Cosmetic tool with mode selector assembly

Abstract

A cosmetic tool includes an outer housing, two or more operating assemblies mounted to or within the outer housing, two or more switches, and a switch track mounted to or within the outer housing. The outer housing defines a contoured portion and a handle portion. The two or more switches each have a respective switch portion movable between two or more switch positions, and the two or more switches control power delivery to the two or more operating components. The switch track has two or more tracks. Each track is configured to cooperate with a respective switch portion of the two or more switches such that the respective switch portion is movable between the two or more switch positions in response to rotation of the switch track relative to the outer housing about an axis.

Description

Background Art

[0001] It is known to provide a selector assembly on a handle portion of a beauty tool, wherein the selector assembly includes a switch unit adapted to control a first and a second operating component (e.g., a heater and a fan motor) of the beauty tool. The known switch unit is typically a controller (i.e., a knob or switch) that is fixedly mounted on the handle portion and movable in two separate directions, with one type of directional movement for each operating component. For example, the controller may be associated with both a sliding variable resistor that changes the resistance value by a linear movement of the controller and a rotary variable resistor that changes the resistance value by a rotational movement of the controller. Thus, the first operating component is controlled by a linear movement of the controller on the handle portion, and the second operating component is controlled by a separate rotational movement of the controller on the handle portion. However, this type of switch unit for operating a beauty tool may be cumbersome for the user and may require a large footprint on the handle portion. Summary of the invention

[0002] In view of the foregoing, a beauty tool includes an outer shell, two or more operating components mounted to or in the outer shell, two or more switches, and a switch track mounted to or in the outer shell. The outer shell defines a styling portion and a handle portion. The two or more switches each have a corresponding switch portion that can move between two or more switch positions, and the two or more switches control the power delivery to the two or more operating components. The switch track has two or more tracks. Each track is configured to cooperate with a corresponding switch portion of the two or more switches so that the corresponding switch portion can move between the two or more switch positions in response to the switch track rotating around an axis relative to the outer shell.

[0003] In one aspect of the beauty tool, the two or more operating components may include a first operating component and a second operating component, the first operating component being one of a motor or at least one heating element, and the second operating component being the other of the motor or at least one heating element. The two or more switches may include a first switch having a first switch portion movable between two or more first switch positions and a second switch having a second switch portion movable between two or more second switch positions. The first switch may control power delivery to the first operating component, and the second switch may control power delivery to the second operating component. The switch track may have a first track and a second track. The first track may cooperate with the first switch portion and the second track may cooperate with the second switch portion. The first track may be shaped so that the first switch portion can move between the two or more first switch positions in response to the switch track rotating relative to the outer shell about the axis. The second track may be shaped so that the second switch portion can move between the two or more second switch positions in response to the switch track rotating relative to the outer shell about the axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a beauty tool including an exemplary selector assembly for simultaneously and / or individually controlling at least two operating components of the beauty tool.

[0005] Figure 2 To include Figure 1 A side perspective view of an embodiment of a beauty tool of a selector assembly.

[0006] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A side perspective view of the switch control of the selector assembly.

[0007] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B To show the Figure 3 Side view of the different positions associated with the grooves of the switch track of the switch control of the selector assembly.

[0008] Figure 5 A circuit diagram of the circuit of the selector assembly.

[0009] Figure 6 Based on FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B The rotation of the switch track of the switch control member and Figure 5 An exemplary table of operating modes associated with the circuits of the selector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Of course, it should be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative only, and that various modifications and changes may be made to the disclosed structures without departing from the present disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of a beauty tool 100 including an exemplary selector assembly for simultaneously and / or individually controlling at least two operating components (eg, a motor 132, a first heating element 142, a second heating element 152) of the beauty tool 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As seen in FIG. 1 , the beauty tool 100 includes an outer housing 102 that defines both a styling portion and a handle portion of the beauty tool. A selector assembly, typically provided as part of the handle portion of the beauty tool, may include a switch housing 104 and a switch control portion 110 housed by the switch housing 104. The switch control portion 110 may include a first switch 112, a second switch 114, a switch track 116, and a circuit 120. The at least two operating components may include a motor 132, a first heating element 142, and a second heating element 152; however, it should be understood that the type of operating components is determined by the type of beauty tool in which the selector assembly is included.

[0011] Figure 2 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a beauty tool 100, wherein the beauty tool is a handheld hair straightener. However, it should be understood that alternative embodiments of the beauty tool are contemplated, for example, the beauty tool 100 may be a styler, a hair dryer, etc. The beauty tool 100 includes a styling portion having a first movable arm 202 and a second movable arm 204, wherein the movable arms are configured to operate on human hair, for example, and a handle portion includes Figure 1 104 of the switch housing 104. As depicted, the controller 210 is operably associated with the switch housing 104 to allow a user to control different operating modes of the operating assembly. The controller 210 may be in the form of a control dial 212 that is rotatable about the switch housing 104 or axis AA of the beauty tool. The control dial is operably connected to the switch track 116, wherein rotation of the control dial 212 causes a corresponding rotation of the switch track 116 relative to the outer housing 102 about the axis AA. The switch track 116 is connected to the first switch 112 and the second switch 114, so that the rotational movement of the switch track 116 relative to the outer housing 102 controls the operating mode of the beauty tool 100 according to the position of the first switch 112 and the second switch 114. In addition, the control dial 212 attached to the switch track 116 can enable the user to select between multiple settings of the beauty tool 100 via the circuit 120. Examples of settings that can be adjusted via the circuit 120 include different configurations of air temperature, air speed, comb temperature, heating plate temperature, etc., and the settings also depend on the type of beauty tool 100.

[0012] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the first switch 112 and the second switch 114 may have respective first switch portions 312 and second switch portions 314 that are movable between two or more switch positions. Figure 2 Two switches are shown in FIG, but embodiments including additional switches (eg, two or more switches) may be implemented. According to the present disclosure, Figure 2 The handheld hair straightener of FIG. 1 shows that the first switch 112 has a first switch portion 312 movable between two or more switch positions and the second switch 114 has a second switch portion 314 movable between two or more switch positions.

[0013] Figure 3 According to one aspect Figure 1 A side perspective view of the switch control portion 110 of the beauty tool 100. Figure 3 , the chassis 410 is mounted to the switch housing 104, specifically to the switch track 116. The first switch 112 and the second switch 114 are mounted to the chassis 410 so that rotational movement of the switch track 116 about the axis AA (via the controller 210) causes linear movement of the corresponding switch parts 312, 314 in a direction parallel to the axis AA. However, according to other aspects, it is possible to align the switches so that the movement of the corresponding switch parts is along another axis or direction. According to one aspect, the first switch 112 and the second switch 114 can be a sliding switch, a rotary switch, or another type of switch having a switch part that moves in a linear manner or other movable protrusions, projections, knobs, etc.

[0014] like Figure 3 As seen in FIG. 1 , the switch track 116 has Figure 3 The first track defined by the first track opening 512, and the Figure 3 The second track defined by the second track opening 514. The first track opening 512 is configured to receive the first switch portion 312 and the second track opening 514 is configured to receive the second switch portion 314. In addition, the first track opening 512 is formed so that the first switch portion 312 can move between the two or more switch positions when the switch track 116 rotates about the axis AA relative to the outer shell 102. Similarly, the second track opening 514 is formed so that the second switch portion 314 can move between the two or more switch positions when the switch track 116 rotates about the axis AA relative to the outer shell 102. Therefore, the first track opening 512 and the second track opening 514 can control the switch position of the corresponding switch. In this regard, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B Additional details are provided regarding the two or more switch positions.

[0015] although Figure 3 The switch portion shown in the figure is a switch cap, but it should be understood that the switch portion may have a recess instead of a protrusion or projection. In one example, the switch track 116 may include two or more protrusions or projections that are configured to slide along the corresponding track openings 512, 514 and mate with the recess of the switch portion. Alternatively, the switch track 116 may include an inwardly extending protrusion that follows a path similar to the first track opening 512 and the second track opening 514 to define the first track and the second track, respectively, and the corresponding switch portions 312, 314 can slide along the first and second tracks in a manner similar to that described in further detail below.

[0016] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B 1 is a side view illustrating different positions associated with the first track opening 512 and the second track opening 514 of the switch track 116 of the switch control portion 110 according to one aspect. In this regard, it can be seen that the shape of the first track opening 512 is different from the shape of the second track opening 514. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B One advantage of the configuration of the switch track 116 provided in is that this configuration enables simultaneous and / or individual control of multiple operating components of the beauty tool 100 while maintaining a lightweight design without occupying a large space in the handle portion of the beauty tool.

[0017] Figure 4A The first track opening 512 is configured to be shaped such that when the switch track 116 moves along the axis AA or rotates around the axis AA between the plurality of switch track positions, the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 can move along the first track opening 512 between the plurality of first switch track positions (e.g., Figure 4A For example, the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 can be moved between five different first switch positions corresponding to Figure 4A five different vertical positions and in Figure 6 The "SW1 switch position (vertical switch position)" column in the table shown in FIG. Figure 4A , for the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112, the first switch track positions 1 to 2 correspond to the first switch position 1, the first switch track position 3 corresponds to the first switch position 2, the first switch track position 4 corresponds to the first switch position 3, the first switch track positions 5 to 7 correspond to the first switch position 4, and the first switch track position 8 corresponds to the first switch position 5. Therefore, when the switch track 116 is in Figure 4AWhen the handheld device is rotated from left to right by the user of the handheld device, the switch track 116 will pass through switch track positions 1 to 8 and change the first switch position of the first switch 112 from first switch position 1 (e.g., corresponding to first switch track positions 1 to 2) to first switch position 2 (e.g., corresponding to first switch track position 3) to first switch position 3 (e.g., corresponding to first switch track position 4) to first switch position 4 (e.g., corresponding to first switch track positions 5 to 7) to first switch position 5 (e.g., corresponding to first switch track position 8). In this way, the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 can be moved from the bottom to the top, as shown in FIG. Figure 4A as shown in .

[0018] like Figure 4B As seen in FIG. 1 , the second track opening 514 is similarly configured and has a slightly different shape that enables the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 to move along the second track opening 514 when the switch track 116 moves along the axis AA or rotates about the axis AA between the plurality of switch track positions. Figure 4B A plurality of second switch track positions (eg, Figure 4B Moves between positions 0 to 8 in the reference Figure 4A and Figure 4B , when the switch track 116 is in the corresponding switch track position (for example, Figure 4A and Figure 4B When the first switch section 312 is in the nine different switch track positions 0 to 8, both the first switch section 312 and the second switch section 314 reside in the same respective switch track positions. Figure 4A When the first switch track is in position 1, the second switch section is in Figure 4B The second switch track position 1 in the switch track 116 is in track position 1. Similarly, when the first switch portion 312 is in Figure 4A When the first switch track is in position 2, the second switch section is in Figure 4B The second switch track position 2 in the embodiment and the switch track 116 is in track position 2, and so on.

[0019] For example, the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 can be moved between five different second switch positions corresponding to Figure 4B five different vertical positions and in Figure 6 The "SW2 switch position (vertical switch position)" column in the table shown in FIG. Figure 4B, for the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114, second switch track positions 1 to 4 correspond to second switch position 1, second switch track position 5 corresponds to second switch position 2, second switch track position 6 corresponds to second switch position 3, second switch track position 7 corresponds to second switch position 3, and second switch track position 8 corresponds to second switch position 5. Therefore, when the switch track 116 is in Figure 4B When the handheld device is rotated from left to right by the user of the handheld device, the switch track 116 will pass through switch track positions 1 to 8 and change the second switch position of the second switch 114 from second switch position 1 (e.g., corresponding to second switch track positions 1 to 4) to second switch position 2 (e.g., corresponding to second switch track position 5) to second switch position 3 (e.g., corresponding to second switch track position 6) to second switch position 4 (e.g., corresponding to second switch track position 7) to second switch position 5 (e.g., corresponding to second switch track position 8). In this way, the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 can be moved from the bottom to the top, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B as shown in .

[0020] Although FIG. 4A is described with respect to the first switch 112 and FIG. 4B is described with respect to the second switch 114, it should be understood that the rotation of the switch track 116 may cause the switch portions 312, 314 of the corresponding first switch 112 and second switch 114 to move from one switch position to another switch position simultaneously or in parallel in some cases, or to move from one switch position to another switch position individually in other cases without causing the other switch to move to another switch position.

[0021] For example, as already discussed, Figure 4A The first switch track position 2 in corresponds to the first switch position 1 of the first switch 112, and Figure 4B The second switch track position 2 in corresponds to the second switch position 1 of the second switch 114. The rotation of the switch track 116 that causes the movement from the first switch track position 2 to the first switch track position 3 causes only the first switch 112 to change the first switch position. In the first switch track position 3 of the switch track 116, the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 2, while the second switch 114 remains in the second switch position 1 (see also Figure 6 ). Thus, the shapes of the first track opening 512 and the second track opening 514 at these locations are configured such that rotation of the switch track 116 only causes individual operational movement of a single switch.

[0022] However, other portions of the switch track 116 are configured for simultaneous operational movement of the first switch portion 312 and the second switch portion 314 of the first switch 112 and the second switch 114. For example, at the first switch position 7 of the switch portion 312 and the corresponding second switch position 7 of the second switch portion 314, both the first switch 112 and the second switch 114 are set to their respective switch positions 4. Rotation of the switch track 116 that causes the first switch portion 312 to move from the first track position 7 to the first track position 8 causes both the first switch 112 and the second switch 114 to move to their respective switch positions 5, because rotation of the switch track 116 that causes the first switch portion 312 to move from the first track position 7 to the first track position 8 also causes the second switch portion 314 to move from the second track position 7 to the second track position 8. Therefore, the shapes of the first track opening 512 and the second track opening 514 at these positions are configured so that rotation of the switch track 116 causes simultaneous or dual operational movement of the two switches 112, 114. In this manner, the first track opening 512 and the second track opening 514 of the switch track 116 provide for simultaneous and / or separate control of at least two operating components, such as the motor 132 , the first heating element 142 , and / or the second heating element 152 of the grooming tool 100 .

[0023] In addition, this design enables the user of the beauty tool to change the operating mode by simply rotating the switch track 116 a comfortable amount (e.g., enough to notice the change in rotation), while maintaining the tactile feel provided by the change between switch positions. As an additional benefit, the simultaneous movement of the two switch portions 312, 314 of the first switch 112 and the second switch 114 can provide additional feedback to the user that the operating mode of the beauty tool 100 has been changed for certain scenarios.

[0024] The switch track position 0 of both the first switch portion 312 in the first track opening 512 and the second switch portion 314 in the second track opening 514 can be a locked position or a storage position when the switch track 116 is relative to FIG. 4B to FIG. 4AWhen moved downward, the locking position or storage position inhibits rotational movement of the switch track 116 about the axis AA of the beauty tool 100. The switch track 116 can slide along the axis AA of the beauty tool 100 to configure the switch track 116 in the switch track position 0 of both the first switch portion 312 and the second switch portion 314. When in the switch track position 0, there is no change in the position of the switch portion 312, 314 of the corresponding switch 112, 114. In other words, when in the switch track positions 0 and 1, the switch position of the first switch 112 is the same as the switch position of the second switch 114. Therefore, the switch track position 0 of the switch track position of the switch track 116 can cause the corresponding switch 112, 114 to be locked to the switch position 1 of both switches 112, 114.

[0025] Figure 5 According to one aspect Figure 1 A circuit diagram of an exemplary circuit 120 of a beauty tool 100 is shown. Figure 5 As seen in FIG. 1 , the circuit 120 may include a first switch 112, a second switch 114, and additional circuit portions 602, 604, 606 may be selectively electrically connected to a power source 610 on the circuit based on the position of the first switch portion 312 and the position of the second switch portion 314 via the switch track 116 around the axis AA of the beauty tool 100. The additional circuit portions 602, 604, 606 may include one or more of the motor 132 and / or the heating elements 142, 152. Although Figure 5 Three circuit portions 602, 604, 606 are depicted in FIG. 6 , but embodiments including fewer or additional circuit portions (eg, two or more circuit portions) may be implemented.

[0026] exist Figure 5 , according to one aspect, a first switch 112 and a second switch 114 are shown, wherein each switch has only three different electrical contact connections (e.g., contacts 1, 2, 3 for each switch). However, it should be understood that any number of electrical contact connections, and any number of switches other than the first switch 112 and the second switch 114, may be implemented. Figure 6 The additional circuit portion 602 may include Figure 1 The motor 132 and the diode bridge D1, D2, D3, D4 arranged to provide a direct current (DC) current to the motor 132. The motor 132 can drive the fan blades of a fan (not shown) in a conventional manner. The additional circuit portion 604 can be Figure 1The first heating element 142 can be adjusted between various off, low, medium and high settings via diodes D6-D7. An additional circuit portion 606 can be a second heating element 152, such as a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element, which can be thermally connected to the board so that when the heating element is operated, heat from the heating element is transferred to the board.

[0027] According to one aspect, Figure 5 The component SWC in the embodiment may be a switch configured to be closed when the first movable arm 202 and the second movable arm 204 of the beauty tool 100 are in the closed position (eg, Figure 2 ) and disconnected when the first movable arm 202 and the second movable arm 204 of the beauty tool 100 are in the open position. As with known handheld hair straighteners, the first movable arm 202 and the second movable arm 204 are biased to the open position. In this way, the SWC can automatically enable and disable the additional circuit portion 602, 604 in a seamless manner via the movement of the arms, which is easily controlled by the user's grip to press the first movable arm 202 and the second movable arm 204 together.

[0028] Figure 6 Based on one aspect FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B The rotation of the switch track 116 of the switch control member and Figure 5 An exemplary table of operating modes associated with the selector assembly circuit 120 is shown in FIG. Figure 6 In the embodiment, when the user interface setting or the switch track position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 0, 1 or 2, the switch positions of the first switch 112 and the first switch portion 312 and the second switch portion 314 of the switch 114 are both in the switch position 1. Figure 6 The first switch 112 is in the open configuration. Figure 6 The second switch 114 connects point C to the electrical contact 1. Since the first switch 112 is in the open configuration, no current can flow through the circuit 120 because no loop is formed in this situation. Therefore, each of the motor 132 associated with the circuit portion 602, the first heating element 142 associated with the circuit portion 604, and the second heating element 152 associated with the circuit portion 606 is turned off.

[0029] When the user interface setting or the position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 3, the switch position of the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 2 (eg, Figure 4AThe second switch position of the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 remains set to the second switch position 1 (eg, Figure 4B ). With reference to the electrical contact connection of the first switch 112, the first switch 112 connects point C with electrical contact 1. With reference to the electrical contact connection of the second switch 114, the second switch 114 connects point C with electrical contact 1. When the first switch 112 is closed and electrically connects point C with electrical contact 1, an alternating current (AC) current flows through the diode bridge (diodes D1-D4), which acts as a bridge rectifier to convert the alternating current (AC) current into a direct current (DC) output for the motor 132 and the associated circuit portion 602, thereby operating the fan in a high operational mode. Until the first switch 112 completes the loop by connecting point C with electrical contact 2, the connection of the second switch 114 does not come into play, and therefore in this scenario, the first heating element 142 associated with circuit portion 604 and the second heating element 152 associated with circuit portion 606 are turned off.

[0030] When the user interface setting or the position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 4, the switch position of the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 3 (eg, Figure 4A The switch position of the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 remains set to the second switch position 1 (eg, Figure 4B ). With reference to the electrical contact connection of the first switch 112, the first switch 112 connects point C with the electrical contact 2. With reference to the electrical contact connection of the second switch 114, the second switch 114 connects point C with the electrical contact 1. When the first switch 112 is closed and electrically connects point C with the electrical contact 2, current can flow to the second switch 114. The connection of the second switch 114 from point C to the electrical contact 1 forms a loop, wherein the current can flow through the diode D5 or the diode D6. Since the current passes through the diode D5 (and due to the associated voltage drop) and enters the bridge rectifier and the associated circuit portion 602, the motor 132 and therefore any connected fan blades will operate in a slower state than when the current is fed directly from the electrical contact 1 of the first switch 112. Similarly, the diodes D6, D7 enable the first heating element 142 associated with the circuit portion 604 to operate at a lower operating setting (e.g., in a low mode) due to passing through both the diodes D6 and the diodes D7. Thus, the motor 132 associated with the circuit portion 602 and the first heating element 142 associated with the circuit portion 604 are operated in a low operational mode, while the second heating element 152 associated with the circuit portion 606 is turned off.

[0031] When the user interface setting or the position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 5, the switch position of the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 4 (eg, Figure 4A The switch position of the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 is set to the second switch position 2 (eg, Figure 4B ). With reference to the electrical contact connection of the first switch 112, the first switch 112 connects point C with electrical contacts 1 and 2. With reference to the electrical contact connection of the second switch 114, the second switch 114 connects point C with electrical contact 2. By virtue of the connection of the first switch 112 from point C to electrical contact 1, the fan associated with the motor 132 is in a high operating mode. The connection of the first switch 112 from point C to electrical contact 2 enables the second switch to effectively form a loop via the electrical connection between point C and electrical contact 2. In this scenario, current flows only through the resistor R1 of the additional circuit portion 604, thereby causing the first heating element 142 to operate in a medium operating mode while bypassing the use of the resistor R2. Therefore, the motor 132 that can drive the fan associated with the circuit portion 602 operates in a high operating mode, the first heating element 142 associated with the circuit portion 604 operates in a medium operating mode, and the second heating element 152 associated with the circuit portion 606 is turned off.

[0032] When the user interface setting or the position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 6, the switch position of the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 4 (eg, Figure 4A The switch position of the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 is set to the second switch position 3 (eg, Figure 4B). With reference to the electrical contact connection of the first switch 112, the first switch 112 connects point C with electrical contacts 1 and 2. With reference to the electrical contact connection of the second switch 114, the second switch 114 connects point C with electrical contacts 1 and 2. As indicated above, the connection of the first switch 112 from point C to electrical contact 1 causes the fan to operate in the high operating mode. The connection of the first switch 112 from point C to electrical contact 2 enables the second switch to effectively form a loop via the electrical connection between point C and electrical contacts 1 and 2. In this scenario, some current flows through R1 of the additional circuit portion 604 (without passing through diode D7), through resistor R2 via diode D6, and through resistor R1 via diodes D6-D7, thereby causing the first heating element 142 to operate in the high operating mode. In this manner, the fan-drivable motor 132 associated with circuit portion 602 operates in a high operating mode, the first heating element 142 associated with circuit portion 604 operates in a high operating mode, and the second heating element 152 associated with circuit portion 606 is turned off.

[0033] When the user interface setting or the position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 7, the switch position of the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 4 (eg, Figure 4A The switch position of the second switch portion 314 of the second switch 114 is set to the second switch position 4 (eg, Figure 4B ). With reference to the electrical contact connections of the first switch 112, the first switch 112 connects point C with electrical contacts 1 and 2. With reference to the electrical contact connections of the second switch 114, the second switch 114 connects point C with electrical contacts 2 and 3. As indicated above, the connection of the first switch 112 from point C to electrical contact 1 enables the fan to operate in the high operating mode. Likewise, the connection of the first switch 112 from point C to electrical contact 2 enables the second switch to effectively form a loop via the electrical connection between point C and electrical contacts 2 and 3. As already discussed, current flows only through the resistor R1 of the additional circuit portion 604, thereby enabling the first heating element 142 to operate in the medium operating mode while bypassing the use of the resistor R2. In addition, the connection between point C and electrical contact 3 of the second switch 114 forms another loop, which enables current to flow through the diode D8 and flow to the second heating element 152, which is in the medium operating mode. Figure 6604 is shown as a PTC element. Since the current flows through the diode D8, this causes the second heating element 152 associated with the circuit portion 606 to operate in the low operating mode. In this way, the motor 132 that can drive the fan associated with the circuit portion 602 operates in the high operating mode, the first heating element 142 associated with the circuit portion 604 operates in the medium operating mode, and the second heating element 152 associated with the circuit portion 606 operates in the low operating mode.

[0034] When the user interface setting or the position of the switch track 116 is set to the switch track position 8, the switch position of the first switch portion 312 of the first switch 112 is set to the first switch position 5 (eg, Figure 4A The top position of the second switch 114 is set to the second switch position 5 (eg, Figure 4B ). With reference to the electrical contact connection of the first switch 112, the first switch 112 connects point C with the electrical contact 3. With reference to the electrical contact connection of the second switch 114, the second switch 114 is in an open configuration. The connection between point C and the electrical contact 3 of the first switch 112 forms a loop that enables current to flow through the second heating element 152 while bypassing the diode D8, thereby causing the second heating element 152 associated with the circuit portion 606 to operate in a high operating mode, while the motor 132 associated with the circuit portion 602 and the first heating element 142 associated with the circuit portion 604 are turned off.

[0035] It should be understood that the above disclosed embodiments and other features and functions or their substitutions or changes can be combined into many other different systems or applications as needed. In addition, those skilled in the art may subsequently make various currently unforeseen or unanticipated substitutions, modifications, changes or improvements, which are also intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beauty tool, comprising: an outer shell defining a shaping portion and a handle portion; two or more operational components mounted to or within the outer housing; two or more switches, each switch having a respective switch portion movable between two or more switch positions, wherein the two or more switches control power delivery to the two or more operating components; as well as A switch track mounted to or within the outer housing and having two or more tracks, wherein each track is configured to cooperate with a corresponding switch portion of the two or more switches so that the corresponding switch portion can move between the two or more switch positions in response to rotation of the switch track relative to the outer housing about an axis.

2. The beauty tool according to claim 1, wherein: The two or more switches are slide switches, each having a respective switch portion slidable in a direction parallel to the axis about which the switch track rotates.

3. The beauty tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The two or more tracks are each defined by a respective track opening in the switch track.

4. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: The two or more operating components include a motor or at least one heating element.

5. The beauty tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: The two or more operating components include a first operating component and a second operating component, the first operating component is one of a motor or at least one heating element, and the second operating component is the other of the motor or the at least one heating element; wherein the two or more switches include a first switch having a first switch portion movable between two or more first switch positions and a second switch having a second switch portion movable between two or more second switch positions, the first switch controlling power delivery to the first operating component, and the second switch controlling power delivery to the second operating component; Wherein, the switch track includes a first track and a second track, wherein the first track cooperates with the first switch part and the second track cooperates with the second switch part, wherein the first track is formed so that the first switch part can move between the two or more first switch positions in response to the switch track rotating around the axis relative to the outer shell, wherein the second track is formed so that the second switch part can move between the two or more second switch positions in response to the switch track rotating around the axis relative to the outer shell.

6. The beauty tool according to claim 5, further comprising a circuit, the circuit comprising the first switch, the second switch, a first circuit portion and a second circuit portion, wherein the first circuit portion is operably associated with the first operating component and the second circuit portion is operably associated with the second operating component, wherein each of the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion is selectively electrically connected to a power source of the circuit based on a corresponding first switch position of the first switch portion and a corresponding second switch position of the second switch portion.

7. The beauty tool according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The shape of the first track is different from the shape of the second track.

8. The beauty tool according to claim 7, wherein: Rotation of the switch track about the axis causes displacement of the first switch part from one of the two or more first switch positions to another of the two or more first switch positions along at least a portion of the rotational travel of the switch track about the axis, and causes displacement of the second switch part from one of the two or more second switch positions to another of the two or more second switch positions along at least a portion of the rotational travel of the switch track about the axis.

9. The beauty tool according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: Rotation of the switch track about the axis causes displacement of the first switch part from one of the two or more first switch positions to another of the two or more first switch positions along at least a portion of the rotational travel of the switch track about the axis without displacement of the second switch part.

10. The beauty tool according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein: Rotation of the switch track about the axis causes displacement of the second switch part from one of the two or more second switch positions to another of the two or more second switch positions along at least a portion of the rotational travel of the switch track about the axis without displacement of the first switch part.

11. The beauty tool according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein: The first operating component is a motor for a fan.

12. The beauty tool according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein: The second operative component is a resistive heating element.

13. The cosmetic tool according to any one of claims 5 to 12, further comprising a third operating component and a third circuit portion operably associated with the third operating component.

14. The beauty tool according to claim 13, wherein: The third operating component is another heating element.

15. The beauty tool according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The second switch controls power delivery to the third operating component.

16. The beauty tool according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein: The first switch controls power delivery to the second switch.

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