Haircare appliance

Abstract

A hair care device (10) is disclosed, comprising: a first arm (14) defining a recirculated air outlet (58); a second arm (16) defining a recirculated air inlet (66); an airflow generator (36) configured to generate an airflow between the recirculated air inlet (66) and the recirculated air outlet (58); and a heater (60) configured to heat the airflow downstream of the recirculated air inlet and upstream of the recirculated air outlet, wherein: the recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet are separated from each other by a hair receiving gap (46); the recirculated air outlet is configured to discharge the airflow across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet, and the hair care device includes a flow path configured to guide the airflow from the recirculated air inlet along the second arm in a first direction, and then along the first arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the recirculated air outlet.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] There is a general desire to improve the efficiency of hair care devices. The power that plugs or batteries can provide to hair care devices is limited, which in turn limits the airflow that can be generated by the device and / or the operating temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0002] A first aspect of the invention provides a hair care appliance comprising: a first arm defining a recirculated air outlet; a second arm defining a recirculated air inlet; an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow between the recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet; and a heater configured to heat the airflow downstream of the recirculated air inlet and upstream of the recirculated air outlet. The recirculated air inlet and recirculated air outlet are separated from each other by a hair receiving gap, the recirculated air outlet being configured to discharge airflow across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet, and the hair care appliance including a flow path configured to guide the airflow from the recirculated air inlet along the second arm in a first direction, and then along the first arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the recirculated air outlet.

[0003] Therefore, the hair care appliance according to the invention is configured to recirculate airflow, and can reduce energy consumption while achieving comparable hair care performance compared to hair care appliances that do not recirculate airflow. At least a portion of the airflow drawn into the hair care appliance via the recirculated air inlet is airflow that has already exited from the recirculated air outlet and traveled across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet. This airflow is heated by a heater before exiting from the recirculated air outlet. Therefore, the airflow drawn into the hair care appliance via the recirculated air inlet can have a higher average temperature than the air in the surrounding environment of the hair care appliance. Therefore, the amount of airflow heating required by the heater to achieve the desired airflow temperature can be reduced compared to the heater heating the non-recirculated airflow at the same temperature as the surrounding environment.

[0004] As air is drawn into the recirculated air inlet, the hair in the hair receiving gap is adsorbed onto the second arm, which provides mechanical control over the hair in the hair receiving gap when performing hair care operations using hair care tools.

[0005] The first and second arms can move relative to each other between an open and a closed position to change the width of the hair receiving gap. Increasing the width of the hair receiving gap makes it easier for hair to be inserted into the gap, while decreasing the width increases the speed at which airflow reaches the recirculation air inlet.

[0006] When in the closed position, the first and second arms can form a seal around the perimeter of the hair receiving gap. This helps to keep the hair within the hair receiving gap. It also prevents air from escaping across the hair receiving gap from the hair styling appliance, which in turn increases the amount of air drawn in from the recirculation air outlet at the recirculation air inlet. This, in turn, improves the efficiency of the hair styling appliance because the temperature of the air drawn into the recirculation air inlet can be increased compared to an arrangement where ambient air is also drawn into the recirculation air inlet. This also reduces the noise generated by the hair styling appliance during use.

[0007] Hair care appliances may include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of an airflow along a flow path. The temperature sensor may be positioned in the flow path downstream of the heater and upstream of the recirculated air outlet. The temperature sensor may also be positioned at the recirculated air outlet. The heater may be configured to selectively heat the airflow based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor to provide a desired air temperature. Therefore, the airflow discharged from the recirculated air outlet into the hair receiving gap can be discharged at the desired temperature. The hair care appliance may include only a single heater along the flow path.

[0008] Hair care appliances may include an inlet filter configured to prevent contaminants (such as hair care products) from entering the appliance via a recirculated air inlet. This can help reduce the recirculation of such contaminants through the appliance.

[0009] An airflow generator may include an electric motor and a recirculation impeller. The electric motor is configured to rotate the recirculation impeller to generate airflow, wherein the recirculation impeller is disposed in the flow path, and at least one electronic component of the electric motor is not in the flow path, or in other words, is disposed outside the flow path. For example, all electronic components of the electric motor may be disposed outside the flow path. A hair styling appliance may include only a single electric motor to generate airflow. In use, the hair styling appliance can reduce the moisture content of the hair in the hair receiving gap, causing humidified air to be drawn from the hair receiving gap into the recirculated air inlet and along the flow path. If the electronic components are in the flow path, this humidified air may inhibit the performance of the electric motor.

[0010] Electronic components may include a portion of the stator assembly of the electric motor, such as the motor's control circuitry. The coils of the stator assembly may be configured such that they are not in the flow path.

[0011] The recirculation impeller can be an axial impeller, a radial impeller, or a mixed-flow impeller.

[0012] The hair care appliance may include an electric motor air inlet and an electric motor air outlet, defining an additional flow path between them, neither of which is in fluid communication with the recirculated air inlet, recirculated air outlet, or flow path. At least one electronic component of the electric motor may be located in the additional flow path, and the airflow generator may include an inlet impeller configured to rotate the inlet impeller to generate an additional airflow along the additional flow path from the electric motor air inlet to the electric motor air outlet. In use, this allows the electronic component of the electric motor to be cooled by the additional airflow. This additional airflow is separate from the airflow traveling along the flow path. Both the additional airflow and the airflow traveling along the flow path can be generated by a single electric motor.

[0013] Hair care appliances may include a moisture filter located in the flow path, configured to remove moisture from the airflow. During use, the appliance reduces the moisture content of the hair in the hair receiving gaps, thereby allowing humidified air to be drawn in via a recirculation air inlet and flow along the flow path. The moisture content of this humidified air may be higher than that of ambient air. The moisture filter absorbs moisture from the airflow along the flow path, making the air exiting the recirculation air outlet drier than the air drawn in through the recirculation air inlet. This helps prevent, or at least delays, the saturation of the recirculated air along the flow path during use, thereby improving the hair care performance of the appliance.

[0014] A moisture filter can be located upstream of the recirculation impeller in the flow path. This reduces the amount of moisture passing through the recirculation impeller, thus improving its performance compared to having the recirculation impeller upstream of the moisture filter.

[0015] The moisture filter can be housed within the first arm. The length of the moisture filter can be greater than the length of the recirculated air inlet.

[0016] A moisture filter may include a desiccant. A moisture filter may include multiple desiccant beads. The beads provide a relatively large surface area for the moisture filter and allow airflow to travel between the beads as the airflow travels along the flow path. This facilitates moisture absorption by the moisture filter.

[0017] The moisture filter can be removed from the hair care device. This allows for the removal and / or replacement of the moisture filter.

[0018] Hair care appliances may include a housing defining a chamber in a flow path, the chamber having a selectively openable door, and a moisture filter may be disposed in the chamber during use and may be moved into and out of the chamber when the door is open.

[0019] The heater can be located downstream of the moisture filter. The airflow downstream of the moisture filter has a lower moisture content than the airflow upstream of the moisture filter. Positioning the heater downstream of the moisture filter reduces the energy required to heat the airflow to the desired temperature, as the heat energy required to heat the air increases with its moisture content. Additionally, compared to placing the heater upstream of the moisture filter, the heater can be closer to the recirculated air outlet along the flow path, which reduces heat loss from the airflow between the heater and the recirculated air outlet.

[0020] A moisture filter may be included in a filter cartridge, and the appliance may include an interface for removably attaching the filter cartridge to the appliance. When the removable filter cartridge is attached to the appliance at the interface, the filter cartridge defines a portion of the flow path, and the moisture filter is located within the flow path. Placing the moisture filter in the filter cartridge facilitates the removal and / or replacement of the moisture filter, for example, when the moisture filter reaches saturation.

[0021] The moisture filter may include a desiccant having a desorption temperature, and the hair care appliance may operate in two modes: a first mode performing a hair care operation, wherein the highest temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is less than the desorption temperature of the desiccant, or a second mode performing a regeneration operation, wherein the temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is at least the desorption temperature of the desiccant. The desorption temperature is the temperature at which the desiccant releases moisture previously absorbed by the moisture filter, or a temperature above that temperature. The desiccant may therefore not desorb moisture during operation in the first mode. The hair care appliance may be operable to regenerate the moisture filter by heating the desiccant to at least the desorption temperature during the regeneration operation. Heating the desiccant to at least the desorption temperature causes the desiccant to release moisture absorbed during operation of the hair care appliance in the first mode. This can improve the performance of the hair care appliance when operating in the first mode after already operating in the second mode.

[0022] The heater can be configured to heat the gas flow to a first maximum temperature during operation in a first mode, the first maximum temperature being less than the desorption temperature, and to heat the gas flow to a second maximum temperature during operation in a second mode, the second maximum temperature being at least equal to the desorption temperature.

[0023] The hair care appliance may include a moisture sensor for sensing a parameter indicating the moisture content of a moisture filter, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor indicating the parameter. The controller may be configured to stop operation of the hair care appliance in a second mode when it is determined, based on the signal, that the moisture content of the moisture filter has dropped to a predetermined threshold. Therefore, during the regeneration operation, the moisture content of the moisture filter can be reliably reduced to the predetermined threshold, regardless of the moisture content of the moisture filter after previous hair care operations.

[0024] The desorption temperature can be at least 160 degrees Celsius. This can be a higher temperature than the typical airflow temperature required during hair conditioning operations. Therefore, hair conditioning appliances can operate in the first mode at a temperature suitable for styling and / or drying hair without causing the dryer to desorb.

[0025] Desiccants can include calcium chloride desiccants. Calcium chloride desiccants can have a desorption temperature of at least 175 degrees Celsius and relatively high absorption properties, for example, compared to silica gel. Therefore, calcium chloride desiccants do not desorb moisture during hair care procedures.

[0026] The airflow generator can be configured to generate an airflow passing through the moisture filter at a first maximum flow rate in a first mode, and an airflow passing through the moisture filter at a second maximum flow rate in a second mode, where the first maximum flow rate is greater than the second maximum flow rate. The lower airflow rate is equivalent to an increased residence time (the time required for the airflow to pass through the moisture filter) in the second mode, which can improve the desorption rate of the moisture filter compared to the shorter residence time at the higher flow rate.

[0027] The first maximum flow velocity can be at least twice as high as the second maximum flow velocity, or at least five times as high as the second maximum flow velocity.

[0028] The first maximum flow velocity can be no greater than 20 L / s.

[0029] The second maximum flow rate may be no greater than 10 L / s or no greater than 5 L / s.

[0030] The hair care device can be configured to activate its operation in a second mode in response to a trigger after use in the first mode. This helps ensure that the moisture filter regeneration is performed when needed.

[0031] Triggers may include the user turning off the hair care appliance.

[0032] Triggers may include an empty hair receiving gap, for example, detected by a proximity sensor that detects the presence of an object in the hair receiving gap.

[0033] Triggers may include placing the hair care device on a base that holds the device in place when the user is not using it.

[0034] Triggers can include the completion of predefined hair care actions.

[0035] In the first mode, the airflow travels through the moisture filter in a first direction toward the recirculated air outlet. In the second mode, the airflow generator can be configured to generate airflow in the opposite direction to the first mode, causing the airflow to travel through the moisture filter toward the recirculated air inlet in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The recirculated air inlet is configured to discharge airflow in the second mode in a direction away from the recirculated air outlet. Therefore, in the second mode, no airflow or only a small portion of the airflow is recirculated. This prevents the recirculation of moisture released by the desiccant during regeneration operations, which reduces the time spent performing the regeneration operation.

[0036] In the second mode, the airflow can travel along a path different from the flow path.

[0037] The recirculated air outlet can be configured to discharge air into the hair receiver gap in a direction having a component along the height of the hair receiver gap. This provides better hair care performance compared to a recirculated air outlet configured to discharge air into the hair receiver gap in a direction without a component along the height of the hair receiver gap.

[0038] The recirculated air outlet can be slit-shaped. It has been found that this shape provides a higher velocity of air exiting the recirculated air outlet compared to a recirculated air outlet whose height is substantially equal to its width. This can increase the amount of air received from the recirculated air outlet at the recirculated air inlet. Consequently, this can improve the efficiency of hair care appliances because it can increase the temperature of the air drawn into the recirculated air inlet.

[0039] The recirculated air outlet can have a length and a height, with the length being at least 10 times the height. Compared to a smaller ratio between length and height, this increases the velocity of the airflow exiting the recirculated air outlet. Consequently, this can improve the hair care performance of the hair care appliance.

[0040] The length of the recirculated air outlet can be at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving gap. The recirculated air outlet can have a height of no more than 2 mm.

[0041] A second aspect of the invention provides a filter cartridge for a hair care appliance, wherein the filter cartridge includes: an interface for removably attaching the filter cartridge to the hair care appliance; a filter cartridge inlet; a filter cartridge outlet; and a moisture filter located in a flow path between the filter cartridge inlet and the filter cartridge outlet, the moisture filter being configured to absorb moisture from an airflow passing along the flow path.

[0042] The inclusion of a filter cartridge allows the filter cartridge to be removed and / or replaced after the moisture filter has absorbed moisture from the humidified airflow during use of the hair care appliance. The hair care appliance can be used without the filter cartridge attached, or with another filter cartridge containing a separate moisture filter attached, while the moisture filter in the cartridge is desorbing moisture.

[0043] A moisture filter may include a desiccant, which may comprise multiple desiccant beads. The beads provide a relatively large desiccant surface area and allow airflow to travel between the beads as it travels along the flow path. This facilitates moisture absorption and desorption by the moisture filter, depending on the temperature of the airflow along the flow path.

[0044] Desiccants can have a desorption temperature of at least 160 degrees Celsius. Hair care tools can typically be operated at a maximum temperature below 160 degrees Celsius to perform hair care procedures. Therefore, desiccants do not need to desorb moisture during hair care procedures.

[0045] Desiccants may include calcium chloride desiccants. Calcium chloride desiccants may have a desorption temperature of at least 175 degrees Celsius and relatively high absorption properties, for example, compared to silica gel.

[0046] A third aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for regenerating a moisture filter for absorbing moisture from an airflow in a hair care appliance. The apparatus is configured to perform a regeneration operation when the moisture filter is in a predetermined position relative to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to pass a heated airflow through the moisture filter, the temperature of the heated airflow being at least equal to the desorption temperature of the moisture filter.

[0047] Therefore, performing a regeneration operation can reduce the moisture content of the water filter. This device allows the water filter used in hair care products to be regenerated between two hair care operations.

[0048] The device may include a heater to heat the airflow to provide a heated airflow.

[0049] At a predetermined location, a moisture filter, a filter cartridge including a moisture filter, or a hair care appliance including a moisture filter can be mechanically connected to the device.

[0050] When the moisture filter is in the predetermined position, the device can be electrically connected to the hair care appliance and configured to activate the heater of the hair care appliance to provide a heated airflow. This reduces the complexity of the device compared to a device that includes a heater.

[0051] The device can be configured to pass a heated gas stream through a moisture filter at a flow rate not exceeding 10 L / s or 5 L / s. A lower gas flow rate, compared to a higher flow rate, can be equivalent to an increase in residence time (the time required for the gas stream to pass through the moisture filter), which, compared to a shorter residence time at a higher flow rate, can increase the desorption rate of the moisture filter.

[0052] The device can be configured to perform a regeneration operation when the moisture content of the moisture filter is greater than a moisture threshold. The device can also be configured to stop the regeneration operation when the moisture content of the moisture filter drops to or below a dryness threshold. The moisture content can be determined based on a parameter sensed by a moisture sensor, indicating the moisture content of the moisture filter. The device may include a moisture sensor.

[0053] The device may include an appliance interface configured to connect a hair care appliance, including a moisture filter, to the device during a regrowth operation. This helps ensure that the hair care appliance is held in a repeatable and reliable position during the regrowth operation.

[0054] The device may include a filter cartridge interface configured to dock a filter cartridge containing a moisture filter to the device during a regeneration operation, the filter cartridge being removably attached to the hair care appliance. This allows the hair care appliance to be used during a regeneration operation either without a moisture filter or with a separate filter cartridge containing another moisture filter. The filter cartridge may be according to a second aspect, wherein the moisture filter includes a desiccant.

[0055] Hair care appliances can be hair care appliances according to the first aspect, which include a moisture filter comprising a desiccant, or hair care appliances according to the fourth aspect described below, wherein the moisture filter comprises a desiccant.

[0056] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a hair care appliance comprising: a recirculated air inlet; a recirculated air outlet separated from the recirculated air inlet by a hair receiving gap and configured to guide an airflow across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet; an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow along a flow path between the recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet; a heater configured to heat the airflow; and a moisture filter in the flow path configured to remove moisture from the airflow.

[0057] During use, hair care devices recirculate airflow, which reduces energy consumption compared to hair care devices that do not recirculate airflow, as heat energy is saved by recirculating heated airflow.

[0058] During use, hair care devices reduce the moisture content of hair in the hair receiving gaps, allowing humidified air to be drawn in through the recirculation air inlet and flow along the airflow path. The moisture content of this humidified air may be higher than that of ambient air. A moisture filter absorbs moisture from the airflow traveling along the flow path, making the air exiting the recirculation air outlet drier than the air drawn in through the recirculation air inlet. This helps prevent, or at least delays, the saturation of the recirculated air along the flow path during use, thereby improving the hair care performance of the device.

[0059] A moisture filter can be located upstream of the airflow generator in the flow path. This reduces the amount of water passing through the airflow generator, thus improving its performance compared to having the airflow generator upstream of the moisture filter.

[0060] Moisture filters may include a desiccant. The desiccant may comprise multiple desiccant beads. The beads provide a relatively large desiccant surface area and allow airflow to travel between the beads as the airflow travels along the flow path. This facilitates moisture absorption by the moisture filter.

[0061] The moisture filter can be removed from the hair care device. This allows for the removal and / or replacement of the moisture filter.

[0062] Hair care appliances may include a housing defining a chamber in a flow path, the chamber having a selectively openable door, and a moisture filter may be disposed in the chamber during use and may enter and exit the chamber when the door is open.

[0063] The heater can be located downstream of the moisture filter. The airflow downstream of the moisture filter has a lower moisture content than the airflow upstream of the moisture filter. Positioning the heater downstream of the moisture filter reduces the energy required to heat the airflow to the desired temperature, as the heat energy required to heat the air increases with its moisture content. Additionally, compared to placing the heater upstream of the moisture filter, the heater can be closer to the recirculated air outlet along the flow path, which reduces heat loss from the airflow between the heater and the recirculated air outlet.

[0064] A moisture filter can be included in a filter cartridge. The appliance may include an interface for removably attaching the filter cartridge to the appliance. When the removable filter cartridge is attached to the appliance at the interface, the moisture filter is in the flow path. Providing a moisture filter in a filter cartridge facilitates the removal and / or replacement of the moisture filter, for example, when the moisture filter becomes saturated.

[0065] The filter cartridge can be the filter cartridge according to the second aspect.

[0066] The moisture filter may include a desiccant with a desorption temperature, and the hair care appliance may operate in two modes: a first mode performing a hair care operation, wherein the highest temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is less than the desorption temperature of the desiccant, or a second mode performing a regeneration operation, wherein the temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is at least the desorption temperature of the desiccant. The desorption temperature is the temperature at which the desiccant releases moisture previously absorbed by the moisture filter, or a temperature above that temperature. The desiccant may therefore not desorb moisture during operation in the first mode. The hair care appliance may be operable to regenerate the filter by heating the desiccant to at least the desorption temperature during the regeneration operation. Heating the desiccant to at least the desorption temperature causes the desiccant to release moisture absorbed during operation of the hair care appliance in the first mode. This can improve the performance of the hair care appliance when operating in the first mode after already operating in the second mode.

[0067] The heater can be configured to heat the gas flow to a first maximum temperature during operation in a first mode, the first maximum temperature being less than the desorption temperature, and to heat the gas flow to a second maximum temperature during operation in a second mode, the second maximum temperature being at least equal to the desorption temperature.

[0068] The hair care appliance may include a moisture sensor for sensing parameters indicating the moisture content of a moisture filter, and a controller configured to receive signals indicating the parameters from the moisture sensor. The controller may be configured to stop operation of the hair care appliance in a second mode when it is determined, based on the signal, that the moisture content of the moisture filter has dropped to a predetermined threshold. Therefore, during the regeneration operation, the moisture content of the moisture filter can be reliably reduced to the predetermined threshold, regardless of its moisture content after previous hair care operations.

[0069] The desiccant can have a desorption temperature of at least 160 degrees Celsius. This can be a higher temperature than the typical airflow temperature required during hair care operations. Therefore, hair care appliances can operate in the first mode at a temperature suitable for styling and / or drying hair without desorption from the desiccant.

[0070] Desiccants can include calcium chloride desiccants. Calcium chloride desiccants can have a desorption temperature of at least 175 degrees Celsius and relatively high absorption properties, for example, compared to silica gel. Therefore, calcium chloride desiccants do not desorb moisture during hair care procedures.

[0071] The airflow generator can be configured to generate an airflow with a first maximum velocity through the moisture filter in a first mode, and an airflow with a second maximum velocity through the moisture filter in a second mode, wherein the first maximum velocity is greater than the second maximum velocity. The lower airflow velocity may be equivalent to an increased residence time (the time required for the airflow to pass through the moisture filter) in the second mode, which can increase the desorption rate of the filter compared to the shorter residence time at the higher velocity.

[0072] The first maximum flow velocity can be at least twice as high as the second maximum flow velocity, or at least five times as high as the second maximum flow velocity.

[0073] The first maximum flow velocity can be no greater than 20 L / s.

[0074] The second maximum flow rate may be no greater than 10 L / s or no greater than 5 L / s.

[0075] The hair care device can be configured to activate its operation in a second mode in response to a trigger after use in the first mode. This helps ensure that the desiccant is regenerated when needed.

[0076] Triggers may include the user turning off the hair care appliance.

[0077] Triggers can include an empty hair receiving gap, such as detecting the presence of an object in the hair receiving gap via a proximity sensor.

[0078] Triggers may include placing the hair care device on a base that holds the device in place when not in use by the user.

[0079] Triggers can include the completion of predefined hair care actions.

[0080] In the first mode, the airflow can travel through the moisture filter in a first direction toward the recirculated air outlet. In the second mode, the airflow generator can be configured to generate airflow in the opposite direction to the first mode, causing the airflow to travel through the moisture filter toward the recirculated air inlet in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The recirculated air inlet can be configured to discharge airflow in the second mode in a direction away from the recirculated air outlet. Therefore, in the second mode, no or only a small portion of the airflow can be recirculated. This prevents the recirculation of moisture released by the desiccant during regeneration operations, which can reduce the time spent performing regeneration operations.

[0081] In the second mode, the airflow can travel along a path different from the flow path.

[0082] The recirculated air outlet can be configured to discharge air into the hair receiver gap in a direction having a component along the height of the hair receiver gap. This provides better hair care performance compared to a recirculated air outlet configured to discharge air into the hair receiver gap in a direction without a component along the height of the hair receiver gap.

[0083] The recirculated air outlet can be slit-shaped. It has been found that this shape provides a higher velocity of air exiting the recirculated air outlet compared to a recirculated air outlet whose height is substantially equal to its width. This can increase the amount of air received from the recirculated air outlet at the recirculated air inlet. Consequently, this can improve the efficiency of hair care appliances because it can increase the temperature of the air drawn into the recirculated air inlet.

[0084] The recirculated air outlet can have a length and a height, with the length being at least 10 times the height. Compared to a smaller ratio between length and height, this increases the velocity of the airflow exiting the recirculated air outlet. Consequently, this can improve the hair care performance of the hair care appliance.

[0085] The length of the recirculated air outlet can be at least 80% of the length of the hair receiving gap. The recirculated air outlet can have a height of no more than 2 mm.

[0086] A hair styling appliance may include a first arm defining a recirculated air outlet and a second arm defining a recirculated air inlet, with the first and second arms defining a hair receiving gap between them. A flow path is configured to guide airflow from the recirculated air inlet along the second arm in a first direction, and then along the first arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the recirculated air outlet. This flow path may be the only flow path for recirculation through the hair styling appliance, allowing an arrangement where airflow travels across the hair receiving gap in a direction from the first arm to the second arm, in contrast to a reverse airflow from the second arm to the first arm, resulting in two airflows traveling across the hair receiving gap in opposite directions. Compared to the case where airflow travels across the hair receiving gap in opposite directions, the hair styling appliance can therefore provide better hair styling performance, such as more repeatable and reliable hair styling results.

[0087] As air is drawn into the recirculated air inlet, the suction of the hair in the hair receiving gap against the second arm provides mechanical control over the hair in the hair receiving gap during the use of the hair care appliance while performing hair care operations.

[0088] The first and second arms can move relative to each other between an open and a closed position to change the width of the hair receiving gap. Increasing the width of the hair receiving gap makes it easier for hair to be inserted into the gap, while decreasing the width increases the speed at which airflow reaches the recirculation air inlet.

[0089] When in the closed position, the first and second arms can form a seal around the perimeter of the hair receiving gap. This helps to keep the hair within the hair receiving gap. It also prevents air from escaping across the hair receiving gap from the hair conditioning appliance, which in turn increases the amount of air received from the recirculation air outlet at the recirculation air inlet. This, in turn, improves the efficiency of the hair conditioning appliance because it increases the temperature of the air drawn into the recirculation air inlet. It also reduces the noise generated by the hair conditioning appliance during use.

[0090] Hair care appliances may include an inlet filter configured to prevent contaminants (such as hair care products) from entering the appliance via a recirculated air inlet. This can help reduce the recirculation of such contaminants through the appliance.

[0091] An inlet filter can be placed upstream of the moisture filter, which helps prevent contaminants from inhibiting the moisture filter's absorption performance.

[0092] When the moisture filter includes a desiccant, the hair care appliance can be operated together with a third-party device to desorb moisture from the desiccant after the hair care appliance has been used in the hair care process.

[0093] A fifth aspect of the invention provides a hair care appliance comprising a recirculated air inlet; a recirculated air outlet separated from the recirculated air inlet by a hair receiving gap and configured to direct airflow across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet; an airflow generator that generates airflow along a flow path between the recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet; and a heater for heating the airflow, wherein the airflow generator includes an electric motor and a recirculation impeller, the electric motor being configured to rotate the recirculation impeller to generate airflow, wherein the recirculation impeller is disposed in the flow path, and at least one electronic component (e.g., all electronic components) of the electric motor is not in the flow path.

[0094] Therefore, compared to hair care devices that do not recirculate air from the recirculation air outlet to the recirculation air inlet, the hair care device according to the invention, configured to recirculate airflow along the flow path and across the hair receiving gap, can reduce energy consumption and achieve better hair care performance. By discharging heated airflow from the recirculation air outlet to the recirculation air inlet, the airflow drawn into the hair care device via the recirculation air inlet can have a higher temperature than the air in the surrounding environment, resulting in the airflow traveling along the flow path having a higher temperature than airflow that is not recirculated by the hair care device. Furthermore, the amount of airflow required for the heater to achieve the desired airflow temperature can be reduced.

[0095] During use, handheld hair care tools can reduce the moisture content of the hair in the hair receiving gap, causing humid air to be drawn from the hair receiving gap into the recirculation air inlet and flow along the flow path.

[0096] During use, the temperature and / or moisture content of the airflow passing through a hair care appliance that recirculates the airflow may inhibit the performance of the motor located in that airflow and / or unduly limit its maximum operating speed. The hair care appliance for which protection is sought helps to separate the electronic components of the motor from the airflow traveling along the flow path, thereby increasing the maximum operating speed of the motor and / or extending the lifespan of the motor's electronic components.

[0097] Electronic components may include a portion of the stator assembly of the electric motor, such as the motor's control circuitry. The coils of the stator assembly may be configured such that they are not in the flow path.

[0098] The recirculation impeller can be a radial impeller or a mixed-flow impeller.

[0099] Hair care appliances may include any suitable features of the hair care appliances described in the first or fourth aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0100] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a hair care appliance in a first configuration, based on an example;

[0101] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a hair care tool;

[0102] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of a hair care appliance in the second configuration;

[0103] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first arm of a hair care device facing the hair.

[0104] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the hair-facing surface of the second arm of a hair care tool;

[0105] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 The line AA in the middle is intercepted Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a hair care tool;

[0106] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a hair care device, showing the device in use;

[0107] Figure 8This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view based on another hair care appliance in the example;

[0108] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the filter cartridge of a hair care device;

[0109] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a hair care device, showing the hair care device used in a first operating mode;

[0110] Figure 11a and Figure 11b The images schematically illustrate the installed and non-installed positions. Figure 8 Filter cartridges; and

[0111] Figure 12 It is used for regeneration Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the device containing the desiccant in the filter cartridge. Detailed Implementation

[0112] Figure 1 The image shows a hair care device 10 in the form of a handheld hair straightener. The hair care device 10 includes a body 12, a first arm 14, a second arm 16, a main power connector 18, a user interface 20, a control unit 34, an airflow generator 36, a heater 60, and a temperature sensor 62. The hair care device 10 has a longitudinal axis 22 extending from a first end 24 to a second end 25, passing through the center of the body 12.

[0113] Each of the main body 12, the first arm 14, and the second arm 16 has a generally hollow interior. A heater 60 and a temperature sensor 62 are disposed within the hollow interior of the first arm 14. A channel 26 fluidly connects the hollow interiors of the first arm 14 and the second arm 16 at the end of each arm 14, 16 closest to the main body 12 along the longitudinal axis 22. The hollow interior of the main body 12 is fluidly separated from the hollow interiors of the first arm 14, the second arm 16, and the channel 26 by an inner wall 27. The inner wall 27 defines the wall of the channel 26.

[0114] The main body 12 is generally cylindrical and includes a housing 28 defining a hollow interior of the main body 12, a motor air inlet 30, and a motor air outlet 32. The motor air inlet 30 and the motor air outlet 32 ​​are each formed by a plurality of adjacent holes in the housing 28. The motor air inlet 30 and the motor air outlet 32 ​​each fluidly connect the hollow interior of the main body 12 to the surrounding environment of the hair care appliance 10. The motor air outlet 32 ​​extends circumferentially around the housing 28 and is positioned towards a first end 24 of the hair care appliance 10. The motor air inlet 30 is located further away from the first end 24 of the hair care appliance 10 than the motor air outlet 32.

[0115] The control unit 34 is disposed inside the hollow interior of the housing 28, such as Figure 2 As best shown. The user interface 20 is located outside the housing 28 and communicates electronically with the control unit 34.

[0116] The airflow generator 36 includes a motor 38, an inlet impeller 39, and a recirculation impeller 40. The motor 38 includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly, wherein the stator assembly includes electronic components for rotating the rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly. It should be understood that, for clarity, not all details of the stator and rotor assemblies are shown here. It should also be understood that, in some examples, at least some of the electronic components of the stator assembly may be included in a control unit 34. The rotor assembly includes a drive shaft 41, to which the inlet impeller 39 and the recirculation impeller 40 are fixed. The inlet impeller 39 is fixed to the end of the drive shaft 41 opposite to the recirculation impeller 40. Both the stator assembly and the inlet impeller 39 are located within the hollow interior of the body 12. The drive shaft 41 passes through a hole in the inner wall 27 such that one end of the drive shaft 41 and the recirculation impeller 40 are located in a channel 26, while the other end of the drive shaft 41 and the remainder of the rotor assembly are located within the hollow interior of the body 12. A seal (not shown) extends circumferentially around the drive shaft 41 and forms a seal with the periphery of the bore.

[0117] The first arm 14 and the second arm 16 are located at the end of the main body 12 closest to the second end 25 of the hair care device. Each arm 14, 16 is generally slender and has a length substantially equal to that of the other arm 14, 16.

[0118] The first arm 14 includes a first hair-facing surface 42, and the second arm 16 includes a second hair-facing surface 44, which is generally opposite to the first hair-facing surface 42. The first hair-facing surface 42 and the second hair-facing surface 44 define a hair-receiving gap 46 between them. In this example, the hair-receiving gap 46 has a length of approximately 90 mm and a height of approximately 40 mm. The length is in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 22. The height is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is generally parallel to the first hair-facing surface 42 and the second hair-facing surface 44.

[0119] The first arm 14 and the second arm 16 each include a corresponding one of a pair of conforming members 48. The pair of conforming members 48 project from the respective hair-facing surfaces 42, 44 in a direction toward the other of the first and second arms 14, 16, and extend around the entire periphery of the hair receiving gap 46. Each pair of conforming members 48 is elastically deformable.

[0120] The first hair-facing surface 42 has opposing first edges 50 and second edges 52, each extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 22. The second hair-facing surface 44 has opposing third edges 54 and fourth edges 56, each extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 22. The first edges 50 and third edges 54 are generally aligned with each other across the hair receiving gap 46, and the second edges 52 and fourth edges 56 are also generally aligned with each other across the hair receiving gap 46.

[0121] The first arm 14 includes a wall 57 defining a first surface 42 facing the hair, and a recirculated air outlet 58 extends through the wall 57, as... Figure 4 and Figure 6 As best shown. At the first hair-facing surface 42, the recirculated air outlet 58 is a slit with a length of approximately 80 mm and a height of approximately 2 mm. This length extends approximately parallel to the first edge 50 and the second edge 52, and the height extends approximately perpendicular to both edges 50 and 52. The recirculated air outlet 58 extends through the wall 57 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the first hair-facing surface 42 and is inclined toward the hair receiving gap 46, such that the recirculated air outlet 58 is closer to the second edge 52 at the first hair-facing surface 42 than at the opposite surface of the wall 57. The recirculated air outlet 58 is positioned closer to the first edge 50 than the second edge 52.

[0122] The second arm 16 includes a recirculation air inlet 66 in the second hair-facing surface 44, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As best shown. The recirculated air inlet 66 is generally rectangular, with a length of about 80 mm, extending generally parallel to the third edge 54 and the fourth edge 56, and has a height greater than the height of the recirculated air outlet 58, which is about 10 mm in this example. The height extends generally perpendicular to the third edge 54 and the fourth edge 56. The distance between the recirculated air inlet 66 and the third edge 54 is greater than the distance between the recirculated air outlet 58 and the first edge 50. Therefore, the recirculated air outlet 58 is inclined toward the recirculated air inlet 66, thereby allowing air to flow more easily from the recirculated air outlet 58 into the recirculated air inlet 66.

[0123] The second arm 16 includes a filter (inlet filter) 68 that extends across the entire area of ​​the recirculated air inlet 66 and forms part of the surface 44 facing the hair.

[0124] The main body 12 is fixed relative to the first arm 14. The second arm 16 is movably attached to the main body 12 and can be positioned as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 The closed position shown and as Figure 3 The hair receiving gap 46 moves between the open and closed positions shown. The distance between the first hair-facing surface 42 and the second hair-facing surface 44 is the width of the hair receiving gap 46, and is greater when the second arm 16 is in the open position than when it is in the closed position. In the open position, the pair of conformal members 48 do not contact each other. In the closed position, the pair of conformal members 48 contact each other to form a seal around the entire periphery of the hair receiving gap 46. In the closed position, the first hair-facing surface 42 and the second hair-facing surface 44 are generally parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis 22, and the hair receiving gap 46 has a width of about 6 mm. It should be understood that in other examples, the hair receiving gap has a different width when the second arm 16 is in the closed position, for example, in the range of about 1 mm to about 15 mm.

[0125] The operation of the hair care appliance 10 is initiated by the user interface 20. In response, the control unit 34 activates the airflow generator 36 and the heater 60. Current is supplied to the electronic components of the stator assembly, causing the rotor assembly and drive shaft 41 to rotate. The rotation of the drive shaft 41 causes the corresponding rotation of the inlet impeller 39 and the rotating impeller 40. The rotation of the recirculation impeller 40 generates a first airflow. The rotation of the inlet impeller 39 generates a second airflow. During the operation of the hair care appliance 10, the pathways for the first and second airflows are... Figure 7 The diagram is best illustrated schematically and represented by block arrows. White block arrows represent the first airflow, while black block arrows represent the second airflow. The seal between the inner wall 27 and the hole in the inner wall 27 and the drive shaft 41 inhibits the interaction between the first and second airflows.

[0126] The hair care appliance 10 includes a flow path to guide a first airflow from a recirculated air inlet 66 along a second arm 16 toward a recirculated air outlet 58 along a first arm 14. Rotation of the recirculation impeller 40 draws air from the hair receiving gap 46 into the hair care appliance 10 at the recirculation air inlet 66, causing the first airflow to enter the hollow interior of the second arm 16. The first airflow is drawn through a filter 68, which prevents contaminants in the airflow from entering the hollow interior of the second arm 16 via the recirculation air inlet 66. The first airflow then travels in a generally longitudinal direction (first direction) toward a first end 24 of the hair care appliance 10 through the hollow interior of the second arm 16. The first airflow then passes through the recirculation impeller 40 and is guided along a channel 26 into the hollow interior of the first arm 14, where the first airflow travels along the first arm 14 in a generally longitudinal direction (second direction) toward a second end 25 of the hair care appliance 10. As it travels along the first arm 14, the first airflow passes through the heater 60, where heat energy is transferred to the first airflow via the heater 60, and passes through the temperature sensor 62, where the temperature of the first airflow is sensed by the temperature sensor 62. The first airflow then exits from the recirculated air outlet 58 across the hair receiving gap 46 toward the recirculated air inlet 66. The recirculated air outlet 58, in a direction having a component along the height of the hair receiving gap, discharges the first airflow across the hair receiving gap 46 toward the second and fourth edges 52, 56, as... Figure 6 As indicated by arrow B in the diagram. Then, the first airflow re-enters the hollow interior of the second arm 16 via the recirculated air inlet 66 and continues to recirculate along the route just described.

[0127] Over time, the temperature of the first airflow rises above the ambient air temperature surrounding the hair care appliance 10. This is because at least a portion of the heat energy imparted to the first airflow by the heater 60 is recirculated along the aforementioned route, so that the first airflow is partially heated the next time it passes through the heater 60. The temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature of the first airflow downstream of the heater 60 and upstream of the recirculated air outlet 58. The control unit 38 controls the heat output of the heater 60 based on the detected temperature to bring the desired first airflow temperature to the temperature sensor 62. By recirculating the first airflow, the amount of heat required by the heater 60 is reduced because the heat energy in the airflow that is not transferred to the hair bundle 100 is retained within the hair care appliance 10. Therefore, the amount of heat required by the heater 60 to reach the desired first airflow temperature is reduced.

[0128] The motor air inlet 30 and motor air outlet 32 ​​define an additional flow path for the second airflow. Ambient air is drawn into the hair care appliance 10 at the motor air inlet 30 by the rotation of the inlet impeller 39 caused by the motor 38, causing the second airflow to enter the hollow interior of the body 12, passing sequentially through the control unit 34, the stator and rotor assemblies of the motor 38, and the inlet impeller 39, before exiting the hair care appliance 10 via the motor air outlet 32. The second airflow is separate from the first airflow. Since the second airflow does not pass through the heater 60, its temperature is generally lower than that of the first airflow. Therefore, the second airflow can more effectively cool the control unit 34 and the stator and rotor assemblies of the motor 38 compared to passing the first airflow through the control unit 34 and the stator and rotor assemblies of the motor 38.

[0129] The motor air outlet 32 ​​is arranged such that the airflow exiting from the motor air outlet 32 ​​is discharged in a direction away from the main body 12.

[0130] The use of hair care appliance 10 to perform hair care operations will now be described. Movement of the second arm 16 from a closed position to an open position releases the seal formed by a pair of conforming members 48 in the closed position, facilitating the insertion of a hair bundle 100 into the hair receiving gap 46. With the second arm 16 in the open position, the hair bundle 100 is positioned between the first arm 14 and the second arm 16 in the hair receiving gap 46. The hair bundle 100 is positioned such that the hair strands of the hair bundle 100 extend generally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22 and parallel to the first and second hair-facing surfaces 42, 44. The second arm 16 is then moved to the closed position such that the pair of conforming members 48 contact each other and conform around the hair bundle 100 at the points where the hair bundle 100 enters and / or exits the hair receiving gap 46. In some examples, the width of the hair receiving gap 46 is such that when the second arm 16 is in the closed position, the hair strands of the hair bundle 100 contact the first and / or second hair-facing surfaces 42, 44. As the hair care device 10 is then pulled down along the hair strands of the hair bundle 100 toward the ends of the hair bundle 100, the conforming member 48 applies tension to the hair bundle 100.

[0131] During operation, the hair care tool 10 is pulled by the user along the hair strand 100 to style and / or dry the hair strand 100 along its length. The hair care tool 10 is pulled along the hair strand 100, with the first edge 50 and the third edge 54 following the second edge 52 and the fourth edge 56, as... Figure 6 As indicated by arrow C in the image. (See reference) Figure 7The hair care appliance 10 will leave the page along the direction in which the hair bundle 100 is pulled. Therefore, the first airflow discharged from the recirculation air outlet 58 into the hair receiving gap 46 is discharged in a direction having a component toward the hair ends of the hair bundle 100, passing through the hair bundle 100, between the individual strands of the hair bundle 100, and transferring heat energy to the hair bundle 100. The shape and size of the recirculation air outlet 58 allow the first airflow to be discharged at a relatively high velocity (compared to an outlet with a larger cross-sectional area), which facilitates the penetration of the first airflow into the hair bundle 100. In this example, the first airflow is discharged at a maximum velocity of approximately 10 L / s. A seal formed by a pair of conformal members 48 around the periphery of the hair receiving gap 46 prevents the first airflow from escaping from the hair receiving gap 46. Therefore, the first airflow is received at the recirculation air inlet 66 and recirculated as described above. In addition to inhibiting contaminants from passing through the recirculation air inlet 66, the filter 68 also inhibits the drawing in of strands of hair from the hair bundle 100 through the recirculation air inlet 66.

[0132] Figure 8 Another hair care device 110 in the form of a handheld hair straightener is shown. This other hair care device 110 has the same features as the referenced device. Figures 1 to 7 The described hair care appliances 10 have essentially the same structure and operability, and for the sake of brevity, common features will not be described again. Common features are indicated by the same reference numerals, but with an addition of 100. This document only describes the differences in structure and operation.

[0133] Another hair care device 110 includes a filter cartridge 170, such as Figure 9 As shown, the hollow interior of filter cartridge 170 houses a moisture filter in the form of multiple desiccant beads 172. Filter cartridge 170 is located within the second arm 116 and has a filter cartridge inlet 174 and a filter cartridge outlet 176. Filter cartridge inlet 174 is aligned with and fluidly communicates with the recirculated air inlet 166, allowing the recirculated air inlet 166 to communicate with the hollow interior of filter cartridge 170. The height and length of filter cartridge inlet 174 are substantially equal to the height and length of recirculated air inlet 166. Filter cartridge outlet 176 fluidly communicates with the hollow interior of the second arm 116. Filter cartridge outlet 176 is closer to the recirculation impeller 140 than both filter cartridge inlet 174 and recirculated air inlet 166. Filter cartridge 170 also includes a seal 178 extending around the periphery of filter cartridge inlet 174 and abutting against an adjacent surface of the second arm 116 around the periphery of recirculated air inlet 166 to form a seal.

[0134] The multiple beads 172 have a desorption temperature of approximately 170 degrees Celsius, but in other examples they may have higher or lower desorption temperatures. Below the desorption temperature, each of the multiple beads 172 absorbs moisture from the adjacent air. At or above the desorption temperature, the multiple beads 172 release the previously absorbed moisture.

[0135] The second arm 116 includes a stop 180 that protrudes into the hollow interior of the second arm 116 and contacts the filter cartridge 170 around the filter cartridge outlet 176.

[0136] During use, another hair care device 110 generates a first airflow and a second airflow, which roughly follow the same pattern as the reference above. Figure 7 The same route, but with the following reference Figure 10 The differences mentioned.

[0137] When performing a hair care operation using another hair care device 110, the hair bundle 100 is placed in the hair receiving gap 146, with the second arm 116 in the open position, and then the second arm 116 is moved to the closed position. As described above with reference to hair care device 10, the user pulls the other hair care device 110 along the hair bundle 100.

[0138] This description starts from the recirculation impeller and outlines the path of the first airflow, as referenced above. Figure 7 The first airflow is guided along the channel to the first arm 114. In this example, the control unit 134 controls the heater 160 to heat the airflow to a maximum temperature below the desorption temperature of the plurality of beads 172, which in this example is a maximum temperature of approximately 160 degrees Celsius. The first airflow then passes through the temperature sensor 162 and subsequently exits from the recirculated air outlet 158 ​​across the hair receiving gap 146 toward the recirculated air inlet 166. As the first airflow passes through the hair bundle 100, heat is transferred from the first airflow to the hair bundle 100. The first airflow then re-enters the second arm 116 via the recirculated air inlet 166.

[0139] In some cases, the hair bundle 100 has a higher moisture content than the ambient air surrounding another hair care device 110. The first airflow passing through the hair bundle 100 at the hair receiving gap 146 reduces the moisture content of the hair bundle 100, which in turn causes the first airflow to have a higher moisture content at the recirculation air inlet 166 than at the recirculation air outlet 158, at least until the moisture content of the hair bundle 100 has been reduced, for example, to a moisture content substantially the same as that of the ambient air.

[0140] The first airflow then passes through filter 168 and enters the hollow interior of filter cartridge 170 via filter cartridge inlet 174. Before exiting from filter cartridge 170 via filter cartridge outlet 176 toward recirculation impeller 140, the first airflow passes over multiple beads 172 in a generally longitudinal direction toward the first end 24 of hair care appliance 10. Seal 178 prevents the first airflow from bypassing filter cartridge 170. As the first airflow travels through the hollow interior of filter cartridge 170, the multiple desiccant beads 172 absorb moisture from the first airflow. Therefore, the airflow exiting from filter cartridge outlet 176 has a lower moisture content than the airflow received at filter cartridge inlet 174.

[0141] In addition to the aforementioned advantages of recirculating the first airflow, providing multiple beads 172 helps reduce the recirculation of moisture within the other hair care appliance 110. This helps prevent the first airflow from becoming saturated. The energy required to heat the airflow increases with the moisture content of the airflow. Therefore, the other hair care appliance 110 can further reduce the energy consumption of the heater 160 in heating the first airflow to the desired first airflow temperature.

[0142] After performing a hair conditioning operation using another hair conditioning device 110, the moisture content of the multiple beads 172 is higher than before the hair conditioning operation. Therefore, during subsequent hair conditioning operations, the moisture absorption capacity of the multiple beads 172 may decrease, for example, because the multiple beads 172 may become saturated. Therefore, the filter cartridge 170 is removably located in the second arm 116, as... Figure 11a and 11b As shown in the best example, Figure 11a and 11b Cross-sectional views of the second arm 116 and the filter cartridge 170 are shown respectively. (Refer to reference...) Figures 1 to 7 In contrast to the second arm 16 of the described hair care appliance 10, the second arm 116 of another hair care appliance 110 includes a cover (or door) 182, which is disposed at the end of the second arm 116 opposite to the body 112. The cover 182 may be as follows: Figure 11a The closed position shown and as Figure 11b The filter cartridge 170 can be moved between the shown open positions. In the open position of the cover 182, the filter cartridge 170 can be moved into and out of the hollow interior (chamber) of the second arm 116 by sliding the filter cartridge relative to the second arm 116. To insert the filter cartridge 170, slide the filter cartridge 170 into the second arm 116 with the filter cartridge outlet 176 facing forward and the filter cartridge inlet 174 parallel to and adjacent to the second hair-facing surface 144, until the filter cartridge 170 contacts the stop 180. In the closed position of the cover 182, the filter cartridge 170 cannot enter or leave the hollow interior of the second arm 116.

[0143] After the filter cartridge 170 is removed, the filter cartridge 170 can be replaced, or more specifically, multiple beads 172 can be replaced, wherein the moisture content of the multiple desiccant beads 172 contained in the replacement filter cartridge 170 is lower than the moisture content of the beads removed from the second arm 116.

[0144] exist Figure 12 An example apparatus 200 for regenerating a plurality of desiccant beads 172 contained in a filter cartridge 170 is schematically shown. The apparatus 200 includes a receiving section 202 for receiving the filter cartridge 170, a control unit 204, a motor 206, a heater 208, a temperature sensor 210, a moisture sensor 212, a contact switch 213, an air inlet 214, and an air outlet 216. The apparatus 200 defines a flow path from the air inlet 214 to the air outlet 216. The motor 206, the heater 208, and the temperature sensor 210 are in the flow path. The motor 206 is upstream of the heater 208, and the temperature sensor 210 is downstream of the heater 208.

[0145] When the filter cartridge 170 is received in the receiving section 202, the filter cartridge inlet 174 is aligned with the air outlet 216. A seal 178 of the filter cartridge 170 forms a seal between the filter cartridge 170 and the device 200 around the periphery of the filter cartridge inlet 174 and the air outlet 216. The height and length of the air outlet 216 are substantially equal to the height and length of the filter cartridge inlet 174. When the filter cartridge 170 is received at the receiving section 202, the moisture sensor 212 is positioned adjacent to the filter cartridge outlet 176.

[0146] In the use of device 200, filter cartridge 170 is placed in receiving section 202, which causes contact switch 213 to send a signal to control unit 204. In response, control unit 204 causes motor 206 to operate to generate airflow from air inlet 214 to air outlet 216. The airflow path in the use of device 200 is... Figure 12 The block arrows indicate this. The airflow passes through the motor 206 to cool the motor 206 before passing through the heater 208 and temperature sensor 210. The control unit 204 operates the heater 208 to heat the airflow to a desired temperature greater than the desorption temperature of the plurality of desiccant beads 172 contained in the filter cartridge 170. The control unit 204 receives a signal from the temperature sensor 210 indicating the temperature of the airflow downstream of the heater 208 and controls the heat output of the heater 208 based on the signal from the temperature sensor 210 to maintain the airflow at the desired temperature.

[0147] The airflow is discharged from air outlet 216 into filter cartridge 170 via filter cartridge inlet 174, and passes through multiple beads 172 to reach filter cartridge outlet 176. Since the airflow is at the desired temperature, the multiple beads 172 are heated to at least the desorption temperature and release the moisture contained in the desiccant.

[0148] As the airflow exits from the filter cartridge outlet 176, the moisture sensor 212 detects the moisture content of the airflow and sends a signal indicating the moisture content to the control unit 204. The control unit 204 determines whether the moisture content is below a minimum threshold, and if so, stops the operation of the motor and heater.

[0149] Therefore, the filter cartridge 170 can be reused. When another hair care device 110 is not used, when another hair care device 110 is used without a filter cartridge 170 in the second arm 116, or when another hair care device 110 is used with another filter cartridge 170 containing multiple desiccant beads 172 with a lower moisture content than the multiple desiccant beads contained in the filter cartridge being regenerated by the device 200, the device 200 can regenerate the multiple desiccant beads 172 in the filter cartridge 170.

[0150] It should be understood that in other examples, the multiple desiccant beads 172 can be regenerated in situ. That is, the filter cartridge is positioned in the second arm 116, and the second arm is in the open position. In some such examples, the recirculation impeller 140 can be an axial impeller, and another hair care appliance 110 can be configured to perform the regeneration operation, wherein the control unit 134 causes the recirculation impeller 140 to rotate in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the recirculation impeller during the hair care operation to generate a third airflow. Thus, the third airflow can flow through the hair care appliance 110 in a substantially opposite direction to the first airflow. In such examples, the third airflow can be drawn into the hair care appliance 110 via the recirculation air outlet 158, a heater can heat the third airflow to a temperature greater than the desorption temperature of the desiccant, and the recirculation air inlet 166 can discharge the third airflow in a direction away from the recirculation air outlet 158. The flow rate of the third airflow can be approximately 10 times lower than the flow rate of the first airflow. The control unit 134 can initiate the regeneration operation to regenerate the multiple beads 172 in response to a user input command at the user interface.

[0151] It should be understood that in other examples, the first arm may include another recirculating air inlet in the first hair-facing surface, and the second arm may include another recirculating air outlet in the second hair-facing surface, wherein the other recirculating air outlet and the other recirculating air inlet are downstream of the recirculating air inlet and upstream of the recirculating air outlet, and wherein the other recirculating air inlet is configured to receive airflow emitted from the other recirculating air outlet. In such examples, during the use of the hair care device, the two airflows travel simultaneously across the hair receiving gap in opposite directions.

[0152] It should be understood that other examples are envisioned, and examples of these are given here. The filter cartridge may contain alternative, suitable moisture-absorbing material to remove moisture from the first airflow. The moisture-absorbing material, such as multiple desiccant beads, may be placed directly within the hair styling device rather than contained within the filter cartridge. The arms of the hair styling device or another hair styling device may be immovable relative to each other, wherein the width of the hair receiving gap is fixed. The first arm or both arms may be movable relative to the handle portion. The hair styling device or another hair styling device may be battery-powered. The hair styling device or another hair styling device may be remotely operated, such as remotely operated from a separate smart device. The pair of conformal members may extend only around a portion of the periphery of the hair receiving gap, or may be omitted.

Claims

1. A hair care tool, comprising: The first arm defines the recirculated air outlet; The second arm defines the recirculated air inlet; An airflow generator is configured to generate airflow between the recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet; and a heater configured to heat the airflow downstream of the recirculated air inlet and upstream of the recirculated air outlet, wherein: The recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet are separated from each other by a hair receiving gap; The recirculated air outlet is configured to discharge the airflow across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet; and The hair care device includes a flow path configured to guide the airflow from the recirculated air inlet along the second arm in a first direction, and then along the first arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the recirculated air outlet.

2. The hair care tool according to claim 1, wherein, The airflow generator includes an electric motor and a recirculation impeller, the electric motor being configured to rotate the recirculation impeller to generate the airflow, wherein the recirculation impeller is disposed in the flow path, and at least one electronic component of the electric motor is disposed outside the flow path.

3. The hair care appliance according to claim 2, comprising a motor air inlet and a motor air outlet, the motor air inlet and the motor air outlet defining another flow path between them, and neither the motor air inlet nor the motor air outlet being in fluid communication with the recirculated air inlet, the recirculated air outlet, or the flow path, wherein: The at least one electronic component of the electric motor is located in the other flow path; and The airflow generator includes an inlet impeller, and the motor is configured to rotate the inlet impeller to generate another airflow from the motor air inlet to the motor air outlet along the other flow path.

4. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a moisture filter in the flow path, the moisture filter being configured to remove moisture from the airflow.

5. The hair care device according to claim 4, wherein, The heater is downstream of the moisture filter.

6. The hair care appliance according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The moisture filter is contained in a filter cartridge. The hair care device includes an interface for removably attaching the filter cartridge to the hair care device, and When the removable filter cartridge is attached to the hair care device at the interface, the filter cartridge defines a portion of the flow path, and the moisture filter is in the flow path.

7. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The moisture filter includes a desiccant with a desorption temperature, and the hair care device is capable of operating in the following modes: A first mode is used to perform a hair care operation, wherein the highest temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is lower than the desorption temperature of the desiccant; or The second mode is used to perform a regeneration operation, wherein the temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is at least the desorption temperature of the desiccant.

8. The hair care appliance according to claim 7, wherein, The desorption temperature is at least 160 degrees Celsius.

9. The hair care appliance according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow having a first maximum flow rate through the moisture filter in the first mode, and to generate an airflow having a second maximum flow rate through the moisture filter in the second mode, wherein the first maximum flow rate is greater than the second maximum flow rate.

10. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the hair care appliance is configured to initiate operation in the second mode in response to a trigger after use in the first mode.

11. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: In the first mode, the airflow travels through the moisture filter in a first direction toward the recirculated air outlet. In the second mode, the airflow generator is configured to generate the airflow in the opposite direction to the first mode, such that the airflow travels through the moisture filter toward the recirculated air inlet in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and The recirculated air inlet is configured to discharge airflow in a direction away from the recirculated air outlet in the second mode.

12. The hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The recirculated air outlet is configured to discharge air into the hair receiving gap in a direction having a component along the height of the hair receiving gap.

13. A filter cartridge for a hair care device, wherein, The filter cartridge includes: An interface for removably attaching the filter cartridge to the hair care appliance; Filter cartridge inlet; Filter cartridge outlet; and A moisture filter, which is configured to absorb moisture from an airflow passing through the flow path between the filter cartridge inlet and the filter cartridge outlet.

14. An apparatus for regenerating a moisture filter for absorbing moisture from an airflow in a hair care appliance, the apparatus being configured to perform a regeneration operation when the moisture filter is in a predetermined position relative to the apparatus, wherein in the regeneration operation the apparatus is configured to pass a heated airflow through the moisture filter, the temperature of the heated airflow being at least equal to the desorption temperature of the moisture filter.

15. A hair care tool, comprising: Recirculated air inlet; A recirculated air outlet, which is separated from the recirculated air inlet by a hair receiving gap, is configured to direct airflow across the hair receiving gap to the recirculated air inlet; An airflow generator is configured to generate airflow along a flow path between the recirculated air inlet and the recirculated air outlet; A heater configured to heat the airflow; as well as A moisture filter, located in the flow path, is configured to remove moisture from the airflow.

16. The hair care appliance according to claim 15, wherein, The heater is downstream of the moisture filter.

17. The hair care appliance according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The moisture filter is contained in a filter cartridge. The apparatus includes an interface for removably attaching the filter cartridge to the apparatus, and When the removable filter cartridge is attached to the appliance at the interface, the moisture filter is in the flow path.

18. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, The moisture filter includes a desiccant with a desorption temperature, and the hair care device is capable of operating in the following modes: In a first mode, used to perform a hair care operation, the highest temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is lower than the desorption temperature of the desiccant; or The second mode is used to perform a regeneration operation, wherein the temperature of the airflow passing through the moisture filter is at least the desorption temperature of the desiccant.

19. The hair care appliance according to claim 18, wherein, The desiccant has a desorption temperature of at least 160 degrees Celsius.

20. The hair care appliance according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein, The airflow generator is configured to generate an airflow having a first maximum flow rate through the moisture filter in the first mode, and to generate an airflow having a second maximum flow rate through the moisture filter in the second mode, wherein the first maximum flow rate is greater than the second maximum flow rate.

21. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the hair care appliance is configured to initiate operation of the hair care appliance in the second mode in response to a trigger after use in the first mode.

22. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: In the first mode, the airflow travels through the moisture filter in a first direction toward the recirculated air outlet. In the second mode, the airflow generator is configured to generate the airflow in the opposite direction to the first mode, such that the airflow travels through the moisture filter toward the recirculated air inlet in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and The recirculated air inlet is configured to discharge airflow in a direction away from the recirculated air outlet in the second mode.

23. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein, The recirculated air outlet is configured to discharge air into the hair receiving gap in a direction having a component along the height of the hair receiving gap.

24. The hair care appliance according to any one of claims 15 to 23, comprising a first arm defining the recirculated air outlet; and a second arm defining the recirculated air inlet, wherein the first arm and the second arm define the hair receiving gap therebetween, wherein, The flow path is configured to guide airflow from the recirculated air inlet along the second arm in a first direction, and then along the first arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the recirculated air outlet.

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