunbond, spun, or meltblown mesh or fiber web of thermoplastic, thermosetting, ePTFE, glass, aluminum, ceramic, or steel, which can be post-treated by heat treatment, rolling (calendering), and / or sintering, with a thickness of 0.02 mm to 6 mm, having openings of any shape from 0.04 mm to 10 mm, and an opening area of ​​5% to 80%. The weight is ideally 20 to 165 GSM, and the strand diameter is 0.01 mm to 2 mm. The media density and pore size can be regular or random in nature and can be graded. Each layer can be a single or multiple materials and can be set in any orientation relative to the airflow, including any form of 3D shape, such as conical, circular, flat, or pleated, or any combination thereof, to maximize surface area. Coatings or embedded additives can have hydrophobic, oleophobic, fully hydrophobic, or low surface energy properties to facilitate cleaning. The filter media can be treated to produce antistatic or electrostatic properties. Alternatively, the filter media used can be open-cell foam or fabric of any available material, including but not limited to PU, PP, PET, silicone, AL, Kevlar, steel, or natural fibers, with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 6 mm and a pore size of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. Similarly, coatings or embedded additives can have hydrophobic, oleophobic, fully hydrophobic, or low surface energy properties to facilitate cleaning.

[0070] The reason for choosing the filter media is to capture fine particles at the fluid inlet without causing rapid clogging of the filter. Therefore, as much material as possible should be collected without compromising the performance of the appliance before a cleaning process is necessary.

[0071] In the embodiments described so far, the appliance can be operated when the removable portion is removed from the appliance. For this reason, the mesh must filter fine particles and act as a protective element for the filter. In other embodiments, see [link to other embodiments]. Figure 8 and 9 The filter screen 44a has a much larger opening. This is because the fluid inlet 40a includes a switch 120 that detects the presence of the removable portion 54. An electrical switch, such as a reed switch 120, is housed in a fixed portion 52, possibly overmolded within a support frame 144, and the reed switch 120 prevents operation of the appliance until a magnet or magnetizable material 26, 28 in the removable portion 54 approaches the switch and causes the electrical contacts in the reed switch to close, allowing the appliance to start. If the removable portion 54 is removed while the appliance is started, the electrical contacts of the reed switch will open again, and the appliance will stop operating.

[0072] Another parameter of this multi-layer filtration system is the spacing between the filter screen and the radially inner surface of the removable section, as well as the air gap between the radially outer surface of the intermediate layer and the filter grid. Gap sizes from 0 to 4 mm have been studied, and 0.73 mm was found to be optimal for the specific filtration system used. The air gaps between different layers are an additional tool for altering flow characteristics, optimizing the clogging rate and pressure drop of the filter media.

[0073] The present invention has been described in detail with respect to a hair dryer; however, it is applicable to any device that draws in fluid and directs the fluid out of the device.

[0074] The fluid flowing through the appliance is typically air, but can be different combinations of one or more gases, and may include additives to improve appliance performance or the appliance’s effect on the output object (e.g., hair and hair styling).

[0075] This invention is not limited to the detailed description above. Variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A hair care appliance comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end and a fluid inlet extending around the housing proximate the first end of the housing, a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path extending within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet is provided with a filtration system comprising a removable portion and a fixed portion, wherein the removable portion comprises separable first and second portions, and wherein the first portion is only fixable to the housing when the second portion is attached to the first portion, wherein the first portion is a sleeve slidable over the second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a filter grid and the second portion comprises a filter and a support frame.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein, the second portion comprises a tubular portion and a base portion extending radially outward from the tubular portion at one end of the tubular portion.

3. An appliance according to claim 2, wherein, the base portion provides a circumferential flange that engages an end of the first portion of the removable portion when the first portion is connected to the second portion.

4. An appliance according to claim 3, wherein, the removable portion is held relative to the fluid inlet by a magnetic coupling, wherein a first part of the magnetic coupling is housed within the base portion.

5. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the removable portion is attached to the housing by sliding the removable portion in a first direction on the fixed portion.

6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein, the first portion is attached to the second portion by sliding the first portion in a second direction on the second portion opposite the first direction.

7. An appliance according to claim 6, wherein, the second portion comprises a frame that surrounds and bounds one or more layers of filtration media.

8. The appliance of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the fixed portion comprises a filter screen surrounded and supported by a screen frame.

9. An appliance according to claim 8, wherein, the screen frame comprises a channel that forms a first piece of a mechanical coupling between the fixed portion and the removable portion.

10. An appliance according to claim 9, wherein, the removable portion comprises second and third pieces of the mechanical coupling between the fixed portion and the removable portion of the filtration system, wherein the second and third pieces of the mechanical coupling are adapted to mate with the channel in the screen frame.

11. An appliance according to claim 10, wherein, the removable portion of the fluid inlet has an open state and a closed state, wherein the removable portion can only be attached to the fixed portion when it is in the closed state.

12. An appliance according to claim 11, wherein, the second and third pieces of the mechanical coupling are separable when the removable portion is removed from the fixed portion.

13. An appliance according to claim 12, wherein, the first portion of the removable portion comprises the second piece of the mechanical coupling, which comprises a housing that houses a protrusion in a first section of the mechanical coupling and a mating recess in a second section of the mechanical coupling.

14. An appliance according to claim 13, wherein, the second portion of the removable portion comprises the third piece of the mechanical coupling, which comprises a connection portion having one or more of a magnet or magnetizable material in the first and second sections.

15. An appliance according to claim 14, wherein, the fluid inlet further comprises a switch that senses the presence of the removable portion of the filtration system and only allows the appliance to start when the removable portion of the filtration system is attached.

16. An appliance according to claim 15, wherein, The switch is a reed switch housed within the mesh frame that detects a third piece of the mechanical link, closes a pair of electrical contacts when the removable portion of the filtration system is attached, and opens the pair of electrical contacts when the removable portion of the filtration system is removed.

17. The appliance of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The appliance is a hair drying appliance having an air flow, a hair styling appliance.

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