Hair dryer

Abstract

A blower for generating an air flow (AF), the blower comprising a curved-shaped unit (100) defining an outer surface of the blower, a first portion (111) of the outer surface being at an angle to a desired air flow direction (AF) and a second portion of the outer surface being aligned to the desired air flow direction; a fan unit (200) located at a first portion (111) of the outer surface, the fan unit (200) having an air inlet arranged to draw in air in a direction opposite a desired airflow direction (AF) and an air outlet arranged to blow air along the first portion (111) of the outer surface; and a heater arranged for heating air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hair dryer. Background Technology

[0002] Existing hair dryers generally include a housing, an air inlet that allows air to enter the housing, and a fan that moves the air from the air inlet to an air outlet via a heater (the heated air leaves the housing at the air outlet).

[0003] WO2022157056A1 discloses a hair dryer for generating airflow, the hair dryer comprising a curved shape unit defining an outer surface of the hair dryer, a first portion of the outer surface being angled to a desired airflow direction, and a second portion of the outer surface being aligned with the desired airflow direction; a fan unit located at the first portion of the outer surface, the fan unit having an air inlet and an air outlet arranged to blow air along the first portion of the outer surface; and a heater for heating the user's hair.

[0004] US2021 / 307479A1 discloses a hair dryer including a main airflow path extending from an inlet disposed on a first side of the hair dryer to an outlet port. A water collection member may be located inside the inlet port. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is, in particular, to provide an alternative design for a hair dryer that is more efficient than existing hair dryers. The invention is defined by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] As illustrated in WO2022157056A1, as a result of the Coand effect, ambient pressure causes airflow to follow the shape of the curved shape unit. Therefore, the airflow will be guided from the first part of the outer surface to the second part, entering the desired direction toward the user's hair. The Coand effect can also cause ambient air not output by the fan unit to flow along with the airflow from the fan unit, resulting in a greater impact force in the total airflow than the airflow generated solely by the fan unit. The Coand effect is explained at https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Coand%C4%83_effect.

[0007] The present invention also provides a hair dryer for generating airflow, the hair dryer comprising a curved shape unit defining an outer surface of the hair dryer, a first portion of the outer surface being angled to a desired airflow direction, and a second portion of the outer surface being aligned with the desired airflow direction; a fan unit located at the first portion of the outer surface, the fan unit having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet being arranged to draw in air in a direction opposite to the desired airflow direction, the air outlet being arranged to blow air along the first portion of the outer surface; and a heater being arranged to heat the air.

[0008] The first part of the outer surface includes an opening, and the opening is aligned with the air inlet.

[0009] The opening can be located at the center of the first part of the outer surface.

[0010] Optionally, the opening is a strip shape located away from the center of the first part of the outer surface.

[0011] The curved shape unit defines an inner surface that forms the internal cavity of the hair dryer, in which the heater is positioned.

[0012] Optionally, the heater includes a heating wire, a ceramic heater, a light source, or any combination of the aforementioned heaters.

[0013] Optionally, the fan unit includes a centrifugal fan.

[0014] Optionally, the fan unit includes a flat brushless DC motor.

[0015] Optionally, the motor of the fan unit is mounted at the back of the fan unit.

[0016] The hair dryer includes a handle that is attached to a curved unit for the user to hold.

[0017] Optionally, the hair dryer includes a sensor for sensing the temperature of the airflow at the air outlet of the hair dryer and controlling the heater based on the sensed temperature of the airflow.

[0018] Optionally, the hair dryer includes a distance sensor for sensing the distance between the hair dryer and the hair during use, and controlling the heater based on the distance between the hair dryer and the hair.

[0019] Optionally, the hair dryer includes a communication unit for communicating with mobile devices.

[0020] Optionally, the hair dryer includes a battery that powers the hair dryer.

[0021] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and will be explained with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1A A side view of an embodiment of a hair dryer according to the present invention is shown schematically.

[0023] Figure 1B schematically shown Figure 1A Rear view of the hair dryer.

[0024] Figure 2 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 1A and Figure 1B The airflow movement path of the hair dryer in the embodiment during use.

[0025] Figure 3A Another embodiment of the hair dryer according to the invention is shown schematically.

[0026] Figure 3B It schematically shows the following based on Figure 3A The airflow movement path of the hair dryer in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Side and rear views of an embodiment of the hair dryer according to the present invention are shown respectively. It should be understood that the drawings shown in this invention are merely rough sketches for illustrating the invention.

[0028] The hair dryer includes a curved shape unit 100 that defines an outer surface of the hair dryer. A first portion 111 of the outer surface is angled to a desired airflow direction AF, and a second portion 112 of the outer surface is aligned with the desired airflow direction AF. A fan unit 200 is mounted on the first portion 111 of the outer surface.

[0029] The curved shape unit 100 also defines an inner surface 120 on the opposite side of the outer surface. The inner surface 120 forms the internal cavity 130 of the hair dryer.

[0030] The fan unit 200 has an air inlet 210 with an air inlet grille and an air outlet 230 with an air outlet grille. The air inlet is arranged to draw in air in a direction opposite to the desired airflow direction AF.

[0031] The first portion 111 of the outer surface has an opening 140. The opening 140 can be positioned at the center of the first portion 111 of the outer surface, such as... Figure 1A As shown. The opening can be any shape, such as round, square, etc.

[0032] Advantageously, the opening 140 is aligned with the air inlet 210. In this context, the term "aligned" means that, viewed from the front or rear view, the opening 140 and the air inlet 210 have at least partially overlapping areas. Preferably, the opening and the air inlet have the same shape and completely overlap when viewed from the front or rear view, i.e., the air inlet and the opening coincide at a first portion of the outer surface. Alternatively, the fan unit may partially protrude inward through the opening into the internal cavity 130, such that the air inlet is within the internal cavity.

[0033] The fan unit 200 can therefore draw in air from the side of the internal cavity 130 through the air inlet 210. The fan unit 200 then blows air out from the air outlet 230 along the first portion 111 of the outer surface, and furthermore, as a result of the Coanda effect, the ambient pressure causes the air to flow in accordance with the shape of the curved unit. Thus, the airflow will be guided from the first portion 111 of the outer surface to the second portion 112 of the outer surface, in a desired direction toward the user's hair. Figure 1A The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of the inhaled and exhaled airflow.

[0034] Figure 2 A hair dryer for drying hair in use according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 The arrows in the diagram illustrate the airflow path, including the directions of the airflow being drawn in and blown out. The internal cavity 130 of the curved unit faces the user's hair during use, and the fan unit draws in air from the side of the internal cavity, i.e., from the side of the user's hair. The air is heated by a heater before entering the fan unit, and then the fan unit blows the hot air along a first portion of the outer surface to a second portion of the outer surface and towards the user's hair. In other words, during use, the desired airflow direction of the hair dryer is towards the user's hair, and the opposite direction is away from the user's hair.

[0035] The advantage of this embodiment is that the user's hair will not fly because the force of the hot airflow blowing toward the hair is balanced by the force of the air being drawn into the fan unit.

[0036] from Figure 2 As can be seen, at least a portion of the hot air blown toward the hair from the second part of the outer surface can be recirculated to the fan unit through the air inlet, so another advantage of this embodiment is that it can achieve faster and more efficient drying.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the airflow can escape like a regular hair dryer, and the device can be placed close to the hair and scalp to further allow for more efficient drying.

[0038] Alternatively, the opening can be a strip shape centrally located away from the outer surface of the first portion 111. For example, opening 140 is an annular strip shape and is located near the second portion 112 of the outer surface, such as... Figure 3A As shown. It has a strip-shaped opening to allow high-pressure airflow.

[0039] Similar to Figure 1A and Figure 1B In one embodiment, during use, the fan unit 200 draws in air from the user's hair side, and the air is heated by a heater before entering the fan unit. The fan unit then blows the hot air along a first portion of the outer surface to a second portion of the outer surface and toward the user's hair. Figure 3B The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of the airflow being drawn in and blown out. An opening located near the second section on the outer surface allows the fan unit to easily recirculate the hot air blown along the second section.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention, the hair dryer includes a heater arranged for heating air. The heater can be positioned within an internal cavity 130. A heater in this position is safer than one wound around the outer surface of a curved-shape unit. Preferably, the heater may include a heating wire 401 wound around a support 402. Preferably, the support 402 is mounted in the internal cavity adjacent to and coaxial with the opening 140, as shown in FIG1. ​​As a result, the air can be heated before being drawn into the fan unit. Alternatively, the heater can also be any other type of heater, such as a ceramic heater, a PTC heater, a light source, or a combination of different types of heaters.

[0041] Fan unit 200 may be a centrifugal fan. The fan unit includes a motor 220. As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 220 of fan unit 200 may be positioned at the rear of the fan unit. Alternatively, the motor 220 may be positioned at the front of fan unit 200, or at the center of fan unit 200, or any other suitable location, as long as it can draw in air through an air inlet and blow air out through an air outlet. It should be understood that, in the context of this invention, the term "front" means the side facing the user or closer to the user than "rear". Figure 1A In one embodiment, the back of the fan unit is on the right-hand side, while the front of the fan unit is on the left-hand side.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the invention, the hair dryer includes a sensor (not shown) for sensing the temperature of the airflow at the air outlet of the hair dryer. The temperature sensor can be an infrared temperature sensor or any other type of temperature sensor known in the art. As described above, the hair dryer according to the invention can recirculate hot air, therefore, the hair dryer may require less power. With the temperature sensor, the heater can be controlled based on the sensed temperature of the airflow.

[0043] During use, the distance between the hair dryer and the hair can affect the amount of recirculated airflow; for example, more hot air can escape when the hair dryer is in contact with the hair. A hair dryer according to one embodiment of the invention may include a distance sensor (not shown) for sensing the distance between the hair dryer and the hair during use. The distance sensor can be any type known in the art, such as an infrared distance sensor, a laser-based distance sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor, a camera-based distance sensor, etc. Therefore, during use, the heater can be controlled according to the distance between the hair dryer and the hair.

[0044] Optionally, the hair dryer includes a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with a mobile device, so that sensing signals can be sent from the hair dryer to the mobile device, and control signals can be sent from the mobile device to the hair dryer.

[0045] Optionally, due to the recirculation of hot air, less power is required, and the hair dryer may consist only of a battery (not shown) that powers the hair dryer. The battery may be a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery.

[0046] The handle 300 can be attached to the curved shape unit 100 for the user to hold.

[0047] The following embodiments are also disclosed:

[0048] Example 1. A hair dryer for generating airflow, the hair dryer comprising:

[0049] A curved shape unit (100) defines the outer surface of the hair dryer, a first portion (111) of the outer surface is at an angle to the desired airflow direction (AF), and a second portion (112) of the outer surface is aligned with the desired airflow direction (AF);

[0050] A fan unit (200) located at a first portion (111) of the outer surface, the fan unit having an air inlet (210) and an air outlet (230), the air inlet being arranged to draw air in a direction opposite to the desired airflow direction (AF), and the air outlet being arranged to blow air along the first portion (111) of the outer surface; and

[0051] A heater, which is arranged to heat the air.

[0052] Example 2. A hair dryer according to Example 1, wherein a first portion of the outer surface includes an opening (140), and the opening is positioned aligned with an air inlet.

[0053] Example 3. A hair dryer according to Example 2, wherein the opening (140) is located at the center of the first part (111) of the outer surface.

[0054] Example 4. A hair dryer according to Example 2, wherein the opening (140) is a strip shape of the center of the first part (111) away from the outer surface.

[0055] Example 5. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein a curved shape unit (100) defines an inner surface (120) that forms an internal cavity (130) of the hair dryer, and the heater is positioned in the internal cavity.

[0056] Example 6. A hair dryer according to Example 5, wherein the heater includes at least one of the following: a heating wire, a ceramic heater, and a light source.

[0057] Example 7. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the fan unit includes a centrifugal fan.

[0058] Example 8. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the motor (220) of the fan unit (200) is mounted on the back of the fan unit.

[0059] Example 9. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the fan unit includes a flat brushless DC motor.

[0060] Example 10. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the hair dryer includes a handle (300) connected to a curved shape unit (100).

[0061] Example 11. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the hair dryer includes a sensor for sensing the airflow temperature at the air outlet of the hair dryer and controlling the heater according to the sensed airflow temperature.

[0062] Example 12. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the hair dryer includes a distance sensor for sensing the distance between the hair dryer and the hair during use, and controlling the heater based on the distance between the hair dryer and the hair.

[0063] Example 13. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the hair dryer includes a communication unit for communicating with a mobile device.

[0064] Example 14. A hair dryer according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the hair dryer includes a battery that powers the hair dryer. It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative and not limiting of the invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to devise many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Any reference numerals in parentheses within the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In an apparatus claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The recitation of certain measures in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

Claims

1. A hair dryer for generating an airflow, the hair dryer comprising: A curved shape unit (100) defines the outer surface of the hair dryer; A fan unit (200) is located at a first portion (111) of the outer surface, the fan unit (200) having an air inlet (210) and an air outlet (230), the air inlet being arranged to draw air into the fan unit (200) in a first direction, the air outlet being arranged to blow air along the first portion (111) of the outer surface, wherein the outer surface bends from the first portion (111) to a second portion (112) of the outer surface, such that at least some of the air blown along the first portion (111) is guided around the outer surface to the second portion (112) and exits the outer surface in a desired airflow direction (AF) opposite to the first direction, the first portion (111) of the outer surface being at an angle to the desired airflow direction (AF), and the second portion (112) of the outer surface being aligned with the desired airflow direction (AF); as well as A heater, which is arranged to heat air.

2. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the curved shape unit (100) is further configured to guide a portion of the air directed to the second portion (112) back to the air inlet (210).

3. The hair dryer of claim 2, wherein the second portion (112) is defined by the position of the portion of the air on the outer surface before being guided back to the air inlet, the tangent of the position being aligned with the desired airflow direction (AF).

4. The hair dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion (112) is a tubular portion aligned with the desired airflow direction (AF).

5. The hair dryer of claim 4, wherein the second portion (112) includes one or more openings for allowing a portion of the air directed to the second portion (112) to return to the air inlet (210) through the one or more openings.

6. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the desired airflow direction (AF) is a second airflow direction.

7. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface is curved in a convex manner from the first portion (111) of the outer surface to the second portion (112) of the outer surface.

8. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved shape unit provides a shower head shape for the hair dryer.

9. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion of the outer surface includes an opening (140), and the location of the opening is aligned with the air inlet.

10. The hair dryer according to claim 9, wherein the opening (140) is located at the center of the first portion (111) of the outer surface.

11. The hair dryer according to claim 9, wherein the opening (140) is a strip shape located away from the center of the first portion (111) of the outer surface.

12. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved shape unit (100) defines an inner surface (120) that forms an internal cavity (130) of the hair dryer, and the heater is positioned in the internal cavity.

13. The hair dryer according to claim 12, wherein the heater comprises at least one of the following: a heating wire, a ceramic heater, and a light source.

14. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan unit comprises a centrifugal fan.

15. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor (220) of the fan unit (200) is mounted on the back of the fan unit.

16. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan unit comprises a flat brushless DC motor.

17. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair dryer includes a handle (300) which is coupled to the curved shape unit (100).

18. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair dryer includes a sensor for sensing the temperature of the airflow at the air outlet of the hair dryer and controlling the heater based on the sensed temperature of the airflow.

19. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair dryer includes a distance sensor for sensing the distance between the hair dryer and the hair during use, and controlling the heater based on the distance between the hair dryer and the hair.

20. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair dryer includes a communication unit for communicating with a mobile device.

21. The hair dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair dryer includes a battery that powers the hair dryer.

Images