Hair care appliance with sensor-transmitter arrangement

Abstract

A hair care appliance includes a body including an annular outlet configured to discharge an airflow in the form of an annular post. The hair care appliance also includes a sensor-emitter arrangement located radially inward of the annular outlet. The sensor-transmitter arrangement includes at least one of a sensor and a transmitter configured to sense an accessory attached to the body, or to sense a characteristic of hair near the hair care appliance, or to illuminate the hair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a hair care appliance comprising a sensor-transmitter arrangement. Background Art

[0002] A hair care appliance may include a sensor or a transmitter. For example, the sensor may sense hair or an accessory attached to the body of the hair care appliance. However, incorporating a sensor or a transmitter into a hair care appliance can present challenges. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair care appliance comprising: a body including an annular outlet configured to discharge an airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-emitter arrangement located radially inside the annular outlet, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises at least one of a sensor and an emitter configured to sense an accessory attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair in the vicinity of the hair care appliance or to illuminate the hair.

[0004] Positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement radially inward of the annular outlet may allow the sensor-transmitter to be aligned with the exhaust airflow path or a target of the exhaust airflow path (e.g., a user's head or hair) without interfering with the exhaust airflow itself. Thus, accurate sensing and / or precisely directed illumination may be provided without negatively affecting or impacting the exhaust airflow. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement radially inward of the annular outlet may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement to be away from the heated airflow or other components of the hair care appliance that would otherwise interfere with the sensor or transmitter. This in turn may reduce the heat or other protection that may be required for the sensor or transmitter, and / or allow sensors or transmitters that may be damaged or negatively affected by heat or other interference to still be used. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement radially inward of the annular outlet may allow the sensor or transmitter to be incorporated into the hair care appliance without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care appliance and / or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective.

[0005] The hair care appliance may comprise a barrel portion having an annular outlet, the barrel portion may comprise an aperture, and the sensor-transmitter arrangement may be located in the aperture.

[0006] Positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement in the aperture can allow the sensor-emitter arrangement to be relatively physically isolated from other components located in the barrel portion (e.g., a heater), which can reduce heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. Alternatively or additionally, this can allow a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement to the outside of the hair care appliance. This can be useful, for example, where the sensor uses a light-based sensing method to sense an accessory or property of the hair and / or where the emitter illuminates hair near the hair care appliance.

[0007] The body may surround or house the sensor-transmitter arrangement. This may allow the body to physically protect the sensor-transmitter arrangement, which may provide a sturdy hair care appliance.

[0008] The sensor-transmitter arrangement may be located on the central axis of the annular outlet. This may allow the sensor / transmitter arrangement to be ideally aligned with the exhausting airflow. Alternatively or additionally, this may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement to be equidistant from the heated airflow, which may reduce the extent to which hot spots may develop on the sensor-transmitter arrangement.

[0009] The sensor-emitter arrangement may include at least one of a light-based sensor and a light-based emitter. For example, the sensor-emitter arrangement may include one or more time-of-flight sensors, imaging devices such as cameras, spectroscopic and / or reflectometry devices, and light-based hair, skin, or scalp treatment devices, such as red light therapy emitters, low-level laser therapy emitters, or ultraviolet C (UVC) emitters. Being radially inward of the annular outlet allows the emitted and / or received light to be aligned with the exhaust airflow, which may allow for more accurate sensing of the exhaust airflow and / or targeting of the exhaust airflow.

[0010] The light-based sensor may be configured to sense light in a first direction, or the light-based emitter may be configured to emit light in a first direction, and the first direction may be parallel to the central axis of the annular outlet. This may help ensure that the emitted and / or received light is aligned with the exhaust airflow, which may allow for more accurate sensing of the exhaust airflow and / or emission onto a target of the exhaust airflow.

[0011] The sensor-transmitter arrangement may include a proximity sensor or a magnetometer. Positioning the proximity sensor radially inwardly of the annular outlet may allow the target of the proximity sensor (e.g., the user's head or hair) to be aligned with the airflow target. This in turn may allow accurate and / or reliable determination of proximity, such as the distance to the user's head or hair, and thereby, for example, allow improved operation of the hair care appliance. For example, the proximity sensor may include a time-of-flight sensor. The magnetometer may allow magnetic accessories to be distinguished without providing a magnetometer at the accessory interface of the main body and the accessory, which may have strict packaging constraints. Alternatively or additionally, placing the magnetometer radially inwardly of the annular outlet may reduce interference from electrical components of the hair care appliance, such as a heater.

[0012] The sensor-emitter arrangement may include a visual indicator device configured to indicate to a user the current operating mode of the hair care appliance. For example, the visual indicator device may be an LED. For example, the visual indicator device may indicate the operating mode of the sensor-emitter arrangement, such as whether the sensor-emitter arrangement is currently operating in a sensing mode or an emitting mode. The sensor-emitter arrangement including the visual indicator device may allow the operating mode to be communicated to the user without significantly changing the display configuration of the hair care appliance body itself, which may be cost effective.

[0013] The body may include an annular heater through which the airflow passes before being exhausted, and the sensor-transmitter arrangement may be located radially inward of the annular heater. This may allow the temperature to which the sensor or transmitter is exposed to be reduced, which in turn may reduce the thermal protection that may be required of the sensor or transmitter, and / or allow sensors or transmitters that might otherwise be damaged by heat or otherwise suffer interference to still be used.

[0014] The sensor-transmitter arrangement may include an enclosure housing at least one of the sensor and the transmitter, and the enclosure may be connected to the body by a support member. Such an arrangement may allow for minimal heat transfer from the body to the enclosure. For example, the enclosure may be connected to the body by a single rib, which may minimize heat transfer from the body to the enclosure.

[0015] The enclosure may be elongated in a direction parallel to the exhaust airflow. This may allow for reduced disruption of secondary airflow that may be drawn through the hair care appliance (e.g. through the aperture in which the sensor-transmitter arrangement is located) as air is exhausted from the annular outlet. This may improve operation of the hair care appliance.

[0016] The hair care appliance may include a control module configured to control the operation of the hair care appliance depending on the output of the sensor transmitting arrangement. This may allow the hair care appliance to be automatically controlled. The operation of the hair care appliance may include controlling a heater and / or an airflow generator of the hair care appliance. For example, in the event that the sensor senses a certain accessory, the control module may control the hair care appliance to operate according to the settings of a certain accessory (e.g., a heater and / or an airflow generator). For example, the accessories may include a diffuser and a concentrator. When a relatively low airflow speed is used, a diffuser may provide a better styling effect, while when a relatively high airflow speed is used, a concentrator may provide a better styling effect.

[0017] The hair care appliance may include an accessory attachable to the main body to receive the airflow discharged from the annular outlet, and the sensor-transmitter arrangement may be configured to sense the accessory when the accessory is attached to the main body, or to sense a property of the hair or illuminate the hair near the accessory. This may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement to function with the accessory attached to the main body. This may increase the flexibility of use of the hair care appliance.

[0018] The accessory may include a transmission path along which emissions travel to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement. This may allow emissions, such as electromagnetic radiation, to be transferred from the sensor-emitter arrangement to the user's head or hair (or vice versa) when the accessory is attached to the body. This may allow flexibility in the functionality of the hair care appliance while still allowing the hair sensing and / or illumination functionality of the hair care appliance.

[0019] The sensor-transmitter arrangement may include a magnetometer, the accessory may be one of a plurality of magnetic accessories, and the hair care appliance may include a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories is attached to the body based on data output by the magnetometer. This may allow the control module to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories is attached to the body. For example, different magnetic accessories may produce different magnetic fields at the magnetometer when the magnetic accessories are attached to the body. This may be sensed by the magnetometer, and the control module may identify a given one of the plurality of magnetic accessories based on an output from the magnetometer indicating a given magnetic field at the magnetometer. A magnetometer located radially inward of the annular outlet may allow the accessory to be determined away from an accessory interface (i.e., an area of ​​the body where the accessory is attached to the body), which may have strict packaging constraints.

[0020] The sensor-transmitter arrangement may include a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor, the accessory may be one of a plurality of accessories, and the hair care appliance may include a control module configured to determine which of a plurality of magnetic accessories is attached to the main body based on data output by the time-of-flight sensor. This may allow the control module to determine which of a plurality of accessories is attached to the main body. A TOF sensor located radially inwardly of the annular outlet may allow the accessory to be determined away from an accessory interface, which may have tight packaging constraints. Alternatively or additionally, the TOF sensor may be used to determine which accessory is attached to the main unit, and to sense the proximity of hair to the accessory. For example, using one sensor for both functions may provide a cost-effective arrangement compared to providing separate sensors for separate functions.

[0021] The sensor-transmitter arrangement may be located on the central axis of the annular outlet, and when attached to the body, the accessory may be rotated relative to the body about the central axis. This may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement to be aligned with the rotational axis of the accessory. This may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement to function regardless of the rotational position of the accessory. This may increase the flexibility of the use of the accessory. For example, this may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement to be aligned with the transmission path of the accessory regardless of the rotational position of the accessory, and / or the magnetometer may identify the magnetic accessory regardless of the rotational position of the magnetic accessory. An accessory that can be rotated relative to the body about the central axis may allow for improved functionality and / or ease of use of the hair care appliance.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair care appliance comprising: a body including a barrel portion having a central bore and an outlet at one end of the barrel portion to discharge an airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-emitter arrangement located within the bore, the sensor-emitter arrangement comprising at least one of a sensor and an emitter. Similar to the above, the sensor-emitter arrangement located within the bore can allow the sensor-emitter to be aligned with the exhaust airflow path or a target of the exhaust airflow path (e.g., a user's head or hair) without interfering with the exhaust airflow itself. Thus, accurate sensing and / or precisely directed illumination can be provided without negatively affecting or impacting the exhaust airflow. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore can allow the sensor-emitter arrangement to be relatively physically isolated from other components (e.g., a heater) located in the barrel portion, which can reduce heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore can allow the sensor or emitter to be incorporated into the hair care appliance without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care appliance and / or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which can be cost effective. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement within the aperture can allow a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement to outside the hair care appliance. This can be useful, for example, where the sensor uses a light-based sensing method to sense properties of an accessory or hair and / or where the emitter illuminates hair near the hair care appliance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features and advantages will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a hair care appliance according to an example;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view of an exemplary hair care appliance;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a partial front view of an exemplary hair care appliance;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary hair care appliance;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary hair care appliance including an attachment; and

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of an exemplary hair care appliance having multiple attachments.

[0030] As used herein, like reference numerals denote like features. The axes x, y, z indicated in each figure correspond to those of the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , shows a hair care appliance 102 according to an example. In summary, the hair care appliance 102 includes a body 104, the body 104 includes an annular outlet 108, and the annular outlet 108 is configured to discharge an airflow 109 in the form of an annular column 109. The hair care appliance 102 also includes a sensor-emitter arrangement 220 located radially inward of the annular outlet 108. The sensor-emitter arrangement 220 includes at least one of a sensor 361, 363 and an emitter 361, which is configured to sense an accessory 114, 116 attached to the body 104, or sense a property of hair 404 near the hair care appliance 102 or illuminate the hair 404 near the hair care appliance 102.

[0032] Positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 may allow the sensors 361, 363 and / or the emitter 361 to be aligned with the exhaust airflow 109 path or a target of the exhaust airflow 109 path (e.g., a user's head or hair 404) without interfering with the exhaust airflow 109 itself. Thus, accurate sensing and / or accurately directed illumination may be provided without negatively affecting or impacting the exhaust airflow 109. As is known per se in hair dryers, the exhaust airflow 109 may be heated. Thus, alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 may allow the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to be away from the heated airflow 109 or other components, such as the heater 330 of the hair care appliance 102, which would otherwise interfere with the sensors 361, 363 or the emitter 361. This, in turn, can reduce the thermal or other protection that may be required of the sensor 361, 363, or emitter 361, and / or allow sensors 361, 363, or emitters 361 that may be damaged or negatively affected by heat or other disturbances to still be used in the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 can allow the sensor or emitter to be incorporated into the hair care appliance 102 without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care appliance 102 and / or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance 102, which may be cost effective.

[0033] exist Figures 1 to 6In the specific example shown, the hair care appliance is a hair dryer. The body 104 of the hair care appliance 102 includes a handle portion 110 and a barrel portion 106. The handle portion 110 is generally cylindrical and includes a housing 337 that accommodates an airflow generator 332. The housing 337 includes an inlet 112 through which airflow is drawn into the handle portion 110 by the airflow generator 332, and an outlet 350 through which airflow is discharged into the barrel portion 106. The airflow generator 332 may include, for example, a fan driven by an electric motor.

[0034] The barrel portion 106 is also generally cylindrical, but is shorter in length and wider in diameter than the handle portion 112. The barrel portion 106 is attached to one end of the handle portion 112 and is oriented so that the longitudinal axes of the handle portion 112 and the barrel portion 106 are orthogonal. Thus, the main unit 104 is shaped like a mallet or hammer.

[0035] The barrel portion 106 includes a housing 301 that accommodates a heater 330 and a control module 315. The housing 301 includes an outer wall 301a and an inner wall 301b, which are generally concentric and define a chamber, particularly an annular chamber, in which the heater 330 and the control module 315 are contained. The housing 301 includes an inlet 351 and an annular outlet 108 at one end of the barrel portion 104, and the airflow from the handle portion 112 enters the chamber through the inlet 351, and the airflow is discharged through the annular outlet 108. The heater 330 is located between the inlet 351 and the outlet 108, and heats the airflow when powered. The inner wall 301b defines a hole 334 extending through the center of the barrel portion 106.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, the body 104 also includes user controls 222, 224, 226, 228. The user controls 222, 224, 226, 228 are disposed on the handle portion 110 and the barrel portion 106, and include a first button 226 or a slider to turn the appliance 102 on and off, a second button 228 to temporarily turn off the heater 330 so that the appliance 102 delivers cold air, a third button 222 to control the flow rate of the airflow, and a fourth button 224 to control the temperature of the airflow. The control module 315 can control the electrical components 332, 330, 361 in response to the user controls. For example, in response to input from the user controls 222, 224, 226, 228, the control module 315 can turn on and off the airflow generator 332 and / or the heater 330. In addition, the control module 315 can control the power or speed of the airflow generator 332 to change the flow rate of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the third button 228 can cause the control module 315 to cycle between different flow rates (e.g., low, medium, and high). Similarly, the control module 315 can control the power of the heater 330 to change the temperature of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the fourth button 224 can cause the control module 315 to cycle between different temperature settings (e.g., cool, warm, hot).

[0037] As described above, the outlet 108 is annular and is configured to discharge the gas flow 109 in the form of an annular column 109. The annular outlet 108 can be continuous or discontinuous. Figure 3 As shown, the hair care appliance 102 may include thin ribs 107 connecting the outer wall 301a and the inner wall 301b, and the thin ribs 107 pass through the annular outlet 108. In this case, the annular outlet 108 can be described as a discontinuous, but still an annular outlet configured to discharge the airflow 109 in the form of an annular column 109. In examples without such thin ribs 107, the annular outlet 108 can be described as continuous. The annular column 109 that discharges the airflow can take different forms. For example, in some examples, the annular column 109 can take the general form of a hollow cylinder. However, other forms can also be used. For example, as Figure 4As shown, the side of the annular column 109 can be inclined toward the central axis A of the barrel portion 106 of the body 104. In this case, the annular column 109 can be said to take the form of a hollow frustum of a cone. In the example shown, the annular outlet 108 and the corresponding annular column 109 of the exhaust airflow are circular. This can provide, for example, uniform airflow, thereby providing uniform drying, as well as compatibility and flexibility in the use of accessories 114 and 116. However, in some examples (not shown), the annular outlet 108 and the annular column 109 are not necessarily circular, for example, they can take the form of other shapes, such as any polygonal annular outlet (not shown) and / or any polygonal annular column (not shown). Therefore, it should be understood that the outlet 108 can be annular, in a sense, the outlet is in the form of a ring or ring (a certain shape) with a central hole and / or a portion where the outlet 108 is not provided (in the example shown, the central hole where the outlet 108 is not provided and / or the portion is formed by the inner wall 310b and the hole 334). In fact, according to the example shown, the airflow generated by and within the hair care appliance 102, as well as the airflow exhausted from the hair care appliance 102, may not be provided to or may not be present in this central hole or portion 310b, 334. Similarly, the exhausted air column 109 may be annular in that the exhausted air column 109 has a central hole at which the exhausted airflow 109 is not. In fact, according to the example shown, the airflow generated by and within the hair care appliance 102, as well as the airflow exhausted from the hair care appliance 102 at the outlet 108, is not present in this central hole. In any case, positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 allows the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to be aligned with the exhausted airflow 109, but not interfere with the exhausted airflow 109 (e.g., not in its path). Indeed, according to the example shown, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is not in the path of the airflow generated by and within the hair care appliance 102, which will exit the hair care appliance from the annular outlet 108. Thus, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 does not interfere with the generated airflow, which may provide for efficient operation of the hair care appliance 102.

[0038] As described above, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 is located radially inward of the annular outlet 108. Specifically, in the example shown, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 is located in the hole 334. More specifically, in the example shown, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 is located on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108 (in the example shown, the central axis A is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion 106 of the body 104). Positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108 can allow for ideal alignment of the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 with the exhausted airflow 109. Alternatively or additionally, this can allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to be equidistant from the heater 330 or the heated airflow. This in turn can eliminate or reduce the extent of hot spot development on the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220.

[0039] In other examples (not shown), the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 may be placed anywhere radially inward of the annular outlet 108. For example, Figure 3 The dashed line R shown represents a continuous position radially inward of the annular outlet 108. Although the dashed line R has a specific rotational position about the axis A, it should be understood that the dashed line R can be drawn to have any rotational position about the axis A, that is, in some examples, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 can be located at any position radially inward of the annular outlet 108. In the example shown, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 is retracted from the annular outlet 108 into the hole 334, but it should be understood that the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 is still located radially inward of the annular outlet 108. In fact, in other examples (not shown), the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 can be placed at any axial position relative to the annular outlet 108, such as any position along the central axis A of the annular outlet 108.

[0040] In the example shown, the body 104 includes an annular heater 330 through which the airflow passes before being exhausted, and the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located radially inward of the annular heater 330. This can allow the temperature to which the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is exposed to be reduced, which in turn can reduce the thermal protection that may be required of the sensor 361, 363 or emitter 361, and / or allow sensors 361, 363 or emitters 361 that might otherwise be damaged by heat or otherwise suffer interference to still be used.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 includes an enclosure 338 housing at least one of the sensors 361, 363 and the transmitter 361. The enclosure 338 is connected to the body 104, specifically, to the inner wall 301b of the barrel portion 106, via a support member 335. This arrangement can allow for minimal heat transfer from the body 104 to the enclosure 338. For example, the enclosure 338 can be connected to the body 104 via a single rib 335, which can minimize the heat transfer from the body 104 to the enclosure 338. As shown, in some examples, the enclosure can be elongated in a direction D parallel to the direction of the exhaust airflow 109. This can allow for reduced interference of the enclosure 338 with the secondary airflow that can be drawn through the hair care appliance, particularly through the aperture 334 of the barrel portion 106 of the body 104 of the hair care appliance 102, as the air is discharged from the annular outlet 108. This can improve the operation of the hair care appliance 102.

[0042] As described above, the hair care appliance 102 includes a control module 315. In some examples, the control module 315 can be configured to control the operation of the hair care appliance 102 depending on the output of the sensor-transmitting arrangement 220. For example, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 can be connected to the control module 315 by wire or wireless means, and is configured to output data, such as the value of one or more sensed parameters, to the control module 315. For example, the sensor-transmitter arrangement can include a proximity sensor 361, and the data output can indicate that an object (e.g., hair or accessories 114, 116) is close to the proximity sensor 361. As another example, the sensor-transmitter arrangement can include a magnetometer 363, and the data output can indicate a magnetic field at the magnetometer 363. The control module can be configured to control the operation of the hair care appliance 102 based on such output. This can allow the hair care appliance to be automatically controlled. For example, the operation of the hair care appliance can include controlling the heater 330 and / or the airflow generator 332 of the hair care appliance 102. For example, in the event that the sensors 361, 363 sense a particular accessory 114, 116, the control module can control the hair care appliance 102 to operate according to the settings of the particular accessory 114 (e.g., the heater 330 and / or the airflow generator 332 operate). For example, the accessories may include a diffuser 116 and a concentrator 114. The diffuser 116 may provide a better styling effect when a relatively low airflow velocity is used, and the concentrator 114 may provide a better styling effect when a relatively high airflow velocity is used. Therefore, the control module 315 may be configured to control the rate of the airflow generated by the airflow generator 332 based on the accessories 114, 116 attached to the body 104. As another example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a sensor 363 configured to sense a property of the hair 404 near the hair care appliance, and the control module 315 may be configured to control the operation of the hair care appliance 102 based on the sensed property. For example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the user's hair 404, and if the control module 315 determines that the sensed temperature is above a threshold, the control module 315 may control the heater 330 to reduce the extent to which the heater 330 heats the airflow. As another example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a proximity sensor 361 configured to sense the proximity of the hair 404 to the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 (and thus to the hair care appliance 102), and the control module 315 may be configured to control the heater 330 to increase its temperature and / or control the airflow generator 332 to increase the airflow rate in response to a determination that the hair is close to the hair care appliance 102.Other characteristics of the hair, such as moisture, can be detected, and the operation of the heater 330, the airflow generator 332, the emitter 361, or other components of the hair care appliance 102 can be controlled accordingly by the control module 315. In this way, the control module 315 can be configured to control the operation of the hair care appliance 102 based on sensed characteristics of the hair in proximity to the hair care appliance 102.

[0043] As described above, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 includes at least one of the sensors 361, 363 and the emitter 361 configured to sense accessories 114, 116 attached to the body 104, or to sense properties of hair near the hair care appliance 102 or to illuminate the hair.

[0044] As described in more detail below, examples of sensors 361, 363 configured to sense accessories 114, 116 attached to the body 104 include magnetometers 363 and time of flight (TOF) sensors 361. As described in more detail below, examples of sensors 361 configured to sense characteristics of hair (not shown) near the hair care appliance 102 include proximity sensors, such as TOF sensors 361. As described in more detail below, examples of emitters 361 configured to illuminate hair near the hair care appliance 102 include TOF sensors 361, as well as hair, skin, or scalp treatment devices (not shown), such as light therapy or phototherapy emitters, such as red light therapy emitters, low-level laser therapy emitters, or ultraviolet C (UVC) emitters. Light therapy or phototherapy emitters can emit electromagnetic radiation (i.e., light) within a specific wavelength range. Red light therapy emitters can emit light with wavelengths in the red and / or near infrared (e.g., about 600 nm to about 850 nm). Low level laser therapy emitters can be used as a hair loss treatment and can emit light in the visible to near infrared range (e.g., about 670 nm to about 950 nm). UVC emitters can be used for sterilization, such as killing microorganisms, and can emit light in the UVC range (e.g., about 100 nm to about 280 nm). Other examples of sensors or emitters can be used. For example, the sensor can include a humidity sensor that senses the humidity of the hair and / or a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the hair. For example, these can be provided by sensors that employ spectroscopic techniques such as spectroscopy, imaging, and reflectometers.

[0045] In some examples, such as the illustrated example, the sensors 361, 363 may be remote sensors and / or the transmitter 361 may be a remote transmitter, in the sense that the remote sensors 361, 363 and / or the remote transmitter 361 are configured to sense the accessories 114, 116 attached to the body 104, or to sense properties of the accessories 114, 116 themselves and / or the hair 404 themselves, or to remotely (e.g., without contact) illuminate the hair near the hair care appliance 102. This may provide flexibility in the placement of the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220.

[0046] In some examples, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include at least one of a light-based sensor 361 and a light-based emitter 361. For example, as described above, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include one or more light-based TOF sensors (which may include light-based emitters and light-based sensors), imaging devices such as cameras, spectroscopic and / or reflectometry devices, and light-based hair, skin, or scalp treatment devices such as light therapy or phototherapy emitters. Being located radially inward of the annular outlet 108 may allow light emitted from the emitter and / or light received by the sensor to be aligned with the exhaust airflow 109, which may allow for more accurate sensing of the exhaust airflow 109 and / or emission onto the target of the exhaust airflow 109.

[0047] The light-based sensor 361 can be configured to sense light in a first direction 440, and / or the light-based emitter can be configured to emit light in a first direction 440, and the first direction 440 can be parallel to the central axis A of the annular outlet 108. This can help ensure that the emitted and / or received light is aligned with the exhaust airflow 109, which can allow for more accurate sensing of the target of the exhaust airflow 109 and / or emission thereon. In the example shown in the figures, the first direction 440 can be aligned or co-linear with the central axis A of the annular outlet 108. This can further ensure that the emitted and / or received light is aligned with the exhaust airflow 109.

[0048] As described above, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 110 may include a proximity sensor 361, such as a TOF sensor 361 and / or a magnetometer 363. Positioning the proximity sensor 361 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 may allow the target of the proximity sensor (e.g., the user's head or hair) to be aligned with the airflow target (i.e., the user's head or hair). This in turn may allow accurate and / or reliable determination of proximity, such as the distance to the user's head or hair, and thus, for example, allow improved operation of the hair care appliance 102. As described in more detail below, the magnetometer 363 may allow for the differentiation of magnetic accessories 114, 116 without providing a magnetometer at the main body 104 and the accessory interface 339 of the accessories 114, 116 (which may have strict packaging constraints). Alternatively or additionally, placing the magnetometer 363 radially inside the annular outlet 108 may reduce interference from other electrical components of the hair care appliance 102, such as the heater 330.

[0049] As described above, in the illustrated example, the hair care appliance 102 includes a barrel portion 106 having an annular outlet 108, the barrel portion 106 includes an aperture 334, and the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located in the aperture 334. Positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 in the aperture 334 can allow the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to be relatively physically isolated from components (e.g., the heater 330) located in the annular barrel portion 106, which can reduce heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. In the illustrated example, the aperture 334 is an open-ended aperture 334 because the aperture 334 extends all the way through the barrel portion 106 (not a blind hole) and the ends of the aperture 334 are not covered. Therefore, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 in the aperture 334 can allow a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to the outside of the barrel portion 106 of the hair care appliance 102. This may be useful, for example, where the sensor 361 senses characteristics of the accessory 114 , 116 or the hair using a light-based sensing method, and / or where the emitter 361 illuminates hair in the vicinity of the hair care appliance 102 .

[0050] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the body 104, and in particular the barrel portion 106 of the body 104, surrounds or houses the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220. This may allow the body 104 to physically protect the sensor-transmitter arrangement 202, which may provide a sturdy hair care appliance.

[0051] In the example shown, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 includes a visual indicator device 367 that is configured to indicate to the user the current operating mode of the hair care appliance 102. For example, the visual indicator device 367 may be an LED. In the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is configured to provide a visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D of the exhaust airflow 109. This may allow the user to observe the visual indication device 367 while the exhaust airflow 109 is not directed toward the user. In some examples, the visual indicator device 367 may indicate the operating mode of the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220, such as whether the sensor-transmitter 220 is currently operating or in which sensing or emitting mode the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 is currently operating. The sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 including the visual indicator device 367 may allow the operating mode to be communicated to the user without significantly changing the display configuration of the body 104 of the hair care appliance 102 itself, which may be cost effective. In some examples, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 can include other sensors and / or transmitters, such as an accelerometer (not shown) configured to sense changes in direction of motion of the hair care appliance 102 .

[0052] like Figure 5 and 6 As shown, in some examples, the hair care appliance 102 may include an accessory 114, 116 that can be attached to the main body 104 to receive the airflow 109 discharged from the annular outlet 108. In these cases, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 can be configured to sense the accessory 114, 116, or when the accessory is attached to the main body 104, sense the characteristics of the hair near the accessory 114, 116 or illuminate the hair near the accessory 114, 116. This can allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to function when the accessory 114, 116 is attached to the main body 104. This can increase the flexibility of use of the hair care appliance 102.

[0053] Each accessory 114, 116 can be attached to one end of the barrel portion 106 of the main unit 104. When attached, each of the accessories 114, 116 can freely rotate 115 relative to the main unit 104 about the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion 106 (in the example shown, this axis is colinear with the central axis A of the annular outlet 108). The free rotation of the accessories 114, 116 has the advantage that the user can obtain the desired airflow direction and angle without having to hold or manipulate the hair care appliance 102 at an uncomfortable angle. In this example, each accessory 114, 116 includes an annular magnet 338, and the barrel portion includes an iron ring 336, and the magnet 338 is attracted to the iron ring 336 to fix the accessories 114, 116 in place. It should be understood that the ring 336 is not necessarily ferrous and can be made of another material to which the magnet 338 is magnetically attracted. It should also be understood that the attachment of the accessories 114, 116 to the main unit 104 need not necessarily be by magnetic means, and other attachment means may be used. In the illustrated example, when the accessories 114, 116 are attached to the main unit 104, a portion or plug 333 of the accessories 114, 116 is received in the hole 334. In this example, when the accessories 114, 116 are attached to the main unit 104, airflow in the form of annular columns 109 is discharged from the annular outlet 108, flows through the accessories, and then discharged from the outlet 340 of the accessory 114.

[0054] The accessory 114, 116 may include a transmission path along which the emission 440 is transmitted to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. When the accessory 114, 116 is attached to the body 104, this may allow the emission 440 (e.g., electromagnetic radiation) to be transmitted from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to the user's head or hair (or vice versa). This may allow flexibility in the functionality of the hair care appliance (i.e., by allowing the use of the accessory 114, 116) while still allowing the hair sensing and / or illumination functionality of the hair care appliance 102. In the illustrated example, the transmission path is linear and includes one or more optical windows 570 in the accessory 114, 116. Each optical window 570 may include a hole or a transparent member. In other examples, the transmission path through the accessory 114, 116 may be non-linear and may include one or more optical elements (e.g., reflectors, lenses, and / or optical fibers) for redirecting the path of the emission to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. Emissions 440 transmitted to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include, for example, one or more of: emissions emitted toward the hair from an emitter of the sensor-emitter arrangement 220, such emissions reflected from the hair back to the sensor-emitter arrangement 220, and emissions emitted by the hair toward the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 due to thermal electromagnetic radiation or fluorescence.

[0055] As described above, the sensor-transmitter arrangement may include a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor 361, and the accessory 114, 116 may be one of a plurality of accessories 114, 116. In this case, the control module 315 may be configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories 114, 116 is attached to the main body 104 based on data output by the time-of-flight sensor 361. This may allow the control module 315 to determine which of the plurality of accessories 114, 116 is attached to the main body. The TOF sensor 361 located radially inside the annular outlet 108 may allow the accessory 114, 116 to be determined away from the accessory interface 339, which may have tight packaging constraints. Alternatively or additionally, the TOF sensor 361 may be used to determine which accessory 114, 116 is attached to the main unit 104, and to sense the proximity of hair to the accessory 114, 116. Using one sensor for both functions may provide a cost-effective arrangement, for example, compared to providing separate sensors for separate functions.

[0056] For example, the TOF sensor 361 may be provided as an integrated package or integrated system including a transmitter, a receiver (i.e., a sensor), and a processor. The transmitter emits radiation, in this example, photons of electromagnetic radiation. The transmitter emits radiation in the form of discrete pulses, with a frequency of approximately the order of MHz. In other examples, the emission may include acoustic (e.g., ultrasonic) pulses. The sensor then receives the reflected emission, which has been reflected and returned to the TOF sensor 361. The processor then determines the time difference between the emission and the reception of the emission, and thereby calculates the distance between the TOF sensor 361 and the target responsible for the reflected emission. The processor then outputs the distance data to the control module 315. The TOF sensor 361 may be used to sense which (if any) of the accessories 114, 116 is attached to the main unit 104, and / or may be used to sense the proximity of the user's head or other object to the hair care appliance 102. For example, the control module 315 may analyze the distance data output by the TOF sensor 361, and determine (i) which accessory (if any) is attached to the main body 104, and (ii) the proximity of the user's head based on the analysis.

[0057] For example, each of the accessories 114, 116 may include a protrusion 333 that extends into the hole 334 of the barrel portion 106 toward the TOF sensor 361. Emissions emitted by the TOF sensor 361 are reflected by the protrusion 333 and returned to the TOF sensor 361. The protrusions 333 of the accessories 114, 116 may be different, so that the emissions reflected by the protrusions of each accessory are different, such as having different characteristics. For example, the size of the protrusions 333 is different. For example, the length of the protrusions 333 may be different, so that when a particular accessory 114, 116 is attached to the body 104, the protrusion 333 protrudes toward the TOF sensor 361 by a different amount than other accessories 114, 116. Therefore, the distance between the TOF sensor 361 and the protrusion 333 is different for different accessories 114, 116. This is reflected in the data output by the TOF sensor 361, which the control module 315 can use to determine which (if any) of the accessories 114, 116 is attached to the body 114. In other examples, protrusion 333 may differ in additional or alternative ways, such as shape, surface features, or substantially any other feature that changes the way emissions are reflected by protrusion 333 .

[0058] As described above, each of the accessories 114, 116 may be attached to the body 114 in any of a plurality of rotational positions 115 about a rotational axis A (in the example shown, the rotational axis A is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion and the central axis A of the annular outlet 108). Positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 on the rotational axis A allows the TOF sensor 361 to receive the same reflected emissions from the accessories 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. This in turn may allow the TOF sensor 361 to sense which of the accessories 114, 116 is attached to the body 104 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. Alternatively or additionally, this may allow the emissions 340 to arrive and / or leave the TOF sensor 361 to arrive and / or leave the user's head in the same manner through the transmission path of the accessories 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. Thus, the TOF sensor 361 can sense the distance to the user's head or other object regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. This can provide flexible use of the accessories 114, 116 while still allowing accessory sensing and / or head distance sensing functionality to be provided.

[0059] As described above, in some examples, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 may include a magnetometer 363, and the accessory 114, 116 may be one of a plurality of magnetic accessories 114, 116. In these examples, the control module 315 may be configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories 114, 116 is attached to the body 104 based on data output by the magnetometer 363. This may allow the control module 315 to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories 114, 116 is attached to the body. For example, when the magnetic accessories 114, 116 are attached to the body 104, different magnetic accessories 114, 116 may generate different magnetic fields at the magnetometer 363 by the magnets 338 of the accessories 114, 116. This may be sensed by the magnetometer 363, and the control module 315 may identify a given one from the plurality of magnetic accessories 114, 116 based on output from the magnetometer 363 indicating a given magnetic field at the magnetometer 363. For example, different magnetic fields can be generated by different arrangements of one or more magnetic elements, such as by arrangements of magnetic elements that differ in size, magnetic field strength, physical distribution, magnetic polarity, and / or magnet orientation. The magnetometer 363 located radially inward of the annular outlet 108 can allow the accessories 114, 116 to be determined away from the accessory interface 339 (i.e., the area of ​​the body 104 where the accessories 114, 116 are attached to the body 104), which can have a tight packaging constraint.

[0060] As described above, each of the accessories 114, 116 may be attached to the body 114 at any one of a plurality of rotational positions 115 about the rotational axis A (in the example shown, the rotational axis A is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion 106 and the central axis A of the annular outlet 108). Positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 on the rotational axis A may allow the magnetometer to experience the same magnetic field (at least the same component of the magnetic field at the magnetometer 363 in a direction parallel to the rotational axis A) generated by a given magnetic accessory 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. This in turn may allow the magnetometer 363 to sense which of the accessories 114, 116 is attached to the body 104 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116.

[0061] Indeed, in some examples, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 may be located on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108, and when attached to the body 104, the accessories 114, 116 may be rotated relative to the body about the central axis A. This may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to be aligned with the axis of rotation of the accessories 114, 116. This may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to function regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. This may increase the flexibility of the use of the accessories 114, 116. For example, this may allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to be aligned with the exhaust transfer path of the accessories 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories, and / or the TOF sensor 361 or magnetometer 220 of the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 may identify the accessories 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the accessories 114, 116. An accessory that can rotate relative to the body about the central axis may allow for improved functionality and / or ease of use of the hair care appliance 102. Other configurations are also possible.

[0062] Although referenced above Figures 1 to 6 In the described examples, the hair care appliance 102 is described as having a specific form and specific components and features, but it should be understood that this is not necessarily the case, and according to the examples, any hair care appliance can be provided, the hair care appliance comprising a body, the body comprising an annular outlet, the annular outlet being configured to discharge the airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-transmitter arrangement located radially inwardly of the annular outlet, the sensor-transmitter arrangement comprising at least one of a sensor and a transmitter, the sensor and the transmitter being configured to sense an accessory attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair in the vicinity of the hair care appliance or to illuminate the hair. It should also be understood that such a hair care appliance can have the above referenced Figures 1 to 6 Any one or combination of components and / or features of the exemplary hair care appliance 102 described.

[0063] In addition, in another aspect, a hair care appliance may be provided, comprising: a body including a barrel portion having a central hole and an outlet at one end of the barrel portion to discharge an airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-transmitter arrangement located in the hole, the sensor-transmitter arrangement including at least one of a sensor and a transmitter. It is particularly noted that in examples of this other aspect, the sensor can be any sensor and / or the transmitter can be any transmitter. In some examples of this other aspect, the hair care appliance may have the same features as those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6The hair care appliance 102 described above may have the same or similar components and / or features as the hair care appliance 102. For example, the hair care appliance, the body, the barrel portion, the central hole, the outlet, the airflow discharged in the annular column, the sensor-transmitter arrangement, the sensors and / or transmitters of the other aspect may have the same or similar functions as the hair care appliance 102, the body 104, the barrel portion 106, the central hole 334, the outlet 108, the airflow discharged in the annular column 109, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220, the sensors 361, 363, and / or. In some examples of the other aspect, the hair care appliance may have the same or similar functions as the hair care appliance 102, the body 104, the barrel portion 106, the central hole 334, the outlet 108, the airflow discharged in the annular column 109, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220, the sensors 361, 363, and / or the sensors 361, 363 described above with reference to FIG. Figures 1 to 6 Any one or combination of the components and / or features of the exemplary hair care appliance 102 described herein. In any case, the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 located within the aperture 334 can allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to be aligned with the exhaust airflow 109 path or a target of the exhaust airflow path (e.g., the user's head or hair) without interfering with the exhaust airflow 109 itself. Thus, accurate sensing and / or transmission can be provided without negatively affecting or impacting the exhaust airflow 109. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 within the aperture 334 can allow the sensor-transmitter arrangement 220 to be relatively physically isolated from other components located in the barrel portion 106 (e.g., the heater 330), which in turn can reduce heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within the aperture 334 can allow the sensor 361, 363 or the emitter 363 to be incorporated into the hair care appliance 102 without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care appliance 102 and / or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance 102, which can be cost effective. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within the aperture 334 can allow a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to the outside of the hair care appliance 102. This can be useful, for example, where the sensor 361 uses a light-based sensing method to sense a property of the accessory 114, 116 or the hair, and / or where the emitter 361 illuminates hair near the hair care appliance.

[0064] While specific examples have been described, it should be understood that these are illustrative examples only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A hair care device comprising: a body including an annular outlet configured to discharge a gas flow in the form of an annular column; and A sensor-emitter arrangement is located radially inward of the annular outlet, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement includes at least one of a sensor and an emitter configured to sense an accessory attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair in the vicinity of the hair care appliance, or to illuminate the hair.

2. The hair care appliance of claim 1, wherein the hair care appliance comprises a barrel portion, the barrel portion comprising the annular outlet, the barrel portion comprising an aperture, and the sensor-transmitter arrangement is located in the aperture.

3. A hair care appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body surrounds or houses the sensor-transmitter arrangement.

4. A hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-transmitter arrangement is located on a central axis of the annular outlet.

5. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises at least one of a light-based sensor and a light-based emitter.

6. The hair care appliance of claim 5, wherein the light-based sensor is configured to sense light in a first direction, or the light-based emitter is configured to emit light in the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to a central axis of the annular outlet.

7. A hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-transmitter arrangement comprises a proximity sensor or a magnetometer.

8. A hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises a visual indicator device configured to indicate to a user the current operating mode of the hair care appliance.

9. A hair care appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises an annular heater through which the airflow passes before exiting, the sensor-transmitter arrangement being located radially inwardly of the annular heater.

10. A hair care appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor-transmitter arrangement comprises an enclosure housing at least one of a sensor and a transmitter, and the enclosure is connected to the body by a support member.

11. The hair care appliance of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is elongated in a direction parallel to the exhaust air flow.

12. A hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair care appliance comprises a control module configured to control the operation of the hair care appliance in dependence on the output of the sensor-transmitter arrangement.

13. A hair care appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the hair care appliance comprises an accessory attachable to the body to receive the airflow emitted from the annular outlet, and the sensor-emitter arrangement is configured to sense the accessory, or sense a property of hair in the vicinity of the accessory, or illuminate hair in the vicinity of the accessory, when the accessory is attached to the body.

14. A hair care appliance according to claim 13, wherein the attachment comprises a transmission path along which emissions travel to or from the sensor-transmitter arrangement.

15. A hair care appliance according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the sensor-transmitter arrangement comprises a magnetometer, the accessory is one of a plurality of magnetic accessories, and the hair care appliance comprises a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories is attached to the body based on data output by the magnetometer.

16. A hair care appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the sensor-transmitter arrangement comprises a time-of-flight sensor, the accessory is one of a plurality of accessories, and wherein the hair care appliance comprises a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic accessories is attached to the body based on data output by the time-of-flight sensor.

17. A hair care appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the sensor-transmitter arrangement is located on a central axis of the annular outlet and the accessory is rotatable relative to the body about the central axis when attached to the body.

18. A hair care appliance, comprising: a body including a barrel portion having a central hole and an outlet at one end of the barrel portion, the outlet discharging a gas flow in the form of an annular column; and A sensor-transmitter arrangement is located within the bore, the sensor-transmitter arrangement comprising at least one of a sensor and a transmitter.

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